cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Orexin/Hypocretin System and Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a chronically relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug use and the loss of control over intake despite adverse consequences. Currently available therapeutic approaches fail to completely treat and address the compulsive nature of drug seeking and drug taking associated with addiction. This chronic relapsing disorder is believed to result from neurodysregulation and long-lasting neuroadaptations induced by prolonged drug use. An increasing body of evidence indicates the potential benefit of manipulating the orexin/hypocretin (Orx/Hcrt) system, originally shown to regulate a wide range of physiological processes, to prevent some of the behavioral effects of drugs of abuse (e.g., reinforcing and addictive actions and withdrawal states) with negligible effects when tested on behavior directed toward conventional reinforcers. This chapter discusses preclinical studies that suggest the key involvement of the Orx/Hcrt system in drug addiction.
Mechanism of Erythropoietin Production by Cobaltous Chloride

Normal and nephrectomized Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with CoCl2 at three dose levels, 10, 20, and 25 µm/ 100 g body weight. The effects of this drug on acid-base balance were related to the production of erythropoietin. Within 6 hr after the administration of CoCl2 to normal rats, a dose-related respiratory alkalosis occurred associated with an increase in the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen. This was followed by an increase in the production of erythropoietin. Nephrectomy altered the acid-base balance of the animal such that a profound acidosis occurred after the administration of CoCl2 with an associated decrease in the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen. Erythropoietin could not be detected in these nephrectomized rats given CoCl2. These findings demonstrate that the production of erythropoietin after the administration of CoCl2 is related in significant measure to changes in acid-base balance with its subsequent effect on the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen.
Fibroblast growth factor-23 is independently associated with cardiac mass in African-American adolescent males.

Abstract Left ventricular hypertrophy has been documented in hypertensive adolescents and among some with prehypertension. Obesity also appears to be associated with cardiac mass, independent of blood pressure (BP). Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a novel biomarker positively associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in adults with and without kidney disease. The aim of this study was to determine if there was a significant and independent association of FGF23 with cardiac mass in a Black American adolescent cohort including both normotensive and prehypertensive participants with and without obesity. Measurements of BP, body mass index (BMI), plasma c-terminal FGF23, and echocardiographic measures of left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were obtained in 236 adolescents, aged 13–18 years, stratified by BMI as normal, overweight, or obese. LVMI differed significantly between normal, overweight, and obese groups (30.42 ± 6.75 vs. 33.49 ± 8.65 vs. 37.26 ± 6.99 gm/m 2.7 ; P P P P = .005), but not BP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, or insulin. The only significant variable associated with LVMI in females was BMI ( P
Sea-Air Exchange of High-Molecular Weight Synthetic Organic Compounds

Studies over the past two decades have verified that man-made organic chemicals are reaching virtually all areas of the earth. Research on persistent chemical compounds in the environment has uncovered traces of chemical contamination in ocean sediments (Hom et al., 1974; Harvey & Steinhauer, 1976), marine fish and mammals (Tanabe et al., 1983; Zell and Ballschmiter, 1980; and Ballschmiter et al., 1981), surface and deep ocean waters (Giam et al., 1978; Tanabe et al., 1982; Harvey & Steinhauer, 1973; deLappe et al., 1983; and Bidleman & Olney, 1974), Antarctic snow (Peel, 1975; and Tanabe et al., 1983), tropical rains (Atlas & Giam, 1981; Bidleman & Leonard, 1982), and in the atmosphere from the Arctic to New Zealand (Atlas & Giam, 1981; Bidleman & Leonard, 1982; Oehme & Mano, 1984; Bidleman et al., 1981; and Giam et al., 1980). Because of their wide dispersion and possible biological consequences, identification of transport mechanisms, transformations, and fate of these chemical contaminants from their source to their ultimate sink is important.
Decreased Expression of Sulfatase 2 in the Brains of Alzheimer's Disease Patients: Implications for Regulation of Neuronal Cell Signaling.

Background The human sulfatase 1 (SULF1) and sulfatase 2 (SULF2) genes modulate cell signaling and homeostasis in many tissues. Gene expression analyses have implicated SULF2 in disease pathogenesis, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), but changes in brain SULF2 expression have not been directly established. Objective To investigate the expression of SULF1 and SULF2 in brain tissues from AD cases and cognitively normal controls. Methods Autopsy tissue from AD cases (n = 20) and age-and gender-matched cognitively normal controls (n = 20) were identified from the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Patient Registry neuropathology database. Tissue slides were stained for SULF1 and SULF2 protein expression in the hippocampus and frontal lobe and an expression score computed from the proportion of cells stained and the intensity of staining (range 0 [no expression] to 9 [marked expression]). Results SULF2 expression was reduced in AD cases. Compared to cognitively normal controls, SULF2 expression in AD cases was significantly decreased in the hippocampal Cornu Ammonis (CA) (mean score of 6.5 in cases versus 8.3 in controls; p = 0.003), in the gray matter of the parahippocampal gyrus (5.6 in cases versus 7.6 in controls; p = 0.003), and in the frontal lobe gray matter (5.4 in cases versus 7.4 in controls; p = 0.002). There was no difference in SULF1 expression in the hippocampus or frontal lobe of AD cases and controls. As expected there were no differences in SULF1 or SULF2 expression in white matter in AD cases compared to cognitively normal controls. Conclusion Decresed SULF2 in specific regions of the brain occurs in AD.
Educational prototype demonstrating frequency spectrum sharing through channel borrowing and priority assignment

The purpose of this research is to build an educational prototype for attracting high school seniors and college students to pursue university degrees. The prototype entails demonstrable hardware and software comprising of a set of communication nodes with call priorities, which are used to help educate students on future and practical implications of spectrum sharing. Two objectives are achieved by building this hands-on prototype: (1) Students learn firsthand basics of communication systems and (2) Students are taught the concept and feasibility of “priority” in RF device communication. In crafting this easy-to-use prototype, integrated Arduinos, RF modules, and open-source libraries are utilized. Eight simplex devices (or nodes) that can communicate over just three channels in the 2.4GHz ISM band are built to articulate the spectrum scarcity challenge. When placing a call, a device requests a channel from the base station, which notifies the device about available channels, taking into account both device priorities (e.g. some devices have higher priorities) and channels that are in use by other calls. The base station has the authority to remove devices from a channel or transfer them to another channel when necessary. The paradigm of “priority assignment” is implemented keeping in mind futuristic trends in communication systems aimed at optimal use of the transmission spectrum. The prototype is validated via many test cases.
RNA Cloaking by Reversible Acylation.

We describe a selective and mild chemical approach for controlling RNA hybridization, folding, and enzyme interactions. Reaction of RNAs in aqueous buffer with an azide-substituted acylating agent (100-200 mm) yields several 2'-OH acylations per RNA strand in as little as 10 min. This poly-acylated ("cloaked") RNA is strongly blocked from hybridization with complementary nucleic acids, from cleavage by RNA-processing enzymes, and from folding into active aptamer structures. Importantly, treatment with a water-soluble phosphine triggers a Staudinger reduction of the azide groups, resulting in spontaneous loss of acyl groups ("uncloaking"). This fully restores RNA folding and biochemical activity.
Spatial Characteristics of Rain Fields Associated with Tropical Cyclones Landfalling over the Western Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea

AbstractThe western Gulf Coast and Caribbean coast are regions that are highly vulnerable to precipitation associated with tropical cyclones (TCs). Defining the spatial dimensions of TC rain fields...
Cardiovascular risk in diabetes: A brief review

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of the morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes in the US. A 2- to 3-fold incidence of CVD occurs in both type 1 and type 2 diabetic individuals over that in age- and gender-matched non-diabetic persons. Recent encouraging data demonstrating a decline in CVD mortality in the general US population do not reflect such a decline in the diabetic population, particularly in women. Increased risk for CVD is related to duration of diabetes and hyperglycemia, as well as hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, gender, coagulation abnormalities, and other factors. Health care providers need to advocate for an uncompromising, multi-component attack on all modifiable risk factors for CVD, including glucose control, in the person with diabetes mellitus. This review focuses on known modifiable risk factors for CVD associated with diabetes, potential targets for primary and secondary prevention.
Body Size, Energetics, and Evolution

Body size is the most obvious characteristic of living things. It is also arguably the most important because it constrains the rate of all biological reactions within organisms and influences how they interact with their abiotic and biotic environment. The essential activities of survival, reproduction, and growth are governed by the rate at which organisms acquire, process, and transform energy, which is largely determined by body size and temperature. Over evolutionary time, the complex interactions between metabolism, body size, and environmental conditions have led to a number of well-documented ecogeographic gradients. These include the island rule (dwarfing of large animals on isolated islands, gigantism of small ones), Bergmann’s rule (a cline in body size within species or genera with larger-bodied populations or species occupying colder climates), and Cope’s rule (an evolutionary increase in body size of lineages over geologic time). The first two rules are clearly related to energetic tradeoffs in some fashion, although causal mechanisms remain unclear. The status of the last is uncertain.
Perspectives and Prospects of Molecular Biology in the Control of Human Malignancies

Recent dramatic advances in the areas of molecular biology, and the isolation of human retroviruses associated with cancer, set the stage for a number of new opportunities in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer. The involvement of unique cellular genes which are directly related to cancer causation, i.e. oncogenes, has opened new approaches in the examination of how the transformed state is maintained. As has been made amply clear in this volume, oncogenes function either by overproducing their normal protein product or by producing a mutated protein. Based on large volumes of past epidemiological data, cancer was always considered a multistep process; present studies with transforming genes also implicate the participation of multiple genes in the final tumor state. One of the greatest benefits of oncogenes has been the unification of diverse concepts derived from studies in biological and chemical carcinogenesis into a single cohesive hypothesis at the level of molecular genetics.
Learning from Correlations Based on Local Structure: Rare-Earth Nickelates Revisited.

Statistical analysis of local atomic distortions in crystalline materials is a powerful tool for understanding coupled electronic and structural phase transitions in transition metal compounds. The analyses of such complex materials, however, often require significant domain knowledge to recognize limitations in the available data, whether it be experimentally reported crystal structures, property measurements, or computed quantities, and to understand when additional experiments or simulations may be necessary. Here we show how additional descriptive statistics and computational experiments can help researchers explicitly recognize these limitations and fill in missing gaps by constructing amplitude (a) and normalized-amplitude (n) distortion-mode property correlation-coefficient heat maps, aCCHMs and nCCHMs, respectively. We demonstrate this utility within the rare-earth nickelate perovskites RNiO3 (R = rare earth ≠ La), which exhibit antiferromagnetic and metal–insulator transitions with crystallograph...
Quantitative Live-Cell Kinetic Degradation and Mechanistic Profiling of PROTAC Mode of Action.

A new generation of heterobifunctional small molecules, termed proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), targets proteins for degradation through recruitment to E3 ligases and holds significant therapeutic potential. Despite numerous successful examples, PROTAC small molecule development remains laborious and unpredictable, involving testing compounds for end-point degradation activity at fixed times and concentrations without resolving or optimizing for the important biological steps required for the process. Given the complexity of the ubiquitin proteasomal pathway, technologies that enable real-time characterization of PROTAC efficacy and mechanism of action are critical for accelerating compound development, profiling, and improving guidance of chemical structure–activity relationship. Here, we present an innovative, modular live-cell platform utilizing endogenous tagging technologies and apply it to monitoring PROTAC-mediated degradation of the bromodomain and extra-terminal family members. We show c...
Abstract TP127: Impact of Smoking on Collateral Blood Flow in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke With Large Cerebral Artery Embolic Occlusion

Introduction: Good collateral flow is associated with improved outcomes in acute embolic stroke. There is compelling data linking smoking to all types of stroke, with current smokers at a higher ri...
Prognostic and Therapeutic Implications of Microvascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a morbid condition for which surgical and ablative therapy are the only options for cure. Nonetheless, over half of patients treated with an R0 resection will develop recurrence. Early recurrences within 2 years after resection are thought to be due to the presence of residual microscopic disease, while late recurrences > 2 years after resection are thought to be de novo metachronous HCCs arising in chronically injured liver tissue. Microvascular invasion (MVI) is defined as the presence of micrometastatic HCC emboli within the vessels of the liver, and is a critical determinant of early recurrence and survival. In this review, we summarize the pathogenesis and clinical relevance of MVI, which correlates with adverse biological features, including high grade, large tumor size, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Multiple classification schemas have been proposed to capture the heterogeneous features of MVI that are associated with prognosis. However, currently, MVI can only be determined based on surgical specimens, limiting its clinical applicability. Going forward, advances in axial imaging technologies, molecular characterization of biopsy tissue, and novel serum biomarkers hold promise as future methods for non-invasive MVI detection. Ultimately, MVI status may be used to help clinicians determine treatment plans, particularly with respect to surgical intervention, and to provide more accurate prognostication.
Estimating quick-flow runoff at the monthly timescale for the conterminous United States

Abstract The quantitative estimation of the quick-flow runoff component of streamflow is required for many hydrologic applications. Estimation at the monthly timescale and national spatial scale would be particularly useful for national water availability modeling. This paper reviews a sample of commonly used equations for quick-flow runoff, including several currently in use in continental-scale models. The review shows the wide range of equation forms or heuristics currently in use to predict quick-flow runoff, the limited spatial scale over which these equations are often developed or calibrated, and the scarcity of well-tested equations available for quick-flow runoff at the monthly timescale. Data were gathered from a set of 1301 gaged watersheds across the United States to test a range of equations from the literature, along with several alternative equations, to assess and compare their performance in predicting quick-flow runoff at the monthly timescale. The highest-performing equation was selected for application to monthly maps of explanatory variables to produce monthly quick-flow runoff water budget contribution maps. This equation is a regression against precipitation, soil saturated hydraulic conductivity, surficial geology type, and slope data. Its application indicates that average quick-flow runoff across the conterminous United States in the winter exceeds that in the summer by up to a factor of three. The monthly maps were explored and evaluated for the timespan of 2000–2015. The comparison of equation forms and produced monthly maps will be useful for a variety of hydrologic modeling and monitoring applications.
Yoga Improves Balance and Low-Back Pain, but Not Anxiety, in People with Parkinson’s Disease

Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience postural instability, low-back pain (LBP), and anxiety. These symptoms increase the risk of falls and decrease quality of life. Research shows yoga improves balance and decreases LBP and anxiety in healthy adults, but its effects in PD are poorly understood. All participants were part of a larger intervention study. Participants received pretest and posttest evaluations, including the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Revised Oswestry Disability Index (ROSW). Total scores for each measure, as well as individual balance system section scores from the BESTest (biomechanical constraints, stability limits/verticality, transitions/anticipatory, reactive, sensory orientation, and stability in gait) were compared within groups pre- to posttest. Participants in the yoga group (n = 13) completed a twice-weekly 12-week yoga interve n t i o n , whereas controls (n = 13) continued their usual routines for 12 weeks. Both the yoga (Z = -3.20, p = 0.001) and control (Z = -2.10, p = 0.040) groups improved on the BESTest total score. The control group showed no changes in individual balance systems, whereas the yoga group improved in stability limits/verticality (Z = -2.3, p = 0.020), transitions/ anticipatory (Z = -2.50, p = 0.010), reactive (Z = -2.70, p = 0.008), and sensory orientation (Z = -2.30, p = 0.020). ROSW decreased in the yoga group only (Z = -2.10, p = 0.030). BAI did not change in either group. Yoga is a nonpharmacological intervention that can improve balance and LBP in people with PD. This study demonstrated that yoga is feasible for people with PD, and participants reported high levels of enjoyment and intent to practice yoga after the study.
The Bandung Era, Non-alignment and the Third-Way Literary Imagination

This chapter introduces the concept of a ‘third-way literary imagination’ to examine the myriad ways that the Cold War impacted world literature. Using the Bandung Conference as a starting point, it traces how the postcolonial diplomatic aims of state sovereignty and non-interference were transformed into aesthetic approaches that shaped literary and artistic production across the Third World and beyond. The key principles of a third-way literary imagination include cultural self-determination and a poetics of analogy, which reflect both the restoration of local aesthetic traditions while also drawing political parallels across distant geographies. This chapter concludes by arguing that a third-way literary imagination opens a new space for addressing politics and aesthetics beyond the area studies paradigm.
Traumatic Aortic and Celiac Pseudoaneurysm with Aortocaval Fistula Managed with Endovascular Aortic Cuff Deployment and Open Hepatic Revascularization.

We present the case of a young patient who sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen initially treated with laparotomy and repair of small bowel, splenic vein and diaphragmatic injuries. Subsequent computed tomography (CT) performed for hemodynamic instability demonstrated a pseudoaneurysm involving the aorta and proximal celiac artery, with an associated aortocaval fistula. An attempt at transperitoneal repair of these injuries was aborted due to extensive inflammatory changes in the region encountered during exposure. Subsequently, a hybrid repair was performed. This consisted of exclusion of the aortic and celiac artery pseudoaneurysm using an endovascular aortic cuff (22 × 39 mm, Cook Medical) via infrarenal aortic access, surgical ligation of the celiac artery branches, and revascularization via bypass from the infrarenal aortic access site arteriotomy to the common hepatic artery.
Content Literacy PD: Middle Grades Language Arts Teachers’ Perceptions

In this study, middle school language arts teachers engaged in focus group interviews and shared their perceptions of content literacy, experiential learning, assessment data, and refined practice ...
The Families Improving Health Together (FIT) Program: Initial evaluation of retention and research in a multispecialty clinic for children with obesity.

Background Obesity affects ∼17% of US children, with parallel increases in multiple comorbidities, especially among African-, Asian-, Hispanic-, and Native-Americans. Barriers to patient retention in pediatric obesity programs include lack of centralized care, and frequent subspecialty MD visits which conflict with patient school attendance and parental work attendance as well as with support service utilization. Lack of integration of multispecialty clinical care with interdisciplinary research is a major barrier to fuller exploration of the treatment, prevention, and understanding of obesity in childhood. Objective To test the hypothesis, a novel multispecialty/interdisciplinary clinical and research infrastructure with strong emphasis on a primary obesity care physician for children with early-onset ( 90% participant retention (p < 0.001 vs. expected rate based on other studies of similar programs). Though 90% of children had at least one adiposity-related comorbidity and 70% had at least two, there was no need for additional subspecialist visits with cardiologists, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, or molecular geneticists. Three abstracts were presented at national meetings, and two manuscripts were published all with junior faculty as primary authors. Conclusion This pilot study suggests that an integrated multispecialty/interdisciplinary approach to children with obesity improves patient retention and can be integrated successfully with research.
The Role of Collective Management Organizations in the Evolution of the Nigerian Music Industry

“Afrobeats to the world” is a popular expression and hash tag used among African music lovers to describe the global acceptance of African music. In addition to possessing Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria dominates the African music industry. In 2014, its music industry contributed 1.2% to Nigeria’s overall GDP. Despite their international exposure, Nigerian artist receive less than 5% of their royalties internationally. As a result, Nigeria’s top Afro-pop artists like Tiwa Savage, Davido, and Wizkid, have signed publishing and distribution deals with experienced US recording companies like Sony Music, RCA Records, and Rocnation. Part one of this paper will provide an overview of the role of collective management organization “CMOs” in the collection and distribution of royalties. Part two will discuss the role and methodology of the Copyright Society of Nigeria in collecting and distributing artists’ royalties domestically and internationally. Recognizing the growth of Nigerian music being played in the United States and United Kingdom, part three will provide a comparative analysis of collective management societies: BMI, ASCAP, and PPL. Part four will present recommendations for collective management reform in Nigeria: improving the WIPOCOS software used to track royalties and current business strategy, and amending Nigeria’s Copyright laws for Collective Management Organizations by incorporating language from the EU’s 2016 Collective Rights Management Directive. If these recommendations are adopted, artist will be able to collect more royalties internationally.
Physical activity, ethnicity, and quality of life among breast cancer survivors and population-based controls: the long-term quality of life follow-up study.

To explore the relationship between physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QOL) among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white breast cancer (BC) cases and population-based controls from the New Mexico ‘Long-Term Quality of Life Study’. Self-reported PA (low, moderate, vigorous MET hours/week) at baseline and follow-up interviews (12–15 years) were available for 391 cases and controls and modeled using multiple linear regressions with SF-36 mean composite scores for physical and mental health. The change in PA from baseline to follow-up and interactions with ethnicity were also examined. Models were adjusted for age at diagnosis/baseline interview, education, comorbidities, body mass index, and change in PA. PA intensities at each timepoint did not differ by case/control status; however, the change in vigorous PA was lower among cases (p = 0.03). At follow-up, low intensity PA increased mental health QOL scores among cases; however, the interaction between low intensity PA and ethnicity was statistically significant among controls indicating decreased mental health among Hispanics (p = 0.02). Change in moderate PA was associated with increased physical and mental health among cases (physical: β = 0.186, p = 0.008; mental: β = 0.225, p = 0.001) and controls (physical: β = 0.220, p < 0.0001; mental: β = 0.193, p = 0.002), when controlling for confounders. Our results demonstrate that all levels of PA are important for mental health among BC cases, while activities of higher intensity are important for physical health among women overall. The statistical interaction observed between ethnicity and low intensity PA among controls for mental health warrants further research to provide a meaningful interpretation.
Computer Applications for Engineers

Introduction Problem Formulation and Representation FORTRAN Programming: Introduction Control Structures Subprograms Advanced Input/Output Working with Arrays and Matrices Applications Packages: Equation Solvers, Spreadsheets, and Integrated Packages Development of Numerical Methods and Other Applications Appendices.
A State Transition Diagram for Simultaneous Collisions with Application in Billiard Shooting

This paper models a multibody collision in the impulse space as a state transition diagram, where each state represents a phase during which impacts are “active” at only a subset of the contact points. A state transition happens whenever an active impact finishes restitution, or an inactive impact gets reactivated, depending on whether the two involved bodies are instantaneously penetrating into each other or not. The elastic energy due to an impact is not only affected by the impulse at the corresponding contact point, but also by other impulses exerted on the two involved bodies during the impact. Consequently, Poisson’s impulse-based law of restitution could result in negative energy. A new law governing the loss of elastic energy during restitution is introduced. Convergence of the impulse sequence generated by the state transition diagram is established. The collision outcome depends on the ratios of the contact stiffnesses rather than on their individual values. The collision model is then applied in an analysis of billiard shooting in which the cue stick impacts the cue ball, which in turn impacts the pool table. The system is driven by the normal impulses at the two contacts with the tangential impulses determined via a contact mode analysis.
Taking pro‐action: A survey of potential users before the availability of wireless access and the implementation of a wireless notebook computer lending program in an academic library

Purpose – The purpose of the article is to gauge reaction to the implementation of a wireless laptop lending program in a university library before it actually became operational and wireless access itself became available.Design/methodology/approach – This online survey consisted of 22 multiple choice questions that all Monmouth University students and employees were invited by e‐mail to answer.Findings – The vast majority of responses came from students, and most of them were ready for wireless access in the library and across campus. Several re‐emphasized in text their desire to log‐on to the network with their own laptops.Research limitations/implications – The survey ran for only two weeks, and yet, because tabulation was done by hand, a response rate ten times greater would have made our method impracticable.Practical implications – This kind of survey is comparatively easy and fast to implement. It lends itself to follow‐up surveys to measure the success of a wireless computer program or other tech...
Teaching with Watson

In this paper, we describe how we integrated the materials from the 2013 IBM The Great Minds Challenge (TGMC) - Watson Technical Edition into our Introductory Artificial Intelligence course. We describe the variety of materials made available by IBM, as well as the nature of the competition and the datasets that are at the heart of it. We detail how, where and in what form we integrated the materials into our course. We describe assignments that are based on the materials from the competition as well as additional materials we incorporated into our course. We finish by evaluating our experience in teaching with the materials as well as summarize relevant student feedback. We make recommendations for those who wish to adopt the materials.
Activation of glycogen synthase by insulin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes involves c-Cbl-associating protein (CAP)-dependent and CAP-independent signaling pathways.

In adipose and muscle, insulin stimulates glucose uptake and glycogen synthase activity. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activation is necessary but not sufficient for these metabolic actions of insulin. The insulin-stimulated translocation of phospho-c-Cbl to lipid rafts, via its association with CAP, comprises a second pathway regulating GLUT4 translocation. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, overexpression of a dominant negative CAP mutant (CAPΔSH3) completely blocked the insulin-stimulated glucose transport and glycogen synthesis but only partially inhibited glycogen synthase activation. In contrast, CAPΔSH3 expression did not affect glycogen synthase activation by insulin in the absence of extracellular glucose. Moreover, CAPΔSH3 has no effect on the PI3K-dependent activation of protein phosphatase-1 or phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3. These results indicate blockade of the c-Cbl/CAP pathway directly inhibits insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, which results in secondary inhibition of glycogen synthase activation and glycogen synthesis.
Complex mitral valve endocarditis involving a left atrial false tendon.

![Figure][1] [![Graphic][3] ][3][![Graphic][4] ][4] A 33-year-old man with a history of mitral valve prolapse and a dental procedure 2 months earlier was admitted with fever. Examination revealed a holosystolic murmur at the apex, and blood cultures were positive for
Reduction of hepatocellular injury after common bile duct ligation using omega-3 fatty acids.

Abstract Purpose Bile duct obstruction and subsequent cholestasis produces hepatocellular injury and an inflammatory response. Fatty acid constitution of cell membranes plays a major role in the inflammatory cascade. Omega-3 fatty acids are antiinflammatory. We proposed that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation would reduce hepatocellular damage and cell death in a model of murine common bile duct ligation. Methods Mice underwent bile duct ligation and were administered either control soy diet (omega-6) or Menhaden diet (omega-3), and parameters of liver injury were measured at postoperative days 1, 4, and 8. Serum was analyzed for liver function tests. Liver tissue was scored for histologic necrosis and inflammation, and apoptosis was qualitatively measured. Results At day 8, comparing control and Menhaden, liver function tests were not significantly different. The HE day 4, 24.0 and 3.0 ( P P Conclusion Although there appears to be a trend toward biochemical protection and a marked reduction of necrosis and inflammation, there was no significant liver function test difference between control and Menhaden groups. Considering our data of blunted histologic hepatotoxicity with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, we hypothesize that this may be a method of reducing long-term complications of liver injury secondary to diseases of cholestasis such as biliary atresia, namely fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Utilizing International Clinical Practice to Build Inter-Cultural Sensitivity in Social Work Students

ABSTRACT This paper describes an international clinical internship that uses a developmental model to build inter-cultural sensitivity in baccalaureate social work students. The paper analyzes the stages students go through as they struggle to develop a bi-cultural professional perspective. This model adheres to the position that cross cultural practice in a multicultural world not only conforms to the emerging picture of life in the United States, but is also in accord with the values of social work.
Recent Advances in the Applications of Radioisotopes in Drug Metabolism,Toxicology and Pharmacokinetics

Radioisotopes have proven to be an indispensable tool in biomedical research and have played a pivotal role in the investigation of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) properties of new chemical entities over the past several decades. The main advantage of using radioisotopes in studying the disposition of new drug candidates is the ease of detection and the achievement of high sensitivity, especially when compounds with high specific activity are used. The recent advances and applications of radioisotopes in designing and conducting ADME studies and its impact in the field of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics are discussed in this review.
The chemical signature of source rocks in size fractions of Holocene stream sediment derived from metamorphic rocks in the Wet Mountains region, Colorado, U.S.A.

Eight stream sediments draining primarily mixed silica-rich and silica-poor metamorphic rocks in the Wet Mountains, Colorado, were analyzed at their source for their mineralogic and selected elemental composition. The low-silica source rocks include amphibolite, hornblende schist and muscovite-biotite schist; the high-silica source rocks include granodioritic to leucocratic granitic gneisses. The high-silica source rocks tend to contain higher concentrations of REE, Th, Hf and Ba, lower concentrations of Fe, Sc and Cr, higher La/Sc and ThSc ratios, and more negative Eu anomalies than the low-silica source rocks (especially those low-silica source rocks derived from basic sources rather than weathered silicic sources). The stream sediments draining this mixed metamorphic rock terrain are dominated by sands and gravels, and they are composed of feldspar, quartz and <25% heavy minerals. The silts contain more total biotite, hornblende, pyroxene and opaque minerals, and less quartz and feldspar than the sands and gravels. Sediment (especially the silts) derived from mixed low- and high-silica sources tends to be intermediate in elemental composition between those of the end-member sources so there is some hope that source-rock signatures may be preserved in the sediment. Elemental ratios of La/Sc, Th/Sc, La/Co, Th/Co and Ba/Co, and ThLaSc plots most clearly distinguish sediment derived from the most silicic and most basic source rocks. In addition, finer sediment near the source can potentially distinguish silicic sources (higher REE and more negative Eu anomalies) from those of basic sources. The clay and silt fractions contain negative Eu anomalies normalized to the MCPS (North American mid-continent platform sediment), and the sands and gravels have positive Eu anomalies normalized to the MCPS. Most size fractions are similar to more enriched in La/Sc, Th/Sc, La/Co and Th/Co ratios than the MCPS. This suggests local sources in the Wet Mountains are on the average more silica-rich than those that formed the MCPS.
Electronic structure of transition metal monoantimonides: Analogy to the transition metals

Abstract A simple metallic band model is proposed for the transition metal monoantimonides, by analogy to the transition metals. It is assumed that the metal 3 d electrons are itinerant in narrow bands which energetically overlap broader antimony 5 p -derived bands, and the Fermi level lies in the overlap region. Consistency of the model with available data is assessed and found to be quite good.
Initial and follow-up results of the ACS multi-link stent: a single center experience.

The Palmaz-Schatz (PS) stent has effectively reduced restenosis; however its rigidity makes it sometimes difficult or impossible to deliver. The initial and follow-up outcomes with the ACS Multi-Link stent (deployed from April to November 1995) were evaluated in 70 patients (79 lesions): unplanned in 34% (abrupt closure 1%; threatened closure 5%; suboptimal results 28%) and planned in 66%. Three to six month follow-up angiograms were analyzable in 67 lesions; 96% procedural (in nine lesions PS stenting had failed) and 95% clinical success were achieved. In-hospital mortality was 1.4%. Myocardial infarction occurred in 2.9%, and subacute stent thrombosis in 1.4%. Stenting improved immediately the minimal luminal diameter (from 0.97 ± 0.41 mm to 2.72 ± 0.31 mm), but at 6 months it had decreased to 1.89 ± 0.44 mm. Angiographic restenosis (<50% diameter stenosis) occurred in 11, a rate of 16.4%; target lesion revascularization (TLR) was required in six (re-PTCA in five or bypass surgery in one; 6/67 = 8.7%). Actuarial 1–2 year survival rate was 91%, 80% surviving free from major complications or need for TLR. We conclude that the ACS Multi-Link stent can be implanted in lesions unsuited for the PS stent with a high success rate, and an anticipated restenosis rate perhaps comparable to with the PS stent.Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 45:368–374, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Nikon EPL tool development summary

In the development of Electron Beam Projection Lithography Tool (EPL), one of the most important tasks is to develop the high-speed vacuum stage system and reliable vacuum body system. Nikon has a long history of over 22 years in precision stage development for its Optical Lithography Tools as well as over 10 years in EB instrument development such as EB 60 with NTT. Recently, lithography stages have been developed based on air bearing and linear motor technologies. It is desirable and of minimum risk to utilize those technologies for the EPL system in order to shorten total time period of development, but the requirements for the EB stage and body are much different from their optical counterparts and much more difficult. In this paper, development and implementation of EPL vacuum stage system, vacuum body system, vacuum loader system, and control system are discussed and over viewed.
Characterization of Endogenous Protoporphyrin IX Induced by δ-Aminolevulinic Acid in Resting and Activated Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes by Four-Color Flow Cytometry

Lymphocytes treated with delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) can accumulate the photoactive, fluorescent heme precursor, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). With visible light illumination, PpIX can be used in photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) to kill or functionally alter cells. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of ALA and ALA-PDT on resting and activated human peripheral blood T lymphocytes. Accumulation of PpIX depends inversely on the rate of its iron-dependent conversion into heme. Activated replicating lymphocytes have low intracellular iron levels, with corresponding increases in the transferrin receptor (CD71). Thus, we expected activated lymphocytes would preferentially accumulate PpIX. Using four-color flow cytometry, we examined ALA-induced PpIX levels in T-cell subsets of resting and activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the relationship between CD71 and PpIX. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were simultaneously phenotyped for PpIX, CD71 and the T-cell markers CD3 and CD4 or CD8. In activated cells treated with 0-6 mM ALA for 4 h, PpIX fluorescence was maximal at 1 mM ALA. On a single cell basis, there was a strong correlation between PpIX accumulation and CD71 expression. The ALA-treated, PHA-stimulated, CD71+ lymphocytes had an eight-fold greater mean PpIX fluorescence than nonactivated, CD71- cells. Approximately 87% of the CD4+ and 85% of the CD8+ T cells accumulated PpIX. The PpIX levels of CD8+ cells were about 5% greater than CD4+ cells. In addition, mixed lymphocyte reaction-stimulated cells treated with ALA accumulated more PpIX than controls. Thus, activated cells preferentially accumulate endogenous PpIX when exogenous ALA is administered. Cytotoxicity studies showed that the majority of the activated cells following ALA-PDT were killed but resting cells were spared. Also, in examining activation markers by flow cytometry the number of cells that were positive for activation markers CD38 or CD71 dramatically decreased after ALA and light treatment in activated populations. The data suggest a role for ALA-PDT as an immunomodulator or photocytotoxic agent targeting activated lymphocytes.
Silicon-carbide MESFET-based 400/spl deg/C MEMS sensing and data telemetry

A prototype high-temperature silicon-carbide (SiC) MESFET-based microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensing and date telemetry module is reported for harsh environment applications. The module employs a MEMS silicon capacitive pressure sensor performing pressure to frequency conversion and an on-board spiral loop serving as an inductor for the LC resonator and also as a telemetry antenna. The system demonstrates a high-temperature performance up to 400/spl deg/C, limited by the SiC MESFET characteristics, and achieves a telemetry distance of 1m.
Algorithms for optimal signal set design

The problem of choosing an optimal signal set for non-Gaussian detection was reduced to a smooth inequality-constrained mini-max nonlinear programming problem by Gockenbach and Kearsley. Here, we consider the application of several optimization algorithms, both global and local, to this problem. The most promising results are obtained when special-purpose sequential quadratic programming algorithms are embedded into stochastic global algorithms.
Quasicontinuum analysis of defects in solids

We develop a method which permits the analysis of problems requiring the simultaneous resolution of continuum and atomistic length scales-and associated deformation processes-in a unified manner. A finite element methodology furnishes a continuum statement of the problem of interest and provides the requisite multiple-scale analysis capability by adaptively refining the mesh near lattice defects and other highly energetic regions. The method differs from conventional finite element analyses in that interatomic interactions are incorporated into the model through a crystal calculation based on the local state of deformation. This procedure endows the model with crucial properties, such as slip invariance, which enable the emergence of dislocations and other lattice defects. We assess the accuracy of the theory in the atomistic limit by way of three examples: a stacking fault on the (111) plane, and edge dislocations residing on (111) and (100) planes of an aluminium single crystal. The method correctly predicts the splitting of the (111) edge dislocation into Shockley partials. The computed separation of these partials is consistent with results obtained by direct atomistic simulations. The method predicts no splitting of the Al Lomer dislocation, in keeping with observation and the results of direct atomistic simulation. In both cases, the core structures are found to be in good agreement with direct lattice statics calculations, which attests to the accuracy of the method at the atomistic scale.
Hybrid Laparoscopic-Robotic Low Anterior Resection

Robotic surgery has many features that make it superior to traditional laparoscopic surgery. However, the use of the robot is limited by the need to reposition the robot during colon and rectal operations encompassing more than one abdominal quadrant. A "hybrid" technique has been developed which combines traditional laparoscopy with a robotic pelvic dissection. With this combined approach, the benefits of the 2 techniques can be maximized, while minimizing their limitations.
Cartesian contour: a concise representation for a collection of frequent sets

In this paper, we consider a novel scheme referred to as Cartesian contour to concisely represent the collection of frequent itemsets. Different from the existing works, this scheme provides a complete view of these itemsets by covering the entire collection of them. More interestingly, it takes a first step in deriving a generative view of the frequent pattern formulation, i.e., how a small number of patterns interact with each other and produce the complexity of frequent itemsets. We perform a theoretical investigation of the concise representation problem and link it to the biclique set cover problem and prove its NP-hardness. We develop a novel approach utilizing the technique developed in frequent itemset mining, set cover, and max k-cover to approximate the minimal biclique set cover problem. In addition, we consider several heuristic techniques to speedup the construction of Cartesian contour. The detailed experimental study demonstrates the effectiveness and efficiency of our approach.
Photo Quiz: A 58-Year-Old Female with Altered Mental Status

A 58-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and anemia presented to the emergency department with a 7-month history of progressive exhaustion, shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizziness, in addition to a 20-pound weight loss. She was diagnosed with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia and
Infrared spectroscopy of metal cluster-adsorbate complexes: Fen(CH3OH)m revisited

Abstract The infrared multiphoton photodissociation spectra of Fe 8 (CH 3 OH) m complexes, formed via reaction of Fe 8 with methanol, have been recorded near 10μ using a continuous wave, line-tunable carbon dioxide laser. Depletion features observed near 990 and 1070 cm −1 are generally consistent with the observations of Zakin et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 85 (1986) 1198]. Spectra recorded using deuterium-substituted methanol, CH 3 OD, CD 3 OH, and CD 3 OD indicate that methanol adsorbs nondissociatively to small iron clusters at 77 K.