cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HIV-1 gp120 impairs spatial memory through CREB

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remains an unsolved problem in the clinical management of HIV-1 carriers, because existing anti-retroviral therapy while suppressing viral replication, do not prevent neurocognitive impairment (e.g. spatial memory loss). HIV-1 gp120 protein has been proposed to contribute to HAND because it is shed by infected cells and the use of antibodies revealed its presence in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) even in the combinatory antiretroviral therapy (cART) era. The cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) has long been known to be a star player in memory. CREB exerts its effect partially through regulating the genes for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC)-1a and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). CREB, PGC-1a, and BDNF levels are low in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative diseases and a dearth of either protein is associated with cognitive decline. We have obtained data showing that gp120 contributes to neurodegeneration by altering CREB phosphorylation on serine residue 133 thus disrupting mitochondrial movement and synaptic plasticity leading to spatial memory loss. Inhibition of CREB function was also associated with a decrease of ATP levels and lower mitochondrial DNA copy numbers. Our data was validated in vitro (primary mouse neurons and neuronal cell line, SH-SY5Y) and in vivo (gp120-tg mice and mice injected with gp120). The negative effect of gp120 was alleviated in cells and animals in the presence of Rolipram. Hence, we conclude that HIV-1 gp120 protein contributes to spatial memory impairment via inhibition of CREB protein activity.
Asthma to EVALI: Tobacco Use Is a Pediatric Problem.

Five studies in this issue of Hospital Pediatrics address tobacco use and tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) in children, from birth through adulthood.1–5 The aims of the researchers in the studies may be different, but the take-home message is the same: tobacco use is a pediatric disease. Pediatricians can do much more for this disease, whether caring for a child admitted with an asthma exacerbation with caretakers who smoke or a teenager who is admitted with electronic cigarette or vaping–induced lung injury (EVALI). Thankfully, a review of the data from each of these studies helps us to understand the scope of the problem and define opportunities for practice change. It is important that hospitalists recognize the impact of TSE on children. TSE more than doubles the odds of hospitalization in children with asthma and worsens the disease severity of those hospitalized with asthma, bronchiolitis, and influenza.6–9 Infants exposed to intrauterine tobacco smoke have a higher risk of low birth weight, lower respiratory tract infections, and birth defects such as cleft palate.6 The study conducted by Ezegbe et …
Robotic Arm-Assisted versus Manual Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to compare (1) operative time, (2) in-hospital pain scores, (3) opioid medication use, (4) length of stay (LOS), (5) discharge disposition at 90-day postoperative, (6) range of motion (ROM), (7) number of physical therapy (PT) visits, (8) emergency department (ED) visits, (9) readmissions, (10) reoperations, (11) complications, and (12) 1-year patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in propensity matched patient cohorts who underwent robotic arm-assisted (RA) versus manual total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Using a prospectively collected institutional database, patients who underwent RA- and manual TKA were the nearest neighbor propensity score matched 3:1 (255 manual TKA:85 RA-TKA), accounting for various preoperative characteristics. Data were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal–Wallis, Pearson's Chi-squared, and Fisher's exact tests, when appropriate. Postoperative pain scores, opioid use, ED visits, readmissions, and 1-year PROMs were similar between the cohorts. Manual TKA patients achieved higher maximum flexion ROM (120.3 ± 9.9 versus 117.8 ± 10.2, p = 0.043) with no statistical differences in other ROM parameters. Manual TKA had shorter operative time (105 vs.113 minutes, p
A Primer on the Calculus of Variations and Optimal Control Theory

The calculus of variations is used to find functions that optimize quantities expressed in terms of integrals. Optimal control theory seeks to find functions that minimize cost integrals for systems described by differential equations. This book is an introduction to both the classical theory of the calculus of variations and the more modern developments of optimal control theory from the perspective of an applied mathematician. It focuses on understanding concepts and how to apply them. The range of potential applications is broad: the calculus of variations and optimal control theory have been widely used in numerous ways in biology, criminology, economics, engineering, finance, management science, and physics. Applications described in this book include cancer chemotherapy, navigational control, and renewable resource harvesting. The prerequisites for the book are modest: the standard calculus sequence, a first course on ordinary differential equations, and some facility with the use of mathematical software. It is suitable for an undergraduate or beginning graduate course, or for self study. It provides excellent preparation for more advanced books and courses on the calculus of variations and optimal control theory.
Compilation of Radiochemical Analyses of Spent Nuclear Fuel Samples

This document is a compilation of radiochemical analyses of spent nuclear fuel samples performed at the Khlopin Radium Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Characterization of Sulfhydryl Proteins Involved in the Maintenance of Flagellar Straightness in Hamster Spermatozoa

Hamster caput epididymal spermatozoa exhibit a marked 90-180 degree bend when induced to acquire progressive motility in vitro (Cornwall et al, 1988). Flagellar bending is prevented by oxidizing sperm sulfhydryl (SH) groups with diamide. In the present study, the authors examined the SH proteins involved in sperm flagellar bending using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and monobromobimane, an SH-specific fluorescent dye. Proteins extracted from samples containing bent caput spermatozoa contained more reduced SH than the same proteins extracted from straight caput spermatozoa. To further characterize these sperm SH proteins, caudal epididymal spermatozoa that exhibited straight flagella were induced to undergo flagellar bending by treatment with the SH reductant dithiothreitol. Specific proteins of 85-94 kDa, 50-55 kDa and 35-40 kDa, which were rich in SH groups when extracted from samples containing bent caput spermatozoa, were also SH-rich in samples containing bent cauda spermatozoa. These studies suggest that oxidation of specific SH proteins may be important for maintaining sperm flagellar morphology.
Emotion in the perspective of an integrated nervous system.

It would not be possible to discuss the integrative aspects of brain function without considering the operations that arise in large-scale neural systems; and it would be unreasonable not to single-out emotion among the critical integrative operations arising in that level. Yet, throughout the twentieth century, the integrated brain and mind have often been discussed with hardly any acknowledgment that emotion does exist, let alone that it is an important function and that understanding its neural underpinnings is of great advantage. There are numerous reasons behind the benign neglect of emotion and I cannot mention them all and much less discuss them. In general, however, it seems fair to say that emotion must have seemed both too elusive and too subjective to attract the interest of neuroscientists or cognitive scientists concerned with researching that which appeared most concrete and objective. It seems clear now that there is nothing more elusive about emotion than about, say, perception or memory —in fact less so, in my opinion— and it is equally clear that emotion is also no less objective. In the event, however, it did seem more elusive and less objective than other cognitive and behavioral phenomena. Perhaps this was so be-
Alpha i-3 cDNA encodes the alpha subunit of Gk, the stimulatory G protein of receptor-regulated K+ channels.

Abstract cDNA cloning has identified the presence in the human genome of three genes encoding alpha subunits of pertussis toxin substrates, generically called "Gi." They are named alpha i-1, alpha i-2 and alpha i-3. However, none of these genes has been functionally identified with any of the alpha subunits of several possible G proteins, including pertussis toxin-sensitive Gp's, stimulatory to phospholipase C or A2, Gi, inhibitory to adenylyl cyclase, or Gk, stimulatory to a type of K+ channels. We now report the nucleotide sequence and the complete predicted amino acid sequence of human liver alpha i-3 and the partial amino acid sequence of proteolytic fragments of the alpha subunit of human erythrocyte Gk. The amino acid sequence of the proteolytic fragment is uniquely encoded by the cDNA of alpha i-3, thus identifying it as alpha k. The probable identity of alpha i-1 with alpha p and possible roles for alpha i-2, as well as additional roles for alpha i-1 and alpha i-3 (alpha k) are discussed.
Electron Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Electron ionization (EI) is the basis for one of the most effective mass spectrometric means for identification of a given organic compound. The identification is based on an indication of the molecular weight (MW) coupled with a fragmentation pattern that serves as a chemical fingerprint for the compound. Of the many ionization techniques available in mass spectrometry, EI is one of the most harsh in terms of promoting fragmentation of the molecular ion. The analyst can take advantage of this extensive fragmentation by using some of the fundamental principles of organic mechanistic chemistry and physical chemistry for the purposes of rationalizing the fragmentation pathways that characterize various structural features in an organic molecule. Four basic mechanisms of fragmentation are considered in this chapter; most of them operate on an odd-electron ion, although some pathways will be applicable to even-electron ions as well. The multiplicity of peaks that represent a given ion allows one to estimate the elemental composition of an ion. This information on composition, coupled with a rationalization of a given fragmentation pathway, often enables the structure of a given organic compound to be deduced.1–3
Radio-frequency interference effects of continuous sinewave signals on telemetry data

Continuous sinewave interference effects on telemetry data obtained at the Goldstone Deep Space Station (DSS 11) were analyzed. The continuous sinewave interference is treated as an extraneous noise. Empirical telemetry data degradation and drop-lock models were then developed based on test data and certain physical characteristics of the telemetry data processing system. These models will be used as a portion of the radio frequency interference detection tools in the first version of the Deep Space Interference Prediction software.
Reliability assessment of a power system with high penetration of wind and cascade hydropower plant considering wind correlation

This paper presents a method to assess the impact on system reliability of wind integration, considering coordinated operation with cascade hydropower. The seasonal characteristics of river flows and correlation amongst different wind farms are considered. Time sequential Monte Carlo simulation and Latin Hypercube Sampling techniques are used to preserve the characteristics of the time series of the wind speed, water inflows, load, etc. Reliability indices are developed and used to assess, the impact of wind energy production on system reliability. The proposed method is applied to northwest grid of China. Results show the validity of the method.
DEEP METAPHYSICAL INDETERMINACY

A recent theory of metaphysical indeterminacy says that metaphysical indeterminacy is multiple actuality: there is metaphysical indeterminacy when there are many ‘complete precisifications of reality’. But it is possible for there to be metaphysical indeterminacy even when it is impossible to precisify reality completely. The orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics illustrates this possibility. So this theory of metaphysical indeterminacy is not adequate.
Arctic sea ice response to atmospheric forcings with varying levels of anthropogenic warming and climate variability

[1] Numerical experiments are conducted to project arctic sea ice responses to varying levels of future anthropogenic warming and climate variability over 2010–2050. A summer ice-free Arctic Ocean is likely by the mid-2040s if arctic surface air temperature (SAT) increases 4°C by 2050 and climate variability is similar to the past relatively warm two decades. If such a SAT increase is reduced by one-half or if a future Arctic experiences a range of SAT fluctuation similar to the past five decades, a summer ice-free Arctic Ocean would be unlikely before 2050. If SAT increases 4°C by 2050, summer ice volume decreases to very low levels (10–37% of the 1978–2009 summer mean) as early as 2025 and remains low in the following years, while summer ice extent continues to fluctuate annually. Summer ice volume may be more sensitive to warming while summer ice extent more sensitive to climate variability. The rate of annual mean ice volume decrease relaxes approaching 2050. This is because, while increasing SAT increases summer ice melt, a thinner ice cover increases winter ice growth. A thinner ice cover also results in a reduced ice export, which helps to further slow ice volume loss. Because of enhanced winter ice growth, arctic winter ice extent remains nearly stable and therefore appears to be a less sensitive climate indicator.
Displacement, Diaspora, and Geographies of Identity

Displacement, Diaspora, and Geographies of Identity. Smadar Lavie and Ted Swedenburg. eds. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1996. 332 pp.
Expression of recombinant human multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein in insect cells confers decreased accumulation of technetium-99m-sestamibi.

UNLABELLED The multidrug-resistant P-glycoprotein is a M(r) 170,000 plasma membrane protein encoded by the mammalian multidrug resistance gene (MDR) which appears to function as an efflux transporter of a variety of potent chemotherapeutic agents. METHODS To directly demonstrate that 99mTc-sestamibi is recognized by the human P-glycoprotein, we overexpressed recombinant human MDR1 P-glycoprotein in host Sf9 insect cells using a baculoviral vector and correlated expression of the gene product with 99mTc-sestamibi accumulation. RESULTS In parental Sf9 cells and in wild-type baculoviral infected (control) cells, 99mTc-sestamibi accumulation asymptotically approached a plateau of 650 fmoles (mg protein)-1 (nMo)-1 and 337 fmoles (mg protein)-1 (nMo)-1, respectively. In MDR1 baculoviral infected cells, P-glycoprotein expression was maximal at 72 hr postinfection, while 99mTc-sestamibi accumulation was reduced to 12 fmole (mg protein)-1 (nMo)-1. Verapamil (500 microM), the classical MDR modulator, produced an approximately 300% enhancement of 99mTc-sestamibi accumulation in Sf9 cells expressing MDR1 P-glycoprotein, but only a 50% enhancement in parental Sf9 cells, consistent with verapamil-induced inhibition of P-glycoprotein-mediated 99mTc-sestamibi efflux. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that the recombinant protein is transiently expressed in a functional state capable of drug transport in Sf9 cell membranes and that 99mTc-sestamibi is a transport substrate recognized by the human MDR1 P-glycoprotein. Technetium-99m-sestamibi may prove useful for functionally characterizing P-glycoprotein expression in human tumors in vivo.
Efficient Calculation of Jacobian and Adjoint Vector Products in the Wave Propagational Inverse Problem Using Automatic Differentiation

Wave propagational inverse problems arise in several applications including medical imaging and geophysical exploration. In these problems, one is interested in obtaining the parameters describing the medium from its response to excitations. The problems are characterized by their large size, and by the hyperbolic equation which models the physical phenomena. The inverse problems are often posed as a nonlinear data-fitting where the unknown parameters are found by minimizing the misfit between the predicted data and the actual data. In order to solve the problem numerically using a gradient-type approach, one must calculate the action of the Jacobian and its adjoint on a given vector. In this paper, we explore the use of automatic differentiation (AD) to develop codes that perform these calculations. We show that by exploiting structure at 2 scales, we can arrive at a very efficient code whose main components are produced by AD. In the first scale we exploite the time-stepping nature of the hyperbolic solver by using the “Extended Jacobian” framework. In the second (finer) scale, we exploit the finite difference stencil in order to make explicit use of the sparsity in the dependence of the output variables to the input variables. The main ideas in this work are illustrated with a simpler, one-dimensional version of the problem. Numerical results are given for both one- and two- dimensional problems. We present computational templates that can be used in conjunction with optimization packages to solve the inverse problem.
Nutritional cytopenia (vitamin M deficiency) in the monkey.

Young rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were given a diet containing casein, polished rice, whole wheat, salt mixture, sodium chloride, cod liver oil, and ascorbic acid. They developed a syndrome characterized by anemia, leukopenia, and loss of weight. Ulceration of the gums and diarrhea were common, and death occurred between the 26th and 100th day. 4 monkeys were given the deficient diet supplemented with 1 mg. of riboflavin daily, and these developed the characteristic signs and died. in periods of time similar to the survival of monkeys receiving the deficient diet alone. Nicotinic acid, either alone or in combination with riboflavin and thiamin chloride, failed to alter appreciably the course of the deficiency manifestations. Thus, it is evident that this nutritional cytopenia is not the result of a deficiency of vitamin B, riboflavin, or nicotinic acid. The deficient diet supplemented with either 10 gm. of dried brewers' yeast or 2 gm. of liver extract (Cohn fraction G) daily supported good growth, permitted normal body development, and maintained a normal blood picture over long periods. It is obvious that yeast and liver extract contain a substance essential to the nutrition of the monkey which is not identical with any of those factors of the vitamin B complex that have been chemically identified. We have proposed the term vitamin M for this factor which prevents nutritional cytopenia in the monkey.
Determination of three-dimensional permeability of fiber preforms by the inverse parameter estimation technique

A method is presented for measuring the permeability of three-dimensional orthotropic fiber preforms using the inverse parameter estimation technique. The method is based on an optimization procedure that minimizes differences between computed and measured times of arrival of the flow front at various locations in the mold during resin transfer molding. The arrival time is computed by numerical simulation using the control volume finite element method. The validity of this method was examined experimentally. It was shown that the proposed method can be implemented in a straightforward manner and yields reliable results.
STRUCTURAL FOUNDATIONS FOR E-COMMERCE ADOPTION: A COMPARATIVE ORGANIZATION OF RETAIL TRADE BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES

Why do two societies, both technologically advanced, exhibit a divergent path in adopting electronic commerce (e-commerce)? This paper compares the historical development of retail trade in Japan and the United States, with a specific focus on the partnership between brick-and-mortar and nonstore retailing. The way in which a society adopts technologies is in part historically determined, and business-to-consumer (B-to-C) transactions in particular are strongly influenced by the characteristics and structure of retail trade. While the strategies adopted by U.S. retailers is to develop e-commerce to sell products that are available at brick-and-mortar stores via online, the strategy adopted by Japanese convenience stores show that Japanese retailers are selling products available online at brick-and-mortar stores. Although the speed of e-commerce diffusion is typically attributed to the cost of access, a historical analysis of the retail sector reveals variations in institutional foundations for retail bus...
Graphical approach to non-ideal cases of self-associating protein systems.

Our previous paper described graphical procedures for evaluating the mode of association in ideal discrete and indefinite cases. This paper concerns the application of such procedures in cases where the non-ideality term BM1 must be considered. Bovine liver L-glutamate dehydrogenase and lysozyme are used as model systems. Several graphical procedures for dealing with cases of 1 − m, 1 − m − n, or indefinite association are developed. The procedure is based on the evaluation of the weight-fraction monomer with-out prior calculation of BM1, using graphical analysis to evaluate the non-ideality term.
Correlation between deformation lamellae, microfractures, macrofractures, and in situ stress measurements, White River Uplift, Colorado

Dynamic analyses of quartz deformation lamellae and microfractures in lower Paleozoic quartzites from the White River Uplift record a northwest direction of compression which can be related to joint and fault orientations and in situ stress determinations. Crystallographic orientations of deformation lamellae resemble those formed in the subbasal I, relatively nonselective domain. Microfractures in quartz grains form orthogonal sets of generally north-northeast– and west-northwest–trending fracutres which are approximately normal to bedding. The strongest set of microfractures in most samples lies in the σ – σ 2 plane deduced from deformation lamellae analyses, suggesting that the microfractures are extensional features. Maxima of microfractures correspond to maxima of joints measured at adjacent locations. The strikes of prominent west-northwest sets of microfractures and joints are subparellel to the dominant northwest strike of faults on the uplift. In situ stress measurements conducted in the Piceance Basin and Rangely, Colorado, areas indicate principal stress orientations similar to those determined from quartz deformation lamellae, microfractures, and joints which are pre-uplift to early uplift, late Laramide fabric elements.
Applications of Complex Systems Science in Obesity and Noncommunicable Chronic Disease Research

Interest in the application of systems science (SS) to obesity and noncommunicable chronic disease (NCD) research has been growing rapidly over the past decade as the epidemic of obesity and NCDs continues to grow globally. This article summarizes the key messages of the presentations made in the special symposium “Applications of Complex Systems Science in Obesity and Noncommunicable Chronic Disease Research,” held during the ASN Scientific Sessions and Annual Meeting at Experimental Biology 2014. Invited leaders from various fields presented cutting-edge aspects of the applications of SS in public health research, with a focus on obesity and NCDs. In addition, the symposium was capped with a discussion on funding opportunities from the NIH. The speakers described the nature of SS, how it could be applied to biomedical and public health research, lessons from SS to inform obesity and NCD interventions, and the promises, challenges, and recommendations going forward.
Theory and practice of ubiquitous quantitative chemical analysis using conventional computer optical disk drives.

We demonstrate a new attractive approach for ubiquitous quantitative chemical or biological sensing when analog signals are acquired from conventional optical disk drives, and these signals are used for quantitative detection of optical changes of sensing films deposited on conventional CD and DVD optical disks. Our developed analytical model of the operation of this Lab-on-DVD system describes the optical response of sensing films deposited onto the read surface of optical disks by taking into account the practical aspects of system performance that include possible reagent leaching effects, water sampling (delivering) efficiency, and possible changes of the film morphology after water removal. By applying a screen-printing process, we demonstrated a laboratory-scale automated production of sensing films with an average thickness of ∼10 μm and a thickness relative standard deviation of <3% across multiple films. Finally, we developed a system for delivery of water-sample volumes to sensing films on the disk that utilized a multifunctional jewel case assembly.
Similitude study for a laminated cylindrical tube under tensile, torsion, bending, internal and external pressure. Part I: governing equations

Abstract A general analytical model is developed for the stresses and displacements of an assembly of several coaxial laminated hollow circular cylinders made of orthotropic layers, and subjected to internal and external pressure, tensile, torsion and bending loads. Slip and friction conditions at the interfaces are not considered in lieu of perfect bonding. The model results are compared to the experimental tensile test of a composite tube. Displacements and stresses are evaluated for different angle-ply layers and radius-tothickness ratios.
Enhanced Release of Drugs from Silicone Elastomers (I) Release Kinetics of Pineal and Steroidal Hormones

AbstractThe release of melatonin, estradiol, and flourogestone acetate from subdermal implants was enhanced when implants were fabricated from silicone elastomers containing co-solvents. This enhancement followed a Q vs. t relationship. As glycerol concentration increased, the increments in release rate were greater for hydrophilic drugs than for hydrophobic drugs. When drug loading in the implants was held constant, release rates were found to be a function of glycerol concentrations in the device. A synergistic enhancement of release rate was observed when both glycerol and sodium chloride were added to the silicone matrix. The fact that co-solvents enhance the rate of drug release from silicone elastomers indicates that a reduction in the activation energy required for drug release may occur.
The effect of posterior spinal releases on axial correction torque: a cadaver study

Posterior only approaches for spinal deformity are increasingly popular and posterior spinal release is utilized to gain flexibility for correctional maneuvers. Prior biomechanical data support the use of facetectomy and rib head resection for gaining flexibility in the sagittal and coronal planes but to date there has been no quantification of stiffness reduction provided by these techniques for axial correction through a pedicle screw construct. We sought to determine the contribution of posterior spinal releases (facetectomy, rib head resection) on axial plane stiffness. Four fresh-frozen human cadavers were instrumented with fixed angle pedicle screws in the thoracic spine. The torque needed to produce 25° axial deflections at individual spinal segments (levels T5–T11) was measured using a custom needle deflection torque device attached to commercially available vertebral rotating construct. After the intact specimen was tested, torque measurements were repeated following a full facetectomy and posterior rib head resection Complete facetectomy resulted in an 18% decrease of torque needed to produce 25° of axial deformity compared to the intact specimen (P < 0.001). Rib resection added an additional 36% decrease in torque (P < 0.001). Complete facetectomies (Ponte or Smith-Petersen osteotomies) decrease the force required to rotate spinal segments with respect to the axial plane by approximately one-fifth. Posterior rib head resection should be considered to further loosen the spine if additional axial correction is desired.
Effects of kidney or kidney-pancreas transplantation on plasma pentosidine.

Effects of kidney or kidney-pancreas transplantation on plasma pentosidine. Tissue and plasma concentrations of pentose-derived glycation end-products ("pentosidine") are elevated in diabetic patients with normal renal function and in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients with end-stage renal disease. To determine the effects of correcting hyperglycemia and/or renal failure on the accumulation of pentosidine, we used reverse phase and ion exchange high performance liquid chromatography to measure this advanced glycation end-product in plasma proteins of diabetic and nondiabetic transplant recipients at various time intervals after kidney-pancreas or kidney transplantation. Changes in plasma pentosidine levels after transplantation were compared to changes in simultaneously obtained glycohemoglobin levels. Both kidney and kidney-pancreas transplantation were accompanied by a dramatic, but incomplete, reduction of plasma pentosidine concentrations within three months of transplantation. Kidney-pancreas transplantation resulted in normal glycohemoglobin levels within three months but offered no advantage over kidney transplantation alone in the partial correction of plasma pentosidine levels. There was no correlation between posttransplant plasma pentosidine and glycohemoglobin levels in either diabetic or nondiabetic transplant recipients. We conclude that renal failure is the major factor accounting for the accumulation of pentosidine in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients with end-stage renal disease. Restoration of euglycemia after kidney-pancreas transplantation provides no additional benefit in reducing plasma pentosidine levels to that achieved by correction of renal failure after kidney transplantation alone.
REPEATED MEASUREMENTS AND SESSION-SPACING EFFECTS ON CRITICAL FLICKER FREQUENCY.

Summary To evaluate the effect of session replication and the effect of the duration of the interval between sessions on CFF, three groups different in the methods of spacing sessions were tested for 10 sessions. A significant interaction effect was observed between interval durations and session replications. The group that was tested daily for five consecutive days showed a consistent elevation in threshold after the first two sessions, while the other two groups showed relatively uniform threshold scores over the 10 sessions.
Pressure And Power Dependence In The Infrared Laser Photolysis Of 1 -Chloro-1 -Fluoroethylene: Experiment And Modeling Calculations

Dissociation of the title compound following infrared multiphoton excitation was monitored via infrared fluorescence of the products, either HC1* or HF*. Total dissociation yield and branching ratio were monitored as functions of, respectively, pressure and photo-lytic intensity. A rate equations model of the excitation and dissociation process is shown to be consistent with both sets of data.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
9 EFFECTS OF MECLOFENAMIC ACID ON LUTEAL FUNCTION OF BEEF CATTLE

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of meclofenamic acid, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, on luteal function of beef cattle. A total of 18 Angus cows, aged between 2 and 3 years old, were enrolled in the experiment. All cows were synchronized using a 5-day CIDR protocol. Briefly, cows received 100 μg of gonadorelin diacetate tetrahydrate (GnRH; Cystorelin®, Merial, Athens, GA, USA) and a controlled internal drug release insert (CIDR; Eazi-BreedTM CIDR®, Pfizer Animal Health, New York, NY, USA). Five days later, the CIDR was removed and 50 mg of dinoprost (Lutalyse®, Pfizer Animal Health) was administered intramuscularly. Oestrus was determined by twice daily observations of mounting behaviour and tail painting scores (day of oestrus = Day 0). At 72 h after dinoprost, a second dose of gonadorelin (100 μg, IM) was administered. On Day 14, cows were randomly assigned to the following treatment groups: 1) control: 10 mL of saline solution administered IM; 2) systemic: 2 g of meclofenamic acid administered IM; and 3) oral: 2 g of meclofenamic acid administered orally. Cows were treated once daily for 11 days (i.e. until Day 24) and no adverse reactions were observed. Blood sampling and ovarian ultrasonography were performed every 72 h from Day 0 until Day 12 and then every 48 h until the end of the study. Serum progesterone concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay and were used to determine functional luteolysis (i.e. progesterone 0.05). In conclusion, meclofenamic acid administration did not affect luteal function in our study. Potentially, higher doses of meclofenamic acid may be necessary to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and prevent luteolysis. Table 1.Effects of meclofenamic acid administration on the day of peak progesterone concentration, lifespan of the corpus luteum (CL) and the length of oestrous cycle in beef cows (mean ± standard error of the mean) Funding was provided by The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, USDA-Animal Health Formula Funds. The authors are also grateful to the staff at the OSU Beef Center Facility for helping with animal handling and care.
‘To make it through each day still pregnant’: pregnancy bed rest and the disciplining of the maternal body

This article provides a qualitative, non-medical analysis of pregnancy bed rest to contribute to feminist scholarship on women's experiences of embodiment and reproduction. Drawing on surveys and interviews, I examine pregnancy bed rest from the perspective of those who have experienced it. I argue that pregnancy bed rest significantly disrupts women's sense of control over their bodies, and that this disruption is partly manifested through feelings of failure and self-blame. Women's feelings of failure are heightened within a cultural context that emphasizes the importance of individual control over reproductive processes and ignores marginalized experiences of pregnancy. I then examine how women strategize ways to momentarily regain some control over their self and lives and thereby reduce feelings of failure. Analysis of women's pregnancy bed rest experiences furthers our understanding of an experience that drastically alters women's sense of control and self-discipline as well as their relationship to...
Quo Vadis—a framework for intelligent routing in large communication networks

Modern communication networks contain hundreds if not thousands of interconnected nodes. Traffic management mechanisms must be able to support a cost-effective, responsive, flexible, robust, customer-oriented high speed communication environment while minimizing the overhead associated with management functions. Conventional traffic management mechanisms for routing and congestion control algorithms entail tremendous resource overhead in storage and update of network state information. Quo Vadis is an evolving framework for intelligent traffic management in very large communication networks. It is designed to exploit topological properties of large networks as well as their spatio-temporal dynamics to optimize multiple performance criteria through cooperation among nodes in the network. It employs a distributed representation of network state information using local load measurements supplemented by a less precise global summary. Routing decisions in Quo Vadis are based on parameterized heuristics designed to optimize various performance metrics in an anticipatory or pro-active as well as compensatory or reactive mode and to minimize the overhead associated with traffic management. The complexity of modern networks in terms of the number of entities, their interaction, and the resulting dynamics make an analytical study often impossible. Hence, we have designed and implemented an object oriented simulation toolbox to facilitate the experimental studies of Quo Vadis. Our efforts to design such a simulation environment were driven by the need to evaluate heuristic routing strategies and knowledge representation as employed by Quo Vadis. The results of simulation experiments within a grid network clearly demonstrate the ability of Quo Vadis to avoid congestion and minimize message delay under a variety of network load conditions. In order to provide a theoretical framework for the design and analytical study of decision mechanisms as employed by Quo Vadis, we draw upon concepts from the field of utility theory. Based on the concept of reward and cost incurred by messages in the network, utility functions which bias routing decisions so as to yield routes that circumvent congested areas have been designed. The existence of utility functions which yield minimum cost routes in uniform cost networks with a single congested node has been proven rigorously.
Liquidity and Initial Public Offering Underpricing

Booth and Chua (1996) suggest that underpricing may boost secondary market liquidity of an initial public offering (IPO), but to date there is little evidence on this point. In this study, we employ ten measures of liquidity to explore whether the underpricing of IPOs boosts subsequent secondary market liquidity for the issue. The clear preponderance of the evidence suggests it does. Underpricing increases secondary market liquidity when volume based measures and price-scaled spread and price-responsiveness measures are used to measure liquidity. This result is robust in multivariate analysis, where we control for other factors believed to influence liquidity, and holds both before and after lockup expiration.
Defensive behaviour of the western banded gecko, coleonyx variegatus

Abstract Western banded geckos, Coleonyx variegatus , responded to the presence of a potential snake predator by raising or undulating the tail or by doing both. The lizards responded to large snakes more often than to small snakes, and individuals with original tails responded with a defensive posture more often than those with regenerated tails.
Symmetric invariant bilinear forms on vertex operator algebras

Abstract We give a criterion for determining the existence of nonzero symmetric invariant bilinear forms on vertex operator algebras and we establish an analogue of the Cartan criterion for semi-simplicity.
University Students' Notebook Computer Use

University students are self-reporting musculoskeletal discomfort with computer use similar to levels reported by adult workers. The objective of this research study was to determine how university students use notebook computers and to determine what ergonomic strategies might be effective in reducing their self-reported musculoskeletal discomfort. Two hundred and eighty-nine university students, who were randomly assigned to one of three conditions, participated in this study. Participants who received notebook computer accessories and those who received these accessories and participatory ergonomics training reported a significant reduction in self-reported notebook computer-related discomfort. A significant increase in rest breaks occurred with a significant correlation between self-reported computer usage and the amount measured using WorkPace®, a computer usage software.
Simple and accurate sum rules for highly relativistic systems.

In this paper, I consider the Bethe and Thomas–Reiche–Kuhn sum rules, which together form the foundation of Bethe’s theory of energy loss from fast charged particles to matter. For nonrelativistic target systems, the use of closure leads directly to simple expressions for these quantities. In the case of relativistic systems, on the other hand, the calculation of sum rules is fraught with difficulties. Various perturbative approaches have been used over the years to obtain relativistic corrections, but these methods fail badly when the system in question is very strongly bound. Here, I present an approach that leads to relatively simple expressions yielding accurate sums, even for highly relativistic many-electron systems. I also offer an explanation for the difference between relativistic and nonrelativistic sum rules in terms of the Zitterbewegung of the electrons.
The relevance of age of onset to the psychopathology of generalized anxiety disorder

The present study sought to clarify the relevance of age of onset to the psychopathology of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) using a large clinical sample of 154 patients with DSM-IV GAD. Most patients reported onset of GAD by early adulthood, although a smaller proportion of cases emerged in middle adulthood. Structural equation and regression models tested predictions that earlier onset GAD would be characterized by different levels of stress at disorder onset, disorder severity, lifetime comorbidity, and traits that predispose individuals to emotional disorders. Results showed that cases of GAD that emerged without any precipitating stressors were more likely to be of earlier onset. However, another sizable group of patients with earlier-onset GAD identified severely stressful early environments that they linked to the emergence of GAD symptoms. In contrast, cases of GAD that began in adulthood were most likely to emerge in the context of mild to moderate stress. Further analyses revealed that earlier-onset GAD was associated with higher levels of disorder severity, comorbidity, and temperamental vulnerability to emotional disorders. These results are discussed in regard to their clinical and conceptual implications for anxiety disorders.
Measurement of basilar membrane vibrations and evaluation of the cochlear condition

The experimental procedure for measuring basilar membrane responses to acoustic signals is described. The surgical procedure developed for opening the cochlea with minimal trauma is presented. Each experiment included sound pressure level measurements to define the input signal, cochlear microphonic (CM) measurements to monitor the cochlear condition, interferometric measurements and histological evaluation of the cochleas. The characteristic frequency (CF) and the sensitivity at CF for the basilar membrane response is correlated with the change of CM response observed in six animals. It is demonstrated that both tuning characteristics are extremely sensitive to cochlear trauma as evidenced by changes of CM.
Using stand replacement fires to restore southern Appalachian pine-hardwood ecosystems: effects on mass, carbon, and nutrient pools

Abstract Pine–hardwood ecosystems in the southern Appalachians are in serious decline due to fire exclusion and insect infestations. Fire has been advanced as a tool to restore these ecosystems, yet there are few studies evaluating overall ecosystem effects. Our objectives were to evaluate the effects of stand restoration burning on forest floor nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) pools, and soil and stream chemistry. We measured changes in forest floor (coarse woody debris, small wood, litter, and humus) mass, N, and C; changes in soil chemistry (calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, C, and N); and changes in stream nitrate (NO 3 ). Results showed that significant reductions in mass, N, and C occurred only for litter and small wood on the ridge, where N losses were 52.9 kg ha −1 for litter and small wood combined. No significant effects were observed on the mid- or lower slope of the treatment watershed. Losses on the ridge are considerably lower than losses which occur with alternative burning treatments used in the region, such as the fell and burn treatment. Soil and stream chemistry showed no response to burning. Spatial heterogeneity in fire intensity (combustion temperatures ranged from 800°C) and severity associated with stand replacement burning results in a mosaic of fire effects and considerably less consumption and subsequent nutrient losses.
The Sun as never viewed before

With the launch of the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), on December 2, 1995, solar physics entered a new era of “viewing” the Sun and heliosphere without interferences from the Earth's atmosphere. SOHO is a mission of international cooperation between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. The most exciting new discoveries from SOHO include the unexpectedly high magnetic activity observed during the very minimum of the solar cycle and the “observation” of the interior structure of the Sun (helioseismology). The coronal instruments are showing that coronal mass ejections (CMEs) leave the Sun more frequently than expected, at the rate of approximately one per day. The helioseismology experiments, with their extremely low noise due to the absence of the Earth's atmospheric interference, are showing that convective cells under the solar surface are shaped like pancakes, not spheres as was previously assumed.
Steady-state and transient responses of non-classically damped linear systems

A recently proposed procedure for interrelating the steady-state and transient responses of multi-degree-of-freedom, classically damped linear systems is extended to non-classically damped systems. The extension is formulated for baseexcited systems, and it is illustrated by simple examples.
Biomolecular logic systems: applications to biosensors and bioactuators

The paper presents an overview of recent advances in biosensors and bioactuators based on the biocomputing concept. Novel biosensors digitally process multiple biochemical signals through Boolean logic networks of coupled biomolecular reactions and produce output in the form of YES/NO response. Compared to traditional single-analyte sensing devices, biocomputing approach enables a high-fidelity multi-analyte biosensing, particularly beneficial for biomedical applications. Multi-signal digital biosensors thus promise advances in rapid diagnosis and treatment of diseases by processing complex patterns of physiological biomarkers. Specifically, they can provide timely detection and alert to medical emergencies, along with an immediate therapeutic intervention. Application of the biocomputing concept has been successfully demonstrated for systems performing logic analysis of biomarkers corresponding to different injuries, particularly exemplified for liver injury. Wide-ranging applications of multi-analyte digital biosensors in medicine, environmental monitoring and homeland security are anticipated. “Smart” bioactuators, for example for signal-triggered drug release, were designed by interfacing switchable electrodes and biocomputing systems. Integration of novel biosensing and bioactuating systems with the biomolecular information processing systems keeps promise for further scientific advances and numerous practical applications.
Observations on the big bang flowering of Miconia minutiflora (Melastomataceae)

Trees ofMiconia minutiflora produced abundant flowers for only one to three days during mid-April 1983 in the vicinity of Saul, French Guiana. They attracted large numbers of at least 14 species of bees that collected nectar or pollen or both. Nectar production is uncommon in the Melastomataceae and not previously reported forMiconia. Peak bee activity at the trees was in the morning and by afternoon most visits were limited to those bees in search of remnant pollen, especially species ofTrigona. As has been shown for other neotropical plants, heavy rains may trigger flowering in this species. It is suggested that the flowering system ofM. minutiflora promotes outcrossing because of interactions among the numerous species of bees visiting the trees and because of inter-individual variation in nectar and pollen availability. Therefore, bees may fly to other trees instead of becoming satiated with nectar or pollen from a single tree.