cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigating sea turtle migration using DNA markers

The past year has seen a further marshaling of genetic evidence for 'natal homing' in several species of marine turtles, a phenomenon wherein females, upon reaching sexual maturity, exhibit a propensity to return to nest at or near the respective beaches upon which they hatched some two or more decades earlier. This genetics-based inference stems from the strong spatial patterning observed in mitochondrial DNA lineages among nesting sites. Rookery-specific mitochondrial DNA markers are now being employed to monitor the natal sources of individuals captured at other phases of the life cycle, and the genetic findings have important conservation ramifications.
Chikungunya virus in the Americas--what a vectorborne pathogen can do.

As of early August, more than half a million cases of chikungunya virus infection had been reported in the Americas. The rapid spread is probably attributable to a lack of population immunity and the broad distribution in the Americas of vectors capable of transmitting the virus.
A predictive control scheme for current source rectifiers

Current source rectifiers constitute a commonly used topology in high power applications, featuring several advantages such as regeneration capability and high quality currents. This paper presents a simple predictive control scheme for a current source rectifier. Main achievements of the here presented control scheme are the simplicity in controlling the dc link current and the generation of currents with unity power displacement factor. Experimental results are presented to validate the proposed control principle.
Prejunctional interaction of α2‐adrenoceptors and D2 dopamine receptors on perivascular sympathetic nerves

1. Potential interaction between release-inhibiting prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors and D2 dopamine receptors was investigated by measuring D2 receptor-mediated inhibition of stimulation-evoked tritium overflow from perfused rat tail arteries incubated with [3H]-noradrenaline. 2. In the presence of cocaine (10(-5)M), which enhanced stimulation-evoked tritium overflow, the D2 dopamine agonist N-0923 [(S)-(-) 2-(N-propyl-N-2-thienylethylamino)-5-hydroxytetralin] (10(-8)M) was less effective at inhibiting stimulation-evoked tritium overflow compared to inhibition in the absence of cocaine. 3. In the presence of cocaine, yohimbine (10(-6)M) enhanced stimulation-evoked [3H]-noradrenaline release. Under these conditions, inhibition produced by N-0923 was enhanced compared to tissues without yohimbine. 4. In the presence of cocaine, the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist UK-14,304 (10(-7)M) reduced stimulation-evoked tritium overflow. However, in this case, N-0923-mediated inhibition was not significantly altered. 5. In most circumstances increasing or reducing activation of prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors resulted in attenuation or enhancement, respectively, of D2 receptor activation. However, in the case of UK-14,304 this relationship did not hold. Thus, most but not all the evidence supports an interaction between prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors and D2 dopamine receptors.
Valproate uncompetitively inhibits arachidonic acid acylation by rat acyl-CoA synthetase 4: relevance to valproate's efficacy against bipolar disorder.

Abstract Background: The ability of chronic valproate (VPA) to reduce arachidonic acid (AA) turnover in brain phospholipids of unanesthetized rats has been ascribed to its inhibition of acyl-CoA synthetase (Acsl)-mediated activation of AA to AA-CoA. Our aim was to identify a rat Acsl isoenzyme that could be inhibited by VPA in vitro. Methods: Rat Acsl3-, Acsl6v1- and Acsl6v2-, and Acsl4-flag proteins were expressed in E. coli, and the ability of VPA to inhibit their activation of long-chain fatty acids to acyl-CoA was estimated using Michaelis–Menten kinetics. Results: VPA uncompetitively inhibited Acsl4-mediated conversion of AA and of docosahexaenoic (DHA) but not of palmitic acid to acyl-CoA, but did not affect AA conversion by Acsl3, Acsl6v1 or Acsl6v2. Acsl4-mediated conversion of AA to AA-CoA showed substrate inhibition and had a 10-times higher catalytic efficiency than did conversion of DHA to DHA-CoA. Butyrate, octanoate, or lithium did not inhibit AA activation by Acsl4. Conclusions: VPA's ability to inhibit Acsl4 activation of AA and of DHA to their respective acyl-CoAs, when related to the higher catalytic efficiency of AA than DHA conversion, may account for VPA's selective reduction of AA turnover in rat brain phospholipids, and contribute to VPA's efficacy against bipolar disorder.
The role of input frequency in lexical acquisition.

The influence of frequency of occurrence in input upon early lexical acquisition was examined within an experimental paradigm. Twelve children (1; 0·21 to 1; 3·15) were presented with 16 contrived lexical concepts, each involving a nonsense word and four referents, over ten experimental sessions. Within each concept two exemplars were presented frequently and two were presented infrequently. Overall the children named more frequently presented exemplars than infrequently presented exemplars. However, when the absolute number of presentations was held constant, distributed (infrequent) presentations led to greater acquisition than massed (frequent) presentations.
Temporal pattern of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in the striatum and hippocampus after transient forebrain ischemia

Abstract Transient forebrain ischemia in rodents caused internucleosomal DNA fragmentation that appeared in the striatum 24 h after reperfusion, and in the hippocampus 72 h after reperfusion. Gel electrophoresis and an in situ technique to label 3′ termini of endonuclease generated DNA fragments demonstrated similar temporal patterns. These data show that endonuclease activation accompanies the demise of selectively vulnerable neurons following transient forebrain ischemia.
The relevance of assessment of intestinal P-gp inhibition using digoxin as an in vivo probe substrate.

The relevance of assessment of intestinal P-gp inhibition using digoxin as an in vivo probe substrate
Procedural sedation and obesity: waters left uncharted.

Background Moderate sedation during endoscopy may pose increased risks among obese patients. Objective To review the literature that considers aspects of sedation within the obese population and to identify gaps in our knowledge. Design Literature-based review. Results There may be increased risks among obese patients undergoing moderate sedation. In particular, the presence of obstructive sleep apnea may identify a subset of patients at higher risk for complications. Limitations English language literature only. Conclusions Although obesity may be associated with increased risks of procedural sedation, future studies should better clarify such risks to better inform clinical decision making.
The solution of hidden-figures: Brightness discrimination and eye movement

Abstract Previous investigation using a statistically-defined display to represent hidden-figures tasks had found brain-injured subjects to show characteristic difficulty in solution, but had implicated a possible role for brightness-discrimination and oculomotor handicaps. These variables are shown not to account for differences between brain-injured and control subjects. A hypothesis regarding the basis of the differences is offered, in which the defect in brain-damaged subjects is sought in the insufficient elaboration of certain central templates during search.
Microprobe investigations of patterned natural and petrified biological objects

The possibilities of examining patterned natural and mineralised biological objects, using X-ray synchrotron facilities, complemented by electron microprobe and optical analysis are reviewed. The objects under investigation include: petrified wood, speleothems, corals, shells of molluscs and remains of belemnites. All those objects have important information embedded in their patterned structure. Using microprobe type devices, one can disentangle the internal structure of the objects and reveal the hidden information. This information can be of great significance to climatic, geological, chronological, and ecological studies and specific examples in each category are shown, taken from our work and compared with the results of other authors where necessary. The added value of the X-ray and electron microprobe measurements in relation to the mass-spectrometric methods is shown for the specific cases. In addition, the results concern materials where organic and even biological material is combined with inorganic matter, like calcite, silica varieties and metal oxides. The investigation of such patterned objects as goethitized wood, composed of goethite, calcite and organic matter should therefore be of interest to materials scientists, synthesizing composite materials.
Computed tomography and lumbar puncture

The revolu t ionary concept of computed tomography of the head was f irst suggested by a neurologist , Wi l l i am Oldendorf, 1 and it was developed independent!y by a senior research scientist , GH Hounsfield, working for the EMI Corporat ion in England. 2 The sys tem consists of an x-ray uni t and pho tomul t ip l i e r tubes tha t record the amoun t of r ad ia t ion t ha t is not absorbed by the skul l and its contents. The appa ra tus ro ta tes a round the head for 180 degrees s topping every few degrees to discharge a smal l amoun t of x-ray energy. The amoun t of rad ia t ion tha t is not absorbed is t r ans fo rmed into electr ical energy t h a t is fed into a computer. After approx imate ly 28,000 ma themat i ca l equat ions are calculated, the ma t r ix is d isp layed on a cathode ray tube producing a t r a n sa x i a l picture of the head. 3 Usual ly , the procedure is repeated five t imes a t dif ferent l e ~ i s . More recently, coronal and sag i t t a l sections can be computed. High dens i ty s t ructures , such as bone or blood, are white . Low dens i ty s t ructures , such as the l a t e r a l ventr ic les wi th cerebrospinal fluid, are b lack (Figure la) . The r e m a i n i n g par t s of the b ra in are represented in var ious shades of grey. Most tumors, infarct ions, and cerebra l edema are dark. On the other hand, some tumors such as a men ing ioma may be white. By in t ravenous ly injec t ing a high densi ty iodinated solution such as d ia t r izoate meglumine , vascul a r s t ruc tures are enhanced (Figure lb). Vascula r tumors and ar te r iovenous malformat ions then show up white. The increas ing use of computed tomography of the head suggests t ha t the indicat ions for l u m b a r puncture in the emergency depa r tmen t be re-evalua ted . T h e r e has been controversy as to which c l in ical condit ion requi res immedia t e lumbar puncture. This discussion concent ra tes on the more common problems seen by emergency physicians.
Balancing Multiple Needs Through Innovative Facility Design

Designing buildings that incorporate and integrate a number of departments and functions is one way that colleges and universities are balancing financial challenges and facility needs. These buildings can transform the campus, but they require planning and coordination from a carefully assembled design team.
Plate Tectonics and the Japanese Islands: A Synthesis

The hot-spot hypothesis of Wilson and Morgan and the recent success in worldwide correlation of marine magnetic anomalies by Larson and his co-workers have enabled us to depict the Mesozoic and Cenozoic movements of plates of the Pacific Ocean. The inferred movements show a good correlation with the tectonic history of Japan. The mid-oceanic Kula-Pacific Ridge probably collided with Japan and then descended beneath it in Late Cretaceous time. The succeeding events were similar to those that occurred during the descent of the East Pacific Rise (Farallon-Pacific Ridge) beneath western North America in middle Tertiary time. The similarity of the sequence of events that took place during ridge descent in Japan and western North America suggests that these events are genetically related to ridge descent. The first event was high-pressure metamorphism; it occurred before ridge descent, probably because of the high rate of plate convergence. This metamorphism halted about 30 m.y. before ridge descent, possibly because of the increase in temperature of the plate toward the ridge axis. For several tens of millions of years during ridge descent, magmatism occurred in an unusually wide area on the continental side of the subduction zone. This could be ascribed to the high temperature of the subducted “plate” near the ridge axis and presumably also to the activity of the submerged ridge axis. Finally, in both cases, the continental plate was subjected to tension after ridge descent. This resulted in generation of the Japan Sea and the extensional structure of the Basin and Range province of western North America. The formation of the Median Tectonic Line of southwest Japan may also be a result of the ridge submergence. According to Morgan, the Pacific plate changed its movement direction in middle Cenozoic time. This probably caused new orogenies in northeast Japan and in the eastern and southern margins of the Philippine Sea leading to the formation of the Izu-Bonin, Mariana, Yap, and Palau arcs. The western Philippine Basin was formed probably by spreading at a ridge within it.
The neurophysiological bases of emotion: An fMRI study of the affective circumplex using emotion‐denoting words

Objective: We aimed to study the neural processing of emotion-denoting words based on a circumplex model of affect, which posits that all emotions can be described as a linear combination of two neurophysiological dimensions, valence and arousal. Based on the circumplex model, we predicted a linear relationship between neural activity and incremental changes in these two affective dimen- sions. Methods: Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we assessed in 10 subjects the correla- tions of BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) signal with ratings of valence and arousal during the presentation of emotion-denoting words. Results: Valence ratings correlated positively with neural ac- tivity in the left insular cortex and inversely with neural activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal and precuneus cortices. The absolute value of valence ratings (reflecting the positive and negative extremes of valence) correlated positively with neural activity in the left dorsolateral and medial pre- frontal cortex (PFC), dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, and right dorsal PFC, and inversely with neural activity in the left medial temporal cortex and right amygdala. Arousal rat- ings and neural activity correlated positively in the left parahippocampus and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, and inversely in the left dorsolateral PFC and dorsal cerebellum. Conclusion: We found evidence for two neural networks subserving the affective dimensions of valence and arousal. These findings clarify inconsistencies from prior imaging studies of affect by suggesting that two underlying neuro- physiological systems, valence and arousal, may subserve the processing of affective stimuli, consistent with the circumplex model of affect. Hum Brain Mapp 30:883-895, 2009. V C 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Training School Counselors as Developmental Advocates

Counselor educators continue to debate the persistent questions of the role and function of the school counselor. School counselor education faculty can address the issue of the school counselor's role by using contemporary developmental research to train counseling students to serve as developmental advocates. The primary role of a developmental advocate is to promote positive student developmental outcomes and the research-identified types of environments that nurture those outcomes (J. Galassi & P. Akos, in press-a). The authors present a training philosophy, a summary of selected developmental research, and curricular examples that demonstrate a programmatic focus on Developmental Advocacy.
NI-44LIPOSOMAL NANOPARTICLES FOR TARGETING AND IMAGING OF PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMORS

BACKGROUND: This study reports the targeting and real-time optical imaging of brainstem tumors using liposomal nanocarriers. Patients with infiltrating brainstem gliomas (BSG) known as diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) have one of the poorest survival rates. Blood brain barrier (BBB) is the main obstacle in the delivery of drugs and contrast agents to DIPGs. OBJECTIVE: Here, we demonstrate the specific delivery of liposomal nanoparticles containing Evans blue (nano-EB) to tumor in a murine model of BSG. METHODS/DESIGN: Mice with brainstem tumors were tail vein injected with nano-EB and in vivo tumor enhancement was monitored by optical fluorescence imaging. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: Necropsy analysis conducted 24 hr post injection showed site-specific delivery of nano-EB to the tumor but not adjacent normal tissue. Immunohistochemical assays confirmed high grade tumor at the site of nano-EB accumulation. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of nano-EB for drug delivery and real-time, sensitive optical imaging of BSGs in vivo. The study shows the specific accumulation of liposomal nano-EB nanocarriers in brainstem tumors in our murine model of brainstem glioma. Liposomes are an ideal drug delivery vehicle able to cross the BBB . Specific accumulation of nano-EB in tumor cells is explained by the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) property of cancer cells which is believed to be due to the abnormal neovasculature with poorly-aligned defective endothelial cells and structure. This pilot study shows the efficacy of liposomes for targeted delivery and possibility of using nano-EB for in vivo imaging of tumors in a murine model of brain tumors.
Vehicle Sketch Pad: a Parametric Geometry Modeler for Conceptual Aircraft Design

The conceptual aircraft designer is faced with a dilemma, how to strike the best balance between productivity and fidelity? Historically, handbook methods have required only the coarsest of geometric parameterizations in order to perform analysis. Increasingly, there has been a drive to upgrade analysis methods, but these require considerably more precise and detailed geometry. Attempts have been made to use computer-aided design packages to fill this void, but their cost and steep learning curve have made them unwieldy at best. Vehicle Sketch Pad (VSP) has been developed over several years to better fill this void. While no substitute for the full feature set of computer-aided design packages, VSP allows even novices to quickly become proficient in defining three-dimensional, watertight aircraft geometries that are adequate for producing multi-disciplinary meta-models for higher order analysis methods, wind tunnel and display models, as well as a starting point for animation models. This paper will give an overview of the development and future course of VSP.
Short-term memory factors in oral retention.

Study or exploration time and retention interval duration between orignal-form exploration and test-form exploration were varied to assess the effect of these two variables on performance accuracy ...
Practical doping principles

Theoretical investigations of doping of several wide-gap materials suggest a number of rather general, practical “doping principles” that may help guide experimental strategies for overcoming doping bottlenecks.
Transmittances of thin polymer films and their suitability as a supportive substrate for a soft x-ray solar filter

Soft x-ray filter designs for the Brigham Young University `Goldhelox Project' are discussed. Three polymers intended for use as a supportive substrate for a soft x-ray solar filter having a passband centered at 171 angstroms are examined. The use of polymer substrates is examined because of vibrational and mechanical stresses associated with the shuttle launch, preventing the use of a free standing filter, and because of Goldhelox's special need to locate the filter near the imaging plane. The uniform consistency of a polymer support prevents any imaging of the filter support structure, as would occur if a traditional mesh support were used. The polymer substrates investigated are: AP-1, Formvar, and polypropylene. Their transmissive characteristics of the polymers are examined along with the feasibility of their use. Transmission as a function of energy for each polymer is given over an energy range of 10 to 180 eV.
Cellular uptake and localization of liposomal-methylphosphonate oligodeoxynucleotides

Nuclease digestion and intracellular delivery are major factors limiting the potential use of oligodeoxynucleotides as antisense molecules. Structural analogues of phosphodiester oligodeoxynucleotides, such as phosphorothioates and methylphosphonates, are resistant to nuclease degradation and can still bind to their mRNA targets. However, their limited ability to escape from the endosomal/lysosomal compartments and reach the intracellular sites of action have dampened their potential clinical application. To circumvent this problem we have incorporated methylphosphonate oligodeoxynucleotides into liposomes. We found that the level of uptake of liposome-incorporated methylphosphonate oligodeoxynucleotides is time and concentration dependent. Maximal uptake occurred at 8 h when 4–8 μM liposome-incorporated methylphosphonate oligodeoxynucleotides was added. Approximately 50% of liposome-incorporated methylphosphonate oligodeoxynucleotides were retained in cells after 24 h of incubation. Using fluorescent microscopy, intracellular fluorescence could be seen within 2.5 h of incubation. Diffused fluorescence was found throughout the cytoplasm, suggesting that the liposome-incorporated methylphosphonate oligodeoxynucleotides were not confined within the endosomal/lysosomal structures. We conclude that liposomes can effectively deliver methylphosphonate oligodeoxynucleotides to the cytoplasm, which is the major intracellular site of action for translational arrest.
Quantitation of xylose from plasma and urine by capillary column gas chromatography

A specific and sensitive assay for quantitation of xylose from plasma and urine has been developed. Following a clean-up procedure, plasma (0.1 ml) or urine (0.2 ml) samples are concentrated and undergo two sequential derivatization steps. A methyloxime derivative is formed initially, followed by trimethylsilylation of all hydroxyl groups. The derivatized samples are quantitated by capillary column gas chromatography using flame ionization detection. Xylose and the internal standard (2-deoxy-D-ribose) have retention times of 6.5 and 5.2 min, respectively. Other monosaccharides (e.g. ribose, arabinose) do not interfere with the assay. Standard curves are linear and reproducible over a concentration range of 10-200 mg/l for plasma and 100-2000 mg/l for urine. The within-day and day-to-day percentage coefficients of variation were less than 5 and 9%, respectively, for plasma and urine.
Make-to-order versus make-to-stock in a production-inventory system with general production times

We study the optimality of make-to-order (MTO) versus make-to-stock (MTS) policies for a company producing multiple heterogeneous products at a shared manufacturing facility. Manufacturing times are general i.i.d. random variables, and different products may have different manufacturing-time distributions. Demands for the products are independent Poisson processes with different arrival rates. The costs of managing the production-inventory system are stationary and include inventory holding and backordering costs. Backordering costs may be $ per unit or $ per unit per unit time. We derive optimality conditions for MTO and MTS policies. We also study the impact of several managerial considerations on the MTO versus MTS decision.
Defining Life Histories of Precocious Male Parr, Minijack, and Jack Chinook Salmon Using Scale Patterns

Abstract Male Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha have multiple life history strategies tied to smolting, age, and size at maturation. Precocious strategies include mature parr, minjacks, and jacks; however, there are conflicting definitions of what constitutes a minijack. We describe the variety of growth and life history patterns in precocious spring–summer Chinook salmon in the Snake River basin as inferred from scale patterns. We found six repeatable patterns on the scales collected that differed in average number of freshwater and saltwater circuli and average spacing of circuli during the period of fastest growth. This represented four life histories with two variations. These life histories were differentiated by length distribution: mature headwater parr that never left their natal stream (8–15-cm fork length), mature river parr (17–24 cm), minijacks that spent 3–4 months in the estuary or ocean (24–37 cm), and jacks that spent one winter in the ocean (≥36 cm). Thus, male Chinook salmon have a...
Group X Secretory Phospholipase A2 Regulates the Expression of Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR) in Mouse Adrenal Glands

We developed C57BL/6 mice with targeted deletion of group X secretory phospholipase A2 (GX KO). These mice have ∼80% higher plasma corticosterone concentrations compared with wild-type (WT) mice under both basal and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-induced stress conditions. This increased corticosterone level was not associated with increased circulating ACTH or a defect in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis as evidenced by a normal response to dexamethasone challenge. Primary cultures of adrenal cells from GX KO mice exhibited significantly increased corticosteroid secretion compared with WT cells. Conversely, overexpression of GX secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2), but not a catalytically inactive mutant form of GX sPLA2, significantly reduced steroid production 30–40% in Y1 mouse adrenal cell line. This effect was reversed by the sPLA2 inhibitor, indoxam. Silencing of endogenous M-type receptor expression did not restore steroid production in GX sPLA2-overexpressing Y1 cells, ruling out a role for this sPLA2 receptor in this regulatory process. Expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), the rate-limiting protein in corticosteroid production, was ∼2-fold higher in adrenal glands of GX KO mice compared with WT mice, whereas StAR expression was suppressed in Y1 cells overexpressing GX sPLA2. Results from StAR-promoter luciferase reporter gene assays indicated that GX sPLA2 antagonizes StAR promoter activity and liver X receptor-mediated StAR promoter activation. In summary, GX sPLA2 is expressed in mouse adrenal glands and functions to negatively regulate corticosteroid synthesis, most likely by negatively regulating StAR expression.
Structure-based design of immunologically active therapeutic peptides

Peptides are flexible molecules and can adopt local structural features of protein, such as secondary structure, hydrophobicity, and distribution of electrostatic charges, and so forth, and mimic their functions. Therapeutic peptidomimetics that are immunologically relevant are developed by engineering the surface loop structures in the proteins and receptors. The class of molecules targeted include immunoglobulin fold-containing molecules: antibody, cell-surface CD4 receptors and cystine-knot-containing receptor family members: tumor necrosis factor (TNF), CD40, and p185/Neu receptors. We have used the loops involved in the molecular recognition as a template and developed peptidomimetics that interfere with the functions of the target molecules. In this article, two molecular targets are discussed: (1) immunoglobulin fold-containing CD4 receptor and (2) cystine-knot-containing TNF receptor (TNFR).
Electron spin resonance and optical studies of the interaction between NO2 and unsaturated lipid components

Electron spin resonance and optical spectroscopic studies of the reactions between nitrogen dioxide and selected unsaturated phospholipids, fatty acids, and hydrocarbons are reported. The chemical natures of both the transient free radicals and stable free radicals produced in these reactions are discussed.
Successive distinct high-grade gliomas in L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria

Patients with L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria are at risk for developing cerebral neoplasms, particularly gliomas, as one of the optical isomers of the known oncometabolite, 2-hydroxyglutarate is produced in L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria. To illustrate the concept of sustained oncogenic potential in permanent exposure to L-2-hydroxyglutarate in brain tissue, we present the medical history of a patient with L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria who underwent surgery to remove a right temporal anaplastic astrocytoma and developed an anatomically distinct, but histopathologically similar, tumor in the left frontal region 40 months later. This is the first reported case of successive distinct gliomas in a patient with L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria. While this implies a significant, cumulative lifetime risk for cerebral neoplasms in patients with this rare organic aciduria, it also allows further insight into a unique mechanism of tumorigenesis in the brain.
Behavioral Activation for Treatment of PTSD and Depression in an Iraqi Combat Veteran with Multiple Physical Injuries

Background: Physical injury and psychological trauma associated with combat in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan frequently lead to a constellation of symptoms including pain, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. Method: This single case study describes the application of a behaviorally-based psychotherapy known as behavioral activation for the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms in a recent combat veteran with multiple physical injuries sustained from a blast injury. Treatment was provided concurrently with other rehabilitation services and consisted of weekly individual sessions for 4 months, followed by monthly sessions for 4 months. Results: Clinically significant reductions in PTSD and depressive symptoms were noted between baseline and 1 year follow-up. Conclusion: Preliminary evidence from this case suggests that behavioral activation may be a promising treatment for PTSD and depression, and can be readily tailored to individuals with physical limitations such as pain and mobility restriction. Treatment can be provided in the context of concurrent interdisciplinary medical and rehabilitation care. Language: en
A possible anti-folic acid effect of urethane.

URETHANE (ethyl carbamate) is a compound with a series of diverse biological actions including narcotic effects, cytotoxic and cytostatic action, and remarkably varied carcinogenicity in different species and organs1,2. The metabolic changes associated with these different activities are difficult to visualize since the compound is rapidly metabolized, being almost entirely eliminated within 24 h (ref. 3). In recent investigations by one of us4, it was demonstrated that an abnormal purine derivative can be demonstrated in the RNA from the livers of mice treated with ethyl-1-14C urethane. In the course of hypothetical consideration of possible pathways of action of urethane we considered the possibility that the acute effects observed might be due to an anti-folic acid effect. The acute biological effects of this compound are certainly similar to effects seen with folic acid antagonists such as aminopterin5; however, there is obviously no similarity in chemical structure. It was, nevertheless, decided to test the hypothesis in the following simple experiment.
Synthesis and biological activity of 5-fluoroimidazole-TRH

The 5-fluoroimidazole analogue of thyrotropin-releasing hormone, obtained by total synthesis from 5-fluoro-L-histidine, neither binds to rat pituitary cells nor stimulates release of prolactin from them. Levine-Pinto et. al. reported an agonist, which was generated during presumptive photofluorination of the hormone and which they believed to be the 5-fluoro analogue. In addition to the striking contrast in biological activities, the chemical properties of the agonist differ markedly from those of our peptide and are inconsistent with expectation for the fluoroimidazole moiety. Despite its inactivity in pituitary functions, the authentic 5-fluoro analogue mimics the natural hormone with respect to cardiovascular responses in the central nervous system.
Blockade of behavioral effects of bretazenil by flumazenil and ZK 93,426 in pigeons.

Benzodiazepine receptor partial agonists manifest full efficacy in preclinical tests of anxiolytic drug action but do not fully reproduce the discriminative stimulus effects of benzodiazepine receptor full agonists in pigeons. The partial agonist, bretazenil, binds to both diazepam-sensitive and diazepam-insensitive GABAA receptors. Previous studies have suggested a role for each of these receptor populations in some behavioral effects of bretazenil in pigeons. A possible role for these receptor subtypes in the behavioral effects of bretazenil was further investigated through drug interaction studies with the benzodiazepine receptor antagonists, flumazenil and ZK 93,426. Whereas flumazenil binds with high affinity to both receptor isoforms, ZK 93,426 binds preferentially to diazepam-sensitive binding sites. Bretazenil markedly increased punished responding of pigeons without significantly affecting nonpunished responding. In pigeons discriminating the full benzodiazepine receptor agonist, midazolam, from saline, bretazenil produced only 60–75% maximal effect. Flumazenil and ZK 93,426 neither increased punished responding nor substituted for midazolam, but dose-dependently blocked the effects of bretazenil on punished responding. Flumazenil also dose-dependently blocked the effects of bretazenil in midazolam-discriminating pigeons, whereas ZK 93,426 only attenuated this effect. These results indicate that bretazenil's actions as a partial agonist at diazepam-sensitive benzodiazepine receptors mediate increases in punished responding and substitution for the discriminiative stimulus effects of midazolam in pigeons. The differences in the effects of flumazenil and ZK 93,426 on the discriminative stimulus effects of bretazenil suggest a potential contribution of diazepam-insensitive sites to this behavioral effect.
Location and Perspective in the Theran Flotilla Fresco

The Flotilla Fresco from Akrotiri on Thera depicts 14 sea craft, with seven large ships seemingly en route between two landmasses. There are, however, strong arguments against the idea of a long-distance voyage, and instead this study supports the concept of a nautical ceremony. By using palaeotopographical research, it is suggested additionally that the fresco depicts a specific setting inside the Theran caldera prior to the Bronze Age eruption; the perspective is from its interior eastern rim, looking west towards the oppositefacing cliffs of the crater’s spits. This interpretation overcomes iconographic difficulties such as the placement of the boats and dolphins above the landmasses and the unique depiction of horizontally bedded rocks around the Departure Town.
Improving screening for hepatocellular carcinoma by incorporating data on levels of α-fetoprotein, over time.

Background & Aims Current screening algorithms for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) view each testing interval independently, without considering prior test results. We investigated whether measurements of α-fetoprotein (AFP), over time, can be used to identify patients most likely to develop HCC. Methods We performed a nested case-control study using data from subjects in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis trial; 82 patients with HCC were matched 1:3 to individuals without HCC (controls), using bootstrap methods to ensure similar follow-up times between groups. We assessed the independent association between development of HCC and the following: (1) most recent level of AFP, (2) standard deviation in level of AFP, and (3) rate of increase in AFP using a multiple logistic regression that included patient-specific risk factors such as age, platelet count, and smoking status. Results In bivariable analysis, all 3 AFP metrics were associated with HCC development; the most strongly associated was the standard deviation of AFP (odds ratio, 1.03 per unit increase in standard deviation; P Conclusions Patterns of AFP test results can more accurately identify patients with hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis most likely to develop HCC, compared with most recent AFP test results.
Top anomalous magnetic moment and the two-photon decay of the Higgs boson

We compute the dependence of the Higgs to two-photon decay rate ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{h\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ on the top quark gyromagnetic factor ${g}_{t}$ in the heavy top limit and evaluate the expected change for one-loop SM correction to ${g}_{t}$. Our results are general and allow consideration of further modifications of ${g}_{t}$, and we predict the resultant ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{h\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}}$.
Household decision-making in agroforestry parklands of Sudano-Sahelian Mali

This study examines farmers’ knowledge and management of soil fertility and vegetation in Vitellaria paradoxa and Cordyla pinnata dominated agroforestry parklands in a Sudano-Sahelian region of Mali. Qualitative data from a series of semi-structured interviews were used to construct an empirically based typology of farmer practices. These interrelated practices center on famers’ agroecological knowledge, decision-making, and cropping strategies and are conceptualized as variable and adjustable socioecological responses to environmental and socioeconomic contingencies. The typology categorizes farmers in terms of their capacity for managing parkland soil and tree resources in an ecologically sustainable manner while negotiating livelihood challenges. It identifies the ideal farmer as one who practices the following: (1) use of environmental knowledge that considers multidimensional relationships among ecological and social components of parkland systems, (2) agricultural techniques that adaptively combine aspects of intensive and traditional extensive agriculture, and (3) natural resource decision-making that explicitly includes women’s environmental knowledge and livelihood strategies.
Radial neck fractures in children.

Purpose.To review records of 108 children with radial neck fractures and develop an algorithm for treatment.Methods.Records of 50 girls and 58 boys aged 2 to 14 (mean, 8.7) years with radial neck f...
Verifying consistency of boundary conditions with integral characteristics of mass conservation for particulates in flow

Abstract The mass conservation equation of the particulate phase, in the form of Euler-type transport equation for particle-number density, is integrated to investigate issues related to its boundary condition consistency. For each of the effects of convection, diffusion and particle settling, the provided boundary conditions need to meet the requirement for well-posed problems physically and mathematically for particulate phase simulation. The integration of the conservative form of the transport equation yields the relations between the rate of change of the total particle number and the boundary conditions. Results of these relations are compared with numerical solutions using a finite-volume solver, of which the numerical formulation is also based on the conservative form of the transport equation. Cases for particulate flow in a room-scale chamber with various combinations of convection, diffusion and settling processes are used as examples for boundary-condition consistency verification.
Ethylene glycol-mediated synthesis of metal oxide nanowires

A simple and convenient method has been demonstrated for large-scale synthesis of metal oxide (including TiO2, SnO2, In2O3, and PbO) nanowires with diameters around 50 nm and lengths up to 30 µm. In a typical procedure, tetraalkoxyltitanium, Ti(OR)4 (with R = –C2H5, –iso-C3H7, or –n-C4H9), was added to ethylene glycol and heated to 170 °C for 2 h under vigorous stirring. The alkoxide was transformed into a chain-like, glycolate complex that subsequently crystallized into uniform nanowires. Similarly, nanowires made of tin glycolate were synthesized by refluxing SnC2O4·2H2O in ethylene glycol at 195 °C for 2 h, and nanowires consisting of indium and lead glycolates were prepared by adding In(OOCC7H15)(OiPr)2 and Pb(CH3COO)2 to ethylene glycol, followed by heating at 170 °C for 2 h. The nanowires could be readily collected as precipitates after the reaction solutions had been cooled down to room temperature. By calcining at elevated temperatures, each glycolate precursor could be transformed into the corresponding metal oxide without changing the wire-like morphology. Electron microscopic and XRD powder diffraction studies were used to characterize the morphology, crystallinity, and structure of these nanowires before and after calcination at various temperatures. A plausible mechanism was also proposed to account for the one-dimensional growth of such nanostructures in a highly isotropic medium. This mechanism was supported by XRD, FT-IR, solid state 13C-NMR, and TGA measurements. As a demonstration of potential applications, the polycrystalline nanowires made of SnO2 were used as functional components to fabricate sensors that could detect combustible gases (CO and H2) with greatly enhanced sensitivity under ambient conditions.
A Metacognitive Model of Attitudes

The Cohen and Reed model of attitudes provides a useful addition to the literature. This article relates their framework to a metacognitive model of attitudes suggesting that attitude objects are associated not only with positive and/or negative evaluative tags but also with validity tags. According to this model, an attitude can be described as univalent (either positive or negative associations exist), explicitly ambivalent (both positive and negative associations exist and are endorsed), or implicitly ambivalent (one evaluative association is endorsed, and the opposite exists but is rejected).
Ultrasonic imaging of the mechanical properties of tissues using localized, transient acoustic radiation force

Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging utilizes brief, high energy, focused acoustic pulses to generate radiation force in tissue, and ultrasonic correlation-based methods to detect the resulting tissue displacements in order to image the relative mechanical properties of tissue. The magnitude and spatial extent of the applied force is dependent upon the transmit beam parameters and the tissue attenuation. Forcing volumes are on the order of 5 mm/sup 3/, pulse durations are less than 1 msec, and tissue displacements are typically several microns. Displacement is quantified using interpolation and cross-correlation methods. Noise reduction is accomplished by adaptively filtering the temporal response, and median filters are applied to the resulting images. Images of tissue displacement reflect local tissue stiffness, with softer tissues (e.g. fat) displacing farther than stiffer tissues (e.g. muscle). Parametric images of maximum displacement, time to peak displacement, and recovery time provide information about tissue material properties and structure. In both in vivo and ex vivo data, structures shown in matched B-mode images are in good agreement with those shown in ARFI images, with comparable resolution. Potential clinical applications under investigation include: soft tissue lesion characterization, assessment of focal atherosclerosis, and imaging of thermal lesion formation during tissue ablation procedures. Results from ongoing studies are presented.
Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Are We Learning from History or Repeating It?

Tuberculosis (TB) is an enormous global public health problem. Cases of extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) are being reported in increasing numbers across the globe. A large outbreak of XDR-TB associated with rapid and nearly universal mortality has been reported among patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection or acquired immunodeficiency disease in South Africa who have been receiving standard TB therapy and antiretrovirals. Epidemiologic features of this outbreak make it highly suspicious for health care-associated transmission. We urge the Infectious Diseases Society of America and its members to increase involvement in ongoing international TB prevention and treatment efforts and to develop a registry of experts in infection control and laboratory and disease management. We urge advocacy for increased funding for domestic and global TB control programs, including expanded access to sputum culture and drug susceptibility testing, as well as funding for TB clinical trials and research capacity. We believe that substandard TB diagnostic tests are not acceptable for TB control in resource-poor countries. We urge the development of shorter, less toxic TB treatment and prevention regimens. Funding of TB control and research should be reassessed to prevent budget cuts at a time when the disease is killing as many as 2 million people a year.
Renormalization group formulation of large-eddy simulations

Perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic of high Reynolds number turbulent flows is their large range of excited space and time scales. In homogeneous turbulence, dissipation-scale eddies are of order R3/4 times smaller than energy-containing eddies, where R is the Reynolds number. In order to solve the Navier-Stokes equations accurately for such a turbulent flow, it is necessary to retain order (R3/4)3 spatial degrees of freedom. Also, since the time scale for significant evolution of homogeneous turbulence is of the order of the turnover time of an energy containing eddy, it is necessary to perform order R3/4 time steps to calculate for a significant evolution time of the flow. Even if these calculations require only O(1) arithmetic operations per degree of freedom per time step, the total computational work involved would be order R3, while the computer storage requirement would be R9/4. In this case, doubling the Reynolds number would require an order of magnitude improvement in computer capability. With this kind of operation and storage count, it is unlikely that forseeable advances in computers will allow the full numerical simulation of turbulent flows at Reynolds numbers much larger than Rλ = 0(100) already achieved (see BRACHET et al. [2]).
What is so difficult about telicity marking in L2 Russian

Two major mechanisms of encoding telicity across languages are either marking the object as exhaustively countable or measurable, or utilizing a specific prefix on the verbal form. English predominantly uses the first mechanism, while Russian mostly utilizes the second. The learning task of an English speaker acquiring Russian, then, is two-fold: to learn each individual verb with its subset of perfective prefixes, and to acquire knowledge of the fact that most prefixed verbs denote telic events. Sixty-six English-speaking learners of Russian as well as 45 controls took an on-line test of semantic interpretation. Results indicate that some low intermediate learners, and the majority of high intermediate and advanced learners are highly accurate in interpreting Russian telicity marking. It is argued that the difficulty in acquiring Russian aspect lies in learning the lexical items signaling telicity, but crucially NOT in learning the grammatical mechanism for telicity marking.
A design of 2 by 2 unitary space-time codes from sphere packing theory with optimal diversity product of code size 6

In this paper, we propose some designs of 2/spl times/2 unitary space-time codes by using sphere packing theory. In particular, we present an optimal 2/spl times/2 unitary space-time code of size 6 in the sense that it reaches the maximal possible diversity product for 2/spl times/2 unitary space-time code of size 6. The construction and the optimality of the code of size 6 provide the precise value of the maximal diversity product of a 2/spl times/2 unitary space-time code of size 6.