cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Treatment is Associated with Relatively Slow Cognitive Decline in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and AD + DLB

Dementia can be caused by different diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), or both (AD + DLB). University of Kentucky AD Center pathologically-diagnosed AD and AD + DLB cases were evaluated who had three or more longitudinal antemortem mental status examinations (n = 156). Patients with important concomitant pathology (n = 5) or patients that were profoundly demented at recruitment (intake MMSE < 20; n = 86) were excluded to strengthen our ability to test the association of specific clinical and pathological indices. Patients with pathologically-diagnosed AD + DLB (n = 25) lost cognitive capacity faster than patients with AD alone (n = 40). In both diseases, treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors was associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline.
Numerical modeling of closely-coupled microstrip transmission lines

As integrated circuit feature sizes decrease and clock speeds increase, the problems of coupling between adjacent microstrip transmission lines and devices become more severe. This is especially true in communication circuits, such as pagers and cellular communications devices. In these cases the simultaneous presence of RF and digital circuitry increases the severity of coupling problems. In the paper an integral equation formulation is used to analyze closely-coupled microstrip transmission lines. A method of moments (MOM) solution is implemented utilizing basis functions which incorporate appropriate edge conditions for current components, allowing for close-form evaluation of spatial integrals. In contrast with earlier subdomain basis MOM solutions, greatly improved accuracy is obtained using far fewer terms. Results in the form of propagation factors and current distributions are presented for several modes, and are compared with the results of other techniques. These results are used as a basis to formulate several "rule of thumb" design guides for RF circuits to minimize coupling and cross-talk problems as far as possible. Other strategies for minimizing coupling in RF circuits are also discussed.
Human resource development, social capital, emotional intelligence: Any link to productivity?

Purpose – This article aims to offer a theoretical framework that attempts to show the integration among human resource development (HRD), social capital (SC), emotional intelligence (EI) and organizational productivity.Design/methodology/approach – The literature search included the following: a computerized search of accessible and available material using the key words “human resource development”, “emotional intelligence”, “social capital”, “human capital”, “organizational productivity”, “productivity”, and “organizational performance”.Findings – The literature review provides evidence that it is logical to assume that the relationship among HRD, social capital, emotional and organization productivity is highly integrated. This finding influenced the authors to conceptualize an integrated model that illustrates the interconnectivity of HRD, social capital, emotional intelligence and organizational productivity with internal and external environmental factors.Research limitations/implications – The int...
African Americans' Culturally Specific Approaches to the Management of Diabetes

Spirituality is an important multidimensional cultural resource and coping strategy used by many African Americans for managing chronic diseases such as diabetes. Yet, few studies examine meaning and interpretation of colloquial terms frequently used for coping within the context of a community culture. We designed an interpretive qualitative study to gain a deeper understanding of a colloquial phrase, "I ain't claiming it," used among Project SuGar research participants when discussing diabetes. Thematic analysis revealed two major themes, Acknowledgment and Denial, as coping mechanisms through an active or passive relationship with God. Sub-theme of acknowledgment was presented as front seat driver and sub-theme for denial of the disease presented as back seat driver. These meanings encompass a range of culturally specific coping strategies for self-management that health providers should consider and implement as part of providing patient-centered care to enhance better outcome strategies.
A different approach to sociodemographic predictors of satisfaction with health care.

Abstract The current literature reports greatly inconsistent relationships of sociodemographic variables to satisfaction with health care, so much so that attention has turned away from sociodemographic prediction of satisfaction. In this exploratory article, we propose that two intervening variables, orientation toward care and conditions of care, should produce consistency and refine the role of sociodemographic variables. When an individual's conditions of care match his orientations toward care, satisfaction results. Lack of comparability of expectations and experience thus alter the sociodemographic satisfaction correlations between studies. The model's predictions are supported with data from a community survey. If this model is further validated, it may redefine the importance of the current methodological search for dimensions of satisfaction.
A simple model for 100 K-year oscillations in glaciation

A simple climatic model which produces glaciation cycles of 100 K periods in response to forcing by 20 K, 40 K, and 100 K periods is described. The model is based on Milankovitch's (1930) hypothesis that glaciation fluctuations are forced by orbital variation and the associated change in insolation. The sea ice/snow cover line for the model, and the relation between heat variations and the ice/snow line are analyzed. The sea ice/snow cover line for the model is between the pole and 53 deg latitude and the line's position is the forcing for the glaciation cycle. Examples of the model's response to forcing are presented and evaluated. The negative glaciation permitted by the model is studied. The role of CO2 feedback in the glaciation cycle is investigated.
Mid-career research training for the generalist physician: case study of a balancing act.

Background: Although generalist physician faculty typically lack the skills needed to conduct research, few medical schools offer on-site faculty development programs that teach research skills. Description: To address this dilemma, our medical school introduced a part-time Primary Care Research Fellowship offering full-day classes once a week over 10 months. Evaluation: We asked the 22 general internists, general pediatricians, and family physicians who participated in the program to rate their experience, and we measured their research productivity during the 3 years before and 3 years after completing the program, using a group of matched controls for comparison. Participants rated the program highly and increased their aggregate research productivity from 1 publication before completing the program to 6 publications afterward, although this increase did not reach statistical significance ( p = .09). Controls exhibited substantially higher baseline productivity than fellows (10 publications vs. 1 publi...
Shell sources as a probe of relativistic effects in neutron star models

A perturbing shell is introduced as a device for studying the excitation of fluid motions in relativistic stellar models. We show that this approach allows a reasonably clean separation of radiation from the shell and from fluid motions in the star, and provides broad flexibility in the location and time scale of perturbations driving the fluid motions. With this model we compare the relativistic and Newtonian results for the generation of even parity gravitational waves from constant density models. Our results suggest that relativistic effects will not be important in computations of the gravitational emission except possibly in the case of excitation of the neutron star on very short time scales.
The influence of study methods and knowledge processing on academic success and long-term recall of anatomy learning by first-year veterinary students.

The purpose of this investigation was to quantitatively and qualitatively identify the study methods and learning strategies that veterinary students used to study anatomy during their first year of professional school and to correlate these with their academic achievement and long-term recall of information. It was surmised that active study methods would be more beneficial than passive method, but this hypothesis was not supported. The activity or passivity of each study method was secondary to the way in which the students processed the learning. No single study method was associated with academic success or long-term recall; instead, successful students used a multitude of study methods while the struggling students relied on a single method alone, although these methods varied from student to student. Students and their study methods were profiled using the qualitative technique known as phenomenographic analysis to find those who studied in a deep or surface way. The deep-processing students, who commonly used multiple study methods, not only succeeded in the class but also had better recall. Students who relied on a memorization-heavy surface approach to learning had limited recall and tended to perform poorly in the class. These results strongly suggest that by encouraging students to integrate their studying by using multiple methods educators can improve both student grades and recall of complex topics. Anat Sci Ed 1:68–74, 2008. © 2008 American Association of Anatomists.
A Comparison of the Fluorescence Dynamics of Single Molecules of a Green Fluorescent Protein: One‐ versus Two‐Photon Excitation

We report on the dynamics of fluorescence from individual molecules of a mutant of the wild-type green fluorescent protein (GFP) from Aequorea victoria, super folder GFP (SFGFP). SFGFP is a novel and robust variant designed for in vivo high-throughput screening of protein expression levels. It shows increased thermal stability and is able to retain its fluorescence when fused to poorly folding proteins. We use a recently developed single-molecule technique which combines fluorescence-fluctuation spectroscopy and time-correlated single photon counting in order to characterize the photophysical properties of SFGFP under one- (OPE) and two- (TPE) photon excitation conditions. We use Rhodamine 110 as a model chromophore to validate the methodology and to explain the single-molecule results of SFGFP. Under OPE, single SFGFP molecules undergo fluorescence flickering on the time scale of micros and tens of micros due to triplet formation and ground-state protonation-deprotonation, respectively, as demonstrated by excitation intensity- and pH-dependent experiments. OPE single-molecule fluorescence lifetimes indicate heterogeneity in the population of SFGFP, indicating the presence of the deprotonated I and B forms of the SFGFP chromophore. TPE of single SFGFP molecules results in the photoconversion of the chromophore. TPE of single SFGFP molecules show fluorescence flickering on the time scale of micros due to triplet formation. A flicker connected with protonation-deprotonation of the SFGFP chromophore is detected only at low pH. Our results show that SFGFP is a promising fusion reporter for intracellular applications using OPE and TPE microscopy.
A test for penicillin sensitivity and resistance in Staphylococcus.

SummaryThe results of penicillin sensitivity tests for staphylococci are influenced by the size of the inoculum on two accounts: (a) the presence in sensitive strains of a minority of resistant individuals originating by mutation; and (b) the occurrence of penicillinase-producing strains whose cells are individually sensitive to penicillin. A simple laboratory test is proposed for the detection and quantitative measurement of penicillin resistance in staphylococcus.
Diaphragm size and sensitivity for fiber optic pressure sensors

A mechanism which leads to a significant increase in sensitivity and linear operating range in reflective type fiber optic pressure transducers with minute active dimensions is studied. A general theoretical formalism is presented which is in good agreement with the experimental data. These results are found useful in the development of small pressure sensors used in turbulent boundary layer studies and other applications.
Effects of Feeding Prepubertal Heifers a High-Energy Diet for Three, Six, or Twelve Weeks on Mammary Growth and Composition

The experimental objective was to determine the effects of feeding prepubertal dairy heifers a high-energy diet for 3, 6, or 12 wk on mammary growth and composition. Holstein heifers (age = 11 wk; body weight = 107 +/- 1 kg) were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (n = 16/ treatment). The treatment period lasted 12 wk and treatments were H0 (low-energy diet fed for 12 wk, with no weeks on the high-energy diet); H3 (low-energy diet fed for 9 wk, followed by the high-energy diet for 3 wk); H6 (low-energy diet fed for 6 wk, followed by the high-energy diet for 6 wk); and H12 (high-energy diet for all 12 wk). The low- and high-energy diets were formulated to achieve 0.6 and 1.2 kg of average daily gain, respectively. Heifers were slaughtered at 23 wk of age and mammary tissue was collected. A longer duration of feeding the high-energy diet increased total mass of the mammary gland, extraparenchymal fat, and intraparenchymal fat, but did not alter the mass of fat-free parenchymal tissue. When adjusted for carcass weight to reflect differences in physical maturity, the mass of fat-free parenchymal tissue decreased in a linear fashion with a longer duration on the high-energy diet. Total masses of mammary parenchymal DNA and RNA were not different. However, after adjustment for carcass weight, the masses of DNA and RNA decreased as heifers were fed the high-energy diet for a longer duration. The percentages of epithelium, stroma, and lumen, the number of epithelial structures, and the developmental scores of mammary parenchymal tissue were not different among treatments. However, the percentage of proliferating epithelial cells in the terminal ductal units, as indicated by Ki-67 labeling, decreased as heifers were fed the high-energy diet for a longer duration. We concluded that feeding prepubertal heifers a high-energy diet for a longer duration resulted in a linear decrease in both the percentage of mammary epithelial cells that were proliferating and in the mass of fat-free mammary parenchyma per unit of carcass. High-energy feeding hastens puberty and, in this study, decreased mammary epithelial cell proliferation in areas of active ductal expansion. These data are consistent with the idea that feeding heifers a high-energy diet will reduce mammary parenchymal mass at puberty.
Cr stable isotopes in snake river plain aquifer groundwater: Evidence for natural reduction of dissolved Cr(VI)

At Idaho National Laboratory, Cr(VI) concentrations in a groundwater plume once exceeded regulatory limits in some monitoring wells but have generally decreased over time. This study used Cr stable isotope measurements to determine if part of this decrease resulted from removal of Cr(VI) via reduction to insoluble Cr(III). Although waters in the study area contain dissolved oxygen, the basalt host rock contains abundant Fe(II) and may contain reducing microenvironments or aerobic microbes that reduce Cr(VI). In some contaminated locations, 53Cr/52Cr ratios are close to that of the contaminant source, indicating a lack of Cr(VI) reduction. In other locations, ratios are elevated. Part of this shift may be caused by mixing with natural background Cr(VI), which is present at low concentrations but in some locations has elevated 53Cr/52Cr. Some contaminated wells have 53Cr/52Cr ratios greater than the maximum attainable by mixing between the inferred contaminant and the range of natural background observed in...
Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein Profile Secreted by Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells Varies with Polarity

The actions of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are modulated by interaction with a family of secreted binding proteins (IGFBPs). We have now demonstrated in intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2) that the secretion of different members of this family depends on the cell surface secreting them. Polarized monolayers of cells secreted IGFBP-3 mainly into the medium adjacent to the apical surface, while IGFBP-2 was secreted predominantly through the basolateral surface. The secretion of IGFBP-1 and -4 was equivalent from both surfaces. However, administration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced polarized secretion of IGFBP-4 by increasing secretion from the apical surface more than from the basolateral aspect. It did not affect the polarity of the other IGFBPs. We believe that this is the first evidence that epithelial cells can interact with extrinsic agents in a polarized fashion at sites other than the membrane surface.
The Association of Female Hormones with Blindness from Diabetic Retinopathy

The rates of blindness from diabetic retinopathy with or without other causes for persons in the Model Reporting Area (14 states) were determined in five-year intervals by sex. Diabetic males younger than 45 years of age had a higher rate of diabetic blindness than females under 45 years of age. However, for ages 45 and older, the risks of blindness among diabetics were approximately equal for men and women. These data were consistent with the hypothesis that the presence of female hormones improves the prognosis in diabetic retinopathy.
TEM observations of dislocation emission at crack tips in aluminium

Direct observations were made of the propagation of ductile cracks and associated dislocation behaviour at crack tips in aluminium during tensile deformation in an electron microscope. In the electropolished area, the cracks propagated as a Mode III shear-type by emitting screw dislocations on a plane coplanar to the crack plane. A zone free of dislocations was observed between the crack tip and the plastic zone. As the cracks propagated into thicker areas, the fracture mode changed from Mode III to predominantly Mode I. The crack top of the Mode I cracks was blunted by emitting edge dislocations on planes inclined to the crack plane. The blunted cracks did not propagate until the area ahead of the crack tip was sufficiently thinned by plastic deformation. The cracks then propagated abruptly, apparently without emitting dislocations. The stress intensity factor was measured from the crack tip geometry of Mode III cracks and it was found to be in good agreement with the critical value of the stress intensity factor required for dislocation generation.
Cock Fights and the Balinese Male Psyche

This essay deals with the social, religious and sexual dimensions of cockfighting in Bali and the roles it plays in Balinese culture. It considers unconscious attitudes Balinese men may have about their penises and hidden anxieties they may have about circumcision and castration generated by attendance at cockfights.
A SIMPLE CHANNELLING MODEL FOR HREM CONTRAST TRANSFER UNDER DYNAMICAL CONDITIONS

The application of electron channelling theory to dynamical exit wave calculations is briefly reviewed, and a comparison of channelling results with full dynamical calculations is presented. The channelling expression to the exit wave is combined with conventional imaging theory, and it is shown that a simple expression can be obtained for a dynamical contrast transfer function (D-CTF), which incorporates imaging aberrations and thickness-dependent dynamical scattering effects. The D-CTF can provide detailed insight into HREM images of a mixed cation oxide at thicknesses up to 200 A, whereby an approximate correction for non-linear effects is utilized in the larger thickness regime.
Control of the number of particles in fluid and MHD particle in cell methods

Abstract We describe an algorithm to control the number of particles in fluid, particle-in-cell calculations. In problems with large variations in mass density or grid spacing, the ability to increase or decrease the number of particles in each cell of the mesh becomes essential. Here, a cell-by-cell replacement algorithm which preserves grid data and positivity of the particle data, where appropriate, is described. The algorithm preserves contact discontinuities, introduces little diffusion, and adds little or nothing to the cost of a calculation.
Messinian (Miocene) evaporites of the Mediterranean basin: A new approach to an old Bandwagon

In 1970-71 W.B.F. Ryan asked me to study and interpret the depositional environment of dolstones and evaporite rocks from Deep Sea Drilling Project boreholes in the western Mediterranean Sea. Comparisons of these Mediterranean rocks with modern sediments of the Persian Gulf and Red Sea and exposures of Miocene rocks of the Red Sea and Jurassic rocks of the Persian Gulf convinced me that these Mediterranean rocks originated in a subaerial setting (Friedman, 1973). The nodular anhydrite is indicative of subaerial exposure of soft sediments in which nodules are formed by displacement of the host sediment. The salts are inferred to have formed by replacement of antecedent sulfates in sabkha-like brine-logged flats (Friedman, 1972).
Tobacco and marijuana use among adolescents and young adults: a systematic review of their co-use

Tobacco (TOB) and marijuana (MJ) are the most widely used drugs among adolescents and young adults. The literature on their co-use, however, has not been systematically reviewed. We identified 163 English language articles published from 1999 to 2009 examining TOB and MJ co-use, correlates or consequences of co-use, or interventions for prevention or cessation of co-use with participants aging 13-25 years. Most studies (n=114, 70%) examined TOB and MJ co-use, and 85% of relationships studied indicated a significant association. Fifty-nine studies (36%) examined correlates or consequences of co-use. Factors consistently associated with increased likelihood of co-use, defined as significant associations in at least four studies, were African-American ethnicity, mental and physical health characteristics (e.g., high-intensity pleasure temperament), and school characteristics (e.g., good grades). The only consistent consequence of co-use was exacerbation of mental health symptoms. Few studies examined prevention (n=3) or cessation (n=2) interventions for TOB and MJ co-use, and the findings were stronger for prevention efforts. A sufficient literature base has documented that TOB and MJ use are strongly related in young people, yet few consistent correlates and consequences of co-use have been identified to inform intervention targets.
Conservation Management in Cotton Production: Long-Term Soil Biological, Chemical, and Physical Changes

Conservation practices are increasingly important components of sustainable management systems, and information about their influence on soil characteristics is needed. Soil parameters were assessed in no-till (NT) or minimum tillage (MT) cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production near Stoneville, MS, Mississippi Delta region, that included cover crop (rye [Secale cereal L.] or Balansa clover [Trifolium michelianum Savi var. balansae (Boiss.) Azn.]) vs. no cover crop. Soils (0–2, 2–5, and 5–15 cm) were sampled (2001–2006) before cotton planting. Independent of tillage, both cover crops accumulated more soil C than no cover, and N was greatest under clover. Soils (0–15 cm) under clover had greater aggregate stability than rye or no cover. The major factor influencing bulk density and infiltration was proximity to crop row bed and wheel traffic, but infiltration rates were sixfold greater under MT than NT (P rye or no cover). Moderate tillage slightly increased abundance of both reniform nematodes and earthworms, but neither was affected by cover crop. Fluorescein diacetate hydrolytic activity was higher in clover (50%) and rye (20%) in surface soil than with no cover. Soil microbial community structure (total fatty acid methyl ester analysis) (2005–2006) indicated a significant cover crop effect but no tillage effect. Mycorrhizal bioindicator (16:1 ω5c) was greater in soil with rye than clover or no cover; however, cotton mycorrhizal infection was 40% greater in fibrous roots from rye or clover plots than roots from plots with no cover. Collectively, cotton production with a cover crop and reduced tillage resulted in soil conditions indicative of soil quality.
Ascorbic acid reverses endothelial vasomotor dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background In the setting of atherosclerosis, endothelial vasomotor function is abnormal. Increased oxidative stress has been implicated as one potential mechanism for this observation. We therefore hypothesized that an antioxidant, ascorbic acid, would improve endothelium-dependent arterial dilation in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods and Results Brachial artery endothelium-dependent dilation in response to hyperemia was assessed by high-resolution vascular ultrasound before and 2 hours after oral administration of either 2 g ascorbic acid or placebo in a total of 46 patients with documented coronary artery disease. Plasma ascorbic acid concentration increased 2.5-fold 2 hours after treatment (46±8 to 114±11 μmol/L, P=.001). In the prospectively defined group of patients with an abnormal baseline response (<5% dilation), ascorbic acid produced marked improvement in dilation (2.0±0.6% to 9.7±2.0%), whereas placebo had no effect (1.1±1.5% to 1.7±1.5%, P=.003 for ascorbic acid versus placebo)....
Optimal Foreign Trade Pricing in Cpes Under Endogenous Uncertainty: The Case of Dumping

This study applies to centrally planned economies the theory of optimal trade policy under endogenous uncertainty introduced by Bhagwati and Srinivasan. While Bhagwati and Srinivasan focus on the export decisions of a profit-maximizing firm encountering possible quotas (of known size) the following period, this article analyzes the price-setting decisions of a state-controlled exporter facing potential antidumping tariffs (of ex ante unknown magnitude) at some (uncertain) future time. For reasonable parameters related to U.S. antidumping laws and the exporter's bonus function, and for given conditions of demand, the model determines a restricted price range from which a Soviet-type exporter would select its optimal price given subjective probability distributions of the timing and degree of protection. One result is that choosing a sufficiently low price to provoke an antidumping petition but only late in the relevant time period may be preferred to a conservative strategy of high prices which minimizes t...
Integrating Teaching Skills and Clinical Content in a Faculty Development Workshop

Incorporating clinical content into medical education faculty development programs has been proposed as a strategy to consolidate faculty continuing medical education time and enhance learning. We developed a faculty development program for ambulatory internal medicine preceptors that integrated primary care genetics with ambulatory precepting. The instructional strategies addressed both areas simultaneously and included facilitated discussions, mini-lectures, trigger tapes, and role plays. To evaluate the program, we conducted a pre-post trial. Skills were measured by retrospective pre-post self-reported ratings and behaviors by self-reported implementation of commitment to change (CTC) statements. Participants' (N = 26) ambulatory precepting and primary care genetics skill ratings improved after the intervention. They listed an average of 2.4 clinical teaching CTC statements and 2.0 clinical practice CTC statements. By 3 months after the workshop, preceptors, as a group, fully implemented 32 (38%), partially implemented 35 (41%), and failed to implement 18 (21%) CTC statements. The most common barrier to clinical teaching change was insufficient skills (8 of 25; 32%) and to clinical practice change was lack of a suitable patient (15 of 25; 60%). Integrating clinical content with clinical teaching in a faculty development workshop is feasible, can improve clinical and teaching skills, and can facilitate behavior change.
Brefeldin A inhibits Golgi membrane-catalysed exchange of guanine nucleotide onto ARF protein

THE fungal metabolite brefeldin A is a powerful tool for investigating membrane traffic in eukaryotic cells1. The effects of brefeldin A on traffic are partly explained by its ability to prevent binding of cytosolic coat proteins onto membranes2–5. The non-clathrin coatomer complex6,7 binds reversibly to Golgi membranes in a GTP-controlled cycle8–10. The low-molecular-mass GTP-binding protein ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF), which also associates reversibly with Golgi membranes11,12, is required for coatomer binding13 and probably accounts for the control by guanine nucleotide of the coatomer–membrane interaction. Brefeldin A prevents the assembly of coatomer onto the membrane by inhibiting the GTP-dependent interaction of ARF with the Golgi membrane13, but the nature of this interaction has not been established. Here we demonstrate that Golgi membranes can specifically catalyse the exchange of GTP onto ARF and that brefeldin A prevents this function.
Interaction of ascorbic acid and mitochondrial lipides

Abstract Incubation of rat liver mitochondrial suspensions in the presence of low concentrations of ascorbic acid results in the formation of lipide peroxides and the oxidation of the ascorbic acid. There is a quantitative relationship between the two reactions. The effects of added iron salts and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the system have been studied. The results suggest that the mechanism involved is non-enzymic and consists of a cooxidation of ascorbic acid and unsaturated fat mediated by a metal ion.
The effect of conserved residue charge reversal on the folding of recombinant non-phosphorylated human β-casein

A short stretch of 13 amino acids in the central portion of human β-casein contains four positively charged conserved residues, three Lys and one Arg. We changed these individually to Glu, reversing their charge, and compared the resulting recombinant proteins to the wild-type recombinant, monitoring thermal aggregation with turbidity as well as using the fluorescence of the intrinsic Trp, of hydrophobically bound ANS and fluorescence resonance energy transfer from Trp to ANS to detect differences in structure. The results demonstrate the need to maintain the actual or functional identity of these conserved charged amino acid residues in order to attain the protein folding and functional properties of the wild-type human β-casein molecule. They emphasize the probability that native human β-casein has a unique folding pattern that is important for its function of suspending minerals and delivering the protein and minerals to the neonate in a readily ingestible form.
Agmatine Suppresses Nitric Oxide Production and Attenuates Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury in Neonatal Rats

Nitric oxide and excitatory amino acids contribute to hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Agmatine, an endogenous neurotransmitter or neuromodulator, is an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase and an antagonist of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. Does agmatine reduce brain injury in the rat pup hypoxic-ischemic model? Seven-day old rat pups had right carotid arteries ligated followed by 2.5 h of hypoxia (8% oxygen). Agmatine or vehicle was administered by i.p. injection at 5 min after reoxygenation and once daily thereafter for 3 d. Brain damage was evaluated by weight deficit of the right hemisphere at 22 d after hypoxia by a blinded observer. Agmatine treatments significantly reduced weight loss in the right hemisphere from −30.5 ± 3.6% in vehicle-treated pups (n = 22) to −15.6 ± 4.4% in the group treated with 50 mg/kg (n = 18, p < 0.05) and to −15.0 ± 3.7% in the group treated with 100 mg/kg (n = 18, p < 0.05), but the group treated with 150 mg/kg showed no reduction. Other pups received agmatine or vehicle at 5 min after reoxygenation, and brain biochemistry was assessed. Levels of endogenous brain agmatine rose 2- to 3-fold owing to hypoxic-ischemic (3 h), whereas pups treated with agmatine (100 mg/kg) showed 50-fold higher brain agmatine levels (3 h). Agmatine (100 mg/kg) blocked a hypoxia-induced increase in brain nitric oxide metabolites at 6 h (vehicle-treated, +60.2 ± 15.2%; agmatine-treated, +4.2 ± 8.4%;p < 0.05). Agmatine thus reduces brain injury in the neonatal rat hypoxic-ischemic model, probably by blunting the rise in nitric oxide metabolites normally seen after hypoxia.
Impact of pessary use on prolapse symptoms, quality of life, and body image

Objective We sought to evaluate whether use of a vaginal pessary would change body image, bother symptoms, and quality of life in women with pelvic organ prolapse. Study Design Women presenting for pessary insertion completed the short forms of Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20, Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, and Body Image Scale. After successful pessary insertion and use for at least 3 months, subjects completed the surveys again. Scores were compared with a paired t test. Results A total of 75 subjects were enrolled and follow-up responses were available for 54 subjects for analysis. Body Image Scale scores showed a significant decrease (6.1–3.4; P P P = .003). Conclusion The use of a pessary for 3 months reduces bother symptoms and improves both quality of life and perception of body image in women.
Myocardial specific creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme elevation in children with asthma treated with intravenous isoproterenol.

Abstract We retrospectively reviewed admissions that required intravenous (IV) isoproterenol in an intensive care unit setting for management of severe childhood status asthmaticus. Elevation of the cardiac-specific serum creatine phosphokinase MB (CPK-MB) isoenzyme was noted in 15 of 19 admissions. The mean peak elevation of serum CPK in those 15 admissions was 204 IU/L with a mean peak MB band of 6.05%. Nine of the 15 admissions with elevated CPK-MB level had follow-up levels measured after IV isoproterenol had been stopped. In all nine cases, the follow-up serum CPK-MB level was 0%. In six of those nine cases, follow-up serum with undetectable CPK-MB level was obtained while the patients continued to receive IV aminophylline and corticosteroids, and inhaled but not intravenous β-adrenergic agonist medications. These observations suggest that elevated serum CPK-MB levels that may be indicative of myocardial injury are associated with IV isoproterenol therapy of severe childhood asthma. Therefore, we recommend caution along with serial monitoring of serum CPK-MB levels when IV isoproterenol is administered in the therapy of childhood asthma.
Effects of Ethanol in Vivo and in Vitro on Stimulated Phosphoinositide Hydrolysis in Rat Cortex and Cerebellum

The effects of ethanol on phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis in rat cortex and cerebellum were studied to determine if this signal transduction mechanism is a pharmacological site of action for ethanol. In addition PI responses in young adult (8 months old) and old (22 months old) rats were compared to investigate the possible interaction between chronic ethanol treatment and aging on stimulated inositide metabolism. Fischer 344 rats were maintained on a nutritionally complete liquid diet containing sucrose or ethanol for 5 months. PI hydrolysis in prelabeled cortical or cerebellar slices was determined by measuring the release of [3H]inositol phosphates in the presence of 8 mM LiCl. Neither chronic ethanol nor aging altered maximal PI responses to carbachol or submaximal responses elicited by 20 mM KCl or 30 microM A23187. The glutamate-induced response was slightly reduced in the aged rats. Concentration-effect curves for norepinephrine (NE)-stimulated PI hydrolysis were similar in sucrose- and ethanol-treated cortex and cerebellum. Ethanol in vitro inhibited NE-stimulated PI hydrolysis in cortical but not cerebellar slices. The ethanol-induced inhibition of the NE-stimulated PI response was not altered by aging or chronic ethanol treatment. These results suggest that aging or chronic ethanol treatment do not cause large changes in the responsiveness of most PI-linked receptors, and thus, any deficits caused by these conditions may not be due to functional changes in receptor-mediated PI hydrolysis.
Interpretation of visceral duplex scanning: before and after intervention for chronic mesenteric ischemia.

Duplex ultrasound testing has evolved to be a clinically useful modality for the evaluation of chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) due to visceral artery origin atherosclerosis. Patients with known or suspected CMI can be scanned to identify stenosis or occlusion of the celiac, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric arteries. Testing requires expertise in abdominal ultrasound imaging and arterial duplex scan interpretation, as well as a fundamental understanding of visceral artery hemodynamics and collateral pathways created as a result of occlusive lesions. Duplex testing can also be utilized to evaluate functional patency after visceral artery bypass grafting procedures or endovascular stent angioplasty, Repair site stenosis can be reliably identified, which assists in decision making regarding the need for re-intervention to treat or prevent recurrent gut ischemia. Visceral duplex testing of a bypass graft or stent angioplasty site that shows peak systolic velocity >300 cm/s with end-diastolic velocities >50-70 cm/s, or a damped velocity spectra within a bypass graft and low ( 70%) stenosis. Visceral duplex testing should be considered a screening diagnostic modality that complements clinical assessment of CMI both before and after open surgical or endovascular visceral artery interventions.
Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor torbafylline (HWA 448) attenuates burn-induced rat skeletal muscle proteolysis through the PDE4/cAMP/EPAC/PI3K/Akt pathway.

Abstract Treatment of rats after burn-injury with the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, torbafylline (also known as HWA 448) significantly reversed changes in rat skeletal muscle proteolysis, PDE4 activity, cAMP concentrations and mRNA expression of TNFα, IL-6, ubiquitin and E3 ligases. Torbafylline also attenuated muscle proteolysis during in vitro incubation, and this effect was blocked by the inhibitor Rp-cAMPS. Moreover, torbafylline significantly increased phospho-Akt levels, and normalized downregulated phospho-FOXO1 and phospho-4E-BP1 in muscle of burn rats. Similarly, torbafylline also normalized phosphorylation levels of Akt and its downstream elements in TNFα + IFNγ treated C2C12 myotubes. Torbafylline enhanced protein levels of exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) both in skeletal muscle of burn rats and in TNFα + IFNγ treated C2C12 myotubes. Pretreatment with a specific antagonist of PI3K or Epac significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of torbafylline on TNFα + IFNγ-induced MAFbx mRNA expression and protein breakdown in C2C12 myotubes. Torbafylline inhibits burn-induced muscle proteolysis by activating multiple pathways through PDE4/cAMP/Epac/PI3K/Akt.
Surface binding, internalization and degradation by cultured human fibroblasts of low density lipoproteins isolated from type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients: changes with metabolic control.

A previous study of low density lipoprotein metabolism by cultured cells focused on the metabolism of normal lipoproteins in vitro by fibroblasts isolated from diabetic patients. No abnormalities were found. We have followed the opposite approach. Using normal human fibroblasts as test cells we compared the metabolism in vitro of low density lipoproteins isolated from diabetic patients before and after metabolic control. We found a significant decrease (p<0.02) in internalization and degradation of low density lipoproteins isolated from diabetic patients before metabolic control when compared with those isolated from normal control subjects or from the same patients after metabolic control. The observed changes were mainly apparent in intracellular degradation. To evaluate whether the observed differences in low density lipoprotein behaviour were correlated with lipid or apolipoprotein composition, we measured cholesterol, triglyceride, apolipoprotein B and total protein levels in the low density lipoproteins tested. A significant decrease (p<0.05) of the triglyceride/protein ratio was found in post-control low density lipoproteins suggesting that a high triglyceride content may interfere with low density lipoprotein metabolism. The present study represents the first observation that metabolic control in diabetes mellitus can alter low density lipoprotein-cell interaction and suggests a possible mechanism for the enhanced incidence of atherosclerosis in diabetic patients.
CATALYSTS DESIGNED FOR USE IN THE WENTWORTH PROCESS FOR METHANOL AND HIGHER ALCOHOL SYNTHESIS

Abstract I would like to begin this paper with a personal accolade for Donald Othmer. It has been my pleasure to work with him for the last twelve to fifteen years and with T.O. Wentworth who, together with the author, are co-inventors of the process as described in U.S. Patent 4,235,799. Don has been a very devoted advocate to the research resulting in the generation of the patent. In meetings with him and Ted Wentworth, Ted and I were always amazed at the speed with which Don comprehended any new concept and immediately was able to respond with his own extension of the ideas. In addition to his mental skills, which are legendary, he also has ways with people. Always having a ready smile and quick wit and ready humor, his generosity is exceptional and is well known. As stated above our association was primarily in the derivation, researching and patenting of the unique methanol synthesis process covered by the above numbered patent which was assigned to Wentworth Bros. Inc. Wentworth Bros. Inc., in addit...
Wavelets in self-consistent electronic structure calculations.

We report the first implementation of orthonormal wavelet bases in self-consistent electronic structure calculations within the local-density approximation. These local bases of different scales efficiently describe localized orbitals of interest. As an example, we studied two molecules, ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, using pseudopotentials and supercells. Considerably fewer bases are needed compared with conventional plane-wave approaches, yet calculated binding properties are similar. Our implementation employs fast wavelet and Fourier transforms, avoiding evaluating any three-dimensional integral numerically.
The Interplay Between Sex, Ethnicity, and Adipose Tissue Characteristics

The obesity epidemic in the USA affects disproportionately women and the ethnic minorities. On the other hand, female sex is traditionally associated with a favorable fat distribution preferentially in the subcutaneous depots of the lower body and with improved endocrine and metabolic function of the adipose tissue. However, these data are derived from predominantly non-Hispanic white populations. This review discusses fat distribution patterns in women of diverse ethnic backgrounds, together with data on the release of adipokines from adipose tissue in these populations. Very little information is available on how the metabolic function of the adipocyte differs depending on ethnicity. Thus, it becomes clear that future clinical and translational research should explicitly discuss and take into account the sex and ethnic background of the populations studied.
Theoretical and experimental investigation of architected core materials incorporating negative stiffness elements

Structural assemblies incorporating negative stiffness elements have been shown to provide both tunable damping properties and simultaneous high stiffness and damping over prescribed displacement regions. In this paper we explore the design space for negative stiffness based assemblies using analytical modeling combined with finite element analysis. A simplified spring model demonstrates the effects of element stiffness, geometry, and preloads on the damping and stiffness performance. Simplified analytical models were validated for realistic structural implementations through finite element analysis. A series of complementary experiments was conducted to compare with modeling and determine the effects of each element on the system response. The measured damping performance follows the theoretical predictions obtained by analytical modeling. We applied these concepts to a novel sandwich core structure that exhibited combined stiffness and damping properties 8 times greater than existing foam core technologies.
Large Amplitude Wall Pressure Events Beneath a Turbulent Boundary Layer

Experimental data on the temporal records of the wall pressure fluctuations beneath a turbulent boundary layer have been acquired in a low-noise flow facility. The pressure data were first analyzed using long-time averaging techniques to determine the statistical properties and the results were compared to the baseline data of Schewe. Next, the pressure records were conditionally sampled at various k threshold levels (p' w ≥k.p rms ) to detect large amplitude, positive and negative events which were then averaged and analyzed to determine their shape, duration, and frequency of occurrence. The intermittent large amplitude events are very short in duration, occur rather infrequently in time, but are a major contributor to the high frequency content of the wall pressure fluctuations
A simple method for the extraction and quantification of photopigments from Symbiodinium spp.

Abstract We have developed a simple, mild extraction procedure using methanol which, when coupled with HPLC analysis and diode array detection (DAD), can be used to quantify the major photopigments found in cultured Symbiodinium spp. Extracts were prepared by suspending, fresh or frozen (− 70 °C), wet cell pellets in methanol and sonicating or not sonicating the cell suspensions before soaking the cells for 2 h in an ice bath. To assist the soaking process, cell suspensions were vortex mixed at 30 min intervals. After soaking, 0.5 M ammonium acetate buffer was added (1 part buffer to 9 parts methanol) before suspensions were stored over night at − 20 °C. Greater than 92% the recoverable pigment was obtained in the initial extraction of the four major photopigments, chlorophyll c, peridinin, diadinoxanthin, and chlorophyll a. Neither sonication nor freezing substantially increased the recovery of photopigments extracted with methanol. Extraction by other commonly used solvents such as acetone or acetone:water with or without freezing and sonication were less effective.
β‐Sitosterol enhances tamoxifen effectiveness on breast cancer cells by affecting ceramide metabolism

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the dietary phytosterol beta-sitosterol (SIT) and the antiestrogen drug tamoxifen (TAM) on cell growth and ceramide (CER) metabolism in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. The MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were studied as models of estrogen receptor positive and estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells. Growth of both cell lines as determined using the sulforhodamine B assay was inhibited by treatment with 16 microM SIT but only MCF-7 cell growth was inhibited by treatment with 1 microM TAM. The combination of SIT and TAM further inhibited growth in both cell lines, most significantly in MDA-MB-231 cells. CER is a proapoptotic signal and CER levels were increased in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells by individual treatment with SIT and TAM and the combined treatment raised cellular CER content even further. SIT and TAM raised CER levels by different means. SIT potently activated de novo CER synthesis in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells by stimulating serine palmitoyltransferase activity; whereas TAM promoted CER accumulation in both cell types by inhibiting CER glycosylation. These results suggest that the combination regimen of dietary SIT and TAM chemotherapy may be beneficial in the management of breast cancer patients.