cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electron microscopic image analysis of cardiac gap junction membrane crystals

Cardiac gap junctions play an important functional role in the myocardium by electrically coupling adjacent cells, thereby providing a low resistance pathway for cell-to-cell propagation of the action potential. Two-dimensional crystallization of biochemically isolated rat ventricular gap junctions has been accomplished by an in situ method in which membrane suspensions are sequentially dialyzed against low concentrations of deoxycholate and dodecyl-β-D-maltoside. Lipids are partially extracted without solubilizing the protein, and the increased protein concentration facilitates two-dimensional crystallization in the native membrane environment. The two-dimensional crystals have a nominal resolution of 16 A and display plane group symmetry p6 with a = b = 85 A and γ = 120°. Projection density maps show that the connexons in cardiac gap junctions are formed by a hexameric cluste rof α1 connexin subunits. Protease cleavage of α1 connexin from 43 to 30 kDa releases ∼13kDa from the carboxy-tail, and the projection density maps are not significantly altered. Uranyl acetate stain penetrates the ion channel, whereas phospho-tungstic acid is preferentially deposited over the lipid regions. This differential staining can be used to selectively probe the central channel of the connexon and the interface between the connexon and the lipid. The hexameric design of α1 connexons appears to be a recurring quaternary motif for the multigene family of gap junction proteins. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The design and production of semisynthetic ribonucleases with increased thermostability by incorporation of S-peptide analogues with enhanced helical stability.

Recent work has shown that, with synthetic analogues of C-peptide (residues 1-13 of ribonuclease A), the stability of the peptide helix in H2O depends strongly on the charge on the N-terminal residue. We have asked whether, in semisynthetic ribonuclease S reconstituted from S-protein plus an analogue of S-peptide (1-15), the stability of the peptide helix is correlated with the Tm of the reconstituted ribonuclease S. Six peptides have been made, which contain Glu9----Leu, a blocked alpha-COO- group (-CONH2), and either Gln11 or Glu11. The N-terminal residue has been varied; its charge varies from +2 (Lys) to -1 (succinyl-Ala). We have measured the stability of the peptide helix, the affinity of the peptide for S-protein (by C.D. titration), and the thermal stability of the reconstituted ribonuclease S. All six peptide analogues show strongly enhanced helix formation compared to either S-peptide (1-15) or (1-19), and the helix content increases as the charge on the N-terminal residue changes from +2 to -1. All six peptides show increased affinity for S-protein compared to S-peptide (1-19), and all six reconstituted ribonucleases S show an increase in Tm compared to the protein with S-peptide (1-19). The Tm increases as the charge on residue 1 changes from +2 to -1. The largest increment in Tm is 6 degrees. The results suggest that the stability of a protein can be increased by enhancing the stability of its secondary structure.
Demonstration of a 10 GHz CMOS-compatible integrated photonic analog-to-digital converter

We demonstrate two fully-functional channels of a real-time photonic ADC using mostly CMOS-compatible devices to optically sample and electronically digitize a 10-GHz RF signal with 37.9 dB SNR (6.0 ENOB) with a 1 GHz optical pulse train.
Fas/Apo [Apoptosis]-1 and Associated Proteins in the Differentiating Cerebral Cortex: Induction of Caspase-Dependent Cell Death and Activation of NF-κB

The developing cerebral cortex undergoes a period of substantial cell death. The present studies examine the role of the suicide receptor Fas/Apo[apoptosis]-1 in cerebral cortical development. Fas mRNA and protein are transiently expressed in subsets of cells within the developing rat cerebral cortex during the peak period of apoptosis. Fas-immunoreactive cells were localized in close proximity to Fas ligand (FasL)-expressing cells. The Fas-associated signaling protein receptor interacting protein (RIP) was expressed by some Fas-expressing cells, whereas Fas-associated death domain (FADD) was undetectable in the early postnatal cerebral cortex. FLICE-inhibitory protein (FLIP), an inhibitor of Fas activation, was also expressed in the postnatal cerebral cortex. Fas expression was more ubiquitous in embryonic cortical neuroblasts in dissociated culture compared to in situ within the developing brain, suggesting that the environmental milieu partly suppresses Fas expression at this developmental stage. Furthermore, FADD, RIP, and FLIP were also expressed by subsets of dissociated cortical neuroblasts in culture. Fas activation by ligand (FasL) or anti-Fas antibody induced caspase-dependent cell death in primary embryonic cortical neuroblast cultures. The activation of Fas was also accompanied by a rapid downregulation of Fas receptor expression, non-cell cycle-related incorporation of nucleic acids and nuclear translocation of the RelA/p65 subunit of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Together, these data suggest that adult cortical cell number may be established, in part, by an active process of receptor-mediated cell suicide, initiated in situ by killer (FasL-expressing) cells and that Fas may have functions in addition to suicide in the developing brain.
Backgrounds of Modern Language Teaching: Sweet, Jespersen, and Palmer.

T HIS brief historical study illuminates the beginnings of modern practice. Henry Sweet and Otto Jespersen, among the most famous late nineteenth century linguists, were also deeply involved in foreign language teaching, particularly English as a Foreign Language. Together with Harold Palmer, who developed their work into a coherent system during the early 1900's, they represent the most advanced thinking of the times.
Prenatal analysis of the insulin receptor gene in a family with leprechaunism.

Leprechaunism is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by intrauterine and postnatal growth restriction, loss of glucose homeostasis, and severe insulin resistance. This disease is caused by a failure of function of the insulin receptor and is lethal early in life. Here we report the prenatal diagnosis of leprechaunism in one consanguineous family, Atl-1, in which two homozygous-affected siblings died with leprechaunism. The mutation in their insulin receptor impaired insulin binding and altered receptor signalling. Prenatal diagnosis could not be accomplished using insulin binding to cultured amniocytes, but was possible using mutational analysis of the insulin receptor gene in DNA from amniotic cells.
Homology and Repair of UV-Irradiated Plasmid DNA in Haemophilus influenzae

Abstract UV-irradiated plasmid pNov1 containing a cloned fragment of chromosomal DNA could be repaired by excision, but plasmid p2265 without homology to the chromosome could not. Establishment of pNov1 was more UV resistant in Rec− than in Rec+ cells.
Species-mediated soil moisture availability and patchy establishment of Pseudotsuga menziesii in chaparral

The occurrence of mature individuals of Pseudotsuga menziesii in stands of Arctostaphylos species mark the initial stages of mixed evergreen forest invasion into chaparral in central coastal California. We planted two cohorts of P. menziesii seeds at three sites under stands of two Arctostaphylos species and Adenostoma fasciculatum in order to determine whether first-year seedling emergence and survival, particularly during the regular summer drought, underlie the spatial distribution of mature trees observed in chaparral. Regardless of the chaparral species they were planted under, P. menziesii seeds that were not protected from vertebrate predation displayed very little emergence and no survival. In contrast, emergence of P. menziesii that were protected from vertebrate predators was much higher but still did not significantly differ among the three chaparral species. However, survival of protected seedlings under Arctostaphylos glandulosa was much greater than under A. fasciculatum, with intermediate survival under Arctostaphylos montana. While mortality of protected seedlings due to insect herbivory, fungal infection, and disturbance displayed no consistent patterns, summer drought mortality appeared to drive the patterns of survival of P. menziesii under the different chaparral species. These emergence, mortality, and survival data suggest that spatial patterns of P. menziesii recruitment in chaparral are driven by first-year summer drought seedling mortality, but only in years when seeds and seedlings are released from vertebrate predation pressure. Because the first-year drought mortality and survival patterns of P. menziesii seedlings differed strongly depending on the chaparral species, we examined the additional hypothesis that these patterns are associated with differences in the availability of soil moisture under different chaparral species. Both higher survival and lower drought mortality of P. menziesii seedlings were associated with higher soil water potential under Arctostaphylos stands during the summer drought, especially in the subsurface soil. The data suggest that Arctostaphylos stands, particularly stands of A. glandulosa, ameliorate xeric summer conditions to a degree that facilitates first-year establishment of P. menziesii and strongly influences spatial distribution of mature trees.
Reflections on the KVL Tutoring Framework: Past, Present, and Future

One of the great pleasures of working in a rapidly changing field is watching it grow and mature. With an auspicious beginning in the late 1960s, the field of AI in Education has evolved from a gleam in its founders' eyes to a well established discipline with an active scientific community that has produced an imposing literature. Now with more than three decades of experience under its belt, it is a good time for us to pause, take stock, and reflect on what works and what does not. We are most fortunate that Kurt VanLehn has done precisely this. He is particularly well suited to the task. Having led many of the key AI in Education projects spanning much of the history of the field, he has an excellent vantage point from which to observe the evolution of intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) first-hand. In "The Behavior of Tutoring Systems," VanLehn has moved beyond literature reviews and architectural descriptions to present a unified procedural view of ITSs. Generalizing over the myriad implementation details of the most successful projects, he has distilled more than three decades of research into a generic tutoring procedure defined by two nested loops that iterate over tasks and steps. The two loops also serve as an organizing device for systematically exploring the core design decisions faced by tutoring system developers as they devise task selection, feedback, hinting, assessment, and review functionalities. To ground the discussion, examples are drawn from six landmark tutoring systems: Steve, the Algebra Cognitive Tutor, Andes, Sherlock, AutoTutor, and SQL-Tutor. The KVL Framework concisely articulates the collective wisdom of the AI in Education literature as it now stands. Considering the breadth of the research it summarizes, its appearance invites speculation about how it would have been perceived when the field was founded, how it can serve as a guide for scientists and practitioners in the present, and how it will be seen by future researchers. For purposes of discussion, we shall take the year of the framework's creation (2005) as the "bisecting year" between the founding of the field 35 years ago (the year in which Scholar was introduced) and the year 2040, 35 years from now. We first take an historical perspective and consider how the founders of the field might have reacted to this synthesis. We then take a contemporary view and argue that the framework should be employed as a blueprint for today's researchers and developers. We conclude with an exploration of how it may be seen by future scientists with another 35 years' experience designing, building, and deploying tutoring systems.
Improving the quality of life in melanoma: the role of the CO(2) laser.

The cutaneous manifestations of late-stage melanoma can be distressing both physically and psychologically. In our department, we are sometimes referred a subgroup of patients where, despite adequate initial treatment, the disease manifests as cutaneous metastases that can be very symptomatic. The referring physician, having deemed other modalities of treatment inappropriate, may direct such patients to us at the regional laser centre for local control. Where no treatment option exists to cure or prolong life, very often, the simplest and safest option is the best. The CO2 laser can be used to successfully ablate the lesions and be performed on a day-case basis. A worthwhile degree of palliation can be provided. As illustrated by three cases from our department, this form of treatment can be executed as and when required and results in an improved quality of life for these patients.
Acetone sensor based on Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator

This paper described acetone sensing using ZnO based Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator (FBAR). The resonant frequency of the FBAR increased as the concentration of acetone increased. The detection limit of acetone was around 4 ppm. The density decrease of the ZnO induced by releasing carbon dioxide generated from the reaction between acetone and the adsorbed oxygen ions on the ZnO surface was assumed to be responsible for the frequency upshift. Upon exposure to ethanol (a major environmental crosstalk for traditional acetone sensors), an opposite response (decrease of resonant frequency) was observed. Water was generated and absorbed on the ZnO surface during the ethanol sensing process. Thus, the density of the ZnO film increased, resulting in a frequency drop. FBAR sensor possessed the unique ability to distinguish acetone from ethanol due to their different reaction behaviors.
Recent article of nutritional interest to pediatricians

Intestinal Bleeding, Iron Deficiency, and Introduction of Cow’s Milk Bleeding from the intestinal tract in infants fed whole cow’s milk was confirmed in a randomized study of infants at approximately 6 months of age.’ Frank iron deficiency developed in 1 of 52 infants. The serious consequences of iron deficiency warrant care in introducing cow’s milk to the infant diet before other sufficient iron-containing foods are consumed. Milk Allergy For treatment of milk allergy, the consensus has been to use a hydrolyzed protein as the basis of a formula. Recently, at least four cases of anaphylaxis in infants fed protein hydrolysates have been recorded. At first, attention was drawn to children who reacted with distress to partially hydrolyzed formulas. The latest reports, however, are of severe reactions to more extensively hydrolyzed protein sources.* For these children, only complete removal from the implicated protein source seems effective, and in one child with sensitivity to milk, ingestion of beef also resulted in an allergic reaction, though milder. Colic Nonetheless, in a study of colic, changing from a cow’s milk formula to a hydrolyzed casein formula, -about 10% to 15% of infants appeared to cry less when fed the hydrolyzed casein formula. However, marked day-to-day irritability occurred with either formula. It was emphasized that this type of study should not be confused with demonstration of milk allergy.3 Acute Diarrhea A number of studies evaluated the follow-up treatment of infants and children recovering from acute diarrhea.4, 5 More than 50 years ago, Holt and Chung recommended feeding through diarrhea1 episodes.’ Nonetheless, many suggested regimens to “put the bowel at rest” and withheld food. In the past several years, widespread adoption of the practice of oral rehydration with modifications of the World Health Organization (WHO) oral rehydration solution markedly decreased hospital admissions due to dehydration. In the past year, Margolis and coworkers showed no difference in recovery in those .children with mild diarrhea who were fed during the diarrhea1 episode, compared with those who were not fed.4 Further, Haffejee found no difference in rate of recovery in those infants fed lactose-containing food versus those fed lactose-free food if the stools contained no sugar.5 These studies support the recommendations of the WHO over a decade ago when high-caloric-density food was recommended for infants with diarrhea and
Does serum prolactin indicate the presence of seizure in the emergency department patient

We sought to evaluate whether there was a correlation between elevated serum prolactin in patients presenting with the question of seizure. A Convenience sample of 200 consecutive patients were chosen who had a serum prolactin measurement in the setting of seizure activity. The prolactin level was within a range of 3.90–294.00 mg/dl with an upper limit of normal being 29.9 mg/dl. Patients were ultimately diagnosed with seizure in 54.5% (109 of 200) with an abnormal prolactine in 31.0% (62 of 200). The sensitivity of this serum prolactin was 42%, the specificity was 82%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 74%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 54%. There was an overall accuracy of 60% in the diagnosis of seizure, with a likelihood ratio of 2.4 (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.5–3.9). The measurement of serum prolactin is helpful as a confirmatory test, but not as screening test in the emergency department setting.
Longitudinal propagation in a magnetized time-varying plasma: development of Green's function

The effect of a magnetized transient plasma on a circularly polarized source wave, when the rise time of the electron density profile is comparable to the source wave period, is considered. The problem has no exact solution and is not amenable to a sudden-switching approximation or an adiabatic approximation. It is investigated by developing a causal Green's function for magnetized time-varying plasma media. A perturbation series based on the Green's function gives the solution to the desired accuracy. As compared to the numerical methods that give the total fields, this method has the intrinsic advantage of processing the forward propagating and backward propagating waves explicitly. The scattering coefficients for a linear profile, which has no known analytical solution, are obtained to illustrate the superiority of the new approach.
Performance of an L-Band antenna for radiometric measurements

The objective of this paper is to discuss the performance of a new L-Band, truck-mounted radiometer antenna. This new low loss antenna has been designed to increase the calibration stability of the ComRAD radiometer system. ComRAD is a dual polarized combined radar radiometer system operating as a radar at 1.3 GHz and as a radiometer at 1.413 GHz. It utilizes the same antenna for both frequencies. ComRAD is used to develop algorithms for the sensing of soil moisture in the presence of vegetation. The system is presently being employed to monitor agricultural crops over the growing cycle in preparation for the upcoming SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive) satellite mission.
On Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring

Management of fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns is rapidly changing following the 2008 consensus guideline from the National Institutes of Health and Child Development (NICHD) and a 2010 Practice Bulletin from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The FHR category II identified in the NICHD document does not assist clinical decision making. Although ongoing research is addressing this gap, multidisciplinary development of FHR interpretation and management systems will aid clinical practice. In a recent editorial on FHR monitoring, Dr. Nancy Lowe (2011) highlighted a key point in the commentary by Grimes and Peipert that almost every “positive” electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) test is wrong in that it does not benefit the newborn and harms women due to unnecessary operative procedures (Grimes & Peipert, 2010). If this is so, there is something enormously wrong with what we call a “positive” result. Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water before taking a more nuanced look at the effectiveness of FHR monitoring in obstetrics today.
Simulation of transient convective burning of an n-octane droplet using a four-step reduced mechanism

The transient burning of an n-octane fuel droplet in a hot gas stream is numerically studied using a four-step reduced mechanism, with considerations of droplet surface regression, deceleration due to the drag of the droplet, internal circulation inside the droplet, variable properties, non-uniform surface temperature, and the effect of surface tension. Two different types of the four-step mechanism are examined and found almost identical. The four-step mechanism has earlier instant of the wake-to-envelope transition than the one-step mechanism at low ambient temperature, but this difference between the two mechanisms diminishes when the ambient temperature is increased. The four-step mechanism has smaller mass burning rate for a wake flame but greater mass burning rate for an envelope flame than the one-step mechanism. The two mechanisms have small differences in the critical initial Damkohler number. Lower ambient temperature yields later wake-to-envelope transition and smaller mass burning rate. Higher ambient pressure has greater overall mass burning rate because of greater gas density and thus greater concentrations of reactants for a major part of the lifetime. Greater ambient mass fraction of oxygen yields faster oxidation kinetics and greater Damkohler number. As the ambient mass fraction of oxygen increases, the instant of wake-to-envelope transition advances for an initial wake flame, and finally the initial flame becomes an envelope flame when the ambient mass fraction of oxygen exceeds some critical value. A correlation is developed for the critical initial Damkohler number in terms of the ambient temperature, ambient pressure, and ambient mass fraction of oxygen.
Globalization, the Developmental State and the Politics of Urban Growth in Korea: A Multilevel Analysis

This article explores the politics of urban growth in a transitional society. Korea, which is experiencing rapid industrialization, urbanization and democratic transition exemplifies a set of conditions that may seem to favor the emergence of an urban growth politics and business-led growth coalition much like that found in urban areas at the time of industrialization, and still prevalent in much of the US and other western democracies today. Yet our multilevel case analyses show that the transformations in Korea as a late industrializer, late democratizer and late adopter of urban policy have helped to consolidate more restricted policies toward urban growth than in the US or much of Europe. Multilevel analysis that highlights dynamics at global and national as well as local levels illuminates why the growth politics of a transitional society like Korea resembles as well as differs from that of older industrialized democracies.
Evolution of prices in electronic markets with heterogeneous vs. homogenous preferences for e-tailers

Price comparison engines enable customers to compare product offerings of online sellers with almost complete information on the alternatives, and hence create erosion in store loyalty. Consequently, the competitive dynamics are affected in markets where price comparison shopping is diffusing rapidly. We use a diffusion of price comparison model to examine the effects of the relative proportions of switcher and loyal segments on firms' pricing decisions. This analysis shows that the increasing numbers of price comparison-shoppers pull prices down, and the rate at which prices decrease is shaped by the diffusion curve and the brand preference. Our analysis shows that stores with loyal customers or with a preference for their brands can attain higher profits further into the diffusion process. The direct implication is for firms to utilize their IT, operations and marketing capabilities to create, enhance and cultivate stronger preferences for and loyalty to their brand names in order to survive the inevitable information rich markets of tomorrow.
Egg coloration and selection for crypsis in open-nesting blackbirds

High variation in egg coloration among birds has traditionally been explained as adaptation for camouflage. We tested this hypothesis by conducting reciprocal clutch exchanges (n" 301) among Brewer’s blackbirds Euphagous cyanocephalus, red-winged blackbirds Agelaius phoeniceus, and yellow-headed blackbirds Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. We predicted that clutches placed against their natural nest backgrounds would have higher survival rates than heterospecific clutches. Intraspecific clutch exchanges were used as a control. Clutch survival was monitored for a 9-d period at all nests, during which time incubation rhythm and nest defense were quantified. Intraspecific clutch exchanges did not influence incubation or nest defense. For two of the species, intraspecific clutch exchanges did not influence clutch survival; in red-winged blackbirds, however, intraspecifically exchanged clutches had somewhat depressed survival curves relative to control clutches (P" 0.08). The effect of interspecific clutch exchanges differed by host species. In Brewer’s nests, eggs of the yellowheaded blackbird had lower survival than Brewer’s eggs (P" 0.02), but survival of red-winged blackbird eggs did not differ from Brewer’s eggs (P" 0.50). In nests of red-winged blackbirds, all three clutch types had approximately equal survival. In yellow-headed blackbird nests, eggs of the red-winged blackbird had lower survival than yellow-headed blackbird eggs (P" 0.06), and survival of Brewer’s eggs did not differ from yellowheaded blackbird eggs (P" 0.31). These findings support a role for egg coloration as camouflage in two of the three species studied.
Systematic Screen of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Deletion Collection Uncovers Parallel Evolution of the Phosphate Signal Transduction Pathway in Yeasts

The phosphate signal transduction (PHO) pathway, which regulates genes in response to phosphate starvation, is well defined in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We asked whether the PHO pathway was the same in the distantly related fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We screened a deletion collection for mutants aberrant in phosphatase activity, which is primarily a consequence of pho1(+) transcription. We identified a novel zinc finger-containing protein (encoded by spbc27b12.11c(+)), which we have named pho7(+), that is essential for pho1(+) transcriptional induction during phosphate starvation. Few of the S. cerevisiae genes involved in the PHO pathway appear to be involved in the regulation of the phosphate starvation response in S. pombe. Only the most upstream genes in the PHO pathway in S. cerevisiae (ADO1, DDP1, and PPN1) share a similar role in both yeasts. Because ADO1 and DDP1 regulate ATP and IP(7) levels, we hypothesize that the ancestor of these yeasts must have sensed similar metabolites in response to phosphate starvation but have evolved distinct mechanisms in parallel to sense these metabolites and induce phosphate starvation genes.
Null Subjects in Gothic

Several kinds of systematic deviations from the Greek original, including simple insertions and omissions of subject pronouns and transformations of nonfinite or impersonal Greek constructions into personal finite clauses, provide evidence concerning the distribution of null and overt referential subject pronouns in Gothic. While the evidence leaves no doubt that Gothic was a null-subject language, it also reveals a tendency, not found in Ancient Greek, toward the use of overt subjects for nontopic antecedents. This Gothic pattern is reminiscent of what a number of researchers have found recently in some other null-subject languages such as Italian, but Gothic appears to occupy an intermediate position between Ancient Greek and Italian.*
Computational techniques in the first course on electromagnetism

It is widely acknowledged that the introductory engineering electromagnetics (EM) course is in trouble because its concepts and techniques are novel and difficult, the time allowed is insufficient, and the range of topics is great and expanding. The introduction of computer-numerical solutions and the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches are discussed. It is suggested that the use of spreadsheet capabilities is pedagogically advantageous and time-effective for solving Laplace's equation problems by the method of finite differences. >
Practical Issues in ADAMTS13 Testing and Emerging Therapies in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

While our understanding of the pathophysiology of both congenital and acquired forms of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has increased, it is only over the past couple of years that this understanding has been translated into clinically significant advances in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of TTP. More specifically, our understanding of the central role of the ADAMTS13 protease in the pathophysiology of TTP has allowed ADAMTS13 testing to have a more prominent role in confirming or re-evaluating the clinical diagnosis of idiopathic TTP with the finding of severely deficient or measurable ADAMTS13, respectively. Additionally, measurement of ADAMTS13 activity at presentation and during remission may be useful to predict both the risk of exacerbation and relapse in patients with idiopathic TTP. There are also several novel approaches to the therapy of TTP including a recombinant ADAMTS13 protease and agents that target the A1 domain of von Willebrand factor (VWF), blocking its interaction with platelet glycoprotein (GP)Ib to prevent the formation of microthrombotic disease in patients with TTP. The addition of these exciting new therapies to conventional plasma-based and/or immune modulating therapies provide hope for improved treatment outcomes for TTP patients.
Ranolazine is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic improvement: a win-win for patients with diabetes.

This editorial refers to ‘Effects of ranolazine on exercise tolerance and HbA1c in patients with chronic angina and diabetes’† by A. Timmis et al., on page 42 Ranolazine is a novel therapeutic agent which increases exercise duration and time to angina episodes in patients with persistent chronic angina pectoris. These benefits have been observed following monotherapy and in combination with β-blockers and calcium antagonists.1 Although the mechanism of action of ranolazine is not completely understood, emerging data suggest that ranolazine may be a potent and selective inhibitor of the late sodium current across the membrane of cardiomyocytes, which may result in improved diastolic function, microvascular flow, and cardiac efficiency without altering blood pressure, heart rate, or contractility.2 Timmis et al. ,3 focus on a particularly high-risk group of patients with chronic angina, those with diabetes mellitus, enrolled in CARISA.1 In patients with coronary artery disease, we have found that diabetes is associated with approximately double the risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes and aggressive control of blood pressure is associated with significant reduction in diabetes risk.4,5 Antianginal and antihypertensive regimens often contain drugs (e.g. … *Corresponding author. E-mail address : pepincj{at}medicine.ufl.edu
A survey of castration methods and associated livestock management practices performed by bovine veterinarians in the United States.

Castration of male calves destined for beef production is a common management practice performed in the United States amounting to approximately 15 million procedures per year. Societal concern about the moral and ethical treatment of animals is increasing. Therefore, production agriculture is faced with the challenge of formulating animal welfare policies relating to routine management practices such as castration. To enable the livestock industry to effectively respond to these challenges there is a need for more data on management practices that are commonly used in cattle production systems. The objective of this survey was to describe castration methods, adverse events and husbandry procedures performed by U.S. veterinarians at the time of castration. Invitations to participate in the survey were sent to email addresses of 1,669 members of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and 303 members of the Academy of Veterinary Consultants. After partially completed surveys and missing data were omitted, 189 responses were included in the analysis. Surgical castration with a scalpel followed by testicular removal by twisting (calves 90 kg) was the most common method of castration used. The potential risk of injury to the operator, size of the calf, handling facilities and experience with the technique were the most important considerations used to determine the method of castration used. Swelling, stiffness and increased lying time were the most prevalent adverse events observed following castration. One in five practitioners report using an analgesic or local anesthetic at the time of castration. Approximately 90% of respondents indicated that they vaccinate and dehorn calves at the time of castration. Over half the respondents use disinfectants, prophylactic antimicrobials and tetanus toxoid to reduce complications following castration. The results of this survey describe current methods of castration and associated management practices employed by bovine veterinarians in the U.S. Such data are needed to guide future animal well-being research, the outcomes of which can be used to develop industry-relevant welfare guidelines.
Two Phase Mass Transfer in Gas Stirred Reactors

Gas stirred reactors are used in several metallurgical processes, such as the desulfurization of liquid cast iron, to increase the rate of the chemical reaction and homogenize the melt. Mixing times and two phase mass transfer rates were measured in a model system of a liquid steel ladle. Mixing times were increased by the presence of a second phase and were faster for off-center tuyeres. However, two phase mass transfer is faster for a center tuyere as compared to an off-center tuyere. The rate of mass transfer was independent of tuyere size, lance versus tuyere injection and only slightly dependent on the viscosity of the second phase. The dramatic increase in mass transfer at a critical flow rate is explained in terms of an increase in the interfacial area between the two phases.
Handbook of moral development

One of the aims of this review was to provide a sense of the current direction of the field of moral development through a comparison of the first and second editions of the Handbook of Moral Devel...
Modular tapered fluted stems: An accommodating option in the setting of femoral bone deficiency

Abstract Tapered, fluted, modular, titanium stems are being used more frequently for revision total hip arthroplasty to address femoral bone deficiencies. Mid- and long-term survivorship studies demonstrate that these stems are a durable implant design, while outcome studies show that they provide favorable patient satisfaction and function. Subsidence, implant fracture, and stress shielding are frequently encountered complications, which can be minimized through the use of meticulous preoperative templating, direct visualization of the femoral stem using mini C-arm fluoroscopy, and through the use of a kinked femoral implant. By using these techniques, a canal-filling implantation technique can be achieved.
The Development of the Ego-Ideal

Assessing the nature of occupational and social role aspirations from adolescence through adulthood, as described in Chapter 3, provides an entry into the study of men’s lives. In this chapter the consideration of men’s aspirations continues. However, the focus here is not on the types of roles to which men aspire but on the meaning these roles have for them: Why do 10-year-olds want to be ballplayers? What goals and values are served by the 36-year-old’s desire to be a good father? A full account of men’s lives must provide answers to these questions.
El arte de la conversión: modelos educativos del Colegio de San Andrés de Quito

El ensayo analiza el papel que desempeno el Colegio de San Andres de Quito en la conversion de los indigenas durante el siglo XVI y el florecimiento de un centro importante de produccion artistica. El articulo propone que la designacion actual del colegio, como una escuela de arte, puede ser una consecuencia tardia de la inestable relacion entre arte y religion, tal como fue cultivada dentro de la institucion franciscana. Se trato, por lo tanto, de una superposicion del valor religioso sobre el artistico, mediante el cual se adoctrinaba a los estudiantes. El articulo enfatiza en la aprobacion de destrezas artisticas por parte de los indigenas, quienes adquirieron dominio sobre estas artes, las mercadearon y provocaron una inesperada tension en las concepciones franciscanas acerca de la religion y el uso del arte.
Is A CURE ON the WAY? – THE BAD MEDICINE OF GENERICS, CITIZEN PETITIONS, AND NOERR-PENNINGTON IMMUNITY

Over the next five years, approximately 110 drugs, including blockbuster products such as Sanofi-Aventis’ allergy medicine Flomax, GlaxoSmithKline’s herpes medication Valtrex, and Pfizer’s cholesterol medication Lipitor will lose their patent protection. In 2009 alone, brand-name drugs coming off patent were valued at more than 1'38 billion dollars. As market exclusivity for these drugs ends, the doors for generic production will open. Generic drugs generally enter the market priced 20 to 80 percent lower than their branded counterparts, and generics can capture 44 to 80 percent of brand-name drug sales within a year after release. This price competition from generic drugs threatens the profits of brand-name manufacturers and reduces their returns on innovative activity. As a result, some brand-name drug manufacturers have resorted to aggressive tactics to blunt the impact of competition.
Transferring embryos with indeterminate PGD results: the ethical implications

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) are becoming increasingly common techniques to select embryos that are unaffected by a known genetic disorder. Though IVF-PGD has high success rates, 7.5 % of blastocysts have inconclusive results after testing. A recent case involving a known BRCA-1 carrier was brought before our Assisted Reproductive Technology Ethics Committee in order to gain a better appreciation for the ethical implications surrounding the transfer of embryos with indeterminate testing. Thirty-nine year old G0 BRCA-1 carrier requiring IVF for male factor infertility. The couple elected for PGD to select against BRCA-1 gene carrier embryos. However, several embryos were returned with inconclusive results. The couple wished to proceed with the transfer of embryos with an unknown carrier status. The case was presented before our Assisted Reproductive Technology Ethics Committee. Many considerations were explored, including the physician's duty to protect patient autonomy, the physician's duty to act in the best interest of the future child, and the physician's duty towards society. Transferring both embryos with unknown carrier status and known-carrier status was debated. Ultimately, the transfer of inconclusive embryos was felt to be ethically permissible in most cases if patients had been adequately counseled. However, the re-biopsy of embryos with inconclusive testing results was encouraged. The transfer of known-carrier embryos was felt to be unethical for certain disease-states, depending on the severity of illness and timing of disease onset. We strongly encourage physicians to create an action plan in advance with their patients, prior to testing, in the event that embryos are returned with inconclusive PGD results. The committee’s decision, though helpful in guiding practice, should not overshadow the individual physician-patient relationship, and the need for thorough counseling.
Atomic Scale Structure Changes Induced by Charged Domain Walls in Ferroelectric Materials

Charged domain walls (CDWs) are of significant scientific and technological importance as they have been shown to play a critical role in controlling the switching mechanism and electric, photoelectric, and piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric materials. The atomic scale structure and properties of CDWs, which are critical for understanding the emergent properties, have, however, been rarely explored. In this work, using a spherical-aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope with subangstrom resolution, we have found that the polarization bound charge of the CDW in rhombohedral-like BiFeO3 thin films not only induces the formation of a tetragonal-like crystal structure at the CDW but also stabilizes unexpected nanosized domains with new polarization states and unconventional domain walls. These findings provide new insights on the effects of bound charge on ferroelectric domain structures and are critical for understanding the electrical switching in ferroelectric thin films as well as in ...
P1-S1.06 Rectal health: prevalence of rectal STIs and associations with clinical signs and self-reported symptoms

Background Predictors of rectal health are needed for public health programs and planning rectal microbicide clinical trials. Methods From October 2006 to December 2008, 896 men and women in Los Angeles and Baltimore in a rectal health and behaviours study (UCLA IPCP U19 0606414) completed interviews and rectal sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing including Gonorrhoea (GC), Chlamydia (CT) and high-risk human papilloma-virus (HR-HPV). Rectal signs detected by High Resolution Anoscopy (HRA) and self-reports of symptoms in the past month were analysed for associations with STIs (GC (n=7), CT (n=15) and HR-HPV (n=178)), demographics and receptive anal intercourse (RAI) in the past month. Those with active haemorrhoids were excluded (n=77) from analyses of STI predictors. Results SIGNS—Men reporting RAI (n=234) had a higher prevalence of swelling seen by HRA than men not reporting RAI (6.4% vs 1.9%; p value 0.02). Prevalence of erythema or haemorrhoids was lower among men reporting RAI (2.2% vs 6.8%; p value=0.02 and 18.3% vs 30.8%; p value Conclusions Lack of association between signs or symptoms and prevalent rectal STI suggests syndromic approaches may be problematic requiring laboratory testing for detection of rectal STIs. Prevalence of signs varied little by RAI practice but there was a higher prevalence of self-reported symptoms among men reporting RAI. These findings can serve as a reference for expected rates to be found in clinical trials testing rectal microbicides and interpretation of adverse events.
Cognitive Ergonomics; Requisite Compatibility, Fuzziness and Nonlinear Dynamics:

From the system design viewpoint, the main issue in ergonomics is to determine the requisite, or absolutely essential compatibility of the artifact-human system, and use it as a reference point for system improvements. Cognitive ergonomics aims to assure such requisite compatibility in the functioning of the artifact-human-systems with respect to complex and uncertain (cognitive) inter-relationships between system users, machines, and the environments. Such analysis must account for natural fuzziness and nonlinear dynamics of human cognitive processes. This paper examines some of the critical issues and methodological needs for future development of cognitive ergonomics. The modelling paradigm with respect to cognitive performance on physical tasks is also discussed.
The Physical Chemistry of Disinfection, I

One of the simplest of physico-chemical measurements which can be used to show changes in ionconcentrations in solutions, is that of electrical conductivity. Protein degradation may be followed by such a method ? the conductivity increasing as the chemical change progresses. With the aid of this principle Schryver and Lessing1 devised a method for comparing the relative antiseptic values of disinfectants. The rate of chemical change produced in a substrate by bacterial infection was taken as a measure of the vigor of the growth, and the effect on this rate of the presence of any given disinfectant was compared to the effect produced by carbolic acid. The method was designed to measure inhibition rather than sterilization.
Differential Interferometric Measurement of Instability at Two Points in a Hypervelocity Boundary Layer

The focused laser differential interferometer (FLDI) was used to investigate disturbances in a hypervelocity boundary layer on a sharp five degree half-angle cone. The T5 hypervelocity free-piston driven reflected-shock tunnel was used as the test facility; in such a facility the study of thermo-chemical/fluid-dynamic energy exchange is emphasized. Two sensitive FLDI probe volumes were aligned along a generator of the cone that recorded time-traces of density fluctuation at sufficient time resolution, spatial resolution, and signal to noise ratio, so that the boundary layer instability could be resolved. This arrangement of the FLDI allows for the interpretation of disturbances at two points and the correlation between them. The acoustic instability is detected with narrow-band peaks in the spectral response at a number of frequencies (500 kHz to 1.29 MHz). The data indicate that the instability driving the boundary layer to turbulence is acoustic in nature. Preliminary analysis indicates that there is not a significant difference between N2 and air acoustic boundary layer disturbance amplification factors for the representative cases presented. Computation of acoustic damping by thermo-chemical relaxation processes is presented for the same representative cases, and indicates that there is a negligible amount of absorption for both air and N_2 at the observed disturbance frequencies.
The Effect of Symbiosis upon Spore Formation by Bacillus Welchii, with Special Reference to the Presence of These Spores in Stools

The surgical importance of the bacillus welchii has been recognized since Fraenkel1 showed that it was the cause of gas phlegmon. Its significance for the internist became evident when it was shown by Tissier,2 Passini,3 and, more conclusively, by Kendall and his coworkers4 that this organism may be the cause of severe diarrheas especially in infants, but also in adults. The usual method of detecting the bacillus welchii in the stools is by means of the heated milk test, first used by Botkin,5 and perfected and employed very extensively by Kendall.6 The stools of infants suffering from gas bacillus diarrhea may be acid in reaction and yet contain large numbers of spores of this organism. The addition of sugar to the diet of such infants causes a serious and marked aggravation of the symptoms and an increase in the number of spores in the stools. Since it is well known that in artificial media the bacillus welchii does not sporulate except when such media are neutral or slightly alkaline and free from sugar, it seemed advisable to determine whether or not this bacillus could form spores in the presence of free acid or fermentable sugar in symbiosis with other organisms. Sittler7 has stated that the gas bacillus can produce spores in symbiosis with the colon bacillus under conditions and in media in which it would otherwise be unable to sporulate. A number of different strains of the bacillus welchii, isolated from a variety of sources, were grown in broth and in sterilized suspensions of feces, with and without the addition of dextrose, in symbiosis with
Time and Meaning

There are many clues that the replicants are obsessed with time. ‘Time’ is the first word we hear from Roy Batty as he emerges from a phone booth to assure Leon: ‘Time enough.’ At that point his declaration is still utterly mysterious. Time enough for what? As later becomes clear, the replicants are obsessed with time as it relates to their ‘morphology, longevity, incept dates’ — that is, to the amount of life they have left, and how they might acquire more of it. When Leon drags Deckard into an alley after witnessing Zhora’s retirement, time is clearly on his mind as well: Leon: How old am I? Deckard: I don’t know. Leon: My birthday is April 10, 2017. How long do I live? Deckard: Four years. Leon: More than you! … Wake up! Time to die.