cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
P239 Breaking New Ground To Close The Gaps Between Physcian’s Knowledge And Prcatice

Background Effective dissemination of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (EBCPG) help clinicians practice evidence-based-medicine, close practice gaps, thus improving medical care. Objectives To determine the effectiveness of an educational intervention to measure changes in practice/self reported performance improvement for the management and treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Methods EBCPG were leveraged and repurposed as an interactive guideline translational CME course to expand physicians’ knowledge base and improve clinician confidence and effectiveness in treating patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Participants were given i) an assessment questionnaire before and after the session to measure knowledge and competence, ii) guidelines application tools useful in the clinic. A follow-up assessment questionnaire was conducted one year later to assess if session and application tools were easy to translate in clinic. Results Approximately 90% of the participants felt the session improved their knowledge, confidence and will have an impact on their practice. Over 60% of case vignettes based questions showed significant improvement compared to the pre assessments p Discussion The session will optimise usability of EBCPG in physician’s daily practice and lead to improvement of patient quality of life and help in closing gaps in practice care. Implications for Guideline Developers/Users EBCPG translational session with application tools is an effective method for implementing clinical guidelines and helps physicians practice evidence-based-medicine enhancing quality patient care.
Post-traumatic sialoceles and mucoceles of the salivary glands

Three cases of post-traumatic sialocele involving the parotid region and one case of post-traumatic mucocele involving the submandibular region are presented. Computed tomography (CT) with contrast showed enhancing borders after a few weeks. Cases earlier than 2 weeks from occurrence showed no enhancement because of the absence of a well-developed capsule. Patients who had the disease longer showed better enhancement of the periphery with contrast because of capsule development. By CT scanning alone it is difficult to differentiated these lesions from other cystic lesions of the face and neck, although certain characteristics like location and rim enhancement may favor one lesion over the other.
Small stent size and intimal hyperplasia contribute to restenosis: A volumetric intravascular ultrasound analysis

Objectives The purpose of this study was to use volumetric intravascular ultrasound analysis of Palmaz-Schatz stents to assess the in-stent restenotic process. Background By reducing lesion elastic recoil and chronic arterial remodeling, stents improve the long-term results of coronary angioplasty. However, stents are prone to the development of neointimal hyperplasia. Angiographic studies of stent restenosis have suggested that these hyperplastic responses are the cause of in-stent restenosis; however, it is difficult to visualize the radiolucent Palmaz-Schatz stent by angiography. Intravascular ultrasound provides detailed cross-sectional imaging of the coronary arteries, especially the intense metallic reflection of endovascular stents. Methods Forty-four patients with 60 Palmaz-Schatz stents underwent intravascular ultrasound imaging at follow-up ([mean ± SD] 8.8 ± 7.2 months after implantation). Thirty-four stents were placed in saphenous vein grafts and 26 in native coronary arteries; 30 were placed in restenotic lesions. Intravascular ultrasound with automatic transducer pullback at 0.5 mm/s allowed measurement of stent, lumen and intimal hyperplasia crosssectional areas at 1-mm axial increments within the stents. Using Simpson's rule, stent, lumen and intimal hyperplasia volumes were calculated. Patterns of in-stent restenosis were then identified. Results Restenotic stents had smaller stent volumes (120 ± 41 vs. 147 ± 43 mm 3 , p = 0.016) and lumen volumes (62 ± 28 vs. 118 ± 42 mm 3 , p 3 , p 3 , respectively, p = NS); however, stents with diffuse restenosis had larger intimal hyperplasia volumes (84 ± 30 vs. 50 ± 34 mm 3 , p Conclusions Stent volume and magnitude and distribution of intimai hyperplasia are important in the development of in-stent restenosis. Stent volume was smaller and intimai hyperplasia volume greater in restenotic stents. Stent restenosis is more commonly focal in nature and located at the central articulation.
A level set approach to 3D mold filling of Newtonian fluids.

Filling operations, in which a viscous fluid displaces a gas in a complex geometry, occur with surprising frequency in many manufacturing processes. Difficulties in generating accurate models of these processes involve accurately capturing the interfacial boundary as it undergoes large motions and deformations, preventing dispersion and mass-loss during the computation, and robustly accounting for the effects of surface tension and wetting phenomena. This paper presents a numerical capturing algorithm using level set theory and finite element approximation. Important aspects of this work are addressing issues of mass-conservation and the presence of wetting effects. We have applied our methodology to a three-dimension model of a complicated filling problem. The simulated results are compared to experimental flow visualization data taken for filling of UCON oil in the identical geometry. Comparison of simulation and experiment indicates that the simulation conserved mass adequately and the simulated interface shape was in approximate agreement with experiment. Differences seen were largely attributed to inaccuracies in the wetting line model.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
A reference manual for indigenous self‐determiners in the Americas

Dunbar Ortiz, Roxanne. Indians of the Americas: Human Rights and Self‐Determination. New York: Praeger, 1984. xvi + 313 pp. including bibliography and index. $34.95 cloth, $12.95 paper.
Reduced susceptibility in laboratory-selected mutants of Aspergillus fumigatus to itraconazole due to decreased intracellular accumulation of the antifungal agent

To study the mechanism of resistance of Aspergillus fumigatus to itraconazole, spontaneous mutants with reduced susceptibility were selected by spreading 2 x 10(8) conidia from a clinical isolate (W73355) susceptible to miconazole (MIC 2 mg/l), itraconazole (MIC 0.25 mg/l) and amphotericin B (MIC 0.5 mg/l) on 40 peptone yeast extract glucose agar plates containing miconazole (32 mg/l). The 19 colonies that grew (frequency 0.95 x 10(-7)) in the presence of miconazole were screened by broth macrodilution technique for their susceptibility to itraconazole. A total of two isolates (frequency 1 x 10(-8)) MCZ14 and MCZ15 had MICs of 16 and 8 mg/l, respectively, for itraconazole. Both MCZ14 and MCZ15 showed concomitant increases in MICs for ketoconazole and miconazole, but not for amphotericin B. Growth inhibition studies as well as kill curve experiments revealed that MCZ14 and MCZ15 were less susceptible to itraconazole compared to the parental strain. The intracellular accumulation of itraconazole in A. fumigatus was time and concentration dependent. Maximum accumulation was obtained within 30 min at 5 microM itraconazole. In MCZ14 and MCZ15 intracellular accumulation of [3H]itraconazole was reduced by approximately 80 and 60%, respectively, compared to the susceptible parent. The respiratory inhibitor carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone at 200 microM reduced the intracellular accumulation of itraconazole by approximately 36.2% (P < or = 0.05) in the parent and in the mutant strains. These results suggest that (i) the reduced accumulation of itraconazole in MCZ14 and MCZ15 is due to diminished permeability of the drug and perhaps not due to efflux, (ii) the uptake of itraconazole in A. fumigatus may be an energy dependent process, and (iii) decreased accumulation of itraconazole is at least in part responsible for the reduced susceptibility of the mutant isolates to itraconazole.
The effect of cholesterol on lipid dynamics and packing in diether phosphatidylcholine bilayers. X-ray diffraction and 2H-NMR study.

Abstract In order to compare the lipid packing, conformation and dynamics of ether- and ester-linked phosphatidylcholines in the presence of equimolar concentrations of cholesterol, multilamellar dispersions of these lipid-sterol mixtures were investigated by X-ray diffraction and 2H-NMR. A comparison of the X-ray diffraction patterns at 22° C of 1,2- di -O- hexadecyl -sn- glycero -3- phosphocholine (DHPC) and 1,2- dipalmitoyl -sn- glycero -3- phosphocholine (DPPC) dispersions, each containing 50 mol% cholesterol, demonstrate that the structural characteristics of DHPC and DPPC bilayers in the presence of cholesterol are essentially indistinguishable by X-ray diffraction. In contradistinction to the similar structural characteristics of DHPC and DPPC in the presence of cholesterol, the low-angle lamellar reflections of DHPC at 22° C in the absence of cholesterol are indicative of an interdigitated phase, demonstrating that cholesterol facilitates the conversion from an interdigitated to a non-interdigitated phase. Above T c in each lipid-sterol mixture, the quadrupolar splittings from the α-methylene segments of 1,2[1′,1′-2H2]DHPC and 1,2[2′,2′-2H2]DPPC indicate that both chain inequivalence and magnetic inequivalence of any particular α-C2H2 deuteron pair are preserved and actually enhanced in the presence of cholesterol. Lowering of the temperature below T c in 1,2[2′,2′-2H2]DPPC/cholesterol dispersions leads to a progressive intensity loss of the sn-2 chain components, a thermotropic effect which is not observed in the corresponding components of the 1,2[1′,1′-2H2]DHPC/cholesterol spectra.
Soybean Genomics: Developments through the Use of Cultivar “Forrest”

Legume crops are particularly important due to their ability to support symbiotic nitrogen fixation, a key to sustainable crop production and reduced carbon emissions. Soybean (Glycine max) has a special position as a major source of increased protein and oil production in the common grass-legume rotation. The cultivar “Forrest” has saved US growers billions of dollars in crop losses due to resistances programmed into the genome. Moreover, since Forrest grows well in the north-south transition zone, breeders have used this cultivar as a bridge between the southern and northern US gene pools. Investment in Forrest genomics resulted in the development of the following research tools: (i) a genetic map, (ii) three RIL populations ( <path id="x39" d="M244 635q90 0 143 -72t53 -177q0 -133 -65 -229.5t-171 -139.5q-79 -32 -140 -32l-5 30q109 18 185 91t101 186l-68 -36q-29 -16 -60 -16q-79 0 -129 51.5t-50 130.5q0 80 57 146.5t149 66.5zM228 602q-52 0 -78 -45.5t-26 -98.5q0 -69 36.5 -115.5t97.5 -46.5 q53 0 90 28q4 31 4 66q0 51 -9.5 95.5t-39 80.5t-75.5 36z" /> <path id="x36" d="M137 343l67 33q37 17 63 17q79 0 129.5 -53t50.5 -131q0 -92 -58 -156.5t-147 -64.5t-147 68t-58 182q0 63 17 119t43 95.5t61.5 72t69 52t67.5 31.5q62 22 128 33l6 -32q-56 -11 -108 -35q-149 -71 -184 -231zM227 337q-47 0 -95 -27q-6 -23 -6 -70q0 -93 36 -155.5 t96 -62.5q53 0 78 45.5t25 105.5q0 68 -35 116t-99 48z" /> <path id="x6E" d="M524 0h-209v26q44 5 55 18t11 65v167q0 114 -91 114q-50 0 -109 -51v-235q0 -50 10 -61.5t55 -16.5v-26h-217v26q51 5 62 17t11 61v206q0 47 -9.5 58.5t-50.5 19.5v23q82 15 139 40v-79l67 47q47 30 83 30q60 0 94.5 -40t34.5 -112v-193q0 -50 10 -61.5t54 -16.5v-26z " /> <path id="x35" d="M153 550l-26 -186q79 31 111 31q90 0 141.5 -51t51.5 -119q0 -93 -89 -166q-85 -69 -173 -71q-32 0 -61.5 11.5t-41.5 23.5q-18 17 -17 34q2 16 22 33q14 9 26 -1q61 -50 124 -50q60 0 93 43.5t33 104.5q0 69 -41.5 110t-121.5 41q-53 0 -102 -20l38 305h286l6 -8 l-26 -65h-233z" /> ), (iii) 200 NILs, (iv) 115 220 BACs and BIBACs, (v) a physical map, (vi) 4 different minimum tiling path (MTP) sets, (vii) 25 123 BAC end sequences (BESs) that encompass 18.5 Mbp spaced out from the MTPs, and 2 000 microsatellite markers within them (viii) a map of 2408 regions each found at a single position in the genome and 2104 regions found in 2 or 4 similar copies at different genomic locations (each of 150 kbp), (ix) a map of homoeologous regions among both sets of regions, (x) a set of transcript abundance measurements that address biotic stress resistance, (xi) methods for transformation, (xii) methods for RNAi, (xiii) a TILLING resource for directed mutant isolation, and (xiv) analyses of conserved synteny with other sequenced genomes. The SoyGD portal at sprovides access to the data. To date these resources assisted in the genomic analysis of soybean nodulation and disease resistance. This review summarizes the resources and their uses.
Nutrient cycling by the subterranean termite Gnathamitermes tubiformans in a Chihuahuan desert ecosystem

We estimated the density of subterranean termites Gnathamitermes tubiformans at 800,000 · ha-1 for a standing crop biomass of 2 kg · ha-1 Predation losses were estimated to be 5,73 kg · ha-1 · yr-1 representing the major release of nutrients from termites to surficial soil layers. Nutrient fluxes from termites to predators amounted to 410g N·ha-1·yr-1, 33 g S · ha-1 · yr-1 and 19 g P · ha-1 · yr-1. These fluxes account for 8% of the litter N, 1.5% of the litter P and 2.9% of the litter S. The termites fixed an estimated 66 g · ha-1 · yr-1 atmospheric N and returned an estimated 100 g · ha-1 · yr-1 in the surface gallery carton. Since losses of elements from subterannean termites were greater than standing crops, we estimated an annual turnover of N at 3.5 times per year, P of 2.5 times per year, and S of 2.5 per times per year.Since surface foraging, predation and alate flights are pulse regulated by rainfall, nutrient flows through subterranean termites are episodic and releases of nutrients accumulated in termite biomass preceeds or is coincident with productivity "pulses" of some shallow rooted plants. We propose that subterranean termites are important as regulators in desert nutrient cycles.
Intrinsic catalytic activity of the zymogen, bovine procarboxypeptidase A. A kinetic study using fluorine analogues.

Abstract Bovine Procarboxypeptidase A (PCPD) has only until recently been considered catalytically inert. PCPD, however, will hydrolyze the amide bond in simple acylated amino acids. Trifluoroacetyl-L-phenylalanine is a very good substrate for the zymogen exhibiting normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a Vmax near 2 × 103 min−1 and a Km of 2.6 mM. Comparison of the pH-rate profiles for the zymogen-enzyme pair suggest that the same or similar groups are involved in the catalytic process in both proteins further suggesting the pre-existance of a considerable part of the enzyme active site in the zymogen. Moreover, TFAc-D-Phe is a competitive inhibitor of the hydrolysis of TFAc-L-Phe and would appear a suitable analogue to study E (or zymogen)-I interactions by 19F-nmr during activation.
Role of Apo2L/TRAIL and Bcl-2-family proteins in apoptosis of multiple myeloma.

Apo2 Ligand or Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF)-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (Apo2L/TRAIL) is a member of the TNF gene superfamily that selectively induces apoptosis in tumor cells of diverse origins through engagement of death receptors. We have recently demonstrated that Type I interferons (IFN-α and β) induce apoptosis in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines and in plasma cells from MM patients. Moreover, Apo2L selectively induces apoptosis of patient MM tumor cells while sparing non-malignant cells. Apo2L induction is one of the earliest events following IFN administration in these cells. IFNs activate Caspases and the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway mediated by Apo2L production. Cell death induced by IFNs and Apo2L can be blocked by a dominant-negative Apo2L receptor, DR5, and is regulated by members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins. This review is focused on the apoptotic signaling pathways regulated by Apo2L and Bcl-2-family proteins and summarizes what is known about their clinical role.
Subchronic Studies of Thenyldiamine in Fischer 344 Rats

Thenyldiamine, an antihistamine used extensively as a sleep aid, has not been adequately studied for subchronic or chronic toxicity. This report presents the results of subchronic studies of thenyldiamine in the rat. Fischer 344 rats were administered thenyldiamine hydrochloride in their feed at dose levels of 0, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 ppm (calculated as free amine) for 14 days or at dose levels of 0, 125, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 ppm for 90 days. There were no mortalities in either study. Except for decreased weight gain, no significant treatment-related toxicity was observed in the 14-day study. In the 90-day study, 500 ppm and 1000 ppm were the lowest doses responsible for causing a significant decrease in weight gain in females and males, respectively. Clinical signs, gross observations at necropsy, and organ weights in the 90-day study were not remarkable. Histologically, a treatment-related mild fatty change was found in the livers of male rats, but the effect was so mild as to make the sign...
Breast Implants, the Cult of Beauty, and a Culturally Constructed ‘Disease’

Les valeurs sociales et culturelles influencent l'image du corps : les femmes « doivent » avoir une belle poitrine et les implants de silicone se sont developpes pour correspondre a cet ideal. Neanmoins le corps medical a travers la FDA (Food and Drug Administration) ne prend pas en consideration le contexte social et culturel et aborde les implants de silicone sur un plan purement medical en negligeant les raisons qui poussent les femmes a se decider pour une telle operation
High-quality controlled trials on preventing episodes of back problems: systematic literature review in working-age adults.

Abstract Background context Back problems (BPs), with their cost and disability, are a substantial burden for individuals, employers, and society. Purpose This systematic review of controlled trials evaluates the effectiveness of interventions to prevent BP episodes in working age adults. Data sources We searched MEDLINE/EMBASE through May 2007, and COCHRANE/Trials Registry through August 22, 2008 using search terms of back pain, back injuries or sciatica, linked to prevention, control, workplace interventions, or ergonomics and searched article bibliographies. Study selection For systematic review inclusion, articles had to describe prospective controlled trials of interventions to prevent BPs in working-age adults, with intervention assignment either to individual participants or preexisting groups. Of 185 articles identified as potentially relevant, 20 trials (11%) met inclusion criteria. Data extraction Researchers extracted relevant information from controlled trials and graded methodological quality. Because of heterogeneity of trials, meta-analysis was not performed. Results Only exercise was found effective for preventing self-reported BPs in seven of eight trials (effect size 0.39 to >0.69). Other interventions were not found to reduce either incidence or severity of BP episodes compared with controls. Negative trials included five trials of education, four of lumbar supports, two of shoe inserts, and four of reduced lifting programs. Conclusions Twenty high-quality controlled trials found strong, consistent evidence to guide prevention of BP episodes in working-age adults. Trials found exercise interventions effective and other interventions not effective, including stress management, shoe inserts, back supports, ergonomic/back education, and reduced lifting programs. The varied successful exercise approaches suggest possible benefits beyond their intended physiologic goals. Level of evidence Systematic review Level I evidence.
Lattice Energy Calculations for Ordered and Disordered Ba(Zn1/3Ta2/3)O3

Lattice energies were calculated for ordered and disordered Ba( Zn 1/3 Ta 2/3 ) O 3 . Lattice summations were carried out for both long-range electrostatic and short-range Born-Mayer type interaction energies by using the rigid ion model. Electronic polarizations were taken into account to calculate the energy contribution from deformable charges of oxygen and barium ions as a strong local field exists in the ordered structure. The interaction energy and the internal energy of dipole moments induced by local field were determined. It was shown that the lattice energy of the ordered structure is 2.15 eV lower than that of the disordered structure. This result is consistent with the reported experimental results which demonstrated the stability of the ordered structure for Ba( Zn 1/3 Ta 2/3 ) O 3 .
Situated topic complexity in interactive video retrieval

The overarching goal of this study is to place additional emphasis on the ability to observe, extend, and apply findings across different experimental studies and/or digital projects by providing further insight into some of the broader processes within interactive (user-centered) video retrieval. The variable at the center of this particular investigation included a user-centered definition of topic complexity, or “situated topic complexity,” where its influence on other factors within the interactive video process, namely users' actions, satisfaction, performance, and judgments on other topical qualities, was analyzed. Findings revealed that as users' impressions of complexity increased during experimental search topics, search times and the number of user actions also increased, but even more compelling was the fact that users started to convincingly shift away from keyword (transcript) searching, as predominantly used for easy to moderate topics, to categorical and linear browse strategies at a clear point within the interactive process. Different users' assessments, regarding their search experiences, and topic performances were also varied and shown to be significantly correlated with the situated complexity of a given topic. Such findings are relevant to the design of digital libraries in that researchers should continue improving ways to deliver video through keyword search functions, but also further recognize the multidimensionality of video by offering other paths or interface options that provide support for highly complex needs and also for exploring the collection's boundaries on easier topics. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in users of four hormonal contraceptives: levonorgestrel-containing oral contraceptives, norgestimate-containing oral contraceptives, desogestrel-containing oral contraceptives and the contraceptive patch.

Abstract Background It has been suggested that the risk for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) may be greater among users of the contraceptive patch than among users of oral contraceptives (OCs). Methods From the PharMetrics database, we identified women aged 15–44 years who filled at least one prescription for either the contraceptive patch or desogestrel-containing, norgestimate-containing or levonorgestrel-containing OCs to assess the risk of CVST. The person-time of current exposure to each study drug, as well as the incidence rates (IRs) and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of CVST, was calculated. Results We identified over 1 million users of the four study drugs. There were five cases of CVST among current users of desogestrel, seven cases among current users of norgestimate, two cases among current users of levonorgestrel and none among current users of the contraceptive patch. The IRs per 100,000 woman-years were 2.7 [95% confidence interval (95% CI)=0.9–6.3], 1.6 (95% CI=0.7–3.3), 0.7 (95% CI=0.1–2.4) and 0.0 (95% CI=0.0–4.8), respectively, in users of desogestrel, norgestimate, levonorgestrel and the contraceptive patch. There were two women who had CVST while not currently taking a hormonal contraceptive (IR=0.4 per 100,000 woman-years; 95% CI=0.1–1.3). The IRRs were 4.0 (95% CI=0.7–42.4) for desogestrel-containing versus levonorgestrel-containing OCs, and 2.4 (95% CI=0.5–24.0) for norgestimate-containing versus levonorgestrel-containing OCs. The IRR for the patch could not be calculated. Conclusions There is no evidence of an increased risk of CVST in users of the contraceptive patch compared to users of levonorgestrel-containing OCs.
A new statistical approach demonstrated menstrual patterns during the menopausal transition did not vary by age at menopause.

Abstract Objective To describe population mean, variance, and correlation of cycle length across the life span and by age at menopause and age at menarche using a new statistical approach. Study design and setting Data from the Tremin Trust ( n =997), a prospective menstrual diary study, was analyzed. Marginal models with generalized estimating equations were used to describe changes in menstrual parameters across the reproductive life span. Results During the menopausal transition, the increase in standard deviation preceded that in mean by 2 to 6 years. Although beginning earlier in women with earlier menopause, increases in mean and variance for women with different ages at menopause were parallel. Women with later menopause had longer cycles throughout life and longer, more variable cycles during the transition. Conclusion The transition from late reproductive life to early menopausal transition appears to begin in the late thirties when variability of cycle length increases. Patterns of change in menstrual function during the menopausal transition do not differ by age at menopause; thus, differences in age at menopause are likely to reflect changes in the timing and not changes in the process of ovarian senescence, at least for the normative ages of menopause.
Freedom: Toward an Integration of the Counseling Profession

Freedom is presented as an overarching paradigm that may align and bring together the counseling profession's diverse counseling theories and open a doorway to a new generation of counseling techniques. Freedom is defined and discussed in terms of its 4 modalities: freedom from, freedom to, freedom with, and freedom for. The long-standing problem of theoretical integration of counseling and psychotherapy is explored in combination with the phenomenon of therapeutic change in the context of freedom. The new paradigm generates new and possibly more effective counseling techniques by aligning and incorporating freedom with such ideas as agency, self-determination, metacognition, mindfulness, and often unexamined Asian therapeutic techniques from yoga and Buddhism.
Pathway Length and Evolutionary Constraint in Amino Acid Biosynthesis

The evolutionary properties of a metabolic network may be determined by the topology of the network. One attribute of pathways that make up the network is the number of enzymatic steps between initial substrates and final products. To determine the effect of pathway length on evolutionary lability of pathway structure, we examined amino acid biosynthetic pathways across 48 sequenced organisms. We demonstrate that longer pathways exhibit lower rates of change in pathway structure than shorter pathways. This finding suggests that increasing complexity may increase constraint on evolutionary change.
A voltage- and Ca2+-dependent big conductance K channel in cochlear spiral ligament fibrocytes

Evidence is accruing that spiral ligament fibrocytes (SLFs) play an important role in cochlear K+ homeostasis, but little direct physiological data is available to support this concept. Here we report the presence and characterization of a voltage- and Ca2+-dependent big-conductance K (BK) channel in type I SLFs cultured from the gerbil cochlea. A single-channel conductance of 298±5.6 pS (n=28) was measured under symmetrical K+. Membrane potentials for half-maximal open probability (P o) were −67, −45 and 85 mV with cytosolic free-Ca2+ levels of 0.7 mM, 10 μM and 1 μM, respectively (n=8–14). The Hill coefficient for Ca2+ affinity was 1.9 at a membrane potential of 60 mV (n=6). The BK channel showed very low activity (P o=0.0019, n=5) under normal physiological conditions, suggesting a low resting intracellular free [Ca2+]. Pharmacological results fit well with the profile of classic BK channels. The estimated half-maximal inhibitory concentration and Hill coefficient for tetraethylammonium were 0.086±0.021 mM and 0.99, respectively (n=4–9). In whole cell recordings, the voltage-activated outward K current was inhibited 85.7±4.5% (n=6) by 0.1 μM iberiotoxin. A steady-state kinetic model with two open and two closed stages best described the BK gating process (τo1 0.23±0.08 ms, τo2 1.40±0.32 ms; τc1 0.26±0.09 ms, τc2 3.10±1.2 ms; n=11). RT-PCR analyses revealed a splice variant of the BK channel α subunit in cultured type I SLFs and freshly isolated spiral ligament tissues. The BK channel is likely to play a major role in regulating the membrane potential of type I SLFs, which may in turn influence K+ recycling dynamics in the mammalian cochlea.
Invertibility and transitivity analysis for nonrigid image registration

We present a new method for evaluating the perfor- mance of nonrigid image registration algorithms by analyzing the invertibility and transitivity properties of the transformations that they produce. The invertibility and transitivity of transformations com- puted using a unidirectional and a consistent linear-elastic registra- tion algorithm are evaluated. The invertibility of the transformations is evaluated by comparing the composition of transformations from images A to B and B to A to the identity mapping. The transitivity of the transformations is evaluated by measuring the difference be- tween the identity mapping and the composition of the transforma- tions from images A to B, Bt o C, and C to A. Transformations are generated by matching three computer-generated phantoms, three computed tomography (CT) data of infant heads, and 23 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of adult brains. In all cases, the in- verse consistency constraint (ICC) algorithm out-performs the unidi- rectional algorithm by producing transformations that have less in- verse consistency error and less transitivity error. For the MRI brain data, the ICC algorithm reduced the maximum inverse consistency error by 205 times, the average transitivity error by 50%, and the maximum transitivity error by 37% on average compared to the uni- directional algorithm. © 2003 SPIE and IS&T. (DOI: 10.1117/1.1526494)
Adiabatic invariance to all orders

Abstract The purpose of this article is to extend adiabatic invariance theorems to all orders in the slowness parameter. The concept of adiabatic invariance to all orders is formulated precisely in Section I. In Section II, a classical one-dimensional nonlinear oscillator is treated. It is proved that the action integral extended over a period of the instantaneous time independent problem is an adiabatic invariant to all orders. Section III is devoted to the extension of the Born-Fock quantum mechanical adiabatic theorem to all orders. The systems to which the proof applies in all rigor are those which have a finite number of nondegenerate quantum states which do not cross in the process of adiabatic change. The proofs are based on a systematic construction of the asymptotic expansion in the slowness parameter of the statistical distribution function which describes an initially stationary ensemble of systems.
OPTICAL TRANSFER FUNCTION MEASUREMENTS IN THE SARGASSO SEA

An in-situ Optical Transfer Function measurement system has been developed and was successfully tested in the Sargasso Sea to 1000+ m depths in water 5000+ m deep. Concurrently obtained water samples were analyzed with a 16-channel Coulter counter for particulate content. Mie theory was applied to obtain the Volume Scattering Function σ (or β) for 8 samples at various depths, and the Fourier transform relation first developed by Wells was then used to obtain Modulation Transfer Functions H for comparison with those directly measured. Finally the transfer functions were inverse-transformed to obtain Volume Scattering Functions for comparison with those obtained by Mie calculations. Agreement was excellent in almost all cases, indicating that the equipment worked correctly, that Mie theory is applicable and the Wells' transform relation is valid. The experimental data display particle scattering plateaus which directly yield the beam attenuation coefficient a (or c). Integration of the Volume Scattering Function yields the total scattering coefficient s (or b) whereby the absorption coefficient a is obtained by simple subtraction from α. The range of spatial frequencies employed in the single successful experiment precluded specification of the diffuse attenuation coefficient γ (or k∞ the coefficient of attenuation of the asymptotic distribution at great depths). But the theoretical calculations indicate that H plateaus (again) near zero spatial frequency and that this plateau extends sufficiently beyond ψ = 0 to permit a reasonable determination of γ with obtainable optics. But the range of spatial frequencies employed did indicate the existence of an inverse-square roll-off of H with Li. Despite the lack of ancillary observations, this behavior is attributed to so-called "turbulence" or patches of "coherent" refractive index. The Coulter analyses themselves permit selection from among reported values of the slope of the so-called hyperbolic distribution of particle sizes. And the MIE scattering σ to H calculations suggest a selection from among similarly reported values of an average particle refractive index. Finally, evidence indicates, surprisingly, that although the larger particles have a large effect on σ near θ = 0 (greatly affecting the forward scattering peak) their effect on both the particle scattering (and absorption) coefficient and H is nil.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Replacement of the Lys linker with an Arg linker resulting in improved melanoma uptake and reduced renal uptake of Tc-99m-labeled Arg-Gly-Asp-conjugated alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone hybrid peptide

The purpose of this study was to reduce the non-specific renal uptake of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-conjugated alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) hybrid peptide through structural modification or L-lysine co-injection. The RGD motif {cyclic(Arg-Gly-Asp-dTyr-Asp)} was coupled to [Cys3,4,10, d-Phe7, Arg11]α-MSH3-13 {(Arg11)CCMSH} through the Arg linker (substituting the Lys linker) to generate a novel RGD-Arg-(Arg11)CCMSH hybrid peptide. The melanoma targeting and pharmacokinetic properties of 99mTc-RGD-Arg-(Arg11)CCMSH were determined in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing C57 mice. The effect of L-lysine co-injection on the renal uptake was determined through the co-injection of L-lysine with 99mTc-RGD-Arg-(Arg11)CCMSH or 99mTc-RGD-Lys-(Arg11)CCMSH. Replacement of the Lys linker with an Arg linker exhibited a profound effect in reducing the non-specific renal uptake of 99mTc-RGD-Arg-(Arg11)CCMSH, as well as increasing the tumor uptake of 99mTc-RGD-Arg-(Arg11)CCMSH compared to 99mTc-RGD-Lys-(Arg11)CCMSH. 99mTc-RGD-Arg-(Arg11)CCMSH exhibited high tumor uptake (21.41 ± 3.74% ID/g at 2 h post-injection) and prolonged tumor retention (6.81 ± 3.71% ID/g at 24 h post-injection) in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing mice. The renal uptake values of 99mTc-RGD-Arg-(Arg11)CCMSH were 40.14-64.08% of those of 99mTc-RGD-Lys-(Arg11)CCMSH (p<0.05) at 0.5, 2, 4 and 24 h post-injection. Co-injection of L-lysine was effective in decreasing the renal uptakes of 99mTc-RGD-Arg-(Arg11)CCMSH by 27.7% and 99mTc-RGD-Lys-(Arg11)CCMSH by 52.1% at 2 h post-injection. Substitution of the Lys linker with an Arg linker dramatically improved the melanoma uptake and reduced the renal uptake of 99mTc-RGD-Arg-(Arg11)CCMSH, warranting the further evaluation of 188Re-labeled RGD-Arg-(Arg11)CCMSH as a novel MC1 receptor-targeting therapeutic peptide for melanoma treatment in the future.
Value-based product structure evaluation for disassembly

Designing for the ease of end of life (EOL) disassembly is an important design function. The product structure that is the spatial relationships between the parts of the product and the value distribution over them plays an important role in determining the ease and profitability of disassembly. This paper presents a conceptual methodology to determine the effect of the spatial precedence on the desired value precedence of the product. The methodology introduces a digraph called the bureau graph to model this relationship between the spatial and value precedence structures. Based on this modeling indices are derived that provide a holistic evaluation of the product structure and also help determine the bottle necks and weak points of the product structure to aid the designer. This approach is explained for the family of unidirectional, fixed precedence assemblies.
Preliminary results of myoblast injection into the urethra and bladder wall: a possible method for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence and impaired detrusor contractility.

The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of myoblasts, the precursors of muscle fibers, injected periurethrally as a potential treatment of stress urinary incontinence. We also studied myoblast injection into the bladder wall to potentially improve detrusor contractility. A myoblast cell line was transduced with adenovirus carrying the expression of the β-galactosidase reporter gene while in culture. The cells were incubated with fluorescent latex microspheres (FLMs) to follow the outcome of the injected cells. The tissue was harvested 3–4 days after injection; sectioned, fixed, assayed for β-galactosidase expression, and counterstained with H+E. Photographs of the slides were taken under light and fluorescence microscopy. We have noted a large number of cells expressing β-galactosidase and containing FLMs in the urethral and bladder walls under fluorescent microscopy (8 animals). Many regenerative myofibers expressing β-galactosidase were also seen in the urethral and bladder walls. The fusion of injected myoblasts to form myotubes was seen in both the urethral and bladder walls. The introduction of myoblasts into the urethral and bladder wall is feasible and results in formation of myotubes and myofibers in the smooth muscle layers of the lower urinary tract. We hypothesize that myoblast injections can be used as a non-allergenic agent to enhance urethral closure and bladder function. Neurourol. Urodynam. 19:279–287, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
JCE Classroom Activity #112: Guessing the Number of Candies in the Jar—Who Needs Guessing?

Converting among different units, for example between grams and moles or among the different number of moles of substances in chemical reactions, is an important technique throughout general chemistry in high school and college. Such conversions rely on the simple idea of proportional reasoning, which students probably first encounter in grade school. However, providing a conceptual basis for proportional reasoning in chemistry can be difficult, because units such as moles and atoms are abstract and unobservable. Introducing proportional reasoning to students using a visible and engaging activity provides the opportunity to make the concept clear to students prior to using proportional reasoning in more abstract work. This Classroom Activity uses a popular giveaway game, guessing the number of candy pieces in a jar, to accomplish this goal. At the same time, it introduces students to the idea that different units and types of measurement, such as counting and mass, can be used on the same sample. The acti...
Abstract 2622: TMEFF2 inhibits human prostate cancer cell migration through its G protein activating domain.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC The type I transmembrane protein with epidermal growth factor and two follistatin motifs 2 (TMEFF2) is expressed mainly in brain and prostate. Expression of TMEFF2 is deregulated in a significant fraction of primary and metastatic prostate, suggesting a role in this disease. In fact, we have previously shown that TMEFF2 can function as a tumor suppressor in vitro, inhibiting monolayer and anchorage-independent cellular growth in HEK293T cells and sarcosine-induced cell migration and invasion in benign prostate epithelial RWPE-1 cells. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the tumor suppressor phenotype of TMEFF2 are not clear. TMEFF2 has several biologically important features. The extracellular domain contains two follistatin domains and an epidermal growth factor-like (EGF) domain, while the transmembrane domain and short cytoplasmic tail have features resembling a G protein activating domain, suggesting that it may signal through a G protein. We hypothesize that the tumor suppressor activity of TMEFF2 is, at least in part, due to signaling mediated by the putative G protein activating domain. In order to test this hypothesis, here we investigate the role of TMEFF2 and a mutant lacking the cytoplasmic tail on cellular migration of prostate cancer cells, and begin analyzing the molecular mechanisms involved in this effect. Our results demonstrate that overexpression of TMEFF2 in human prostate cancer cell line RWPE-2 causes about 60% decrease in cellular migration as assessed by wound-healing assays. Interestingly, we found that RWPE-2 cells overexpressing TMEFF2 have a defect in cell spreading on culture dishes (∼20% decrease) as well as on vitronectin-coated coverslips (∼30% decrease) and that this defect is accompanied by abolished focal adhesion and stress fiber formation. Moreover, the inhibition of TMEFF2 on cellular migration is dependent on its G protein activating domain as deletion of this domain rescues migration, spreading on vitronectin, and focal adhesion formation. The specific G protein pathway(s) involved in the anti-migratory effect of TMEFF2 is currently under investigation. In summary, the data presented here indicate, for the first time, that the anti-migratory effect of TMEFF2 in human prostate cancer cells is mediated by its G protein activating domain. These results raise the possibility that TMEFF2 agonists may be used as therapeutic agents to mediate tumor suppression via this pathway. Citation Format: Xiaofei Chen, C. Justus, L Yang, M.j. Ruiz-Echevarria. TMEFF2 inhibits human prostate cancer cell migration through its G protein activating domain. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2622. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2622
Human medullary thymocyte p80 antigen and In(Lu)-related p80 antigen reside on the same protein

Abstract Study of human T lymphocyte differentiation antigens with monoclonal antibodies has led to the identification of two antigens shared by erythrocytes and leukocytes. The protein (p80) defined by A1G3 antibody has previously been shown to be acquired during human intrathymic T-cell maturation. The antigen defined by A3D8 antibody has been demonstrated also to reside on an 80 kd protein; expression of the A3D8 antigen on eryrhrocytes and a subset of leukocytes is regulated by the rare In(Lu) gene. In this study, we demonstrate that the antigens defined by the A1G3 and A3D8 antibodies reside on the same protein and represent closely related but nonidentical epitopes on the p80 molecule. Expression of the A1G3 antigen on erythrocytes and a subset of leukocytes is also down-regulated by the In(Lu) gene. The possible role of the In(Lu) gene in thymocyte differentiation is discussed.
BLAST 2 Sequences, a new tool for comparing protein and nucleotide sequences.

'BLAST 2 Sequences', a new BLAST-based tool for aligning two protein or nucleotide sequences, is described. While the standard BLAST program is widely used to search for homologous sequences in nucleotide and protein databases, one often needs to compare only two sequences that are already known to be homologous, coming from related species or, e.g. different isolates of the same virus. In such cases searching the entire database would be unnecessarily time-consuming. 'BLAST 2 Sequences' utilizes the BLAST algorithm for pairwise DNA-DNA or protein-protein sequence comparison. A World Wide Web version of the program can be used interactively at the NCBI WWW site (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gorf/bl2.++ +html). The resulting alignments are presented in both graphical and text form. The variants of the program for PC (Windows), Mac and several UNIX-based platforms can be downloaded from the NCBI FTP site (ftp://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).
Enigmas of Intolerance: Fifty Years after Stouffer's Communism, Conformity, and Civil Liberties

Scholars seeking to understand the causes and consequences of political intolerance are now celebrating the fifty-year anniversary of Stouffer's pathbreaking research on intolerance and repression. Yet despite substantial advances in our understanding of intolerance, several major unanswered questions remain. The purpose of this article is to identify and discuss these tolerance enigmas, while proffering some ideas about how future research on intolerance might proceed. The article begins by documenting the significance of understanding intolerance and concludes with speculation about how resolving these enigmas might contribute to a more peaceful and democratic world.James L. Gibson is Sidney W. Souers Professor of Government in the Department of Political Science, Washington University in St. Louis and a Fellow at the Centre for Comparative and International Politics, Stellenbosch University, South Africa (jgibson@wustl.edu). This is a revised version of the Alexander George Award Lecture, delivered at the International Society for Political Psychology Annual Conference, Eden Hall, Lund University, Lund, Sweden, July 15–18, 2004. The author is indebted to many for their comments and suggestions on earlier versions of this paper, including Dennis Chong, Jamie Druckman, Leonie Huddy, Jim Kuklinski, Marc Peffley, Brian Silver, and John Transue, and especially Stanley Feldman and Donald Green. He also appreciates the research assistance of Marc Hendershot. Support for the research on which this paper is based has been provided by the Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy at Washington University in St. Louis, and Steven S. Smith in particular. This paper makes use of data collected from Russia with the support of the National Science Foundation (SBR-9423614 and SBR-9710137). The South African data were collected with support from NSF's Law and Social Sciences Program (SES 9906576). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
DIARRHEA INDUCED BY HYPERTONIC MANNITOL AFFECTS CARBOHYDRATE HYDROLYSIS BUT NOT TRANSPORT

In diarrheal diseases with accompanying carbohydrate malabsorption, the unabsorbed carbohydrates and products of bacterial fermentation results in osmotic diarrhea and alterations in transit time. It is unclear whether the loss of this nutrient is mediated by alterations in mucosal hydrolytic enzymes and/or the transport carriers. Adult rats were force-fed by hyperosmotic solution of 20% Mannitol (1300 Mosm.) at a dose of 5 ml/100g. for seven days; a similar group of control rats were treated similarly with plain water. After an overnight fast, the animals were anesthesized with Innovar (2.0cc/Kg.). All carbohydrates were infused by intraduodenal bolus at a dose of 0.5g/Kg. Portal venous blood glucose was assayed at intervals (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min.). The areas under the glucose curves were used to compare groups; in the mannitol group the glucose absorption was diminished by 9%, maltose by 20% and glucose polymer (D.E. 24) by 12%, when they were compared with the control group. These data suggest that when the intestinal mucosa is exposed to hyperosmolar loads, digestion of carbohydrate is suppressed more than is its absorption. This correlates well with the decreased disaccharidase activity found in the animals treated with mannitol. The rise in portal venous blood in both groups was blocked by phlorizin (10−2M) administration which demonstrates that the transport of glucose as measured is carrier mediated and not related to alterations in mucosal permeability in the mannitol group.