cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ion flow through membranes and the resting potential of cells.

A knowledge of the relationship between ion flow, both passive and active, ionic concentration, and membrane potential is essential to the understanding of cellular function. The problem has been analyzed on the basis of elementary physical and biophysical principles, providing a theoretical model of current flow and resting potential of cells, including those in epithelia. The model assumes that the permeability of the ion channets is not voltage dependent, but applies to gated channels when the gates are open. Two sources of nonlinearity of the current-voltage relationship are included in the analysis: ionic depletion and accumulation at the channels' mouths, and channel saturation at higher concentrations. The predictions of the model have been quantitative, validated by comparison with experiment, which has been limited to the only two cases in which adequate data was found. Application of the theory to the scala media of the mammalian cochlea has explained the source of its high positive potential and provided estimates of the Na+ and K+ permeabilities of the membranes of its marginel cess. This analysis provides a theoretically sound alternative to the widely used Goldman equation, the limited validity of which was emphasized by Goldman (D.E. Goldman, 1943,J. Gen. Physiol.27:37–60), as well as its derivatives, including the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation for resting potentials.
Lattice parameters and space group of Ce(MoO4)2

The title compound has been prepared in single crystal form by the Czochralski technique. Precession X-ray work indicated triclinic symmetry with either 1 or ī as space group. A second harmonic generation test was negative and therefore strongly suggests ī as the proper space group for Ce(MoO 4 ) 2 . The refined cell dimensions were found to be: a = 10.150 ± 2 A, b = 18.422 ± 3 A, c = 9.559 ± 2 A, α = 96.76 ± 1° β = 101.91 ± 1°, and γ= 103.96 ± 1°.
Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of oral nicardipine in treatment of urgent hypertension: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled clinical trial

This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral nicardipine for the treatment of urgent hypertension in the emergency department. Of 57 patients with urgent hypertension 53 patients were enrolled: 36 men and 17 women, 43 black and 10 white, age range 48 +/- 11 years, and diastolic blood pressure 128 +/- 7 mm Hg. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 30 mg nicardipine or placebo in blind fashion followed by 30 mg open-label nicardipine in nonresponders. Responders to one or two doses of nicardipine received 30 or 40 mg nicardipine three times a day for 1 week after discharge from the emergency department. Adequate blood pressure reduction, defined as a reduction of diastolic blood pressure to less than 100 mm Hg or by at least 20 mm Hg, was achieved in 65% and 22% of patients who received 30 mg nicardipine or placebo (p = 0.002). Adequate blood pressure reduction after administration of open-label nicardipine occurred in 76% of the nonresponders to placebo. Blood pressure reductions were maintained at 1 week after discharge. The drug was well tolerated, and no significant adverse events occurred. We conclude that oral nicardipine is a safe and effective drug for the initial treatment of urgent hypertension.
What to Teach

What to teach in schools has long been contested. Herbert Spencer (1859/2011) posed the obviously related question: What Knowledge is of Most Worth? He argued that Science (his capitalization) was ...
Factors associated with the risk of liver enzyme elevation in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with a thiazolidinedione.

Study Objective. To characterize frequency of liver enzyme elevation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving troglitazone. Design. Retrospective study. Setting. Hospital-affiliated medical center. Patients. Two hundred ninety-one patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Intervention. Data from patients with an average troglitazone exposure of 412.7 ± 255.6 days were studied. Measurements and Main Results. Enzyme elevations more than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) occurred in 17 patients (5.8%) and more than 3-fold elevations in 6 (2.1%). The relationship among enzyme elevation events, demographic factors, duration of troglitazone exposure, frequency of monitoring, and concurrent drugs (limited to glucose and lipid-lowering agents) was assessed by multiple logistic regression. Age was an independent predictor of risk (p=0.009), and concurrent insulin therapy approached statistical significance (p=0.051) for 1.5-fold ULN elevation in liver enzymes. Age and concurrent therapy with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors were the only significant predictors of 3-fold ULN elevations (p=0.03 and p=0.04, respectively). Conclusion. Several factors appear to increase the risk of enzyme elevation events in patients treated with troglitazone.
A second course of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the neonate--is there a benefit?

Background. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an effective therapy for infants with severe respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension. In most patients once the disease reverses, it does not recurr. However, in some patients pulmonary hypertension recurs and these infants meet criteria for a second course of ECMO. We evaluated the survival rate and feasibility of a second course of ECMO in neonates. Methods. A questionnaire was sent to all active ECMO programs that requested data about patients who received two courses of ECMO. A retrospective review of the results from responding centers was performed to evaluate indications and outcome. Results. The overall survival rate for the 58 neonates was 40%. Thirty-four patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia had a survival rate of 47%, and 12 infants with primary persistent pulmonary hypertension had an 8% survival rate (p Conclusions. There is a reasonable survival rate for selected neonates who are treated with a second course of ECMO. Infants with primary persistent pulmonary hypertension should be carefully examined before institution of a second course of ECMO.
The leaching of lead from lead-based paint in landfill environments.

Lead leaching from lead-based paint (LBP) was examined using standardized laboratory protocols and tests with leachate from actual and simulated landfill environments. Two different LBP samples were tested; leaching solutions included leachates from three municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills and three construction and demolition (CD steel, wood, drywall, concrete). The type of substrate present impacted lead leaching results, with concrete demonstrating the most dramatic impact; the lowest lead concentrations were measured in the presence of concrete under both TCLP and SPLP extractions.
Optical and electrical effects of charges on defects in non-metals

Electrically charged defects, which are unavoidable in solids, create very strong electric fields that affect many properties of the host. In an insulator with ∿ 10 ppm charged impurities, for example, the average field strength is F ∿ 50 kV/cm. The polar lattice vibrations, which are defects of a different sort, create fields in ionic solids that are typically lO6V/cm at room temperature. Perhaps the most fundamental effect of these charges is the alteration of the density of electronic states. Near energy band edges this produces “band tails” that have important consequences in most electron transport properties quite apart from ordinary impurity scattering. Furthermore, the matrix elements for optical transitions among states near band edges are also affected with several significant consequences in the optical properties. Aside from these fundamental physical consequences of charged defects, a number of important practical effects occur, including the domination of semiconductor laser properties, limitation of light transmission in quartz fibers and behavior of amorphous semi-conductors.
The guardian ad litem: Evaluation of citizen reviewers in foster care

Abstract Foster care systems across the country are beginning to consider external input into the system, in the form of periodic review, as one way to initiate system change and facilitate permanency planning. External review is conducted by individuals outside the foster care system. The four most frequently used types of external review are judicial review, court-administered review, guardian ad litem (GAL), and citizen boards.
Liang and Lin: Partners in Exploring China's Architectural Past

After studying in Philadelphia and marrying, Lin Whei-yin and Liang Sicheng became the first two professors in the new school of architecture at Shenyang's Tung Pei University in 1928. Fairbank shows how their western training, personalities, close relationship, the perspective of their social origi
Computational Methods for Analysis of Cryptic Recombination in the Performance of Genomic Recombination Detection Software

The detection of recombination from DNA sequences is relevant to the understanding of evolutionary and molecular genetics. While programs such as GENECONV have been identified as detecting recombination more reliably than others, previous studies have not analyzed how many recombinations they fail to detect. We develop a method for testing how often such programs fail to identify recombinations and how detectability is affected by pairwise differences among the parental sequences. Recombination of sequences having a range of average pairwise differences (APD) is simulated by a stochastic method, and then the history of recombinations is compared to the recombinations identified by GENECONV. With high APD, GENECONV fails to detect ~50% of recombinations; while at a more typical intraspecies APD of 1% to 2%, >70% of recombinations are undetected. Quantitative results suggest corrections for estimating recombination rates more accurately and methods to detect evidence of recombination more consistently.
The outcome of T-cell costimulation through intercellular adhesion molecule-1 differs from costimulation through leucocyte function-associated antigen-1

SUMMARY Optimal T-cell activation requires both an antigen-specific and a costimulatory signal. The outcome of T-cell activation can be influenced by the nature of the costimulatory signal the T cell receives. We recently demonstrated the ability of stimulation through intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), resident on the T-cell surface, to provide a second signal for T-cell activation, and have extended that work here to begin an examination of the functional outcome of this set of signals. Costimulation through ICAM-1 resulted in a greater percentage of cells having undergone more than three divisions when compared to costimulation through leucocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1). Costimulation through ICAM-1 also had an effect similar to costimulation through CD28 in its ability to down-regulate the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p27 kip1 . Costimulation through ICAM-1 provided greater protection from apoptosis than costimulation through LFA-1, especially in cells having divided more than three times. This was supported by the ability of costimulation through ICAM-1 to up-regulate the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Finally, costimulation through ICAM-1 or CD28 produced a greater number of T cells with a memory phenotype than costimulation through LFA-1.
The role of the endogenous opioid system in the effects of acupuncture on mood, behavior, learning, and memory

Ancient and contemporary papers report that acupuncture and its variations have a considerable effect on psychological state and behavior. Evidence from experimental and clinical studies suggests that acupuncture and its variations exert a strong influence on endogenous opioids in the brain, and that the endogenous opioid system is involved in various mental functions. The author suggests that the endogenous opioid system can play the key role in the mediation of the effects of acupuncture and its variations on mood, behavior, learning, and memory. Clinical implications of this suggestion are discussed.
Effect of Cold Shock and Freezing on Loss of Lipid from Spermatozoa

Abstract Semen from bulls and boars was divided into three fractions and treated as follows: control, cold shocked, and frozen. There was a loss of lipid from bovine spermatozoa that had been cold shocked (P
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention programs

Background Metabolic syndrome (MS) consists of a cluster of obesity-related risk factors that have been linked to the development and progression of coronary heart disease (CHD). The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of MS, as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol, in patients with CHD attending cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after a coronary event. Methods We analyzed baseline data of 1912 individuals with established coronary artery disease entering CR in Burlington, Vt, and Boston, Mass. Results Overall, 50% of patients entering CR have MS. A significantly greater percentage of women than men have MS (54% vs 48, respectively, P P Conclusions The prevalence of MS in patients with CHD participating in CR is greater than twice that of the general population. The prevalence of MS is higher and occurs at an older age in women than men. This study highlights the need for CR programs to develop specific interventions to assist patients with risk factor modification primarily by targeting physical inactivity and weight control.
A review of genetic association studies of obstructive sleep apnea: field synopsis and meta-analysis.

Study objectives Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a multifactorial disorder with a heritable component. We performed a field synopsis of genetic association studies of OSA to synthesize the available evidence. Design Systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Setting Genetic association studies. Patients or participants We searched multiple databases to identify studies of non-HLA genetic associations in OSA. We assessed the power of the primary studies to identify odds ratios (OR) in a plausible range and performed random effects meta-analyses for genetic associations investigated by at least 3 studies. We explored the consistency of the findings between population- and family-based studies. Interventions None Measurements and results We identified a total of 31 population-based case-control studies reporting allele-frequency data on 48 polymorphism-OSA associations. Sample sizes were generally small (median number of cases = 102, 25th-75th percentile = 55-151; median number of controls = 79, 25th-75th percentile = 58-137), and genetic effects were moderate in magnitude (median OR = 1.15, 25th-75th percentile = 0.89-1.40). Studies were severely underpowered to detect ORs as high as 2; only eight comparisons (in 6 studies) had more than 90% power to identify a genetic effect of that magnitude at its current sample size. Four genetic associations had been investigated in ≥ 3 studies: TNFA (-308 A/G) rs1800629, ACE I/D, APOE e2, and APOE e4. Only TNFA rs1800629 was significantly associated with OSA under an allele frequency model (3 studies, odds ratio [OR] = 1.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-2.61). These results were robust to alternative genetic models; findings for APOE variants were consistent with those from family-based studies. Conclusions The developing field of OSA genetics is currently dominated by small and underpowered investigations. Promising findings regarding TNFA rs1800629 need to be replicated in larger studies using more comprehensive genotyping methods.
Vapor pressure and heat of solution of sulfur dioxide in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and its aqueous solution

A new method was developed to measure the vapor pressure of sulfur dioxide above various liquid absorbents. It was applied to pure 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and its aqueous solution at 50°C to 91°C for SO2 loadings of 3.73 × 10 4 kg/kg to 2.16 × 10 −2 kg/kg. A chemical model was developed. The heat of solution was calculated from the dependence of the vapor pressure on temperature and was 3.98 × 107 J/kmol (exothermic) for pure 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The vapor pressures disagreed with the only previously published set of results but were confirmed by independent measurements with a gas chromatograph. On a mis au point une nouvelle methode pour mesurer la pression de vapeur de l'anhydride sulfureux au-dessus de divers absorbants liquides. On a applique cette methode au 1-metyle-2-pyrrolidone pur et en solution aqueuse a des temperatures variant entre 50°C et 91°C, pour des teneurs en SO2 comprises entre 3.73 × 10 −4 kg/kg et 2.16 × 10 −2 kg/kg. Un modele chimique a ete developpe. On a calcule la chaleur de solution a partir de la variation de la pression de vapeur avec la temperature; cette chaleur est de 3.98 × 107 J/kmole (exothermique) dans le cas du 1-methyle-2-pyrrolidone pur. Les valeurs des pressions de vapeur n'ont pas concorde avec celles indiquees dans la seule serie de resultats publiee anterieurement; on a toutefois confirme l'exactitude de ces valeurs au moyen de mesures independantes faites avec un chromatographe en phase gazeuse.
Variation in Entrance Efficiency of a Filter Sampler with Air Speed, Flow Rate, Angle and Particle Size

The effect on the entrance efficiency of a filter holder caused by variations in the following parameters—air speed, Slow rate, angle between the air flow and the filter holder, and particle size—was studied in a wind tunnel. Efficiencies for particles 0.68, 6, and 20 microns in diameter were determined at wind speeds of 100, 200, 400, and 700 cm/sec and filter flow rates of 6.4, 12.7, and 25.4 liters/min over a range of angles from 60 to 120 degrees from the horizontal. The entrance efficiency varied with all parameters from less than 1% at the highest wind speed and lowest flow rate to over 100% at forward angles where impaction aided suction. Efficiency was generally lowest with the filter holder entrance at right angles to the airstream, increased as the entrance was tilted forward toward the wind, and also increased, but more slowly, as it was tilted backward away from the wind. An empirical equation was developed to model the pertinent parameters; it gave values in reasonable agreement with those fo...
Absorption of digoxin in children with cystic fibrosis

The absorption of digoxin in cystic fibrosis was evaluated in 16 subjects by assessing the relationship between dosage expressed in μg/kg/day and serum digoxin concentration. The results indicate that the same relationship exists between maintenance dosage and serum levels in these patients and in patients without cystic fibrosis. Thus, no evidence of impaired absorption was found.
Purification and properties of ATPase from the cytoplasmic membrane of Bacillus megaterium KM

Abstract 1. 1.|ATPases are found associated with a wide variety of cell membranes. We have solubilized and purified a membrane-bound ATPase from the cyotplasmic membranes of Bacillus megaterium KM. 2. 2.|The properties of the membrane bound and solubilized enzyme are similar. It is activated by both Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ , but preferentially by Ca 2+ . It is slowly inactivated at 4°. In addition to ATP it can use GTP and ITP as substrates. It is competitively inhibited by ADP. 3. 3.|The solubilized ATPase binds back to membranes depleted of ATPase, in the presence of 0.01 M Ca 2+ . It does not bind to undepleted membranes. 4. 4.|The enzyme is released from the membrane by washing with 0.003 M Tris-HCl (pH 7.5). It is further purified by absorption on DEAE-cellulose, followed by elution with (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 . On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 8.8 and pH 8.0, the purified enzyme appears as a major band which has ATPase activity. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 0.1 % sodium dodecyl sulfate, the protein is inactivated and one major band of molecular weight approx. 69 000 is seen. Since the active protein is excluded from Sephadex G-100 gel, its molecular weight must be greater than 100 000, suggesting that the band seen on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate must represent subunits of the whole protein.
Assessment of the Performance of a Dual-Frequency Surface Reference Technique Over Ocean

The high correlation of the rain-free surface cross sections at two frequencies suggests that the estimate of differential path-integrated attenuation caused by precipitation along the radar beam can be obtained to a higher degree of accuracy than the path attenuation at either frequency. We explore this potential first analytically and then by examining data from the JPL dual-frequency airborne radar using measurements from the Tropical Composition, Cloud, and Climate Coupling experiment obtained during July-August 2007. Despite an improvement in the accuracy of the differential path attenuation, solving for parameters of the particle size distribution often requires not only this quantity but the single-wavelength path attenuation as well. We investigate a simple method of estimating the single-frequency path attenuation from the differential attenuation and compare this estimate with that derived directly from the surface return.
Update on neurosyphilis

Neurosyphilis literally means syphilitic infection of the central nervous system, but it is often referred to incorrectly as “tertiary syphilis.” Neurosyphilis can occur at any time in the course of syphilis, even in the earliest, primary, stage. Early forms of neurosyphilis primarily affect the meninges, cerebrospinal fluid, and cerebral or spinal cord vasculature. Late forms of neurosyphilis primarily affect the brain and spinal cord parenchyma. Uveitis and hearing loss related to syphilis are most common in early syphilis and may be accompanied by early neurosyphilis. The treatment for syphilis-related eye disease and hearing loss is the same as the treatment for neurosyphilis. Neurosyphilis is more commonly seen in patients infected with HIV, and much of the recent literature pertains to this risk group. This article provides a critical review of recent literature on the diagnosis, clinical findings, risk factors, and management of neurosyphilis.
Wormlike Micellar Solutions: III. VCM Model Predictions in Steady and Transient Shearing Flows

Abstract The two species, scission/reforming Vasquez–Cook–McKinley (VCM) model was formulated to describe the coupling between the viscoelastic fluid rheology and the kinetics of wormlike micellar assembly and deformation-induced rupture. The model self-consistently captures the nonlocal effects of stress-induced diffusion and has been studied in various limits for a number of canonical flow fields including Large Amplitude Oscillatory Shear (LAOS), steady and transient extensional flow as well as steady pressure-driven channel flow. However, a complete study of the spatiotemporal model predictions in shearing flow, both with (and without) inertia, and with (or without) the stress-concentration diffusive coupling, has not yet been reported. In this paper we present a comprehensive investigation of the full VCM model in steady and transient shearing flow including inertial and diffusive (non-local) effects. The consequences of varying the model parameters, the effect of the start-up ramp rate, and the role of geometry on the steady state flow curve are each investigated. As a result of the onset of shear-banding and nonlocal effects in the velocity, stress and concentration profiles, we show that the measured rheological properties in a wormlike micellar solution described by the VCM model can depend on the initial ramp rate as well as specific details of the geometry such as the length scale of the rheometric fixture chosen and its curvature. The complete time evolution of the rheological response at high Deborah numbers is examined, from the initial formation of inertial waves through nonlinear overshoots in the viscoelastic stresses, shear band formation (and elastic recoil in the local velocity), to the long time diffusion-mediated approach to a final steady state.
Blood supply to the platysma muscle flap: an anatomic study with clinical correlation.

Abstract Purpose: This study evaluated the blood supply of the superiorly based and posteriorly based platysma muscle myocutaneous flap. Materials and Methods: Four fresh cadaver specimens were injected with Microfil (Flow Technologies, Inc, Carver, ME) red stain in the common carotid artery and blue stain in the brachiocephalic vein. To clarify the blood supply to the platysma muscle, the blood vessels were first identified on lateral and posteroanterior radiographs of the specimens. Subsequently, anatomic dissection of the arteries and veins associated with the platysma muscle and overlying skin was performed. Results: The submental artery was the primary vessel to the platysma muscle. The superior thyroid artery, occipital artery, and posterior auricular artery were identified as secondary vessels. The external jugular vein provided the primary venous drainage, followed by the submental vein. Conclusions: The superiorly based design has a reliable arterial blood supply (facial and submental arteries) and poor venous drainage. The posteriorly based design has a reliable venous drainage (external jugular vein), but the arterial blood supply is almost random (occipital artery). © 2001 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Pentacyclic triterpenoids from Freziera sp. that inhibit DNA polymerase β

In a survey of crude plant extracts for DNA polymerase 1 inhibitors, a methyl ethyl ketone extract prepared from Freziera sp. exhibited potent inhibition of DNA polymerase beta. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract, guided by an assay to detect DNA polymerase beta inhibition, resulted in the isolation of six active pentacyclic triterpenoids (1-6). These triterpenoids had IC50 values ranging from 7.5 to 16 microM in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 2.6-5.8 microM in the absence of BSA, consistent with the possibility that these inhibitors may be of use in vivo.
Relevance feature selection with data cleaning for intrusion detection system

Labeled datasets play a major role in the process of validating and evaluating machine learning techniques in intrusion detection systems. In order to obtain good accuracy in the evaluation, very large datasets should be considered. Intrusion traffic and normal traffic are in general dependent on a large number of network characteristics called features. However not all of these features contribute to the traffic characteristics. Therefore, eliminating the non-contributing features from the datasets, to facilitate speed and accuracy to the evaluation of machine learning techniques, becomes an important requirement. In this paper we suggest an approach which analyzes the intrusion datasets, evaluates the features for its relevance to a specific attack, determines the level of contribution of feature, and eliminates it from the dataset automatically. We adopt the Rough Set Theory (RST) based approach and select relevance features using multidimensional scatter-plot automatically. A pair-wise feature selection process is adopted to simplify. In our previous research we used KDD'99 dataset and validated the RST based approach. There are lots of redundant data entries in KDD'99 and thus the machine learning techniques are biased towards most occurring events. This property leads the algorithms to ignore less frequent events which can be more harmful than most occurring events. False positives are another important drawback in KDD'99 dataset. In this paper, we adopt NSL-KDD dataset (an improved version of KDD'99 dataset) and validate the automated RST based approach. The approach presented in this paper leads to a selection of most relevance features and we expect that the intrusion detection research using KDD'99-based datasets will benefit from the good understanding of network features and their influences to attacks.
Spitzer pre launch mission operations system - the road to launch

Spitzer Space Telescope was launched on 25 August 2003 into an Earth-trailing solar orbit to acquire infrared observations from space. Development of the Mission Operations System (MOS) portion prior to launch was very different from planetary missions from the stand point that the MOS teams and Ground Data System had to be ready to support all aspects of the mission at launch (i.e., no cruise period for finalizing the implementation). For Spitzer, all mission-critical events post launch happen in hours or days rather than months or years, as is traditional with deep space missions. At the end of 2000 the Project was dealt a major blow when the Mission Operations System (MOS) had an unsuccessful Critical Design Review (CDR). The project made major changes at the beginning of 2001 in an effort to get the MOS (and Project) back on track. The result for the Spitzer Space Telescope was a successful launch of the observatory followed by an extremely successful In Orbit Checkout (IOC) and operations phase. This paper describes how the project was able to recover the MOS to a successful Delta (CDR) by mid 2001, and what changes in philosophies, experiences, and lessons learned followed. It describes how projects must invest early or else invest heavily later in the development phase to achieve a successful operations phase.
Surface activity of a non-micelle forming compound containing a surface-active impurity

Abstract Purpose. The purpose of this study is to characterize the surface activity of a water-soluble compound and its ability to form aggregates/micelles. Methods. Aqueous solutions of the compound were prepared at various concentrations. Surface tension was determined using drop volume and Wilhelmy plate methods. Moreover, conductivity and osmolality measurements of aqueous solutions were also determined at various concentrations. Results. Even though the compound appeared to be surface active, no change in the slope was found of either molar conductivity (S cm2/mol) versus square root of concentration (R2 = 0.994) or osmolality (mOsm/kg) versus concentration (R2 = 0.999). Moreover, no clear critical micelle concentration was observed when surface tension was plotted versus log concentration. These results indicated no micelle formation in these solutions. In order to investigate this behavior further, the main impurity in the compound was also tested. Surface tension measurements of solutions containing different concentrations of the impurity indicated that the impurity was more surface active than the compound. Conclusions. This study shows the importance of characterizing the behavior of surface-active compounds using multiple techniques. This work also emphasizes the importance of determining whether surface activity in aqueous solutions is due to the main compound, its impurities or both.
Current Sport-Related Concussion Teaching and Clinical Practices of Sports Medicine Professionals

Abstract Context: Various consensus and position statements recommend a multifaceted approach when diagnosing a possible concussion. The effectiveness of these materials depends largely on their content being disseminated to educators and to those in the clinical setting. Objective: To identify the concussion management methods and guidelines currently taught in the athletic training classroom and clinical settings and to track the dissemination of the Vienna guidelines throughout the educational curriculum. Design: A 17-question Internet survey. Setting: A Web link was e-mailed to the program directors and certified athletic trainers holding educational positions in athletic training at 300 accredited programs in the United States. Patients or Other Participants: 513 program directors and athletic trainers. Main Outcome Measure(s): Survey questions addressed education level, years of certification, employment setting, concussion assessment and return-to-play guidelines used in the clinical setting and th...
The Early Development of Purchasing Roles in the American Household, 1750 to 1840

This article investigates American household purchasing roles from the late colonial era to the mid-nineteenth century. Issues examined include marital authority versus the real balance of power, home production and the gendered division of labor, and family decision-making influences and purchasing behaviors. The article points out historical changes and continuities as well as some social class differences. The concluding section suggests implications for marketing and consumer history as well as some limitations of the research.
Postcholecystectomy Biliary Symptoms

Patients with postcholecystectomy biliary symptoms beyond their original surgery present a diagnostic challenge for the practicing surgeon. The diagnostic algorithm is the same as in an initial episode and should rule out nonbiliary causes of right upper quadrant pain. If biliary causes are suspected, the most common diagnosis is retained common bile duct stones.(1) Among the less common diagnoses, congenital anomalies of the biliary system must also be considered. Anatomical variants are well described in medical literature and must be anticipated by the general surgeon. Here the course and imaging of 2 different patients with postcholecystectomy biliary symptoms are presented followed by a discussion of several etiologies that could cause these symptoms. These cases are presented to remind the general surgeon of the wide variety of presentations possible with biliary disease. In these situations, knowledge of a patient's surgical history can lead to confusion when attempting to make an accurate diagnosis. A prepared surgeon can help shed light on a case complicated by inconsistencies between imaging studies and patient history.
Nitroglycerin: should we still ask?

The study by Henrikson and colleagues in this issue is an important addition to the evidence on the diagnostic value of chest pain relief by nitroglycerin. The response to sublingual nitroglycerin ...
An argument for an olfactory thalamus

The mammalian olfactory system is unique in that sensory receptors synapse directly into the olfactory bulb of the forebrain without the thalamic relay that is common to all other sensory pathways. We argue that the olfactory bulb has an equivalent role to the thalamus, because the two regions have very similar structures and functions. Both the thalamus and the olfactory bulb are the final stage in sensory processing before reaching target cortical regions, at which there is a massive increase in neuron and synapse numbers. Thus, both structures act as a bottleneck that is a target for various modulatory inputs, and this arrangement enables efficient control of information flow before cortical processing occurs.
The US muddle over a child's right to health care.

Up to eight million children of poor American families are without health insurance—so why is there a dispute over children9s right to health care?
Evaluation of airway hyperresponsiveness and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in a fisher (F344) rat model of Alternaria sensitization

Abstract Rationale Allergens with intrinsic protease activity have been shown to enable Th2 priming, and allow the establishment of airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in Th1-skewed mice. We attempted to induce Th2 responses in the lung of Fisher (F344) rats, a Th1-skewed animal model, using a protease-containing crude Alternaria extract. Methods Four groups of F344 rats were evaluated over a six-week period. Group 1 was sensitized to crude Alternaria in AlOH 3 and nebulized with crude Alternaria biweekly. Group 2 was sensitized to crude Alternaria in AlOH 3 and exposed to crude Alternaria biweekly via direct intranasal inoculation. Group 3 was not sensitized and nebulized with crude Alternaria biweekly. Group 4 was not sensitized and nebulized with saline biweekly. At the end of six weeks, airway hyperresponsiveness was determined by methacholine challenge. Right-sided bronchoalveolar lavage was performed, and cell counts with differentials were obtained from the bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF). Protease levels in the crude Alternaria extract were confirmed using a protease assay kit. Results No differences in airway hyperresponsiveness or BALF cell counts with differentials were observed between the four groups (p>0.05). A correlation between the absolute eosinophil count in the BALF and PC20 was observed (r s =-0.57). The protease level in the crude Alternaria extract was 130ng/mg protein. Conclusion We were unable to induce airway hyperresponsiveness or evidence of Th2 responses in the BALF of F344 rats, despite the concentration of protease activity present in the crude Alternaria extract. Threshold doses of protease activity required to induce Th2 airway responses in rat models are currently unknown.
The steady-state distribution of gating charge in crayfish giant axons.

Progressive shifts of holding potential (Vh) in crayfish giant axons, from -140 to -70 mV, reduce gating currents seen in depolarizing steps (to 0 mV test potential) while proportionately increasing gating currents in hyperpolarizing steps (to -240 mV). The resulting sigmoid equilibrium charge distribution (Q-Vh curve) shows an effective valence of 1.9e and a midpoint of -100 mV. By contrast, Q-V curves obtained using hyperpolarizing and/or depolarizing steps from a single holding potential, change their "shape" depending on the chosen holding potential. For holding potentials at the negative end of the Q-Vh distribution (e.g., -140 mV), negligible charge moves in hyperpolarizing pulses and the Q-V curve can be characterized entirely from depolarizing voltage steps. The slope of the resulting simple sigmoid Q-V curve also indicates an effective valence of 1.9e. When the axon is held at less negative potentials significant charge moves in hyperpolarizing voltage steps. The component of the Q-V curve collected using hyperpolarizing pulses shows a significantly reduced slope (approximately 0.75e) by comparison with the 1.9e slope found using depolarizing pulses or from the Q-Vh curve. As holding potential is shifted in the depolarizing direction along the Q-Vh curve, an increasing fraction of total charge movement must be assessed in hyperpolarizing voltage steps. Thus charge moving in the low slope component of the Q-V curve increases as holding potential is depolarized, while charge moving with high apparent valence decreases proportionately. Additional results, together with simulations based on a simple kinetic model, suggest that the reduced apparent valence of the low slope component of the Q-V curve results from gating charge immobilization occurring at holding potential. Immobilization selectively retards that fraction of total charge moving in hyperpolarizing pulses. Misleading conclusions, as to the number and valence of the gating particles, may therefore be derived from Q-V curves obtained by other than depolarizing pulses from negative saturated holding potentials.
Three-dimensional unsteady transonic viscous-inviscid interaction using the Euler and boundary-layer equations

The objective of this study is the development of a numerical technique which can provide three-dimensional, time-accurate, compressible, turbulent flow solutions in a practical and relatively economical way. The approach taken is that of the method of viscous-inviscid interaction. The Euler equations are assumed to govern the outer inviscid portion of the flow, and the viscous layer close to the solid wall is described by a set of integral boundary-layer equations. The viscous solutions are obtained in a direct fashion with a weighted-average phase error scheme. The method of equivalent sources is used for viscous-inviscid coupling. Steady-state and unsteady computations for an AGARD airfoil and a wing show that satisfactory engineering solutions can be obtained for attached, high Reynolds number flows using this method. Quasi-unsteady interactions are shown to produce similar results to those provided by true-unsteady interactions. Considerable computer resources can be saved for some cases by using quasi-unsteady interactions.
Garlic inhibits free radical generation and augments antioxidant enzyme activity in vascular endothelial cells

Abstract Oxygen free radicals have been implicated in mediating various pathological processes such as ischemia, inflammatory diseases, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. The antioxidant enzymes—superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)—play an important role in scavenging oxidants and preventing cell injury. Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) has been shown to prevent oxidant-induced injury of endothelial cells. The present study determined the effects of AGE on the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and superoxide anion (O 2 − ) and the activity of three antioxidant enzymes in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC). Confluent monolayers of PAEC were incubated with AGE, and oxidative stress was triggered by hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase or H 2 O 2 . AGE exhibited both concentration- and time-dependent suppression of H 2 O 2 and O 2 − generation, and it also significantly increased the activities of SOD, CAT and GPX. The results suggest that AGE may be an effective antioxidant in preventing or treating disorders related to endothelial cell injury associated with free radicals.
The pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes: Structure-based function and regulation

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes (PDCs) from all known living organisms comprise three principal catalytic components for their mission: E1 and E2 generate acetyl-coenzyme A, whereas the FAD/NAD+-dependent E3 performs redox recycling. Here we compare bacterial (Escherichia coli) and human PDCs, as they represent the two major classes of the superfamily of 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complexes with different assembly of, and interactions among components. The human PDC is subject to inactivation at E1 by serine phosphorylation by four kinases, an inactivation reversed by the action of two phosphatases. Progress in our understanding of these complexes important in metabolism is reviewed.
An efficient domain decomposition framework for accurate representation of geodata in distributed hydrologic models

Physically‐based, fully‐distributed hydrologic models simulate hydrologic state variables in space and time while using information regarding heterogeneity in climate, land use, topography and hydrogeology. Since fine spatio‐temporal resolution and increased process dimension will have large data requirements, there is a practical need to strike a balance between descriptive detail and computational load for a particular model application. In this paper, we present a flexible domain decomposition strategy for efficient and accurate integration of the physiographic, climatic and hydrographic watershed features. The approach takes advantage of different GIS feature types while generating high‐quality unstructured grids with user‐specified geometrical and physical constraints. The framework is able to anchor the efficient capture of spatially distributed and temporally varying hydrologic interactions and also ingest the physical prototypes effectively and accurately from a geodatabase. The proposed decomposi...
Identification and characterization of the woodchuck hepatitis virus origin of DNA replication.

Replication of the woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) genome requires the synthesis of minus-strand DNA from an RNA template, the pregenome, by reverse transcription. During this reaction, the 59 end of minus-strand DNA becomes covalently linked to a protein. The position of the 59 end of minus-strand DNA was identified previously, but the initiation site for DNA synthesis on pregenomic RNA remained ambiguous because of a sequence repetition at the termini of the RNA template for reverse transcription. Employing a recently designed expression vector for the production of infectious WHV, we localized the origin of minus-strand DNA synthesis to the 39 end of pregenomic RNA. In addition, we identified the nucleotide sequences on pregenomic RNA that provide the signal for the initiation of reverse transcription. Removal of this signal sequence from pregenomic RNA abolished minus-strand DNA synthesis. Insertion of a DNA oligomer bearing this signal sequence at the 39 end of pregenomic RNA restored the production of minus-strand DNA joined to protein. Our results support a model in which protein is the primer for reverse transcription of minus-strand DNA of WHV. Images
Software Requirements Negotiation and Renegotiation Aids: A Theory-W Based Spiral Approach

A major problem in requirements engineering is obtaining requirements that address the concerns of multiple stakeholders. An approach to such a problem is the Theory-W based Spiral Model. This paper focuses on the problem of developing a support system for such a model. In particular it identifies needs and capabilities required to address the problem of negotiation and renegotiation that arises when the model is applied to incremental requirements engineering. The paper formulates elements of the support system, called WinWin, for providing such capabilities. The key elements of WinWin are described and their use in incremental requirements engineering are demonstrated, using an example renegotiation scenario from the domain of software engineering environments, for satellite ground stations.
A tale of Wünderlich syndrome

Wunderlich syndrome is a rare entity characterized by acute onset of spontaneous, non-traumatic renal hemorrhage into the subcapsular and perirenal spaces. It can be fatal if not promptly recognized clinically and treated aggressively. We report a case of a 63-year-old Caucasian female who was presented to the emergency department with acute onset of sharp abdominal and right flank pain, and hypotension. An urgent abdominal and pelvic computed tomography scan with contrast demonstrated a large (13 × 12 × 8.5 cm) right perinephric hematoma of unknown etiology. The patient subsequently underwent renal angiogram that demonstrated active extravasation of the right superior renal artery. She underwent successful embolization procedure and responded well to fluid resuscitation. She remained hemodynamically stable and was discharged home without further events.
Methylation Patterns in Human Androgen Receptor Gene and Clonality Analysis

Tumor clonality, an important issue in tumor biology, has been analyzed using X-chromosome inactivation studies based on the differential methylation patterns of active and inactive alleles. Recently, a PCR-based androgen receptor gene (AR) analysis method was developed that takes advantage of highly polymorphic CAG repeats and nearby HpaII and HhaI sites in exon 1 of AR at the Xq13 region. However, the data from this assay, which is now widely used, are sometimes uninterpretable and irreproducible for some currently unclear reason. To determine that reason, we analyzed a panel of lung cancer cell lines, using HpaII or HhaI restriction enzymes, methylation-specific PCR, and bisulfite genomic sequencing of the polymorphic CAG repeat site of AR exon 1, including nearby CpG sites. We found direct evidence of a variable methylation pattern at the restriction sites that prevented proper enzyme cleavage in two lung cancer cell lines (NCI-H292 and NCI-H1944) obtained from female patients who had a polymorphic CAG repeat in AR exon 1. Our data suggest that methylation patterns at the CpG sites of AR exon 1 are complicated and vary among different individuals. Therefore, the reliability of the PCR-based clonality analysis may require further evaluation.