cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional finite-element analysis of chevron-notched fracture specimens

Stress-intensity factors and load-line displacements were calculated for chevron-notched bar and rod fracture specimens using a three-dimensional finite-element analysis. Both specimens were subjected to simulated wedge loading (either uniform applied displacement or uniform applied load). The chevron-notch sides and crack front were assumed to be straight. Crack-length-to-specimen width ratios (a/w) ranged from 0.4 to 0.7. The width-to-thickness ratio (w/B) was 1.45 or 2. The bar specimens had a height-to-width ratio of 0.435 or 0.5. Finite-element models were composed of singularity elements around the crack front and 8-noded isoparametric elements elsewhere. The models had about 11,000 degrees of freedom. Stress-intensity factors were calculated by using a nodal-force method for distribution along the crack front and by using a compliance method for average values. The stress intensity factors and load-line displacements are presented and compared with experimental solutions from the literature. The stress intensity factors and load-line displacements were about 2.5 and 5 percent lower than the reported experimental values, respectively.
Application of lightweight threading techniques to computational chemistry

The recent advent of inexpensive commodity multiprocessor computers with standardized operating system support for lightweight threads provides computational chemists and other scientists with an exciting opportunity to develop sophisticated new approaches to materials simulation. We contrast the flexible performance characteristics of lightweight threading with the restrictions of traditional scientific supercomputing, based on our experiences with multithreaded molecular dynamics simulation. Motivated by the results of our molecular dynamics experiments, we propose an approach to multi-scale materials simulation using highly dynamic thread creation and synchronization within and between concurrent simulations at many different scales. This approach will enable extremely realistic simulations, with computing resources dynamically directed to areas where they are needed. Multi-scale simulations of this kind require large amounts of processing power, but are too sophisticated to be expressed using traditional supercomputing programming models. As a result, we have developed a high-level programming system called Sthreads that allows highly dynamic, nested multithreaded algorithms to be expressed. Program development is simplified through the use of innovative synchronization operations that allow multithreaded programs to be tested and debugged using standard sequential methods and tools. For this reason, Sthreads is very well suited to the complex multi-scale simulation applications that we are developing.
Heat shock protein 90 inhibition by 17-allylamino-17- demethoxygeldanamycin: a novel therapeutic approach for treating hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in men,and signaling via the androgen receptor plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis and disease progression. Prostate cancer is initially androgen-dependent, and most patients respond favorably to surgical or chemical androgen ablation. However
Transient calbindin-D28k-positive systems in the telencephalon: ganglionic eminence, developing striatum and cerebral cortex

Calbindin-D28k (calbindin) is a member of the superfamily of calcium- binding proteins implicated in the regulation of intracellular calcium. In the mature brain, calbindin is widely expressed in neurons of the forebrain and the hindbrain, and in the telencephalon calbindin-like immunoreactivity is particularly strongly expressed by medium-sized neurons of the striatum and by certain other neurons in the cortex and subcortex. We have traced the development of calbindin expression in the forebrain of the rat, and report here that in addition to the steady development of these calbindin-positive neuronal systems, transient waves of calbindin expression occur in cells of the ventricular zones of the basal ganglia and cortex and in cells of the telencephalic regions derived from these ventricular zones including radial glia of the developing striatum. In the striatum and its ventricular zone (the ganglionic eminence, or GE) we identified four transient calbindin-positive systems in the perinatal period. First, calbindin-immunoreactive cells began to appear in the GE by embryonic day (E)18, and by E20 an extensive dorsal and lateral part of the GE was marked by dense calbindin-like immunoreactivity in the ventricular zone. This calbindin system peaked at postnatal day (P)0-P3 and disappeared by P15. Its presence suggests that the GE is divisible on a molecular basis into lateral and medial districts that may correspond to derivatives of the lateral and medial ventricular ridges. Second, a system of calbindin-positive processes appeared in the dorsal and lateral caudoputamen with temporal and spatial distributions matching the germinal zone system. Many of these processes could be traced from calbindin-positive cells in the ventricular zone of the GE, including processes stretching across the full width of the dorsal caudoputamen. Double-staining experiments demonstrated that these radial processes were Rat.401-positive, suggesting that they form a subset of radial glia in the developing telencephalon. These findings demonstrate that during development calbindin is expressed in glial as well as neural cells. They further suggest that the radial glia associated with the GE form heterogeneous populations, the transient calbindin-positive radial glia being associated with the lateral ridge of the GE and its derivatives. Third, a scattered population of calbindin-positive cells with morphologies different from the common medium-sized calbindin- immunoreactive neurons of the striatum appeared in the dorsal and lateral striatum from about E20 to P15. Some of these cells were close to the transient calbindin-positive radial processes in the same region, but others were not.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Is There an Indication for Surgical Resection in Colorectal Adenoma

Background: Due to the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, complete removal of colorectal polyps is essential. Method: This article analyzes the role of surgery in the removal of colorectal adenoma. Results: Nowadays, most adenomas are removed properly by endoscopic methods. Also in the resection of giant polyps and recurrent adenoma endoscopic data is convincing. Therefore, surgical resection of colorectal adenomas is required in the case of endoscopic inaccessibility. Reasons for this may be the location of the polyp, incomplete endoscopic resection, or suspected malignancy. Endoscopic or limited surgical resection of malignant adenomas is acceptable only if ‘low-risk' criteria are fulfilled. Otherwise oncologic radical resection is recommended. In general, radical resection is also necessary in the case of polyps that are not suitable for endoscopic removal, because here the rate of colorectal carcinoma is high. Conclusion: If a surgical approach is necessary, minimally invasive surgery in the hands of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon is a suitable option. Adenomas in the lower two thirds of the rectum are suitable for transanal full-thickness resection. This is done by conventional resection or transanal endoscopic microsurgery. The histopathological preparation of these specimens provides diagnostic and therapeutic benefits, particularly compared to piecemeal resection of early carcinoma.
Ultrastructure of the secretory epithelium, nerve fibers, and capillaries in the mouse sweat gland

The ultrastructure of the mouse sweat gland was examined, in support of neurological studies of sweat glands and their relationships to the autonomic nervous system. It was found that the mouse sweat gland is similar to that of the rat and has only one type of secretory cell. Many nerve fibers are entwined with the secretory tubule and contain accumulations of round, clear vesicles, some microtubules, but apparently no neurofilaments. Cholinesterase is found in the clefts between nerve fibers and their ensheathing Schwann cells. The nerve fibers tend to run parallel with capillaries, but have no close association with either the capillaries or the secretory epithelium. Capillaries provide an abundant blood supply to the sweat gland and are fenestrated. The relationships between cellular elements of the sweat gland provide no direct evidence of the mechanisms involved in neurogenic sweating, although it seems likely that effector substances are diffusely distributed.
Myocardial oedema and ventricular function after cardioplegia with added mannitol.

Myocardial oedema may contribute to the impaired myocardial performance which commonly follows open heart surgery with cardioplegia-induced cardiac arrest. The rate of oedema formation during crystalloid cardioplegia and the relation of this to changes in ventricular compliance and ventricular function following reperfusion were studied using an isolated rabbit heart preparation. Myocardial tissue water content increased during cardioplegic arrest and the water content prior to reperfusion demonstrated an inverse correlation with ventricular function after reperfusion. In further studies the effect of adding mannitol to a standard crystalloid cardioplegic solution was investigated. The preparations were divided into two groups: nine were administered a standard cardioplegic solution (Plegisol®*) (control group) and a further eight were administered the same solution mixed with mannitol to adjust the osmotic pressure to 360 mOsmol · L−3 (mannitol group). The mannitol group demonstrated less Increase in RV water content and superior LV dP/dtmax following reperfusion. It is concluded that mannitol enhances protection of the myocardium during cardioplegic cardiac arrest.
Time Integration Incorporated Sensitivity Analysis With Generalized-α Method for Multibody Dynamics Systems

The topology optimization method is extended for the optimization of geometrically nonlinear, time-dependent multibody dynamics systems undergoing nonlinear responses. In particular, this paper focuses on sensitivity analysis methods for topology optimization of general multibody dynamics systems, which include large displacements and rotations and dynamic loading. The generalized-α method is employed to solve the multibody dynamics system equations of motion. The developed time integration incorporated sensitivity analysis method is based on a linear approximation of two consecutive time steps, such that the generalized-α method is only applied once in the time integration of the equations of motion. This approach significantly reduces the computational costs associated with sensitivity analysis. To show the effectiveness of the developed procedures, topology optimization of a ground structure embedded in a planar multibody dynamics system under dynamic loading is presented.© 2011 ASME
Effect of endoscopic forceps on quality of duodenal mucosal biopsy in healthy dogs.

Background Limited data exist regarding influence of endoscopic forceps on duodenal mucosal biopsy quality and adequacy for histologic examination/assessment in dogs. Hypothesis/Objectives Hypothesizing that larger forceps would procure superior specimens, we evaluated effect of 6 disposable forceps on duodenal biopsy weight, depth, crush artifact, and adequacy for histologic examination/assessment. Animals Seventeen healthy adult dogs. Methods Prospective study. Two operators each obtained 4 duodenal specimens from each dog with each forceps. Lightest sample discarded. One pathologist evaluated blindly other 3 specimens. A total of 612 specimens evaluated. Results analyzed by one-way ANOVA of forceps effects with dog as blocking factor. Posthoc pairwise comparisons examined with Tukey's test when indicated. Results Biopsies performed with large capacity forceps heavier (10.56 ± 0.90 and 11.6 ± 0.62 mg (mean ± SD) versus 5.55 ± 0.53 to 8.61 ± 0.49; P < .0001) and adequacy for histologic examination/assessment superior to standard oval and ‘pediatric’ (scores 2.52 ± 0.41 and 2.58 ± 0.37 versus 2.08 ± 0.33 and 2.14 ± 0.29; P < .0001). No statistically significant difference in depth scores. Large capacity forceps with spike associated with less crush artifact than all smaller forceps (scores 1.19 ± 0.16 versus 1.38 ± 0.21 to 1.52 ± 0.21; P < .0001). In same size forceps, presence of spike had no effect on crush artifact and adequacy for histologic examination/assessment (P < .0001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Large capacity forceps are superior, providing higher quality and greater numbers of samples achieving adequacy for histologic examination/assessment. Choice of endoscopic biopsy forceps for duodenal samples influences sample volume and diagnostic utility.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cimetidine and metabolites in critically ill children.

Cimetidine and antacids are the mainstays of therapy for the prophylaxis of stress-induced ulceration in critically ill children. Previous cimetidine dosing recommendations have been empiric because of a lack of knowledge about cimetidine disposition kinetics in children. Thirty children, mean age 9±3.2 years, were admitted to the study with the following primary diagnoses: closed head injury (23 patients), sepsis (four), gunshot wound (two), and bleeding gastric ulceration (one). The mean dose of cimetidine was 26 mg/kg/day, administered intravenously over 15 minutes in four divided doses. Cimetidine disposition was best described by a biphasic elimination curve with t1/2 values for cimetidine, cimetidine sulfoxide, and hydroxymethyl cimetidine of 1.39, 2.6, and 4.7 hours, respectively. Cimetidine plasma concentrations were maintained at ≥0.5 μg/ml for a significantly longer time in patients who received ≥20 mg/kg/day. Most patients had a plasma cimetidine concentration below 0.5 to 1.0 μg/ml 4 hours after infusion. The mean apparent volume of distribution and total body clearance for cimetidine were 1.23 L/kg and 10.4 ml/min/kg, respectively. A significant correlation was found between age and either apparent volume of distribution (r=0.76, P
Incidence and Morphologic Characteristics of Benign Calcaneal Cystic Lesions on MRI

Background: Since we have frequently noted osseous cyst-like lesions within the calcaneus on MRI studies, we sought to systematically evaluate this finding to determine the incidence and morphologi...
Ligand-induced internalization of the type 1 cholecystokinin receptor independent of recognized signaling activity

Receptor ligands, identified as antagonists, based on the absence of stimulation of signaling, can rarely stimulate receptor internalization. d-Tyr-Gly-[(Nle28,31,d-Trp30)CCK-26–32]-2-phenylethyl ester (d-Trp-OPE) is such a ligand that binds to the cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor and stimulates internalization. Here, the molecular basis of this trafficking event is explored, with the assumption that ligand binding initiates conformational change, exposing an epitope to direct endocytosis. Ligand-stimulated internalization was studied morphologically using fluorescent CCK and d-Trp-OPE. d-Trp-OPE occupation of Chinese hamster ovary cell receptors stimulated internalization into the same region as CCK. Arrestin-biased action was ruled out using morphological translocation of fluorescent arrestin 2 and arrestin 3, moving to the membrane in response to CCK, but not d-Trp-OPE. Possible roles of the carboxyl terminus were studied using truncated receptor constructs, eliminating the proline-rich distal tail, the serine/threonine-rich midregion, and the remainder to the vicinal cysteines. None of these constructs disrupted d-Trp-OPE-stimulated internalization. Possible contributions of transmembrane segments were studied using competitive inhibition with peptides that also had no effect. Intracellular regions were studied with a similar strategy using coexpressing cell lines. Peptides corresponding to ends of each loop region were studied, with only the peptide at the carboxyl end of the third loop inhibiting d-Trp-OPE-stimulated internalization but having no effect on CCK-stimulated internalization. The region contributing to this effect was refined to peptide 309–323, located below the recognized G protein-association motif. While a receptor in which this segment was deleted did internalize in response to d-Trp-OPE, it exhibited abnormal ligand binding and did not signal in response to CCK, suggesting an abnormal conformation and possible mechanism of internalization distinct from that being studied. This interpretation was further supported by the inability of peptide 309–323 to inhibit its d-Trp-OPE-stimulated internalization. Thus the 309–323 region of the type 1 CCK receptor affects antagonist-stimulated internalization of this receptor, although its mechanism and interacting partner are not yet clear.
Attachment of Entamoeba histolytica to Glass in a Defined Maintenance Medium: Specific Requirement for Cysteine and Ascorbic Acid*

SYNOPSIS. Cysteine and ascorbic acid were previously shown to be required by Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites for attachment to glass, elongation, and ameboid movement as well as for short-term (12–24 h) survival in a balanced salt solution containing bovine serum albumin and a vitamin solution (Maintenance Medium 1). If the only function of cysteine and ascorbate was to decrease the redox potential, other reducing agents should be effective. However, the requirement for cysteine in the presence of ascorbic acid was highly specific. Equally effective were D- and L-cysteine; however, of many other compounds tested, only thioglycolic acid, ascorbic acid, or L-cystine (in decreasing order) were somewhat active. Under N2 atmosphere, cysteine and ascorbic acid were still required, although their concentrations could be halved. The ability to attach in the maintenance medium was irreversibly lost after only 5 min of cysteine-ascorbic acid deprivation; however, there was no decrease in viability when the amebae were transferred to growth medium within 30 min. Cysteine thiol groups in the medium were oxidized rapidly regardless of the concentration of ascorbic acid or the presence of amebae; however, ascorbic acid prolonged attachment of amebae.
Effects of Male Timbre, Falsetto, and Sine-Wave Models on Interval Matching by Inaccurate Singers:

This study compared the effects of male timbre, falsetto, and sine-wave models on pitch-matching skills of inaccurate boy versus girl singers in Grades K—8. Subjects were 216 inaccurate singers in Grades K-8 (n = 12 boys and 12 girls from each grade). They were presented descending minor thirds sung by a tenor and a bass in their regular octaves (G3—E3) and in falsetto (G4—E4), as well as two sine-wave stimuli in the same octaves. Subjects were recorded singing back the presented intervals. The recordings were digitized and analyzed for pitch and interval cent deviation. Responses to male stimuli were more accurate than were responses to sine waves. Girls responded more accurately to higher stimuli, and boys responded more accurately to lower stimuli. The octaves of the stimuli also affected the octaves of the responses, and the subjects had a tendency to sing intervals that were larger rather than smaller than the minor-third models.
A Comparison of Healthy Days and EuroQol EQ-5D Measures in Two US Adult Samples

Measures of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) have been used to assess the health of populations. This study examined the comparability of two HRQOL measures, the Healthy Days and the EuroQol EQ-5D, in the general US adult population. Data were from the 2000–2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Using a descriptive and ecological design, we compared variations in mean unhealthy days (UD) and EQ-5D scores by sociodemographic and health characteristics, and compared the effect of these variables on both measures using multivariate linear regressions. Both UD and EQ-5D scores showed worse health for females than males, for blacks and Hispanics than whites, for those with lower educational attainment, for both underweight and overweight people, and for those with worse self-rated health, higher severity of activity limitation, and the presence of any disease. Both measures also had similar effect sizes for these selected variables. The UD and EQ-5D scores revealed a similar pattern according to sociodemographic variables and clinical factors. This study supports the validity of both sets of measures in assessing the health of adult populations.
Simulation of the turn-on transient behavior of amorphous-silicon thin-film transistors

Abstract The turn-on transient behavior of amorphous-silicon (a-Si:H) thin-film transistors (TFT) was measured. The source current decay, after the initial step, had a double exponential decay within the first 6 ms. The source-current decay rate did not depend on the drain voltage, gate voltage or geometry of the device. In this study a modeling methodology based on a table look-up procedure was used to simulate the turn-on transient behavior of the a-Si:H TFT. Based on experimental evidence, the original five look-up tables were simplified to two tables. The simplified set of two tables was used to simulate the long-term transient behavior and yielded good agreement with the experimental results.
Individuation and reference in memory: Proper names and definite descriptions

A theory is presented which assumes that individuals are represented by unique nodes in memory. To test the theory, simple facts were predicated of an individual person. Some facts referred to him by proper name, and other facts by his profession. In a before condition, subjects learned that the profession and name referred to the same individual before learning the facts, while in an after condition, they learned the identity after learning the facts. Subsequent to learning the facts and identities, subjects verified sentences based on what they had learned. Verification latencies indicated that in the before condition, one memory node was created to represent the individual, but two nodes were set up in the after condition. Assymmetries between proper names and professions indicate that the two types of referring expressions are treated differently in long-term memory.
Pruritus in patients with chronic human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C virus infections.

Abstract Aim. The prevalence of pruritus was prospectively determined in 310 patients of whom 119 had hepatitis C virus infection, 91 hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus, 51 human immunodeficiency virus infection alone, 31 hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection and 18 were HBsAg carriers. Results. Patients in the first three groups were more likely to complain of itching (22%, 28% and 25%, respectively) than HBsAg carriers [8.2%, p=0.01). Laboratory data were not different between groups, except for the human immunodeficiency virus group, whose alkaline phosphatase levels were highest, and CD4 counts were lowest (median 30 cells/mm3). Patients with hepatitis C, including those with human immunodeficiency virus, had similar hepatitis C virus RNA levels in patients with or without pruritus. There was no difference in hepatic inflammation or fibrosis between those with and those without pruritus. Conclusion. 20% of patients with chronic hepatitis C and 8% of hepatitis B patients complain of pruritus. Patients with pruritus have laboratory and histologic parameters comparable to those without.
Estimation of the reaction rate for the formation of CH3O from H + H2CO: implications for chemistry in the Solar System.

It is argued that the formation of the methoxy radical (CH_3O) from H + H_2CO may play an essential role in the reduction of CO to CH_4. The rate coefficient for this reaction has been estimated using the approximate theory of J. Troe (1977a, J. Chem. Phys. 66, 4745) and transition state theory. We briefly discuss the implications of this reaction for the chemistry of CO on Jupiter, in the solar nebula, for interpreting the laboratory experiments of A. Bar-Nun and A. Shaviv (1975, Icarus 24, 197) and A. Bar-Nun and S. Chang (1983, J. Geophys. Res. 88, 6662) and for organic synthesis in the prebiotic terrestrial atmosphere.
Simulation study for different moment sets

Analysis of variance for coefficient of variation is performed under various noise levels and moment orders. As a measure for response stability for features in a pattern recognition system, the coefficient of variation is analyzed and compared among various moment sets, such as, the geometric moments, Legendre moments, complex moments, rotational moments and Zernike moments. A convenient definition for binary segmented images is introduced in order to quantify the level of the noise in the noisy patterns. Traditional two-way table data analysis is carried out to fit the nearly additively structured data and the analysis of variance is done on the fittings (row and column effects). A simple summary for the fittings is displayed by boxplots to show the distribution of effects due to the various noise levels and the moment orders. Among the different moment sets, the Zernike moments are shown to be optimal in the sense that Zernike moments are reliable features with the property of least varying response under various noise and orders.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Worldwide clinical safety assessment of gadoteridol injection: an update

Gadoteridol injection is a low molecular weight chelate complex of gadolinium (III) which is useful as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. A total of 2481 adult and pediatric subjects were studied with gadoteridol at doses from 0.025 to 0.3 mmol/kg in phase I–IIIb clinical trials in Europe and the United States. The study population had a mean age of 49 years, and included 119 patients under 18 years of age and 747 patients over 60 years of age. After 2656 administered injections of gadoteridol a total of 233 adverse events were recorded in 176 exposures, an incidence rate of 6.6 % irrespective of relationship to drug administration. The most frequently reported adverse events were nausea (1.5 %), taste perversion (0.9 %), and headache (0.6 %). All other adverse events occurred with an incidence of 0.5 % or less. This report confirms the excellent safety profile of gadoteridol in healthy subjects and patients with a variety of known or suspected pathologies.
Effects of ferumoxides-protamine sulfate labeling on immunomodulatory characteristics of macrophage-like THP-1 cells.

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide (SPIO) complexed with cationic transfection agent is used to label various mammalian cells. Labeled cells can then be utilized as an in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probes. However, certain number of in vivo administered labeled cells may be cleared from tissues by the host's macrophages. For successful translation to routine clinical application of SPIO labeling method it is important that this mode of in vivo clearance of iron does not elicit any diverse immunological effects. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that SPIO agent ferumoxides-protamine sulfate (FePro) incorporation into macrophages does not alter immunological properties of these cells with regard to differentiation, chemotaxis, and ability to respond to the activation stimuli and to modulate T cell response. We used THP-1 cell line as a model for studying macrophage cell type. THP-1 cells were magnetically labeled with FePro, differentiated with 100 nM of phorbol ester, 12-Myristate-13-acetate (TPA) and stimulated with 100 ng/ml of LPS. The results showed 1) FePro labeling had no effect on the changes in morphology and expression of cell surface proteins associated with TPA induced differentiation; 2) FePro labeled cells responded to LPS with slightly higher levels of NFκB pathway activation, as shown by immunobloting; TNF-α secretion and cell surface expression levels of CD54 and CD83 activation markers, under these conditions, were still comparable to the levels observed in non-labeled cells; 3) FePro labeling exhibited differential, chemokine dependent, effect on THP-1 chemotaxis with a decrease in cell directional migration to MCP-1; 4) FePro labeling did not affect the ability of THP-1 cells to down-regulate T cell expression of CD4 and CD8 and to induce T cell proliferation. Our study demonstrated that intracellular incorporation of FePro complexes does not alter overall immunological properties of THP-1 cells. The described experiments provide the model for studying the effects of in vivo clearance of iron particles via incorporation into the host's macrophages that may follow after in vivo application of any type of magnetically labeled mammalian cells. To better mimic the complex in vivo scenario, this model may be further exploited by introducing additional cellular and biological, immunologically relevant, components.
Childhood social hardships and fertility: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Purpose To examine the effect of lifetime social hardships on fertility. Methods Using the British National Child Development Study, a longitudinal cohort study, the impact of exposure to childhood hardships on becoming pregnant, reported infertility, and time-to-pregnancy was investigated. In total, 6477 women reported on whether they had become pregnant by 41 years, and 5198 women had data on at least one pregnancy. Factor analysis was used to identify six types of childhood hardships (as reported by parent, child, social worker, or teacher); retrospective report of child abuse was also examined. Logistic regression and discrete failure-time analysis was used to adjust for potential confounders. Results Never-married women were more likely to have become pregnant at some point if they had experienced more childhood hardships. Retrospectively, reported child abuse was associated with an increased likelihood of having been told that one was unable to have children. Among ever-married women, childhood hardships were associated with reduced fecundability, but the association was weakened by adjustment for adult social class. Conclusions The relationship between childhood adversity and adult fertility is complex. Future research should investigate pathways between characteristics of adversities and fertility.
Serotonin and GABA-induced depolarizations of frog primary afferent fibers

Abstract The interaction of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin (5-HT) on primary afferent terminals of the isolated frog spinal cord was investigated by sucrose gap recordings from dorsal roots. Application of 5-HT (1.0–100 μM) to the Ringer's solution significantly reduced afferent terminal depolarizations elicited by concentrations of GABA ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mM. The reductions of GABA-depolarizations which were produced by 1.0 μM 5-HT were mimicked by the 5-HT 1A agonists 8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-2-( n -dipropylamino)tetralin) and ipsapirone. The effects of ipsapirone were reversed by the 5-HT 1A antagonists spiperone. The decreases of GABA-depolarizations produced by high doses of 5-HT were duplicated by application of α-methyl-5-HT 1 c/2 agonist and reversed by superfusion of the cord with mianserin, a 5-HT 1C/2 antagonist. The presumptive 5-HT 1A receptor-mediated effects of 1.0 μM 5-HT and 8-OH-DPAT appeared to result from a direct action on afferent terminals because the reduction of GABA responses was unchanged by addition of TTX to the Ringer's solution. In contrast, the putative 5-HT 1C/2 receptor actions of 100 μM 5-HT and α-methyl-5-HT were substantially reduced by TTX and are presumably caused by activation of receptors located on interneurons. GABA B receptors did not appear to be affected by addition of 5-HT at low or high concentrations because baclofen-induced afferent terminal hyperpolarizations remained unchanged during exposure to 5-HT. The effects of 5-HT on GABA-depolarizations were not caused by changes in GABA uptake or changes in the rate of desensitization of GABA receptors because: (1) afferent terminal depolarizations produced by the non-transportable GABA A receptor agonist muscimol were significantly reduced by 8-OH-DPAT and (2) the decrement in depolarization produced by repetitive exposure to GABA, which is caused by both ‘receptor’ desensitization and by neuronal transport of GABA, was unaffected by 5-HT. These observations are important in understanding the action of 5-HT on transmission of sensory information by afferent fibers.
Discrimination between Adenocarcinoma and Normal Pancreatic Ductal Fluid by Proteomic and Glycomic Analysis

Sensitive and specific biomarkers for pancreatic cancer are currently unavailable. The high mortality associated with adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic epithelium justifies the broadest possible search for new biomarkers that can facilitate early detection or monitor treatment efficacy. Protein glycosylation is altered in many cancers, leading many to propose that glycoproteomic changes may provide suitable biomarkers. In order to assess this possibility for pancreatic cancer, we have performed an in-depth LC-MS/MS analysis of the proteome and MS(n)-based characterization of the N-linked glycome of a small set of pancreatic ductal fluid obtained from normal, pancreatitis, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), and pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients. Our results identify a set of seven proteins that were consistently increased in cancer ductal fluid compared to normal (AMYP, PRSS1, GP2-1, CCDC132, REG1A, REG1B, and REG3A) and one protein that was consistently decreased (LIPR2). These proteins are all directly or indirectly associated with the secretory pathway in normal pancreatic cells. Validation of these changes in abundance by Western blotting revealed increased REG protein glycoform diversity in cancer. Characterization of the total N-linked glycome of normal, IPMN, and adenocarcinoma ductal fluid clustered samples into three discrete groups based on the prevalence of six dominant glycans. Within each group, the profiles of less prevalent glycans were able to distinguish normal from cancer on this small set of samples. Our results emphasize that individual variation in protein glycosylation must be considered when assessing the value of a glycoproteomic marker, but also indicate that glycosylation diversity across human subjects can be reduced to simpler clusters of individuals whose N-linked glycans share structural features.
Relationship between body condition score and production of multiparous beef cows

Abstract Pregnancy rate, calving interval, weaning weight, birth weight and quarterly body condition score (BCS) were collected on fall calving multiparous English crossbred cattle (ages 3 to 10) from 1994 to 2001 to evaluate the critical time of cow condition measurements that predict production. The study was initiated with 260 cows. Replacement animals entered the study at first calving (2 years of age), with 45, 54, 27, 68, 54, and 45 animals added in years two through seven, respectively. Body condition score was measured in association with calving, breeding, weaning, and midway between weaning and calving (August). Regression of the logit of the probability of pregnancy ( Y ) showed that pregnancy outcome was quadratically related to BCS at breeding ( P Y = − 4.81 X 2 − 0.52 X − 4.339) and linearly related to BCS at calving ( P = 0.009, Y = 0.32 X + 4.17), but was not associated with either the pre- or postpartum change in condition ( P > 0.05). Calving interval varied cubically with BCS at calving and quadratically with BCS at breeding ( P P = 0.002, respectively). The largest decreases in calving interval were associated with increases in body condition score at calving from 3.5 to 4.5 and from 7 to 8. Calf weight at 205 days was related to both the BCS at breeding and the change in BCS from breeding to weaning ( P = 0.01 and P = 0.004). Calf weight at 205 days was also associated with BCS at weaning ( P = 0.0003). Cows with either low or high BCS at weaning tended to wean lighter calves than cows with moderate condition (4.5 and 5.5). Moreover, BCS at weaning (≈ 6 months prior to calving) was related to birth weight ( P = 0.01). Dams with a BCS at weaning of 7 birthed heavier calves than dams with low (3 to 4) or high (8.5) BCS. The relationship of BCS at breeding with pregnancy rate, calving interval, and weaning weight suggests that maintenance of adequate BCS immediately before, during, and after the breeding season may be most critical to sustaining adequate reproductive performance and calf gains in animals subject to the seasonal forage production associated with a Mediterranean climate.
Path Summation Formulation of the Master Equation

Markovian dynamics, modeled by the kinetic master equation, has wide ranging applications in chemistry, physics, and biology. We derive an exact expression for the probability of a Markovian path in discrete state space for an arbitrary number of states and path length. The total probability of paths repeatedly visiting a set of states can be explicitly summed. The transition probability between states can be expressed as a sum over all possible paths connecting the states. The derived path probabilities satisfy the fluctuation theorem. The paths can be the starting point for a path space Monte Carlo procedure which can serve as an alternative algorithm to analyze pathways in a complex reaction network.
Preparation of (+)-Trans-Isoalliin and Its Isomers by Chemical Synthesis and RP-HPLC Resolution

Naturally occurring (+)-trans-isoalliin, (RCRS)-(+)-trans-S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide, is a major cysteine sulfoxide in onion. The importance of producing it synthetically to support further research is very well recognized. The (+)-trans-isoalliin is prepared by chemical synthesis and reversed-phase (RP)-HPLC. First, S-2-propenyl-L-cysteine (deoxyalliin) is formed from L-cysteine and allyl bromide, which is then isomerized to S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine (deoxyisoalliin) by a base-catalyzed reaction. A mixture of cis and trans forms of deoxyisoalliin is formed and separated by RP-HPLC. Oxidation of the trans form of deoxyisoalliin by H2O2 produces a mixture of (−)- and (+)-trans-isoalliin. Finally, RP-HPLC is used successfully in separating (−)- and (+)-trans-isoalliin, and hence, (+)-trans-isoalliin is synthesized for the first time in this study. In addition, the (±) diastereomers of cis-isoalliin are also separated and purified by RP-HPLC.
A comparison of the effects of bilateral sections of the chorda tympani nerve and extirpation of the submaxillary and sublingual salivary glands on the eating and drinking patterns of the rat

The chorda tympani nerve (CT) innervates the fungiform papillae on the tip of the tongue and has been considered an important nerve for the sense of taste. The CT also contains the parasympathetic supply to the submaxillary and sublingual salivary glands. Therefore, changes in taste or feeding behavior following bilateral sections of CT are caused by both degeneration of fungiform papillae and the inevitable partial desalivation of the rat. In the present experiments we compared the effects of bilateral chorda tympani nerve sections with extirpation of submaxillary and sublingual glands on daily home cage eating and drinking patterns in the rat. Before and after surgery we analyzed the daily eating and drinking patterns, including such measures as intake, bout number, bout length, interbout interval and rate of consumption during bouts. The results of desalivation and bilateral CT sections were indistinguishable. The most profound change was that eating bout duration was increased following surgery. Since food intake did not increase, the results indicate a marked loss in eating efficiency over the daily ingestion periods. Although the eating patterns of desalivated and chorda tympani sectioned rats are quite similar, the evidence is not compelling that they have the same physiological basis. A second experiment was designed to test the hypothesis that the atypical eating patterns observed following bilateral sectioning of CT were the direct result of partial desalivation resulting from the denervation of the salivary glands. In this experiment a unilateral section was made of one CT and it was shown that the eating behavior was not affected. Then the contralateral submaxillary and sublingual salivary glands were removed. This resulted in a six-fold increase in feeding bout length. In all cases a unilateral CT section combined with extirpation of the contralateral salivary glands resulted in rats whose eating behavior was indistinguishable from the earlier data following either the bilateral CT sections or bilateral desalivations. The conclusion is drawn that the eating irregularities noted following bilateral CT sections result from this partial desalivation. CT sections were verified by taste bud counts in the fungiform papillae and histological examinations were made of salivary glands in rats receiving CT sections.
Cortical Target Depletion and the Developing Lateral Geniculate Nucleus: Implications for Trophic Dependence

The dependence of the developing dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGd) on visual cortex for survival has been well documented. Complete removal of visual cortex during early postnatal development results in degeneration of the LGd. To further explore the nature of this trophic relationship, we depleted variable proportions of the principal targets of geniculocortical axons, layer IV neurons, and also variable proportions of the supragranular neurons by intraperitoneal injections of different dosages of a mitotic inhibitor MAM (methylazoxymethanol acetate) into pregnant hamsters at the time when these neurons were being generated in the ventricular zone. We demonstrate that after more than 75% loss of layer IV there is no reduction in cell number in the LGd. HRP (horseradish peroxidase) injections into the LGd in adult animals reveal an essentially normal pattern of termination without evidence of rerouting of geniculocortical axons to other cortical areas, nor compensatory increase in arborization in layer VI and VIb (subplate). Geniculocortical axons terminate principally in the middle stratum of the depleted cortex above layer V, with obvious reduction in both the extent and density of arborization. After higher dosages of MAM treatment resulting in more severe cell loss in layers II-IV with the apparent loss of layer IV, the extent and density of geniculocortical arborization are further reduced. Reduction in size as well as total number of geniculate neurons become detectable. Above depletions of 75% of layer IV neurons, the number of surviving LGd neurons is linearly related to the total number of remaining layer II-IV neurons in the cortex. These findings are discussed in light of the possible trophic mechanisms that match cell populations in number during development.
Sustained bone mineral density changes after burn injury.

Abstract Background Body-composition changes have been observed after burn injury. In particular, several studies have shown that bone mineral density (BMD) in burn patients is decreased when compared to the normal population. Little is known about the frequency, severity, or duration of these changes. The purpose of this study was to describe body-composition changes over time after burn injury. Materials and methods Twenty-nine burn patients participated in this study. Portable dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (pDEXA) measuring forearm BMD, fat, and lean mass was obtained as soon as possible after admission and repeated bi-weekly until discharge and, when possible, for 2 years post-injury. The scan showing the greatest change in BMD, fat, or lean mass was compared to the baseline scan for each individual. Results Although lean and fat mass did not change significantly after injury, BMD decreased significantly. The greatest change in BMD did not occur during the acute burn hospitalization, but rather 131 days after burn injury. Changes in post-burn BMD inversely correlated with % total body surface area (TBSA) and % 3rd-degree TBSA. The magnitude of change was similar between adults and children. Conclusions These results confirm earlier studies, suggesting that BMD can be negatively altered post-injury, with the greatest changes occurring after patients are discharged from the hospital. Although the clinical significance of these changes is not known, this study supports the need for long-term musculoskeletal assessments in burn patients and for further research to elucidate the mechanisms of burn-induced body-composition changes.
Constraining Protein Sequence Space: Four Amino Acid Alphabets Are Sufficient to Recapitulate Lambda Repressor Multimerization

Abstract Nucleic acid polymers selected from random sequence space constitute an enormous array of catalytic, diagnostic and therapeutic molecules. Despite the fact that proteins are robust polymers with far greater chemical and physical diversity, success in unlocking protein sequence space remains elusive. We have devised a combinatorial strategy for accessing nucleic acid sequence space corresponding to proteins comprising selected amino acid alphabets. Using the SynthOMIC approach (synthesis of ORFs by multimerizing in-frame codons), representative libraries comprising four amino acid alphabets were fused in-frame to the lambda repressor DNA-binding domain to provide an in vivo selection for self-interacting proteins that re-constitute lambda repressor function. The frequency of self-interactors as a function of amino acid composition ranged over five orders of magnitude, from ∼6% of clones in a library comprising the amino acid residues LARE to ∼0.6 in 10 6 in the MASH library. Sequence motifs were evident by inspection in many cases, and individual clones from each library presented substantial sequence identity with translated proteins by BLAST analysis. We posit that the SynthOMIC approach represents a powerful strategy for creating combinatorial libraries of open reading frames that distils protein sequence space on the basis of three inherent properties: it supports the use of selected amino acid alphabets, eliminates redundant sequences and locally constrains amino acids.
Virtual Patients and Problem-Based Learning in Advanced Therapeutics

Objective. To enhance student learning of a complex therapeutic concept through the incorporation of 2 case-based, active-learning strategies with lecture in a required advanced therapeutics course...
Imaging strategies with scintillating fibers detectors: issues and preliminary results

Detectors of varying dimensions and geometry may be built using plastic scintillating optical fibers. This paper presents a study of the imaging properties of these detectors, directed at assessing the relative advantages of different designs. To this end, the radionuclide source distribution in the object is reconstructed by solving the inverse problem, using generalized matrix inversion. Photon detection matrices, as is well known, are ill-conditioned, a problem which may be dealt with by using truncated singular value decomposition. The design of the imaging device is investigated in term of minimizing these effects on the system matrix, and the effect of different geometric design parameters is examined. Experimental data obtained with small-scale cylindrical and planar devices are presented for different collimation schemes.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Soil Water Modeling and Remote Sensing

Soil water modeling research conducted as part of the AgRISTARS Soil Moisture project was reviewed along with other relevant studies. Research was categorized as follows: reviews of models, development of simulation models, integrating remotely sensed data and models, surface versus profile soil moisture, and estimating soil water properties. This review and evaluation found that some of the major objectives of the program were satisfied and that several of the results represent significant contributions to the science.