cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-lymphoid tissue lesions induced by or associated with herpesvirus

The members of herpesvirus group are variable in their effects on tissues of the human body. This results in a wide variety of clinical diseases and syndromes. Some produce impressive pathological lesions. Those produced by the viruses with tropism for ectodermally derived cells include herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus are well recognized by practically all medical specialists and even by those who are not medically oriented. Cytomegalovirus has tropism for epithelial cells that are ectodermally derived. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human lymphotropic virus induce profound changes in the proliferative capabilities of lymphoid tissues. The non-lymphoid lesions induced by EBV are unique and fascinating. Leading the list is nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), not all of which seem related to EBV. Only the non-keratinizing NPC has a convincing relationship to the virus. Other unusual lesions with suggested association with EBV are salivary glands tumors (benign and malignant) and undifferentiated thymic carcinomas. Both malignant lymphoepithelial lesions (anaplastic carcinoma) of salivary glands and anaplastic carcinoma of the thymus have microscopic similarity to undifferentiated NPC.
The homoeobox gene SIX1 alters myosin heavy chain isoform expression in mouse skeletal muscle

AbstractAim: Six1 is necessary for the genesis of several tissues, but in adults, it isexpressed primarily in skeletal muscle where its function is unclear. Over-expression of Six1 with a cofactor in skeletal muscle causes slow-to-fastﬁbre-type transition. We sought to characterize the effects of a physiologi-cally relevant Six1 knockdown.Methods: The tibialis anterior (TA) muscles of C57BL/6 mice were elec-troporated with Six1 knockdown vector (siRNA) or empty vector. Muscleswere collected at 2 or 14 days after transfection for Six1 and myosinheavy chain (MHC) expression analysis. C 2 C 12 mouse myoblasts weregrown in standard conditions. Cells were cotransfected with MHC pro-moter vectors and Six1 expression vectors. Cells were harvested after4 days of differentiation.Results: In vivo, the Six1 siRNA caused a decreased expression ofSix1,1.8-fold ( 0.1, P < 0.05). With decreased Six1, MHC IIB expres-sion decreased 2.7-fold ( 0.7, P = 0.04). Proportion of muscle ﬁbresexpressing MHC IIB decreased (45.3 4.8% vs. 65.1 7.3% incontrol group, P = 0.04), and total area expressing MHC IIB decreasedwith decreased Six1 (59.6 4.3% vs. 75.2 5.4% in control group,P < 0.05). Decreased Six1 increased MHC IIA expression 1.9-fold ( 0.3,P = 0.04). In vitro, Six1 overexpression increased promoter activation ofMHC IIB 2.9-fold ( 0.3, P < 0.01). Six1 knockdown repressed MHCIIB promoter 2.9-fold ( 0.1, P < 0.05) and MHC IIX 3.7-fold ( 0.08,P < 0.01).Conclusion: Six1 knockdown caused a fast-to-slow shift in MHC isoform,and this was conﬁrmed by promoter activity of MHC genes. Six1 mayultimately control the contractile and metabolic properties that deﬁnemuscle ﬁbre phenotype.Keywords myosin heavy chain, Six1, skeletal muscle.
Global bifurcations in the motion of parametrically excited thin plates

In this paper we investigate global bifurcations in the motion of parametrically excited, damped thin plates. Using new mathematical results by Kovacic and Wiggins in finding homoclinic and heteroclinic orbits to fixed points that are created in a resonance resulting from perturbation, we are able to obtain explicit conditions under which Silnikov homoclinic orbits occur. Furthermore, we confirm our theoretical predictions by numerical simulations.
Conformational Study of 3-Methyltetrahydropyran by (2+1) Resonance-Enhanced Multiphoton Ionization Spectroscopy

The conformational enthalpy (ΔH°) of 3-methyltetrahydropyran (3-MTHP) has been measured by (2+1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy. The measured value (1.60 ± 0.12 kcal/mol) is in good agreement with results from ab initio calculations but somewhat higher than the ΔH° values predicted by molecular mechanics calculations. Under our supersonic expansion conditions, vibration cooling of the axial and equatorial conformers of 3-MTHP was observed to be faster than interconversion between them up to the highest temperature investigated (383 K). The measurement of ΔG° between the conformers shows that oscillator strengths for the 3s ← n transition of the conformers are different from each other. A molecular mechanics calculation demonstrates that the interconversion barrier of 11 kcal/mol from the equatorial chair to the axial chair form in 3-MTHP is close to that in tetrahydropyran and cyclohexane.
Work stress and well-being in the hotel industry

Employee stress is a significant issue in the hospitality industry, and it is costly for employers and employees alike. Although addressing and reducing stress is both a noble goal and is capable of resulting in expense reductions for employers, the nature and quantity of hospitality employee stress is not fully understood. The first aim of this study was to identify common work stressors in a sample of 164 managerial and hourly workers employed at 65 different hotels who were each interviewed for eight consecutive days. The two most common stressors were interpersonal tensions at work and overloads (e.g., technology not functioning). The second aim was to determine whether there were differences in the types and frequency of work stressors by job type (i.e., managers v. non-managers), gender, and marital status. Hotel managers reported significantly more stressors than hourly employees. There were no significant differences by gender or marital status. The third aim was to investigate whether the various stressors were linked to hotel employee health and work outcomes. More employee and coworker stressors were linked to more negative physical health symptoms. Also, interpersonal tensions at work were linked to lower job satisfaction and greater turnover intentions.
Influence of egg predation and physical disturbance on lake trout Salvelinus namaycush egg mortality and implications for life-history theory

The influence of egg predators and physical disturbance on lake trout Salvelinus namaycush egg mortality was investigated in situ in Lake Michigan where recruitment is below detectable levels and egg predator abundance is high. Comparisons were made with Lake Champlain where recruitment is low and egg predator abundance is also low and with Parry Sound (Lake Huron) where recruitment is moderate and egg predators are in low abundance. A multi-density egg seeding method (100 to 5000 eggs m−2) was used to quantify the effect of physical disturbance and egg predation on egg loss. Wind fetch was used as an index of physical disturbance and comparisons across all locations and egg densities suggested that at sites with high wind fetch (>5 km), physical disturbance may be a greater source of egg loss than predation. When analyses were limited to those sites having a wind fetch of <5 km, the percentage of eggs recovered was found to be linearly related to predator density. The strength of this relationship was based largely on egg recovery at 500 and 1000 eggs m−2 because recovery at lower (100, 250 eggs m−2) and very high (5000 eggs m−2) densities was not significantly related to predator density. The reason for this is probably that at low egg densities, crayfish Orconectes spp., the major egg predator at most sites, had difficulty finding and consuming eggs and at high egg densities they became satiated. Egg loss was directly related to wind fetch for Lake Michigan and on average six-fold greater than for Parry Sound suggesting that without corresponding changes in fecundity and age structure, lake trout populations in large lakes like Lake Michigan are inherently less productive than those from enclosed inland waters.
Doing without the Generic He/Man in Technical Communication:

Recent psycholinguistic research has challenged the view that English speakers interpret the male pronouns and the generic man as words that refer to both males and females. The suggested ambiguity of these terms is of concern to technical communicators because it can affect the accuracy of their messages. Since guidelines for avoiding sex ambiguity in language are not generally available in technical writing or speech manuals, this article offers simple devices for eliminating the generic use of male pronouns and man. It also provides alternate terms for common sex-biased expressions.
Monitoring for SLA compliance in customer edge network

Network usage monitoring is an important factor for companies and ISP's. Each company enters into an agreement with the ISP. This agreement is known as SLA (Service Level Agreement). This agreement, besides other administrative stuff, contains the traffic descriptors with limits and bounds for the customer. The ISP wants to know if the customer is abiding by the traffic limits. On the other hand, customer wants to find out if ISP is providing the service that the customer paid for. Customer would also like to know if lower limits can be set for the amount and class of traffic entering or leaving customer network. SLA's are there to provide fair services and costs to customers. SLA monitoring must be automated as manual monitoring is prone to errors and abrupt. In this paper, we define the SLA compliance and monitoring issues and develop an algorithm to monitor the bandwidth and other parameters of SLA with respect to customers and ISP vantage points.
How engineers can conduct cost-benefit analysis for PHM systems

Individuals who work in the field of Prognostic and Health Management (PHM) technology have come to understand that PHM can provide the ability to effectively manage the operation, maintenance, and logistic support of individual assets or groups of assets through the availability of regularly updated and detailed health information. Naturally, prospective customers of PHM technology ask: "How will the implementation of PHM benefit my organization?" Typically, the response by individuals in the field is: "Anecdotal evidence indicates that PHM decreases maintenance costs, increases operational availability, and improves safety." This information helps the prospective customer understand the practical benefits of the technology, but that customer stills needs more information to justify their investment in the technology. The customer needs a calculated return on investment (ROI) figure for their particular asset that provides financial assessment of the benefit of the investment. The data, time, and expertise required to conduct a rigorous cost benefit analysis makes the effort seem daunting to the average engineer with little to no fimancial analysis training. The reality is that with a cursory understanding of the asset operation, maintenance, and logistic issues, a useful cost-benefit analysis can be conducted by engineers without business school training. Our purpose herein is to provide a general methodology for conducting a preliminary cost-benefit analysis that calculates an ROI for PHM implementation. We discuss the general types of information needed for the analysis, the quantifying of expected benefits, and the types of supporting data required to validate the benefit assumptions as well as an outline for the costing of PHM technology.
The diffusion and P1 approximations for modeling buoyant flow of an optically thick fluid

Abstract Buoyant flow of an optically thick fluid representative of molten glass or an oxide crystal melt is solved via a finite element method using four different radiation models—the Rosseland diffusion approximation with and without radiation slip, the P 1 , approximation, and a rigorous numerical treatment. The results indicate that both diffusion approximations fail to accurately predict thermal and flow fields in this problem due to their inability to represent thermal boundary layers. However, the P 1 approximation matches well with the rigorous numerical solution. This accuracy, coupled with implementation ease, favors the P 1 approximation for solution of problems of this type.
Standardized patient care guidelines reduce infectious morbidity in appendectomy patients

Background: Surgical wound infection and intra-abdominal abscess remain common infectious complications after appendectomy, especially in the setting of a perforated or gangrenous appendix. We therefore developed a clinical protocol for the management of appendicitis to decrease postoperative infectious complications. Methods: Between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 1999, 206 patients with appendicitis were treated on protocol. Retrospectively, the charts were reviewed for all protocol patients as well as for 232 patients with appendicitis treated in the year prior to protocol initiation. Data were collected on surgical wound infections and intra-abdominal abscesses. Results: There were significantly fewer infectious complications in the protocol group than in the nonprotocol group (20 [9%] versus 8 [4%]; P <0.05). In patients with a perforated or gangrenous appendix, the infectious complication rate was reduced from 33% to 13% (P <0.05). Conclusions: The incidence of infectious complications after appendectomy can be significantly reduced with a standardized approach to antibiotic therapy and wound management.
Social life from the bottom up

Primate Behaviour: Information, Social Knowledge, and the Evolution of Culture. By Duane Quiatt and Vernon Reynolds. Cambridge University Press: 1993. Pp. 322. £42.50, $74.95.
Punish in Public

Abstract We report data from public goods games showing that privately-implemented punishment reduces cooperation in relation to a baseline treatment without punishment. When that same incentive is implemented publicly, however, cooperation is sustained at significantly higher rates than in either the baseline or private punishment treatments. Our design ensures that this increased cooperation is not attributable to shame, differences in information or signaling. Rather, our evidence is that the ability to observe the punishment of low-contributors can reverse punishment's detrimental effects. This result has important efficiency implications for the design of mechanisms intended to deter misconduct.
Seismic retrofitting of bridge columns using shape memory alloys

This analytical work focuses on enhancing the ductility capacity and damage mitigation of reinforced concrete bridge columns during earthquakes by using innovative active confinement technique. The high recovery stress associated with the shape recovery of shape memory alloys (SMAs) is exploited to apply the confining pressure. A 2-D analytical model for a single column is developed and analyzed. The model is used to evaluate the seismic behavior of the column retrofitted with SMA rings and compare it with the behavior of the column retrofitted with the more conventional approach using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets. The stress-strain behavior of the concrete confined with internal ties only, internal ties and external SMA rings, and internal ties and external CFRP sheets is described based on two different constitutive models. The column model is subjected to cyclic loading with increasing amplitude and a ground motion excitation. The analysis shows that the SMA rings provide the column with more damage protection represented by a reduction in the maximum strain by up to 273% compared to CFRP sheets. In addition, the column retrofitted with SMA rings shows smaller lateral drifts compared to the column retrofitted with the CFRP sheets when subjected to the same ground motion excitation. The superior performance of the SMA rings is primarily attributed to the increase in the compressive strength at early stages of loading associated with applying the active confinement pressure.
Effect of human-mediated migration and hybridization on the recovery of the American crocodile in Florida (USA)

The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is a large apex predator with an extensive but fragmented range. Crocodylus acutus suffered a population crash and was almost extirpated from Florida (USA) during the 1970s; however, in 2007 it was federally downlisted from endangered to threatened based on an increase of suitable habitat and a growing population. A genetic assessment of this population has not been performed even though foreign crocodiles have been released into Florida waters. Herein, we use mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers to characterize relationships among American crocodiles along the southern coast of Florida and reference samples from other countries. We detected inter- and intra-specific hybridization and unexpected population structure attributed to human-mediated migration of crocodiles from Latin America and the Greater Antilles. Our results suggest that the population size of crocodiles actually native to Florida should be reevaluated, particularly in light of ongoing admixture in this population. We reemphasize the utility of genetic markers in conservation and management programs for endangered species; especially those that can hybridize with closely related congeners. The American crocodile in Florida has recovered owing to successful conservation initiatives, but a long-term management protocol that takes genetic data into account is still needed.
Spectroscopic Observation of Adsorption to Active Silanols

Fluorescence microscopy was used to investigate the origin of strong adsorption sites on silica. Fluorescence from a cationic dye, 1,1‘-dioctadecyl-3,3,3‘,3‘-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate, was imaged at the chemical interface between fused silica modified with chlorodimethyloctadecylsilane and water or acetonitrile. The fluorescence images reveal that the dye adsorbs strongly at lines and points on the surface. Comparison of an atomic force micrograph and a fluorescence micrograph of the same region show the same features, indicating that strong adsorption occurs at nanometer topographical indentations. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching shows that recovery occurs through repopulation of the same adsorption sites. The rate of adsorption to the sites was found to be much slower for water than for acetonitrile as the mobile phase. End capping greatly reduces the number of strong adsorption sites, which indicates that exposed silica is the origin of irreversible adsorption. Similar but brig...
Communication channels within ethnic groups

Abstract Major channels of communication are examined for two major functions: providing news of the ethnic community, and linking ethnics to the “mother country.” The four major channels are: interpersonal channels (friends and neighbors), radio, local metropolitan daily newspapers, and ethnic-language newspapers. Size of ethnic group is linked to channel preference, and greater ethnicity is related to a preference for ethnic media for both functions. Lower SES ethnics lend to rely more on interpersonal communication and ethnic media, while higher SES ethnics turn more to metro media and magazines. Channel preference as indicated by respondents is also linked to actual usage patterns.
Antihistamine effect on synaptosomal uptake of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine

The nature and specificity of the effect of histamine H1- and H2-receptor antagonists on the uptake of serotonin (5HT), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) were studied in rat forebrain synaptosomes. Low concentrations (0.05-0.50 microM) of the H1-antagonist, pyrilamine, competitively inhibited 5HT uptake (Ki = 0.09 microM), had little effect on NE uptake and no effect on DA uptake. At the same concentrations, two other H1 antihistamines, promethazine and diphenhydramine, and two H2-antihistamines, metiamide and cimetidine, had no effect on 5HT or DA uptake. Diphenhydramine had a small inhibitory effect on NE uptake. It is concluded that at low concentrations, pyrilamine is a relatively selective and potent competitive inhibitor of 5HT uptake, an action which is uncharacteristic of several other antihistamines.
Analysis of an eddy current and micromagnetic model

We consider a coupled eddy current and micromagnetic model describing the behaviour of dynamic electromagnetic phenomena in applications such as disk write heads. We first prove the existence of a weak solution to this nonlinear problem. Then we outline a numerical time-stepping scheme. Since the numerical method requires a nonstandard mixed boundary value eddy current problem to be solved at each time step, we show the existence and uniqueness of a solution for the corresponding eddy current problem. This is accomplished using an image principle and the verification of a suitable Babuska–Brezzi condition.
Health Service Utilization Among Immigrants to the United States

This study uses data from the New Immigrant Survey and Andersen’s behavioral model, a commonly used framework for health care utilization, to examine the utilization patterns of Asian and Hispanic immigrants to the United States. Results indicate that the behavioral framework is well suited to predicting immigrants’ physician visits and dentist visits. However, this model is less appropriate for determining the likelihood of reporting a hospital as the primary source of medical care or immigrants’ use of non Western treatments. Importantly, years in the U.S. exhibits a robust, positive relationship with physician and dental visits for both groups even after controlling for several predisposing characteristics, self-assessed and physician-diagnosed need, pointing to the importance of this as an enabling factor in health care access and use.
The Rotator Cuff Opposes Superior Translation of the Humeral Head

To determine the influence of rotator cuff muscle activity on humeral head migration relative to the glenoid during active arm elevation we studied five fresh cadaveric shoulders. The shoulder girdles were mounted in an apparatus that simulated contraction of the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles while maintaining the normal scapulothoracic relationship. The arms were abducted using four different configurations of simulated muscle activity: deltoid alone; deltoid and supraspinatus; deltoid, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis; and deltoid, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. For each simulated muscle configuration the vertical position of the humeral head in relation to the glenoid was determined at 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, and 120 degrees of abduction using digitized anteroposterior radiographs. Both muscle activity and abduction angle significantly influenced the glenohumeral relationship. With simulated activity of the entire rotator cuff, the geometric center of the humeral head was centered in the glenoid at 30 degrees but had moved 1.5 mm superiorly by 120 degrees. Abduction without the subscapularis, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscles caused significant superiorly directed shifts in humeral head position as did abduction using only the deltoid muscle. These results support the possible use of selective strengthening exercises for the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles in treatment of the impingement syndrome.
A silicon array detector for high-energy betas

Abstract The detection of significant levels of certain gamma and beta emitting isotopes could allow on-site Inspection teams working under the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty to localize probable vent and fissure locations. Thus, sophisticated drilling and radionuclide measurements could then be made more effectively allowing for a higher probability of correctly identifying a nuclear event. In order to address this need we have developed a silicon array coupled with a Nal for detecting gammas, high-energy betas, and beta–gamma coincidences. The pursuit of this detection method is now viable since large-area, high-purity silicon wafers are now commercially available making this layered, large-area technique technically and economically feasible. We have designed, constructed, and tested a prototype detector system and we will present out initial test data.
A trust prediction framework in rating-based experience sharing social networks without a Web of Trust

As online experience sharing sites have become one of the popular collaborative online communities, people are easily able to share their good and bad experiences on various products and services with a large number of unknown people as well as their friends. These experience sharing communities try to encourage social interaction among people and facilitate experience sharing and dissemination with satisfaction. The social interactions among users in such online communities are constructed based on trust that is established from each user's subjective perspective on the experiences in the community. Since a robust trust system is vital in experience sharing online communities, we therefore propose a computational trust framework for predicting a degree of trust or trust-connection between a pair of users. The Web of Trust, which consists of explicit trust rating among users, is not always available and is typically sparse, so the proposed framework does not rely on a Web of Trust. The proposed trust system measures a degree of trust based on users' expertise and preferences regarding topics (i.e. categories), using users feedback rating data which are available and much denser than a Web of Trust. In order to derive a more personalized degree of trust, the expertise- and preference-based trust is refined with each user's subjective and direct experiences with community members as well as a target user. The empirical experiments show that our proposed trust framework is quite promising in ratings-based online experience sharing communities, even when there are not enough user feedback ratings to predict a degree of trust.
Iron overload in cirrhosis : HFE genotypes and outcome after liver transplantation

Previously, we found appreciable hepatic iron deposition in one third of our patients undergoing liver transplantation (LTx) with approximately 10% of cases having quantifiable iron in the range of that seen in hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC). The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcome in liver transplant patients with and without iron overload. We also sought to determine the prevalence of HFE mutations in liver transplant patients with iron overload. Of 456 consecutive liver transplants, 41 explants had an hepatic iron index (HII) greater than 1.9, and these cases were compared to 41 matched liver transplant recipients without increased hepatic iron. Posttransplantation complications, along with patient and graft survival were monitored. HFE gene testing was performed using DNA-based techniques. Kaplan-Meier 5-year patient survival after LTx was significantly lower in cases with hepatic iron overload compared to matched controls without iron excess (48% vs. 77%; P= .045). Fatal infections (especially fungal) were more common in patients with iron overload (24% vs. 7%; P = .03). Of the 41 patients with a liver explant HII greater than 1.9, only 4 were C282Y homozygotes. Patients with severe hepatic explant iron overload undergoing LTx have a reduced survival compared to liver transplant recipients without explant iron excess. The reduced survival was attributable mainly to fatal bacterial and fungal infections. Despite the iron overload, HFE gene mutations were uncommon in patients with hepatic explant hemosiderosis.
Contemporary Graft Options in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

The optimal graft choice for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains controversial. Many factors must be considered to select the appropriate graft for each patient. Commonly used autografts include both hamstring tendon and bone-patellar tendon-bone, with long-term studies supporting either graft choice. There is also increasing support for quadriceps tendon autograft. The use of allograft is also increasing, with the benefit of less donor-site morbidity, although there is concern about slower graft incorporation time and disease transmission. Synthetic grafts are yet another option; however, further studies for an ideal synthetic ACL alternative are still underway. The goal of this article is to present the benefits and drawbacks of various ACL graft reconstruction choices so the surgeon can select the best graft for each patient.
Determination of mercury in urine by flow-injection cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract A simple, rapid and accurate method was developed for the determination of total mercury in urine samples. The method uses on-line addition of KMnO 4 after adding a bromate-bromide reagent to the sample to decompose organic mercury compounds to inorganic mercury(II) ions at room temperature, and determines mercury by flow-injection cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry. The recoveries of five mercury compounds added to urine were studied; with the proposed method the recoveries of all the mercury compounds used were complete. Good agreement with certificate values of urine reference materials was also obtained. The detection limit of the method based on three standard deviations of the blank was 0.1 μg Hg 1 −1 in urine with a 500-μl sample loop, achieving a same throughput of 100 h −1 . The calibration graphs were linear up to 30 μg 1 −1 and with a dynamic range up to 100 μg Hg 1 −1 . At a concentration of 5 μ Hg 1 −1 in urine, the relative standard deviation was about 2%.
NET UPTAKE OF L-GLUTAMATE AND GABA BY HIGH AFFINITY SYNAPTOSOMAL TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

Abstract— Reuptake of neuroactive amino acids by high affinity transport systems in the CNS is thought to terminate the neurotransmitter activity of these substances. This notion has been challenged since the homoexchange of synaptosomal and exogenous L-glutamate and the corresponding homoexchange of synaptosomal and exogenous GABA has been demonstrated. We reported that depolarizing media (56 mM-KCl, 1 mM-CaCl2) lowers the GABA content of synaptosomes. In such synaptosomes, net and apparent (radioactive) GABA uptake are similar. When rat cortical synaptosomes (1 mg protein/ml) are incubated with 10μM-[14C] L-glutamate, net and apparent (radioactive) uptake are similar. When the synaptosome levels are decreased to 0.5 mg protein/ml or less, then net uptake becomes a fraction of radioactive uptake (exchange ensues). Net L-glutamate uptake is Na +-dependent and temperature-dependent. Furthermore, a 1 mM concentration of KCl or RbCl supports net L-glutamate and GABA uptake. LiCl, NH4Cl, CsCl and choline chloride are ineffective. In addition, diaminobutyric acid (but not β-alanine) inhibits net and apparent GABA uptake. The demonstration of net uptake of L-glutamate and GABA by their respective high affinity systems is consonant with the idea that these systems may play a role in neurotransmitter inactivation in the synaptic region.
The Hamann–Hume Connection

It is well known that the eighteenth century Scottish philosopher and sceptic David Hume was a severe critic of religious belief, but what may not be so familiar, and has been brought to our attention in recent years by Isaiah Berlin, is that some religious believers have found in Hume's sceptical arguments a source of nurture for their religious faith. In particular, Berlin singles out the example of Hume's contemporary, Johann Georg Hamann (17388), a devout but unconventional believer as well as one of the leaders of the German Counter-Enlightenment. Hamann's primary claim to fame, however, rests upon his influence upon the Danish theologian, Soren Kierkegaard. Although Kierkegaard never met Hamann, he was familiar with his writings, and calls Hamann ‘his only teacher.’ Kierkegaard's vast influence on modern Christianity, especially Protestantism, is, of course, a commonplace. What, though, is often overlooked, and Berlin calls our attention to, is that this man who influenced Kierkegaard was himself deeply influenced by Hume. The student of religion, as well as the philosopher, cannot help but be struck by this historical connection between Hume and believers such as Johann Hamann and thus, ultimately, between David Hume and modern Protestantism.
Lower Extremity Energy Absorption and Biomechanics During Landing, Part I: Sagittal-Plane Energy Absorption Analyses

Context: Eccentric muscle actions of the lower extremity absorb kinetic energy during landing. Greater total sagittal-plane energy absorption (EA) during the initial impact phase (INI) of landing has been associated with landing biomechanics considered high risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. We do not know whether groups with different INI EA magnitudes exhibit meaningful differences in ACL-related landing biomechanics and whether INI EA might be useful to identify ACL injury-risk potential. Objective: To compare biomechanical factors associated with noncontact ACL injury among sagittal-plane INI EA groups and to determine whether an association exists between sex and sagittal-plane INI EA group assignment to evaluate the face validity of using sagittal-plane INI EA to identify ACL injury risk. Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Setting: Research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 82 (41 men, 41 women; age = 21.0 ± 2.4 years, height = 1.74 ± 0.10 m, mass = 70.3 ± 16.1...
Subcellular localization and partial purification of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1-hydroxylation reaction in the chick myelomonocytic cell line HD-11

Hypercalcemia in human granuloma-forming diseases like sarcoidosis results from the endogenous overproduction of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] by disease-activated tissue macrophages. The recent identification of an immortalized chick myelomonocytic cell line, HD-11, that constitutively expresses a 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) 1-hydroxylation reaction has alleviated dependence on studying primary macrophage cultures with no replicative potential in vitro. In these experiments we established conditions for the maximal expression of the HD-11 cell 25-OHD3-1-hydroxylation reaction and localized this activity to the mitochondrial fraction. On a per cell basis, the activity of HD-11 cell 25-OHD3 1-hydroxylation reaction was comparable to that in primary cultures of chick renal tubular epithelial cells, which express the authentic renal 25-OHD3 1-hydroxylase. Maximal product yield was achieved after incubation of HD-11 cells with 200 nM 25-OHD3 for 3 h. Although adherent monolayers possessed 3- to 4-fold more capacity for hormone production than cells in suspension, suspended cells exhibited easily detectable 25-OHD3 catalytic activity (0.58 +/- 0.08 pmol per 10(6) cells per h; +/- SEM), 50% of which remained solubilized in a sonicate of suspended cells cleared of nuclei and plasma membrane. Subcellular localization disclosed 91% of the residual activity to be concentrated in the mitochondrial subfraction. A detergent-solubilized extract of this mitochondrial subfraction contained 1.9 +/- 0.3 pmol 1,25-(OH)2D3 synthetic capacity per mg protein. The catalytic activity (1-hydroxylase activity) was concentrated 20.2-fold after chromatography on octyl-amino agarose and was associated with 0.054 nmol cytochrome P450 per mg protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Which transformations of stimuli are the most disruptive to facial recognition

In the literature on face recognition, there is a considerable volume of data indicating that transforming a face between a familiarization procedure and recognition testing impairs performance. As many different types of transformations have been shown to produce this effect, it seems tempting to assume that any type of transformation can lead to this performance decrement. However, to date, there have been no systematic attempts to identify which transformations produce the most impairment in facial recognition. Therefore, an experiment was conducted in which subjects viewed facial stimuli during the familiarization phase and were then required to perform a memory test with either transformed or unaltered stimuli. The transformations examined in this experiment were a disguise (the addition of sunglasses), lateral reversal, and inversion. Results suggest that inversion produced the largest decrease in recognition, and the addition of a disguise or lateral reversal of the stimuli produced similar, but sm...
Measuring perceived barriers to healthful eating in obese, treatment-seeking adults.

Abstract Objective To characterize perceived barriers to healthful eating in a sample of obese, treatment-seeking adults and to examine whether changes in barriers are associated with energy intake and body weight. Design Observational study based on findings from a randomized, controlled behavioral weight-loss trial. Participants Participants were 113 women and 100 men, mean age 48.8 years, 67% white, and mean body mass index at baseline 34.9 kg/m 2 . Variables Measured Perceived diet barriers were assessed using a 39-item questionnaire. Energy intake was assessed with the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire. Body weight (kg) and height (cm) were measured. Analysis Factor-based scales constructed from exploratory factor analysis. Linear regression models regressed 12-month energy intake and body weight on baseline to 12-month factor-based score changes (α = .05). Results Exploratory factor analysis yielded 3 factors: lack of knowledge, lack of control, and lack of time. Reported declines in lack of knowledge and lack of control from baseline to 12 months were associated with significantly greater energy restriction over 12 months, whereas reported declines in lack of control and lack of time were associated with significantly greater weight loss. Conclusions and Implications Results suggest that declines in perceived barriers to healthful eating during treatment are associated with greater energy restriction and weight loss.
Selective In Situ Parasympathetic Control of the Canine Sinoatrial and Atrioventricular Nodes

Methods were devised for the selective alteration of parasympathetic control over the sinoatrial (SA) or the atrioventricular (AV) node in anesthetized, thoracotomized mongrel dogs. Two epicardial sites were located at which parasympathetic nerve fibers enroute to the SA or the AV node could be stimulated or blocked. Selective nerve stimulation was accomplished with brief pulses (0.05 msec), and blockade was accomplished with topically applied lidocaine. At the intercaval site, only the SA node was affected. At the site near the coronary sinus ostium, only the AV node was affected in terms of parasympathetic control, but sometimes there were modest sympathetic effects on the SA node. The effects of stimulation at these sites, except for the SA speeding produced by stimulation at the site near the coronary sinus, were blocked by atropine. The effects were also blocked by ganglionic blockade. Probably, preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the nodes are concentrated at these sites.
Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric Impairments in Alzheimer's Disease: Current Treatment Strategies

This update on Alzheimer's disease (AD) discusses treatment strategies for cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms (such as agitation, psychosis, anxiety, and depression) common in this illness, emphasizing in particular nonpharmacologic strategies such as cognitive interventions, physical exercise, and psychotherapy. We provide an overview of cognitive enhancers and their combination strategies and medications commonly used for treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD. Finally, we give recommendations for providing support to caregivers and suggest how to identify caregiver/patient pairs most in need of intensive dementia care services.
The decreasing incidence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose: We sought to determine whether the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at our institution has changed since the Cryo-ROP recruitment period 10 years ago. Methods: We determined the incidences of threshold ROP, prethreshold ROP, less-than-prethreshold ROP, and no disease for each of 3 birth weight classes (<750 g, 750 to 999 g, and 1000 to 1250 g) of infants born between July 1, 1995, and June 30, 1996, and cared for in the Vanderbilt Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We then compared these with the rates from our institution during the Cryo-ROP study recruitment period (January 1, 1986, to November 30, 1987). Results: The current incidence and severity of ROP have decreased substantially overall and for each weight group compared with the 1986-87 incidence (P < .001, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test). The incidence of “any ROP” decreased by 27% for infants with birth weights less than 750 g, by 51% for infants 750 to 999 g, and by 71% for infants 1000 to 1250 g. The incidence of “prethreshold or greater ROP” decreased by 70% for the 750 to 999 g and 77% for the 1000 to 1250 g weight groups. Although the decrease in “prethreshold or greater ROP” was not as dramatic (25%) for the infants less than 750 g, only 1 infant (10%) progressed to threshold disease in this group, whereas 7 (47%) did in 1986-87. The incidence of threshold ROP decreased by 84% for infants less than 750 g and by 66% for infants 750 to 999 g. No infant with birthweight greater than 999 g progressed to threshold ROP. Conclusions: The incidence of all levels of ROP has decreased substantially for all infants with birth weights less than 1251g at Vanderbilt University Medical Center during the past decade. Putative factors responsible for this decrease may include surfactant use, continuous pulse oximetry, aggressive use of antenatal steroids, and improved neonatal nutritional support. (J AAPOS 1999;3:46-52)
Afferent connections of the facial nerve

The central connections of the afferents of the facial nerve have been studied by the Nauta-Gygax and Fink-Heimer techniques in the rat, cat, and the rhesus, cynomolgus, and squirrel monkeys. Descending components that entered the spinal V and solitary tract were found in all species studied. The spinal V fibers terminated in the upper cervical dorsal horn, making a minor contribution to the various subdivisions of the spinal V nucleus, and are probably concerned with pain; the solitary fibers terminated in the solitary nucleus, predominantly at levels rostral to the obex. A few degeneration fibers were seen in reticular formation medial to the spinal V tract in all species. An ascending component was found in both the cat and monkey. The identification of some fibers from cranial VII, which ascend and terminate on a prefacial, probably gustatory, portion of the solitary nucleus provides the first confirmation in nerve degeneration studies of Nageotte's results in man. Some ascending fibers also terminated on the most medial cells of the main trigeminal sensory nucleus, a connection not previously described, that probably mediates touch from the auricular region. Another previously unreported connection found only in the monkey was that of some fibers which terminated on a nucleus (paratrigeminal nucleus), dorsolateral to the spinal V tract; this nucleus may represent an oral extension of the lateral cuneate nucleus, and if this is so, the axons terminating in it would be a part of the afferent cerebellar system.
Optical and spectroscopic properties of human whole blood and plasma with and without Y 2 O 3 and Nd 3+ :Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles

The optical properties of human whole blood and blood plasma with and without Y2O3 and Nd3+:Y2O3 nanoparticles are characterized in the near infrared region at 808 nm using a double integrating sphere technique. Using experimentally measured quantities of diffuse reflectance and diffuse transmittance, a computational analysis was conducted utilizing the Kubelka-Munk, the Inverse Adding Doubling, and Magic Light Kubelka-Munk and Monte Carlo Methods to determine optical properties of the absorption and scattering coefficients. Room temperature absorption and emission spectra were also acquired of Nd3+:Y2O3 nanoparticles elucidating their utility as biological markers. The emission spectra of Nd3+:Y2O3 were taken by exciting the nanoparticles before and after entering the whole blood sample. The emission from the 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 manifold transition of Nd3+:Y2O3 nanoparticles readily propagates through the blood sample at excitation of 808 nm and exhibits a shift in relative intensities of the peaks due to differences in scattering. At 808 nm, in both whole blood and plasma samples, a direct relationship was found with absorption coefficient and Y2O3 nanoparticle concentration. Results for the whole blood indicate a small inverse relationship with Y2O3 nanoparticle concentration and scattering coefficient and in contrast a direct relation for the plasma.
Characterization of plasma-induced shock waves

Shock waves generated by laser-induced plasmas were investigated using a pump-and-probe technique. The shock peak pressure was determined from the measured shock velocity, the jump conditions, and the equation of state for water. Two plasma geometries, spherical and cylindrical, were investigated. The symmetry of the shock wave, in the near field, reflects the symmetry of the plasma. The conservation of momentum was used to derive expressions for the shock velocity, particle velocity and pressure vs. the distance (r) from the center of the plasma. For a cylindrical shock wave the shock pressure is proportional to 1/r. We have, also, applied the Rankine-Hugoniot expression to calculate the energy deposited behind the shock front. We found that a substantial fraction of the laser energy is deposited in the medium in the form of internal energy following the passage of a shock wave.
Independent modal space control fidelity for semiglobal changes in dynamic properties

Much research in this decade has concentrated on the application of modal space control to simplify control design and system monitoring. This investigation will address the fidelity limitations of the modal filter based classical control strategies. Specifically, when the eigen-parameters shift, in concert with semi-global changes in the systems structural properties resulting in similar mode shape but dramatic shift in frequency. Expressly, this examination will concentrate on two spatially similar five bay box trusses of exactly the same geometry (connections and element lengths) and different materials (steel and plastic) and some shift in cross-sectional dimension. The limitation of these parameter shifts should present a practical bound for future application. The investigation incorporated both analytic and experimentally based models of the structural frequency response and residue matrices to analytically model the control problem. The control is investigated for the lower frequency modes due to experimental model limitations. Investigation includes single and multi-mode control.