cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of insulin resistance in fructose-fed rats.

Abstract Previous results from our laboratory demonstrated that chronic administration of fructose to normal rats led to both hyperinsulinemia and in vivo insulin resistance. To localize the major tissue site of insulin resistance in fructose-fed animals, we compared glucose uptake by perfused hindlimb skeletal muscle and liver from rats fed either a 60% fructose diet or laboratory chow. Glucose uptake by perfused muscle from chow and fructose-fed rats was comparable at perfusate insulin levels of 0 μU/ml (15.2 versus 15.5 μl/min/g muscle), 100 μU/ml (18.3 versus 19.8), and >500 μU/ml (35.5 versus 33.4). In contrast, glucose outflow from livers of fructose-fed rats was significantly greater ( p 900 μU/ml, (32.5% versus 62.2%). These findings suggest that the insulin resistance resulting from chronic fructose feeding is due to the diminished ability of insulin to suppress hepatic glucose output, and not to a decrease in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by muscle.
The Small Specific Effects of Antidepressants in Clinical Trials: What Do They Mean to Psychiatrists?

Although antidepressants continue to be a mainstay for clinicians who treat people suffering from depressive disorders, there have recently been articles published in both the scientific literature and the popular press that have raised questions about the utility of this class of medications. This paper briefly examines recent meta-analyses that have reported small drug versus placebo differences in randomized controlled trials and, from the perspective of a prescribing psychiatrist, discusses the clinical significance of these findings. It is concluded that antidepressants do have relatively modest effects (as compared with placebo) in contemporary randomized controlled trials, and that the contribution of placebo-expectancy factors to individual outcomes is often underestimated. Nevertheless, it is also concluded that the modest benefits of antidepressants in grouped datasets obscure large, specific, and very meaningful therapeutic effects for 10% to 20% of those treated with antidepressants.
Anti-proliferative effects of the novel ceramide analog (S)-2-(benzylideneamino)-3-hydroxy-N-tetrade-cylpropanamide in chemoresistant cancer

The ceramide-sphingosine-1-phosphate rheostat is a promising therapeutic target. Here, the novel ceramide analog (S)-2-(benzylideneamino)-3-hydroxy-N-tetrade-cylpropanamide is shown to block proliferation and enhance the efficacy of the clinical chemotherapeutics, etoposide and doxorubicin. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of this compound in treating both endocrine resistant and chemoresistant breast cancer.
Between history and nation: Paul Robert Magocsi and the rewriting of Ukrainian history

“Getting history wrong is an essential factor in the formation of a nation,” wrote Ernest Renan, basing this observation on his analysis of the nation-building experience in nineteenth-century Europe (qtd. in Eric Hobsbawm, On History. New York: New York Press, 1997: 270; for a different translation of the same sentiment, see Ernest Renan, “What is a Nation,” in Nationalism in Europe from 1815 to the Present: A Reader. Ed. Stuart Woolf. London: Routledge, 1996: 50). Many historians today tend to agree with Renan's statement and are doing their best to “get history right” as they search for alternatives to national history. More often than not they face an uphill battle in that regard, both within and outside their profession.
Surface phonon dispersion in ultrathin epitaxial films of Co on Cu(001)

Abstract The Rayleigh phonon dispersion for ultrathin epitaxial Co films on a Cu(001) substrate has been measured by high resolution EELS. The phonon energies are higher than those of Cu and show substantial flattening near the zone boundary, suggestive of the surface stress in the films.
Low-threshold low-power CMOS/SOS for high-frequency counter applications

A deep-depletion-process technology is described for the fabrication of complementary metal-oxide semiconductor integrated circuits on thin silicon films on sapphire. The process yields transistors which contain p/SUP +/-doped polysilicon self-aligned gates on a single n-silicon epi layer. Threshold dependence on carrier concentration and film thickness is analysed as well as device leakage currents. It is shown that n- and p-channel transistors can be fabricated with thresholds below +0.5 V and -0.5 V, respectively. The technology is applied to a 22-stage counter suitable for watch-circuit applications, and the average current as a function of applied voltage and operating frequency is analysed. Data are presented showing the performance of the counter when driven with a pulse generator and also with a crystal oscillator. It is seen that the circuit will operate at frequencies above 4 MHz with 1.4 V applied to the circuit and draw a total average current of less than 10 /spl mu/A.
POLITICAL CONTROL VERSUS EXPERTISE: CONGRESSIONAL CHOICES ABOUT ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

Congressional choices about administrative procedures affect an agency's political responsiveness and the technical accuracy of its decisions. Legislators would like to design procedures so that agencies make technically sound decisions and balance the needs of competing interests in the way intended. In practice, agency procedures designed to promote technical competence often allow for political drift, and those that promote political control provide little new technical information about the consequences of policy decisions. The trade-off between technical competence and political control is captured in a model of a legislative coalition's decision about agency procedures. The choice variables are the agency's expected preferences and independence. Depending on exogenous levels of technical and political uncertainty, optimal agency procedures can maximize technical competence, maximize political control, or achieve a combination of the two.
Satellite Spitzenkörper in growing hyphal tips

Growing hyphal tips of higher fungi contain an organized assemblage of secretory vesicles and other cell components collectively known as the Spitzenkorper. Until now, the Spitzenkorper has been portrayed as a single spheroid complex located near the apical cell wall. This study demonstrates the occurrence of multiple Spitzenkorper in growing hyphal apices imaged by video-enhanced phase-contrast microscopy. In addition to the main Spitzenkorper, smaller satellite Spitzenkorper arise a few micrometers behind the apical pole. Four developmental stages were identified: (a) the satellites first appeared as faint phase-dark plaques next to the plasma membrane, (b) gradually increased in size and assumed an ovoid profile, (c) they migrated to the hyphal apex, and (d) finally they merged with the main Spitzenkorper. After the merger, the main Spitzenkorper temporarily increased in size. Satellites were observed in 14 fungi, most of which had relatively large (5–10 μm diam.), fast-growing hyphae (2–33 μm/min elongation rate). The average frequency of in-focus satellites was 7+/min forFusarium culmorum and 11+/min forTrichoderma viride. As with the main Spitzenkorper, satellites were present only in growing cells. They were transient and remained visible for 3–8 s before merging with the main Spitzenkorper. Within the hyphae, satellites travelled up to six times faster than the average cell elongation rate. Multiple satellites sometimes occurred simultaneously; up to three were seen within a hyphal apex at the same time. Localized cell enlargement occurred next to stationary satellites, suggesting that satellite Spitzenkorper are functional as sources of new cell surface before they reach the main Spitzenkorper; therefore, they account for some variations in the profiles of the growing hyphae. By electron microscopy, satellites consisted of small clusters of apical vesicles surrounding a group of microvesicles located next to the plasma membrane. The identification and behavior of the satellites represent clear evidence of directional mass transport of vesicles toward the hyphal apex. Our observations indicate that satellites are a common phenomenon in growing hyphal apices of septate fungi and that they contribute to growth of the hyphal apex.
A highly configurable cache for low energy embedded systems

Energy consumption is a major concern in many embedded computing systems. Several studies have shown that cache memories account for about 50p of the total energy consumed in these systems. The performance of a given cache architecture is determined, to a large degree, by the behavior of the application executing on the architecture. Desktop systems have to accommodate a very wide range of applications and therefore the cache architecture is usually set by the manufacturer as a best compromise given current applications, technology, and cost. Unlike desktop systems, embedded systems are designed to run a small range of well-defined applications. In this context, a cache architecture that is tuned for that narrow range of applications can have both increased performance as well as lower energy consumption. We introduce a novel cache architecture intended for embedded microprocessor platforms. The cache has three software-configurable parameters that can be tuned to particular applications. First, the cache's associativity can be configured to be direct-mapped, two-way, or four-way set-associative, using a novel technique we call way concatenation. Second, the cache's total size can be configured by shutting down ways. Finally, the cache's line size can be configured to have 16, 32, or 64 bytes. A study of 23 programs drawn from Powerstone, MediaBench, and Spec2000 benchmark suites shows that the configurable cache tuned to each program saved energy for every program compared to a conventional four-way set-associative cache as well as compared to a conventional direct-mapped cache, with an average savings of energy related to memory access of over 40p.
The Bellevue Classification System: nursing's voice upon the library shelves

This article examines the inspiration, construction, and meaning of the Bellevue Classification System (BCS), created during the 1930s for use in the Bellevue School of Nursing Library. Nursing instructor Ann Doyle, with assistance from librarian Mary Casamajor, designed the BCS after consulting with library leaders and examining leading contemporary classification systems, including the Dewey Decimal Classification and Library of Congress, Ballard, and National Health Library classification systems. A close textual reading of the classes, subclasses, and subdivisions of these classification systems against those of the resulting BCS, reveals Doyle's belief that the BCS was created not only to organize the literature, but also to promote the burgeoning intellectualism and professionalism of early twentieth-century American nursing.
Ultraviolet-B radiation increases serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels: The effect of UVB dose and skin color

Background Ultraviolet (UV)-B light increases vitamin D levels, but the dose response and the effect of skin pigmentation have not been well characterized. Objective We sought to define the relationship between UVB exposure and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) concentrations as a function of skin pigmentation. Methods Seventy two participants with various skin tones had 90% of their skin exposed to UVB light (20-80 mJ/cm 2 ) 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Serum 25-OH-D was measured weekly. Results Eighty percent of the variation in treatment response was explained by UVB dose and skin tone. Therapeutically important changes in 25-OH-D were achieved with minimal tanning. Limitations Four weeks was not long enough to reach a steady state at the higher dose rates. Conclusions The response of 25-OH-D levels to UVB light is dependent on skin pigmentation and the amount of UVB given, and useful increases in vitamin D status can be achieved by defined UVB doses small enough to produce only minimal tanning.
Rapid synchronization through fast threshold modulation

Synchronization properties of locally coupled neural oscillators were investigated analytically and by computer simulation. When coupled in a manner that mimics excitatory chemical synapses, oscillators having more than one time scale (relaxation oscillators) are shown to approach synchrony using mechanisms very different from that of oscillators with a more sinusoidal waveform. The relaxation oscillators make critical use of fast modulations of their thresholds, leading to a rate of synchronization relatively independent of coupling strength within some basin of attraction; this rate is faster for oscillators that have conductance-based features than for neural caricatures such as the FitzHugh-Nagumo equations that lack such features. Computer simulations of one-dimensional arrays show that oscillators in the relaxation regime synchronize much more rapidly than oscillators with the same equations whose parameters have been modulated to yield a more sinusoidal waveform. We present a heuristic explanation of this effect based on properties of the coupling mechanisms that can affect the way the synchronization scales with array length. These results suggest that the emergent synchronization behavior of oscillating neural networks can be dramatically influenced by the intrinsic properties of the network components. Possible implications for perceptual feature binding and attention are discussed.
Design of an integrated system to recycle Zircaloy cladding using a hydride–milling–dehydride process

Abstract A hydride–dehydride process was evaluated to recover a portion of spent nuclear fuel cladding; a zirconium alloy (Zircaloy), as a metal powder that may be used for advanced nuclear fuel applications. The investigation was part of a broader study that sought to determine the viability of recovering components of used nuclear fuel to for a metal matrix cermet for transuranic burning. The zirconium powder process begins with the conversion of Zircaloy cladding hulls into a brittle zirconium hydride, which is easily pulverized into a powder. The dehydriding process removes hydrogen by heating the powder in a vacuum, resulting in a zirconium metal powder. In support of this, a specialized piece of equipment was designed to demonstrate the entire zirconium conversion process to transform Zircaloy tubes into metal powder without intermediate handling. This was accomplished by building a milling system that rotates inside of controlled atmosphere chamber with an internal heater. The hydriding process was accomplished using an argon–5% hydrogen atmosphere at 500 °C. The process variables for the dehydriding process were determined using a thermogavimetric analysis (TGA) method. It was determined that a rough vacuum (∼0.001 bar) and 800 °C were sufficient to decompose the zirconium hydride. Zirconium metal powder was created using different milling times: 45 min (coarse powder) and 12 h (fine powder). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that the process produced a zirconium metal. Additionally, visual observations of the samples silvery metallic appearance confirmed the presence of zirconium metal. The presence of zirconium metal in the two samples confirmed the operation of the hydriding/milling/hydriding machine. Further refining of the hydride/milling/dehydride machine could make this process commercially favorable when compared to the high cost of storing nuclear waste and its components. An additional important point is that this process can easily be used on other metals that are subject to hydrogen embrittlement, knowing the relevant temperatures and pressures associated with the hydriding/dehydriding of that particular metal.
The effect of distance from injection site to the brainstem using spinal sufentanil.

Background and Objectives Intrathecal (IT) sufentanil is commonly used in parturients to provide rapid onset of labor analgesia without motor block. This practice, although widely used, has been associated with severe respiratory depression in some patients. The mechanism of this respiratory depression is unclear, however, rapid cephalad movement and interaction with parenteral opioids are 2 frequently cited explanations for this complication. Because this complication has occurred only in women with heights between 150 and 157 cm, we elected to study the effect of the distance from injection site to the cisterna magna (CM) on peak brainstem cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations. Methods Ten adult ewes were injected with IT sufentanil (0.3 μg/kg) at a mean distance of either 71 cm (65 to 78 cm) from the brainstem (pelvic group) or 37 cm (34 to 42 cm) from the brainstem (thoracic group). CSF was then sampled at 5-minute intervals from the CM. Results Measurable CM concentrations of sufentanil were noted in the brainstem at 20 and 25 minutes, respectively, for the thoracic and the pelvic groups. Peak sufentanil concentrations from the thoracic group were nearly 10-fold higher (0.553 ± 0.43 ng/mL) compared with the pelvic group (0.064 ± 0.002 ng/mL) when measured in the CM (P = .023). Conclusions Our results suggest that sufentanil migrates relatively large distances in the IT space. Injection site (distance from the brainstem) appears to be a prominent factor in determining brainstem concentrations and subsequent respiratory depression after spinal administration.
China's Bold Attempt at Population Control

Elizabeth Croll. Delia Davin. and Penny Kane. China's One-Child Family Policy. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1985. xvi. 237 pp. $35.00 (cloth).
Differing perceptions of category killers and discount stores

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the responses of women college students to discount stores and category killers in terms of the importance of seven‐store characteristics as well as their expectations for these attributes. Another purpose was to determine differences, if any, between these two store formats. Further the moderating variables of shopping frequency and orientation were introduced to determine if they influenced the results.Design/methodology/approach – Personal interviews were used to collect data from a random sample of women college students from one university through the administration of a structured survey instrument. Statistical analyses were employed to generate the results.Findings – Differences were found in the respondents' perceptions for both importance and expectations for six of the seven‐store attributes. For one characteristic, continuity of supply, no differences emerged and this characteristic was deemed important for both store formats. Moderating varia...
Unilateral Resource Management in a Two-Country General Equilibrium Model of Trade in a Renewable Fishery Resource

We explore the effects of free trade in a renewable natural resource between two countries in the presence of incomplete property rights. While resource management by one country may benefit one or both trading partners, we demonstrate that resource management by only one of the partners may reduce welfare for both, when compared to the case in which neither manages its resource sector. These trade-induced losses may be reduced through import tariffs and production subsidies on the resource good or by permitting harvest beyond the rent-maximizing level. Our preliminary work suggests that the World Trade Organization (WTO) and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) policy makers should not always insist on free trade and resource management. Rather, they must pay careful attention to the particular relationships between trade conditions and natural resource policies among trading nations.
The sequence asymmetry of the Escherichia coli chromosome appears to be independent of strand or function and may be evolutionarily conserved

I have examined potential determinants of the asymmetric distribution of nucleotide sequences in the genome of Escherichia coli as cataloged in GenBank release 44. I have used the frequency of occurrence of all possible tetranucleotides in a given sequence catalog or derivative as a comparative measure of asymmetry. The GenBank-cataloged strand and its complement show statistically similar (not complementary) distributions. The distribution is statistically similar in comparisons between the protein coding subset and the total genome, the coding subset and selected non-coding genes, the coding subset and the remainder of the DNA, and the coding subset and stable RNA sequences. I have compared the distribution in the genome of E. coli with the distributions found in the cataloged genomes of Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis, and of coliphages lambda and T7. The distribution summed in both strands of the cataloged DNA differs statistically only in comparisons with lytic bacteriophage T7 because only the two strands of T7 show statistically dissimilar distributions. Despite similarities in tetranucleotide distribution, the pattern of codon complementarity in B. subtilis is different than that documented for E. coli. Thus, sequence asymmetry does not seem related to specific DNA function or to documented similarities or differences in codon bias. The sequence asymmetry of the E. coli genome may thus reflect a hitherto unsuspected pattern impressed on both strands of DNA which is or can be packaged into bacterial genomes.
Aggression in Toddlers: Associations With Parenting and Marital Relations

This study examined the relation among parenting factors, marital relations, and toddler aggression. A structured questionnaire was administered to both parents of 254 2-year-olds. The authors used correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses to assess the extent to which certain personality traits, drug use, parenting style, and marital conflicts were related to the toddlers' aggressive behavior. Results showed that the maternal child-rearing and parental aggression domains had a direct effect on toddler aggression. The domain of maternal child rearing also served as a mediator for the domains of marital relations, paternal child rearing, parental aggression, and parental drug use. The findings indicated that maternal child-rearing practices, personality attributes, and drug use were more important than paternal attributes in relation to toddler aggression. Implications for prevention among families at risk are discussed.
Two electron donation sites for exogenous reductants in chloroplast photosystem II.

Two sites are distinguished for the oxidation of exogenous donors by Photosystem II in non-oxygen evolving chloroplasts. In the presence of lipophilic donors (e.g. phenylenediamine, benzidine, diphenylcarbazide), the rate for Signal IIf rereduction following a flash increases as the concentration of exogenous reductant increases. There is a decrease (20-40%) in Signal IIf magnitude accompanying donor addition at low (smaller than 10(-%) M) concentrations, but the extent of the decrease does not change further with increasing donor concentrations. Complementary polarographic experiments monitoring donor (phenylenediamine) oxidation show an increase in oxidation rate with increasing donor concentration. In the presence of the hydrophilic donor, Mn-2+, the Signal IIf decay halftime remains constant with increasing Mn-2+ concentration. However, the flash-induced Signal IIf magnitude pregressively decreases with increasing Mn-2+ concentration. These results are interpreted in terms of two competing paths for the reduction of P680+. In one path P680+ reduction is accompanied by the appearance of Signal IIf, and lipophilic donors subsequently rereduce the Signal IIf species in a series reaction. This reduction follows pseudo-first order kinetics as a function of donor concentration. In the second path Mn-2+ reduces P680+ in a parallel reaction that competes with the formation of the Signal IIf species. This results in a decrease in the magnitude of Signal IIf, but no change in its decay time.
Note on the control orientation of alcoholics.

Rotter's locus of control construct has proven a viable concept for research. Nurnerous studies have been conducted to determine the control otientation of various populations. Contrary to what might be logically predicted from social learning theory, alcoholics have been found to hold a relatively internal control orientation (2, 3, 4, 5). The possible importance of this paradoxical finding for a general theory of addiction is emphasized by the discovery (1) of the same relative internality for opiate addicts. This paper attempted to verify the relative internality of alcoholics using a large inpatient sample. Rotcer's locus of control scale (6) war administered as a part of a regular admissions battery to successive groups of detoxified male alcoholics (N = 266) who were admitted to the Alcoholics Treatment Program of this VA hospital. Their mean age was 42 yr., with most patients from the mid-thirties to the early fifties. Virtually all were lower socio-economic whites with an average of 11 yr. of education and predominantly semi-skilled occupational backgrounds. The mean I-E scores for the 266 male alcoholics, on the 23-I-E items was 7.35 (SD = 3.72), low scores indicating internality. Since this value is identical to the mean for the most internal opiate addict group (white males) reported by Berzins and Ross (I), the relacive internalicy of these alcoholics is clearly demonstrated. Although this value is generally lower than those already reported for inpatient alcoholics (2, 4, 5), it is for a much larger sample which is possibly more heterogeneous on a number of demographic variables due to the large area served by this hospital. The repeated demonstration of the relative internality of alcoholics across different smdies, plus the demonstration of a similar finding for opiate addicts, makes locus of conuol an important and meaningful construct for addiction research and treatment.
IgA1 protease cleaves heavy chains independently in dimeric human IgA1.

Abstract Bacterial IgA1 proteases have substrate specificity for human IgAl immunoglobulin, and cleave both the heavy (alpha) chains where they are paired by disulfide bonds in the hinge region. To determine if the close apposition of the alpha chains allows a single enzyme-substrate-binding event to cleave both hinge region peptides we quantitated the relative levels of intermediate products during the course of complete hydrolysis of an IgA1 paraprotein. The substrate had four Fab regions, analogous to a secretory IgA dimer. The experimental data were then compared to computer-generated models in which various levels of cooperativity among Fab regions were tested. The results most closely conformed to a model in which each individual alpha chain is proteolyzed independently, without regard to the total number of hinge region peptides available in the substrate IgA1. These results will be used to guide the design of IgA1 hinge region peptide analogues as IgAl protease inhibitors.
First-Order and Higher-Order Semantic and Figural Factors in Structure-Of-Intellect Divergent Production Measures:

This investigation consists of several reanalyses of two correlation matrices comprising 21 structure-of-intellect (SOI) divergent production tests taken from the 1963 Report No. 29 of the University of Southern California Aptitudes Research Project. Application of updated exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic methodologies led to the conclusion that the results obtained could not be replicated. It appeared from the confirmatory factor analyses that a higher-order two-factor oblique model of semantic and symbolic contents furnished as adequate or nearly as adequate an explanation of the covariance among test variables as did more complex models involving several factors.
Suppression of the Two-Spotted Spider Mite on Peanuts1

Abstract The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a major pest of peanuts in North Carolina. Mite populations increase during hot, dry weather and are especially destructive in August and September. The potential losses to peanuts due to mites prompted an investigation of the miticidal and ovicidal properties of fungicides and insecticides currently registered for peanuts as well as the evaluation of chemicals not registered on peanuts for control of the two-spotted spider mite. Plictran, Galecron, Trithion, Azodrin, Carzol, and Omite provided good suppression of the spider mite in field tests. Laboratory studies, using a five second dip technique, indicated Plictran, Galecron, and Trithion had good ovicidal properties. The fungicides Du-Ter and Benlate exhibited a low level of ovicidal action. Du-Ter recommended for leaf spot control gave good control of mites in the laboratory tests and suppressed mite buildup in greenhouse experiments.
Immunostimulatory sequences in immunotherapy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the current literature regarding immunostimulatory sequences of DNA for immunotherapy with respect to signaling mechanisms, cytokine profiles, structural characteristics and the applicability and success of this strategy to treat allergic disease. RECENT FINDINGS The binding of synthetic DNA-based immunotherapy agents composed of unmethylated cytosine-guanine dinucleotides (CpG ODN) to toll-like receptors have been found to be species-specific. CpG ODNs are capable of inducing a shift in the cytokine profile and immune response that favors the Th1 pathway and suppresses the Th2 pathway. This makes using CpG ODNs a promising candidate for the treatment of allergic diseases, which are known to be mediated by Th2-based response. Current CpG ODN studies have demonstrated prevention and reversal of acute allergen inflammation, airway hyper-reactivity and remodeling. Early animal and human trials of CpG ODNs have shown them to be both well tolerated and effective. SUMMARY The use of immunostimulatory sequences in immunotherapy, although still in the early stages of development, has thus far been shown to be both well tolerated and effective, and offers the potential for a better tolerated, more rapid, more efficacious and longer-lasting therapy over current immunotherapy protocols.
Industrial economic studies at the National science foundation

The author enumerates a number of major studies carried out or supported by the National Science Foundation in the areas of industrial research and development management, and economics. He describes the two major categories of these studies: 1) surveys of Research and Development expenditures and manpower conducted by the Foundation itself and 2) contracts and grants given for studies independently pursued on the subject. Some applications of data from these activities are described.
Single amino acid substitutions define isoform-specific effects of troponin I on myofilament Ca2+ and pH sensitivity

Troponin I isoforms play a key role in determining myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in cardiac muscle. The goal here was to identify domain clusters and residues that confer troponin I isoform-specific myofilament Ca2+ and pH sensitivities of contraction. Key domains/residues that contribute to troponin I isoform-specific Ca2+ and pH sensitivity were studied using gene transfer of a slow skeletal troponin I (ssTnI) template, with targeted cardiac troponin I (cTnI) residue substitutions. Substitutions in ssTnI with cognate cTnI residues R125Q, H132A, and V134E, studied both independently and together (ssTnIQAE), resulted in efficient stoichiometric replacement of endogenous myofilament cTnI in adult cardiac myocytes. In permeabilized myocytes, the pCa50 of tension ([Ca2+] required for half maximal force), and the acidosis-induced rightward shift of pCa50 were converted to the cTnI phenotype in myocytes expressing ssTnIQAE or ssTnIH132A, and there was no functionally additive effect of ssTnIQAE versus ssTnIH132A. Interestingly, only the acidosis-induced shift in Ca2+ sensitivity was comparable to cTnI in myocytes expressing ssTnIV134E, while ssTnIR125Q fully retained the ssTnI phenotype. An additional ssTnIN141H substitution, which lies within the same structural region of TnI as V134, produced a shift in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity comparable to cTnI at physiological pH, while the acidic pH response was similar to the effect of wild-type ssTnI. Analysis of sarcomere shortening in intact adult cardiac myocytes was consistent with the force measurements. Targeted substitutions in the carboxyl portion of TnI produced residue-specific influences on myofilament Ca2+ and pH sensitivity of force and give new molecular insights into the TnI isoform dependence of myofilament function.
Using religious paradox to facilitate life review groups with shame-driven older adults

This article explains how pastoral counselors who lead life review groups with shame-driven older members can use religious paradox as a model for change. The article first elaborates upon the challenge to self-acceptance that poor self-esteem poses for older adults engaged in life review. It then shows how paradoxes enhance self-acceptance by drawing reviewers to a more holistic understanding of their past and evoking insights about the meaning of their personal history. It presents a model of group process in which members individually select religious paradoxes and relate such paradoxes to their life review. It concludes with examples of how three participants used religious paradoxes to own the life review instead of feeling threatened by it.
The purification of Portuguese man-of-war nematocyst toxins by gel diffusion

Abstract 1. Density gradient centrifugation was found to be a superior method of preparing isolated Physalia nematocysts. 2.These organelles were most efficiently ruptured by 28,000 psi extrusion pressure. 3. Gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-200 resulted in the separation of 18 mouse lethal fractions from Physalia nematocyst fluid.
An initial evaluation of a pen-based tool for creating dynamic mathematical illustrations

MathPad2 is a pen-based application prototype for creating mathematical sketches. Using a modeless gestural interface, it lets users make dynamic illustrations by associating handwritten mathematics with free-form drawings and provides a set of tools for graphing and evaluating mathematical expressions and solving equations. In this paper, we present the results of an initial evaluation of the MathPad2 prototype, examining the user interface's intuitiveness and the application's perceived usefulness. Our evaluations are based on both performance and questionnaire results including first attempt gesture performance, interface recall tests, and surveys of user interface satisfaction and perceived usefulness. The results of our evaluation suggest that, although some test subjects had difficulty with our mathematical expression recognizer, they found the interface, in general, intuitive and easy to remember. More importantly, these results suggest the prototype has the potential to assist beginning physics and mathematics students in problem solving and understanding scientific concepts.
A 1.7 mA low noise amplifier with integrated bypass switch for wireless 0.05-6 GHz portable applications

An ultra low current low noise amplifier with an integrated bypass switch has been developed using PHEMT technology. The LNA/Sw uses only 1.7 mA when powered and less than 1 uA when bypassed. It is usable from 50 MHz to 6 GHz. This enables portable systems such as Bluetooth, Home RF, PDAs, wireless LANs. The LNA provides 15 dB gain, 1.8 dB noise figure with 50 /spl Omega/ load at the output and /spl Gamma/opt at the input. Bypass mode provides 5 dB insertion loss into the same I/O match. The LNA and bypass switch with associated control circuitry are integrated into a single RFIC and housed in the miniature SOT package. This LNA/Sw provides lower current and easier usage with comparable NF, Gain, and bandwidth than previously reported products.
Seborrheic keratoses: a study comparing the standard cryosurgery with topical calcipotriene, topical tazarotene, and topical imiquimod.

Background Patients with seborrheic keratoses frequently desire an effective topical therapy for seborrheic keratoses. Objective To compare topical calcipotriene, topical tazarotene, and topical imiquimod with standard cryosurgery in the treatment of seborrheic keratoses. Methods Fifteen patients with numerous seborrheic keratoses were enrolled in an open-label study comparing cryosurgery with topical agents. Eight separate seborrheic keratoses were selected to be treated with topical medications. One lesion was treated with cryosurgery. Results One treatment with cryosurgery led to clinical and histological improvement of all lesions treated. Neither scarring nor recurrence resulted in cryosurgery. In seven of 15 patients, tazarotene 0.1% cream applied BID caused clinical improvement in lesions within 16 weeks. Conclusion Cryosurgery produces clinical and histological improvement of seborrheic keratoses. The result with cryosurgery was cosmetically acceptable to all patients. Responders to tazarotene cream 0.1% found it cosmetically acceptable.
Shared Sanitation and the Prevalence of Diarrhea in Young Children: Evidence from 51 Countries, 2001-2011.

Shared sanitation is defined as unimproved because of concerns that it creates unsanitary conditions; this policy is being reconsidered. We assessed whether sharing a toilet facility was associated with an increased prevalence of diarrhea among children < 5 years of age. We use data from Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 51 countries. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) for diarrhea, comparing children from households that used a shared facility with children from households that used a non-shared facility, were estimated for each country and pooled across countries. Unadjusted PRs varied across countries, ranging from 2.15 to 0.65. The pooled PR was 1.09; differences in socioeconomic status explained approximately half of this increased prevalence (adjusted PR = 1.05). Shared sanitation appears to be a risk factor for diarrhea although differences in socioeconomic status are important. The heterogeneity across countries, however, suggests that the social and economic context is an important factor.
Gene expression analysis of ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy: shared and distinct genes in the development of heart failure

Cardiomyopathy can be initiated by many factors, but the pathways from unique inciting mechanisms to the common end point of ventricular dilation and reduced cardiac output are unclear. We previously described a microarray-based prediction algorithm differentiating nonischemic (NICM) from ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) using nearest shrunken centroids. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that NICM and ICM would have both shared and distinct differentially expressed genes relative to normal hearts and compared gene expression of 21 NICM and 10 ICM samples with that of 6 nonfailing (NF) hearts using Affymetrix U133A GeneChips and significance analysis of microarrays. Compared with NF, 257 genes were differentially expressed in NICM and 72 genes in ICM. Only 41 genes were shared between the two comparisons, mainly involved in cell growth and signal transduction. Those uniquely expressed in NICM were frequently involved in metabolism, and those in ICM more often had catalytic activity. Novel genes included angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), which was upregulated in NICM but not ICM, suggesting that ACE2 may offer differential therapeutic efficacy in NICM and ICM. In addition, a tumor necrosis factor receptor was downregulated in both NICM and ICM, demonstrating the different signaling pathways involved in heart failure pathophysiology. These results offer novel insight into unique disease-specific gene expression that exists between end-stage cardiomyopathy of different etiologies. This analysis demonstrates that transcriptome analysis offers insight into pathogenesis-based therapies in heart failure management and complements studies using expression-based profiling to diagnose heart failure of different etiologies.
Endovascular treatment of extracranial atherosclerotic disease involving the vertebral artery origins: a comparison of drug-eluting and bare-metal stents

Objective To determine whether drug-eluting (DE) stents offer any advantage over bare-metal (BM) stents in terms of restenosis rates and to identify indications for vertebral artery stenting (VAS) based on the current literature. Methodology A retrospective analysis was performed for patients who underwent extracranial VAS for symptomatic stenosis. Patients were divided into two groups based on stent use (DE and BM). Results A total of 28 stents were implanted in 24 patients. Of these, 13 were DE and 15 BM. Technical success was achieved in all patients. There were procedure-related complications of retroperitoneal hematoma in some patients (3.6%). The median clinical and imaging follow-up times were 26 and 21 months, respectively, for the BM arm and 13 and 12 months, respectively, for the DE group. The mean stenosis percentage was 80.7±10.9 for the BM group and 87.0±9.5 for the DE group. The mean stent diameter was 4.7±0.5 for the BM group and 3.3±0.4 for the DE group (p Conclusions Extracranial VAS is a relatively safe procedure. No differences could be elicited in the restenosis rates between BM and DE stents. While VAS has been reported for symptomatic and asymptomatic disease, a benefit of VAS has only been demonstrated for patients with symptoms clearly attributable to the diseased artery. The benefit of stenting in asymptomatic disease or stenting to improve perfusion to the anterior circulation is speculative.
Improvement of the efficiency of laser cooling using type II multiple QW's

Type II multiple quantum wells exhibit strong anti-Stokes shift of the fluorescence. This phenomenon can used to achieve laser cooling with efficiency increased by a factor of few compared to bulk.
PS-wave Polarity Reversal In Angle Domain Common-image Gathers

The change in the reflection polarity at normal incidence is a fundamental feature of converted-wave seismology due to the vector nature of the displacement field. The conventional way of dealing with this feature is to reverse the polarity of data recorded at negative offsets. However, this approach fails in presence of complex geology. To solve this problem we propose operating the polarity flip in the angle domain. We show that this method correctly handle the polarity reversal after prestack migration for arbitrarily complex earth models.
Selection in the Rapid Evolution of Gamete Recognition Proteins in Marine Invertebrates

Animal fertilization is governed by the interaction (binding) of proteins on the surfaces of sperm and egg. In many examples presented herein, fertilization proteins evolve rapidly and show the signature of positive selection (adaptive evolution). This review describes the molecular evolution of fertilization proteins in sea urchins, abalone, and oysters, animals with external fertilization that broadcast their gametes into seawater. Theories regarding the selective forces responsible for the rapid evolution driven by positive selection seen in many fertilization proteins are discussed. This strong selection acting on divergence of interacting fertilization proteins might lead to prezygotic reproductive isolation and be a significant factor in the speciation process. Since only a fraction of all eggs are fertilized and only an infinitesimal fraction of male gametes succeed in fertilizing an egg, gametes are obviously a category of entities subjected to intense selection. It is curious that this is never mentioned in the literature dealing with selection, perhaps because we know so little about fitness differences among gametes. (Ernst Mayr, 1997).
Are all Speech-acts Self-involving?

Donald Evans, for one, thinks not. J. L. Austin, it could be argued, would have disagreed with him. But regardless of what Austin might have said on the question (someone is bound to suggest that he would have taken it back after he said it) I think that Evans is wrong.
Successful Versus Failed Adaptation to High-Fat Diet–Induced Insulin Resistance: The Role of IAPP-Induced β-Cell Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

OBJECTIVE Obesity is a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes. However, most obese individuals do not develop diabetes because they adapt to insulin resistance by increasing β-cell mass and insulin secretion. Islet pathology in type 2 diabetes is characterized by β-cell loss, islet amyloid derived from islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), and increased β-cell apoptosis characterized by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We hypothesized that IAPP-induced ER stress distinguishes successful versus unsuccessful islet adaptation to insulin resistance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS To address this, we fed wild-type (WT) and human IAPP transgenic (HIP) rats either 10 weeks of regular chow or a high-fat diet and prospectively examined the relations among β-cell mass and turnover, β-cell ER stress, insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity. RESULTS A high-fat diet led to comparable insulin resistance in WT and HIP rats. WT rats compensated with increased insulin secretion and β-cell mass. In HIP rats, in contrast, neither β-cell function nor mass compensated for the increased insulin demand, leading to diabetes. The failure to increase β-cell mass in HIP rats was the result of ER stress–induced β-cell apoptosis that increased in proportion to diet-induced insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS IAPP-induced ER stress distinguishes the successful versus unsuccessful islet adaptation to a high-fat diet in rats. These studies are consistent with the hypothesis that IAPP oligomers contribute to increased β-cell apoptosis and β-cell failure in humans with type 2 diabetes.
Nutrition Management in the ICU

Nutrition support plays an important role in the management of nutritional deficiencies in properly selected critically ill patients. A full nutritional assessment allows the calculation of appropriate feeding goals. The route of feeding, enteral or parenteral, is determined by the presence or absence of a functioning intestine and hemodynamic status of the patient. The specific roles of carbohydrates, fats, and protein need to be considered in order to prevent overfeeding and other complications. The efficacy of certain disease-specific enteral formulas has been demonstrated in clinical trials, however, careful cost-benefit analyses are required.
Communication functions and the adaptation of design representations in interdisciplinary teams

Design representations in user-centered design serve intentions for directing design process and communication functions for enlisting interdisciplinary participation. To disentangle these two factors, a vocabulary for identifying communication functions in design is proposed. This vocabulary, drawn from a selective review of empirical studies of design activity in architecture and engineering, is then applied to three design cases from user-centered design. This analysis shows how representational use is subject to adaptive pressure from the communication demands in interdisciplinary teams. The consequences of this pressure for understanding the nature of design are discussed.
High-field MRS in clinical drug development

Introduction: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) will continue to play an ever increasing role in drug discovery because MRS does readily define biomarkers for several hundreds of clinically distinct diseases. Published evidence based medicine (EBM) surveys, which generally conclude the opposite, are seriously flawed and do a disservice to the field of drug discovery. Areas covered: This article presents MRS and how it has guided several hundreds of practical human ‘drug discovery' endeavors since its development. Specifically, the author looks at the process of ‘reverse-translation' and its influence in the expansion of the number of preclinical drug discoveries from in vivo MRS. The author also provides a structured approach of eight criteria, including EBM acceptance, which could potentially re-open the field of MRS for productive exploration of existing and repurposed drugs and cost-effective drug-discovery. Expert opinion: MRS-guided drug discovery is poised for future expansion. The cost of clini...