cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploration of lauric acid as a potentiator for enhancing warfarin toxicity to rats

Abstract We conducted laboratory feeding trials to evaluate the effectiveness of lauric acid, a naturally occurring short-chain fatty acid, for enhancing the toxicity of warfarin to three species of Hawaiian rats ( Rattus norvegicus, R. rattus, R. exulans ). We offered oats treated with one of three concentrations trations of (0.01, 0.1 or 1.0%) lauric acid and either of two concentrations (0.0125 or 0.005%) of warfarin to individually caged rats during a series of 24-h feeding trials. None of the warfarin-lauric acid combinations enhanced mortality in any of the three species. Nor did pre-exposing rats to lauric acid improve its effectiveness. R. rattus and R. exulans exposed to the highest concentration of lauric acid (1.0%) reduced their consumption of toxic baits. At the concentrations evaluated, lauric acid appears to have little potential as a bait additive for enhancing the toxicity of warfarin to rats.
Synchronization of self-sustained thermostatic oscillations in a thermal-hydraulic network

Flow and temperature oscillations occur under normal conditions in a thermal system with thermostatic control. We present experimental results of the synchronization of multiple oscillators in the secondaries of a thermal-hydraulic network. The test facility is composed of three secondary loops with heat exchangers that exchange heat with a primary heating loop on one side and a primary cooling loop on the other. A thermostatic controller senses the temperature at the outlet of a heat exchanger and modulates the flow rate in that loop. The flow valve is partially closed if the temperature goes above an upper limit and is completely opened if it falls below a lower limit. As a consequence a self-sustained flow and temperature oscillation is set up in that secondary. The frequency of the oscillation depends on the dead-band between the upper and lower temperature limits. Coupled oscillators are set up by the simultaneous action of multiple controllers on different branches. Frequency locking, phase synchronization as well as phase slips are observed to occur due to thermal-hydraulic coupling between the controllers. The phenomenon is a function of the detuning between them which is altered by changing the dead-band of the controllers.
Frobenius-Perron operators and approximation of invariant measures for set-valued dynamical systems

A set-valued dynamical systemF on a Borel spaceX induces a set-valued operatorF onM(X) — the set of probability measures onX. We define arepresentation ofF, each of which induces an explicitly defined selection ofF; and use this to extend the notions of invariant measure and Frobenius-Perron operators to set-valued maps. We also extend a method ofS. Ulam to Markov finite approximations of invariant measures to the set-valued case and show how this leads to the approximation ofT-invariant measures for transformations τ, whereT corresponds to the closure of the graph of τ.
POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY AS A RESOURCE FOR PASTORAL THEOLOGY AND CARE: A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

This article explores the potential of positive psychology as a conversation partner for pastoral theology and its related practical disciplines. It begins with a brief introduction to the field of positive psychology, followed by a review of pastoral theologian Robert Wicks’ use of positive psychology in a recent text and a reflection on implications for pastoral theology and care. The article then offers a critical evaluation of positive psychology, noting its strengths and weaknesses from a pastoral theological perspective, as well as critiques in the scholarly and popular literature. The article concludes with a preliminary assessment of the value of positive psychology for the field of pastoral theology and care.
X-Ray Diffraction and Raman Studies of Beryllium: Static and Elastic Properties at High Pressures

We report combined x-ray and Raman studies of beryllium in helium or argon pressure medium at pressures approaching 200 GPa. Our results are generally consistent with recent studies confirming the stability of the hexagonal close-packed phase to the highest pressures. However, the quasi-hydrostatic conditions of our studies lead to a stiffer equation of state (K{sub 0} = 109.88, K'{sub 0} = 3.59) and a gradual approach toward a more ideal c/a ratio of 1.60 at 180 GPa. Combining our Raman and EOS data, we are able to evaluate the pressure dependence of the elastic shear modulus (C{sub 44} = 109.3, C'{sub 44} = 1.959). We discuss the comparison of our results with measurements using ultrasonic and dynamic techniques.
Spectrum monitoring for cognitive radios in Rayleigh fading channel

In-band spectrum sensing requires that the secondary users (SU) periodically suspend their communication in order to determine whether the primary user (PU) has started to utilize the channel or not. In contrast, in spectrum monitoring the SU can detect the emergence of the PU from its own receiver statistics such as receiver error count (REC). Previously it is shown that in AWGN channels, a hybrid spectrum sensing/spectrum monitoring system significantly improves channel utilization of the SUs and detection delay for the PUs. In this paper we investigate the problem of spectrum monitoring in the presence of fading where the SU employs diversity combining to mitigate the channel fading effects. We show that a decision statistic based on the REC alone does not provide a good performance. Next we introduce new decision statistics based on the REC and the combiner coefficients. Simulation results are presented that show significant improvement in system performance.
Gender and time variations in medical students' value development

A classic study by Becker and Geer proposed that medical students underwent cycles of value development during medical school. Initially, high levels of humanitarianism declined then re-emerged as students neared graduation. Declines in humanitarianism were accompanied by increased interest in extrinsic rewards. This paper examines value development in medical school for 200 men and women recent graduates. Questionnaire data collected at three times were used to develop scales of students' orientations toward humanitarianism and extrinsic rewards. We find partial verification for value-change patterns described by Becker and Geer, but gender variations are stronger than time variations. Women showed stronger humanitarianism and stronger interest in work conditions at all times than did men. Interest in extrinsic rewards increased for students of both genders but never surpassed humanitarianism in relative importance.
Modifications of cell-mediated immune responses by moderate dietary protein stress in immunologically immature and mature balb/c mice.

Abstract Female BALB/c mice at 5, 6 (immature) and 35 weeks of age (mature) were placed on isocaloric control (20% protein) or experimental (4% protein) diets. Cell-mediated immune responses [theta-bearing cell percentages, phytohemagglutinin (PHA) induced mitogenesis, mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and antibody-dependent lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity (ADLMC)] of splenic lymphocytes were measured. A significant decline in percentages of theta-bearing cells, PHA and MLR responses occurred as early as two weeks for the immature mice on the restricted diet and continued for up to 8 weeks. In mature mice, protein restriction did not influence theta-bearing cell percentages, but did suppress PHA and MLR responses between 7 and 13 weeks. A significant suppression of ADLMC responses was also noted at 16 weeks. These results indicate that developing cellular immune systems of immature BALB/c mice are more sensitive to moderate protein restriction ( i.e. immunosuppression occurs after a shorter interval) than those of mature mice. They suggest that moderate protein malnutrition retards but does not prevent immunological maturation.
Flutamide Inhibits Testosterone-Induced Masculine Sexual Behavior in Male and Female Rats*

The ability of the nonsteroidal antiandrogen flutamide to block testosterone-induced masculine copulatory behavior was assessed in male and female rats. In Exp 1, ovariectomized adult female rats given 100 μg testosterone (T) and 5 mg flutamide [4′-nitro-3′-trifluoromethylisobutyrylanilide (SCH)] daily for 5 weeks showed significantly less mounting behavior and lower copulatory rates than females receiving 100 Hg T and the control vehicle propylene glycol. However, when treatments were later reversed in these females, SCH was unable to block existing mounting behavior, suggesting that while SCH can block T-induced initiation of mounting behavior it may not affect T-mediated maintenance of mounting. In Exp 2, the ability to SCH to block T-induced initiation of masculine sexual behavior in long term castrated male rats, who had not mounted on at least three consecutive tests was examined. Daily SCH (5 mg) treatment along with 100 μg T (providing an antihormone to hormone ratio of 50:1) significantly reduced...
Mechanisms influencing conduction in a case of intermittent bundle branch block.

Abstract A case study of the phenomenon of intermittent left bundle branch block has been presented. We tested a variety of physiologic maneuvers and pharmacologic agents for their effects on intraventricular conduction. The data indicated that heart rate could not have been the primary determinant of the type of intraventricular conduction, but may have had a secondary or modifying influence. Carotid sinus pressure was shown to both terminate and induce bundle branch block. The form of the ventricular complex during carotid sinus pressure was related to the degree of prolongation of the R-R interval. It could not be determined from our data whether the response to increased vagal tone was due to direct inhibitory effect of the vagus or to other factors, such as the marked fall in mean arterial blood pressure. The effects of the various physiologic maneuvers suggest that hemodynamic factors may play a major role in determining the form of the ventricular complex. The responses to the various pharmacologic agents tested seemed to indicate that the diseased bundle was extremely sensitive to influences primarily altering intraventricular conductivity. In conclusion, after a careful analysis of studies performed on a patient with intermittent left bundle branch block, we still do not know which factor(s) was (were) most important in governing the mode of intraventricular conduction. It appears that heart rate can be eliminated as a primary factor in this patient. Perhaps the final answer to this problem lies in a better understanding of the interaction of hemodynamic, neural, and nutritional factors on intraventricular conduction.
Behavioral and neurochemical effects of prenatal methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) exposure in rats.

Abstract MDMA is a hallucinogenic drug that is used by the general public as a recreational drug of abuse. The neurobehavioral consequences of prenatal MDMA exposure are unknown. Groups of pregnant rats were gavaged with 0, 2.5, or 10 mg/kg MDMA during gestation on alternate gestational days 6–18. Gestational duration, litter size, neonatal birth weights and physical appearance at birth were unaffected by MDMA treatments. Pregnancy weight gain was significantly reduced by MDMA treatment. Progeny growth, maturational parameters (eye opening and incisor eruption times), surface righting reflex, swimming performance, forelimb grip strength, milk-induced behaviors, passive avoidance behavior, figure-8 maze activity over 48 hours, the density of brain serotonin (5-HT) uptake sites, and brain 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels were unaffected by MDMA treatments. Olfactory discrimination on postnatal days (PND) 9–11 was enhanced in both male and female MDMA-treated progeny, while negative geotaxis (PND 7–10) was delayed in female pups. In contrast to progeny, MDMA caused dose-dependent decreases in 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels in discrete brain areas of the dam. It is concluded that prenatal exposure to MDMA at the levels used here produces only subtle behavioral alterations in developing rats. The dam is more at risk for MDMA-induced 5-HT depletion than is the conceptus.
Systematic studies of pulse propagation in ducted oceanic waveguides in normal mode representation

Acoustic pulse propagations in typical environments of the Gulf of Mexico and Yellow Sea are modeled by a new normal mode code, SWAMP, and compared to the experimental data. The presence of the seasonal surface duct in the ocean is confirmed to be responsible for the generation of a unique set of modes forming the so-called “Precursor Phenomenon” first discovered by DeFerrari and Monjo. It is shown that the conventional theory of group velocity fails to predict precursor's arrival time. Two different approaches, the mean rate of energy transport and Airy-wave analysis, are proposed for the description of the actual physical process of energy transport by precursors. The influence of the range-dependent bathymetry on a precursor structure is addressed. The presence of precursors appears to be sensitive to range dependence and may be diminished due to rapidly changing bathymetry. Based on numerical results, inversion procedures of extracting different environmental and source parameters from a received pulse structure are discussed.
Two-channel sequential single-molecule measurement.

Experimental results are given which demonstrate the sequential detection of single molecules with a measurement efficiency of near unity. IR140 dye molecules are detected in sequential probe volumes within a flowing stream through a 9 μm i.d. capillary. The measurement of single molecules was confirmed by means of autocorrelation, photobleaching, visual observation, and cross-correlation analysis. The number of single molecules photobleached prior to being measured in the second probe region was in excellent agreement with the bulk studies described by a photodestruction curve. A cross-correlation peak with a temporal delay corresponding to the interprobe volume transit time and a width in agreement with parabolic flow give a clear indication of sequential detection. The near unity measurement efficiencies for both channels indicates the great potential for rapid quantitative analysis of dilute solutions.
Decreased levels of N-acetylaspartate in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in a case of intractable severe sympathetically mediated chronic pain (complex regional pain syndrome, type I).

Abstract In our previous in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H MRS) study we found reduced levels of N -acetylaspartate in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of chronic back pain patients. This study tests whether these chemical abnormalities can be detected in other pain states. Using 1 H MRS, we measured levels for N -acetylaspartate and other identifiable chemicals relative to creatine in four bilateral brain regions, including dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate, and thalamus, in a case of intractable severe sympathetically mediated chronic pain [complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I]. The subject's chemical variations in the brain were compared to the same regional chemicals in 10 normal subjects (age- and sex-matched). Univariate statistics showed reduced levels of N -acetylaspartate in bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and increased levels of myo -inositol in left orbitofrontal cortex of the patient with intractable severe CRPS type I. These data support our original hypothesis that depletion of N -acetylaspartate in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is a chemical marker of chronic pain, indicating for neuronal degeneration. Unpredicted changes of orbitofrontal myo -inositol may be related to the specific mood/affective state in an extreme pain perception. This is the first report, which identifies chemical markers in the prefrontal cortex for objective measurement and monitoring of CRPS type I. This information might lead to valuable insights into diagnosis and future effective interventions of CRPS type I (e.g., prefrontal brain stimulation).
Insights into the molecular mechanisms of bradycardia-triggered arrhythmias in long QT-3 syndrome

Congenital long QT syndrome is a rare disease in which the electrocardiogram QT interval is prolonged due to dysfunctional ventricular repolarization. Variant 3 (LQT-3) is associated with mutations in SCN5A, the gene coding for the heart Na+ channel α subunit. Arrhythmias in LQT-3 mutation carriers are more likely to occur at rest, when heart rate is slow. Several LQT-3 Na+ channel mutations exert their deleterious effects by promoting a mode of Na+ channel gating wherein a fraction of channels fails to inactivate. This gating mode, termed “bursting, ” results in sustained macroscopic inward Na+ channel current (Isus), which can delay repolarization and prolong the QT interval. However, the mechanism of heart-rate dependence of Isus has been unresolved at the single-channel level. We investigate an LQT-3 mutant (Y1795C) using experimental and theoretical frameworks to elucidate the molecular mechanism of Isus rate dependence. Our results indicate that mutation-induced changes in the length of time mutant channels spend bursting, rather than how readily they burst, determines Isus inverse heart-rate dependence.
Unilateral lacrimation associated with chewing

Abstract A case of unilateral lacrimation, congestion, and pain associated with chewing is described. It differs from the ones reported in the literature in that there is an associated congestion and pain.
Interindividual Differences in2H8-Toluene Toxicokinetics Assessed by a Semiempirical Physiologically Based Model

Recent applications of physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) models have used animal to human scaling, the hypothetical average man, and Monte Carlo techniques to estimate human exposure to toxicants. Our study built a PBTK model suitable for person-specific dosimetry. Individual measurements of age, ventilation rate, blood/air partition coefficient, body weight, and adipose tissue fraction were made on 26 male subjects exposed to 50 ppm2H8-toluene and 50 ppm toluene for 2 hr at rest, with collection of venous blood samples for 120 hr postexposure. Fitted lung metabolism was a novel feature of the PBTK model, used to explain a systemic clearance of2H8-toluene well in excess of hepatic blood flow. A 10-fold interindividual range in venous concentrations was found. Subject-specific modeling explained 91% of the observed data variability, compared to 53% using literature values for model parameters. Body weight, adipose tissue fraction, and blood/air partition coefficient were correlated with terminal half-life, steady-state volume of distribution, and terminal volume of distribution. Lung metabolism was correlated with systemic clearance and terminal half-life. Interindividual differences in lung metabolism resulted in divergent predicted fractions of2H8-toluene in the body at 2 and 100 hr. An increased adipose fraction led to lower blood concentrations up to 8 hr postexposure, and simulations showed that at 98 hr, adipose tissue contained 97–99% of2H8-toluene in the body. Use of subject-specific model parameters greatly improved model fit and demonstrated interindividual differences in toxicokinetics.
Hyperbolic echo zones in the eastern Atlantic and the structure of the southern Madeira Rise

Abstract The Madeira Rise is a 450 km northeast-trending structural-sedimentary feature which lies west of the Madeira Islands. Its northern half is controlled by a basement ridge, but its southern section consists of an apparent current-controlled sediment deposit. Its maximum sediment thickness is about 1 km over a relatively level basement. There are two reflectors which can be traced within the sediment pile. A shallow reflector (R1) may mark the termination of a rapid constructional phase of the drift. Sediment cores taken on the southern Madeira Rise have recovered brown marls and chalks with sedimentation rates of only about 1.5 cm/1000 years over the last 225,000 years. A striking zone of hyperbolic reflectors mapped around the flank of the southern Madeira Rise in the 4000–4800 m depth range may be the expression of bedforms created by contour-following currents. Another zone of hyperbolic echoes is found on the continental rise at about 24–26°N in a similar depth range. Trend determinations in this area suggest that the bedforms which give rise to the hyperbolae are oriented north-northeast and may be similar to the abyssal furrows discovered by DEEP-TOW observations on the Blake-Bahama Outer Ridge. The bottom photographs available from both hyperbolic echo zones show a tranquil bottom. This suggests that the hyperbolic bedforms are relict.
Endothelial progenitor cells in the treatment of acute ischemic renal failure

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are a heterogenous cell population capable of facilitating postischemic microvascular recovery. Exogenous administration of EPCs has been used as a therapeutic tool in ischemic cardiovascular disease. Recently, EPC mobilization has been documented to occur after acute renal ischemia. In this situation, the cells have been proven to act renoprotective. Further investigations will help to clarify which therapeutic conditions possibly optimize an EPC-based regimen for the treatment of acute ischemic renal failure.
Effective Assistive Technology Consideration and Implications for Diverse Students

Often the consideration of assistive technology devices and services during the individualized education program (IEP) process is overlooked. Because the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) authorized this consideration, IEP team members must be keenly aware of the importance they hold in providing this valuable input. Thus, IEP team members require expertise in the processes that lead to quality decision-making concerning using assistive technology for the diversity of students with disabilities. This article discusses models and procedures for implementing a system to effectively evaluate whether a student with a disability will benefit from assistive technology services and/or equipment as well as considers the implications for families from diverse cultures.
Phosphorylation of the translational regulator, PHAS-I, by protein kinase CK2

The primary site in PHAS-I for phosphorylation by protein kinase CK2 in vitro was identified as Ser111. A relatively small amount of phosphorylation of Ser99 was also detected, and mutating Ser99 to Ala in PHAS-I slightly decreased phosphorylation by CK2 in vitro. In contrast, mutating Ser111 to Ala almost abolished phosphorylation, confirming Ser111 as the preferred site for CK2. Phosphorylation of Ser111 did not decrease binding of PHAS-I to eIF4E, and results of peptide mapping experiments with PHAS-I immunoprecipitated from 32P-labeled adipocytes indicated that Ser111 was not phosphorylated in cells. These results support the conclusion that CK2 is not involved in the control of PHAS-I.
Rational design and synthesis of novel, potent bis-phenylamidine carboxylate factor Xa inhibitors

The molecular modeling studies, rational design, and synthesis of a novel series of bisphenylamidine carboxylate compounds which are inhibitors of factor Xa in the blood coagulation cascade are described. Inhibition of blood coagulation has been proposed to have several potential therapeutic utilities (Kaiser and Hauptmann, Cardiovasc. Drug Rev. 1994, 12, 225-236). Factor Xa (fXa) holds a central position in the coagulation cascade (Coleman et al. in Hemostasis and Thrombosis: Basic Principles and Clinical Practice, 1994, pp 3-18). Its major role is the generation of thrombin by the proteolytic cleavage of prothrombin. Inhibition of fXa would serve to reduce the formation of platelet clots. The fXa dimer crystal structure (Tulinsky et al., J. Mol. Biol. 1993, 232, 947-966) was used in our molecular modeling studies to design a novel series of fXa inhibitors. We initially docked and minimized isolated small molecule fragments in the S1 and S4 aryl-binding subsites. Subsequently, these fragments were connected with a tether, so as not to disturb the orientation of the fragments in their respective pockets. These modeling studies led to the initial compound (1) which was found to have significant inhibitory potency for fXa (Ki = 34 nM). The synthesis of the core structure, structure-activity relationships (SAR), and proposed binding orientation based on molecular modeling for this novel bis-phenylamidine series of fXa inhibitors are described.
Smart density: a more accurate method of measuring rural residential density for health-related research

Studies involving the built environment have typically relied on US Census data to measure residential density. However, census geographic units are often unsuited to health-related research, especially in rural areas where development is clustered and discontinuous. We evaluated the accuracy of both standard census methods and alternative GIS-based methods to measure rural density. We compared residential density (units/acre) in 335 Vermont school neighborhoods using conventional census geographic units (tract, block group and block) with two GIS buffer measures: a 1-kilometer (km) circle around the school and a 1-km circle intersected with a 100-meter (m) road-network buffer. The accuracy of each method was validated against the actual residential density for each neighborhood based on the Vermont e911 database, which provides an exact geo-location for all residential structures in the state. Standard census measures underestimate residential density in rural areas. In addition, the degree of error is inconsistent so even the relative rank of neighborhood densities varies across census measures. Census measures explain only 61% to 66% of the variation in actual residential density. In contrast, GIS buffer measures explain approximately 90% of the variation. Combining a 1-km circle with a road-network buffer provides the closest approximation of actual residential density. Residential density based on census units can mask clusters of development in rural areas and distort associations between residential density and health-related behaviors and outcomes. GIS-defined buffers, including a 1-km circle and a road-network buffer, can be used in conjunction with census data to obtain a more accurate measure of residential density.
Control of robots using radial basis function neural networks with dead-zone

In this paper, we examine the control of robot manipulators utilizing a Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural network. We are able to remove the typical requirement of Persistence of Excitation (PE) for the desired trajectory by introducing an error minimizing dead-zone in the learning dynamics of the neural network. The dead-zone freezes the evolution of the RBF weights when the performance error is within a bounded region about the origin. This guarantees that the weights do not go unbounded even if the PE condition is not imposed. Utilizing protection ellipsoids we derive conditions on the feedback gain matrices that guarantee that the origin of the closed loop system is semi-globally uniformly bounded. Simulations are provided illustrating the techniques. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical Analysis of Complementary Molecular Memory Devices

The electrical behavior of ﷿-conjugated oligo(phenyleneethynylene) systems functioning as memory devices is studied using quantum chemistry methods, including density functional and Green function formalisms combined in a fully self-consistent manner. Electron charge alters a molecule impedance characteristic providing in some cases distinguishable “impedance states” that can serve to determine experimentally the state of charge of the molecule. Conducting and nonconducting states can be strategically engineered by arranging substituents in a molecule. The NH2 group localizes the highest energy occupied electronic states whereas the NO2 group localizes the lowest energy unoccupied orbitals of the oligomer systems. These effects yield two complementary molecular memories, each occupying a volume smaller than 1 nm 3 .
John Stuart Mill and Unassimilated Subjects

Mill's harm principle declares that one's liberty of action may be interfered with by the state only if one has caused harm to others. Cases of culture clash involve unassimilated subjects, be they citizens, aliens, immigrants or national minorities, who violate the law while engaging in a practice that is a prevalent and legitimate part of their native culture or religion and which they do not regard as harmful. A Millian approach to the punishment of unassimilated subjects is explored by examining Mill's views on whether there is an objective standard of harm and Mill's discussions of free will, moral responsibility and the respect due to native cultures.
A lens antenna array with adaptive optical processing

This paper presents an X band smart antenna array in which adaptive processing of the received signals is performed by dynamic holographic optical circuitry. The optical circuitry adaptively extracts the principal component of the received signal space, that is the strongest first-order independent temporal component of the ensemble of received signals. The adaptive receiver system can be used, for example, to mitigate multipath interference effects and can separate one received signal from another even though their power spectra may entirely overlap. A prototype two-channel system is designed to fit in a standard-size briefcase and consume less than 50 W of power. The input to the system are modulated waves with a carrier in X band and the output is an electronic demodulated signal. Three major components of this system are described in detail: (1) the quasi-optical lens antenna array front end with angle-of-arrival preprocessing and downconversion, (2) the two-channel electrooptic modulation and optical carrier suppression stage, and (3) the smart optical processor (auto-tuning filter). Component and end-to-end system measurements give quantitative indicators for the usefulness of optical processing in wireless communications.
Metastatic Pulmonary Calcification An Uncommon Clinical Condition in End-Stage Renal Disease

Patients with end-stage renal diseases have frequent pulmonary complicationsrelated to fluid overload, infection, and associated cardiovascular diseases. We reporta 73-year-old man with renal failure on peritoneal dialysis who had elevated serum calcium,phosphorous, and parathyroid hormone levels. He had progressive dyspnea andan abnormal chest x-ray. A high resolution computed tomography scan revealed calcifiednodules, large cavities with heavy calcification in the upper zones, calcifications inthe tracheobronchial tree, and calcified vessels. This patient had metastatic pulmonarycalcification and possibly dystrophic calcification due to renal failure which probablycontributed to his pulmonary symptoms.
Tenancy as an Economic Institution: The Growth and Distribution of Agricultural Tenancy in Iowa, 1850–1900

This article analyzes the growth and distribution of agricultural tenancy in Iowa from 1850 to 1900. For the period before 1880 (when the published censuses did not record land-tenure data), it estimates tenancy rates based on a twelvecounty sample. It analyzes several explanations of the causes of tenancy and concludes that it was a natural outgrowth of a normally operating market system rather than a sign of economic malfunction. The article argues that the widening margin between current rates of return to land and mortgage interest rates explains much of the growth in tenancy. It also finds that regional specialization in farming largely explains the spatial distribution of tenancy by 1900.
The Roman Church at the End of the Second Century

During the latter part of the second century Irenaeus of Lyons, at the beginning of his treatise “Against All Heresies,” did not hesitate to state with great emphasis that Christianity had fully succeeded in keeping intact the original Christian faith, in safeguarding the unbroken continuity of the apostolic tradition, and in maintaining the unity of belief and of sacramental practice throughout all the churches scattered in the Roman Empire. One might easily remark that the very treatise which Irenaeus had set himself to write offered clear evidence that the Christian unity so emphatically affirmed by him did not really exist. Far from being united, Christianity was rent by serious doctrinal and disciplinary conflicts. Evidently Irenaeus was speaking of the oneness of the Christian faith without taking into account the divergent beliefs and practices of those groups which had been cut off from the communion of the Great Church. So understood his assumption was true: by the end of the second century the καθολικὴ ἐκκλησία did possess unity of essential belief and even a certain degree of uniformity in its organization and practice. How such a unity had been achieved is one of the most important problems in the history of early Christianity.
Central laboratory sampling plans and quality control in clinical trials.

Abstract Central laboratories play an important role in many clinical trials. An important tool in aiding the interpretation of these data has been the use of quality control procedures, primarily achieved by having the central laboratory gather additional data from a subset of the trial participants and therefore obtain a measure of the central laboratory's precision. However, both the additional burden on patients as well as rising clinical trial costs demand that when this trial component is required, it be executed as efficiently as possible. The following analysis explores the relationship between both the number of individuals taking part in the quality assessment and the number of repeated intrapatient measurements on the efficiency of the quality control. This examination reveals that the efficiency of the quality control mechanism for central laboratories is dependent on the sampling scheme used to obtain the specimens, and, in general, a small confidence interval for the variance of reproductibility can be obtained when more than two intrapatient measurements are utilized. Confidence interval lengths are provided for several different combinations of interpatient and intrapatient measurements.
Biotinylated platelets: a new approach to the measurement of platelet life span

The in vivo life span of dog platelets was determined by derivatizing whole blood with N-hydroxysuccinimido biotin, reinfusing the biotinylated blood and subsequently monitoring the survival of the biotinylated platelets with flow cytometry. We found that the biotinylated platelets had a mean life span of 6.0 +/- 1.1 d as determined by curve-fitting the platelet disappearance data to gamma functions. These data are in good agreement with literature values of platelet life span for canine platelets labelled with either 111Indium-oxine or 51Chromium. Biotinylated platelets were analysed after reinfusion and found to aggregate normally in response to the agonists adenosine diphosphate and phorbol myristate acetate. These experiments demonstrate that biotinylated platelets survive normally in vivo and that this labelling method can be used for determining platelet life spans.
Consumption of sweetened, dried cranberries may reduce urinary tract infection incidence in susceptible women – a modified observational study

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections, and over 50% of women will have a UTI during their lifetimes. Antibiotics are used for prophylaxis of recurrent UTIs but can lead to emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, it is reasonable to investigate nutritional strategies for prevention of UTIs. Cranberry juices and supplements have been used for UTI prophylaxis, but with variable efficacy. Because dried cranberries may contain a different spectrum of polyphenolics than juice, consuming berries may or may not be more beneficial than juice in decreasing the incidence of UTIs in susceptible women. The primary objectives of this study were to determine if consumption of sweetened, dried cranberries (SDC) decreases recurrent UTIs and whether this intervention would alter the heterogeneity, virulence factor (VF) profiles, or numbers of intestinal E. coli. Twenty women with recurrent UTIs were enrolled in the trial and consumed one serving of SDC daily for two weeks. Clinical efficacy was determined by two criteria, a decrease in the six-month UTI rates pre- and post-consumption and increased time until the first UTI since beginning the study. Strain heterogeneity and virulence factor profiles of intestinal E. coli isolated from rectal swabs were determined by DNA fingerprinting and muliplex PCR, respectively. The numbers of intestinal E. coli eluted from rectal swabs pre- and post-consumption were also quantified. Over one-half of the patients did not experience a UTI within six months of SDC consumption, and the mean UTI rate per six months decreased significantly. Kaplan-Meier analysis of infection incidence in women consuming SDC compared to patients in a previous control group showed a significant reduction in time until first UTI within six months. The heterogeneity, VF profiles, and prevalence of intestinal E. coli strains were not significantly different after cranberry consumption. Results of this study indicate a beneficial effect from consuming SDC to reduce the number of UTIs in susceptible women. Because there were no changes in the heterogeneity or VF profiles of E. coli, additional studies are needed to determine the mechanism of action of SDC for reduction of UTIs.
Presynaptic ionotropic receptors and control of transmitter release

Presynaptic nerve terminals are dynamic structures that release vesicular packages of neurotransmitter, affecting the activity of postsynaptic cells. This release of transmitter occurs both spontaneously and after the arrival of an action potential at presynaptic terminals. How is the release process modulated? Although ionotropic receptors are commonly regarded as postsynaptic elements that mediate the effect of the released chemical signals, a wide variety of ionotropic receptors have also been found on presynaptic membranes near release sites, where they powerfully influence vesicle fusion. Here, we provide an overview of the presynaptic ionotropic receptors that modulate transmitter release, focusing on their proposed mechanisms of action.
ANDROGEN RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN PROSTATIC INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA AND CANCER

AbstractPurpose: Androgen receptors are present in virtually all epithelial cells of the prostate, including benign epithelium, high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer. However, there have been variable results regarding the clinical significance of cells expressing androgen receptors in prostate cancer. We evaluated the predictive accuracy of androgen receptor expression in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer for clinical progression and survival in patients with organ confined prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 172 previously untreated patients who underwent radical prostatectomy at our clinic between 1987 and 1991 with intermediate to high grade (Gleason score 6 to 9), pathological stage T2 cancer and negative surgical margins. Mean followup was 7.4 years (range 1.2 to 10.1). Mouse monoclonal anti-human androgen receptor antibody was used for immunohistochemical studies on select tissue sections from each case. W...
Slice provisioning in a virtualized optical substrate network with programmable routers and ROADMs

A specific problem of creating virtual networks on demand in an optical substrate network with programmable routers and ROADMs is investigated. The formulation of the problem together with a heuristic algorithm as a solution is presented.
Susceptibility of Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 to Reverse-Transcriptase Inhibitors: Evidence for Resistance to Lamivudine

Nucleoside reverse-transcriptase (RT) inhibitors (NRTIs), including lamivudine (3TC) and zidovudine (Zdv), are being evaluated for the treatment of human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated disease. However, information on the susceptibility of HTLV-1 to these drugs is limited. The activity of 5 NRTIs on HTLV-1 RT was evaluated. IC(50) values for Zdv, zalcitabine (ddC), didanosine (ddI), 3TC, and stavudine (d4T) were determined, using an enzymatic assay, for 5 HTLV-1 isolates and for reference wild-type and NRTI-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Both HTLV-1 and wild-type HIV-1 were equally susceptible to Zdv, ddC, ddI, and d4T. In contrast, high-level resistance to 3TC was found in all HTLV-1 isolates. The findings support the clinical use of Zdv, ddC, ddI, and d4T but not of 3TC for the antiretroviral treatment of HTLV-1-associated disease.
Documenting Decadal Spatial Changes in Seagrass and Acropora palmata Cover by Aerial Photography Analysis in Vieques, Puerto Rico: 1937-2000

Aerial photographs from 1937–2000 of Bahia Salina del Sur on v ieques, Puerto Rico were analyzed to detect and describe spatial changes in the areal cover of sea grass beds in Bahia Salina del Sur. The images were pre-processed to minimize noise and unsupervised classification was used to detect areas colonized by seagrass. The number of individual seagrass patches, direction, and characteristic of growth were quantified and described. Seagrass coverage increased by 85.8% over the 64-yr pe riod and this increase was best described by a 2 nd order polynomial function (r 2 = 0.91). Between 1937 and 2000, the spatial expression of the seagrass patchiness went through discrete episodes characterized by expansion in the number and spatial extent of small patches followed by an increase in patch size and agglomeration of small patches to form large homogeneous areas. Patch growth was limited only by proximity to boundaries (i.e., coastline and reef structures) and a fluctuating physi cal environment. This study suggests that the overall increase in seagrass cover was linked to the synergy of hurricane impacts, decrease in grazers, and the protective geomorphology of Bahia Salina del Sur. Decreases in areal cover only occurred in concert with known anthropogenic impacts.
Ephrin-B3 Ligand Promotes Glioma Invasion through Activation of Rac1

Eph receptor tyrosine kinases are involved in nervous system development. Eph ligands, termed ephrins, are transmembrane proteins that bind to Eph receptors, the mutual activation of which causes repulsive effects in reciprocally contacting cells. Previously, we showed that overexpression of EphB2 in glioma cells increases cell invasion. Here, expression profiles of ephrin-B family members were determined in four glioma cell lines and in invading glioblastoma cells collected by laser capture microdissection. Ephrin-B3 mRNA was up-regulated in migrating cells of four of four glioma cell lines (1.3- to 1.7-fold) and in invading tumor cells of eight of eight biopsy specimens (1.2- to 10.0-fold). Forced expression of ephrin-B3 in low expressor cell lines (U87, T98G) stimulated cell migration and invasion in vitro and ex vivo, concomitant with tyrosine phosphorylation of ephrin-B3. In high expressor cell lines (U251, SNB19), ephrin-B3 colocalized with Rac1 to lamellipodia of motile wild-type cells. Cells transfected with ephrin-B3 small interfering RNA (siRNA) showed significant morphologic change and decreased invasion in vitro and ex vivo. Depletion of endogenous ephrin-B3 expression abrogated the increase of migration and invasion induced by EphB2/Fc, indicating increased invasion is dependent on ephrin-B3 activation. Furthermore, using a Rac1-GTP pull-down assay, we showed that ephrin-B3 is associated with Rac1 activation. Reduction of Rac1 by siRNA negated the increased invasion by addition of EphB2/Fc. In human glioma specimens, ephrin-B3 expression and phosphorylation correlated with increasing tumor grade. Immunohistochemistry revealed robust staining for phosphorylated ephrin-B and ephrin-B3 in invading glioblastoma cells. These data show that ephrin-B3 expression and signaling through Rac1 are critically important to glioma invasion.
Contextualizing the Politics of Knowledge: Physicians' Attitudes toward Medicinal Plants

This article examines how a group of public health physicians in the urban Amazon values medicinal plant knowledge. As biomedical health care providers, physicians routinely draw on scientific plant knowledge. At the same time, as residents of the Amazon and health care providers to the poor, they are aware of and sometimes participate in local systems of plant knowledge. When discussing medicinal plant use, physicians repeatedly mention three themes: science, superstition, and biopiracy. The way in which physicians construct and negotiate these themes is part of the process of maintaining and legitimating their expertise and authority. This analysis finds that context is key to understanding whether, when, and why physicians value certain bodies of knowledge. Locally, in clinics, scientific plant knowledge is constructed as superior. In a global context, however, local plant knowledge is explicitly valued. This situational valuation/devaluation of plant knowledge relates to the positions of power physicians occupy in each context, [medicinal plants, politics of knowledge, Brazil, Amazon, physicians]
Evidence of an abnormal intramuscular component of fatigue in multiple sclerosis

The goals of this study were to investigate muscle fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to determine the relationships between muscle fatigue, clinical status, and perceived fatigue. The fatigability of the anterior tibial muscle was quantitated in patients and controls during 9 min of intermittent stimulation (used to eliminate central sources of muscle fatigue). During exercise, the decline in tetanic force, phosphocreatine, and intracellular pH was greater in patients than in controls. The compound muscle action potential amplitude did not decrease during exercise, indicating that there was no failure of neuromuscular transmission during fatigue. Thus, the excessive fatigue in MS developed from sources beyond the muscle membrane. Following exercise, the recovery of tetanic force was delayed in patients (a pattern that suggests abnormal excitation-contraction coupling), whereas the recovery of metabolites was complete in both groups. Muscular fatigue was correlated with clinical disability but not with perceived fatigue. These results suggests that fatigue in MS has both central (perception, upper motor neuron dysfunction) and peripheral (impaired metabolism and excitation-contraction coupling) components.