cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Altered beta-adrenergic receptor-stimulated cAMP formation in cultured skin fibroblasts from Alzheimer donors

An alteration in signal transduction systems in Alzheimer's disease would likely be of pathophysiological significance, because these steps are critical to normal brain function. Since dynamic processes are difficult to study in autopsied brain, the current studies utilized cultured skin fibroblasts. The beta-adrenergic-stimulated increase in cAMP was reduced approximately 80% in fibroblasts from Alzheimer's disease compared with age-matched controls. The deficit in Alzheimer fibroblasts in response to various adrenergic agonists paralleled their beta-adrenergic potency, and enhancement of cAMP accumulation by a non-adrenergic agonist, such as prostaglandin E1, was similar in Alzheimer and control fibroblasts. Diminished adenylate cyclase activity did not underlie these abnormalities, since direct stimulation of adenylate cyclase by forskolin elevated cAMP production equally in Alzheimer and control fibroblasts. Cholera toxin equally stimulated cAMP formation in Alzheimer and control fibroblasts. Moreover, cholera toxin partially reduced isoproterenol-induced cAMP deficit in Alzheimer fibroblasts. Pertussis toxin, on the other hand, did not alter the Alzheimer deficits. The results suggest either that the coupling of the GTP-binding protein(s) to the beta-adrenergic receptor is abnormal or that the sensitivity of receptor is altered with Alzheimer's disease. Further, any hypothesis about Alzheimer's disease must explain why a reduced beta-adrenergic-stimulated cAMP formation persists in tissue culture.
Self-Repelling Knots and Local Energy Minima

This paper discusses properties of simulations of electrically self-repelling knots. In particular, we give an example of two configurations of the Kinoshita-Terasaka knot (of Alexander polynomial one) that appear to be distinct local energy minima for both the electrical simulation and for the Simon energy.
Evolution of generalized couple-stress continuum theories: a critical analysis

In this paper, we examine different generalized couple-stress continuum mechanics theories, including couple stress, strain gradient and micropolar theories. First, we investigate the fundamental requirements in any consistent size-dependent couple stress continuum mechanics, for which satisfying basic rules of mathematics and mechanics are crucial to establish a consistent theory. As a result, we show that continuum couple stress theory must be based on the displacement field and its corresponding macrorotation field as degrees of freedom, while an extraneous artificial microrotation cannot be a true continuum mechanical concept. Furthermore, the idea of generalized force and independent generalized degrees of freedom show that the normal component of the surface moment traction vector must vanish. Then, with these requirements in mind, various existing couple stress theories are examined critically, and we find that certain deviatoric curvature tensors create indeterminacy in the spherical part of the couple stress tensor. We also examine micropolar and micromorphic theories from this same perspective.
Industrial explosives - a brief history of their development and use

Abstract In this article we provide a brief overview of chemical explosives history, from primitive Chinese bamboo rockets to the 17th century introduction of black powder in mining to the powerful and economical blasting agents which now support the mining and construction industries. Explosive behavior is traced to the very same combustion reactions that drive more familiar power sources, but running millions of times faster. The physical basis for the extraordinary reaction rate of explosives is outlined. The four major classes of chemical explosives (low, or deflagrating explosives, primary and secondary high explosives, and blasting agents) are illustrated by examples. The main features of explosive initiation systems are described, including the careful sequencing required in modern industrial blasting. The recent development of economical and super - safe blasting agents is traced to accidental ammonium nitrate explosions, such as the one that devastated Texas City in 1947. Finally, the principal uses of industrial explosives in mining, quarrying and construction are described.
Regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 messenger ribonucleic acid expression and protein availability in rat osteoblast-like cells

PTH treatment of UMR 106-01 rat osteosarcoma cells increased 20- to 100-fold medium levels of a discrete insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) with M(r) of 29K. Northern analysis of UMR cellular RNA hybridized with a specific IGFBP-5 complementary DNA probe indicated a 6.0-kilobase transcript induced within 2 h in PTH-treated cells. IGFBP-5 messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance was maximal around 6 h and remained elevated after 24 h of treatment. Another rat osteosarcoma cell line (ROS 17/2.8) did not express IGFBP-5 mRNA and did not secrete 29K IGFBP. Induction of IGFBP-5 mRNA by PTH was blocked when RNA synthesis in UMR cells was inhibited by actinomycin D (Bu)2cAMP mimicked the effect of PTH on IGFBP-5 mRNA expression and protein secretion. In addition, a monoclonal antibody against IGF-I (Sm 1.2) inhibited the PTH-induced increase in medium IGFBP-5 without influencing IGFBP-5 transcript levels. Direct addition of IGF-I to UMR cell cultures increased medium IGFBP-5 levels approximately 14-fold, w...
The Radiology Conglomerate: Optimizing the Structure and Function of the 50-Plus Radiology Organizations—A Summary of the 2010 Intersociety Conference

There has been a substantial proliferation in the number of radiology organizations over the past 30 years. This has occurred without integrated planning or the development of a central administration. Although each of the 50-plus organizations was created for specific reasons, the lack of coordination among them has led to considerable duplication of missions, services, and resources. The majority of the members attending the 2010 meeting of the Intersociety Conference believe that radiology as a whole would benefit from collaboration and consolidation of our organizations. Specific opportunities for collaboration include joint annual meetings between 2 or more organizations, the creation of a clearinghouse for meeting scheduling that would minimize meeting conflicts, coordinated development of self-assessment modules, the development of an online site for "one-stop shopping" for paying dues and making foundation contributions, consolidation of the 15-plus radiology foundations to increase the investment corpus and allow larger targeted investments in specific research projects that would benefit radiology as a whole, and the creation of a new Web site that would link all radiology organizations to facilitate information access and collaboration. To move forward with meaningful and successful collaboration or consolidation will require an accurate database of the mission, structure, and function of our organizations; a careful analysis of potential synergies; and, full buy-in by the participating organizations.
Incidence of noncutaneous melanomas in the U.S.

BACKGROUND Description of the epidemiology of noncutaneous melanoma has been hampered by its rarity. The current report was the largest in-depth descriptive analysis of incidence of noncutaneous melanoma in the United States, using data from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries. METHODS Pooled data from 27 states and one metropolitan area were used to examine the incidence of noncutaneous melanoma by anatomic subsite, gender, age, race, and geography (northern/southern and coastal/noncoastal) for cases diagnosed between 1996 and 2000. Percent distribution by stage of disease at diagnosis and histology were also examined. RESULTS Between 1996 and 2000, 6691 cases of noncutaneous melanoma (4885 ocular and 1806 mucosal) were diagnosed among 851 million person-years at risk. Ocular melanoma was more common among men compared with women (6.8 cases per million men compared with 5.3 cases per million women, age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. population standard), whereas mucosal melanoma was more common among women (2.8 cases per million women compared with 1.5 cases per million men). Rates of ocular melanoma among whites were greater than eight times higher than among blacks. Rates of mucosal melanoma were approximately two times higher among whites compared with blacks. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to cutaneous melanoma, there was no apparent pattern of increased noncutaneous melanoma among residents of southern or coastal states, with the exception of melanoma of the ciliary body and iris. Despite their shared cellular origins, both ocular and mucosal melanomas differ from cutaneous melanoma in terms of incidence by gender, race, and geographic area. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Particle Manipulation in Dielectrophoretic Devices

Microfluidic devices or lab-on-a-chip systems can make a significant impact in many fields where obtaining a rapid response is critical, particularly in analyses involving biological cells. Microfluidics has revolutionized the manner in which many different assessments/processes are carried out, since it offers attractive advantages over traditional bench-scale techniques. Some of the advantages are: small sample and reagent amounts, higher resolution and sensitivity, improved level of integration and automation, lower cost and much shorter processing times. There is a growing interest on the development of techniques that can be used in microfluidics devices. Among these, electrokinetic techniques have shown great potential due to their flexibility. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is an electrokinetic mechanism that refers to the interaction of a dielectric particle with a spatially non-uniform electric field; this leads to particle movement due to polarization effects. DEP offers great potential since it can be carried out employing DC and AC electric fields, and neutral and charged particles can be manipulated. This work is focused on the use of insulator based DEP (iDEP), a novel dielectrophoretic mode that employs arrays of insulating structures to generate dielectrophoretic forces. Successful microparticle manipulation can be achieved employing iDEP, due to its unique characteristics that allow for great flexibility. In this work, microchannels containing arrays of cylindrical insulating posts were employed to concentrate, sort and separate microparticles. Mathematical modeling with COMSOL® was performed to identify optimal device configuration. Different sets of experiments were carried out employing DC and AC potentials. The results demonstrated that effective and fast particle manipulation is possible by fine tuning dielectrophoretic force and electroosmotic flow.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Deciding Life and Death in the Courtroom: From Quinlan to Cruzan, Glucksberg, and Vacco—A Brief History and Analysis of Constitutional Protection of the 'Right to Die'

This article analyzes judicial determinations on the "right to die" fromQuinlan to Cruzan, Glucksberg, and Vacco. The body of law known as right-to-die cases extends ordinary treatment refusal doctrine to end-of-life decisions. The courts, having affirmed a right to refuse life-sustaining treatment, held that certain categorical distinctions that had been drawn lacked a rational basis. No rational distinction could be made between competent vs incompetent patients, withholding vs withdrawing treatment, and ordinary vs extraordinary treatment. The courts, however, had persistently affirmed one categorical distinction: between withdrawing life-sustaining treament on the one hand and active euthanasia or physicianassisted dying on the other.In Washington v Glucksberg and Vacco v Quill, the Supreme Court unanimously held that physician-assisted suicide is not a fundamental liberty interest protected by the Constitution. Notably, five members of the Court wrote or joined in concurring opinions that took a more liberal view. The Court powerfully approved aggressive palliation of pain. The Supreme Court, hinting that it would find state legalization of physician-assisted suicide constitutional, invited the nation to pursue an earnest debate on physician assistance in the dying process.
URINARY EXCRETION OF THAM CITRATE ORALLY ADMINISTERED.

SummaryAdministration of 20% THAM citrate (pH 8.50) to dogs on a meat diet results in increase of the base content of the blood and in the production of an alkaline urine. Between 60 and 70% of the THAM administered is excreted daily in the urine indicating intestinal absorption. This treatment which was well tolerated over a 3-month period could have useful applications in clinical medicine.
Four basic questions about high-tech education

Abstract This article undertakes a critical examination of what we should want from contemporary high-tech education—and what we are in fact likely to get. The conclusion is that what we are likely to get may well transform our view of what education should be.
Seasonal sex skin coloration and hormonal fluctuations in free-ranging and captive monkeys.

Abstract Seasonal hormonal and sex skin coloration peaks were found to be synchronized in free-ranging, socially enclosed, and individually isolated rhesus monkeys of both sexes. These occurred during the October–January mating season on La Cueva island, Puerto Rico. Individually isolated females displayed a mid-cycle peak in sex skin coloration during the period of regular cycles (September–April). Females who became pregnant during the mating season did not show the significant sex skin coloration decrease seen in nonpregnant females during the months that follow the mating season. Environmental cues, perhaps acting on a seasonal biological clock rather than social factors, are thought to be mainly responsible for the synchronous seasonal fluctuations observed. The technique used for assessing changes in sex skin coloration is shown to be an effective and reliable method for recording seasonal and intramenstrual variations of sex hormones in free-tanging and captive rhesus monkeys. Furthermore, the procedure may prove useful in studies relating behavior with sex endocrines.
Power-efficient, PVT robust conductance cancellation method for gain enhancement

A power-efficient, process, voltage and temperature (PVT) robust gds cancellation method for gain enhancement is proposed. The method generates a negative conductance, which matches and cancels the positive conductance. This makes the gds cancellation method effective over process and wide temperature variation without the aid of external calibration or a tuning circuit. The method senses signals from cascode nodes instead of output nodes, making the method insensitive to output voltage swing. The simulation results of an example implementation in IBM 0.13 µm process show at least 22 dB DC gain enhancement over all process corners and temperatures ranging from − 20 to 80°C, with less than 9% power consumption overhead.
WESTERN ATLANTIC SPECIES OF THE CARIDEAN SHRIMP GENUS OGYRIDES

A wide ranging western Atlantic species of Ogyrides having a crest of 3-14 postrostral spines is recognized as 0. alphaerostris (Kingsley) after reassessment of the authenticity of its type-specimen in the U.S. National Museum of Natural History. A companion species having a single postrostral spine, long erroneously known as 0. alphaerostris, is recognized as a new species, 0. hayi. A short review of each species includes synonymy and diagnosis. Eleven species of the caridean genus Ogyrides (family Ogyrididae) are currently recognized from around the world. Four have been described from American Atlantic waters: Ogyris alphaerostris Kingsley, 1880 (Virginia), Ogyris occidentalis Ortmann, 1893 (Para River, Brazil), Ogyrides yaquiensis Armstrong, 1949 (Dominican Republic), and 0. limicola Williams, 1955 (North Carolina). Coelho and Ramos (1972) listed Ogyrides sp. from Amapa, Para, Pernambuco, Alagoas, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. The taxonomic status of these nominal American species is unclear, and the purpose of this paper is to resolve the problem. Before describing 0. limicola, I (1955) discussed the doubtful status of O. alphaerostris, showing that neither Kingsley's description nor its accompanying figure agreed with either of two species then known from North Carolina. Kingsley showed no spines on the carapace in his illustration whereas both of these species have such. He figured the antennal scale as somewhat truncate and slightly broadened distally whereas both species have it tapered distally with the mesial border forming a more or less regular arc. He stated that the carpus of the second leg is "triarticulate," although it is clearly formed of four articles in both of these species. Hay and Shore (1918) made apology for his statement by noting that his specimen was in poor condition and there are three joints separating the four articles, although Kingsley used "triarticulate" on the page following the description of 0. alphaerostris with respect to the carpus of the second leg of Virbius which is composed of just three articles. Most perplexing, the typespecimen, the authenticity of which I doubted, was thought almost certainly to belong to the newly described 0. limicola. Kingsley (1880) described 0. alphaerostris from a unique specimen in poor condition that was found among decapods in the collection of Prof. H. E. Webster, Union College, N.Y. The Union College collection was subsequently given to the U.S. National Museum of Natural History (USNM). Though designated by Kingsley as No. 407 in Webster's collection, a slip of paper in the USNM vial containing this holotype bears the pencilled number 417, and that number also appears on the list of material associated with the collection in the USNM archives. I now know that the handwriting on both the vial specimen label and the list is that of M. J. Rathbun, not Kingsley, although the pencilled 417 on the slip in the vial is in an unrecognized handwriting.
Development of Nondimensional Cycling Model for Estimating the Seasonal Performance of Air Conditioners

A nondimensional cycling model for estimating the seasonal performance of conventional air conditioners and heat pumps was developed. Starting with a simple time-constant model of the startup of an air conditioner, a nondimensional time variable was developed which captures three important influences of on-off cycling performance degradation: response of the system, fraction on-time of the system, and cycling rate. Experimental data from three air conditioners and one heat pump provided excellent agreement with the model. The model should be applicable to any cooling technology that has similar on-off characteristics to conventional air conditioners and heat pumps.
Monte Carlo studies of two-dimensional phases of helium using a shadow wave function

The solid and liquid phases of two-dimensional ${}^{4}\mathrm{He}$ are studied in detail using a variational ``shadow'' wave function. This wave function provides a unified description of both phases; spontaneous crystallization from a disordered initial state occurs in the solid phase. We have investigated the properties of the solid phase in detail and find that it lacks long range translational order, has a high density of defects, and low angular order relative to classical two-dimensional solids. These results are very similar to results obtained from simulations of a quantum hard disk system. We have also computed these properties for the liquid phase. These properties vary rapidly in the transition region and serve as a good signal for the transition itself.
Analytical treatment of plasma injected into an illuminated photoconductor

Abstract An analytical treatment of optically generated carriers in a double injection structure is given. The quasineutrality approximation is used, and both recombination through traps (constant lifetime) and bimolecular recombination are considered.
HIF-1α in the heart: Remodeling nucleotide metabolism

Abstract These studies have examined the effect of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) on nucleotide metabolism in the ischemic heart using a genetic mouse model with heart-specific and regulated expression of a stable form of HIF-1α. We find that AMP deaminase (AMPD), the entry point of the purine nucleotide cycle (PNC), is induced by HIF-1α at the level of mRNA, protein, and activity. AMP that accumulates during ischemia can be metabolized to adenosine by 5′-nucleotidase or to IMP by AMPD. Consistent with the finding of AMPD induction, adenosine accumulation during ischemia was much attenuated in HIF-1α-expressing hearts. Further investigation of nucleotide salvage enzymes found that hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) is also upregulated in HIF-1α-expressing hearts. Treatment of hearts with an inhibitor of the PNC, hadacidin, hastens the fall of the adenylate energy charge during ischemia and the accumulation of AMP. The results provide new insight into the role of the PNC in the heart, especially as it relates to ischemia, and indicate that HIF-1α regulates nucleotide metabolism as a compensatory response to hypoxia.
T2 relaxation times of hypervascular and non-hypervascular liver lesions : Do hypervascular lesions mimic haemangiomas on heavily T2-weighted MR images ?

Abstract Aim : To correlate the T2 relaxation times of liver lesions with their vascularity at angiography and to determine whether hypervascular lesions have similar signal intensity to haemangiomas on heavily T2-weighted MR images. Patients and methods : Thirty-four patients with histologically proven malignant liver lesions had both angiography and T2W (SE 3000/80,160) MR imaging (1.5T) of the liver. Angiographically, the lesions were hypervascular in 15 and non-hypervascular in 19 patients. Fifteen additional patients with proven haemangioma also had MR imaging during the same time period. The T2 relaxation time of a representative lesion was calculated for each patient and the results compared. Results : The mean T2 time for hypervascular lesions was 76 ± 21 ms compared with 79 ± 18 ms for non-hypervascular lesions ( P =0.61). The mean T2 relaxation time for haemangiomas was significantly longer than either group: 147 ± 46 ms ( P = 0.0001). Conclusion : The T2 relaxation times of hypervascular and non-hypervascular liver lesions are similar and are significantly shorter than those of haemangiomas. Therefore, hypervascular lesions should not mimic haemangiomas on heavily T2-weighted images.
Mechanical properties of electrospun fibrinogen structures

Fibrin and fibrinogen have a well-established track record in tissue engineering due to their innate ability to induce improved cellular interaction and subsequent scaffold remodeling compared to synthetic scaffolds. Use of fibrinogen as a primary scaffold component, however, has been limited by traditional processing techniques that render scaffolds with insufficient mechanical properties. The goal of this study was to demonstrate, based on mechanical properties, that electrospun fibrinogen overcomes these limitations and can be successful as a tissue engineering scaffold or wound dressing. Electrospun fibrinogen scaffolds were characterized for fiber diameter and pore area and subsequently tested for uniaxial mechanical properties while dry and hydrated. In addition, uniaxial mechanical testing was conducted on scaffolds treated to regulate scaffold degradation in serum-containing media by supplementing the media with aprotinin or cross-linking the scaffolds with glutaraldehyde vapor. A linear relationship between electrospinning solution concentration and measured fiber diameter was seen; fiber diameters ranged from 120 to 610 nm over electrospinning concentrations of 80 to 140 mg/ml fibrinogen, respectively. Pore areas ranged from 1.3 microm(2) to 13 microm(2) over the same fibrinogen concentrations. Aprotinin in the culture media inhibited scaffold degradation in a predictable fashion, but glutaraldehyde vapor fixation produced less reliable results as evidenced by mechanical property testing. In conclusion, the mechanical characteristics of electrospun fibrinogen strongly support its potential use as a tissue engineering scaffold or wound dressing.
Effects of a perfluorochemical blood substitute on diazepam binding by human albumin

The binding of 0.4 microgram mL-1 diazepam and 0.75 mol diazepam mol-1 of albumin by a perfluorochemical (PFC) emulsion, Fluosol-DA, 20%, by human serum albumin (HSA), and by their mixtures, has been examined at ambient temperature. The concentration of free diazepam was determined by standard centrifugation followed by supernatant ultrafiltration. Non-specific loss of diazepam occurred to the ultrafiltration device. This loss was independent of drug concentration and a correction factor was employed to calculate the true free diazepam concentration. Diazepam was extensively bound by the PFC emulsion. The percent free diazepam increased as the emulsion concentration decreased, while the binding of diazepam appeared to be independent of drug concentration. Diazepam did not partition into the pure PFC liquids, indicating that emulsion-bound diazepam is only associated with the emulsifiers of the droplets. Diazepam was extensively bound by HSA and the percent free diazepam increased as drug concentration increased or as HSA concentration decreased. The PFC emulsion significantly displaced HSA bound diazepam in all mixtures examined. Studies with the individual and combined components of the emulsion indicated that this displacement is largely attributed to the oleic acid component and, to a much smaller degree, the Pluronic F-68 component of the emulsion.
Modeling Trace Metals in the Surface Microlayer

Extensive research on marine and freshwater surface microlayers has resulted in significant understanding of the extent, variability, and composition of surface accumulated materials. Various modeling techniques have been used to elucidate the sources, sinks, and concentration-controlling mechanisms of trace metal enrichment in surface microlayers. Among the approaches used have been calculations of enrichments, element ratios and correlations, and use of tracer elements, chemical element balances, and factor analyses. Recently, a mixing model using Pb-210 and Po-210 has been successfully applied to the surface microlayer and appears promising for other element pairs. Competitive complexation and computer simulation models are being used to predict the equilibrium composition of the surface microlayer, and investigations of particle residence time and reactivity are beginning to elucidate kinetic characteristics of surface microlayer processes. Although the significance of surface enrichment of trace metals is not yet understood, current modeling approaches are contributing to the formulation of important questions and answers about surface microlayer processes.
Understanding the nanophotonic light-trapping structure of diatom frustule for enhanced solar energy conversion: A theoretical and experimental study

Recent designs in nanophotonic light-trapping technologies offer promising potential to develop high-efficiency thin-film solar cell at dramatically reduced cost. However, the lack of a cost effective scalable nanomanufacturing technique remains the main road-block. In nature, diatoms exhibit high solar energy harvesting efficiency due to their frustules (i.e., hard porous cell wall made of silica) possessing remarkable hierarchical nano-features optimized for the photosynthetic process through millions of years evolution. To explore this unique light trapping effect, different species of diatoms (Coscinodiscus sp. and Coscinodiscus wailesii) are cultured and characterized by Scanning electron microscope (SEM). Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis (RCWA) and Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method are employed to numerically study the nanophotonic light-trapping effect. The absorption efficiency is significantly enhanced over the spectrum region centered on 450nm and 700nm where the electric fields are found strongly confined within the active layer. The transmission and reflection spectra are also measured by optical spectroscopy and the experimental results are in good agreement with numerical simulations.
A note on the role of cause type in cause-related marketing

Abstract This note examines an unexplored area of cause-related marketing: the influence of the cause category on consumer perceptions. The experiment shows that the four cause categories which represent the domain of charitable causes can have a differential effect on attitudes and purchase intention. The health cause category and human services cause category have a greater effect on attitude toward the cause than the animal or environmental cause categories when brand familiarity and cause importance were high. Only the human services category has a greater effect on attitude toward the alliance when brand familiarity and cause importance were high as well as when both were low. For attitude toward the brand and purchase intentions, there were no differences among the cause categories.
Wetland-Groundwater Interactions in Subtropical Depressional Wetlands

Restoration of ditched and drained wetlands in the Lake Okeechobee basin, Florida, USA is currently under study for possible amelioration of anthropogenic phosphorus enrichment of the lake. Here we focus on the dynamic hydrology of these systems, with emphasis on understanding the interaction between wetland surface water and adjacent upland groundwater. Based on natural drawdown events observed over 2 years at four depressional wetlands, hydraulic conductivities (K) of the soils surrounding the wetlands were calculated at the wetland scale (approximately 2 ha) using the modified Dupuit equation under a constrained water budget framework. The drawdown-based average K = 6.6 m/d (range 0.9 to 21.3 m/d) was about three times greater than slug test-based values (1.9 ± 1.5 m/d), which is consistent with scale-dependent expectations. Net groundwater recharge rate at each depressional wetland, calculated based on the mean K, corresponded to approximately 40% of rainfall in the same period (10.0 m3/d). The average net groundwater recharge decreased by approximately 15% if ET was increased by 30%. Variability in estimated K and groundwater flow between the study wetlands was likely due to the relative difference of ditch bottom elevation controlling the surface outflow, as well as the spatial heterogeneity of the soils.
IORT apparatus design improvement through the evaluation of electron spectral distributions using Monte Carlo methods.

Clinically used IORT electron beamcharacteristics may vary with respect to typical external beams due to the decrease of lateral scatter equilibrium and the addition of the IORT apparatus itself. Additionally, chamber size effects may lead to inaccurate measurements of the changes in electron beamcharacteristics. The causal components of these beam characteristics are often difficult or impossible to measure using experimental techniques. For this reason, and for potential design improvement, the electron beams were modeled using the OMEGA/BEAM Monte Carlo software for radiation transport. The IORT electron beamcharacteristics of the Varian Clinac 1800 were studied for 6, 12, and 20 MeV electrons and 1–4 in. diameter flat-end applicators. The characteristics studied include electron energy spectra, percentage depth dose, and cross-plane profiles. It was found that by increasing the thickness of the aluminum base plate of the main attachment, the dose at d max outside the primary field could be reduced from approximately 9% to 1% of maximum.
Analytical Predictions of Liquid and Air Photovoltaic/Thermal, Flat-Plate Collector Performance

Two separate one-dimensional analyses have been developed for the prediction of the thermal and electrical performance of both liquid and air flat-plate photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collectors. The analyses account for the temperature difference between the primary insolation absorber (the photovoltaic cells) and the secondary absorber (a thermal absorber flat plate). The results of the analyses are compared with test measurements, and therefrom, design recommendations are made to maximize the total energy extracted from the collectors.
1024-79 Late Cardiac Catheterization Results of Catheter Balloon Commissurotomy for Mitral Stenosis at Rest and Exercise

Cardiac catheterization (cath) was performed on 132 patients (pts) both pre and immediately post catheter balloon commissurotomy (CBC). Sixty eight pt's had cath performed at 3–6 months post-CBC and twenty had a late follow-up cath (mean 3.2 yrs, range 1–7 yrs). At late follow-up cath 16 of the 20 pts were NYHA functional class (FC) I or II; 13 females and 3 males age 40 ± 11 yrs, We have reviewed the sequential hemodynamic findings in these 16 pt's to see if hemodynamic improvement achieved by CBC is sustained. The following parameters were measured: mitral valve gradient (MVG). mean pulmonary artery wedge (PAW), mean pulmonary artery pressure (PA), Fick cardiac index (CI), mitral valve area (MVA), left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) and LV ejection fraction (EF), Exercise treadmill times (En) were also recorded. Variable Baseline mean ± SD Immed. Post mean ± SD 3-6 Month mean ± SD 3.2 yrs mean ± SD CI (FICK)-REST 2.8 ± 6 3.3 ± 0.8 3.2 ± 0.7 33 ± 10 CI (FICK)-EXER 3.7 ± 0.8 5.0 ± 0.6 4.8 ± 1.1 MVG-REST 16.2 ± 5.6 5.0 ± 1.9 * 6.9 ± 3.2 * 8.3 ± 4.7 MVG-EXER 27.1 ± 5.6 18.2 ± 5.7 15.5 ± 76 PAW-REST 28 ± 6.9 15.8 ± 3.8 * 18.2 ± 6.8 * 21.4 ± 5.8 PAW-EXER 45.5 ± 9.6 29.0 ± 8.1 29.6 ± 8.9 MVA-REST 1.1 ± 0.3 2.3 ± 0.6 2.0 ± 0.7 2.0 ± 0.7 MVA-EXER 1.1 ± 0.3 2.4 ± 0.7 2.3 ± 0.9 mPA-REST 43.3 ± 13.4 33.1 ± 9.8 28.3 ± 102 313 ± 10.2 mPA-EXER 64.8 ± 21.4 43.1 ± 11.6 41.9 ± 15.7 LVEDVI 73.3 ± 18.2 79.6 ± 17.2 82.7 ± 21.3 79.3 ± 13.8 LVEF 0.58 ± 0.06 0.60 ± 0.06 * 0.59 ± 0.10 * 0.68 ± 0.06 ETT TIMES (SEC) 442 ± 180 596 ± 114 520 ± 158 * p-value ≤ 0.05 For 3-6 month and Late follow-up vs. Immediate post CBC (ANOVA With repeated measures) Conclusion Patients who are clinically stable (FC I or II) show sustained improvement in hemodynamics and En immediately post-CBC to an average of 3.2 yrs later; LV size and function remains normal.
Slisp: a flexible software toolkit for hybrid, embedded and distributed applications

JAMES F. BRINKLEY AND JEFFREY S. PROTHEROStructural Informatics Group, Digital Anatomist Program, Departmentof Biological Structure,Box 357420,University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A. (email: brinkley@u.washington.edu,jsp@biostr.washington.edu)SUMMARYWe describe Slisp (pronounced ‘Ess-Lisp’), a hybrid Lisp–C programming toolkit for the development ofscriptable and distributed applications. Computationally expensive operations implemented as separateC-coded modules are selectively compiled into a small Xlisp interpreter, then called as Lisp functions in aLisp-codedprogram.The resulting hybrid programmay run in severalmodes: as a stand-alone executable,embedded in a different C program, as a networked server accessed from another Slisp client, or as anetworked server accessed from a C-coded client. Five years of experience with Slisp, as well experiencewith other scripting languages such as Tcl and Perl, are summarized. These experiences suggest that Slispwill be most useful for mid-sized applications in which the kinds of scripting and embeddability featuresprovidedby Tcl andPerl can be extendedin an efﬁcient manner to larger applications, while maintaining awell-deﬁned standard(Common Lisp) for these extensions.In addition, the generality of Lisp makes Lisp agood candidate for an application-level communication language in distributed environments.
UNILATERAL AUDITORY STIMULATION AND THE VISUAL PERCEPTION OF VERTICALITY: ONE MORE TIME

The effects of varying conditions of unilateral auditory stimulation on the visual perception of verticality were examined in two experiments using 18 and 42 subjects, respectively. Significant effects of auditory stimulation and hand used to make the verticality adjustments were not found. With only one exception in Exp. 2, the starting position of the rod also had no influence on the ability of the subjects to adjust a rod to its vertical position. The literature pertaining to sensory-tonic field theory of perception was critically reviewed.
A synthetic leaf: the biomimetic potential of graphene oxide

Emerging materials such as graphene oxide (GO) have micro and nano features that are functionally similar to those in plant cell walls involved in water transport. Therefore, it may now be possible to design and build biomimetic trees to lift water via mechanisms similar to those employed by trees, allowing for potential applications such as passive water pumping, filtering, and evaporative cooling. The tallest trees can raise large volumes of water to over 100 meters using only the vapor pressure gradient between their leaves and the atmosphere. This phenomenon occurs in all terrestrial plants when capillary forces generated in the microscopic pores in the cell walls of leaves are collectively applied to large diameter xylem conduits. The design of a synthetic tree that mimics these mechanisms will allow water to be moved to heights greater than is currently possible by any engineered system that does not require the use of a positive pressure pump. We are testing the suitability of membranous GO as the leaf of a synthetic tree and present an analysis in support of this design. In addition, we include results from a preliminary design using ceramics.
Effects of (+)-tubocurarine on neuromuscular facilitation and depression in rat diaphragm.

Effects of (+)-tubocurarine on neuromusclular facilitation and depression were studied in the rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm. The paired end-plate potential (EPP) method of analysis was used. Tubocurarine caused a significant decrease in the EPP2/EPP1 ratio of EPP pairs elicited at a stimulus interval of 20 msec in the cut muscle preparation. Studies of tubocurarine with respect to the equilibrium potential of EPP1 and EPP2 and iontophoretic acetylcholine potential pairs, indicated that the effect of tubocurarine on the EPP ratio was not associated with a postsynaptic action of tubocurarine. Furthermore, tubocurarine did not alter the amplitude ratio of the nerve terminal action potentials. The effects of tubocurarine on the EPP2/EPP1 ratio at various stimulus intervals were studied in the cut muscle preparation. In the control condition, facilitation (EPP2/EPP1 ratio > 1.01 occurred at 5 and 10 msec stimulus intervals; depression (EPP2/EPP1 ratio < 1.0) occurred at longer stimulus intervals. Tubocurarine significantly decreased the EPP ratio at stimulus intervals of 10 100 msec. In the low Ca2+/high Mg2+ Krebs solution, only facilitation occurred and under these conditions tubocurarine did not decrease the EPP2/EPP1 ratio. These results indicate that tubocurarine preferentially enhances depression and that facilitation is relatively unaffected by tubocurarine. Altogether, the results are consistent with the notion that, in addition to its postsynaptic actions, tubocurarine affects acetylcholine storage and release in the nerve terminal.
Rat myoblast fusion requires metalloendoprotease activity

The calcium-dependent fusion of cultured rat myoblasts to multinucleate myotubes appears to require the activity of a neutral metalloendoprotease at the time of fusion. Metalloendoprotease inhibitors and synthetic dipeptide substrates prevent myoblast fusion when added to fusion-competent myoblasts with the addition of calcium. Metalloendoprotease activity has been identified and partially characterized in myoblast membranes with a fluorogenic protease substrate, and is inhibited by the same compounds that prevent fusion.
Prefrontal systems in financial processing

Abstract Prefrontal systems of the brain are logical regions to study in terms of finances, given their roles in executive functions. Individuals with neurological insults to prefrontal systems often show poor financial management, and healthy individuals consistently show activation of prefrontal systems during financial tasks. This paper reviews studies done in four community samples using self-rating scales of prefrontal system dysfunction. Three studies showed modest but consistent inverse relationships between income and three separate measures of prefrontal system dysfunction, relationships which remained significant after controlling for age, sex, and education. In a fourth study, credit card debt correlated positively to self-ratings of measures of prefrontal system dysfunction, which also remained significant after controlling for age, sex, education, and income. These results are convergent with prior studies, but extend the results into larger community samples, confirming that prefrontal systems play a role in specific aspects of finances including income and credit card use.
Pump-probe microscopy of pigments used in historical art

We have developed a nonlinear microscopy technique that uses sensitive modulation transfer to extract excited state dynamics with high spatial resolution. Here, we use this technique to characterize several pigments used in historical artwork.
Sclerosing stromal tumor and bilateral teratomas: An unusual association

Sclerosing stromal tumor is an uncommon ovarian neoplasm that has only recently been defined and distinguished from fibrothecoma. This case report describes a 17-year-old patient who presented with a large sclerosing stromal tumor and a smaller mature teratoma in the left ovary. Eighteen months later, an immature teratoma was discovered in the contralateral ovary and microscopic spread outside the ovary was documented at staging laparotomy. Mature and immature teratomas have been observed in opposite ovaries in a small number of patients. However, sclerosing stromal tumor, in over 60 published cases, has not been associated with other forms of ovarian neoplasia. Gonadal stromal differentiation, in fact, has not been convincingly demonstrated in teratomas. The observations in this case, therefore, appear to be unique.
Asbestos in lake and reservoir waters of Staten Island, New York: Source, concentration, mineralogy, and size distribution

There is strong evidence indicating that the six commonly recognized varieties of asbestos are cancer-producing agents Epidemiological and experimental data indicate that, although response to inhalation exposure is most marked, exposure by ingestion probably also entails a risk of excess tumor incidence. The toxicity of mineral fibers can be related to fiber dimensions, mineralogy, chemistry, and surface-active properties.
Beyond Metformin: Initiating Combination Therapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The majority of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus will eventually require combination therapy involving two or more agents to achieve their glycemic target as their disease progresses. This review contrasts current treatment guidelines and recommendations by the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (referred to as ADA) and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology (referred to as AACE) for the initiation of combination therapy. Both treatment guidelines emphasize that treatment selection for patients with type 2 diabetes should be guided by the goal of lowering hemoglobin A(1c) (A1C) level and individualizing therapy to each patient based on clinical factors and comorbidities. In addition, combination therapy should include classes of drugs with complementary mechanisms of action that efficiently and effectively target the underlying type 2 diabetes pathophysiology. Both the ADA and AACE recommend metformin as a firstline oral agent; however, the ADA supports early use of sulfonylureas or insulin in patients who do not reach their target A1C goal, whereas the AACE recommends earlier and more frequent use of the newer incretin agents-glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. Mechanisms of action, benefits, and risks of traditional and newer agents are discussed to better enable the pharmacist to recommend the best combinations of agents for individual patients.
Elucidating Metabolic and Epigenetic Mechanisms that Regulate Liver Regeneration

The regenerative capability of the liver is essential for recovery from all hepatic injuries. Although long studied, the signals that regulate such regeneration require further elucidation if knowledge about regenerative mechanisms is to be translated into improved clinical therapy. Alterations in metabolism have been the focus of recent experimental investigations as a possible source of essential signals that control liver regeneration. Although the specific mechanisms linking metabolism and regeneration remain unknown, specific growth factors, secondary messengers, and transcription factors have been suggested by published analyses. Epigenetic mechanisms are also emerging as potential intermediaries between hepatic insufficiency-induced changes in metabolism and regenerative hepatocellular proliferation. This article reviews the recent literature relevant to these considerations, with particular emphasis on contemporary data that link metabolic and epigenetic signals to the regulation of liver regulation. The relevance of metabolic–epigenetic regulation of experimental hepatic regeneration with respect to human liver diseases is also briefly considered.
Interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility of Powers ratio for assessment of atlanto-occipital junction: comparison of plain radiography and computer tomography (Kirkham B. Wood; ESJO-D-08-00378R2)

Any quantified radiographic evaluation of the spine should be reliable, providing similar values from different evaluators, and should provide similar values on repeat measurements. In addition, measurements should provide useful information to guide clinical management. This paper reports on the first aspect and compares measurement variability of the Powers ratio obtained from plain radiographs and from CT reformatted images. Overall similar values were obtained from either method, but the CT images provided more reproducible results. In fact, they show that the reliability of plain radiographs is not acceptable, whereas CT images do provide adequate reproducibility. This is important information. This paper hints at some additional factors that might provide further insight or new understanding, but does not explore them. The criterion for acceptable reproducibility is arbitrary, and not based on, e.g., threshold values that might guide decisions about clinical management. The radiographic image used in the Powers ratio is static, so this measurement does not assess the atlanto-occipital relative motion either with provocation or voluntary movements of the patient. Also, it may depend on patient positioning and the effects of gravity—here it is not stated whether both images were made with the patient supine. By design, the Powers ratio is intended to be sensitive to translation, but less sensitive to atlanto-occipital rotation. This study only evaluated the repeatability in measurements of specific films—there may be greater variability associated with repeat imaging of the same patient. They suggest that training and learning, and expertise of the evaluators may make a difference to the values obtained. The “Results” section starts by mentioning the ability to identify trauma (vertebral fracture). Although this was not formally investigated, it appears that again CT images are preferable, but there was no ‘gold standard’ for comparison. Ultimately, a radiographic measurement is only useful if it can be shown to lead to improved patient care, but having good reliability is a pre-requisite.
Unusual metabolism of 5 S RNA in HeLa cells.

Abstract 5 S ribosomal RNA is found initially in the cytoplasmic soluble fraction soon after its synthesis. After a lag of half an hour, the 5 S RNA becomes associated with nucleoprotein in the nucleus, where some of it later becomes incorporated into the large ribosomal sub-unit. In exponentially growing HeLa cells, 5 S RNA is made in amounts approximately four times greater than required for synthesis of ribosomal sub-units.