cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular effects of N-butylscopolammonium bromide and xylazine in horses

Summary Reasons for performing study: N-butylscopolammonium bromide (NBB) and xylazine are commonly used medications for the treatment of spasmodic colic and other forms of abdominal pain in horses. Both NBB and xylazine exert significant effects on the cardiovascular system and other vital systems of horses. Objective: To evaluate the effects of i.v. administration of NBB, xylazine, and the combination of NBB and xylazine on heart rate, other commonly measured physiological parameters, cardiac rhythm and blood pressure. Methods: Six mature horses of mixed breed were used. In a random cross-over design, each horse was given 0.3 mg/kg bwt of NBB i.v., 0.25 mg/kg bwt xylazine i.v., and a combination of 0.3 mg/kg bwt NBB and 0.25 mg/kg bwt xylazine. Heart rate, physiological parameters, cardiac rhythm and indirect blood pressure were recorded at timed intervals before and 60 min following administration. Results: Heart rate and blood pressure were significantly elevated immediately following administration of NBB or NBB with xylazine. Administration of NBB with xylazine resulted in significantly greater initial and peak blood pressure values than with NBB alone. Administration of xylazine resulted in a decrease in heart rate, with an initial increase in blood pressure followed by a decrease in blood pressure. Sinus tachycardia was seen with NBB, and NBB and xylazine administration. First and second degree atrioventricular block was identified with xylazine administration. Ventricular tachycardia was identified in one horse following NBB and xylazine administration. Conclusions: Results of this study suggest that the effects of administration of NBB alone or in combination with xylazine to horses with colic, especially to those with systemic cardiovascular compromise, should be considered carefully to assess condition and predict prognosis accurately, and to avoid potential adverse effects.
Uniqueness and symmetry in bargaining theories of justice

For contractarians, justice is the result of a rational bargain. The goal is to show that the rules of justice are consistent with rationality. The two most important bargaining theories of justice are David Gauthier’s and those that use the Nash’s bargaining solution. I argue that both of these approaches are fatally undermined by their reliance on a symmetry condition. Symmetry is a substantive constraint, not an implication of rationality. I argue that using symmetry to generate uniqueness undermines the goal of bargaining theories of justice.
De novo determination of bond orientations and order parameters from residual dipolar couplings with high accuracy.

We report the de novo determination of 15N−1H bond orientations and motional order parameters for the protein ubiquitin with high accuracy based solely on NMR residual dipolar coupling measurements made in six distinct alignment media. The resulting bond orientations are in agreement with RDC-refined orientations of either solid or solution state coordinates to within approximately 2°, which is also the estimated precision of the resulting orientations. The squared generalized order parameters, which reflect amplitudes of motion spanning the picosecond to millisecond time scales, exhibit a correlation with picosecond time scale order parameters derived from conventional NMR 15N spin relaxation methods. Provided that RDC measurements can be obtained using many different alignment media, this approach (called direct interpretation of dipolar couplings) may significantly impact the attainable accuracy and the molecular weight range accessible to NMR structure determination in the solution state, as well as p...
On Bayesian estimation of the multiple decrement function in the competing risks problem

Abstract Classical methods are inapplicable in estimation problems involving non-identifiable parameters. Bayesian methods, on the other hand, are often both feasible and intuitively reasonable in such problems. This paper establishes the foundations for studying the efficacy of Bayesian updating in estimating nonidentifiable parameters in the competing risks framework. We obtain a useful representation of the posterior distribution of the multiple decrement function, assuming a Dirichler process prior, and derive the limiting posterior distribution. It is noted that posterior estimates of a nonidentifiable parameter may be inferior to estimates based on the prior distribution alone, even when the size of the available sample grows to infinity. This leads, among other things, to the search for distinguished parameter values, or models, in which Bayesian updating necessarily improves upon one's prior estimate. In a companion paper, it is shown that the multivariate exponential distribution can play such a role in the competing risks framework.
Extensive training, partial reinforcement, and temporal gaps do not affect S-S learning in second-order autoshaping.

A second-order autoshaping procedure was used to examine the effects of three variables on the amount of information that could be learned about the stimulus properties of a reinforcer. All three experiments paired several keylight S2s with different keylight S1s and then carried out discriminative autoshaping with those S1s. Learning about the stimulus properties of S1 was inferred from changes in the response to its paired S2 when that S1 was changed in value. The sensitivity of S2 to changes in S1 was investigated as a function of number of S2-S1 pairings (Experiment 1), partial reinforcement (Experiment 2), and temporal distance between S2 and S1 (Experiment 3). Each experiment found evidence of a selective change in responding to an S2 as a function of the treatment of its S1. However, the amount of that change was not affected by any of the three variables studied. Those results imply that, within the ranges used here, none of these variables changes the degree of learning about the stimulus properties of a reinforcer.
Trypanocidal and Antileishmanial Dihydrochelerythrine Derivatives from Garcinia lucida

Three benzo[ c]phenanthridine alkaloids have been isolated from the stem bark of Garcinia lucida: dihydrochelerythrine ( 1), 6-acetonyldihydrochelerythrine ( 2), and its new derivative, ( S)1''-(9,10-dihydro-2',3'-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy-10-methyl-1,2-benzophenanthridin-9-yl)propan-2''-one (lucidamine A) ( 3). The new diisoprenylated derivative of lucidamine B ( 4) was obtained by semisynthesis. These dihydrochelerythrine derivatives as well as the crude extract displayed attractive antiprotozoal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Leishmania donovani, with little toxicity to Vero cells and the host cells. This is the first trypanocidal and antileishmanial bioguided study of G. lucida, and the activity of the crude extract as well as of the dihydrochelerythrine derivatives are reported for the first time.
Sculpted optical silica fiber tips for use in Nd:YAG contact tip laser surgery: part 1--fabrication techniques

The development of sapphire tips, coupled to the distal end of silica fibers, introduced the use of a new surgical power delivery system known as contact tip surgery. An alternative medium to sapphire tips is the use of silica optical fibers with molded distal ends. We investigated a number of possible approaches for the fabrication of a variety of distal end configurations on silica fibers using an oxy-propane gas torch, arc fusion, Nd:YAG radiation, and CO 2 radiation. We fabricated seven silica contact tips that included a clear and frosted microlens, a clear and frosted ball lens, a clear and frosted conical lens, and a flat end lens. The most reliable method found to fabricate silica contact tips used a CO 2 laser because it offered complete control over the manufacturing process.
Newly Identified Lines of Ni xviii, Cu xix, and Zn xx in the Na i Isoelectronic Sequence

Newly identified lines of highly ionized nickel, copper, and zinc in sodium I isoelectronic sequences
Understanding urban child mental health service use: Two studies of child, family, and environmental correlates

The results of two studies identifying child, family, and environmental correlates of initial and ongoing mental health service use by urban minority children and their families are presented. In the first study, data from a sample of 405 adult caregivers of children revealed no predictive power of child demographic characteristics in relation to initial or ongoing service usage. Only parental ratings of child impulsive-hyperactive behavior were significantly related to ongoing involvement in services. In the second study, a new sample of 100 urban caregivers of children was interviewed. Parental discipline efficacy and attitudes about mental health services were found to relate significantly to initial attendance. Relative to ongoing service use, level of family stress, presence of another adult in the home, and parental discipline efficacy were significant. Implications for research and child mental health service organizations are highlighted.
PROLONGED PERSISTENCE OF LEUKEMIA CELLS AFTER INTENSIVE CHEMOTHERAPY FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE REMISSION WITHOUT FURTHER INTERVENTION

The presence of substantial numbers of leukemic cells following completion of induction therapy for acute nonlymphocytic leukemia ordinarily indicates persistence of leukemia and is followed by complete relapse. We report 2 cases in which leukemic cells were present for 1-2 weeks after completion of induction therapy, yet complete remission was documented 7-12 days later without further induction treatment. They were treated with standard doses of Daunorubicin (Dnm) & Cytosine Arabinoside (Ara-C). Several explanations are possible. The majority of leukemic cells may have been irreparably damaged by chemotherapy but were still able to go through several divisions, a type of bone marrow damage seen in experimental whole body irradiation. It is also possible that the therapy reduced the tumor load and the body managed to rid itself of a now manageable load of leukemic cells by some mechanism in response to the leukemia. The mode of action of this response could involve promotion of differentiation which has been shown both in established and fresh APL cell lines. We hope that investigations of cases such as ours can determine which of these mechanisms may pertain, since the implications for therapy would vary considerably.
Frequency‐domain fluorescence spectroscopy; principles, biochemical applications and future developments

Time-resolved fluorescence decays are frequently used for the characterization of biological macromolecules. Such data are usually obtained by measurements of the time-dependent emission from samples excited with brief pulses of light. In this article we describe an alternative method, in which the time-resolved emission is determined from the frequency-response of the emission to intensity modulated light, a method we call frequency-domain fluorometry. We describe the principles of this method, the instrumentation, and the methods used to analyze the data. We then describe the use of this method to recover the complex decays resulting from conformational distributions of flexible molecules and segmental mobility of aromatic residues in proteins. The present instrumentation allows measurements to 2 GHz, which has been used to measure rotational correlation times as short as 7 ps. In the future it may be possible to extend the frequency range to 6 GHz which should allow still faster processes to be quantified. It should be emphasized that the GHz frequency-domain measurements are performed using low excitation intensities which do not damage the samples.
Risk Factors for Supraglottoplasty Failure

Objective. To review outcomes after supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia and identify risk factors for supraglottoplasty failure.Study Design. Case series with chart review.Setting. Tertiary care children’s hospital.Subjects and Methods. Retrospective case series evaluating patient outcomes after supraglottoplasty at an academic medical center between 2004 and 2010. Surgical failure was defined as need for revision surgery, tracheostomy tube placement, or gastrostomy tube insertion. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for failure.Results. The authors identified 95 children who underwent supraglottoplasty. After excluding patients with inadequate follow-up data, 74 patients were included. On the basis of chart review, 12 (16%) of those patients were defined as failures according to the criteria above. Age, history of prematurity (<34 weeks’ gestational age), weight, growth curve percentile, neurologic/developmental problems, genetic syndrome, cardiac abnormality, synchr...
DECREASED SERUM IgA LEVELS IN CHILDHOOD IDIOPATHIC THROM BOCYTOPENIC PURPURA (ITP)

Quantitative serum immunoglobulins were determined in 19 children with ITP, 13 acute and 6 chronic by single radial immunodiffusion method. Although IgG and IgM values did not differ, IgA levels were found uniformly lower than the proper controls, which stayed lower in remission, since autoimmune disorders occur more frequently in patients with IgA deficiency and low IgA levels were observed more frequently in those families, some relation between low serum IgA and ITP is suggested.
Quantitative investigation of compressible mixing - Staged transverse injection into Mach 2 flow

Planar measurements of the injectant mole fraction distribution and the velocity field within a supersonic mixing flowfield have been made using laser-induced iodine fluorescence. The flowfield investigated in this work is staged transverse injection of air into a Mach 2 freestream. A complete three-dimensional survey of the injectant mole fraction distribution has been generated, and a single planar velocity measurement has been completed. The measurements reveal the dramatic effect of streamwise vortices on the mixing in the near field of the injectors, as well as the rapid mixing generated by staging two fuel injectors. Analysis of the downstream decay of the maximum injectant mole fraction in this and other supersonic mixing flowfields indicates that the relative rate of injectant mixing well downstream of the injectors is independent of injection geometry, freestream Mach number, and injectant molecular weight. Mixing within this region of the flowfield is dominated by small-scale turbulence within the injectant plume. The transition of the dominant mixing mechanism, from vortex-driven mixing in the near field to small-scale turbulent mixing in the far field, was found to occur in the region about 10 diameters downstream of the injectors.
Improved Experimental Ritz Vector Extraction With Application to Damage Detection

Load-dependent Ritz vectors, or Lanczos vectors, are alternatives to mode shapes as a set of orthogonal vectors used to describe the dynamic behavior of a structure. Experimental Ritz vectors are extracted recursively from a state-space system realization, and they are orthogonalized using the Gram-Schmidt process. In addition to the Ritz vectors themselves, the associated nonorthogonalized vectors are required for application to damage detection. First, this paper presents an improved experimental Ritz vector extraction algorithm to correctly extract the nonorthogonalized Ritz vectors. Second, this paper introduces a Ritz vector accuracy indicator for use with noisy data. This accuracy indicator is applied as a tool to guide the deflation of a state-space system realization identified from simulated noisy data. The improved experimental Ritz vector extraction algorithm produces experimental nonorthogonalized Ritz vectors that match the analytically computed vectors. The use of the accuracy indicator with simulated noisy data enables the identification of a state-space realization for Ritz vector extraction from which damage location and extent are correctly estimated. The improved Ritz vector extraction algorithm improves the application of Ritz vectors to damage detection, more accurately estimating damage location and extent. The accuracy indicator extends the application of Ritz vectors to damage detection in noisy systems as well.
Cerebral vasospasm patterns following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: an angiographic study comparing coils with clips

Background and purpose Cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) results in significant morbidity due to ischemia. Subarachnoid hematoma evacuation during aneurysm clipping reduces the incidence of vasospasm. However, studies comparing endovascular coiling with open clipping have reported similar rates of spasm. We addressed the question of how coiling produces similar (if not less) vasospasm without the benefit of clot evacuation by evaluating vasospasm patterns among patients with aSAH. We hypothesize that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation plays a major role in clearing blood breakdown products, and that coiling may preserve CSF flow in the subarachnoid space. Methods A retrospective chart review identified 36 (18 coiled/18 clipped) patients with aSAH who developed angiographic vasospasm. The degree of spasm was quantified using an ordinal scale from 0 (none) to 5 (severe) for 26 anatomic vessel segments evaluated on 164 successive angiograms. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test for proportions and the Wilcoxon and Student t tests on ordinal/continuous measures. Quadratic regression was also used as a model for spasm activity versus post-bleed days. Results In both the coiling and clipping groups the most severely spastic vessels were located adjacent to aneurysm rupture. Perianeurysmal spasm affected all subjects. However, whereas spasm remained largely confined in patients treated by clipping, those who underwent coiling developed stepwise progression distally over time. The distal vasospasm severity scores were higher among subjects treated by coiling, particularly in the most dependent regions of the subarachnoid space. Conclusions Patients with aSAH treated by endovascular coiling and surgical clipping demonstrate distinct vasospasm patterns. While both initially exhibit perianeurysmal spasm, patients treated by coiling go on to develop stepwise progression distally over time. This finding may reflect dispersion of blood breakdown products along preserved CSF egress pathways in patients treated by endovascular coiling.
Optimal futures heading: Quadratic versus exponential utility functions

Although quadratic and exponential utility functions both lead to mean-variance expected utility analysis, this study demonstrates that the two approaches produce different optimal futures hedging decisions. Specifically, the deviation between the optimal production level and the optimal futures position is always smaller under the exponential utility framework. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 28: 208–211, 2008
In situ TEM observations of dislocation/anti-phase boundary interactions

L21-ordered Fe59Mn17Al24 (in at%) single crystals were in situ strained at either 300 K or 700 K in a transmission electron microscope. At 300 K, the strain was accommodated by the glide of four-fold dissociated super-dislocations, whereas, at 700 K, the strain was accommodated by the glide of a/2⟨111⟩ partials. Dislocation pile-ups occurred at a/4⟨111⟩ thermal anti-phase boundaries (APBs). Screw super-dislocations frequently cross-slipped when they encountered the thermal APBs, while mixed dislocations tended to be pinned at them. This impediment is attributed to the creation of new APB segments when dislocations pass through the curvy thermal APBs.
Physician-reported determinants of screening mammography in older women : the impact of physician and practice characteristics

OBJECTIVE: Despite having markedly higher breast cancer risk, compliance of older women with screening mammography has been poor. This study was undertaken to determine which physician and patient practice characteristics were associated with high self-reported mammography referral rates for older women. METHODS: Primary care physicians (n = 129) from three socioeconomically diverse communities in Los Angeles were surveyed. Agreement with annual screening and self-reported referral rates were assessed for two groups of women, those 65 to 74 years of age and those 75 years and older. Screening outcomes were compared with physician and patient practice characteristics using bivariate and multivariate techniques. RESULTS: Although 73% of physicians agreed with annual screening of women aged 65 to 74 years, only 24% of physicians reported actually screening most women seen in this age group. Similarly, 57% of physicians agreed that women age 75 years and older should be screened annually, but only 21% reported recommending mammograms for most women seen in this age group. In multivariate analysis, white physicians (adjusted OR = 9.1), younger physicians (adjusted OR = 3.85), and those who used the American Cancer Society's low cost mammography projects (adjusted OR = 5.01) were more likely to report screening the majority of women seen. DISCUSSION: This study suggests that although physicians' intentions to screen older women may be relatively high, a gap exists between intentions and what is reported to be accomplished in practice. Race/ethnicity and physician specialty were the two strongest predictors of high self-reported referral rates, suggesting that targeted interventions may be useful.
α1-Adrenergic receptor subtypes: non-identical triplets with different dancing partners?

Alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors are one of the three subfamilies of G protein coupled receptors activated by epinephrine and norepinephrine to control important functions in many target organs. Three human subtypes (alpha(1A), alpha(1B), alpha(1D)) are derived from separate genes and are highly homologous in their transmembrane domains but not in their amino or carboxyl termini. Recent advances in our understanding of these "non-identical triplets" include development of knockout mice lacking single or multiple subtypes, new insights into subcellular localization and trafficking, identification of allosteric modulators, and increasing evidence for an important role in brain function. Although all three subtypes activate the same G(q/11) signaling pathway, they also appear to interact with different protein binding partners. Recent evidence suggests they may also form dimers, and may initiate independent signals through pathways yet to be clearly elucidated. Thus, this subfamily represents a common phenomenon of a group of similar but non-identical receptor subtypes activated by the same neurotransmitter, whose individual functional roles remain to be clearly established.
Understanding invasion as a process: the case of Phalaris arundinacea in wet prairies

Invasive plants that most threaten biodiversity are those that rapidly form a monospecific stand, like the clonal grass, Phalaris arundinacea. Understanding complex and potentially interacting factors that are common in urban and agricultural landscapes and underlie rapid invasions requires an experimental, factorial approach. We tested the effects of flooding and nutrient and sediment additions (3 × 3 × 3 = 27 treatments, plus a control with no additions) on invasion of Phalaris into mesocosms containing wet prairie vegetation. We discovered a three-step invasion and degradation process: (1) initially, resident native species declined with prolonged flooding and sediment additions, and (2) prolonged flooding, sedimentation, and nutrients accelerated Phalaris aboveground growth; biomass rose to 430 times that of the control within just two growing seasons. The dramatic expansion of Phalaris in the second year resulted in the formation of monospecific stands in over one-third of the treatments, as (3) native species continued their decline in year 2. Disturbances acted alone and in combination to make the resident wetland community more invasible and Phalaris more aggressive, leading to monospecific stands. Yet, Phalaris did not always “win”: under the least disturbed conditions, the resident plant canopy remained dense and vigorous and Phalaris remained small. When anthropogenic disturbances coincide with increases in the gross supply of resources, more tolerant, fast-growing, and morphologically plastic plants like Phalaris can invade very rapidly. The fluctuating resource hypothesis should thus be refined to consider the role of interacting disturbances in facilitating invasions.
Clinical correlations of immunophenotypic variations and the presence of trisomy 12 in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract In a prospective study of 93 consecutive untreated patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, we examined the clinical relevance of surface immunoglobulin (sIg) heavy chain (HC) and light chain (LC) isotypes, CD11c or CD25 expression, and the presence of trisomy 12 by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Careful morphologic evaluation was performed to exclude patients with other forms of chronic lymphoid leukemias, including mantle cell lymphoma, prolymphocytic leukemia, and leukemic phase of lymphoma. In addition, clonally restricted sIg and CD5 surface determinant were expressed in all patients. Clinical presentation, including blood cell counts, clinical stage, and organomegaly, did not correlate with any of the measured variables. After a median follow-up period of 3 years, the particular HC or LC isotype or CD11c expression did not correlate with either disease progression or treatment-free survival. However, trisomy 12 and CD25 expressions were both associated with accelerated disease progression and a shorter treatment-free survival time. Our results confirm the adverse prognostic significance of trisomy 12 expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and suggest that CD25 expression may have an unfavorable clinical impact.
Differential actions of calcium antagonists on calcium binding to cardiac sarcolemma

Abstract The action of four calcium antagonistic drugs, including verapamil, bepridil, nifedipine, and diltiazem, on calcium binding to cardiac sarcolemma from guinea pig was tested. It was found that verapamil (10 −6 to 10 −5 M) inhibited calcium binding to a great extent. Bepridil at the same concentrations was less potent than verapamil in the depression of calcium binding. Nifedipine and diltiazem did not affect sarcolemmal calcium binding. The differential action of the calcium antagonistic drugs was discussed.
Survey and compilation of stopping power data conducted by the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements

Abstract One of the principal objectives of the International Commision on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) is to recommend internationally acceptable values of physical quantities relevant to radiation measurements and radiological dosimetry. Among a large variety of the physical quantities treated by the ICRU, the stopping power is one of the most fundamental. In 1984, the ICRU issued its Report (No. 37) concerning stopping power for electrons and positrons. Currently the ICRU is preparing a report on data for protons and alpha particles. Work planned for the future concerns heavier charged particles, which include most importantly carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen ions resulting from neutron irradiation of human tissues. The task requires, in addition to mere collection of published data, critical evaluation of those data for their reliability, precision, and accuracy. The critical evaluation in turn requires full knowledge of experimental and theoretical methods for the determination of stopping power. The present article points out key issues and major unsolved problems involved in the determination.
Bombesin-induced hypothermia in food-deprived rats.

Abstract Three separate experiments were conducted to characterize the effects of bombesin on core body temperature in food-deprived rats and further evaluate the role of food deprivation in this response. Previous research has demonstrated that naloxone reverses bombesin-induced hypothermia in cold-exposed rats. The present study was unable to demonstrate a similar reversal under conditions of food deprivation following naloxone. In a second experiment, cold exposure (11°C) was shown to potentiate bombesin-induced hypotherma in food-deprived rats. Taken together, these data support the notion that bombesin-induced hypothermia in food-deprived and cold-exposed rats represent the activation or disruption of different thermoregulatory mechanism(s). The final experiment evaluated the effects of bombesin microinfusion into the preoptic area of the anterior hypothalamus on core body temperature. Animals were tested under conditions of food satiation, food deprivation, and insulin pretreatment. Bombesin produced hypothermia in food-deprived and insulin-treated rats. No hypothermia was observed in food-satiated rats. Our finding supports the notion that factors associated with the fasting state are important for the production of hypothermia by bombesin in food-deprived rats.
Effect of atomoxetine on Tanner stage sexual development in children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: 18-month results from a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

AbstractObjective:To determine the effects of long-term atomoxetine treatment on sexual development in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as compared with placebo and with a national US survey in non-Hispanic white children and adolescents.Methods:This double-blind, placebo-controlled, relapse prevention, multicenter trial was conducted in pediatric patients (6–15 years) with DSM-IV diagnosed ADHD and lasting for ∼18 months. All patients received 10 weeks of open-label atomoxetine treatment (0.5–1.8 mg/kg/day). Patients responding in the last 2 weeks of treatment were randomized to double-blind treatment with either placebo or atomoxetine for up to 9 months, after which atomoxetine patients were re-randomized to either continued atomoxetine treatment or to placebo for up to another 6 months. Patients randomized to placebo at first randomization remained on placebo. The Tanner stage was assessed by the investigator at baseline and at approximately 6, 12, and 18 mo...
Estimation of Expression Indexes for Oligonucleotide Arrays Using the Singular Value Decomposition

Multiprobe oligonucleotide arrays are a widely used type of expression microarray with the attractive feature that numerous probes are used to represent each transcript. An “expression index” is a statistic used to represent expression level for a particular gene that is estimated from the probe hybridization intensities. We show that a popular model-based expression index proposed by Li and Wong has an interpretation as a component of the singular value decomposition (SVD) of the probe intensity matrix. Following this observation, we propose a new SVD model that accounts for differing variance structure across probes. We also propose that nonlinearity in intensity response to expression can be corrected to some extent through a data transformation, which is guided by an SVD entropy measure. The methods are demonstrated with simulation and applications to two real datasets.
A Novel Approach to Analyzing Binding Data from Na+ Driven Transporters: Beyond Non-Integer Hill Coefficients

Membrane transport proteins play a central role in many biological processes by mediating the transport of many different solutes, such as ions, nutrients, and neurotransmitters across biological membranes. Numerous pathological conditions result from impairments in the function of molecules of this class.Many prokaryotic and eukaryotic Na+-driven transporters couple the movement of one or more Na+ ions down their electrochemical gradient to the active transport of a variety of solutes. When more than one Na+ is involved, Na+ binding data are usually analyzed using the Hill equation with a non-integer exponent n. The results of this analysis are an overall Kd-like constant and n, a measure of cooperativity. This information is usually insufficient to provide the basis for mechanistic models. In the case of transport utilizing two Na+ ions n < 2 indicates that molecules with only one of the two sites occupied is present at low saturation. Here we propose a new way of analyzing Na+ binding data for the case of two Na+ ions that, by taking into account binding to individual sites, yields bounded ranges of pairs of possible values for the Na+ affinities of the individual sites. These values provide far more information than can be obtained by using the Hill equation with a non-integer coefficient.To illustrate the advantages of the new analysis we used experimental data on Na+ binding to the Na+/I- symporter (NIS)—the key protein that mediates the first step for the biosynthesis of the thyroid hormones—obtained by scintillation proximity assay (SPA). The same formalism can be used to analyze data of other proteins that bind the same substrate at two binding sites.
Instability of the sheath-plasma resonance.

An electrode with a positive dc bias inserted into a Maxwellian plasma is observed to generate coherent high-frequency oscillations at the sheath-plasma antiresonance frequency (..omega..approx. <..omega../sub p//sub e/). The phenomenon is explained by a negative resistance associated with the finite electron transit time through the sheath. Harmonics of the fundamental are radiated as electromagnetic waves but are clearly shown not to be caused by electron orbital instabilities.
Academic library acquisitions allocation based on multiple collection development goals

Abstract Conflicting, multiple collection development goals compound the problem of allocating academic and research library acquisitions funds. Lexographic linear goal programming appears to provide an appropriate allocation methodology. The proposed method is demonstrated by a sample model in which acquisitions funds are apportioned among ten acquisitions categories representing books and periodicals in five subject disciplines: The model goals relate to: 1. (1) fiscal constraints 2. (2) provision for user needs; and 3. (3) minimum and maximum acquisition targets for various subjects and formats.
Interstage Echocardiographic Changes in Patients Undergoing Hybrid Stage I Palliation for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Objective The hybrid procedure is an alternative for initial palliation for patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. No echocardiographic data exist for the interstage (IS) period. The goal of this study was to describe the echocardiographic changes during this period. Methods A chart review was performed on patients discharged from the hospital with the diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome who underwent hybrid palliation. Echocardiograms at hospital discharge (post-hybrid), before and after any IS interventions, and before comprehensive stage II procedure were reviewed. Distal right pulmonary artery (RPA) and left pulmonary artery (LPA) velocity, slope, velocity time integral (VTI), pressure halftime (p1/2), pulsatility index (PI), and systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio of the waveforms were recorded. Atrial septal defect (ASD) mean gradient, ductus arteriosus peak velocity, retro-aortic arch peak velocity, tricuspid regurgitation (TR), and right ventricular function were documented. Exploratory hypotheses were tested with chi-square and t tests. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify any multiple sets of relatively independent variables. Results Thirty patients met inclusion criteria. Fourteen patients underwent 22 different interventions at the atrial septum, ductus arteriosus, or retro-aortic arch in the IS period. Baseline ASD gradient ( P = .012) and ductus arteriosus velocity ( P = .002) predicted an IS intervention. There were significant differences in LPA and RPA VTI ( P = .011, .03), p1/2 ( P = .038, .008), and S/D ( P = .012, .033); RPA slope ( P = .013); ASD gradient ( P = .003); ductus arteriosus velocity ( P = .021); and TR ( P = .031) before and after an intervention. There were significant differences in post-hybrid versus pre-comprehensive stage II LPA and RPA VTI ( P = .009, .022), PI ( P = .031, .022), and peak velocity ( P = .004, .037); RPA S/D ( P = .025) and p1/2 ( P = .029); ductus arteriosus velocity ( P P = .035); and ASD mean gradient ( P P = .085). Conclusion Echocardiographic parameters help predict IS course and guide clinical therapy for this patient population.
Synthetic Utility of an Isolable Nucleoside Phosphonium Salt

The reaction of O6-benzyl-3′,5′-bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-deoxyxanthosine with 1H-benzotriazol-1-yloxy-tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (BOP) yielded the nucleoside C-2 tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate salt as a stable, isolable species. This is in contrast to reactions of inosine nucleosides with BOP, where the in situ formed phosphonium salts undergo subsequent reaction to yield O6-(benzotriazol-1-yl)inosine derivatives. The phosphonium salt obtained from the 2′-deoxyxanthosine derivative can be effectively used to synthesize N2-modified 2′-deoxyguanosine analogues. Using this salt, a new synthesis of an acrolein-2′-deoxyguanosine adduct has also been accomplished.
Inhaled anandamide reduces leukotriene D4-induced airway obstruction in guinea pigs.

Abstract In guinea pigs, we found that intravenous 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenamide ( N -2-hydroxyethyl), arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide), 0.3–10.0 mg/kg, did not inhibit leukotriene D 4 (LTD 4 )-induced airway obstruction, while inhaled anandamide, 21.8 and 43.6 μg/kg (estimated inhaled doses), significantly reduced this airway obstructive effect by 24.8 ± 8.8 and 42.0 ± 11.2%, respectively. In contrast, aerosolized anandamide (43.6 μg/kg) was ineffective against histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. Thus, inhaled, but not intravenous anandamide selectively antagonizes the bronchospasm produced by LTD 4 .
ULTRASTRUCTURE AND CALCIUM TRANSPORT IN CRUSTACEAN MUSCLE MICROSOMES

Fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum (FSR) from crustacean muscle was examined following preparation by a variety of electron microscopic techniques. The 30–40 A particles which appeared on the outer surface of FSR vesicles following negative staining were not observed following preparation by freeze-drying, freeze-etching, thin sectioning, or critical-point drying. Crustacean FSR exhibited high values of calcium uptake and extensive nodular formation in the presence of oxalate. 80–90 A diameter membrane particles were seen in freeze-etch preparations of both intact lobster muscle and FSR vesicles. Thin sections of FSR vesicles revealed a membrane thickness of 60–70 A. The membrane appeared to be triple layered, each layer having a thickness of 20–25 A.
Adsorption of water on plutonium dioxide

Abstract Kinetic and equilibrium properties of water adsorption by plutonium dioxide are derived from gravimetric measurements in moist air at room temperature. In combination with mass–time data extracted from literature sources, the results provide a comprehensive picture of the adsorption process and its humidity dependence at 25 °C. Water is accommodated by a sequence of distinct steps involving five types of adsorbate–oxide interaction and accumulating ten molecular layers of water (approximately 2.1 mg H2O/m2 PuO2 surface) at 100% relative humidity. The humidity-dependent first step and the second step involve half molecular layers of water and are attributed to dissociative chemisorption of water as OH. Like the second step, all subsequent processes are first order, but each involves a single molecular layer of H2O. Kinetic and equilibrium results are applied in defining conditions for limiting the re-adsorption of water during handling operations and their relevance to the complex chemistry of the plutonium–oxygen system is outlined.
Neuropsychopharmacology: The 2013 Transition in Leadership

Scientists often use the analogy of standing on the shoulders of their predecessors. As I begin my term as the next Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of Neuropsychopharmacology, I find this analogy to be particularly appropriate. The outgoing EIC, Jim Meador-Woodruff, has handed me the reins of a journal that is clearly on the rise, with improvements in numerous key metrics under his leadership. Jim has been gracious in every respect, sharing with me the smallest details of how to run a successful journal in a highly competitive field while leaving time and energy for my other job (running an externally funded basic research program).
Testing for infrequent permanent shocks: is the US inflation rate stationary?

This study examines the time series properties of inflation in order to emphasize the nature of the shocks to the process. In particular, we offer evidence that US inflation may be characterized by low frequency permanent shocks, as opposed to the high frequency permanent shocks that is commonly assumed to exist in models with unit roots. Such infrequent shifts would be consistent with other empirical work that considers changes in regimes, such as a Markov switching model.
Attenuation of vesicular stomatitis virus infection of brain using antiviral drugs and an adeno-associated virus-interferon vector

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) shows promise as a vaccine-vector and oncolytic virus. However, reports of neurotoxicity of VSV remain a concern. We compared 12 antiviral compounds to control infection of VSV-CT9-M51 and VSV-rp30 using murine and human brain cultures, and in vivo mouse models. Inhibition of replication, cytotoxicity and infectivity was strongest with ribavirin and IFN-α and to some extent with mycophenolic acid, chloroquine, and adenine 9-β-d-arabinofuranoside. To generate continuous IFN exposure, we made an adeno-associated virus vector expressing murine IFN; AAV-mIFN-β protected mouse brain cells from VSV, as did a combination of IFN, ribavirin and chloroquine. Intracranial AAV-mIFN-β protected the brain against VSV-CT9-M51. In SCID mice bearing human glioblastoma, AAV-mIFN-β moderately enhanced survival. VSV-CT9-M51 doubled median survival when administered after AAV-mIFN-β; some surviving mice showed complete tumor destruction. Together, these data suggest that AAV-IFN or IFN with ribavirin and chloroquine provide an optimal anti-virus combination against VSV in the brain.
IDENTIFICATION OF NITRATION SITES ON SURFACTANT PROTEIN A BY TANDEM ELECTROSPRAY MASS SPECTROMETRY

Previous studies have shown that exposure of human surfactant protein A (SP-A) to nitrating agents [peroxynitrite (ONOO-); tetranitromethane (TNM; pH 8)] leads to nitrotyrosine formation. However, specific sites of nitration have not been identified. Herein, human SP-A, dissolved in Hepes buffer, was incubated with two boluses each of 0.5 mM ONOO- (pH 7.4) or 0.5 mM TNM (pH 8.0) for 15 min. After 30 min, SP-A samples were reduced, alkylated, and trypsin digested. The nitrated peptides and sites of amino acid nitration on the protein were identified by capillary high-performance liquid chromatography-coupled electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESMS/MS). The major nitrated peptide on both TNM- and (ONOO-)-exposed SP-A was the tryptic fragment Tyr161-Arg179 (YNTYAYVGLTEGPSPGDFR), located in the SP-A carbohydrate recognition domain. Sequencing of this nitrated peptide by LC-ESMS/MS demonstrated that the nitration was equally distributed on Tyr164 and Tyr166. A second lesser nitrated peptide corresponding to tryptic fragment Asn217-Arg222 (NCLYSR) was also found on TNM- and (ONOO-)-modified SP-A. No other nitrated amino acid was detected. Nitrated SP-A exhibited decreased ability to aggregate surfactant lipids in the presence of Ca2+. These data demonstrate that nitration of a specific tyrosine decreased an important protein function.
α-Difluoromethylarginine treatment inhibits protoplast fusion in fusogenic wild-carrot protoplasts

Abstract The role of polyamines in biological fusion events was investigated. Polyamine titer was lowered in fusogenic wild carrot cells by treatment with α-difluoromethylarginine. This treatment resulted in a 50% inhibition of fusion after 4.5 h and 100% inhibition after 38 h of inhibitor treatment. Short- and long-term additions of exogenous polyamines did not restore fusion. Hence, polyamines are implicated in potentiating plasma-membrane fusion but clearly are not sufficient to induce biological membranes to fuse. An increase in the size and number of vacuoles was observed in the presence of α-difluoromethylarginine. This may indicate that intracellular membrane traffic and fusion events are modulated by polyamines.
Forebrain neurons that project to the gustatory parabrachial nucleus in rat lack glutamic acid decarboxylase

Evidence suggests that GABA might mediate the inhibitory influence of centrifugal inputs on taste-evoked responses in the parabrachial nucleus (PBN). Previous studies show that activation of the gustatory cortex (GC), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), and lateral hypothalamus (LH) inhibits PBN taste responses, GABAergic neurons are present in these forebrain regions, and GABA reduces the input resistance of PBN neurons. The present study investigated the expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactivity (GAD_67 ir) in GC, BNST, CeA, and LH neurons that project to the PBN in rats. After anesthesia (50 mg/kg ip Nembutal), injections of the retrograde tracer Fluorogold (FG) were made in the physiologically defined gustatory PBN. Brain tissue containing the above forebrain structures was processed and examined for FG and GAD_67 ir. Similar to previous studies, each forebrain site contained retrogradely labeled neurons. Our results suggest further that the major source of input to the PBN taste region is the CeA (608 total cells) followed by GC (257 cells), LH (106 cells), and BNST (92 cells). This suggests a differential contribution to centrifugal control of PBN taste processing. We further show that despite the presence of GAD_67 neurons in each forebrain area, colocalization was extremely rare, occurring only in 3 out of 1,063 FG-labeled cells. If we assume that the influence of centrifugal input is mediated by direct projections to the gustatory region of the PBN, then GABAergic forebrain neurons apparently are not part of this descending pathway.
Global supply chain design considerations: Mitigating product safety and security risks

Abstract Supply chain disruptions pose an increasingly significant risk to supply chains. This research develops a framework to examine the threat of potential disruptions on supply chain processes and focuses on potential mitigation and supply chain design strategies that can be implemented to mitigate this risk. The framework was developed by integrating three theoretical perspectives—normal accident theory, high reliability theory, and situational crime prevention. The research uses a multi-method approach to identify key safety and security initiatives (process management, information sharing, and supply chain partner and service provider relationship management) that can be implemented and the conditions under which each initiative is best suited. The research results illustrate that the depth and breadth of security initiatives depends on top management mindfulness, operational complexity, product risk, and coupling.
A Comparison Evaluation Study of Web-Based and Traditional Marriage and Relationship Education

There is growing evidence that self-directed marriage relationship interventions can produce measured benefits. In this study we experimentally evaluate the potential of web-based marriage education, as a self-directed approach, to generate measurable positive outcomes in marriage relationships, compared with traditional marriage education and to a control group. Both website and traditional marriage education interventions produced positive changes to exceed those in the control group. There was no difference in the magnitude of change produced by the traditional versus the website intervention. Implications of the findings for marriage and relationship education are discussed.