cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peripheral Modulatory Effects of Catecholamines in Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain

Publisher Summary Basic science and clinical studies indicate that the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) may play a role in pathological states associated with pain and hyperalgesia, such as inflammation and neuropathic pain. Recent psychophysical studies provide pharmacological evidence that noradrenaline may influence pain sensation in normal human subjects. Studies indicate that norepinephrine (NE) produces hyperalgesia to heat stimuli when administered into the skin of normal subjects. The earlier animal studies utilized a mechanical search stimulus to identify nociceptors. More recent studies have recognized the presence of “silent” nociceptors in skin that are mechanically insensitive. In a recent psychophysical study, the effects of NE on cutaneous hyperalgesia in humans are investigated, using topical application of capsaicin as a model to induce hyperalgesia. Capsaicin is known to sensitize C-fibers to heat and lower the pain threshold to mechanical stimuli. The decrease in heat pain threshold (hyperalgesia) following capsaicin administration is prolonged at the site where NE is iontophoresed but not at the saline site, suggesting that NE increased heat hyperalgesia in skin treated with topical capsaicin. These effects of NE in humans are consistent with the neurophysiological observations in animals that NE and sympathoneural stimulation increase nociceptor discharges in inflamed skin.
Alternating direction optimization algorithms for covariance completion problems

Second-order statistics of nonlinear dynamical systems can be obtained from experiments or numerical simulations. These statistics are relevant in understanding the fundamental physics, e.g., of fluid flows, and are useful for developing low-complexity models. Such models can be used for the purpose of control design and analysis. In many applications, only certain second-order statistics of a limited number of states are available. Thus, it is of interest to complete partially specified covariance matrices in a way that is consistent with the linearized dynamics. The dynamics impose structural constraints on admissible forcing correlations and state statistics. Solutions to such completion problems can be used to obtain stochastically driven linearized models. Herein, we address the covariance completion problem. We introduce an optimization criterion that combines the nuclear norm together with an entropy functional. The two, together, provide a numerically stable and scalable computational approach which is aimed at low complexity structures for stochastic forcing that can account for the observed statistics. We develop customized algorithms based on alternating direction methods that are well-suited for large scale problems.
On the Effects of Sex Education: A Response to Those Who Would Say it Promotes Teenage Pregnancy

(1985). On the Effects of Sex Education: A Response to Those Who Would Say it Promotes Teenage Pregnancy. Health Education: Vol. 16, No. 5, pp. 8-10.
estimates for a class of oscillatory integrals

We obtain a simpler proof of Theorem 3.1 of The complete (L P , L P ) mapping properties of some oscillatory integrals in several dimensions, by G. Sampson and P. Szeptycki (Canad. Math. J. 53 (5) (2001), 1031-1056).
Database Exploration with Dynamic Abstractions

For the efficient management of a large database we need a more friendly user-interface, more powerful abstraction capabilities, and more flexible data structures than is usually provided. A new database system called SCOPE was developed with the following three objectives: (1) unsophisticated end-users should be able to explore and navigate in a database system fairly intuitively, (2) the structures and the operations related to representing the data should be easily and efficiently modifiable, and (3) there should be abstraction techniques that allow the same data to be viewed in multiple ways. In the navigation for finding the desired data, views (or scopes) of the data are automatically generated with different levels of “coarseness” to facilitate the user's exploration of the database. Each scope is automatically and efficiently generated using certain dynamic abstractions of the data. Furthermore, an attribute-oriented tree structure is used in SCOPE to handle its data ( including token data and metadata) uniformly and flexibly. An operational prototype of SCOPE has also been implemented to test the design.
Electrophysiologic study of a method of euthanasia using intrathecal lidocaine hydrochloride administered during intravenous anesthesia in horses.

Background An intravenous (IV) overdose of pentobarbital sodium is the most commonly used method of euthanasia in veterinary medicine. However, this compound is not available in many countries or rural areas resulting in usage of alternative methods such as intrathecal lidocaine administration after IV anesthesia. Its safety and efficacy as a method of euthanasia have not been investigated in the horse. Hypothesis/Objectives To investigate changes in mean arterial blood pressure and electrical activity of the cerebral cortex, brainstem, and heart during intrathecal administration of lidocaine. Our hypothesis was that intrathecal lidocaine affects the cerebral cortex and brainstem before affecting cardiovascular function. Animals Eleven horses requiring euthanasia for medical reasons. Methods Prospective observational study. Horses were anesthetized with xylazine, midazolam, and ketamine; and instrumented for recording of electroencephalogram (EEG), electrooculogram (EOG), brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER), and electrocardiogram (ECG). Physical and neurological (brainstem reflexes) variables were monitored. Mean arterial blood pressure was recorded throughout the study. Results Loss of cerebro-cortical electrical activity occurred up to 226 seconds after the end of the infusion of lidocaine solution. Cessation of brainstem function as evidenced by a lack of brainstem reflexes and disappearance of BAER occurred subsequently. Undetectable heart sounds, nonpalpable arterial pulse, and extremely low mean arterial blood pressure supported cardiac death; a recordable ECG was the last variable to disappear after the infusion (300–1,279 seconds). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Intrathecal administration of lidocaine is an effective alternative method of euthanasia in anesthetized horses, during which brain death occurs before cardiac death.
Asymptotic homogeneity tests for mean exponential family distributions

Abstract A new class of distributions is defined, called the Mean Exponential Family (MEF). An asymptotic test statistic is derived to examine the homogeneity of a sample from the MEF, and then, expressions are obtained for binomial, Poisson, negative biomial, beta, gamma, normal, Pareto, Laplace, and Raleigh distributions as special cases. As the results confirm a known underlying distribution for many data in the literature, there are advantages in the presented approach.
Physiological responses of the lichen Ramalina menziesii Tayl. To the Los Angeles urban environment

Abstract In southern California the lichen Ramalina menziesii was transplanted from a control area to a polluted area for three periods during a year. Net photosynthetic rates, recorded under standard conditions in the laboratory, chlorophyll contents and per cent phaeophytins were measured at 2-week intervals for samples from both sites. Druing summer periods at the polluted site chlorophylls and net photosynthesis declined substantially and per cent phaeophytins increased, but during the winter period no changes in these parameters wereobserved. At the control site little or no change in these parameters was observed during the transplant periods. During the winter there was no difference in net photosynthesis for samples collected from the two sites. During the summers the decline in the lichen at the polluted site was associated with the accumulation of 23 ions. Although not demonstrably toxic, nitrate concentrations alone explained over 75% of the variation of each physiological parameter. Fluoride was the second most important variable and it was probably accumulated to toxic levels.
Correlation of processing parameters and in situ temperatures for electron beam irradiated polycarbonate

Abstract Temperature measurements were performed for polycarbonate samples under electron beam irradiation for a total dose of 200 kGy at different dose fractionations. The samples were irradiated with a commercial electron beam accelerator and total dose was applied at different number of passes under the beam. Peak temperatures by beam heating obtained during irradiation varied significantly with different amounts of energy deposited per pass. For one-pass irradiation (200 kGy), the peak temperature recorded exceeded the polycarbonate's glass transition temperature.
Effect of minor harmonics on the performance of resonant harmonic filters in distribution systems

In spite of developing new methods for reducing waveform distortion in distribution systems, resonant harmonic filters (RHFs) remain the main devices for harmonic suppression. With an increase in the number of harmonic generating loads, RHFs often work at the voltage distorted by distant loads inside the supply system. Such filters are used, moreover, for harmonic suppression of not only single loads but also distributed nonlinear loads with a dense harmonic spectrum. Because of this, the load current may contain harmonics other than only those to which the filter is tuned. The voltage harmonics, as well as the current harmonics other than those to which the filter is tuned, are referred to as ‘minor harmonics’ in the paper. These harmonics are often magnified by RHFs. It causes a reduction of the filter effectiveness or even an increase in the waveform distortion. Factors that shape properties and performance of RHFs in distribution systems with minor harmonics are discussed.
Isolation of a heme crevice peptide from affinity-labeled horseradish peroxidase

Abstract Apo-horseradish peroxidase was affinity-labeled with the monosulfuric anhydride derivative of mesoheme. The stoichiometry of heme anhydride binding was 1.1 moles of the anhydride per mole of apo-peroxidase. Tryptic digestion of the affinity-labeled peroxidase yielded a major lysine peptide which corresponded in composition to peptides T8 and T9a in the sequence of horseradish peroxidase (Welinder, K. G., Eur. J. Biochem. 96: 483–502, 1979) which contained one mole of histidine (histidine 170) per mole of peptide.
Cerebral oxygen metabolism in neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy during and after therapeutic hypothermia

Pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are associated with complex changes of blood flow and metabolism. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is effective in reducing the extent of brain injury, but it remains uncertain how TH affects cerebral blood flow (CBF) and metabolism. Ten neonates undergoing TH for HIE and seventeen healthy controls were recruited from the NICU and the well baby nursery, respectively. A combination of frequency domain near infrared spectroscopy (FDNIRS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) systems was used to non-invasively measure cerebral hemodynamic and metabolic variables at the bedside. Results showed that cerebral oxygen metabolism (CMRO2i) and CBF indices (CBFi) in neonates with HIE during TH were significantly lower than post-TH and age-matched control values. Also, cerebral blood volume (CBV) and hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SO2) were significantly higher in neonates with HIE during TH compared with age-matched control neonates. Post-TH CBV was significantly decreased compared with values during TH whereas SO2 remained unchanged after the therapy. Thus, FDNIRS–DCS can provide information complimentary to SO2 and can assess individual cerebral metabolic responses to TH. Combined FDNIRS–DCS parameters improve the understanding of the underlying physiology and have the potential to serve as bedside biomarkers of treatment response and optimization.
Toxicity of copper in an oxic stream sediment receiving aquaculture effluent

Sediments were collected from a stream (upstream, outfall and downstream) receiving copper laden catfish pond effluent to assess toxicity to non-target biota. No significant reduction in Hyalella azteca survival or growth (10 d), or Typha latifolia germination and root and shoot growth (7 d) were observed after exposure to upstream and outfall sediments. A significant reduction in H. azteca survival was observed after exposure to the downstream sediment sample; however, no reduction in T. latifolia germination or seedling growth was detected. Bulk sediment copper concentrations in the upstream, outfall and downstream samples were 29, 31, and 25 mg Cu/kg dry weight, respectively. Interstitial water (IW) concentrations ranged from 0.053 to 0.14 mg Cu/l with 10 d IW toxicity units > or = 0.7. Outfall samples were amended with additional concentrations of copper sulfate so that bulk sediment measured concentrations in the amended samples were 172, 663, 1245, and 1515 mg Cu/kg dry weight. Survival was the most sensitive endpoint examined with respect to H. azteca with a no observed effects concentration (NOEC) and lowest observed effects concentration (LOEC) of 1245 and 1515 mg Cu/kg, respectively. NOEC and LOEC for T. latifolia root growth were 663 and 1245 mg Cu/kg, respectively. IW copper concentrations were > or = 0.86 mg Cu/l with H. azteca intersitial water toxicity unit (IWTU) concentrations > or = 1.2. Sequential extraction qualitatively revealed the carbonate and iron oxide fractions which accounted for a majority of the copper binding. In this instance, the copper which was applied to catfish ponds does not appear to be adversely impacting the receiving stream system.
Estimation of income elasticities from Lorenz concentration curves: application to Canadian micro‐data

This study uses a method of estimating income elasticities of major Canadian expenditure groups. The technique is based on the implicit Engel functions derived from the Lorenz curve of permanent income and concentration curves of group-specific expenditures. The methodology is applied to The 1996 Canadian Family Expenditure Survey. Results indicate that income elasticities for the majority of the broad expenditure categories considered in the study are inelastic and they increase monotonically with income.
Adsorption-thermal desorption as a method for the determination of low levels of aqueous organics

Abstract Adsorption followed by thermal desorption (ATD) with Tenax GC is an effective analytical tool for the preconcentration-analysis of water samples containing μ/kg quantities of the three United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) “Priority Pollutants” p-dichlorobenzene, hexachloro-1,3-butadiene, and 2-chloronaphthalene. A centrifugation method allows the removal of all but 80 μl of water from a glass cartridge packed with 0.75 g Tenax GC. A 10-min follow-up vacuum-desiccation step will reduce the residual water to ≈ 5 μl. A new procedure is presented for conducting recovery tests with sparingly soluble compounds and for the desorption of loaded cartridges. The recovery efficiencies for the tree compounds showed little dependence upon the sample flow-rate in the range 0.25–2.0 ml/sec. One cartridge absorbed ≈ 80% of these compounds at all flow-rates, and a second cartridge in series recovered the remaining ≈ 20%.
Effect of Extrinsic Fluorescent Labels on Diffusion and Adsorption Kinetics of Proteins at the Liquid−Liquid Interface†

We present experimental results of the effect of fluorescent labels on the adsorption kinetics and diffusion of bovine serum albumin (BSA) at the oil−water interface. We performed comparative studies on BSA labeled with exactly 1, an average of 1.7, and exactly 2 fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate (FITC) molecules. We used total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy along with fluorescence photobleaching recovery as an in-situ, noninvasive measure of diffusion and adsorption of proteins at the interface. We used ion-exchange chromatography to exploit the difference in electronegativity of proteins with different labeling ratios to effect the separation required to prepare the monodisperse (single- and double-labeled) samples. Absorbance spectroscopy measurements at 278 nm (BSA) and 490 nm (FITC) were used to calibrate the eluant from the chromatography column and determine the labeling ratio. The results showed that the attachment of an extrinsic label has a pronounced effect on both adsorption and diffus...
Auditeur: a mobile-cloud service platform for acoustic event detection on smartphones

Auditeur is a general-purpose, energy-efficient, and context-aware acoustic event detection platform for smartphones. It enables app developers to have their app register for and get notified on a wide variety of acoustic events. Auditeur is backed by a cloud service to store user contributed sound clips and to generate an energy-efficient and context-aware classification plan for the phone. When an acoustic event type has been registered, the smartphone instantiates the necessary acoustic processing modules and wires them together to execute the plan. The phone then captures, processes, and classifies acoustic events locally and efficiently. Our analysis on user-contributed empirical data shows that Auditeur's energy-aware acoustic feature selection algorithm is capable of increasing the device lifetime by 33.4%, sacrificing less than 2% of the maximum achievable accuracy. We implement seven apps with Auditeur, and deploy them in real-world scenarios to demonstrate that Auditeur is versatile, 11.04% - 441.42% less power hungry, and 10.71% - 13.86% more accurate in detecting acoustic events, compared to state-of-the-art techniques. We present a user study to demonstrate that novice programmers can implement the core logic of interesting apps with Auditeur in less than 30 minutes, using only 15 - 20 lines of Java code.
Creating a ‘falsely objectified tradition’: the face of art or history, myth, money, and name. A review-essay of Pacific Standard Time. Los Angeles Art 1945–1980

I would be in bad faith to the task of making a critical review of Pacific Standard Time – evaluation, assessment – if I did not begin by saying that I volunteered to write this essay-review. I vol...
SU‐E‐T‐552: Validation of the Leksell GammaPlan Convolution‐Based Dose Calculation Algorithm

Purpose: To validate the new convolution‐based dose calculation algorithm within the Leksell GammaPlan 10.1.1 treatment planning system (TPS) and to compare the new algorithm with the TMR 10 classical algorithm. Methods: Using both the convolution and the TMR 10 algorithms, two test cases, a single 18 mm shot plan (Rx = 10 Gy to the 50% isodose) and a plan with 4 overlapping 18 mm shots (Rx = 15 Gy to the 50%) were separately computed on the spherical phantom used for GammaKnife output calibration (diameter of 16 cm, density = 1.06 g/cm3). The dose at the center of the phantom was measured using a micro chamber and gafchromic film. The ISP FilmQA Pro program was used to compare the films with TPS‐predicted planar doses. Results: For the single‐shot plan, the predicted mean dose to the ion chamber was 19.6 Gy and 19.9 Gy for convolution and TMR 10, respectively. The measured dose was 20.2 Gy, which was 3% higher than the convolution prediction and 1.5% higher than TMR 10 predicted. For the four‐shot case, the predicted dose was 19.3 Gy for convolution and 19.6 Gy for TMR 10. The measured dose was 20.4 Gy (5.7% higher than convolution and 1.4% higher than TMR 10). For the single shot, gamma analysis (2% and 1 mm) produced passing rates of 99.8 % for convolution and 98.3% for TMR 10. For the four‐shot plan, the passing rates were 99.8% and 96.8% for convolution and TMR10, respectively. Conclusion: The convolution algorithm produced better gamma passing rates than TMR 10; however, convolution under‐predicted absolute dose and its error was exacerbated with addition of shots. This can in part be explained by fact that the output calibration of the machine is done assuming that the sphere is composed of water, but further investigation is needed.
Dipole moments, transition moments, oscillator strengths, radiative lifetimes, and overtone intensities for CH and CH+ as computed by quasi-degenerate many-body perturbation theory

The correlated, size-consistent, ab initio effective valence-shell dipole operator (μv) method is used to calculate dipole moments and transition dipole moments of the CH molecule and transition dipole moments of the CH+ ion as a function of internuclear distance. The dipole and transition dipole moments computed here compare well with those of other accurate ab initio methods. The transition dipole moments are then used to calculate oscillator strengths and radiative lifetimes for the A X and B A transitions of the CH+ ion and the A X transition of the CH molecule. Comparisons are made with the best available theoretical and experimental lifetimes. Finally, the CH ground-state dipole moment function is used to evaluate overtone intensities and to examine simple models of the CH overtone intensities in polyatomic molecules.
Influence of Host Sex on the Growth of Human Melanoma

AbstractThe growth of estrogen receptor-positive and -negative human melanoma cells was compared in male and female athymic mice. The growth of all receptor-negative and receptor-positive tumors carried in male mice was significantly greater than receptor-positive tumors in female mice. The receptor-positive tumor growth rate in male mice was inhibited by exogenous estradiol while receptor-negative tumors were not. The results suggest that the favorable influence of sex on the natural history of human melanoma may be restricted to hormonally responsive lesions.
Studies in diffusion, IV. Pressure dependence of Ar diffusion in phlogopite mica

Abstract Radiogenic Ar diffusion from phlogopite mica has been measured at 900° and 1080°C at 15 kbars pressure, using a Griggs-type hot creep tester operated at hydrostatic pressure, and followed by standard mass spectrometric analysis. The diffusion coefficients fall within the uncertainty of the diffusion results reported by Giletti (1974) at 1 kbar at 900° and on extrapolation of that Arrhenius plot to 1080°C. That linear plot is given by D 0 = 0.75 and Q = 57.9kcal/g-atom Ar. In the observed temperature range, the effect of pressure up to 15 kbars is not significant. A second Ar diffusion, which employed Ca(OH) 2 -CaO as a water buffer, was run at 1 atm H 2 O pressure and 550°C for 781 days. The resulting diffusion coefficient agrees, within the uncertainty, with the extrapolation of the earlier curve. This result, and both earlier ones at 600°, are similar in that they fall below the curve. Consequently, despite the agreement within the uncertainty, it is possible that diffusion of Ar from phlogopite below 650°C is somewhat slower than given by the above equation parameters.
Passive wireless surface acoustic wave CO2 sensor with carbon nanotube nanocomposite as an interface layer

Abstract A passive wireless CO2 sensing system based on surface acoustic wave (SAW) device and carbon nanotube nanocomposite thin film was studied. The electrical resistance change of the carbon nanotube nanocomposite thin film was examined first, and about 10% resistance increase was observed when the thin film is exposed to pure CO2. The frequency change for SAW sensor coated with nanocomposites film was around 0.03% when the device is exposed to pure CO2. However, the performance of the CO2 SAW sensor is severely influenced by environmental humidity. With additional ultrathin parylene film packaging, the SAW sensor frequency change from relative humidity of 0–100% at room temperature decreased from over 0.1% to less than 0.01%. It was found that the lowest detection limit of the CO2 SAW sensor is 1% CO2 concentration, with 0.0036% frequency change. Wireless module was tested and showed promising transmission distance at preferred parallel orientation.
Predictors of Graduation of Readmitted “At Risk” College Students

We conducted an archival study of at-risk students who had “stopped out” of college for many reasons (academic dismissal, financial problems, personal problems, etc.) and who later were accepted to return to school. Approximately 27% of the accepted students chose not to return. Those who returned had higher grade point averages, had completed more semesters and more credits before stop-out, and had transferred in more credits than non-returners. Of the final sample of 290 students who returned, approximately 47% eventually graduated, a number that compares favorably to national graduation statistics. Sixteen variables were examined to predict whether the students later graduated or did not. In a hierarchical logistic regression, the only significant demographic variable was year of birth, with younger students being more likely to graduate. Two “intervention” variables were significant: students who had been academically dismissed were less likely to graduate, and those who participated in a pre-freshman...
Control of Decay in Modified‐atmosphere Packages of Sliced Apples using 2‐Nonanone Vapor

A flow-through vapor exposure system was developed to evaluate the effects of 2-nonanone vapor on the decay of apple slices inoculated with Penicillium expansum Link. and Botrytis cinerea Pers. Treatments with 2-nonanone at 130 to 300 μL (STP)/L of air at 23°C retarded growth of fungi on PDA. At 300 μL.L -1 , fungal growth was completely suppressed; however, it re-grew when transferred to air. At 5°C, exposure to 50 μL.L -1 suppressed, and at 100 μL.L -1 apparently killed, P. expansum on PDA and apple slices. For P. expansum at 5°C, only 25% of the 2-nonanone used at 23°C was needed. Physiological damage occurred on the peel of treated apples.
Parenting-related stress and psychological distress in mothers of toddlers with autism spectrum disorders

Background:Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are at risk for higher stress levels than parents of children with other developmental disabilities and typical development. Recent advances in early diagnosis have resulted in younger children being diagnosed with ASDs but factors associated with parent stress in this age group are not well understood. Aims: The present study examined parenting-related stress and psychological distress in mothers of toddlers with ASD, developmental delay without ASD (DD), and typical development. The impact of child problem behavior and daily living skills on parenting-stress and psychological distress were further investigated. Methods: Participants were part of a larger research study on early ASD intervention. Results: Parent self-report of parenting-related stress and psychological distress was utilized. Parents of toddlers with ASD demonstrated increased parenting-related stress compared with parents of toddlers with DD and typical development. However, psychological distress did not differ significantly between the groups. Child behavior problems, but not daily living skills emerged as a significant predictor of parenting-related stress and psychological distress. This was true for both mothers of children with ASD and DD. Conclusions: These finding suggest that parents’ abilities to manage and reduce behavior problems is a critical target for interventions for young children with ASD and DD in order to improve child functioning and decrease parenting-related stress.
Laparoscopic adnexectomy: a comparison with laparotomy.

Objective: Our purpose was to compare the newer technique of laparoscopic adnexal excision with conventional laparotomy. Design: With the same entry criteria, a retrospective, consecutive series of 26 women who underwent adnexectomy by laparotomy was compared with a later prospective consecutive series of 64 women who had laparoscopic adnexectomy in a university referral practice. The two groups were similar in all characteristics examined. The ages of the women ranged from 18 to 70 years, but only two women were postmenopausal. Pelvic pain with or without an ovarian cystic mass was the surgical indication in 91 to 92% of the women. Seven women had a persistent adnexal cystic mass and one woman had a unilateral androgen-secreting ovary. Bipolar coagulation was the laparoscopic method used. RESULTS: Median operating time (88 vs 107 minutes), blood loss (72 vs 222 ml), days in the hospital (1 day vs 3 days), total costs ($4573 vs $6044), and recovery time (1 week vs 4 weeks) were significantly less with laparoscopic adnexectomy. There were no differences between the two techniques in major complications (one in each group), blood transfusions, adhesion formation, or the proportion of women noting improvement of pain symptoms. Conclusion: In this preliminary assessment of laparoscopic adnexectomy, this surgical procedure offers significant advantages to laparotomy in selected patients when performed by a laparoscopist experienced in advanced techniques.
Dynamic anisotropic viscoelastic properties of the aorta in living dogs.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the incremental dynamic anisotropic viscoelastic properties of the middle descending thoracic aorta in ten living dogs. A segment of the middle descending thoracic aorta was isolated in situ and connected to a reservoir filled with oxygenated blood. The height of the reservoir could be adjusted to impress a known pressure on the segment. In addition, a sinusoidal fluid displacement pump was connected to this assembly to superimpose small sinusoidal pressures at various frequencies (0-5 Hz); in another phase of the experiment small sinusoidal changes in length were also imposed on the segment. The pressure, the longitudinal force, and the length of the segment were monitored continuously with specially designed transducers. From these data, the incremental elastic ( E 9) and the viscous ( E 99) moduli in the circumferential (θ), longitudinal ( z ), and radial (γ) directions were calculated around a given state of strain in the physiological range. In general, the viscoelastic moduli were functions of the initial stretches, indicating the nonlinear nature of the arterial wall. Within the physiological range of pressure, E z 9 > E θ 9 > E γ 9 ( P E z 99 > E γ 99 > E θ 99 (P E 9 / E 9 E z 9 and E z 99 from the in vivo experiments were higher than those from the in vitro experiments, and the difference was attributed to the vascular tethering present in the in vivo state.
Cervical incompetence and preterm labor

The ability of the cervix to function as a competent sphincter to retain the fetoplacental unit in utero until term is dependent on a complex set of biochemical, biophysical, and environmental events. The understanding of these interactions is limited at present and requires that cervical incompetence be a diagnosis of exclusion. Currently, differentiation of cervical incompetence from preterm labor is a major problem. Advances in ultrasonography, ambulatory uterine activity monitoring, cervical histomorphology, and biochemistry should improve the understanding of both normal and abnormal cervical and uterine function and may provide new techniques to distinguish between true cervical incompetence and preterm labor. Well-designed and strictly executed randomized clinical trials of cervical cerclage should answer the question of therapeutic efficacy for this popular technique when the diagnosis of cervical incompetence is made.
Cytotoxic lymphocytes generated in vivo with acute measles virus infection

We studied the generation of cytotoxic lymphocytes in adults during an outbreak of acute measles virus infection. Nine patients were studied determining in particular whether virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes could be directly detected in peripheral blood during this acute infection. The cytotoxicity of PBL was assayed against measles virus-infected and uninfected phytohemagglutinin-induced blast cells of matched and mismatched HLA, A, B, and C types, in a standard 4-h 51Cr release assay. There was greater cytotoxicity against measles virus-infected than uninfected target cells in at least one sample from every patient. In 4 patients this preferential lysis of virus infected cells was greater (a difference of more than 10% virus-specific lysis) against HLA-matched than mismatched targets. This preference for HLA A and B matched infected target cells was also clearly seen when the effector PBL were depleted of FC receptor bearing cells. The other 5 subjects exhibited no evidence of preferential lysis of HLA-matched measles virus-infected cells. All 9 patients limited the spread of measles virus infection and recovered equally from the acute infection. These studies provide some evidence to suggest that MHC-restricted virus-specific CTL are detectable in human peripheral blood during acute measles virus infection, albeit only with low frequency, but are not necessarily associated with recovery from disease.
Physical Origins of Chemical Enhancement of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy on a Gold Nanoparticle-Coated Polymer

Chemical enhancement of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy was investigated using a gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-coated polymer substrate, and an enormous b2-mode signal enhancement arose from the evaporation-induced reorientation of 4-aminobenzenethiol molecules adsorbed onto the AuNP surface. The dynamic analysis of time-dependent increases of chemically enhanced Raman signals enables us to measure the charge coupling strengths between molecules and metal at varying surface environments and to differentiate the solvent drying-mediated coupling effect with a long-term stability from photogenerated, metastable charged states showing a relatively rapid signal decay.
The Validity of Newton's Lemma 28

Abstract Isaac Newton's Lemma 28 ( Principia , Book I) argues that the areas of oval figures are not expressible in finite algebraic equations. Although D. T. Whiteside criticized this lemma, his counterexample is not infinitely smooth and thus would not have been admitted by Newton. Copyright 2001 Academic Press. Le lemme 28 d'Isaac Newton ( Principia , livre I) propose que les aires defigures ovales ne sont pas exprimables par des equations algebriques finies. Bien que D. T. Whiteside ait critique ce lemme, son contre-exemple n'est pas infiniment derivable, et Newton ne l'aurait donc pas admis. Copyright 2001 Academic Press. MSC 2000 classification numbers : 01A45, 14M81, 26A27.
Mechanisms of Distress Associated with Sulfate-Induced Heaving in Lime-Treated Soils

Field observations suggest that ettringite-induced swell in lime-treated soils may manifest rapidly after placement and compaction or after months or even years after lime treatment. In either case, forensic investigations have identified the presence of the mineral ettringite in distressed sections. However, the time window between the observation of distress and the subsequent forensic evaluations has left room for doubt as to whether the ettringite caused the observed distress or was formed between the time of the observed distress and the time of the forensic investigation. The study focuses on identifying alternative, probable mechanisms of swelling when sulfate-laden soils are stabilized with lime. The research addresses the hypothesis that swelling in sulfate-bearing fine-grained soils results from one or a combination of three mechanisms: (a) volumetric expansion during ettringite formation, (b) water movement triggered by a high osmotic suction caused by sulfate salts, and (c) the ability of the ...
The Dam1 ring binds to the E-hook of tubulin and diffuses along the microtubule

There has been much effort in recent years aimed at understanding the molecular mechanism by which the Dam1 kinetochore complex is able to couple microtubule depolymerization to poleward movement. Both a biased diffusion and a forced walk model have been proposed, and several key functional aspects of Dam1-microtubule binding are disputed. Here, we investigate the elements involved in tubulin-Dam1 complex interactions and directly visualize Dam1 rings on microtubules in order to infer their dynamic behavior on the microtubule lattice and its likely relevance at the kinetochore. We find that the Dam1 complex has a preference for native tubulin over tubulin that is lacking its acidic C-terminal tail. Statistical mechanical analysis of images of Dam1 rings on microtubules, applied to both the distance between rings and the tilt angle of the rings with respect to the microtubule axis, supports a diffusive ring model. We also present a cryo-EM reconstruction of the Dam1 ring, likely the relevant assembly form of the complex for energy coupling during microtubule depolymerization in budding yeast. The present studies constitute a significant step forward by linking structural and biochemical observations toward a comprehensive understanding of the Dam1 complex.
Skin allografts in the newt, Notopthalmus viridescens: cessation of blood flow as an indicator of rejection.

Histological sections and surface views of skin allografts from newts were examined. It was determined that complete cessation of blood flow through the allografts was a valid indicator of graft rejection. The following sequence of events was detected within allografts as they were rejected; (1) primary vasodilation 8.4 ± 3.6 days after grafting; (2) re-establishment of circulation at days 11.3 ± 3.5 after grafting; (3) signs of rejection (viz., secondary vasodilation, stasis and hemorrhage) at days 20.9 ± 5.0 after grafting, and (4) complete rejection at days 36.1 ± 7.0. There was no evidence of sexual dimorphism in any of the newts examined with regard to skin allograft rejection.
Exercise Training in Transgenic Mice Is Associated with Attenuation of Early Breast Cancer Growth in a Dose-Dependent Manner

Epidemiological research suggests that regular physical activity confers beneficial effects that mediate an anti-tumor response and may reduce cancer recurrence. It is unclear what amount of physical activity is necessary to exert such a protective effect and what mechanisms are involved. We investigated the effects of voluntary wheel running on tumor progression and cytokine gene expression in the transgenic polyoma middle T oncoprotein (PyMT) mouse model of invasive breast cancer. Runners showed significantly reduced tumor sizes compared with non-runners after 3 weeks of running (p≤0.01), and the greater the running distance the smaller the tumor size (Pearson's r = −0.61, p≤0.04, R2 = 0.38). Mice running greater than 150 km per week had a significantly attenuated tumor size compared with non-runners (p≤0.05). Adipose tissue mass was inversely correlated with tumor size in runners (Pearson's r = −0.77, p = 0.014) but not non-runners. Gene expression of CCL22, a cytokine associated with recruitment of immunosuppressive T regulatory cells, was decreased in tumors of runners compared to non-runners (p≤0.005). No differences in tumor burden or metastatic burden were observed between runners and non-runners after ten weeks of running when the study was completed. We conclude that voluntary wheel running in PyMT mice correlates with an attenuation in tumor progression early during the course of invasive breast cancer. This effect is absent in the later stages of overwhelming tumor burden even though cytokine signaling for immunosuppressive regulatory T cells was down regulated. These observations suggest that the initiation of moderate exercise training for adjunctive therapeutic benefit early in the course of invasive breast cancer should be considered for further investigation.
Evidence of distinct water species in cellulosic environments from broad-line NMR

Broad-line NMR measurements were made on water in cellulosic samples. The spectra for oriented rayon at 65% relative humidity and room temperature consisted of a visually apparent doublet (SD) and a narrow singlet (SN) which was shifted upfield about 7 ppm from the center of the doublet. The doublet separation varied as A(3 cos2θ—1), where θ is the angle between the fiber axis and the magnetic field; the maximum doublet separation was 350 mG at both 15.1 and 56.4 MHz, indicating the doublet is dipolar in origin. The peak-to-peak linewidth of the narrow singlet was orientation and field dependent. The upfield shift of the narrow singlet from the doublet center was field dependent. Spectra for vacuum-treated rayon consisted of only the narrow singlet, which was orientation dependent. The doublet separation decreases with increasing moisture content and is essentially zero for oriented rayon samples at 100% relative humidity; the resulting spectra due to the collapsed doublet and SN singlet was an asymmetric line. Temperature-dependent measurements were made on oriented rayon at 65% relative humidity with the fiber axis parallel to the magnetic field; when the temperature was increased from about 0° the peak-to-peak linewidth of the doublet halves and the doublet separation decreased. As the temperature was increased from about 30 to about 65°C, a previously unobserved singlet (SE) became visible. The relative amplitudes of the three lines varied with temperature as follows: The SE singlet increased, the SD doublet decreased, and the amplitude of the SN singlet remained constant. Measurements using oriented cotton samples and randomly packed rayon samples indicated that the NMR line shape of the water spectra depends upon the physical properties of the macromolecular substrate. The doublet component of the spectra is attributed to a water species (SD) which is highly bonded to the macromolecular substrate. The SE singlet is attributed to an energetic water species (SE) which is rapidly tumbling in the macromolecular environment. The SN singlet is not due to free water.
Neuromuscular Control of Trumpeters' Lips

SCIENTIFIC experiments on musical performance are surprisingly sparse when one considers that neuromuscular control of skilful motor performance reaches its acme in music. A case in point is the embouchure of brass instrumentalists, that is, the control of the firmness and vibration of the lips in relationship to each other and to the mouthpiece. The pedagogical literature is in a “state of chaos” according to Weast1. Among anatomists little more is known today about the normal function and kinesiology of the muscles of facial expression than has been known for a century—knowledge gained through the dissection of corpses and simple observation2. With the exception of buccinator muscle during normal function3,4 and labial muscles during speech5,6, the facial muscles have been almost ignored by electromyographers. Thus, electromyography (EMG) offers to reveal the function of the facial muscles as it has for many other parts of the body7.
Total synthesis of the Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin.

An enantioselective synthesis of the Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin was achieved in 20 linear steps and 2.0% overall yield from 2-methoxyhydroquinone. The synthesis is highlighted by a regio- and stereoselective hydroboration reaction; a Sc(OTf)3/Et3SiH-mediated pyran ring-opening reaction; an enantioselective crotylation to simultaneously install the C8–C9 (E)-trisubstituted olefin, the C10 and C11 stereocenters; a chelation-controlled asymmetric metallated acetylide addition; and an intramolecular copper(I)-mediated aryl amidation reaction to close the 19-membered macrolactam.
Present prospects and future perspectives of intestinal and multivisceral transplantation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article reviews the most current indications, technical aspects and results of intestinal and multivisceral transplantation. RECENT FINDINGS The introduction of induction therapy in the past 8 years, combined with advancements on surgical technique and clinical management, was vital for the improvement in patient and graft survival. SUMMARY Intestinal transplantation is now a viable option for patients with intestinal failure who have failed parenteral nutrition. The improvement in the survival of intestinal and multivisceral transplant recipients has extended its use to selected patients with neoplastic disease, extensive splanchnic thrombosis and abdominal catastrophes.
Interactions of acetylcholine binding site residues contributing to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gating: Role of residues Y93, Y190, K145 and D200

Abstract The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor exhibits multiple conformational states, resting (channel closed), active (channel open) and desensitized (channel closed). The resting state may be distinguished from the active and desensitized states by the orientation of loop C in the extracellular ligand binding domain (LBD). Homology modeling was used to generate structures of the Torpedo californica α 2 βδγ nAChR that initially represent the resting state (loop C open) and the desensitized state (loop C closed). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on the extracellular LBD on each nAChR conformational state, with and without the agonist anabaseine present in each binding site (the αγ and the αδ sites). Three MD simulations of 10 ns each were performed for each of the four conditions. Comparison of dynamics revealed that in the presence of agonist, loop C was drawn inward and attains a more stable conformation. Examination of side-chain interactions revealed that residue αY190 exhibited hydrogen-bonding interactions either with residue αY93 in the ligand binding site or with residue αK145 proximal to the binding site. αK145 also exhibited side chain (salt bridge) interactions with αD200 and main chain interactions with αY93. Residues αW149, αY198, γY116/δT119, γL118/δL121 and γL108/δL111 appear to play the role of stabilizing ligand in the binding site. In MD simulations for the desensitized state, the effect of ligand upon the interactions among αK145, αY190, and αY93 as well as ligand-hydrogen-bonding to αW149 were more pronounced at the αγ interface than at the αδ interface. Differences in affinity for the desensitized state were determined experimentally to be 10-fold. The changes in side chain interactions observed for the two conformations and induced by ligand support a model wherein hydrogen bond interactions between αD200 and αY93 are broken and rearrange to form a salt-bridge between αK145 and αD200 and hydrogen bond interactions between αY93 and αY190 and between αK145 and αY190.
Sensory interaction: Control of auditory discrimination by visual stimulation in the pigeon.

Two pigeons were trained to peck at different keys. each associated with a different tone Intensity. Although the test tones were of the same Intensity as those used during training, simultaneous presentation of a light With the tone altered the probability of correct key choice In the same manner as increasing the intensity of the tone.
Family with acute myelocytic leukemia, breast, ovarian, and gastrointestinal cancer

We report a multigeneration family in which hematologic cancers, particularly acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), and solid tumors were interspersed in cancer-prone lineages consistent with an autosomal dominant mode of genetic transmission. This combination of AML and solid tumors, in the absence of a known hereditary disorder such as the Li-Fraumeni syndrome, appears to be unique. This pedigree appears to support our hypothesis of a genetic susceptibility to both solid tumors and hematologic cancer in this kindred. Our study involved the genetic work-up of the family and the education of high-risk patients. Medical and pathology reports were retrieved for cross-referencing and verification of family reports. Blood collected through venipuncture and, when available, diagnostic bone marrow specimens were obtained for cytogenetic studies, inclusive of multiflour fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH) and G-banding methods. Slides and tissue blocks were reviewed, when available. No constitutional chromosomal abnormality or rearrangement and no abnormal platelet count or function was identified in cancer-affected members or high-risk relatives in this family. However, two family members affected with AML exhibited abnormal acquired clones in their bone marrow specimens by both G-band studies and interphase FISH, both with a deletion of 5q.