cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A coculture system of cavernous endothelial and smooth muscle cells

In erectile dysfunction (ED) research, monocultures of cavernous endothelial cells (CECs) and smooth muscle cells (CSMCs) have been reported, but a CEC–CSMC coculture system is still lacking. In the present study, we wished to investigate the feasibility of setting up such a system and test whether it can be used for diabetic ED research. Cavernous tissues were obtained from patients undergoing surgery for penile prosthesis. CSMCs were isolated by explant culture and verified by calponin staining. CECs were isolated by binding to CD31 antibody, followed by magnetic capture. These CECs were nearly 100% pure endothelial cells as determined by flow cytometric analysis for endothelial markers CD31, vWF and eNOS. Functional analyses, that is, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake and capillary tube formation, also confirmed their endothelial phenotype. When cocultured with CSMCs, CECs formed capillary-like structures, and based on the extent of this capillary-like network, it was determined that a ratio of 1:4 in cell number between CECs and CSMCs was better than ratios of 1:1 and 1:9. It was also found that direct contact between CECs and CSMCs was necessary and a coculture period of 3 weeks was optimal. Autologous CSMCs were better than allogeneic CSMCs, and fibroblasts were completely incompetent. When treated with high glucose (25 mM), the CEC–CSMC coculture expressed significantly lower level of CD31 but significantly higher level of collagen-IV (Col-IV), and the diameter of the capillaries increased significantly, when compared with normal glucose (5 mM)-treated cocultures. These data are consistent with previously observed changes in the cavernous tissues of diabetic patients and thus suggest that the coculture system could be utilized for diabetic ED research.
Determining the Impact of Economic Factors on Local Government Growth Policy: Using Time-series Analysis and Transfer Function Models:

Being able to predict building activity is important to public administrators and planners. It has been widely established that there is a significant relationship between economic/ financial factors and local government growth policy as measured by building activity. This paper describes and analyses this relationship through the use of time-series methodology. Monthly data for input variables (unemployment rate and prime interest rate) are related to output variables (the monthly issuance of single-family building permits, commercial and industrial permits, total permits, and the estimated construction cost per single-family permit) using time-series intervention and transfer function analysis. Through the use of transfer functions, residential permit decisions, commercial and industrial permit activity and total permits issued for all uses are causally related to levels of unemployment and the prime rate with varying periods of delay before impact is felt in growth policy decisions.
Computational prediction of ion permeation characteristics in the glycine receptor modified by photo-sensitive compounds

We conduct computational analyses of ion permeation characteristics in a model glycine receptor (GlyR) modified by photo-sensitive compounds. In particular, we consider hypothetical attachment to the channel of charge-neutral chemical groups which can be photo-activated by shining light of an appropriate wavelength on the system. After illumination, the attached molecules become charged via a photodissociation process or excited into a charge-separated state (thus generating a significant electric dipole). We carry out Brownian Dynamics simulations of ion flow through the channel in the presence of the additional charges generated in this fashion. Based on these calculations, we predict that photo-activation of appropriately positioned photo-sensitive compounds near the channel mouth can significantly modify the rate of ion permeation and the current rectification ratio. Possible implications for GlyR-based device designs are briefly discussed.
Anoxia, wound healing, VL30 elements, and the molecular basis of malignant conversion

Although VL30 retrotransposable elements have been associated with certain cancers for nearly twenty years, because of their expression in rodent malignancies and recombination into murine sarcoma viruses, their causative role, if any, in cancer has been uncertain and enigmatic. Recent findings suggest loss of normal transcriptional control of specific VL30 element expression may make a critical contribution to tumor progression at a step associated with malignant conversion, by bringing into play a cellular program normally involved in wound healing. This program, the fibroblast anoxic response system, includes an adaptation to glycolytic metabolism, secretion of metalloproteinases, and activation of an endonuclease. While appropriate for facilitating debris removal during wound healing, loss of control of this program in a cell which has already progressed to the benign neoplastic state has the potential to simultaneously produce the invasiveness and genomic instability characteristic of malignancy. Examination of tumors and tumor derived cell lines has confirmed that key aspects of this system are in fact activated in cancer.
Nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equations and dynamic programming

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to show that using dynamic programming techniques certain variational problems are equivalent to nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equations.
Uses of ionizing radiation and medical-care-related problems.

The uses of ionizing radiation in medicine are currently undergoing changes due to at least four major influences: (1) the constantly changing public perception of the hazards of radiation, (2) continuing technical innovation and development in equipment, (3) the imposition of diagnosis-related group funding by government health-care funding agencies, and (4) an increase in the average age of the U.S. population. The combined effect of these influences will probably result in a major increase in biplanar fluoroscopic examinations to support nonsurgical approaches such as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, percutaneous transluminal neuroembolism, and lithotripsy (the fracturing of kidney stones). As some of these examinations can result in 1.5 h of fluoroscopy, major doses to the patient and to the clinical staff can be expected. In addition, improved diagnostic techniques, such as using positron emission tomography (a combination of biochemistry and positron-emitting isotopes), can be expected to increase the number of small cyclotrons installed in medical centers. Counteracting these increases in radiation exposure is the development of digital radiography, which generally results in a lowering of the dose per diagnostic procedure. In the realm of therapeutic uses, one can expect higher-energy treatment accelerators, more patients being released from the hospital on therapeutic doses of isotopes, and a potential acceptance of neutron therapy as a cancer treatment modality. The latter treatment may take the form of boron capture therapy, 252Cf implant therapy, or external beam therapy using high-energy cyclotrons and the p,Be or the d,Be reaction to create the neutrons. To summarize, the cost of medicine and the fear of cancer may result in an increased use of radiation in the treatment of specific maladies and an increased potential for exposure of the general public to ionizing radiation. In contrast, there is a definite trend toward reducing exposure of the public as a result of general radiographic examinations.
The channel formed in planar lipid bilayers by the protective antigen component of anthrax toxin.

Abstract Anthrax toxin consists of three proteins: edema factor (EF, 89 kDA), lethal factor (LF, 90 kDa), and protective antigen (PA, 83 kDa). The former two gain access to the cytosol, where they exert their respective toxic effects on a cell, only in binary combination with PA. The proposed pathways of EF and LF transport consists of (i) PA attaching to a membrane receptor; (ii) its proteolytic cleavage into two fragments, of which the larger, 63 kDa piece (PA 63 ) remains attached to the receptor; (iii) either EF or LF binding to PA 63 ; (iv) the complex undergoing endocytosis, and EF or LF being translocated into the cytosol from an acidic vesicle compartment. In planar phospholipid bilayers, PA 63 (but not whole PA) forms cation-selection channels; the channel-forming activity of PA 63 dramatically increases when the pH of the solution to which it was added is lowered. Tetraalkylammonium ions block the PA 63 channel by binding to a site within the channel lumen. Analysis of this blocking phenomenon reveals that these ions can pass through the channel from one side of the membrane to the other and that the diameter of the channel is about 12 A. The N-terminal 30 kDa end of EF, which contains the region of EF that binds to PA 63 , interacts with the PA 63 channel in a voltage-dependent manner. The nature of the voltage-gating suggests that this binding fragment of EF can enter and block the channel and even pass through it, but further evidence will be required to establish this.
The delta2-opioid receptor antagonist naltriben selectively attenuates alcohol intake in rats bred for alcohol preference

The relative importance of different opioid receptor types in mediating alcohol drinking behavior compared with the intake of other ingesta can be determined by characterizing the effects of selective opioid antagonists on the intake of various ingesta. Nonselective opioid receptor antagonists suppress the intake of many ingesta including alcohol, food, water, and sweets. Two distinct subtypes of delta-opioid receptors, delta1 and delta2, have recently been identified in rodent brain. We have previously reported that naltrindole (NTI), which blocks both delta1 and delta2 receptors, suppresses both alcohol and saccharin intake in rats selectively bred for high alcohol preference (P line). We now report that naltriben (NTB), an opioid antagonist that is selective for delta2-opioid receptors, suppresses alcohol intake in rats of the P Une and the effect appears to be both specific for alcohol and independent of alcohol palatability. NTB may reduce alcohol intake by attenuating the reinforcing pharmacological properties of alcohol.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF NONMELANOMA SKIN CANCER : CLINICAL ISSUES, DEFINITIONS, AND CLASSIFICATION

There are many forms of nonmelanoma skin cancer, although the term usually refers to the most common forms, basal and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin. The definitions of basal and squamous carcinomas depend on histopathologic features, and clinical diagnoses are often reliable. Various classification schemes have been proposed, including those based on clinical or histologic appearance, etiology, or prognosis. The public health burden of these tumors has not been fully defined and includes mortality, morbidity, social impact, and cost. Measures of morbidity include incidence and measures of impairment, disability, and handicap. Other issues involving etiology, management, prevention, and early detection remain to be investigated further.
Evaluation of Proprotein Convertase subtilisin/kexin Type 9: Focus on Potential Clinical and Therapeutic Implications for Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Lowering

Reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is associated with a decrease in coronary heart disease (CHD). Statins are currently the most effective medications for LDL-C lowering; however, there continues to be a residual risk for cardiovascular events. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a protease that promotes LDL receptor degradation, leading to an increase in LDL-C blood levels. Patients with PCSK9 gain-of-function mutations can have up to a 20-fold increase in associated CHD compared with patients without these mutations. Conversely, patients with PCSK9 loss-of-function mutations can have up to an 88% reduction in CHD without any deficits in neurologic or physiologic functions. PCSK9 can be modulated by current antihyperlipidemic therapies. In particular, statins lead to an increase in PCSK9, which may attenuate their full lipid-lowering effects. These attributes have made PCSK9 inhibition a desirable target for future drug therapies. Current investigational modalities inhibiting PCSK9 will also be discussed.
Parameterization of the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium source function with chemical production by an equivalent two-level model

The classic two-level or equivalent two-level model that includes only the statistical equilibrium of radiative and thermal processes of excitation and quenching between two vibrational energy levels is extended by adding chemical production to the rate equations. The modifications to the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium source function and cooling rate are parameterized by ϕc, which characterizes the ratio of chemical production to collisional quenching. For applications of broadband emission of O3 at 9.6 μm, the non-LTE effect of chemical production on the cooling rate and limb emission is proportional to the ratio of O to O3. For a typical [O]/[O3], the maximum enhancements of limb radiance and cooling rate are about 15%–30% and 0.03–0.05 K day−1, respectively, both occurring near the mesopause regions. This suggests that the broadband limb radiance above ∼80 km is sensitive to O3 density but not sensitive to the direct cooling rate along the line-of-sight, which makes O3 retrieval feasible but the direct cooling rate retrieval difficult by using the O3 9.6 μm band limb emission.
Auslander algebras Of finite representation type

In this paper we give necessary and sufficient conditions for Auslander-Reiten quivers to be of finite representation type. If an algebra is standard this gives necessary and sufficient conditions for Auslander algebras to be of finite representation type.
Conserving Biological Diversity and the Conservation Reserve Program

ABSTRACT The lack of success with the endangered species approach to conserving biodiversity has led to calls for programs that are designed to maintain viable populations of species before they become endangered. While wildlife preserves are an important component of biodiversity conservation, effective protection of species will often take place on land that is used primarily for purposes other than wildlife habitat. The suitability of these lands as wildlife habitat can be influenced by government programs. An important example of a program affecting agricultural land use is the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which is the largest land retirement program in US. history. The expected down-sizing of the program in the mid 90s sharpens the need for improved targeting if the program is to continue to provide wildlife benefits. This paper studies how well the current CRP fares as a biodiversity conservation program and suggests possible ways to target the CRP to conserve wildlife habitat. A methodology for tackling this task in Oregon is outlined.
A Sensor System for High-Fidelity Temperature Distribution Forecasting in Data Centers

Data centers have become a critical computing infrastructure in the era of cloud computing. Temperature monitoring and forecasting are essential for preventing server shutdowns because of overheating and improving a data center’s energy efficiency. This article presents a novel cyber-physical approach for temperature forecasting in data centers, one that integrates Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling, in situ wireless sensing, and real-time data-driven prediction. To ensure forecasting fidelity, we leverage the realistic physical thermodynamic models of CFD to generate transient temperature distribution and calibrate it using sensor feedback. Both simulated temperature distribution and sensor measurements are then used to train a real-time prediction algorithm. As a result, our approach reduces not only the computational complexity of online temperature modeling and prediction, but also the number of deployed sensors, which enables a portable, noninvasive thermal monitoring solution that does not rely on the infrastructure of a monitored data center. We extensively evaluated the proposed system on a rack of 15 servers and a testbed of five racks and 229 servers in a small-scale production data center. Our results show that our system can predict the temperature evolution of servers with highly dynamic workloads at an average error of 0.52cC, within a duration up to 10 minutes. Moreover, our approach can reduce the required number of sensors by 67p while maintaining desirable prediction fidelity.
Longitudinal trajectories of readiness to change: alcohol use and help-seeking behavior.

Objective:Pre–post changes in readiness for change (RC) are commonly assessed in treatment outcome studies, often with contradictory results. Little is known about 12-month RC trajectories among those initiating change or about the association between RC and either within- or between-person alcohol use or time-lagged help-seeking behavior.Method:This observational longitudinal study measured RC as ambivalence, problem recognition, and taking steps. Participants (N = 253; 66.4% male) diagnosed with alcohol use disorders were recruited from treatment sites, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) groups, and other community sources when first initiating change and assessed at baseline and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.Results:Support for significant participant heterogeneity as well as linear and quadratic change in RC trajectories was found, although results differed across the three aspects of RC. Independent associations of both within- and between-person percentage of days abstinent were found for ambivalence and taking ste...
The net transfer of transplant organs across race, sex, age, and income.

Purpose To determine how sociodemographic characteristics influence both access to transplantation and organ donation. Methods For all transplants in the United States from 1996 to 2001, donor-recipient pairs were categorized as white-white, white-black, black-white, or black-black. The difference in the percentage of white-black versus black-white pairs was calculated as a measure of the net transfer of organs from one racial group to another. A similar approach was used to examine the net transfer of organs across other sociodemographic categories. Results Among cadaveric renal transplants, 66% of donor-recipient pairs were white-white, 23% were white-black, 5% were black-white, and 6% were black-black. Thus, there was an 18% net transfer of organs from white donors to black recipients (23% minus 5%). Among living donor transplants involving spouses, there was a 36% net transfer from wives to husbands. Among all cadaveric transplants, there was a 36% to 68% net transfer from younger donors to older recipients. Among cadaveric nonrenal transplants, there was a 7% to 18% net transfer from lower-income donors to higher-income recipients. Conclusion The sociodemographic characteristics of persons who donate organs and those who benefit from organ transplantation differ markedly. Efforts to improve access and increase donation should address these differences.
Junctional Adhesion Mechanisms in Airway Basal Cells

The morphology of basal cells varies according to the height of the epithelium they are associated with. In taller epithelium, basal cells appear to have more tonofilaments (keratin filaments) than basal cells in shorter epithelium. We hypothesized that the changes in basal cell structure represent differentiation of junctional adhesion mechanisms related to the attachment strength necessary for the various-height epithelium. To evaluate this hypothesis, we used light- and electron-microscopic morphometry to quantitate junctional adhesion structures in basal cells from mice, rats, cats, rabbits, and sheep. The height of the tracheal columnar epithelium ranged from 12.0 microns in the mouse to 56.8 microns in the sheep. The volume density of basal cell keratin filaments ranged from 0.012 in the rat to 0.261 in the sheep and total desmosome length/basal cell profile (BCP) ranged from 0.08 microns to 1.77 microns, respectively. Total hemidesmosome length/BCP was similar in each airway sample. A close correlation was obtained between the height of the epithelium and the volume fraction of keratin filaments (r = 0.96) and total desmosome length/BCP (r = 0.94) in all airways studied. Total hemidesmosome length/BCP was not closely related to the height of the epithelium (r = 0.31). Based on these observations, we conclude that the basal cell is a differentiated cell with respect to junctional adhesion and a primary function of the airway basal cell is for attachment of columnar cells to the basal lamina.
Management principles of gastrointestinal bleeding

There is now a multitude of technologic and pharmacologic options available to clinicians caring for patients with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding; however, drugs and technology are no substitute for understanding and properly executing the basic management principles of GI bleeding. This article focuses on the most common causes of GI bleeding and emphasizes the importance of the primary care provider's role in the management of these patients. Also, by answering questions we are commonly asked as gastroenterology consultants, we hope to provide insight into current diagnostic and therapeutic options and the most appropriate use of these options.
Cardiac arrest and resuscitation

Cardiac arrest, although likely to occur in the operating room area, may occur elsewhere. Usually a simple and readily understandable technic-a closed-chest procedure-is available in appropriate cases of cardiac arrest. This is not presented as a new method or procedure, but all proctologists and other physicians aredutybound to familiarize themselves with the technic.
A New Method for Analyzing Well Tests With Inadequate Early-Time Data

This paper presents a new technique, the cumulative-curvature method, for analyzing well tests with such limited early-time data that only nonunique type-curve matches are possible. The method is applied to buildup tests and single-rate drawdown tests that are distorted by wellbore storage and are run in infinite-acting reservoirs. The method was successfully applied to 16 of 22 field examples, two of which are presented here.
Herpes Simplex Virus Inhibitor ICP47 Destabilizes the Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing (TAP) Heterodimer

Chemical cross-linking of the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) heterodimer was used to determine whether the herpes simplex virus inhibitor of TAP, ICP47, induces a conformational change in TAP. Cross-linking of TAP in cellular membranes produced a major species of ∼220 kDa which was comprised solely of TAP.1 and TAP.2 and most likely represents the TAP heterodimer. Interestingly, prior treatment of TAP-containing membranes with TAP peptide substrates stimulated the formation of the cross-linked TAP heterodimer, whereas pretreatment of membranes with ICP47 completely blocked the formation of the cross-linked heterodimer. These data suggest that suitable substrates for TAP stabilize the TAP heterodimer, whereas ICP47 destabilizes the heterodimer. The results indicate that subtle conformational changes occur in the TAP heterodimer upon the binding of peptides and the inhibitor ICP47 and that ICP47 has a deleterious effect on TAP heterodimer structure, in addition to its role as a potent blocker of substrate binding to TAP.
Ancient teeth and modern human origins: An expanded comparison of African Plio-Pleistocene and recent world dental samples

Previous research by the first author revealed that, relative to other modern peoples, sub-Saharan Africans exhibit the highest frequencies of ancestral (or plesiomorphic) dental traits and, thus, appear to be least derived dentally from an ancestral hominin state. This determination, in conjunction with various other lines of dental morphological evidence, was interpreted to be supportive of an African origin for modern humans. The present investigation expands upon this work by using: 1) direct observations of fossil hominin teeth, rather than data gleaned from published sources, 2) a single morphological scoring system (the Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System) with consistent trait breakpoints, and 3) data from larger and more varied modern human comparative samples. As before, a multivariate distance statistic, the mean measure of divergence, was used to assess diachronic phenetic affinities among the Plio-Pleistocene hominins and modern humans. The present study also employed principal components analysis on dental trait frequencies across samples. Both methods yielded similar results, which support the previous findings; that is, of all modern human samples, sub-Saharan Africans again exhibit the closest phenetic similarity to various African Plio-Pleistocene hominins—through their shared prevalence of morphologically complex crown and root traits. The fact that sub-Saharan Africans express these apparently plesiomorphic characters, along with additional information on their affinity to other modern populations, evident intra-population heterogeneity, and a world-wide dental cline emanating from the sub-continent, provides further evidence that is consistent with an African origin model.
N-Acetyl cysteine protects against injury in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia

Ischemic cerebrovascular disease (stroke) is one of the leading causes of death and long-time disability. Ischemia/reperfusion to any organ triggers a complex series of biochemical events, which affect the structure and function of every organelle and subcellular system of the affected cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a precursor of glutathione and a potent antioxidant, to attenuate ischemia/reperfusion injury to brain tissue caused by a focal cerebral ischemia model in rats. A total of 27 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g were used in this study. Focal cerebral ischemia (45 min) was induced in anesthetized rats by occluding the middle cerebral artery (MCA) with an intra-luminal suture through the internal carotid artery. The rats were scored post-reperfusion for neurological deficits. They were then sacrificed after 24 h of reperfusion and infarct volume in the brain was assessed by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC). Brain sections were immunostained for tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Animals treated with NAC showed a 49.7% (S.E.M.=1.25) reduction in brain infarct volume and 50% (S.E.M.=0.48) reduction in the neurological evaluation score as compared to the untreated animals. NAC treatment also blocked the ischemia/reperfusion-induced expression of tumor necrosis factor and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The data suggest that pre-administration of NAC attenuates cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury in this brain ischemia model. This protective effect may be as a result of suppression of TNF-alpha and iNOS.
Overview of neutral territory methods for the parallel evaluation of pairwise particle interactions

Particle simulations in fields ranging from biochemistry to astrophysics require evaluation of the interactions between all pairs of particles separated by less than some fixed interaction radius. The extent to which such simulations can be parallelized has historically been limited by the time required for inter-processor communication. Recently, Snir (1) and Shaw (2) independently introduced two distinct methods for parallelization that achieve asymptotic and practical advantages over traditional techniques. We give an overview of these methods and show that they represent special cases of a more general class of methods. We describe other methods in this class that can confer advantages over any previously described method in terms of communication bandwidth and latency. Practically speaking, the best choice among the broad category of methods depends on such parameters as the interaction radius, the size of the simulated system, and the number of processors. We analyze the best choice among a subset of these methods across a broad range of parameters.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Undergraduate Interns Investigate Smart Polymeric Materials

Smart Materials are those which can undergo a reversible property change in response to an external influence. An important polymeric Smart Material is poly(vinylidene fluoride), or PVF2, which is piezoelectric. The structure of PVF2 determines which crystal phases will be electrically active. Recent research has shown that the electrically active beta phase of PVF2 grows preferentially in nanocomposites of PVF2 mixed with organically modified silicates (OMS) ‘1-4’. These nanocomposite Smart Materials offer a new processing strategy for PVF2 piezo-films. Using PVF2 nanocomposites as the research focal point, a summer internship program was developed for deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) undergraduate students [5,6]. This paper describes the program and presents research results achieved by the interns. It is written from the perspective of the Principal Investigator, Cebe, on behalf of all the co-authors.
Local probe investigation of molecular material

Abstract Local probe methods have attractive possibilities for the investigation and modification of molecules. In the imaging mode, large interactions of the substrate and the local probe with the molecules can affect the quality of the results and generate artifacts. Two approaches have been selected to improve the quality of the local probe results: (i) a reduction of the interaction with signals that are less distance-dependent, such as third harmonic generation or damping of a lever oscillation; (ii) the measurement of all interactions which generate artifacts using instruments able to record several interactions simultaneously, such as tunnelling current, force and force gradient. By means of a deconvolution method that linearizes the complex distance-dependencies of the component forces around the working point, a deformation-free, soft organic film surface was reconstructed.
Uniformity of colour vision in Old World monkeys

It is often assumed that all Old World monkeys share the same trichromatic colour vision, but the evidence in support of this conclusion is sparse as only a small fraction of all Old World monkey species have been tested. To address this issue, spectral sensitivity functions were measured in animals from eight species of Old World monkey (five cercopithecine species, three colobine species) using a non–invasive electrophysiological technique. Each of the 25 animals so examined had spectrally well–separated middl– and long–wavelength cone pigments. Cone pigments maximally sensitive to short wavelengths were also detected, implying the presence of trichromatic colour vision. Direct comparisons of the spectral sensitivity functions of Old World monkeys suggest there are no significant variations in the spectral positions of the cone pigments underlying the trichromatic colour vision of Old World monkeys.
The zoogeography of trematodes of marine fishes

Examples are cited of the zoogeographical significance of the parasites of Lota lota, Aplodinotus grunniens, Coregonus, Cyprinidae, Anguilla spp., and Galaxias. Of 20 species of trematodes of Atlantic eels (Anguilla) 14 are shared with marine fishes, 5 with freshwater fishes, and only one species is limited to the eel. Pacific eels are known to have 3 genera and 8 species of trematodes peculiar to them. A Pacific origin of Anguilla is suggested. Helminths of Galaxias, freshwater fishes of South America, New Zealand, and Australia, include 4 species of trematode and 1 acanthocephalan. All the trematodes have marine Pacific affinities and support the idea that Galaxias may once have been a marine Pacific genus. One of the trematodes and the acanthocephalan are related to species from antherinid fishes of Argentina, but both belong to genera having wide marine distribution and in the case of the acanthocephalan wide fresh-water distribution as well. Knowledge of the zoogeography of Monogenea is scanty. Only the Gyrodactyloidea are given brief consideration. A general review, particularly at the species level, is given of the zoogeography of digenetic trematodes of marine fishes of various regions where they are moderately to well known, namely: European North Atlantic; Mediterranean; Red Sea; Woods Hole, Massachusetts; Tortugas, Florida; New Zealand; Japan; Indian coasts. In general, the distribution pattern is in agreement with that known for other phyla. A large percentage of the trematodes of each region is peculiar to it; that is, not widely distributed. Strong similarity of trematodes is pointed out between: 1. (1) European Atlantic and the Mediterranean 2. (2) Tortugas, Florida (shallow water) and Bermuda 3. (3) Tortugas, Florida (shallow water) and tropical American Pacific Considerable similarity occurs between: 1. (1) Deeper water Tortugas and distant cold seas 2. (2) New Zealand and the North Atlantic and North Pacific There are five hemiurid genera, involving a total of 31 species, common in cold seas of both hemispheres and elsewhere represented only in fishes of rather deep water. 3. (3) Red Sea and the warm Pacific 4. (4) Celebes and Japan Strong dissimilarity occurs between: 1. (1) Deepwater and shallow water at Tortugas 2. (2) Shallow water Tortugas and North Atlantic 3. (3) Mediterranean and the Red Sea
Discriminability of fixed-ratio schedules for pigeons: effects of absolute ratio size.

In a discrete-trial choice situation, 12 pigeons were trained to discriminate which of two different fixed ratios they had completed. Psychometric functions were obtained at three ratio requirements (i.e., with the larger ratio set at 10, 20, or 30 responses) by gradually reducing the size of the smaller value. Although different response biases developed across subjects, in each case accuracy decreased systematically with ratio difference regardless of absolute ratio requirements. Above-chance performances were maintained even at relative ratio differences of 10% or less. Estimates of the Weber fraction showed that, in general, discriminability improved with absolute ratio size up to 30 responses, and beyond, when the results of other studies are considered. A similar trend held for rats studied by other investigators in fixed-ratio "counting" tasks at lower requirements. In terms of a signal-detection analysis, performance was similar to that reported for other species and dimensions. Taken together, the results suggest that for this somewhat novel dimension the same psychophysical relations hold as are commonly observed for exteroceptive stimuli.
Globalising Organisations and Empowering People for High Performance Leadership of Our Multicultural World: Or, Behold, The Demise of Business‐as‐usual is at Hand

Reviews, from an anthropological perspective, three 1993 additions to the Gulf Publishing Company's “Managing Cultural Differences” Series. This trilogy is comprised of the volumes Developing the Global Organization: Strategies for Human Resource Professionals, Transcultural Leadership: Empowering the Diverse Workforce, and Multicultural Management: New Skills for Global Success. Examines the five concepts of globalisation, diversity, multiculturalism, transcultural, and empowerment central to the trilogy and to anthropology, and as they are used in both. Views the global paradox — a bigger world economy requires the more powerful smallest of players (e.g., entrepreneurs) — as a useful framework for understanding these and related concepts as they operate in the global village today, and as they may be employed throughout and beyond the 21st century. Finally, reports on: (1) the training, transformation and development tasks of global managers of complexity in business as well as in government, academia, and the military; and, (2) the intercultural learning strategies through which these tasks are achieved and through which these managers, the multicultural workforce and teams they lead, and their organisations are empowered to contribute, collaborate and fully participate in producing their major project: Service, country, group, business, or social structure through the mixture of peoples or technology” (p. 242). This suggests a process, a becoming. In Developing the Global Organization, Robert T. Moran, Philip R. Harris and William G. Stripp continue that globalisation is both a way to think and to act. Specifically, it moves individuals “away from parochialism towards transnationalism”. And it nurtures a state of mind geared toward a more effective use of personal and organisational resources (p. 299).
Introducing CAVASS : a computer assisted visualization and analysis software system

The Medical Image Processing Group (MIPG) at the University of Pennsylvania has been developing (and distributing with source code) medical image analysis and visualization software systems for a long period of time. Our most recent system, 3DVIEWNIX, was first released in 1993. Since that time, a number of significant advancements have taken place with regard to computer platforms and operating systems, networking capability, the rise of parallel processing standards, and the development of open source toolkits. The development of CAVASS by our group is the next generation of 3DVIEWNIX. CAVASS will be freely available, open source, and is integrated with toolkits such as ITK and VTK. CAVASS runs on Windows, Unix, and Linux but shares a single code base. Rather than requiring expensive multiprocessor systems, it seamlessly provides for parallel processing via inexpensive COWs (Cluster of Workstations) for more time consuming algorithms. Most importantly, CAVASS is directed at the visualization, processing, and analysis of 3D and higher dimensional medical imagery, so support for DICOM data and the efficient implementation of algorithms is given paramount importance.
Sirtuins in Aging and Age-Related Disease

Sirtuins have been the focus of intense scrutiny since the discovery of Sir2 as a yeast longevity factor. Functioning as either deacetylases or ADP ribosylases, Sirtuins are regulated by the cofactor NAD and thus may serve as sensors of the metabolic state of the cell and organism. Here we examine the roles of Sirtuins in diverse eukaryotic species, with special emphasis on their links to aging and age-related diseases including cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Analysis of protein conformation and dynamics by hydrogen/deuterium exchange MS.

Understanding as much as possible about proteins in the shortest amount of time has long been a goal of hydrogen exchange (HX) MS. Recent technological advances have led to improvements in the technique, but has this goal yet been achieved? (To listen to a podcast about this Feature, please go to the Analytical Chemistry Web site at pubs.acs.org/journal/ancham.)
Education in formal methods for software engineering

Abstract Education and consultancy are key to the introduction of software engineering methods into the development process. Software engineering is a new activity, not just a way of writing better programs. It is demanding in its recording and communication requirements. Mathematics plays an important part. Software engineering education must teach many new skills. A workshop teaching these skills has been running over three years.
Alcohol use by healthcare professionals

Background: This study investigated alcohol use, misuse and abuse in a sample of dentists, nurses, pharmacists and physicians. Previous studies have lacked cross healthcare group comparisons and have rarely included dentists. Methods: As part of a larger mail survey, 479 healthcare professionals (68.7% response) completed self-report items on patterns of alcohol use, monthly drinking, heavy episodic drinking, alcohol-related dysfunction and social or professional influences. Results: Dentists consumed more alcohol than other groups of healthcare professionals; however, use of alcohol by nurses may have a wider impact. The data also suggest alcohol use by healthcare professionals may be related to age, but not gender or income. Physicians received significantly more offers to drink alcohol from pharmaceutical companies and dentists received significantly more offers to drink alcohol in social situations than other healthcare professionals. Conclusions: When compared to the general population, healthcare professionals appear to drink less, however, these findings also suggest that dentists use significantly more alcohol than most other groups of healthcare professionals. Together these findings address significant knowledge gaps that exist surrounding the prevalence of and pathways promoting alcohol use and misuse by healthcare professionals.
A device to aid in arrangement of nonanatomic tooth forms.

Abstract A device has been described which aids in the development of an occlusal scheme for complete dentures when nonanatomic posterior tooth forms are used. The device ensures that the occlusal surfaces of the complete dentures occlude with maximum contact on a flat surface. The device provides a simple means for orienting the maxillary occlusion rim and cast on the articulator. It is used as an aid in positioning the teeth in the wax denture. It is also used to disclose deflective occlusal contacts in the wax denture and again on the processed dentures during the selective grinding procedure.
Secondary structural modeling of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) from Pfiesteria-like dinoflagellates (Dinophyceae).

Abstract Pfiesteria piscicida is a harmful bloom-forming alga that has received a great deal of attention due to its potential association with large fish kills and neurological problems in humans. Since the discovery of Pfiesteria , several other Pfiesteria -like dinoflagellates (PLDs) have also been identified. Genetic identification and phylogenetic relationships among the PLDs commonly utilize sequence data from the genes and spacers of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) operon. Of these, the internal transcribed spacers (ITSs) have been previously shown to fold into secondary structures that are critical for proper ribosomal processing. In this study, we modeled the secondary structure of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) from 16 PLDs (as well as an outgroup taxon) using phylogenetic comparative methods and minimum free energy. The secondary structural models predicted for these dinoflagellates consisted of four paired helices separated by five unpaired regions, consistent with those reported from many eukaryotes. All of the structures were highly stable (Δ G = −66.1 to −122.3 kcal·mol at 37 °C) and several structural characters were found to be conserved either across the PLDs or were specific to monophyletic subgroups, strengthening previously inferred phylogenetic relationships among taxa. Additionally, an 18 bp motif was identified in the PLDs whose position corresponds to a ribosomal processing site described from other eukaryotes. Potential applications of these ITS2 secondary structures include utility in strain and species identification, phylogenetic inference and serving as a tool for identifying and excluding rDNA pseudogenes when assessing biodiversity within the PLDs.
Challenges in analog and mixed-signal fault models

The design and testing of mixed-signal integrated circuits have enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. As is customary with past developments, however, design outpaces testing, and the drive to integrate analog and digital circuits on the same chip exacerbates the test problems. This article reviews the recent results in analog fault modeling-a critical area of mixed-signal testing-and describes the coming challenges for both industrial and university researchers.
Angioscopic thromboembolectomy: preliminary observations with a recent technique

Abstract Video angioscopy was employed in 12 patients to monitor thrombectomy or embolectomy within prosthetic bypass grafts (n = 4), saphenous vein grafts (n = 2), and native femoropopliteal arteries (n = 6). A flexible, 2.8 mm diameter angioscope was introduced into the vessel for confirmation and accurate localization of the diagnosed embolus. A Fogarty embolectomy balloon catheter was passed alongside the angioscope and balloon inflation was visually calibrated to the exact vessel lumen. Thromboembolic debris was then retrieved under direct visualization. Intraoperative angiograms were obtained in all cases and results were compared with the finding at angioscopy. After conventional thrombectomy, angioscopic inspection revealed residual thrombus within the lumen or adherent to the wall in 10 of 12 cases. Residual debris was also identified in tributary vessels in two cases, and the embolectomy catheter was successfully guided into these channels by the tip of the scope. Limb salvage was achieved in all but one patient, with early followup of up to 18 months. As a result of this experience we conclude that angioscopic thromboembolectomy has several advantages over the traditional blind technique: (1) accurate detection and localization of thrombus or embolus; (2) monitoring and control of the degree of balloon inflation, thereby preventing vessel wall damage caused by overinflation; (3) detection and retrieval of residual clot after blind embolectomy; (4) manipulation of the balloon catheter to selected vessels; (5) decreased requirement for repeated arteriograms; (6) increased speed, convenience, and accuracy when compared with intraoperative angiography; and (7) avoidance of surgical exposure of the distal popliteal and tibial vessels. (J VASC SURG 1988;7:318-25.)
Status of display systems in B-52H

Display technologies for the B-52 were selected some 40 years ago have become unsupportable. Electromechanical and old cathode ray tube technologies, including an exotic six-gun 13 in. tube, have become unsupportable due to the vanishing vendor syndrome. Thus, it is necessary to insert new technologies which will be available for the next 40 years to maintain the capability heretofore provided by those now out of favor with the commercial sector. With this paper we begin a look at the status of displays in the B-52H, which will remain in inventory until 2046 according to current plans. From a component electronics technology perspective, such as displays, the B-52H provides several 10-year life cycle cost (LCC) planning cycles to consider multiple upgrades. Three Productivity, Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (PRAM) projects are reviewed to replace 1950s CRTs in several sizes: 3, 9, and 13 in. A different display technology has been selected in each case. Additional display upgrades in may be anticipated and are discussed.
How normative is implicature

Abstract In Implicature , I explained H.P. Grice's term “implicature,” and illustrated the practical and theoretical importance of the phenomenon it denotes. I then argued that the Gricean theory designed to explain and predict conversational implicatures, and describe how they are understood, is a near complete failure. In particular, I argued that implicatures are never derivable from conversational principles in the way Grice required, and do not exist in virtue of the satisfaction of Grice's cooperative presumption, determinacy, or mutual knowledge conditions. The root of the problem, I argued, is the intentionality of speaker implicature and the conventionality of sentence implicature. Jennifer Saul and Mitchell Green have suggested that my objections missed their target because Grice's conception of implicature was normative in crucial ways. Their suggestions are attractive and potentially fruitful. Nevertheless, I will present evidence that Grice did conceive of speaker implicature as a form of speaker meaning, and therefore as a matter of speaker intention. More importantly, I will argue that making Grice's theory normative in the ways Saul and Green suggest would not enable it evade the most serious problems I raised.