cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cyclophilin Dynamics and Catalysis are Mechanistically Linked

Millisecond motions in the cyclophilin active site correlate with the overall enzymatic turnover, but the structural nature of the conformational change has not yet been defined. Stringent analysis of ultra-high resolution crystal structures of the free enzyme, together with NMR chemical shift information, suggested that a single side-chain may be responsible for the observed dynamics. A mutation designed to restrict this motion indeed severely reduces the rate of the active-site motions and, strikingly, catalysis by the same amount as measured by NMR relaxation dispersion experiments. The reduction in catalytic power by restricting active site motions is on the same order as mutating the active site Arg responsible for the chemical step. These results illustrate on an atomic level how both dynamics and chemistry contribute to catalytic efficiency.
New science on the Open Science Grid

The Open Science Grid (OSG) includes work to enable new science, new scientists, and new modalities in support of computationally based research. There are frequently significant sociological and organizational changes required in transformation from the existing to the new. OSG leverages its deliverables to the large-scale physics experiment member communities to benefit new communities at all scales through activities in education, engagement, and the distributed facility. This paper gives both a brief general description and specific examples of new science enabled on the OSG. More information is available at the OSG web site: www.opensciencegrid.org.
Use of an outpatient medical record audit to achieve educational objectives: changes in residents' performances over six years.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of a process whereby a faculty-resident committee annually audits outpatient record keeping and preventive care practices and provides feedback to resident physicians. Design:Pre- and postfeedback audits with interventions and observations repeated over six consecutive academic years. Setting:The adult primary care practice of housestaff in a university-affiliated hospital. Subjects:All 139 physicians in an internal medicine residency program from 1981–82 through 1986–87, of whom 37 were present for three consecutive years. Intervention:Each year, residents were given individualized, detailed, typewritten feedback based on audits of their outpatient records. Measurements and main results:Each resident physician had a minimum of four (mean 5.2) outpatient records per year audited against standards for record-keeping practices and the provision of preventive care. Overall performance scores for each resident audit improved from a mean of 39.7±12.3 (SD) in 1981–82 to a mean of 58.5±14.1 (SD) in 1986–87 (possible range 0 to 100, observed range 9.4 to 86.6). The overall performance scores of individual residents, who received two cycles of feedback, improved an average of 11.5 (95% confidence limits 7.6, 15.3), from a mean of 48.4±11.4 (SD) during their first year of residency to 59.8±13.9 (SD) during their third year. General (primary care) and traditional-track residents improved at similar rates, although mean performance scores were consistently higher for general than for traditional-track residents. Analysis of variance revealed that all changes and differences were statistically significant. Conclusions:An ongoing chart audit and feedback system can be associated with improvements both in the performance of individual residents and in the long-term performance of a residency program.
Real‐Time SLAM with Octree Evidence Grids for Exploration in Underwater Tunnels

We describe a simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) method for a hovering underwater vehicle that will explore underwater caves and tunnels, a true three-dimensional (3D) environment. Our method consists of a Rao-Blackwellized particle filter with a 3D evidence grid map representation. We describe a procedure for dynamically adjusting the number of particles to provide real-time performance. We also describe how we adjust the particle filter prediction step to accommodate sensor degradation or failure. We present an efficient octree data structure that makes it feasible to maintain the hundreds of maps needed by the particle filter to accurately model large environments. This octree structure can exploit spatial locality and temporal shared ancestry between particles to reduce the processing and storage requirements. To test our SLAM method, we utilize data collected with manually deployed sonar mapping vehicles in the Wakulla Springs cave system in Florida and the Sistema Zacato´n in Mexico, as well as data collected by the DEPTHX vehicle in the test tank at the Austin Applied Research Laboratory. We demonstrate our mapping and localization approach with these real-world datasets. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate on the incorporation of 3H-leucine into polypeptides by beef thyroid polysomes in vitro.

Polysomes were isolated from beef thyroids and then analyzed in a cell-free system in order to determine whether adenosine 3′,5′- cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) was capable of eliciting a direct effect on protein synthesis. When concentrations of ATP and GTP were present which resulted in optimal incorporation of 3H-leucine into protein in vitro (i.e., 1 and 1.6 mM, respectively), addition of cAMP to the cellfree system did not cause an increase in protein synthesis. On the other hand, when suboptimal amounts of GTP were used in the system, addition of cAMP resulted in a slight stimulation of 3H-leucine incorporation. Similarly, if ATP was omitted from the incubation mixtures, cAMP caused up to a 2-fold increase in the rate of protein synthesis. Under optimal conditions for protein synthesis, a decrease in incorporation was observed by the addition of cAMP, dibutyryl cAMP or 5′-AMP. This fact, together with the removal of inhibition by cAMP in the presence of theophylline, suggests that degradation products ...
Have voluntary divestitures of US corporations increased shareholder wealth? Empirical evidence from the life cycle

Stock price performance resulting from voluntary divestiture has been shown to vary depending upon the motivation for divestiture. In a previous study it was shown that voluntary divestiture motivations depend on the life-cycle stage of the divestor. The present study shows that stock price performance surrounding a divestiture announcement depends on the life-cycle stage of the divesting firm, with firms in the later life-cycle stages generally performing more poorly than firms in earlier life-cycle stages. No group was shown, however, to generate significant positive cumulative average residuals over the observation period when compared to an appropriately matched control group.
Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function

Patients can have diastolic dysfunction with or without a depressed ejection fraction. The measurements used as the gold standard for diagnosing diastolic dysfunction are obtained by cardiac catheterization, which is not practical. Echocardiography has emerged among the noninvasive imaging modalities as the most versatile method for day-to-day use in clinical laboratories. This article summarizes the available techniques, with emphasis on the clinical application of each method.
Respiratory viral testing: New frontiers in diagnostics and implications for antimicrobial stewardship

Millions of patients visit the doctor or emergency department annually for illnesses attributed to respiratory viruses, including influenza,1 but accurate and focused antimicrobial therapy often pr...
The Dreadnought and the Edwardian Age. Edited by Robert J. Blyth , Andrew Lambert , and Jan Rüger . (Farnham, England: Ashgate, 2011. Pp. xiv, 244. $124.95.)

From the start, HMS Dreadnought was an iconic vessel, larger and faster than any previous capital ship. Its commissioning rendered all existing battleships obsolete, thus marking the divide between...
Role of positive end‐expiratory pressure changes on functional residual capacity in surfactant treated preterm infants

Both surfactant replacement and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) increase lung volume in infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). We measured pulmonary mechanics and functional residual capacity (FRC) in 21 preterm infants with RDS, > 48 hr post-surfactant therapy (BW, 1,168 +/- 441 g; GA, 28.3 +/- 2.8 weeks; postnatal age, 3-7 days). A non-linear but significant increase in mean FRC was noted as PEEP increased from 2 to 5 cmH2O: 18.4 +/- 4.7 mL/kg at 2 cmH2O; 19.7 +/- 4.3 mL at 3 cmH2O; 22.6 +/- 5.5 ml/kg at 4 cmH2O; and 26.2 +/- 6.2 mL/kg at 5 cmH2O (P < 0.01). Because of the synergistic combined effect on lung volume, surfactant treated neonates should be weaned cautiously from PEEP during ventilatory management. Our study also suggests that the occurrence of inadvertent end-distending pressure during FRC measurement in the ventilated neonate lead to erroneous results.
Comparative physiology of the Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) and the Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta Stelleri)

Abstract 1. 1. Minimum daily water requirements, standard metabolic rate, total and respiratory evaporative water loss, and the role of the unfeathered tarsi in the regulation of body temperature in the Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens obscura) and the Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stellen frontalis) were compared. 2. 2. When provided with Tenebrio larvae, Scrub Jays were able to maintain a constant body weight in the absence of drinking water whereas the Steller's Jay required 1.1% of body weight per day. 3. 3. Scrub Jays had a much wider thermoneutral zone (12.4–24.0°C) than did Steller's Jays (28.0–31.8°C). There was no significant difference in the standard metabolic rate within the thermoneutral zone or in evaporative water loss rates of the two species. 4. 4. The unfeathered tarsi appear to be important sites of non-evaporative heat loss during activity in both species. The ability to utilize the tarsi as heat dissipators at high ambient temperatures appears best developed in the Scrub Jay. 5. 5. Allopatry between the two species may be maintained by combination of behavioral and physiological differences.
Clinical care outcomes in abdominal wall defects

Purpose of reviewAbdominal wall defects comprising both gastroschisis and omphalocele remain a source of significant morbidity and mortality, despite the advances in neonatal and pediatric surgical care. Survival has improved over the past few decades, especially with parenteral nutrition and surgic
Paleomagnetic constraints on deformation models for uppermost oceanic crust exposed at the Hess Deep Rift: Implications for axial processes at the East Pacific Rise

[1] Studies of oceanic crust exposed in tectonic windows and in ophiolites have revealed the importance of normal faulting and attendant tilting of upper crustal rock units in the accretion process at oceanic spreading centers. We present paleomagnetic remanence data from 45 fully oriented samples from dikes, gabbros and a small number of basaltic lavas from fast spread crust exposed along the Hess Deep Rift. Over ∼25 km along this escarpment, dikes and dike-subparallel fault zones dip consistently away from the East Pacific Rise (EPR) while lava flows dip toward the ridge. Underlying gabbro is less deformed but contains widely spaced, low-angle fractures, tentatively interpreted as shear zones. As expected from the crustal age (∼1.07–1.48 Ma), most remanence data indicate reversed polarity magnetization and are compatible with the expected range of secular variation at the site. Overly steep and directionally scattered gabbro remanence and observed low-angle shear structures within this unit are tentatively interpreted as the manifestation of three-dimensional strain along anastomosing shear zones. Although some remanence directions are incompatible with any plausible deformation history, and thus likely reflect orientation errors, the overall data set is consistent with a model involving sequential rotations on (1) outward dipping, EPR-parallel (∼N-S) normal faults and (2) Hess Deep Rift-parallel (∼E-W) normal faults Average rotations for these sequential events are 22° to the east (defined by the mean dike attitude) and 10° to the south (estimated by bathymetry), respectively. This model best explains the remanence data, observed dikes and lava orientations, presence of dike-parallel fault zones, and the observation of steep, little deformed dikes cutting both east dipping dikes and faults. The data support a structural model for spreading at the EPR in which outcrop-scale faulting and rotation is linked to subaxial subsidence and to consequent development of dominantly outward facing normal faults close to the spreading axis. Because these faults form within the neovolcanic zone, they are subject to burial and are expected to have subdued to little surface expression.
SEASONAL VARIATION IN SIGNS OF VITAMIN-A DEFICIENCY IN RURAL WEST BENGAL CHILDREN

Abstract Marked variation in the seasonal prevalence of the signs of vitamin-A deficiency was apparent in a village of West Bengal over a period of a year and a half. This was demonstrated in a group of 312 children (aged 0-4 years) who were continuously studied by weekly morbidity history and monthly physical examinations. They showed two definite peaks of vitamin-A deficiency—one in November-December and the other in May-June. The two sexes did not differ significantly. The rise and fall in the prevalence does not seem to be fully explained by variation in intake of vitamin A. Possibly this variation is also associated with seasonal variation in growth, related to total food intake.
Some PH bond substitution derivatives and fluxionality of Cp2Mo2(μ-H)(μ-PHPh)(CO)4

Reaction of PH,Ph with CpzMoz(CO), (M-MO) results in sequential formation of cp,Mo,(CO),(PHzPh)z and fluxional Cp,Mo,(p-HXP-PHPhXCO&. Proton abstraction from Cp,Mo,(p-HXF-PHPhXC0)4 affords [Cp,Mo,(p-PHPhXCO),l- while reaction with [Ph$Z’F~l yields fluxional Cp,Mo&HXF-PFPhXCO)g.
IMPACTS OF WATER USE EFFICIENCY ON ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

: To help meet national energy demands, interest has been focused on the coal, oil shale, and uranium deposits of the Upper Colorado River Basin. Several energy output projections for the basin have been presented based upon water availability. Inherent in all these analyses are estimates as to the rate of water use in each energy development. New energy technologies are characterized by parameters extrapolated from small scale energy facilities. The data provide projected costs, conversion efficiencies, and material inputs and outputs. Alternative techniques for process cooling and solids handling provide variable rates of water use which affect other conversion parameters. Results from a mathematical model are used in analyzing the sensitivity of an optimal energy development strategy for the Upper Colorado River Basin. The impacts of alternative water use rates are investigated in terms of net energy output, total cost, and displacements in the development strategy. Similarly, controls and regulations on energy resource development are evaluated.
[125I]SNF 8702: a selective radioligand for CCKB receptors.

Abstract The CCK-8 analogue, SNF 8702, was radioiodinated. [ 125 I]SNF 8702 showed high-affinity specific binding for both guinea pig and mouse brain tissues, whereas no specific binding was seen for guinea pig pancreatic tissue. The properties of the site labeled by [ 125 I]SNF 8702 were characterized by binding inhibition studies for a series of CCK A and CCK B receptor ligands. The binding selectivity profile corresponded to that for the CCK B receptor. The labeled compound is stable for more than 6 weeks during storage at −20°C.
Effects of intraventricular glutamic acid on the acquisition, performance, and extinction of an operant response, and on general activity.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of intracerebral injections of glutamic acid on acquisition and extinction of a bar-press response, performance of that response, and behavioral activity. Nineteen food-deprived rats bearing chronic ventricular cannulae were tested in operant conditioning chambers or in an open field. Just prior to each testing session each animal was injected intraventricularly with 10 μl of either normal or acidified saline solution (control groups), or 10 μl of 100 mMol glutamic acid solution. Acquisition of the bar-pressing response by the glutamic acid group was significantly retarded as compared to the control groups, and the responding of the glutamic acid group was suppressed during the beginning of the first few sessions of testing on a fixedinterval schedule and during extinction. Other behavioral measures, such as operant level, performance of the response on a continuous schedule, performance on fixed-interval and extinction schedules except during the start of the first few sessions, and behavioral activity, were either unaffected or only slightly affected. It is concluded that interference with the normal neurophysiological activity of glutamic acid in the central nervous system interferes with learning and suppresses behavioral output in certain situations.
Stretch-Induced MAP Kinase Activation in Cardiac Myocytes: Differential Regulation through β1-Integrin and Focal Adhesion Kinase

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases have been implicated in hemodynamic load induced heart failure. Both angiotensin II (Ang II) and mechanical stretch activate MAP kinases in cardiac myocytes. In this study, we used a neonatal rat ventricular myocyte (NRVM) model to determine the role of focal-adhesion kinase (FAK) in beta1 integrin mediated MAP kinase activation in response to mechanical stretch in presence and absence of Ang II receptor blockade (ATB). NRVM plated on deformable membranes coated with collagen IV were exposed to 20% equiaxial static-stretch. beta1 integrin signaling was blocked by adenovirus-mediated expression of a dominant-negative form of beta1D integrin (tac-beta1D). FAK signaling was disrupted by infecting NRVM with adenovirus expressing FAK-related non-kinase (FRNK). Western blot analysis was used to assess the phosphorylation of MAP kinases. In the presence and absence of ATB, mechanical stretch caused maximal phosphorylation of ERK, p38 and JNK at 5 min, which was significantly attenuated in NRVM expressing tac-beta1D. In the presence of ATB, FRNK overexpression significantly increased basal phosphorylation of ERK (40.2+/-8.6% P<0.05), p38 (39.5+/-11.7%, P<0.05), JNK (86+/-29.4%, P<0.05) and stretch-induced p38 (48.1+/-8.7%, P<0.05) and JNK (85.0+/-19.4%, P<0.05) phosphorylation. However, in the absence of ATB, FRNK overexpression significantly reduced basal and stretch-induced phosphorylation of only ERK. Examination of FAK activation revealed that beta1 integrin was required for stretch-induced phosphorylation of FAK at Y397 and Y925, but not Y861. In summary, mechanical stretch-activated ERK1/2, p38 and JNK through FAK independent and dependent mechanisms. Beta1 integrin was required for FAK independent activation of all three MAP kinases, whereas cross-talk between beta1 integrin and Ang II receptors mediated FAK dependent regulation of ERK1/2.
Usefulness of Holter monitoring for detecting myocardial ischemia in patients with nondiagnostic exercise treadmill test.

Abstract To determine if Holter monitoring can predict cardiac risk in patients when the exercise test is nondiagnostic, a total of 90 eligible patients were monitored for 24 hours after their exercise test without alterations in baseline medications. Prospective follow-up was obtained and events were confirmed by investigators unaware of subjects' clinical data. Nineteen patients (21%) had a total of 71 episodes of ST depression, all of which were asymptomatic. During a mean follow-up of 719 days, there were 10 patients with adverse events: 3 with cardiac deaths, 3 with nonfatal myocardial infarctions, and 4 with admissions for unstable angina. Of the 10 adverse events, 9 occurred in the group of 19 with ST depression detected by Holter (relative risk 34, 95% confidence interval 10 to 114). The sensitivity of ST depression was 90%, the specificity 88%, the predictive positive value 47%, and the predictive negative value 99%. In a multivariate Cox proportional-hazards model that controlled for prior history of coronary artery disease, hypercholesterolemia, and all exercise test variables, the presence of ST depression detected by Holter was the only independent predictor of outcome. In patients with nondiagnostic exercise tests, ST depression detected by Holter monitoring identified those with an increased risk of adverse cardiac events: The absence of ST depression detected by Holter was a useful predictor of low risk.
Effects of Ground, Steam-Flaked, and Steam-Rolled Corn Grains on Performance of Lactating Cows

Five types of processed corn were compared to determine the effects of processing on lactational performance and nutrient digestibilities in dairy cows. Forty lactating Holstein cows averaging 160 +/- 60 d in milk were randomly divided into five groups on the basis of pretreatment milk yields and were fed diets containing 40% corn grain for 56 d. Treatments were 1) finely ground corn, 2) coarsely ground corn, 3) steam-flaked corn at a low density, 4) steam-flaked corn at a medium density, and 5) steam-rolled corn. Cows fed the diet containing steam-flaked corn at a medium density had a higher milk yield (37.1 kg/d) than did cows fed the diets containing coarsely ground corn, steam-flaked corn at a low density, or steam-rolled corn; cows fed the diet containing finely ground corn had an intermediate milk yield (35.5 kg/d). Efficiency of feed utilization was greater, and dry matter intake was lower, for cows fed the diet containing finely ground corn than for cows fed the other diets. The fat content of milk was higher for cows fed the diets containing coarsely ground corn and steam-rolled corn than for cows fed the diet containing steam-flaked corn at a medium density. Milk protein and SNF contents and yields of protein, lactose, and SNF did not differ among diets. Apparent starch digestibilities in the total digestive tract were lower for diets containing coarsely ground corn (87.4%) and steam-rolled corn (91.3%) than for the other diets (X = 96.3%). Milk yield was highest for cows fed the diet containing steam-flaked corn with a medium density. Fine grinding resulted in the greatest efficiency of feed utilization.
Culturally Responsible Pedagogy: “The Case of Joséfina Guzman’∗

∗ Portions of this article are reproduced, with permission, from Huber, Hieger & Parsed (1992).
1734 CYTOLOGY OF ENDOTRACHEAL ASPIRATES IN NEONATES WITH RESPIRATORY DISTRESS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate cytologic changes in neonates with respiratory distress who develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). 141 tracheal aspirates were obtained from 37 intubated neonates. 25 neonates had HMD. The GA ranged from 25-43 wks and B.W. from 680-4522 gms. All intubated infants developed reactive cellular changes including sheets of orderly columnar cells with round nuclei exhibiting a fine chromatin pattern with discreet nucleoli, predominance of columnar cells in various stages of degeneration and few mature squamous cells. Early changes of BPD (4 of 37 infants) was characterized by small sheets of normal immature metaplastic cells. As BPD progressed, nuclear atypia became evident. With severe BPD, there was a predominance of mature squamous epithelium,, only occasional columnar cells and isolated atypical metaplastic cells. Cytologic screening of infants with respiratory distress may be useful not only to diagnose pneumonia, but also for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in terms of the development of BPD. Cytology may also be useful to evaluate new preventive treatment regimens of BPD.
Structural stability of andesite volcanoes and lava domes

Slope failures resulting from structural instability of andesitic volcanic edifices can generate mobile debris avalanches that travel long distances down or beyond the flanks of volcanoes. More than 20 major slope failures have occurred worldwide over the past 500 years, a rate exceeding that of caldera collapse. Hazards derive from the debris avalanches themselves, from associated explosive activity that ranges from vertical eruptions (often accompanied by pyroclastic currents) to devastating directed blasts, from associated lahars, and from tsunamis. Collapses of growing lava domes are more frequent, are similar, in many ways, to edifice collapse, and can directly generate devastating pyroclastic currents. This paper examines some aspects of current understanding of edifice and lavadome instability. The primary focus of the presentation is on mechanisms and factors associated with collapse, the geometric factors, augmented loading by magma, localized strength reduction by physical and chemical changes (the latter commonly associated with hydrothermal processes), strain weakening, pore-fluid (water or gas) pressure enhancement, retrogressive failure, time-dependent failure, and seismic shaking. Some aspects of material property evaluation, analysis procedures, and implications on monitoring are also discussed. Case examples discussed include edifice instability at Mt St Helens, USA, and Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat, the stability of lava spines at Mont Pelee, Martinique, and Lamington, Papua New Guinea, and lavadome stability at Soufriere Hills. The topics bear on understanding hazardous edifice and dome failures, and the measures to anticipate such failures.
Analysis and experiments for composite laminates with holes and subjected to 4-point bending

Analytical and experimental results are presented for composite laminates with a hole and subjected to four-point bending. A finite-plate analysis is used to predict moment and strain distributions for six-layer quasi-isotropic laminates and transverse-ply laminates. Experimental data are compared with the analytical results. Experimental and analytical strain results show good agreement for the quasi-isotropic laminates. Failure of the two types of composite laminates is described, and failure strain results are presented as a function of normalized hole diameter. The failure results suggest that the initial failure mechanism for laminates subjected to four-point bending are similar to the initial failure mechanisms for corresponding laminates subjected to uniaxial inplane loadings.
Characteristics for a salt-bridge switch mutation of the alpha(1b) adrenergic receptor. Altered pharmacology and rescue of constitutive activity.

Agonist-dependent activation of the α1-adrenergic receptor is postulated to be initiated by disruption of an interhelical salt-bridge constraint between an aspartic acid (Asp-125) and a lysine residue (Lys-331) in transmembrane domains three and seven, respectively. Single point mutations that disrupt the charges of either of these residues results in constitutive activity. To validate this hypothesis, we used site-directed mutagenesis to switch the position of these amino acids to observe, if possible, regeneration of the salt-bridge reverses that the constitutive activity of the single point mutations. The transiently expressed switch mutant receptor displayed an altered pharmacological profile. The affinity of selective α1b-adrenergic receptor antagonists for the switch mutant (D125K/K331D) was no different from the wild-type α1b-adrenergic receptor, suggesting that both receptors are maintaining similar tertiary structures in the cell membrane. However, there was a significant 4–6-fold decrease in the affinity of protonated amine receptor agonists and a 3–6-fold increase in the affinity of carboxylated catechol derivatives for the switch mutant compared with the wild-type α1b-adrenergic receptor. This pharmacology is consistent with a reversed charge at position 125 in transmembrane domain three. Interestingly, the ability of either a negatively or positively charged agonist to generate soluble inositol phosphates was similar for both types of receptors. Finally, the switch mutant (D125K/K331D) displayed similar basal signaling activity as the wild-type receptor, reversing the constitutive activity of the single point mutations (D125K and K331D). This suggests an ionic constraint has been reformed in the switch mutant analogous to the restraint previously described for the wild-type α1b-adrenergic receptor. These results strongly establish the disruption of an electrostatic interaction as an initial step in the agonist-dependent activation of α1-adrenergic receptors.
Optimal load distribution in large scale WLAN networks utilizing a power management algorithm

In this paper we present an algorithm, based on power management of access points (AP), to reduce congestion in wireless local area networks (WLANs). The algorithm finds the most congested access point (MCAP) and adjusts its transmitted power in discrete steps and determines the optimal userspsila assignment such that an optimal load distribution is achieved. Results show that the algorithm is capable of significantly reducing the overall congestion in the WLAN.
Partial Integrability as the Basis for the Existence of Entropy in Irreversible Systems

The concept of internal forces of the first and second kind is introduced and discussed. The physical basis for thermodynamic inaccessibility is established. The existence of entropy for irreversible systems is then proved on the basis of the concept of ‚partial integrability’ of Pfaffian forms. Evolution equations for the internal variables are thereby proposed and discussed. Es wird der Begriff der inneren Krafte erster und zweiter Art eingefuhrt und diskutiert. Die physikalische Grundlage fur die thermodynamische Unzuganglichkeit wird aufgestellt. Auf der Basis des Konzepts der „partiellen Integrabilitat” der Pfaffschen Form wird dann die Existenz der Entropie fur irreversible Systeme bewiesen. Dabei werden Evolutionsgleichungen fur die inneren Variablen vorgeschlagen und diskutiert.
Effect of parathyroid hormone on myocardial energy metabolism in the rat

Abstract Effect of parathyroid hormone on myocardial energy metabolism in the rat. This study examined the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on myocardial energy production, transfer, and utilization. Rats (150 to 200 g) were injected with 1-84 PTH, 200 U/day i.p., or 1-34 PTH, 200 or 300 U/day i.p., for 4 days. Control animals received the vehicle only. The effect of the simultaneous administration of calcium channel blocker, verapamil, was also examined. Myocardial contents of Pi, ATP, and CP were significantly (P Effet de l'hormone parathyroidienne sur le metabolisme energetique myocardique chez le rat. Cette etude a examine l'effet de l'hormone parathyroidienne (PTH) sur la production, le transfert et l'utilisation de l'energie myocardique. Des rats (150 a 200 g) ont recu des injections de PTH 1–84, 200 U/jour i.p., ou de PTH 1–34, 200 ou 300/jour i.p., pendant 4 jours. Les animaux controles ont recu le solvant seulement. L'effet de l'administration simultanee d'un bloqueur des canaux calciques, le verapamil, a aussi ete etudie. Le contenu myocardique en Pi, ATP, et CP etait significativement (P
Monte Carlo and analytical model predictions of leakage neutron exposures from passively scattered proton therapy

Purpose: Stray neutron radiation is of concern after radiation therapy, especially in children, because of the high risk it might carry for secondary cancers. Several previous studies predicted the stray neutron exposure from proton therapy, mostly using Monte Carlo simulations. Promising attempts to develop analytical models have also been reported, but these were limited to only a few proton beam energies. The purpose of this study was to develop an analytical model to predict leakage neutron equivalent dose from passively scattered proton beams in the 100-250-MeV interval. Methods: To develop and validate the analytical model, the authors used values of equivalent dose per therapeutic absorbed dose (H/D) predicted with Monte Carlo simulations. The authors also characterized the behavior of the mean neutron radiation-weighting factor, wR¯, as a function of depth in a water phantom and distance from the beam central axis. Results: The simulated and analytical predictions agreed well. On average, the percentage difference between the analytical model and the Monte Carlo simulations was 10% for the energies and positions studied. The authors found that wR¯ was highest at the shallowest depth and decreased with depth until around 10 cm, where it started to increase slowly with depth. This was consistent among all energies. Conclusion: Simple analytical methods are promising alternatives to complex and slow Monte Carlo simulations to predict H/D values. The authors' results also provide improved understanding of the behavior of wR¯ which strongly depends on depth, but is nearly independent of lateral distance from the beam central axis.
Comorbid psychiatric disorders and alcohol-related injury among adolescents and young adults treated in emergency departments

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and comorbidity of psychiatric disorders among 12-20 year-old patients treated in emergency departments. Methods: Two hundred-fifteen adolescents and young adults were recruited on weekends from two Level- 1 trauma facilities located within a University-based medical center. Comprehensive psychiatric interviews were conducted with participants outside the emergency department. Latent class analysis was used to determine participant clusters based on DSM-IV psychiatric diagnoses and emergency treatment for an alcohol-related medical event as indicator variables, while controlling for covariates. Results: A three-cluster model: (1) n = 90,42%; (2) n = 65, 31%; and (3) n = 57 (27%) provided the best fit to the data. None of the participants in Cluster 1 were treated for alcohol-related events. All members of Cluster 2 were treated for alcohol-related events but only 23% were diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder. Thirty-two members of Cluster 3 (56%) were treated for alcohol-related events and Cluster 3 members were significantly higher than members of Clusters 1 and 2 on rates of: (1) alcohol use disorders (Wald statistic = 30.1, p <.001), (2) drug use disorders (Wald statistic = 42.3, p <.001), and 3) disruptive behavior disorders (Wald statistic = 19.3, p <.001). Conclusions: One group treated in the ED in this study is at low risk for alcohol-related injury. Conversely, one at risk-group may require brief interventions of low intensity while the other at-risk group displays high rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders and frequently engages in risk-taking behaviors, placing them at highest-risk for experiencing alcohol-related injuries. Reduction of alcohol-related injuries in young drinkers depends on differentiating high and low risk drinkers in the emergency department and providing, or referring them to appropriate treatment.
Geographic and time trends of coffee imports and bladder cancer

Abstract Bladder cancer incidence rates were related to per capita coffee imports for ten countries and time trends in these variables were analyzed for the United States and Denmark. Among the ten countries, there was a weak positive association between coffee and bladder cancer for both men and women. There was a weak positive correlation of the time trends of coffee imports and bladder cancer incidence for men, but not women, in the United States. The trend of coffee imports for Denmark was dissimilar to both male and female trends in bladder cancer incidence. Because the relationships observed are neither strong nor consistent in direction, these results provide little support for an association of coffee drinking with the development of bladder cancer.
Use of U-Pb geochronology to identify successive, spatially overlapping tectonic episodes during Silurian-Devonian orogenesis in south-central Maine, USA

Silurian-Devonian orogenesis formed the dominant metamorphic and deformational features recorded in the south-central Maine portion of the northern Appalachians. New U-Pb ages for metamorphic monazite and zircon from this high-grade segment of the orogen, coupled with new and previously published igneous and metamorphic ages, reveal the presence of three distinct tectono-metamorphic zones. All three zones experienced an early phase or phases of contractional deformation in the Late Silurian to Early Devonian. In the Eastern and Central Zones, this contractional deformation was synchronous with low-pressure, amphibo-lite-facies metamorphism and accompanied by plutonism in the Central Zone during the waning stages of this phase. Beginning in Middle Devonian time, the kinematics of deformation in the Central and Western Zones became strongly transpressive, accompanied by low-pressure, amphibolite-facies metamorphism and plutonism. The Eastern Zone underwent no dextral transpression or amphibolite-facies metamorphism during this later event. Contemporaneous, spatially partitioned contractional and transcurrent strain is a feature of many transpressional orogens, but in south-central Maine, more than 30 m.y. passed between the peaks of the older contractional and younger dextral deformational episodes. Therefore, the system does not reflect contemporaneous strain partitioning as in a transpressional regime. Rather, our results, along with regional records of Late Silurian-Early Devonian sinistral and Middle Devonian dextral deformation features, are consistent with a significant change in plate kinematics between 430 and 370 Ma.
Equivalence of continuum and discrete methods of shape design sensitivity analysis

Comparaison de deux methodes d'analyse de sensibilite a la conception: la premiere part d'une modelisation par elements finis de la structure discretisee telle que la matrice de rigidite est derivee soit par une methode des differences finies, soit analytiquement, soit par une methode semi-analytique; la seconde part d'un modele de milieu continu ou des grandeurs naturelles physiques apparaissent exprimees sous forme integrale. L'analyse est continuee de maniere numerique. Ces deux methodes ne sont pas equivalentes
Estimation of linear functionals by maximum likelihood

SUMMARY A classical problem of stereology is estimation of linear functionals of particle size distributions from intersections on planar probes. The maximum likelihood method of estimation is outlined and compared with classical linear methods and with numerical interpolation methods. A population of spherical particles is distributed in an infinite matrix with position defined by a Poisson field. Diameters of circular intersections on a planar probe constitute a generalized Poisson process. Maximum likelihood theory fits a parametric family of planar density functions to observed diameter frequency data. The integral of an appropriate kernel with respect to the fitted density function is the linear functional estimate. The approach can handle composite data involving observation at several magnifications. Estimation of complementary cumulative density of pores in uranium oxide fuel pellets illustrates the maximum likelihood method of data collected with two microscopes at four magnifications.
In Vivo Circadian Oscillation of dCREB2 and NF-κB Activity in the Drosophila Nervous System

cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) are two ubiquitous transcription factors involved in a wide number of cellular processes, including the circadian system. Many previous studies on these factors use cellular assays that provide limited information on circadian activity or anatomical specificity. The ability to study transcription factors in defined tissue within intact animals will help to bridge the gap between cellular and in vivo data. We have used the GAL4-UAS and FLP-FRT systems to gain spatial control over reporter gene expression. Using a luciferase-based reporter, we show in vivo that Drosophila dCREB2- and NF-κB-mediated transcription oscillates in neuronal cells, glia, and in the mushroom body, a higher-order brain center in flies. This oscillation is under circadian control, cycling with a 24-hour rhythm, under both light-dark and dark-dark conditions. In light-light conditions, dCREB2 and NF-κB reporter flies exhibit a suppression of rhythmic activity. Furthermore, neuronal cycling of dCREB2 and NF-κB activity are modulated in period mutant flies, indicating these oscillations are controlled through the central clock. This study shows for the first time region-specific circadian oscillation of dCREB2/NF-κB activity in the Drosophila nervous system.
The actions of thioguanine in Bacillus cereus.

Abstract The effects of the guanine analog, 6-thioguanine, have been evaluated in exponentially growing cultures of Bacillus cereus . The drug produced growth inhibition instantly, the duration but not the degree of which was related to the inhibitor concentration. Guanine prevented completely thioguanine-induced growth inhibition, in a competitive manner, whereas adenine and hypoxanthine were incapable of abolishing the inhibitory actions. Although thioguanine was anabolized into the ribomononucleotide, the quantity of drug incorporated into nucleic acids was extremely small. It is unlikely that this incorporation was responsible for growth inhibition. The drug was readily desulfurated and the sulfur portion incorporated into proteins. Thioguanine usually depressed the formation of protein and DNA in accordance with the decreased formation of cell mass, but RNA synthesis was decreased by a greater extent. Uracil incorporation into RNA pyrimidines was more specifically depressed than was RNA synthesis, whereas the conversion of orotic acid into RNA pyrimidines was enhanced during growth with thioguanine. The incorporation of amino acids into proteins was not specifically affected by drug treatment, but considerable fluctuations in replicate experiments were observed. The induction of penicillinase was unaltered by the analog. Bacterial flagella formation, on the other hand, was largely abolished, and the conversion of diaminopimelic acid into cell wall was decreased. In comparison experiments with the structurally closely related drug 6-mercaptopurine, that analog produced very similar biochemical actions as did thioguanine on nucleic acid and protein biosynthesis. The two drugs differed markedly, however, in the ability of purines to antagonize their growth-inhibitory properties. Other dissimilarities between the drugs included a lack of inhibitory effect by mercaptopurine (but not thioguanine) on guanine incorporation and a lesser enhancement of orotic acid incorporation into RNA pyrimidines in the presence of mercaptopurine. It is postulated that thioguanine and mercaptopurine produce a selectively damaging effect on the nucleic acids of B. cereus , perhaps on DNA, which leads to reduction of RNA synthesis and impairment of the formation of specific proteins.
The question of simultaneity in multisensory integration

Early reports of audiovisual (AV) multisensory integration (MI) indicated that unisensory stimuli must evoke simultaneous physiological responses to produce decreases in reaction time (RT) such that for unisensory stimuli with unequal RTs the stimulus eliciting the faster RT had to be delayed relative to the stimulus eliciting the slower RT. The "temporal rule" states that MI depends on the temporal proximity of unisensory stimuli, the neural responses to which must fall within a window of integration. Ecological validity demands that MI should occur only for simultaneous events (which may give rise to non-simultaneous neural activations). However, spurious neural response simultaneities which are unrelated to singular environmental multisensory occurrences must somehow be rejected. Using an RT/race model paradigm we measured AV MI as a function of stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA: ±200 ms, 50 ms intervals) under fully dark adapted conditions for visual (V) stimuli that were either weak (scotopic 525 nm flashes; 511 ms mean RT) or strong (photopic 630 nm flashes; 356 ms mean RT). Auditory (A) stimulus (1000 Hz pure tone) intensity was constant. Despite the 155 ms slower mean RT to the scotopic versus photopic stimulus, facilitative AV MI in both conditions nevertheless occurred exclusively at an SOA of 0 ms. Thus, facilitative MI demands both physical and physiological simultaneity. We consider the mechanisms by which the nervous system may take account of variations in response latency arising from changes in stimulus intensity in order to selectively integrate only those physiological simultaneities that arise from physical simultaneities.
Universal current scaling in Hg(Xe) films

Abstract Films of Hg and Xe deposited onto substrates held at 4 K exhibit superconducting transitions nearly identical to those of granular NbN films. Universal current scaling is also satisfied with critical point exponents identical to those found for NbN. The scaling function is presented in a manner which emphasizes the analogy between the I–V characteristic of a superconducting film and the equation of state of a magnetic system.
Growth of the Antennas and Propagation Field between World War I and World War II Part I - Antennas

The advances in antenna theory concepts and designs between World War I and World War II are summarized. Rapid growth of world-wide and regional broadcasting and point-to-point radio communication stimulated the design of high-power low-frequency transmitting antennas of reasonable efficiency, directive-wave antennas for signal-to-noise improvement in low-frequency reception, rhombic and V-shape wave antennas and arrays of various types for directive short-wave transmission and reception.
Telephone Counseling for Smoking Cessation: What's in a Call?

Telephone counseling for smoking cessation has been gaining popularity as studies have demonstrated its efficacy. What comprises a successful program, however, has not yet been detailed in the literature. In this article, an innovative telephone counseling intervention for smoking cessation is described, with attention to the clinical issues of client assessment, motivation, self-efficacy, planning, coping, relapse-sensitive call scheduling, and self-image. Counselor training and supervision issues, ethical and legal considerations regarding this form of service delivery, and suggestions for future direction also are outlined.
Transient Non-Suppressible Cough at Altitude Occurring With Cessation of Exercise

The aim of this report is to describe two subjects with an uncontrollable dry cough that occurred at altitude immediately after cessation of intense exercise; the cough occurred at 5 - 15 second intervals and resolved in 20-30 min with rest or a reduced level of exercise. The presence of cough did not foreshadow an increased risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS) or high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and, in a third subject, was observed to occur at sea level. Its etiology is uncertain but it is probably not related to the cold dry air at altitude, bronchoconstriction, respiratory tract infection, AMS, vasomotor rhinitis or water loss from the respiratory tract. A plausible hypothesis is a transient overload of normal physiologic processes resulting from an imbalance between the increased production of transpulmonary filtrate due to elevated pulmonary artery pressures from intense exercise and hypoxia combined with a sudden reduction in the rate of lymph clearance due to the decrease in hyperpnea following the abrupt cessation of intense exercise. Clinical pulmonary edema results from a breakdown of normal homeostatic processes for removal of interstitial fluid; for individuals in this report, normal homeostatic processes were still operative. Regardless of the mechanism, this syndrome appears to be benign and when it occurs at altitude, it does not imply an increased risk of AMS or HAPE, does not require treatment and does not necessitate a restriction in activity or a prohibition against higher ascent. J Med Cases. 2013;4(5):323-326 doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jmc1250e