cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphology and dynamics of the poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(L‐lactide) diblock copolymer and its inclusion compound with α‐cyclodextrin: A solid‐state 13C NMR study

A biodegradable diblock copolymer of poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly (L-lactide) (PLLA) was synthesized and characterized. The inclusion compound (IC) of this copolymer with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) was formed and characterized. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction showed that in the IC crystals o-CDs were packed in the channel mode, which isolated and restricted the individual guest copolymer chains to highly extended conformation. Solid-state 13 C NMR techniques were used to investigate the morphology and dynamics of both the bulk and α-CD-IC isolated PCL-b-PLLA chains. The conformation of the PCL blocks isolated within the o-CD cavities was similar to the crystalline conformation of PCL blocks in the bulk copolymer. Spin-lattice relaxation time (T 1 C) measurements revealed a dramatic difference in the mobilities of the semicrystalline bulk copolymer chains and those isolated in the α-CD-IC channels. Carbon-observed proton spin-lattice relaxation in the rotating frame measurements (T 1ρ H) showed that the bulk copolymer was phase-separated, while, in the IC, exchange of proton magnetization through spin-diffusion between the isolated guest polymer chains and the host α-CD was not complete. The two-dimensional solid-state heteronuclear correlation (HetCor) method was also employed to monitor proton communication in these samples. Intrablock exchange of proton magnetization was observed in both the bulk semicrystalline and IC copolymer samples at short mixing times; however, even at the longest mixing time, interblock proton communication was not observed in either sample. In spite of the physical closeness between the isolated included guest chains and the host α-CD molecules, efficient proton spin diffusion was not observed between them in the IC.
Impact of Corruption on the Development of Information and Communications Infrastructures in Bulgaria and Romania

Abstract Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union in January of 2007. Joining the EU is expected to promote the candidate country's economic growth, provide access to western technology, increase employment and attract foreign investments, the collective result of which is expected to be social, economic and technological advancement. In a perfect world where all factors contribute favorably those goals can be achieved. However, the detrimental impact of corruption on achieving national goals must also be addressed. This article examines linkages between information infrastructures and social development in Bulgaria and Romania as well as investment needs and financing were addressed with the objective to improve National Information Infrastructures (NII), expected payoffs from NII improvements were identified; the role of corruption in retarding information infrastructure development was also investigated. Using regression analysis the relationship between information infrastructures, social develo...
PET, panic disorder, and normal anticipatory anxiety

Une technique tomographique utilisant l'emission de positrons permet d'obtenir des images du cerveau qui sont des mesures localisees des processus biochimiques et physiologiques. L'article montre l'apport et les limites de cette technique dans le cadre des etudes sur les troubles de l'anxiete (panique)
Interactions of alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists with medetomidine and with ethanol in a holeboard test

Abstract The effects of two selective alpha 2 -adrenoceptor agonists (clonidine and medetomidine) and antagonists (atipamezole and idazoxan) were examined in the holeboard test. The interactions of the two antagonists with ethanol were also investigated. Atipamezole (0.1–3.0 mg/kg) and idazoxan (0.01–0.3 mg/kg) were without effect on either directed exploration or locomotor activity in the holeboard test, whereas clonidine (0.003–0.1 mg/kg) and medetomedine (0.003–0.1 mg/kg) were sedative. Atipamezole (1–3 mg/kg) and idazoxan (0.3–1.0 mg/kg) reversed the behavioral effects of 0.1 mg/kg of medetomidine. When administered with ethanol (2 g/kg), atipamezole (1–3 mg/kg) showed a significant antagonism of the ethanol-induced reduction in exploratory head-dipping: no change in the locomotor stimulant properties of ethanol was seen. A similar trend was seen for exploration after a combination of idazoxan (1–3 mg/kg) with 2 g/kg ethanol; however, the 3 mg/kg dose attenuated the locomotor stimulant effect. Both antagonists caused a dose-related reduction in the increase in head-dipping seen after administration of 1 g/kg of ethanol, without any effect on the locomotor stimulant effect of this dose. These results suggest mediation of alpha 2 -adrenoceptors in some of the behavioral effects of ethanol.
Total Synthesis of Halichondrin A, the Missing Member in the Halichondrin Class of Natural Products

A total synthesis of halichondrin A, the phantom member in the halichondrin class of natural products, is reported. The highlights of synthesis include: (1) synthesis of C1-C19 building block 6b via a catalytic asymmetric Cr-mediated coupling of 12 and 13b; (2) synthesis of the right-half of 19 via an asymmetric Ni/Cr-mediated coupling, followed by base-induced furan formation, and Shiina macrolactonization; (3) synthesis of enone 20 via Ni/Cr-mediated coupling of 5 with 19, followed by oxidation; (4) synthesis of halichondrin A from 20, with use of a newly discovered, highly selective TMSOTf-mediated equilibration of C38-epi-halichondrin A to halichondrin A. Two pieces of evidence are presented unambiguously to establish the structure of halichondrin A thus synthesized: one is the synthesis of norhalichondrin A (24) from 19 and 23, and the other is the study of the proton chemical shift difference between synthetic halichondrin A and known members of this class of natural products.
Functional analysis of R651 mutations in the putative helix 6 of rat glucocorticoid receptors.

Abstract Trypsin digestion of steroid-free, but not steroid-bound, rat glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has recently been reported to occur at arginine-651 (R651). This residue is close to the affinity labeled Cys-656 and thus could be a sensitive probe of steroid binding. This hypothesis is supported by the current model of the GR ligand binding domain (LBD), which is based on the X-ray structures of several related receptor LBDs and places R651 in the middle of the putative α-helix 6 (649-EQRMS-653 of rat GR), close to the bound steroid. To test this model, R651, which could be involved in hydrophilic and/or hydrogen bonding, was mutated to alanine (A), which favors α-helices, the helix breakers proline (P) and glycine (G), or tryptophan (W). All receptors were expressed at about the same level, as determined by Western blots, but the cell-free binding activity of R651P was reduced twofold. The cell-free binding affinities were all within a factor of 10 of wild type receptors. Whole cell biological activity with transiently transfected receptors was determined with a variety of GR agonists (dexamethasone and deacylcortivazol) or antagonists (dexamethasone mesylate, RU486, and progesterone). Reporters containing both simple (GRE) and complex (MMTV) enhancers were used to test for alterations in GR interactions with enhancer/promoter complexes. Surprisingly, no correlation was observed between biological activity and ability to preserve α-helical structures for each point mutation. Finally, similar trypsin digestion patterns indicated no major differences in the tertiary structure of the mutant receptors. Collectively, these results argue that the polar/ionizable residue R651 is not required for GR activity and is not part of an α-helix in the steroid-free or bound GR. The effect of these mutations on GR structure and activity may result from a cascade of initially smaller perturbations. These LBD alterations were the most varied for interactions with deacylcortivazol and RU 486, which have recently been predicted to be sub-optimal binders due to their large size. However, further analyses of ligand size versus affinity suggest that there is no narrowly defined optimal size for ligand binding, although larger ligands may be more sensitive to modifications of LBD structure. Finally, the changes in GR activity with the various mutations seem to result from altered LBD interactions with common, as opposed to enhancer specific, transcription factors.
NEUROCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF NEURONAL ONTOGENESIS IN THE DEVELOPING RAT CEREBELLUM: CHANGES IN NEUROTRANSMITTER AND POLYAMINE SYNTHESIZING ENZYMES

— Changes in the activities of several specific enzymes were measured in the cerebellum during development. Early transient increases were found in both ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, enzymes involved in the initial steps of polyamine synthesis. Different patterns of changes were found in neurotransmitter synthesizing enzymes. Tyrosine hydroxylase activity achieved adult levels very early, by 3 days after birth, and remained at this level. Glutamic acid decarboxylase activity, while very low at early stages, increased rapidly before birth and then after a lag period of 10 days started to increase rapidly, directly related to the general growth of cerebellar weight and protein content. Choline acetyltransferase activity started to increase rapidly, reaching a peak of about 100% of adult levels at 3-7 days after birth; the activity then gradually declined and at 20 days, after reaching a low of about 55% of adult values, gradually started to increase, reaching adult levels later than 40 days after birth. The development of protein carboxymethylase activity was similar to that of glutamic acid decarboxylase, directly related to the general growth of the cerebellum. Several interpretations of the results are discussed.
Suppression of Glomerulonephritis in NZB/NZW Lupus Prone Mice by Adoptive Transfer of Ex Vivo Expanded Regulatory T Cells

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown cause characterized by expansion of autoreactive lymphocytes. Regulatory T cells (T(regs)) are a component of the normal immune system and contribute to the maintenance of peripheral tolerance. T(reg) abnormalities have been associated with several autoimmune diseases and there is interest in the role of T(regs) in SLE. We previously demonstrated that transfer of expanded CD4(+)CD25(+)CD62L(HI) T(regs) slows the development of lupus in (NZBxNZW)F(1) (B/W) mice. However in the absence of T(reg) specific surface antigens, cell purification remains a compromise between the breadth and purity of the population isolated. Importantly, purified populations always contain Foxp3(-) effector T cells (T(effs)) that theoretically could exacerbate autoimmunity in the recipient. Here we explore the impact of transferring the more comprehensive, but less pure T(reg) subset defined by CD4(+)CD25(+) expression on development of murine lupus. All cells were FACS sorted and expanded prior to adoptive transfer. Development of proteinuria and survival were measured. We found that exogenous expansion of CD4(+)CD25(+) cells produced a population containing 70-85% CD4(+)Foxp3(+)T(regs). Expanded T(regs) had higher CTLA-4 and Foxp3 expression, increased in vitro suppression capacity, and prolonged in vivo survival as compared to freshly isolated cells. Adoptive transfer of expanded CD4(+)CD25(+) T(regs) inhibited the onset of glomerulonephritis and prolonged survival in mice. Importantly the population of T(eff) contained within the adoptively transferred cells had reduced survival and proliferation capacity as compared to either co-transferred T(regs) or transferred T(effs) expanded in the absence of T(regs). These studies demonstrate that adoptive transfer of expanded CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)T(regs) has the capacity to inhibit the onset of murine lupus and that this capacity is significant despite transfer of co-cultured T(eff) cells. These data indicate that when co-expanded with regulatory T cells, exogenously activated T(effs) from autoimmune patients may not pose a significant risk of promoting disease.
Interaction of parathion and malathion with hepatic cytochrome P-450 from rats treated with phenobarbital and carbon disulfide.

ABSTRACTAlterations in the activity of drug-metabolizing enzymes and the concentration of cytochrome P-450 from liver microsomes of rats pretreated with phenobarbital for enzyme induction and later given a single oral dose (0.4 ml/kg) of carbon disulfide (CS) have been examined. in vitro incubations of these microsomes with parathion and malathion showed no significant change in the amount of cytochrome P-450 from that present in the corresponding controls. This inhibition of oxidative desulfuration of these insecticides by microsomes from CS2-treated animals could be attributed to the prior binding with cytochrome P-450 of sulfur released from CS2 as confirmed from the results of spectral binding of SKF 525-A, parathion and malathion. These results lead to the conclusion that CS2 parathion and malathion undergo oxidative desulfuration in an analogous manner and that the metabolism of the insecticides is impaired in liver previously exposed to CS2.
Percutaneous Ablation of Adrenal Tumors

Adrenal tumors comprise a broad spectrum of benign and malignant neoplasms and include functional adrenal adenomas, pheochromocytomas, primary adrenocortical carcinoma, and adrenal metastases. Percutaneous ablative approaches that have been described and used in the treatment of adrenal tumors include percutaneous radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, microwave ablation, and chemical ablation. Local tumor ablation in the adrenal gland presents unique challenges, secondary to the adrenal gland's unique anatomic and physiological features. The results of clinical series employing percutaneous ablative techniques in the treatment of adrenal tumors are reviewed in this article. Clinical and technical considerations unique to ablation in the adrenal gland are presented, including approaches commonly used in our practices, and risks and potential complications are discussed.
Anatomical changes in cat dorsal horn cells after transection of a single dorsal root

Abstract Adult cats were subjected to unilateral L6, L7, or S1 rhizotomy. After survival times of 3 to 224 days each cat's spinal cord segments L1 to S2 were serially sectioned and stained with either Golgi or Nissl stains. The Nissl-stained material was used to determine whether or not significant cell death occurred as a result of transneuronal degeneration. The Golgi material was used to determine if changes in dendritic structure occurred. Laminae IV to VI were used for these analyses. There were no statistically significant changes in cell counts when the operated side was compared with the normal side, suggesting that cell death was rare or absent. However, dendritic complexity (mean number of branches of different orders per cell) and total dendritic length decreased with time after L7 rhizotomy in segments L3 to S2. There were no significant changes in segments L1 and L2. Atrophy of dendrites was most rapid and severe in the L7 segment, decreasing as a function of distance from L7. Two hypotheses are advanced, on the basis of these data: (a) The rapidity and degree of atrophy of a dendrite is a function of severity of deafferentation of that dendrite; and (b) rapid dendritic atrophy without cell death, as is seen in L6 to S1 after L7 rhizotomy, is possible because some dendrites are totally or largely deprived of their synaptic complement, but enough of the neuron's total synaptic input is left intact to sustain the cell and prevent cell death.
The development of Lophodermium pinastri in conifer nurseries and plantations in North America

The recent outbreak of Lophodermium needlecast in North America first appeared in 1966 in forest nurseries on red pine (Pinus resinosa) and Scotch pine (P. sylvestris). Dispersal of infected nursery stock throughout North America has created a serious needlecast problem in Scotch pine Christmas tree plantations. Two biotypes of L. pinastri are present. The pathogenic strain may be a recent introduction. The fungicides maneb and chlorothalonil are being used for control.
Dynamic assessment of narrative ability in English accurately identifies language impairment in English language learners.

Purpose To assess the identification accuracy of dynamic assessment (DA) of narrative ability in English for children learning English as a 2nd language. Method A DA task was administered to 54 children: 18 Spanish–English-speaking children with language impairment (LI); 18 age-, sex-, IQ- and language experience-matched typical control children; and an additional 18 age- and language experience-matched comparison children. A variety of quantitative and qualitative measures were collected in the pretest phase, the mediation phase, and the posttest phase of the study. Exploratory discriminant analysis was used to determine the set of measures that best differentiated among this group of children with and without LI. Results A combination of examiner ratings of modifiability (compliance, metacognition, and task orientation), DA story scores (setting, dialogue, and complexity of vocabulary), and ungrammaticality (derived from the posttest narrative sample) classified children with 80.6% to 97.2% accuracy. Co...
Development of Positive Photoresists

A mechanism for the development of positive optical photoresists is proposed, leading to the derivation of a development rate equation. This rate equation compares favorably with experimentally determined development rates. Typical values of the rate constants involved are given. Empirical models are given for the surface induction and substrate adhesion effects. An overall positive resist processing model requires a mathematical representation of the development process. Previous attempts have taken the form of empirical fits to development rate data as a function of exposure (1, 2). The model formulated below begins on a more fundamental level, with a postulated reaction mechanism which then leads to a development rate equation. The rate constants involved can be determined by comparison with experimental data. Deviations from the expected development rates have been reported under certain conditions at the surface of the resist and near the resist-substrate interface. These effects, called the surface induction and substrate adhesion effects, respectively, can be related empirically tothe expected development rate, i.e., to the bulk development rate as predicted by a kinetic model. Bulk Development Model In order to derive an analytical development rate expression, a kinetic model of the development process will be used. This approach involves proposing a reasonable mechaffism for the development reaction and then applying standard kinetics to this mechanism in order to derive a rate equation. We shall assume that the development of a diazo-type positive photoresist involves three processes: diffusion of developer from the bulk solution to the surface of the resist, reaction of the developer with the resist, and diffusion of the product back into the solution. For this analysis, we shall assume that the last step, diffusion of'the dissolved resist into solution, occurs very quickly so that this step may be ignored. Let us now look at the first two steps i n the proposed mechanism. The diffusion of developer to the resist surface can be described with the simple, diffusion rate equation rD = k,~(D - Ds) [1] where rD = rate of diffusion of the developer to the resist surface,. D = bulkdeveloper concentration, Ds = developer concentration at the resist surface, and kD = rate constant. We shall now propose a mechanism for the reaction of developer'with theresist. The resist is composed of large macromolecules of resin R along with a photoactive compound M, which converts to product P upon exposure to UV light. The resin is quite soluble in the developer solution, but the presence of the PAC (photoactive compound) acts as an. inhibitor to dissolution, making the development rate very slow. The product P, however, is very solubie in developer, enhancing the dissolution rate of the resin. Let us assume that n molecules of product p react with the developer to dissolve a resin mo'lecule. The rate of the reaction is rR = - kRDsP '~ [2] where rR = the rate of reaction of the developer with the resist and kR = rate constant. From the stoichiometry of the exposure reaction P = M,, - M [3]
Effect of phenylephrine on lipolysis in rat adipocytes: No evidence for an α-adrenergic mechanism

Abstract 1. 1. Phenylephrine. a strong α 1 -adrenergic agonist, exerted a concentration dependent antilipolytic effect against isoproterenol-activated lipolysis in rat adipocytes with the effect decreasing as the isoproterenol concentration increased. 2. 2. The α-adrenergic antagonists phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine did not reverse phenylephrinc's antilipolytic effect. 3. 3. Phenylephrine alone activated lipolysis at concentrations above 10 −5 M and at 5 × 10 −4 M the rate of lipolysis was increased 3.4-fold. Propranolol abolished this effect. 4. 4. In the presence of sub-maximum concentrations of dibutyryl cyclic-AMP ( −4 M), 10 −4 M phenylephrine increased the rate of lipolysis above that activated by dibutyryl cyclic-AMP alone. At maximum dibutyryl cyclic-AMP concentrations, or in the presence of propranolol, phenylephrine had no effect on dibutyryl cyclic-AMP-dependent lipolysis. 5. 5. There is no evidence to support an α 1 -adrenergic mechanism for regulation of lipolysis in the rat adipocyte. All effects of the α-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine appear to be due to its weak β -adrenergic activity.
Identifying moving HRR signatures with an ATR belief data association filter

The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the benefits of a tracking and identification algorithm that uses a belief data association filter for target recognition. By associating track and ID information, the belief filter accumulates evidence for classifying High-Range Resolution (HRR) radar signatures from a moving target. A track history can be utilized to reduce the search space of targets for a given pose range. The technique follows the work of Mitchell and Westerkamp by processing HRR amplitude and location feature sets. The new aspect of the work is the identification of multiple moving targets of the same type. The conclusions from the work is that moving ATR from HRR signatures necessitates a track history for robust target ID.
The relation between plant growth and respiration: A thermodynamic model

A thermodynamic model describing the relation between plant growth and respiration rates is derived from mass-and enthalpy-balance equations. The specific growth rate and the substrate carbon conversion efficiency are described as functions of the metabolic heat rate, the rate of CO2 production, the mean oxidation state of the substrate carbon produced by photosynthesis, and enthalpy changes for conversion of photosynthate to biomass and CO2. The relation of this new model to previous models based only on mass-balance equations is explored. Metabolic heat rate is shown to be a useful additional measure of respiration rates in plant tissues because it leads to a more explicit description of energy relations. Preliminary data on three Zea mays (L.) cultivars are reported. The model suggests new rationales for plant selection, breeding and genetic engineering that could lead to development of plants with more desirable growth rates.
On minimum cost isolated failure immune networks

A telecommunications network is isolated failure immune (IFI) if and only if communication between operative sites can be completed as long as network failures are isolated. It is known that the class of minimal IFI networks is equivalent to the class of spanning 2-trees. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first computational study dealing with the construction of a minimum cost IFI network. The problem is known to be NP-complete. We develop a tabu search based heuristic for solving the minimum cost spanning 2-tree (MCS2T) problem. The complex structure of 2-trees makes the tabu search heuristic highly dependent on the starting solution. We develop four heuristic algorithms to obtain diversified "good" starting solutions. They are: completion of a 2-tree from a spanning tree, two greedy approaches, and a method based on the recursive definition of a 2-tree. We also formulate an integer programming problem (IP) whose objective function value is a lower bound to the MCS2T problem. We solve the IP by developing a constraint generation scheme. The algorithms were tested on complete random graphs with Euclidean distances and on two real data sets (Civil Aeronautics Board) with instances of 10, 15, 20 and 25 nodes. As a result of this research for "small" problems (10 and 15 nodes), the heuristic solutions are on average within 0.8% from the optimal solution and for "large" problems (20 and 25 nodes), the average error is less than 2.8%.
Design and evaluation of an architecture for a digital signal processor for instrumentation applications

The authors present the design and evaluation of an architecture for a monolithic, programmable, floating-point digital signal processor (DSP) for instrumentation applications. An investigation of the most commonly used algorithms in instrumentation led to a design that satisfies the requirements for high computational and I/O (input/output) throughput. In the arithmetic unit, a 16*16-bit multiplier and a 32-bit accumulator provide the capability for single-cycle multiply/accumulate operations, and three format adjusters automatically adjust the data format for increased accuracy and dynamic range. An on-chip I/O unit is capable of handling data block transfers through a direct memory access port and real-time data streams through a pair of parallel I/O ports. I/O operations and program execution are performed in parallel. In addition, the processor includes two data memories with independent addressing units, a microsequencer with instruction RAM, and multiplexers for internal data redirection. The authors also present the structure and implementation of a design environment suitable for the algorithmic, behavioral, and timing simulation of a complete DSP system. Various benchmarking results are reported. >
CFAR detection in clutter with unknown correlation properties

We develop a constant false-alarm rate (CFAR) approach for detecting a random N-dimensional complex vector in the presence of clutter or interference modeled as a zero mean complex Gaussian vector whose correlation properties are not known to the receiver. It is assumed that estimates of the correlation properties of the clutter/interference may be obtained independently by processing the received vectors from a set of reference cells. We characterize the detection performance of this algorithm when the signal to be detected is modeled as a zero-mean complex Gaussian random vector with unknown correlation matrix. Results show that for a prescribed false alarm probability and a given signal-to-clutter ratio (to be defined in the text), the detectability of Gaussian random signals depends on the eigenvalues of the matrix R/sub c//sup -1/R/sub s/. The nonsingular matrix R/sub c/ and the matrix R/sub s/ are the correlation matrices of clutter-plus-noise and signal vectors respectively. It is shown that the "effective" fluctuation statistics of the signal to be detected is determined completely by the eigenvalues of the matrix R/sub c//sup -1/R/sub s/. For example the signal to be detected has an effective Swerling II fluctuation statistics when all eigenvalues of the above matrix are equal. Swerling I fluctuation statistics results effectively when all eigenvalues except one are equal to zero. Eigenvalue distributions between these two limiting cases correspond to fluctuation statistics that lie between Swerling I and II models. >
Interleukin-10 Is Produced by a Specific Subset of Taste Receptor Cells and Critical for Maintaining Structural Integrity of Mouse Taste Buds

Although inflammatory responses are a critical component in defense against pathogens, too much inflammation is harmful. Mechanisms have evolved to regulate inflammation, including modulation by the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Previously we have shown that taste buds express various molecules involved in innate immune responses, including the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Here, using a reporter mouse strain, we show that taste cells also express the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Remarkably, IL-10 is produced by only a specific subset of taste cells, which are different from the TNF-producing cells in mouse circumvallate and foliate taste buds: IL-10 expression was found exclusively in the G-protein gustducin-expressing bitter receptor cells, while TNF was found in sweet and umami receptor cells as reported previously. In contrast, IL-10R1, the ligand-binding subunit of the IL-10 receptor, is predominantly expressed by TNF-producing cells, suggesting a novel cellular hierarchy for regulating TNF production and effects in taste buds. In response to inflammatory challenges, taste cells can increase IL-10 expression both in vivo and in vitro. These findings suggest that taste buds use separate populations of taste receptor cells that coincide with sweet/umami and bitter taste reception to modulate local inflammatory responses, a phenomenon that has not been previously reported. Furthermore, IL-10 deficiency in mice leads to significant reductions in the number and size of taste buds, as well as in the number of taste receptor cells per taste bud, suggesting that IL-10 plays critical roles in maintaining structural integrity of the peripheral gustatory system.
A functional analysis of the age-related degeneration in the Fischer 344 rat

We have previously described how the expression of photoreceptor cell degeneration in the Fischer 344 rat is affected by age, retinal topography, and gender. Degeneration in the central and equatorial regions progresses linearly with age throughout the life span of the animal, while the periphery of the male is subject to sudden and dramatic losses of cells in the superior hemisphere after 12 months and in the inferior hemisphere after 18 months of age. The purpose of the present study was to determine how this degeneration affected retinal function and visual ability in the male Fischer 344 from 3 to 24 months of age. Functional testing included the electroretinogram (ERG, measuring both a-wave and b-wave amplitudes and implicit times) and the behavioral method of startle reflex modification (RM, which measures the degree to which a light flash inhibits the response to an immediately subsequent loud noise). All of the functional measures showed a decline with age, but varied in their time course. ERG amplitudes showed a linear decline in amplitude over the entire age range. In contrast, the implicit times of the ERG waves and the degree to which the light flash inhibited the startle reaction both showed a slight maturation in function (faster implicit times and greater inhibition) from 8 or 12 months of age. After 18 months of age, the implicit time showed a significant increase and the startle response showed a significant decrease. This study shows how visual function correlates with the histopathological changes seen in age-related retinal degeneration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Health care provider-delivered adherence promotion interventions: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Improving medical regimen adherence is essential for maximizing the therapeutic potential of treatments for pediatric chronic illness. Health care providers are uniquely positioned to deliver adherence promotion interventions. However, no studies have summarized the effectiveness of health care provider-delivered adherence interventions. The objective of this study was to describe the effectiveness of health care provider-delivered adherence promotion interventions in improving adherence among children who have chronic illness. Data sources include PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus. Studies were included if they were randomized-controlled trials of pediatric interventions aiming to increase adherence to the primary regimen for a chronic illness and at least 1 health care provider delivered the intervention. RESULTS: A total of 35 randomized-controlled studies including 4616 children were included. Greater improvements in adherence were observed immediately after health care provider-delivered interventions (d = 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.32 to 0.66) than at longer-term follow-up (d = 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.10 to 0.54). Treatment effect sizes differed across the adherence behaviors measured. There was significant heterogeneity in treatment effects; however, no moderators of treatment effectiveness were identified. This meta-analysis focused on the published literature. In addition, the majority of studies involved children who had asthma and younger children. CONCLUSIONS: Health care provider-delivered interventions for children who have chronic illness can be effective in improving adherence. Gains in adherence are highest immediately after intervention. Future interventions and studies should include multiple methods of assessing adherence, include active comparators, and address long-term maintenance of adherence gains.
The effect of a biased conductive mask on porous silicon formation

Patterned macro porous p-type silicon has been produced using a conductive chromium and gold mask while the masking layers were electrically biased under a variety of conditions. The purpose of this work is to study the impact on pore formation near the mask edge by the modulation of the electric field orientation adjacent to the mask edge. The goal is to minimize the amount of lateral pore growth at the mask edge. The masking layers were biased at potentials between the anode and cathode potential during electrochemical anodization in an ethanoic hydrofluoric acid solution. Process conditions were defined to transfer a fraction of the total current from the sample substrate to the cathode, effectively controlling the current density in the mask, and control the electric field orientation near the mask edge. The mask bias impacted the etch rate and the profile of the pore growth at the mask edge. It was observed that if the mask was biased with respect to the anode, the impact on the porous silicon profile at the mask edge was greater than with other biasing configurations. It was observed also that the etch rate of the chromium masking layer was accelerated while biasing with respect to the cathode at a constant current density.
DAMAGE TO POLYMER SURFACE AND DETACHMENT OF POLYMER FRAGMENTS DURING DELIVERY BALLOON EXPANSION OF DRUG-ELUTING STENTS: A PREVIOUSLY UNRECOGNIZED SOURCE FOR ADVERSE OUTCOMES

Drug-eluting stent (DES) limitations include: incomplete elimination of restenosis; thrombosis; microvascular/endothelial dysfunction. We hypothesized that the polymer surface of DES is damaged during delivery balloon expansion and that polymer fragments may detach, each contributing to these
An automatic technique to include grammatical and morphological information in a trigram-based statistical language model

A technique to take into account grammatical and morphological information in a trigram-based statistical language model is presented. This is automatically achieved by interpolating the trigram model (which uses sequences of words) with statistical models based on sequences of grammatical categories and/or lemmas. Such an approach reduces the effect of data sparseness in the trigram model due also to the way interpolation coefficients are chosen. With respect to trigrams, the authors obtained a significant reduction in perplexity on various texts even when combining a well-trained trigram model with a small grammatical/morphological model. >
Effects of weight gain and weight loss on regional fat distribution

Background: Normal-weight adults gain lower-body fat via adipocyte hyperplasia and upper-body subcutaneous (UBSQ) fat via adipocyte hypertrophy. Objectives: We investigated whether regional fat loss mirrors fat gain and whether the loss of lower-body fat is attributed to decreased adipocyte number or size. Design: We assessed UBSQ, lower-body, and visceral fat gains and losses in response to overfeeding and underfeeding in 23 normalweight adults (15 men) by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and abdominal computed tomography scans. Participants gained w5% of weight in 8 wk and lost w80% of gained fat in 8 wk. We measured abdominal subcutaneous and femoral adipocyte sizes and numbers after weight gain and loss. Results: Volunteers gained 3.1 6 2.1 (mean 6 SD) kg body fat with overfeeding and lost 2.4 6 1.7 kg body fat with underfeeding. Although UBSQ and visceral fat gains were completely reversed after 8 wk of underfeeding, lower-body fat had not yet returned to baseline values. Abdominal and femoral adipocyte sizes, but not numbers, decreased with weight loss. Decreases in abdominal adipocyte size and UBSQ fat mass were correlated (r = 0.76, P = 0.001), as were decreases in femoral adipocyte size and lower-body fat (r = 0.49, P = 0.05). Conclusions: UBSQ and visceral fat increase and decrease proportionately with a short-term weight gain and loss, whereas a gain of lower-body fat does not relate to the loss of lower-body fat. The loss of lower-body fat is attributed to a reduced fat cell size, but not number, which may result in long-term increases in fat cell numbers. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;96:229–33.
Stress response differences and disease susceptibility reflected by heterophil to lymphocyte ratio in turkeys selected for increased body weight

Three genetic lines of turkeys were compared for their responses to Escherichia coli challenge following dexamethasone injection (Dex) or E. coli challenge preceding transport stress (TS). The turkey lines were a slow growing line selected for increased egg production (Egg line), a fast growing line selected for increased 16-wk BW (F line), and a commercial line (Comm line). At 14 wk of age, the Dex group was treated with 3 injections of 2 mg of Dex/kg of BW followed by airsac challenge with 100 cfu of E. coli. The TS group was given the same E. coli challenge at 1 x 10(4) cfu/bird without Dex treatment, and was subjected to transport stress, including 12 h of holding time in a transport vehicle, 8 d after the challenge. All treated birds and untreated control birds were bled at the same time, which was 1 d after transport and 9 d after challenge with E. coli. The main effect mean (MEM) total leukocyte counts (WBC) and the percentages of eosinophils (Eos) and basophils (Baso) were the same for all 3 lines; however, the MEM percentages of heterophils (Het) and monocytes (Mono) and the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio (H/L) were lower and the percentage of lymphocytes (Lym) was higher in the Egg line compared with the 2 fast-growing lines. Both stress treatments increased WBC, Het, and H/L and decreased Lym in all 3 lines; however, these effects were significantly greater in both fast growing lines compared with the Egg line. Sixteen-week BW was unaffected by either treatment in the Egg line and was decreased by both treatments in the Comm line and by the Dex treatment in the F line. Main effect mean airsacculitis score (AS) was not affected by line and was significantly increased by TS and Dex treatments. Neither treatment affected AS of the Egg line birds, whereas Dex treatment increased AS of the F line, and both Dex and TS increased AS of the Comm line. Mortality was significantly higher in the Comm line compared with the Egg line and was intermediate in the F line. The differences between these lines in their disease resistance and physiological response to stress in 2 stress models suggests that increasing selection for BW of turkeys is accompanied by changes in the stress response resulting in increased susceptibility to opportunistic bacterial infection.
Randomized, double-blind comparison of oral aprepitant alone compared with aprepitant and transdermal scopolamine for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting

† This study examines the effects of combining oral aprepitant and transdermal scopolamine on PONV. † There was no improvement in PONV nor increase in side-effects by combination therapy. † Further research is needed in this area. Background. Aprepitant blocks the emetic effects of substance P. Scopolamine antagonizes muscarinic type 1 and histamine type 1 receptors. This study compares monotherapy and multimodal therapy by looking at complete response, nausea, vomiting, and rescue medication in patients at high risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) treated with oral aprepitant with or without scopolamine. Methods. We enrolled 120 patients in this randomized, double-blind trial. Inclusion criteria were: .18 yr old, ASA I–III, two or more Apfel four-point risk factors, undergoing an elective surgical procedure with a high risk of PONV expected to last at least 60 min. The primary outcome variable was complete response, that is, no emesis and no rescue therapy from 0 to 24 h. The outcomes measured included the incidences of nausea, vomiting, their composite, and the need for rescue medication. Results. The aprepitant alone and aprepitant with scopolamine did not differ in complete responses (63% vs 57%, P¼0.57) or net clinical benefit (26% vs 19%, P¼0.38). The number who did not experience PONV and who used rescue medication did not differ. The incidence of PONV in the post-anaesthesia care unit did not differ nor did the use of rescue medications. Conclusions. This trial evaluating the effectiveness of aprepitant alone and in combination with scopolamine showed no difference between treatment groups. The primary objective, complete response, and secondary objectives, incidences of nausea, vomiting, their composite, and the need for rescue medication, all showed no statistical difference.
Introduction: A Famous Fox, a Surfacing Whale, and the Forgotten Slave

Discoveries in history occur in lots of different ways. Every once in a while we come across some forgotten documents—a photograph of Lincoln at Gettysburg, a trial transcript, other long-neglected court records, or a family archives. At other times we learn something new by just looking in old books while asking questions that we have not previously asked (or approaching those questions with skepticism) or by looking again and more deeply at published reports.
Wound myiasis in urban and suburban United States.

Background The epidemiologic characteristics of human myiasis in the United States remain undefined. Objective To describe the most common clinical conditions associated with human myiasis and the causative maggot species. Methods Multicenter, prospective observational study of urban and suburban patients who were infested with maggots. Results Forty-two cases of US-acquired myiasis were collected from 20 participating centers. Most infestations occurred within preexisting wounds. No cases of tissue invasion were recorded. Host age averaged 60 years, with a male-female ratio of 5.5:1. Homelessness, alcoholism, and peripheral vascular disease were frequent cofactors. Two patients (5%) were hospitalized at the time of their infestation. The most common species was Phaenicia sericata (green blowfly; family: Calliphoridae). Other blowflies, flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), and humpbacked flies (Phoridae) also were identified. In 6 cases, 2 coinfesting species were identified. Conclusions Results of this prospective study of myiasis differ significantly from those of our analysis of previously published reports and suggest that most cases of human myiasis are caused by noninvasive blowflies laying eggs in preexisting wounds. Five percent of infestations were nosocomially acquired and not necessarily associated with patient neglect.
Perplexity of Plaque Proteinases

Cells found in atherosclerotic plaques express matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Human atheromata contain a broad array of proteases (Table 1) and their endogenous inhibitors. Altered balance between proteinases and their inhibitors may participate in a number of biological processes important in the clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis.1 For example, matrix remodeling must occur during compensatory enlargement, arterial aneurysm formation, angiogenesis, desquamation of endothelial cells that accompanies superficial erosion, and the weakening of the atherosclerotic plaque’s fibrous cap that presumably renders it prone to rupture and hence thrombosis. View this table: TABLE 1. Examples of the Plethora of Proteinases in Atherosclerotic Plaques See page 2351 In this issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology , Choudhary et al confirm the presence of MMP gelatinases and highlight the heterogeneity of MMP distribution in human carotid endarterectomy specimens.2 They show differential expression of 2 prototypical MMP gelatinases, MMP-2 and -9. Many normal carotid segments contain more MMP-2 than MMP-9. More complex lesions tended to have more MMP-9 than MMP-2. As normal arteries contain substantial medial pro–MMP-2 (the inactive zymogen form; Figure), this finding is expected.3,4 Likewise, MMP-9 overexpression …
Firm Turnarounds: an Integrative Two‐Stage Model

This paper presents a model proposing that turnaround firms exhibit two classes of response to decline: (a) decline-stemming strategies that reverse the dysfunctional consequences of decline, and (b) recovery strategies that position the firm to better compete in its industry. We further propose that effective top management actions supporting both of these strategies are vital to recovering from decline. Our model of the turnaround process questions some existing assumptions about turnarounds and extends theory in several key areas. First, we argue that success in initially stemming decline requires managers to go beyond retrenchment or focusing on financial issues to include effective management of a firm's external stakeholders and internal climate and decision processes. Second, we outline important contingencies impacting each class or stage of response to decline and discuss the interaction between stages. Finally, we demonstrate how our model provides explanations for several unresolved issues regarding turnarounds and has implications for management practice.
Issues in facility-level pollution prevention measurement†

Issues in developing measures of pollution prevention at the process-level and facility-level are reviewed, based on existing literature. Pollution prevention can be measured based on changes in waste or changes in materials use. The measurement can be further adjusted to account for changes in production or may be left as an absolute measure, but choosing an accurate index may be difficult. A range of data sources may be appropriate to support measurement of pollution prevention, including a full facility mass balance, reported TRI data and facility materials tracking systems. After process-level pollution prevention measures are obtained, they can be aggregated across the facility to provide a facility-wide measure of pollution prevention. Several schemes to account for the varying hazard potential of different chemicals are described, but more research in this area must be done.