cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elastic constants of defected and amorphous silicon with the environment-dependent interatomic potential

The elastic constants of a wide range of models of defected crystalline and amorphous silicon are calculated, using the environment-dependent interatomic potential (EDIP). The defected crystalline simulation cells contain randomly generated defect distributions. An extensive characterization of point defects is performed, including structure, energy and influence on elastic constants. Three important conclusions are drawn. (1) Defects have independent effects on the elastic constants of silicon up to (at least) a defect concentration of 0.3%. (2) The linear effect of Frenkel pairs on the ⟨110⟩ Young's modulus of silicon is $\ensuremath{-}1653\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$ per defect fraction. (3) 17 different point defect types cause a very similar decrease in the ⟨110⟩ Young's modulus: $\ensuremath{-}(0.28\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05)%$ when calculated in isolation using a 1728-atom cell. These principles will be very useful for predicting the effect of radiation damage on the elastic modulus of silicon in the typical case in which point-defect concentrations can be estimated, but the exact distribution and species of defects is unknown. We also study amorphous samples generated in quenching the liquid with EDIP, including an ideal structure of perfect fourfold coordination, samples with threefold and fivefold coordinated defects, one with a nanovoid, and one with an amorphous inclusion in a crystalline matrix. In the last case, a useful finding is that the change in the Young's modulus is simply related to the volume fraction of amorphous material, as has also been observed by experiment.
Protection of mice against the lethal effect of an intraperitoneal infection with Haemophilus (Actinobacillus) pleuropneumoniae after vaccination with capsular proteins.

Haemophilus (Actinobacillus) pleuropneumoniae Serotypes 5 and 7 capsular antigens (CA-1) were precipitated from culture supernatants with N-cetyl-N,N,N,-trimethylammonium bromide (Cetavlon). CA-1 contained a carbohydrate to protein ratio of 2:1 for Serotype 5 and 3:1 for Serotype 7. Glucosamine and uronic acid were detected in CA-1 from both serotypes suggesting that the capsule contained hyaluronic acid. All mice immunized intraperitoneally with CA-1 vaccine were protected from death when challenged with 10 × LD50 of the homologous but not the heterologous serotype. Oil adjuvants and the use of young (6 h) cultures were necessary for CA-1 vaccines to be protective. Deproteinization of CA-1 with chloroform and butanol followed by pronase treatment resulted in failure to protect mice from death. The protective capsular protein antigen in CA-1 vaccine may not originate from the outer membrane (OM) since repeated washing of the OM to elute the capsular protein antigen rendered the OM vaccine completely nonprotective for mice. Vaccines prepared from cell-wall lipopolysaccharide also were nonprotective for mice. Passive immunization of mice with anti-CA-1 antibody produced in rabbits to Serotype 5 was highly protective (P < 0.01) for mice when challenged with 10 × the LD50 of the homologous serotype.
Clinical Management of Insomnia with Brief Behavioral Treatment (BBTI)

Insomnia is a highly prevalent and debilitating sleep disorder. It is well documented that psychological treatments, including cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI), are efficacious treatments, with effect sizes of comparable magnitude to that of pharmacologic treatment. However, a critical shortage of specialty-trained clinicians with experience in sleep medicine and cognitive-behavioral therapy principles has limited the widespread dissemination of CBTI. A brief (four sessions; two of which may be phone sessions) treatment, titled "Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia" (BBTI), was developed to address many of the barriers to widespread dissemination associated with standard CBTI. Specifically, BBTI has an explicit behavioral focus, is overtly linked to a physiological model of sleep regulation, and utilizes a hardcopy workbook that facilitates its concise delivery format and ease of training clinicians. BBTI has demonstrated efficacy in treating older adults with insomnia ( Buysse et al., 2011 ). This article describes the rationale for the development of BBTI, provides a session-by-session guide to the delivery of the treatment, and concludes with a discussion of contraindications, combined pharmacotherapy treatment, and future directions for the use of BBTI in diverse populations and utilizing different modalities of delivery.
A queuing process with bilevel hysteretic service‐rate control

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of a particular control doctrine applied to the service mechanism of a queuing process. A bilevel hysteretic control based on queue length control levels is employed in an M/M/1 queuing system. Expressions are obtained for queue length probabilities, the first two factorial moments of queue length and two figures of merit for describing control performance under the assumption of statistical equilibrium. Computational examples illustrate the effects on queuing processes subject to this type of control. Several cost formulae are considered for comparison of costs when the queue control doctrine is varied. Situations in which hysteretic control is useful are discussed.
Structural biology of the chromodomain: form and function

The chromodomain motif is found among certain chromosomal proteins of all eukaryotes. The chromodomain fold - three beta strands packed against a C-terminal alpha helix - mediates protein-protein and/or protein-nucleic acid interactions. In some cases, the affinity of chromodomain binding is regulated by lysine methylation, which appears to target chromodomain proteins and associated complexes to specific sites in chromatin. In this review, our current knowledge of chromodomain structure and function is summarized.
Thyroid function testing in patients with newly diagnosed hyperlipidemia.

Hypothyroidism is present in 1.4% to 13% of patients with hyperlipidemia.1 Overt hypothyroidism is a secondary cause of hyperlipidemia and associated coronary heart disease.2 Cholesterol profiles may be improved by treating overt hypothyroidism. Current guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Program, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, and the American Thyroid Association recommend screening for hypothyroidism in patients with newly diagnosed hyperlipidemia prior to starting a lipid-lowering agent.3–6 It is unclear how well these guidelines are being followed in clinical practice. We performed a retrospective cohort study to determine the prevalence of thyroid function screening in patients with newly diagnosed hyperlipidemia at an inner-city academic medical center (Boston Medical Center [BMC]).
Anticipated Biphasic Effects of Alcohol Vary with Risk for Alcoholism: A Preliminary Report

Twenty-five sons of alcoholic fathers and 114 sons of nonalcoholic fathers reported the stimulant and sedative effects they expected alcohol would produce on both the ascending and descending limbs of the blood alcohol curve. High-risk subjects anticipated more stimulation on the ascending limb, and more sedation on the descending limb than low-risk subjects. These results are comparable to some studies of subjective responses to alcohol in high- and low-risk men, and to previous work on risk and anticipated effects. These expectancies may contribute to risk-related differences in responses to alcohol, as well as the development of problem drinking.
Photoionization of Group V trimers and tetramers

Abstract The photoionization of saturated antimony and bismuth vapors is investigated. In antimony, the dominant vapor species is Sb 4 . Its photoion yield curve is similar to those of P 4 and As 4 , displaying three autoionizing bands and an apparent adiabatic IP of 7.56 eV. The appearance potential of Sb 3 + (Sb 4 ) occurs at 9.75 5 −0.04 +0.01 eV at 830 K, or 10.22 9 −0.04 +0.01 eV at 0 K. This value, together with (Sb 3 ), yields IP(Sb 3 ) ⩽ 6.61 eV. Bismuth vapor contains ≈ 1% Bi 4 and even less Bi 3 . The photoion yield curve of Bi 4 + , with an apparent adiabatic IP of 6.81 eV, also displays three autoionizing bands. An analysis of these bands, and comparison with the other Group V tetramers with T d symmetry enables one to estimate vertical IPs of 9.0 eV for (a 1 ) −1 , 7.5 and 8.9 eV for the spin-orbit split (t 2 ) −1 , 7.0 and 7.4 eV for the Jahn-Teller split (e) −1 . The photoion yield curve of Bi 3 + has an adiabatic onset of ⩽ 6.36 eV, corresponding to formation of Bi 3 + , X 1 A′ 1 in D 3h symmetry. An increase in slope at ≈ 7.4 eV is identified with the configuration … (1a″ 2 )(2e′) 4 (1e″), which may be an E′ state. At ≈ 8.8 eV, a pronounced increase in slope may indicate a higher excited state, fragmentation of Bi 4 , or a near coincidence of the two. The directly or indirectly measured IPs of all Group V trimers are in fairly good agreement with ab initio calculations. The heats of formation of the neutral trimers can be rationalized by a simple model involving transferability of σ and π bond energies from the corresponding dimers and tetramers. The atomization energies of the trimer cations are significantly larger than for the corresponding neutrals, which may be related to the closed shell structure of the cations.
Infection of CD4+ T lymphocytes by the human T cell leukemia virus type 1 is mediated by the glucose transporter GLUT-1: Evidence using antibodies specific to the receptor's large extracellular domain

To analyze HTLV-1 cytotropism, we developed a highly sensitive vaccinia virus-based assay measuring activation of a reporter gene upon fusion of two distinct cell populations. We used this system in a functional cDNA screening to isolate and confirm that the glucose transporter protein 1 (GLUT-1) is a receptor for HTLV-1. GLUT-1 is a ubiquitously expressed plasma membrane glycoprotein with 12 transmembrane domains and 6 extracellular loops (ECL). We demonstrate for the first time that peptide antibodies (GLUT-IgY) raised in chicken to the large extracellular loop (ECL1) detect GLUT-1 at the cell surface and inhibit envelope (Env)-mediated fusion and infection. Efficient GLUT-IgY staining was detected with peripheral blood CD4(+) lymphocytes purified by positive selection. Further, GLUT-IgY caused efficient inhibition of Env-mediated fusion and infection of CD4(+) T and significantly lower inhibition of CD8(+) T lymphocytes. The specificity of GLUT-IgY antibodies to GLUT-1 was demonstrated by ECL1 peptide competition studies. Grafting ECL1 of GLUT-1 onto the receptor-negative GLUT-3 conferred significant receptor activity. In contrast, grafting ECL1 of GLUT-3 onto GLUT-1 resulted in a significant loss of the receptor activity. The ECL1-mediated receptor activity was efficiently blocked with four different human monoclonal antibody (HMab) to HTLV-1 Env. The ECL1-derived peptide blocked HTLV-1 Env-mediated fusion with several nonhuman mammalian cell lines. The results demonstrate the utilization of cell surface GLUT-1 in HTLV-1 infection of CD4(+) T lymphocytes and implicate a critical role for the ECL1 region in viral tropism.
Obstructive colonic cancer

The clinical courses of 68 patients with obstructive colonic cancers were reviewed. For the majority of patients with an acutely obstructing cancer of the left colon a conventional staged procedure remains the most appropriate treatment. Primary resection is suitable for the more proximal colonic cancer with obstruction. The operative mortality rate was 13.6 per cent, but with the addition of two nonoperative deaths, the figure rises to 16.2 per cent. Only six patients are known to have survived five years.
Evidence for sustained residence of macrocrustacean fecal pellets in surface waters off Southern California

Abstract Large fecal pellets produced by macrocrustaceans, probably euphausiids, were observed frequently in the upper 20 m of the Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz basins off southern California at abundances ranging from 500 to 98,000 pellets m −3 . Although sinking rates of these pellets, ranging from 18 to 170 m day −1 , were rapid enough to remove the pellets from surface waters within hours, up to 40% of the pellets in the field had peritrophic membranes which were partially or totally decayed. Laboratory aging studies indicate that these decomposing pellets were from 4 to 10 days old. Moreover, the daily calculated flux of pellets from surface water, based on sinking rate measurements, was many times the photosynthetic carbon production of the euphotic zone, suggesting that sustained daily production of pellets at the abundances we observed would not be possible. We hypothesize that a proportion of fecal pellets produced by vertically migrating macrocrustaceans at night do not sink immediately, but accumulate in surface waters. Turbulent mixing processes, which increase the residence time of fecal pellets in the mixed layer, partially explain the observed accumulation.
Absence of sterol-specific complexes at active zones of degenerating and regenerating frog neuromuscular junctions

Freeze-fracture combined with filipin treatment has been used as a cytochemical probe for membrane cholesterol. As previously shown at the frog neuromuscular junction, distinctive sterol-specific complexes were formed on the presynaptic membrane after filipin treatment, except at active zones. The absence of sterol-specific complexes from active zones was confirmed using two other cytochemical agents — digitonin and saponin. We also studied the maintenance and differentiation of the presynaptic membrane heterogeneity revealed by membrane cholesterol probes at degenerating and regenerating neuromuscular junctions. During degeneration, active zones in frog nerve terminals were disorganized, but still lacked sterol-specific complexes. After engulfing the degenerating nerve terminals, Schwann cells occupied the synaptic gutters and displayed a uniform distribution of sterol-specific complexes. Schwann cell ridges opposite the postjunctional folds also had prominent sterol-specific complexes in regions formerly occupied by active zones. By 2 weeks after nerve crush, nerve terminals reinvaded the endplate region and active zones began to regenerate. While the intramembrane particles of the early regenerating active zones were not arranged in the normal double-rowed organization, filipin-sterol complexes were nevertheless excluded from these primitive active zones. Areas of nerve terminal membrane opposite to junctional folds but lacking active zones were covered with filipin-sterol complexes. These results show that the normal double-rowed organization is not required for the expression of the membrane heterogeneity associated with the active zone. In addition, the absence of sterol-specific complexes is closely associated with the active zone particles and not simply the membrane regions opposite to the postjunctional folds. The membrane heterogeneity does not seem to be directly linked with the functional state of the active zone since it is still associated with degenerating active zones after transmission failure has occurred.
Urinary oxalate is not increased by vitamin B-6 depletion in young women

Although acute vitamin B-6 deficiency increases urinary oxalate excretion, the effects of marginal vitamin B-6 status are unknown. Mild vitamin B-6 depletion was induced in eight healthy young women by feeding a low vitamin B-6 lacto-ovo-vegetarian natural foods diet for 27 days. The basal diet contained 0.45 mg vitamin B-6 and 1.55 g/kg body weight protein. Although measures of vitamin B-6 status indicated that the women had marginal vitamin B-6 status, no effect was seen on 24 hour urinary oxalate. The women were then repleted with 1.26 mg vitamin B-6 for 21 days, followed by repletion with 1.66 mg for 21 days, then 2.06 mg vitamin B-6 for an additional 14 days. At the end of the 56 day repletion period, 24 hour urinary oxalate was unchanged from either adjustment or depletion values. Vitamin B-6 depletion associated with consumption of a low vitamin B-6 diet did not affect 24 hour urinary oxalate. Marginal vitamin B-6 status is unlikely to be a cause of calcium oxalate kidney stones in a young healthy population.
Increase in collector efficiency due to deposition in polydispersed granular filtration—an experimental study

Abstract Granular filtration of polydispersed aerosols was studied experimentally. Among the various variables which affect the increase in the collection efficiency during filtration, the most important one was found to be the size of the deposited aerosol particles. It was shown rather conclusively that for a given extent of total deposition, the extent of increase in collection efficiency increases with the decrease of the deposited aerosol size. For the general case where the deposited particles have different sizes, a procedure was proposed for correlating and predicting experimental results on collection efficiencies. This procedure was found applicable to both bidispersed aerosols and polydispersed aerosols. A preliminary correlation was also suggested for predicting the increase in collection efficiency due to deposition.
A Computer Based Moire Technique To Measure Very Small Displacements

The accuracy that can be achieved in the measurement of very small displacements in techniques such as moire, holography and speckle is limited by the noise inherent to the utilized optical devices. To reduce the noise to signal ratio, the moire method can be utilized. Two system of carrier fringes are introduced, an initial system before the load is applied and a final system when the load is applied. The moire pattern of these two systems contains the sought displacement information and the noise common to the two patterns is eliminated. The whole process is performed by a computer on digitized versions of the patterns. Examples of application are given.
An improved 6-31G basis set for atoms Ga through Kr

A modification of the popular 6-31G* basis set, recently introduced for the first-row transition metals (Mitin et al., J Chem Phys 2003, 118, 7775), has been extended to cover the third-row atoms from Ga through Kr. A reason for such a modification connects mainly with the atomic 3d orbitals, whose description in the 6-31G basis for the third-row atoms is not consistent with the description of other atomic s and p orbitals, when a simultaneous full optimization of all primitive functions and contraction coefficients is used. The use of a two-step optimization procedure corrects this problem giving new 6-31G* basis set that performs uniformly better across the all atoms from Ga through Kr. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Regulation of mouse liver flavin-containing monooxygenases 1 and 3 by sex steroids.

Abstract Based on enzyme activity, protein levels, and mRNA levels, we have previously demonstrated the female-predominant, female-specific, and gender-independent expression in mouse liver of FMO forms 1, 3, and 5, respectively. This study investigated the roles of testosterone, 17 β-estradiol, and progesterone in the regulation of hepatic FMOs. FMO expression was examined in gonadectomized CD-1 mice, normal CD-1 mice receiving hormonal implants, and gonadectomized mice receiving various hormonal treatments. Following castration of males, hepatic FMO activity levels were significantly increased and serum testosterone levels significantly decreased; however, administration of physiological levels of testosterone to castrated animals returned FMO activity and testosterone concentrations to control levels. When sexually intact and ovariectomized female mice were treated with testosterone, their hepatic FMO activity levels were reduced to those of their male counterparts, concomitant with high serum testosterone levels. In males, castration dramatically increased FMO3 and FMO1 expression, and testosterone replacement to castrated males resulted in ablation of FMO3 expression. In addition, testosterone administration to females (sexually intact and gonadectomized animals) reduced FMO1 expression and obviated FMO3 expression. In females, ovariectomy alone slightly reduced FMO activity, indicative of a possible stimulatory role of female sex steroids; however, female FMO isozyme expression was relatively unchanged, and hormone replacement therapy to ovariectomized females had no discernible effect. In males and females, FMO5 levels were unaffected by gonadectomy or hormone administration, thus indicating a sex hormone-independent mechanism of regulation for this isoform. Interestingly, FMO1 protein levels were increased in sexually intact males following treatment with 17 β-estradiol; however, only a slight increase in FMO3 protein level was observed. No positive hormone effectors of female FMO expression were identified.
Definition and Validation of Metrics for ITSM Process Models

Process metrics can be used to establish baselines, to predict the effort required to go from an “as-is” to a “to-be” scenario or to pinpoint problematic ITSM process models. Several metrics proposed in the literature for business process models can be used for ITSM process models as well. This paper formalizes some of those metrics and proposes some new ones, using the Metamodel-Driven Measurement (M2DM) approach that provides precision, objectiveness and automatic collection. According to that approach, metrics were specified with the Object Constraint Language (OCL), upon a lightweight BPMN metamodel that is briefly described. That metamodel was instantiated with a case study consisting of two ITSM processes with two scenarios (“as-is” and “to-be”) each. Values collected automatically by executing the OCL metrics definitions, upon the instantiated metamodel, are presented. Using a larger sample with several thousand meta-instances, we analyzed the collinearity of the formalized metrics and were able to identify a smaller set, which will be used to perform further research work on the complexity of ITSM processes.
Relationship of “new” vitamin K-dependent protein C and “old” autoprothrombin II-A☆

Abstract Vitamin K-dependent Protein C recently isolated by Stenflo ( J. Biol. Chem. 251, 355, 1976) was found to be related to autoprothrombin II-A by comparing amino acid analysis, molecular weight, immunochemical properties, and inhibitory activity in blood coagulation. Our purified Protein C converted to autoprothrombin II-A with purified thrombin in association with loss of a small peptide(s). Protein C or autoprothrombin II-A served as cofactors for epinephrine induced platelet aggregation in platelet rich plasma taken from dogs heavily dosed with warfarin. It is suggested that the designation Factor XIV be assigned to Protein C and Factor XIVa to autoprothrombin II-A with the following meaning: Factor XIV Thrombin Factor XIVa
The Neuropsychiatry of Scurvy

Received August 23, 2013; revised October 7, 2013; accepted October 8, 2013. From University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX; Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Administration Center, San Antonio, TX. Send correspondence and reprint requests to Thomas M. Brown, M.D., Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Administration Center, 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78229; e-mail: thomas.brown5@va.gov, drthomasmbrown@yahoo.com Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. Introduction
Biliary Web: Diagnosis With High-Definition Videocholangioscopy

A74-year-old obese woman presented to our center for evaluation of a persistent biliary stricture requiring intermittent stenting of the bile duct. A detailed history showed that she had undergone 15 to 20 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) examinations within the past 10 years for this problem. During most of these examinations, bile duct stones proximal to the stricture were found and removed. Brushings of the stricture had been negative for malignancy. Her last ERCP, 3 weeks before referral, again showed the presence of a stricture just proximal to the insertion of the cystic duct. At our center, she underwent an ERCP with peroral cholangioscopy. The ERCP confirmed the presence of the stricture. High-definition peroral videocholangioscopy (CHF-Y0002B; Olympus Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) showed a biliary web just proximal to the insertion of the cystic duct at the site of the presumed stricture (Figures A and B). Biliary webs are rare, with approximately 20 cases reported in the literature. The majority of biliary webs are associated with choledocholithiasis as a result of impaired biliary drainage. Although the exact mechanism behind formation of webs in the bile ducts is not known, at least some are believed to be congenital. During the development of the human embryo, the bile ducts pass through a solid stage, becoming obliterated by epithelial proliferation. Recanalization of the lumen of the biliary tree usually starts at the end of the fifth week of gestation. Incomplete recanalization could lead to web development. The diagnosis of biliary webs typically is made by contrast cholangiography or magnetic resonance imaging. Although radiographic images of biliary webs have been reported previously, direct in vivo cholangioscopic image of a biliary web has not been published. The patient was referred to surgery and underwent a successful choledochoduodenostomy. Pathology of the web showed fibrosis and chronic inflammation, which likely was caused by mechanical irritation by stones (Figure C). The patient has had more than a year of follow-up evaluation without any biliary problems. References 1. Shera AH, Shah OJ. Congenital common bile duct web in association with hepatobiliary pancreatic ductal anomalies. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2008;18:350–351. 2. Papaziogas B, Lazaridis C, Pavlidis T, et al. Congenital web of the common bile duct in association with cholelithiasis. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg 2002;9:271–273. 3. Kottoor R, Alvares JF, Devarbhavi H. Successful endoscopic therapy of an obstructing common bile duct web. Gastrointest Endosc 2001;53:126–128. 4. Ando H. Embryology of the biliary tract. Dig Surg 2010; 27:87–89. 5. Vakili K, Pomfret EA. Biliary anatomy and embryology. Surg Clin North Am 2008;88:1159–1174, vii.
Low-dose vasopressin did not reduce mortality more than norepinephrine in septic shock.

Source Citation Russell JA, Walley KR, Singer J, et al. Vasopressin versus norepinephrine infusion in patients with septic shock. N Engl J Med. 2008;358:877-87. 18305265
Some Considerations on the Electrolysis of Water from Sodium Hydroxide Solutions

The unusually high solubilities and thermal coefficients of solubility of the alkali metal hydroxides make them attractive candidates for high-temperature electrolytic processes to produce high-pressure hydrogen. The feasibility of using strong sodium hydroxide (to keep down the saturation pressure of the condensed phase) electrolvsis (to facilitate the keep down the saturation pressure of the condensed phase) electrolysis (to facilitate the separation of the hydrogen from oxygen over a liquid phase) at high temperatures (to increase the energy efficiency by substitution of process heat for electric power) and to increase the production rate in a given cell (by increasing the specific conductance of the working flaid) is explored and discussed. Suggestions are made for future research.
α-Conotoxins ImI and ImII target distinct regions of the human α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and distinguish human nicotinic receptor subtypes

The Conus peptides α-conotoxin ImI (α-ImI) and ImII (α-ImII) differ by only three of 11 residues in their primary sequences and yet are shown to inhibit the human α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) by targeting different sites. Mutations at both faces of the classical ligand binding site of the α7 nAChR strongly affect antagonism by α-ImI but not α-ImII. The effects of the mutations on α-ImI binding and functional antagonism are explained by computational docking of the NMR structure of α-ImI to a homology model of the ligand binding domain of the α7 nAChR. A distinct binding site for α-ImII is further demonstrated by its weakened antagonism for a chimeric receptor in which the membrane-spanning domains and intervening linkers of the α7 nAChR are replaced with the corresponding sequence from the serotonin type-3 receptor (5HT3). The two toxins also discriminate between different subtypes of human nicotinic receptors; α-ImII most strongly blocks the human α7 and α1β1δe receptor subtypes, while α-I...
Congestive Heart Failure Due to Reversible Cardiomyopathy in Patients With Hyperthyroidism

The authors describe the clinical characteristics and response to therapy of seven patients with hyperthyroidism, dilated cardiomyopathy, and low-output cardiac failure. All patients (4 women and 3 men, age 47 +/- 4 years, mean +/- standard error of the mean) were admitted with the primary diagnosis of congestive heart failure. The cause of hyperthyroidism was Graves' disease in six patients, and toxic multinodular goiter in one. On admission, the mean serum T4 was 21 +/- 1 microgram/dL and mean serum T3:411 +/- 77 ng/mL, and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone was suppressed ( < 0.03 microU/mL) in all patients. Two-dimensional echocardiogram showed biventricular or four chamber dilatation and impaired left ventricular performance. Therapy of heart failure and hyperthyroidism resulted in rapid clinical improvement. During follow-up (5 months to 9 years), left ventricular ejection fraction improved from a mean of 28% to a mean ejection fraction of 55% (P < 0.01). Resolution of dilated cardiomyopathy with normalization of systolic function was achieved in five patients, and improvement from severe to mild left ventricular dysfunction was observed in two patients. We conclude that some patients with hyperthyroidism may have a reversible form of dilated cardiomyopathy and "low-output failure." Assessment of thyroid hormone status in patients with heart failure might permit the identification of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and thyrotoxicosis who are likely to have reversible cardia dysfunction.
Demonstration of suppressor cells in coxsackievirus group B, type 3 infected female Balb/c mice which prevent myocarditis

Coxsackievirus group B type 3 (CVB3) induces myocarditis in male Balb/c mice but produces little cardiac injury in females. Males develop cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) reactive to heart antigens which primarily cause the inflammation and cardiac injury observed in the disease. Infected female mice lack this CTL response because they rapidly produce suppressor cells inhibiting both cellular immunity and cardiac inflammation. Four lines of evidence demonstrate suppressor cells in females. First, females develop myocarditis when treated with low-dose cyclophosphamide under conditions known to preferentially eliminate suppressor cells but not other immune cells. Second, lymphocytes obtained from females at various times after infection prevent myocarditis when adoptively transferred into CVB3-infected males. Virus concentrations in the hearts of males receiving immune female cells and control males were equivalent. Thus protection did not result from accelerated virus elimination in recipient males. Third, CTL from CVB3 infected male mice could induce myocarditis in infected T-lymphocyte depleted but not in intact females suggesting the presence of an inhibitory T cell in the intact animals. Finally, male lymphocytes cultured on heart cell monolayers for 5 days generate significant cytolytic activity to myocyte targets. CTL generation could be inhibited by co-culture of the male cells with immune female lymphocytes. Nonimmune female cells were not inhibitory.
The lipolytic action of human placental lactogen on isolated fat cells.

Highly purified human placental lactogen in physiological concentrations exhibits significant lipolytic activity on the rat isolated fat cell preparation. The onset of lipolysis is preceded by a 60–90-min lag period and is inhibited by the addition of actinomycin or puromycin to the incubation medium. During the first 2 h of incubation, human placental lactogen (HPL) does not significantly affect glucose or acetate oxidation or incorporation into fatty acids. Following the onset of activated lipolysis, HPL decreases [1-14C]glucose oxidation 30–35%, increases [6-14C]glucose oxidation 30–35% and increases [1-14C]acetate oxidation 50–55%. The incorporation of all precursors into fatty acids is decreased to 25–45% of control levels. These effects on glucose and acetate metabolism are abolished by incubation in the presence of high glucose concentration in order to accelerate free fatty acid re-esterification and prevent free fatty acid accumulation. Furthermore, they can be reproduced in the absence of HPL by the addition of palmitate to the medium, suggesting the changes in glucose and acetate metabolism are secondary to the adipokinetic effect of the hormone and the associated accumulation of free fatty acid.
The Genetics of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

OCD is a psychiatric disorder with a lifetime prevalence of 1-3% and is a significant cause of disability worldwide. Family studies indicate that OCD has a significant hereditable component, with relatives of OCD cases being 4 times more likely to develop the disorder than the general population. Linkage studies in OCD have generally been underpowered and have failed to reach the statistical threshold for genome-wide significance, but they have nevertheless been useful for revealing potential regions of interest for future candidate gene studies. Candidate gene studies in OCD have thus far focused on genes involved in the serotonergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic pathways. These studies have been for the most part inconclusive, and failures to replicate have been the norm until very recently. The only genetic association replicated by multiple groups was with a glutamate transporter gene (SLC1A1). Genome-wide association studies in OCD are in progress, but final results have not yet been reported. As with the study of many other psychiatric disorders, an improved understanding of OCD will only be achieved (1) with larger collaborative efforts involving more probands, (2) the use of probands and controls drawn from epidemiologically-based populations rather than clinical samples, (3) developing a more precise phenotypic description of OCD and (4) measuring important environmental influences that affect OCD pathogenesis and severity.
Enhanced Ion Signals in Desorption Electrospray Ionization Using Surfactant Spray Solutions

Solvent optimization is an important procedure in desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) and in this study the effects of solvent surface tension are explored. Data are presented for methanol/water/surfactant solvent systems, which show increases in ion signals of more than an order of magnitude when low concentrations of surfactants are added to the standard methanol/water (1:1) spray solvent. Examples of analytes tested include food chemicals, peptides, pharmaceuticals, and drugs of abuse. The improvement in ion intensity is mainly attributed to the effect of surface tension in producing smaller spray droplets, which are shown to cover a larger surface area. Surfactant-containing spray solutions allowed extension of DESI-MS analysis to previously intractable analytes like melamine and highly hydrophobic compounds like the sudan dyes.
Curve-straightening in closed Euclidean submanifolds

The flow in the negative direction of the gradient vector field associated with the functional total squared (geodesic) curvature ∫k2ds is the so-called curvestraightening flow. This paper will consider spaces of closed curves in closed Euclidean submanifolds. It will define these spaces of curves as submanifolds of certain Hilbert manifolds representing all curves. The main result will then be to show the existence of a particular set of functionals defined on the entire Hilbert manifold which have the following four properties: 1. The directional derivatives of these functionals may be computed by solving an initial value problem for a system of ordinary differential equations. 2. By introducing a suitable Hilbert space basis for the Sobolev spaces used, the gradients may be effectively computed (but of course not explicitly computed, except in very special cases). 3. The gradients span the space normal to the tangent space of the space of closed curves. 4. Despite the fact that these gradients in general are not given explicitly it is nevertheless possible to compute the projection onto the tangent space to the space of closed curves. In particular we do this for the gradient of ∫k2ds. When all details are worked out this gives us an algorithm (which we supply) for finding critical points in the space of closed curves. It is not known if the trajectories actually always converge to critical points. If the functional is modified to include a multiple of the length so the functional becomes ∫k2+λds then the above convergence is known for λ>0. The motivating application for the curvestraightening flow is the possibility of using it to find (non-trivial) closed (periodic) geodesics. Note that if λ=0 then a closed geodesic is a global minimum. For any λ, geodesics are critical but there are also other critical points, the so-called elastic curves. The paper concludes by deriving the second variation formula for ∫k2+λds along closed geodesics. The quadratic functional associated with the second derivative is shown to be positive definite even for non-zero λ along some closed geodesics in some particular manifolds of interest.
The chemical potentials of polymer systems from computer simulations

Abstract In an earlier publication we had presented a Monte Carlo method to calculate the incremental chemical potential between a chain of length v and one of length v+1 at any density (Kumar et al. , 1991, Kumar, 1992a, 1992b). In this paper we begin by formally proving that the chemical potential of a whole chain of length ν can be obtained by sequentially summing the incremental chemical potentials of all chains whose lengths are smaller than v under the same conditions. It was found that the incremental chemical potentials defined in this manner had a well defined chain length dependence, and that they were essentially independent of chain length in polymer melt systems. This allows us, in principle, to enumerate the phase diagrams for polymer blends using the incremental chemical potentials alone.
Hemodynamic Goals Are Relevant

The diversity of patient profiles and responses precludes a one-size-fits-all approach to heart failure. The randomized trials have provided us with some therapies that must be tried and others that can be tried. Offering significant although small benefits averaged over a population, these therapies are bolts of fabric stacked beside a tailor’s mannequin, the typical trial subject. The sequential patching of different medications in the order of their investigation, however, is not likely to yield the best regimen for any patient. There should be little disagreement on the principle of tailoring therapies for individuals, but what measurements should be taken? The primary goal for asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic heart failure is to prevent or delay disease progression. Once symptoms and the risk of mortality dominate, the goals are to relieve symptoms and prolong survival. It has been proposed that hemodynamic goals are not appropriate in the care of these patients with heart failure. To construct the clearest case to the contrary, this discussion will focus on patients with advanced heart failure as those in whom hemodynamic abnormalities are most apparent (although a case can also be made for contributions of early rises in intracardiac pressures, blunting of natriuretic peptide responses, fluid retention, and valvular regurgitation and disease progression). Advanced heart failure will be defined here in those patients with dilated ventricles and low ejection fraction who have persistent or recurrent symptoms limiting daily life (New York Heart Association class III and IV)1 despite initiation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, β-blockers, and diuretics that may include spironolactone. Most patients will have had a prior hospitalization for heart failure. Therapy is currently outlined around a pattern from survival trial protocols. The regimen is then tailored further to symptoms and signs, which themselves often reflect hemodynamic changes in heart failure, although in most …
Comments on Shulman, Golde, Bueschel, and Garabedian: Existing Practice Is Not the Template

In the April 2006 issue of Educational Researcher, Shulman, Golde, Bueschel, and Garabedian offered their response to the recent outpouring of criticism calling for reform of doctoral education degrees in the United States. The centerpiece of their proposal was the development of a new practitioner-oriented doctoral degree to replace the Ed.D. This article critiques the conceptual validity of the proposal—especially the idea that existing practice can be the driving force for the proposed curriculum reforms. The author argues for a fuller and more complex form of practice as praxis, in contrast with Shulman et al.’s implied preference for concrete existing practice—what might be called the actuality of practice—as the template for future practice.
Hare, Husserl, and Philosophic Discovery

The question whether linguistic philosophy and phenomenology have any significant common ground has been raised increasingly in recent years. It seems to me that one useful means of exploring this question is to examine descriptions of the very concept of philosophical analysis which each involves so as to suggest relevant similarities in aims and methods. There are many such affinities — and I shall want to mention some, ones which are important for establishing communication between these traditions customarily considered so disparate. There are also fundamental differences not only in techniques and doctrines but in style and, one might say, in cultural temper. This is to say nothing of the extensive variation and bitter disagreements internal to each tradition itself — among the proponents of early and late Wittgenstein, among followers of the early and late Husserl, and of course, within the personal evolution of these formative giants themselves.
Newton’s Neo-Platonic Ontology of Space

This paper investigates Newton’s ontology of space in order to determine its commitment, if any, to both Cambridge neo-Platonism, which posits an incorporeal basis for space, and substantivalism, which regards space as a form of substance or entity. A non-substantivalist interpretation of Newton’s theory has been famously championed by Howard Stein and Robert DiSalle, among others, while both Stein and the early work of J. E. McGuire have downplayed the influence of Cambridge neo-Platonism on various aspects of Newton’s own spatial hypotheses. Both of these assertions will be shown to be problematic on various grounds, with special emphasis placed on Stein’s influential case for a non-substantivalist reading. Our analysis will strive, nonetheless, to reveal the unique or forward-looking aspects of Newton’s approach, most notably, his critical assessment of substance ontologies, that help to distinguish his theory of space from his neo-Platonic contemporaries and predecessors.
Legal Institutions and Democratic Survival

Do institutions designed to limit arbitrary government promote the survival of democratic regimes? Although the international effort to build the rule of law is predicated on a belief that they do, mainstream research on democratic survival typically treats institutions as epiphenomenal. We argue that institutions encourage regime survival by addressing problems of monitoring and social coordination that complicate democratic compromise. We find that property-rights institutions generally, and judicial institutions specifically, encourage survival, especially when macroeconomic conditions favor inter-class compromise.
Nonsignificance plus high power does not imply support for the null over the alternative.

This article summarizes arguments against the use of power to analyze data, and illustrates a key pitfall: Lack of statistical significance (e.g., p > .05) combined with high power (e.g., 90%) can occur even if the data support the alternative more than the null. This problem arises via selective choice of parameters at which power is calculated, but can also arise if one computes power at a prespecified alternative. As noted by earlier authors, power computed using sample estimates (“observed power”) replaces this problem with even more counterintuitive behavior, because observed power effectively double counts the data and increases as the P value declines. Use of power to analyze and interpret data thus needs more extensive discouragement.
Model validation: a connection between robust control and identification

The gap between the models used in control synthesis and those obtained from identification experiments is considered by investigating the connection between uncertain models and data. The model validation problem addressed is: given experimental data and a model with both additive noise and norm-bounded perturbations, is it possible that the model could produce the observed input-output data? This problem is studied for the standard H/sub infinity // mu framework models. A necessary condition for such a model to describe an experimental datum is obtained. For a large class of models in the robust control framework, this condition is computable as the solution of a quadratic optimization problem. >
Channeled Infra-Red Spectra Produced by Birefringent Crystals

An infra-red absorption spectrum produced by a section of a birefringent crystal often has superimposed upon it a channeled spectrum when the beam is plane polarized, or is partially polarized. This channeling is absent when the electric vector Ei of the incident polarized beam parallels one of the principal index axes of the crystal, and usually appears with greatest visibility when Ei makes a ±45° angle with such an axis. However, even in the latter instance, it does not occur provided the index axes in the crystal surface are parallel and perpendicular, respectively, to the plane of incidence of the dispersing prisms, unless there is some uncompensated optical rotation in the spectrograph system. The maxima and minima of the channeled spectrum are caused by a combination of a wave plate interference action within the crystal section and an analyzer action involving reflection losses at the prism faces. Optical rotation in the system also usually causes the visibility contrast between maxima and minima to vary, with one or more zero visibility positions resulting.
A Conditional Deletion of the NR1 Subunit of the NMDA Receptor in Adult Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn Reduces NMDA Currents and Injury-Induced Pain

To determine the importance of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) in pain hypersensitivity after injury, the NMDAR1 (NR1) subunit was selectively deleted in the lumbar spinal cord of adult mice by the localized injection of an adenoassociated virus expressing Cre recombinase into floxed NR1 mice. NR1 subunit mRNA and dendritic protein are reduced by 80% in the area of the virus injection, and NMDA currents, but not AMPA currents, are reduced 86–88% in lamina II neurons. The spatial NR1 knock-out does not alter heat or cold paw-withdrawal latencies, mechanical threshold, or motor function. However, injury-induced pain produced by intraplantar formalin is reduced by 70%. Our results demonstrate conclusively that the postsynaptic NR1 receptor subunit in the lumbar dorsal horn of the spinal cord is required for central sensitization, the central facilitation of pain transmission produced by peripheral injury.