cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Erythrocyte sphingolipid species as biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the early stages is challenging. Informative biomarkers could be of great value for population-based screening. Metabolomics studies have been used to find potential biomarkers, but commonly used tissue sources can be difficult to obtain. The objective of this study was to determine the potential utility of erythrocyte metabolite profiles in screening for AD. Unlike some commonly-used sources such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain tissue, erythrocytes are plentiful and easily accessed. Moreover, erythrocytes are metabolically active, a feature that distinguishes this sample source from other bodily fluids like plasma and urine. In this preliminary pilot study, the erythrocyte metabolomes of 10 histopathologically confirmed AD patients and 10 patients without AD (CTRL) were compared. Whole blood was collected post-mortem and erythrocytes were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS-MS). Over 750 metabolites were identified in AD and control (CTRL) erythrocytes. Seven were increased in AD and 24 were decreased (P
Integrating mental health connections in community academic partnerships.

Background Community academic partnerships (CAPs) connect students to interprofessional collaborations and expand clinical experiences beyond traditional settings. Serious and persistent mental health problems represent an important action area within population health. Mental health disorders across the lifespan are often co-morbid with substance use, poverty, and community violence. Aims This article describes CAPs in a community course where students impact vulnerable populations while learning new roles and responsibilities. The process explains student engagement with the community, and using best practices for care of community, population health concerns, and mental health and well-being. Methods We initiate and maintain collaborative relationships that guide culturally sensitive responses to health and illness. Four well-established CAPs' exemplars describe the interventions and outcomes. Results Students successfully integrated a variety of health promotion and mental health interventions within the CAPS clinical environments. The Socio-Ecological framework is used to articulate student outcomes. Conclusion The CAPs are a dynamic system requiring ongoing maintenance and response to evolving epidemiological issues, such as increased incidence of alterations in mental health. The educational innovation provides an opportunity for students to understand aspects of holistic health in a community environment as they intervene at individual, relationship, community, and societal levels.
Efficacy of Targeted Inhibitors in Metastatic Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma With EGFR or ALK Alterations

Abstract Introduction The efficacy of targeted therapies in oncogene-driven lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs) has been well established; however, the benefit for EGFR-mutant or ALK-rearranged lung squamous cell carcinomas (LUSCs) is less known, partially owing to the rarity of the incidence. Methods We reviewed the database of the MD Anderson Cancer Center and identified metastatic LUSC with classic EGFR or ALK alterations. Results There were eight patients with EGFR-mutant LUSC (median age = 58 y) and six patients with EML4-ALK LUSC (median age = 50 y) who received tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that were identified. Of the 14 patients, 11 (79%) were females and 12 (86%) were never smokers, similar to the demographics of EGFR or ALK LUAD. With TKI treatment, seven of eight cases of EGFR LUSC and four of six cases of ALK LUSC achieved partial response or stable disease, but the progression-free survival was 4.9 months and 2.9 months for EGFR-mutant and ALK-rearranged LUSC, respectively. In addition, we compared comutation profile of EGFR-mutant LUAD (The Cancer Genome Atlas, n = 46) versus LUSC (n = 19) and found that the comutation patterns are more consistent with squamous disease with a higher incidence of PIK3CA (p = 0.02) and KRAS or BRAF (p = 0.04) alterations. Conclusions EGFR or ALK alterations occur in patients with LUSC, especially never-smoker females. TKI treatments render clinical benefit in disease control, but the duration was considerably truncated compared with those historically observed in LUAD.
Neglect: Should There Be Mandatory Reporting?

There has been discussion as to whether there should be mandatory reporting for child abuse and neglect and most specifically whether there should be reporting of neglect. This chapter accepts that there are a number of failures in current child protection efforts, but these are failures not because the concept is flawed. It is rather that the flaws and failures reside in the system designed to respond to the reports. The examples offered by the critics of mandatory reporting, of inadequate resources and services, are well taken. However, this is a very different issue from doing away with mandated reporting. This chapter explores whether a concept should be discarded because of inadequate resources and operationalization. It accepts that there may need to be changes in how the response, treatment, and monitoring of neglect are organized. The question then becomes: what do we do after we evaluate and diagnose neglect?
Finding real-valued single-source shortest paths in o ( n 3 ) expected time

Given an n-vertex directed network G with real costs on the edges and a designated source vertex s, we give a new algorithm to compute shortest paths from s. Our algorithm is a simple deterministic one with O(n2 log n) expected running time over a large class of input distributions.
The risks may be too high

The proposed revisions to the diagnosis of personality disorders in ICD-11 move the diagnosis of personality disorders from the categorical to the dimensional. Although there may be a number of good reasons to consider changes in the manner in which we diagnose personality disorders, the method proposed here goes too far in the degree of changes that it proposes. It ignores the fact that at least for some of the personality disorders, there is data that supports them as distinct diagnostic entities separate from other axis I and axis II disorders. Eliminating the diagnostic categories that have been part of the established psychiatric nomenclature for the last 30 years threatens to undermine the significant research and clinical advances that have been made using categorical diagnoses. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exposure of adolescent girls to cigar images in women's magazines, 1992-1998.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the exposure of adolescent girls to cigar images in women's magazines from 1992 to 1998. METHODS: Data were obtained from the 5 women's magazines with the highest readership of adolescent girls. RESULTS: We found a significant upward trend in cigar images portrayed in women's magazines and a significant increase in the portrayal of women cigar smokers over the period observed. Cigar images were less likely than cigarette images to promote tobacco or nontobacco products. Among advertisements, nearly all those that featured cigars promoted nontobacco products; advertisements featuring cigarettes overwhelmingly promoted tobacco products. CONCLUSIONS: Between 1992 and 1998, adolescent readers of women's magazines were increasingly exposed to images of cigars.
Isolated cataplexy and REM sleep behavior disorder after pontine stroke.

Cataplexy is a complex neurologic phenomenon during wakefulness probably resulting from impairment of pontine and hypothalamic control over muscle tone. REM sleep behavior disorder (RSBD) is characterized by the presence of REM sleep without atonia manifesting clinically as disruptive or injurious behaviors. We present here a patient with both cataplexy and RSBD following pontine encephalomalacia. The clinical presentation provides insight into the possible pathobiology of both waking and sleeping disorders of REM sleep regulation. Citation: Reynolds TQ; Roy A. Isolated cataplexy and REM sleep behavior disorder after pontine stroke. J Clin Sleep Med 2011;7(2):211-213.
The Case Formulation Approach to Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

What is the Case Formulation Approach to Cognitive-Behavior Therapy? Cognitive Theories and their Clinical Implications. Learning Theories and their Clinical Implications. Emotion Theories and their Clinical Implications. Beginning the Therapeutic Relationship and Obtaining a Problem List and Diagnosis. Developing an Initial Case Formulation and Setting Treatment Goals. Using the Formulation to Develop a Treatment Plan and Obtain the Patient's Consent to It. The Therapeutic Relationship. Monitoring Progress. Decision Making in the Therapy Session. Handling Nonadherence and Treatment Failure. Decision Making Over the Course of Therapy.
Preparation of 14C-pseudouridine

Abstract A method is deseribed by which 14 C-pseudouridine may be isolated from the culture medium of A. tumefaciens grown on a synthetic medium containing glucose and 2- 14 C-uracil. The method is simple and relatively rapid, and yields the natural form of pseudouridine with a specific activity equivalent to that of the uracil used.
Structural studies on a human IgA1 myeloma protein with a carboxy terminal deletion.

Low molecular weight variants of complete immuno-globulin molecules have frequently been described in multiple myeloma. The first such variant to be characterized was Bence-Jones protein, which has been shown to be free intact light chains. More recently, variants involving deletions of polypeptide chains have also been described. The deletions found, result in either a polypeptide chain being secreted singly or in association with another polypeptide chain. Those deletions which involve significant portions of the Fd fragment of heavy chains have been defined as heavy chain disease proteins since the deletion results in the lack of any association with light chains (1, 2). These proteins appear to have normal Fc fragments and have been described for all the major immunoglobulin classes. Proteins with deletions in the Fc fragment have also been described in both man and mouse (3, 4). These proteins, because they possess intact Fd fragments, are found in association with light chains. In the mouse in situations when significant portions of the Fc fragment are deleted, these molecules may exist as L-H half molecules rather than a 4 polypeptide chain molecule due to the lack of significant interaction between the foreshortened Fc fragments. Deletions involving small areas of the hinge region have also been described (5, 6).
Modified state-surface approach to the study of unsaturated soil behavior. Part III: Modeling of coupled hydromechanical effect

A modified state-surface approach (MSSA) was proposed in the authors’ previous study to investigate volume change of the soil skeleton for unsaturated soils. This paper discussed the coupling effec...
Proteolytic Modification of Cell Surface Macromolecules: Mode of Action in Stimulating Cell Growth

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses proteolytic modification of cell surface macromolecules. Itanalyzes strong evidence to implicate one or more membrane peptides or glycopeptides as controlling element(s) in determining whether or not a cell population will be stimulated to divide the protease treatment of the cell surface. The chapter also reviews the evidence for and against protease-induced transmembrane control of cell division. It presents evidence that is at least supportive of the concept that proteolytic modification of a membrane peptide or glycopeptide can initiate a series of intracellular events that culminate in cell division. The chapter discusses the effects of proteolysis on the growth state of lymphocytes, thymocytes, and fibroblasts. To introduce the methodology and concepts underlying the use of proteases to modify membrane structure, the extensive work done in the area of protease modification of the erythrocyte membrane is briefly reviewed in the chapter. It discusses erythrocyte membrane to point out some of the problems that cell biologists must be aware of when proteases are used as the stimulants of cell division.
Role of ethylene in chlorophyll degradation in radish cotyledons

The effect of age of radish seedlings on changes in chlorophyll concentration caused by ethylene was examined. Ethylene was produced at 2–4 nl g−1 h−1 following excision of cotyledons from 5-to 20-day-old seedlings. The youngest cotyledons maintained this rate, whereas ethylene synthesis declined by as much as 80% during a 24-h period in older cotyledons. The youngest cotyledons continued to accumulate chlorophyll in the dark, but after 7 days cotyledons lost chlorophyll and the proportion of chlorophyll lost increased with age. Ethylene promoted, and norbornadiene inhibited, this loss of chlorophyll; in combined treatments the effects of ethylene and norbornadiene were competitive. The maximal rate of chlorophyll loss occurred in 1μl L−1 ethylene; extrapolation of the response to concentration indicated that half-maximum loss would occur at 0.005–0.01 μl L−1 ethylene. In cotyledons from 20-day-old seedlings, chlorophyll degradation occurred mainly after 24 h from excision and transfer to the dark. Chlorophyll degradation during 48 h in the dark was affected by norbornadiene or ethylene applied from 0–24 h or from 24–48 h.
HIV/AIDS Prevention in New York City: Identifying Sociocultural Needs of the Community

New York City has always been and remains at the epicenter of the country's AIDS epidemic, with more than 100,000 people living with HIV/AIDS. More than Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami combined (CDC, 2007b). Each year there may be as many as 4,800 people in New York City who are newly diagnosed with HIV and 1,700 who die from the disease (NYC Commission on HIV/AIDS, 2005; NYC AIDS Institute, 2006g). Recent research indicates that these HIV infection rates are actually significantly higher (perhaps by as much as 40%), with the “virus spreading in NY at three times the national rate” making it evident that HIV education and prevention efforts are not effectively reaching New Yorkers (Altman, 2008, p. 1). This article reports on the findings of a quantitative study (n = 98) that sought to identify the unique sociocultural needs of NYC residents who seek HIV/AIDS care. Key questions were aimed at who gets HIV tested and why, what HIV education services were reported as most effective, and identifying th...
The evolution, controversies, and potential pitfalls of modified retroperitoneal lymph node dissection templates

Over the past century, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for patients with non-seminomatous germ cell tumors has evolved to become an indispensable diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. Bilateral RPLND with inclusion of the suprahilar regions initially established therapeutic efficacy but was associated with significant ejaculatory morbidity. Decades later, multiple anatomic mapping studies demonstrated a predilection for low-volume retroperitoneal metastases to be ipsilateral and infrahilar, leading to the introduction and popularity of several modified templates. By minimizing contralateral dissection and avoiding essential neural pathways, coordinated antegrade ejaculation rates improved considerably. Simultaneously, prospective nerve-sparing techniques were developed to preserve sympathetic nerve function, allowed for modified or bilateral templates, and resulted in minimal ejaculatory morbidity. The primary oncologic concern with modified templates remains the potential for unresected ‘extra-template’ disease leading to retroperitoneal or systemic recurrences requiring additional therapy. While modified templates continue to be widely used, larger scale and longer-term studies are essential to fully elucidate their appropriate application and therapeutic efficacy.
Proposed Modification of Cladding Embrittlement Criteria

In its regulations for commercial power reactors, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) specifies criteria to ensure that fuel cladding maintains a degree of post-quench ductility (PQD) during a postulated loss-ofcoolant accident (LOCA). The current criteria, 2200oF (1204oC) and 17-percent equivalent cladding reacted (ECR), are based on tests performed on 1970s-vintage unirradiated Zircaloy specimens. In 1996, the NRC initiated an extensive LOCA research program to investigate potential burnup and alloy effects on the current criteria. The results of this research are summarized in several publicly available documents.Based on these results, the NRC has developed specific rule-change objectives, which are summarized here, to address deficiencies in the current criteria and has outlined a schedule for implementing the necessary changes.
Should the mission of epidemiology include the eradication of poverty

1in favour of studying the scientific arcana of disease causation. Editors at The Lancet suggested last year that the “woolly breadth” of this criticism should be replaced by a detailed proposal for what should be done to put “public health back into epidemiology”. 2 We believe that, contrary to what the critics suggest, epidemiology has been evolving in line with its public-health mission, and that the criticism itself—however noble in its motivation—is not coherent. The critics allege that epidemiologists have lost their traditional social perspective; instead, they argue, epidemiologists have become mired in statistical procedures and molecular mechanisms in the study of individual risk factors of lesser and lesser importance. According to Shy, who deigned to put “academic epidemiology” on trial, “the focus of [epidemiology] still remains on understanding the proximate and individual rather than the underlying and societal determinants of disease”. 3
Schizophrenia and the experience of intersubjectivity as threat

Many with schizophrenia find social interactions a profound and terrifying threat to their sense of self. To better understand this we draw upon dialogical models of the self that suggest that those with schizophrenia have difficulty sustaining dialogues among diverse aspects of self. Because interpersonal exchanges solicit and evoke movement among diverse aspects of self, many with schizophrenia may consequently find those exchanges overwhelming, resulting in despair, the sensation of fusion with another, and/or self-dissolution. In short, compromised dialogical capacities may be a contributing factor to social dysfunction in schizophrenia.
Prostate-specific antigen cutoff of 2.6 ng/mL for prostate cancer screening is associated with favorable pathologic tumor features.

Abstract Objectives. To evaluate the pathologic characteristics of clinical Stage T1c (nonpalpable, prostate-specific antigen [PSA]-detected) prostate cancers detected in the 2.6 to 4.0-ng/mL PSA range and compare them with Stage T1c cancers concurrently detected in the 4.1 to 10.0-ng/mL PSA range. All cancers were detected in a prostate cancer screening study. Methods. We studied 94 patients with clinical Stage T1c prostate cancer diagnosed by four or six-sector ultrasound-guided needle biopsy who underwent radical prostatectomy between June 1995 and December 1996. We included all men whose prostatectomy specimens were processed with complete embedding of all prostatic tissue. Of these, 42 had a PSA level of 2.6 to 4.0 ng/mL and 52 a PSA level 4.1 to 10.0 ng/mL at the time of cancer detection. We determined the tumor volume by complete embedding and grid morphometry, pathologic stage, Gleason sum, and surgical margin status and compared the cancer volume and pathologic tumor stages for each group. Results. Men with cancer detected at the 2.6 to 4.0 ng/mL PSA range had significantly smaller cancer volumes (1.1 ± 1.1 cm 3 versus 1.8 ± 1.5 cm 3 , P = 0.02); however, no difference was found in the proportion (11.9% versus 11.5%, P = 0.9, and 23.8% versus 26.9%, P = 0.7, respectively) of tumors that met previously published criteria of "clinically insignificant" (organ confined, less than 0.2 cm 3 tumor volume, Gleason sum 6 or less) or "clinically unimportant" (organ confined, less than 0.5 cm 3 tumor volume, and Gleason sum 6 or less) tumors. Using the lower PSA cutoff point resulted in the detection of a significantly higher percentage of organ-confined tumors (88% versus 63%, P = 0.01). Conclusions. The use of a 2.6-ng/mL PSA threshold for screening resulted in the more frequent detection of small, organ-confined tumors without overdetecting possibly clinically insignificant ones.
The role of social identity and attitudes toward sustainability brands in buying behaviors for organic products

Green consumerism and the role of eco-marketing have become increasingly important for increasing the market share of sustainable (non-) food products. The current study examines the effect of social identification with certain green consumer groups on brand knowledge, brand attitude and buying behavior. An online panel study was conducted among a representative sample of the German population (N=961). For brand knowledge and brand attitude, we presented five well-known organic brands in the German market to the respondents. To test the hypothesized model, we used structural equation analysis in SPSS Amos 16.0. Several competing path models were tested. One of the main conclusions of the current study is that people who are aware of their social identity concerning environmentally friendly consumer groups also seem to feel more attached to consumers who buy organic food products. In addition, brand knowledge and brand attitudes concerning specific organic brands have an effect on buying behaviors for organic food products. Moreover, the influence of brand knowledge on buying behavior seems to be mediated by brand attitude. The results of the current study can be used to develop more effective branding strategies in eco-marketing. Aside from classical strategies, marketers could use social identity theory to create future market strategies with regard to green consumerism.
Melodramatic and consentient images in introductory criminal justice textbooks

Abstract Previous scholarly attention to introductory criminal justice textbooks observed the texts' organization, structure, and content. This study added to this literature by examining the photographs used in ten leading criminal justice textbooks when providing demographic portraits (e.g., race, gender) of alleged and convicted criminals, criminal offenses, clothing and appearances (of suspects/criminals), and the degree to which authorities confined suspects/criminals. In regard to the above, this study distinguished between consentient (relying on systematic empirical findings) and melodramatic (relying on more sensationalized news coverage) images and representative (quantitatively standard) and notorious (qualitatively distinct) crimes. Results suggested texts provided consentient images of suspect/offender race and gender, but relied on melodramatic images in disproportionate depictions of suspects/defendants charged with, or convicted of murder. Further, it was found that although notorious crimes and criminals represent qualitative rarities in the overall criminal justice system, they were depicted in 31 percent of images presented in texts.
Performance of the OraQuick® and Hema-Strip® rapid HIV antibody detection assays by non-laboratorians

Abstract Rapid HIV antibody tests (RT) now permit HIV screening in settings where laboratory personnel may not be available. This study assessed the ability of 99 individuals with no laboratory experience to conduct two RT, OraQuick® and Hema-Strip®; these results were compared with those generated by laboratory professionals. All participants received written instructions and one-half also received a short demonstration. Error rates ranged from 2.1% to 4.6% with or without a demonstration. However, the number of invalid tests was greatly reduced when participants received a demonstration. Appropriate RT training for non-laboratorians and continued monitoring of HIV RT performance in non-laboratory settings is recommended.
A Pilgrimage Through John Martin Fischer’s Deep Control: Essays on Free Will and Value

John Martin Fischer’s most recent collection of essays, Deep Control: Essays on Free Will and Value, is both incredibly wide-ranging and impressively detailed. Fischer manages to cover a staggering amount of ground in the free will debate, while also providing insightful and articulate analyses of many of the positions defended in the field. In this collection, Fischer focuses on the relationship between free will and moral responsibility. In the first section of his book, Fischer defends Frankfurt cases as an important and useful tool in rejecting the necessity of regulative control for moral responsibility. In the second section, Fischer turns his attention to his own account of guidance control. In this essay, I first focus on Fischer’s defense of Frankfurt cases, specifically his response to the argument that the assumption of determinism in such cases is question-begging. I then analyze two objections to Fischer’s account of guidance control. Finally, I conclude with a brief discussion of the metaphor of the pilgrimage, which Fischer introduces in the opening essay of his collection.
Graphene/fluoropolymer hybrid materials with enhancement of all device properties for improved field-effect transistors

We report on the substantial improvement of the electronic characteristics of field-effect transistors (FETs) based on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene, reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) by an interacting capping layer of appropriate amorphous or polycrystalline fluoropolymers. All the key 2-dimensional device properties are improved including mobilities, on-off current ratio, electron-hole transport symmetry, Dirac voltage, and reduced residual carrier density.
In vivo targeting of dendritic cells for activation of cellular immunity using vaccine carriers based on pH-responsive microparticles

Activating the immune system to trigger a specific response is a major challenge in vaccine development. In particular, activating sufficient cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated cellular immunity, which is crucial for the treatment of many diseases including cancer and AIDS, has proven to be especially challenging. In this study, antigens were encapsulated in acid-degradable polymeric particle carriers to cascade cytotoxic T lymphocyte activation. To target dendritic cells, the most potent antigen-presenting cells, the particle carriers, were further conjugated with monoclonal antibodies. A series of ex vivo and in vivo studies have shown increased receptor-mediated uptake of antibody-conjugated particles by dendritic cells as well as migration of particle-carrying dendritic cells to lymph nodes and stimulation of naive T cells leading to enhanced cellular immune response as confirmed by specific cell lysis and IFN-γ secretion.
Fractional giant Shapiro steps and spatially correlated phase motion in 2D Josephson arrays.

We have applied radio-frequency signals to 1000 by 1000 arrays of Josephson junctions and observed giant Shapiro steps at voltages 1000 times that expected for a single junction. When a perpendicular magnetic field is applied, {ital fractional} giant steps appear at voltages directly related to the number of flux quanta per unit cell. A phenomenological model is proposed that utilizes the spatial arrangement of the vortices in a superlattice relative to the underlying array to explain these novel steps.
On torsion of an elastic cylindrical Cosserat surface

Abstract Using the linearized theory of an elastic Cosserat surface for an Isotropic material, the problem of torsion of a cylindrical Cosserat surface is discussed; the edge curve perpendicular to the generator is not necessarily circular. Torque-twist relationships are obtained for both open and closed surfaces.
Fat-based (Intralipid 20%) versus carbohydrate-based total parenteral nutrition: effects on hepatic structure and function in rats.

The role of fat-based total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in preventing or ameliorating hepatic dysfunction during TPN was investigated. Adult ACI-N rats were given fat-free carbohydrate-based TPN or isocaloric, isonitrogenous fat-based TPN (50% cal from 20% Intralipid, 50% cal from carbohydrate) for 7 days with Purina Chow-fed and fasting rats as controls. After fat-based TPN as compared with Chow or carbohydrate-based TPN, serum alkaline phosphatase activity and cholesterol levels doubled. Fatty infiltration and periportal inflammation in the liver were more marked. Both the TPN regimens were equally effective in maintaining body weight, positive nitrogen balance, muscle and hepatic protein content. Hepatic dysfunction in rats during TPN was not prevented by using a fat emulsion to provide 50% of the caloric requirement; the optimal proportion of fat as energy substrate in this system is less than 50%. ( Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition7:530-533, 1983)
Nystagmus Induced by Electric Stimulation of Ampullary Nerves

This investigation was supported by Research Grant NB-00294 from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness. Dr. Suzuki was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship and was supported in part by grants from the Dazian and Abramson Foundations. We should like to acknowledge the help of Dr. Kazuyoshi Goto in one of the experiments presented, the technical assistance of Mr. Edward Murray, and helpful criticism of Drs. Julius Korein and Sidney Diamond during the course of this work.Ampullary nerves were electrically stimulated with square waves in alert or lightly sleeping cats. This stimulus bypassed the ampullary receptor and permitted study of the response of the central vestibulo-oculomotor system to step increases in ampullary nerve frequency. In these animals such stimulation induced typical jerky nystagmus. The pattern of nystagmus was characteristic for each canal nerve stimulated. When two or more canals were simultaneously stimulated, the nystagmus from individual canals summated a...
A Differential Equation Model for Tropomyosin-induced Myosin Cooperativity Describes Myosin–Myosin Interactions at Low Calcium

Mechanochemical interactions between myosin and actin-troponin-tropomyosin (regulated thin filaments) underlie muscle contraction. Generally, the binding of a myosin molecule to a regulated thin filament facilitates the binding of nearby myosin; binding is cooperative. A simple yet accurate theoretical description of this cooperativity is lacking. From a general mechanochemical model that treats tropomyosin as a continuous beam, we show that cooperative interactions can be defined by two parameters: $$\mathcal{C}, $$ which specifies the number of neighboring molecules affected by myosin binding, and δ, which specifies how regulation slows myosin’s binding rate to actin. We then propose two methods to derive differential equations describing cooperative ensembles of myosin interacting with regulated thin filaments: the weakly-correlated and the linear theory. The linear theory fits measurements of the speed of regulated thin filaments moving over a dense bed of myosin at low calcium, giving rapid and precise estimates of $$\mathcal{C}=11\pm 2$$ and δ = 0.003 ± 0.002. The theory clarifies the relationship between microscopic measurements and macroscopic properties, serving as a step toward a complete multi-scale description of muscle contraction.
Increased Workload Enhances Force Output During Pedaling Exercise in Persons With Poststroke Hemiplegia

Background and Purpose—A principle of poststroke rehabilitation is that effort should be avoided since it leads to increased spasticity and produces widespread associated abnormal reactions. Although weakness also contributes to movement dysfunction after a stroke, it has been feared that heightened activity levels during strength training will further exacerbate the abnormal tone imbalance present in spastic hemiplegia. The purpose of this study was to test this hypothesis by quantifying the effects of increased workload on motor performance during different speeds of pedaling exercise in persons with poststroke hemiplegia. Methods—Twelve healthy elderly subjects and 15 subjects with poststroke hemiplegia of greater than 6 months since onset were tested. The experimental protocol consisted of having subjects pedal at 12 randomly ordered workload and cadence combinations (45-J, 90-J, 135-J, and 180-J workloads at 25, 40, and 55 rpm). Pedal reaction forces were measured and used to calculate work done by e...
Labor Earnings in One-Company Towns: Theory and Evidence from Kazakhstan

One-company towns, characterized by the presence of a large employer in a local labor market, are a frequent legacy of state-led development strategies. How will downsizing or closing unprofitable state-owned enterprises affect these towns? This article develops a simple model combining monopsony power in the labor market with a Keynesian closure of the product market and uses it to interpret the findings of previous studies. The article evaluates the impact of the company's employment level on the town's labor earnings in Kazakhstan, where one-company towns are still prevalent. The evaluation is based on data from the 1996 living standards measurement survey. The results show that labor earnings in the town decrease roughly 1.5 percent when the share of its population working for the company decreases 1 percent. The results are robust to changes in the definition of labor earnings and to the inclusion of a variety of other community characteristics in the analysis. These results and the theoretical model are combined to evaluate the welfare impact of company downsizing and, consequently, to derive the optimal extent of labor retrenchment.
Reading is believing: the truth effect and source credibility.

Five experiments explored how source reliability influences people’s tendency to rate statements as more credible when they were encountered earlier (the truth effect). Undergraduates read statements from one reliable source and one unreliable source. Statements read multiple times were perceived as more valid and were more often correctly identified on a general knowledge test than statements read once or not at all. This occurred at varying retention intervals whether the statements originated from a reliable or unreliable source, when people had little memory for the statements themselves or their source, and when the discrediting information about the sources came either before or after reading the facts. While repetition aided recognition and source accuracy, both were unaffected by the reliability of the source. Consistent with the source monitoring framework, familiarity may create an illusion of truth for statements when people lack source-specifying cues, especially cues regarding the reliability of the source.
Reproducibility of the intravascular ultrasound assessment of stent implantation in saphenous vein grafts

IVUS measurements of stent and reference lumen dimensions and cross-sectional areas are highly reproducible. Furthermore, paramedical personnel can be trained to perform these measurements accurately. Thus, IVUS measurements may become the gold standard for the acute, chronic, and serial assessment of stent implantation procedures.
Compositional stability of an oat multiline

Mixtures of genotypes are frequently unstable in composition when propagated over succesive generations. This study was designed to test whether a multiline cultivar of oats (Avena sativa L.) created to control crown rust disease (caused by Puccinia coronataCda.) would reflect differential near-isogenic line survivals when propagated under conditions of either presence or absence of rust. An oat multiline cultivar synthesized from near-isogenic lines that had different genes for resistance to crown rust was propagated under rust-free and rust epiphytotic conditions for four successive generations. In the rust-free environment, one near-isogenic line. CI 9192, which was inferior in yielding ability, was reduced significantly from 20% to 10% of the mixture, and CI 9184, which has no yield deviation from normal, increased from 20% to 38%. The other three near-isogenic lines were stable at about 20%. Also, in the rust line of descent. CI 9192 and CI 9184, respectively, decreased and increased significantly.
A comparison of different methods of lubrication of glass syringes used to identify the epidural space.

Summary Measurement of loss of resistance in glass syringes is a method widely used to locate the epidural space in epidural anaesthesia. Static and dynamic forces were measured under four experimental conditions in new glass syringes: unpolished, dry; polished, dry; unpolished, saline lubricated; and polished, saline lubricated. The unpolished saline lubricated syringes had a mean (SD) static force of 53.18 (15.0) g and dynamic force of 40.88 (15.2) g. These values were significantly greater than for polished dry syringes where the values were 5.27 (2.1) g and 4.38 (0.94) g, respectively. The results show that the least amount of resistance to plunger movement is obtained by dry polishing glass syringes.
Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors involved in cardiac angiogenesis following infarction

Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (FGF-1/FGF-2) promote angiogenesis in cancer. Angiogenesis is integral to cardiac repair following myocardial infarction (MI). The potential regulation of FGF-1/FGF-2 in cardiac angiogenesis postMI remains unexplored. Herein, we examined the temporal and spatial expression of FGF-1/FGF-2 and FGF receptors (FGFR) in the infarcted rat heart at days 1, 3, 7, and 14 postMI. FGF-1/-2 gene and protein expression, cells expressing FGF-1/-2 and FGFR expression were examined by quantitative in situ hybridization, RT-PCR; western blot, immunohistochemistry and quantitative in vitro autoradiography. Compared to the normal heart, we found that in the border zone and infarcted myocardium 1) FGF-1 gene expression was increased in the first week postMI and returned to control levels at week 2; FGF-1 protein levels were, however, largely reduced at day 1, then elevated at day 3 peaked at day 7 and declined at day 14; and cells expressing FGF-1 were primarily inflammatory cells; 2) FGF-2 gene expression was significantly elevated from day 1 to day 14; the increase in FGF-2 protein level was most evident at day 7 and cells expressing FGF-2 were primarily endothelial cells; 3) FGFR expression started to increase at day 3 and remained elevated thereafter; and 4) FGF-1/FGF-2 and FGFR expression remained unchanged in the noninfarcted myocardium. Thus, FGF-1/FGF-2 and FGFR expression are enhanced in the infarcted myocardium in the early stage after MI, which is spatially and temporally coincident with angiogenesis, suggesting that FGF-1/FGF-2 are involved in regulating cardiac angiogenesis and repair.
A comparative analysis of spectral vegetation indices to estimate crop leaf area index

Leaf area index (LAI) is a key variable to reflect crop growth status and forecast crop yield. Many spectral vegetation indices (SVIs) suffer the saturation effect which limits the usefulness of optical remote sensing for crop LAI retrieval. Besides, leaf chlorophyll concentration and soil background reflectance are also two main factors to influence crop LAI retrieval using SVIs. In order to make better use of SVIs for crop LAI retrieval, it is significant to evaluate the performances of SVIs under varying conditions. In this context, PROSPECT and SAILH models were used to simulate a wide range of crop canopy reflectance in an attempt to conduct a comparative analysis. The sensitivity function was introduced to investigate the sensitivity of SVIs over the range of LAI. This sensitivity function is capable of quantifying the detailed relationship between SVIs and LAI. It is different with the regression based statistical parameters, such as coefficient of determination and root mean square, can only evalu...
THE PYRAMID TRACT IN THE STRIPED GOPHER (SPERMO‐PHILUS TRIDECEMLINEATUS (MITCHILL))

In the striped gopher (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) the course of the pyramid tract is traceable from the motor cortex by the method of secondary degeneration with Marchi staining. In the mid-brain, pons, and upper part of the medulla oblongata the tract occupies the usual position in the crusta, pontine bundles, and ventral pyramid, the degeneration being confined to the side of the lesion. In the lower part of the medulla oblongata the fibres cross to the opposite side and take up a position in the funiculus cuneatus, forming there a well-defined tract. The decussation appears to be complete, no fibres passing to the same side but all into the dorsal column of the opposite side. In this position the tract runs caudalwards and can be traced as far as the third lumbar segment, where it is represented by a very few scattered fibres. Beyond this level it cannot be followed. On following the tract downwards through the spinal cord many fibres are found to disappear in the first and second cervical segments, presumably by passing into the grey matter at these levels. Very few fibres reach as far as the lumbar region.
Paleomagnetic evidence for a large (∼2,000 km) sinistral offset along the Great Glen fault during Carboniferous time

Middle to Late Devonian paleomagnetic data from cratonic North America and Europe indicate that a 2,000-km sinistral displacement occurred between these two continents during Carboniferous time. Because the Lewisian basement of northwest Scotland and the Archean-Proterozoic basement in Greenland have strong geologic affinities, the fault(s) responsible for the displacement are likely to be found to the south of the northwestern Scottish Lewisian basement. In addition, published paleomagnetic directions for Middle to Upper Devonian rocks from the Orcadian Basin in Scotland give a mean pole near lat 50°N, long 150°E (A 95 = 8.8°; K = 76.9; N = 5), which is in excellent agreement with the cratonic North American pole for this time, after closing of the Atlantic Ocean. A comparison between the Orcadian Basin results and those from areas to the south of the Great Glen fault in Scotland and England (mean pole near lat 31°N, long 152°E for Great Britain), reveals a paleolatitude difference of more than 15° for contemporaneous rocks and suggests that most of the commensurate sinistral motion between the North American craton and Europe took place along the Great Glen fault. Previous explanations for the Orcadian Basin results were cast in terms of implausible remagnetizations; some of the previous analyses can be shown to be incorrect.
Mutation affecting head antigen of bacteriophage t3.

Abstract A mutation in phage T3 results in alteration of head antigen as well as neutralizable (tail) antigen. This conclusion is based on the observation that antisera against either wild type or mutant T3 will “float” only homologous phage, and not heterologous phage, when phage-antiserum mixtures are examined by CsCl density gradient centrifugation.
Identification of DNA-protein interactions and enhancer activity at the 5′ end of the upstream regulatory region in human papillomavirus type 11

We have examined the 5' end of the noncoding region of the genome of a human papillomavirus, HPV-11, for regulatory elements using permissive host cells. This region of unknown function in the upstream regulatory region (URR) is known to have unusual DNA structure and frequently contains rearrangements which are associated with some more virulent isolates. This 5' 269-bp fragment was found to exhibit both specific DNA-protein binding using laryngeal papilloma protein extracts and enhancer activity in normal and papillomatous primary laryngeal cells. The viral DNA flanks the L1 open reading frame and does not contain the viral E2 binding site. Three distinct protein binding sites are contained in a 50-bp region of the fragment. This fragment, as a whole, functions as an enhancer in primary laryngeal and papilloma cells when ligated to the SV40 promoter and SV40 T-antigen gene. We conclude that this part of the noncoding region of the papillomaviruses has elements characteristic of regulatory elements in cells permissive for infection by these viruses.
Effects of local cartilage applications on gingival wound healing in rats.

Twenty-five young adult Sprague-Dawley rats were injured at the gingiva mesial to the maxillary left and right first molars. The injury at the left first molar received daily applications of cartilage microparticles for five days following wounding. The right wound site served as the untreated control. Animals were sacrificed at varying time intervals over a twenty-eight days experimental period and the maxillae were prepared for histologic study. Cartilage treated wounds showed an initial increase in cellular activity and a subsequent delay in connective tissue maturation. Crestal oste-ogenesis appeared to be delayed in the cartilage treated areas. The presence of cartilage micro-particles did not affect the apical migration of the epithelial attachment which followed gingival injury.
The Use of Cardiopulmonary Bypass During Resection of Locally Advanced Thoracic Malignancies: A 10-Year Two-Center Experience

The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for locally advanced thoracic malignancies is highly controversial. The purpose of this study was to document the techniques and results of CPB to facilitate the resection of complex thoracic malignancies and to identify common themes that provided for successful outcomes. This was a retrospective study that took place from January 1992 to September 2002. Fourteen consecutive patients (median age, 59 years; age range, 18 to 69 years; seven men and seven women) underwent CPB during the resection of locally advanced thoracic malignancies at two Boston hospitals. CPB was planned in 8 of 14 patients (57%) with centrally located tumors, while 6 of 14 patients (43%) required emergent institution of CPB due to injury of the superior vena cava (2 patients), inferior vena cava (2 patients), or pulmonary artery (2 patients). Complete microscopic resection was achieved in 12 of 14 patients (86%). The operative mortality rate was 1 of 14 patients (7%) due to pulmonary embolism (ie, the elective group). The median ICU and hospital lengths of stay were 5 and 9 days, respectively. The overall 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 57%, 36%, and 21%, respectively. The planned use of CPB to facilitate complete resection of thoracic malignancies should be considered only after careful patient selection. The availability of CPB also provides a safety net in the event of injury to vascular structures during tumor resection.
Sequential parameter learning and filtering in structured autoregressive state-space models

We present particle-based algorithms for sequential filtering and parameter learning in state-space autoregressive (AR) models with structured priors. Non-conjugate priors are specified on the AR coefficients at the system level by imposing uniform or truncated normal priors on the moduli and wavelengths of the reciprocal roots of the AR characteristic polynomial. Sequential Monte Carlo algorithms are considered and implemented for on-line filtering and parameter learning within this modeling framework. More specifically, three SMC approaches are considered and compared by applying them to data simulated from different state-space AR models. An analysis of a human electroencephalogram signal is also presented to illustrate the use of the structured state-space AR models in describing biomedical signals.
Mental patients as computer operators

Tactics of design are described for programs to be used by chronic psychiatric patients on an accounting task in the maintenance of records of token economies at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center. To address the patients’ cognitive, motoric, and motivational deficiencies, special attention was paid to display features, branching formats, error detection, feedback, and keyboard utilization.