cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor pathway is involved in hypoxia-induced c-Fos protein expression in the rat nucleus of the solitary tract

Immediate early genes, like c-fos, are believed to be involved in triggering the expression of other genes such as those involved in the synthesis of neurochemicals. Exposure of unanesthetized rats to oxygen deprivation induces activation of the c-fos gene within the nucleus tractus solitarius, resulting in expression of fos-like immunoreactive protein (Fos). Prior administration of MK-801, a nonselective antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-sensitive glutamate receptor (1 or 2 mg/kg), significantly attenuated but did not completely block hypoxia-induced Fos expression. However, blockade of muscarinic receptors by atropine sulfate (2, 10 or 25 mg/kg) had no measurable effects on Fos expression induced by oxygen deprivation. These results suggest that an NMDA receptor signalling pathway is partly involved in programming the expression of early response genes that regulate various aspects of the response to oxygen deprivation.
Investigations on Performance of Various Ceramic Tooling While Milling Nickel-Based Superalloy

One of the most cost-effective dimensionally accurate processes used in manufacturing today, that is capable of producing a superior surface finish, is machining. As tooling wears, however, the advantages of machining greatly diminish. In addition, the time lost changing out the tooling significantly affects the overall process efficiency. Therefore, methods that decrease the wear rate of tooling and, thereby, increase tool longevity is essential to improving the efficiency of machining. Optimizing the machining feeds and speeds is one method that has been demonstrated to significantly increase the wear resistance of traditional tooling materials such as HSS, tungsten carbide and advanced ceramic tooling. However, the effects of machining feeds and speeds are not well established for γ′–strengthened nickel-based superalloys. In addition, round geometry inserts were studied due to the rising popularity in industry, since there are an increased number of cutting edges. To help establish these effects, in this work, commercial grade SiAlON (Silicon Aluminium Oxynitride) and Si-WRA (Silicon Carbide Whiskers Reinforced Alumina) cutting inserts are compared. Milling tests were conducted on a γ′–strengthened nickel-based superalloy. More specifically, tool life, machining forces and power were analyzed to evaluate the performance improvements of ceramic tooling. This study found that the abrasive/adhesion flank wear was the main failure mechanism of the ceramic inserts.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Benzo[a]pyrene inhibits protein kinase C activity in subcultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

Abstract Recent studies in this laboratory have shown that benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) interferes with protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated phosphorylation of aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) proteins in vivo. To evaluate the biochemical basis of this response, the present studies have been conducted to examine the time- and concentration-dependent effects of BaP on PKC activity in vitro. Growth-arrested subcultures of rat aortic SMCs were exposed to 0.3, 3, or 30 μM BaP in the presence of fetal bovine serum for various times and then processed for measurements of exogenous histone Type III-S phosphorylation under PKC-activating conditions. Challenge of SMCs with BaP for 8 h was associated with a concentration-dependent inhibition of PKC activity in both cytosolic and particulate fractions. While no changes of enzymatic activity were observed in either fraction following exposure of SMCs to 0.3 μM BaP, higher concentrations of BaP inhibited PKC in both cytosolic and particulate fractions. A 49% and 68% reduction of cytosolic PKC activity was observed in SMCs treated with 3 and 30 μM BaP, respectively. The inhibitory response elicited by BaP was more pronounced in the particulate fraction where 61% and 89% decreases in PKC activity were observed in cultures treated with 3 and 30 μM BaP, respectively. Time course studies revealed that inhibition of PKC activity by 30 μM BaP occurred as early as 30 min and was sustained for up to 24 h in both fractions. Benzo[a]pyrene (30 μM) did not interfere with the ability of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate to induce PKC translocation from the cytosolic to particulate compartment since maximal translocation occurred by 5 min and lasted for up to 60 min in both control and BaP-treated cultures. The inhibitory effects of BaP were independent of new protein or RNA synthesis, but appear to involve oxidative metabolism of the parent compound since 3-hydroxy-BaP, the major P450-derived BaP metabolite in SMCs, also inhibited cytosolic and particulate PKC activity. Collectively, these data demonstrate that BaP and its 3-hydroxy metabolite inhibit PKC activity in rat aortic SMCs and raise the possibility that interference with PKC-mediated protein phosphorylation participates in the deregulation of SMC growth and differentiation induced by BaP.
The tiling phenomenon of ΣΔ modulators with time-varying inputs

ABSTRACT Currently, the most ecient technique to coarsely quantize the coecients of redundant shift invariant signalexpansions is a recursive method called modulation. However, the error of approximation resulting from thistype of quantization is dic ult to analyze rigorously. This is because a modulator is basically a nonlinearfeedback system. With constant inputs, it was previously shown that the state vectors of modulators of acertain class appear to remain in a tile. In this paper, we show experimentally that this property remains validwith a class of time-varying inputs. We explain the importance of the tiling property for the error analysis of modulation.Keywords: frames, overcomplete expansions, quantization, sigma-delta modulation, nonlinear feedback, non-linear systems, dynamical systems. 1. INTRODUCTION modulation currently appears to be the most popular algorithm for the coarse quantization of overcom-plete signal expansions. Gi ven a shift-invariant frame { (t  kT )} k Z
Microwave enhanced silica encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles

The surface modification of various nanoparticles with silica has been exploited to increase their utility for bioapplications. However, silica encapsulation through conventional methods requires long reaction times (hours to days). Herein, we demonstrated that uniform and spherical silica encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles can be achieved within 10 min via microwave irradiation after phase transferring monodisperse magnetic nanoparticles from organic to water phase. In addition, we showed that silica shell addition through microwave synthesis is more effective than conventional heating methods, such as a hot plate. The approach that we propose may be useful in preparing multifunctional nano-probes, particularly for radiolabeling, which requires fast preparation times.
Exercise testing in aortic regurgitation: comparison of radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction with exercise performance at the anaerobic threshold and peak exercise.

Abstract Serial radionuclide left ventricular ejection fractions (EF) were measured during graded supine exercise in 16 control patients and 35 asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients with severe aortic regurgitation (AR). Simultaneous pulmonary gas exchange analysis permitted determination of the anaerobic threshold, which is the point during exercise at which lactic acid begins to accumulate in the blood. The EF and oxygen uptake were measured at rest, anaerobic threshold and peak exercise. The mean EF (±1 standard deviation) in control patients increased from 0.65 ± 0.06 at rest to 0.73 ± 0.05 at anaerobic threshold (p 16 ml/ kg/min (Group I, n = 26) and
Cation binding linked to a sequence-specific CAP-DNA interaction.

The equilibrium association constant observed for many DNA–protein interactions in vitro (Kobs) is strongly dependent on the salt concentration of the reaction buffer ([MX]). This dependence is often used to estimate the number of ionic contacts between protein and DNA by assuming that release of cations from the DNA is the dominant involvement of ions in the binding reaction. With this assumption, the graph of logKobs versus log[MX] is predicted to have a constant slope proportional to the number of ions released from the DNA upon protein binding. However, experimental data often deviate from log-linearity at low salt concentrations. Here we show that for the sequence-specific interaction of CAP with its primary site in the lactose promoter, ionic stoichiometries depend strongly on cation identity and weakly on anion identity. This outcome is consistent with a simple linkage model in which cation binding by the protein accompanies its association with DNA. The order of ion affinities deduced from analysis of DNA binding is the same as that inferred from urea-denaturation experiments performed in the absence of DNA, suggesting that ion binding to free CAP contributes significantly to the ionic stoichiometry of DNA binding. In living cells, the coupling of ion-uptake and DNA binding mechanisms could reduce the sensitivity of gene-regulatory interactions to changes in environmental salt concentration.
Ionic Mechanisms of Propagation in Cardiac Tissue Roles of the Sodium and L-type Calcium Currents During Reduced Excitability and Decreased Gap Junction Coupling

In cardiac tissue, reduced membrane excitability and reduced gap junction coupling both slow conduction velocity of the action potential. However, the ionic mechanisms of slow conduction for the two conditions are very different. We explored, using a multicellular theoretical fiber, the ionic mechanisms and functional role of the fast sodium current, INa, and the L-type calcium current, ICa(L), during conduction slowing for the two fiber conditions. A safety factor for conduction (SF) was formulated and computed for each condition. Reduced excitability caused a lower SF as conduction velocity decreased. In contrast, reduced gap junction coupling caused a paradoxical increase in SF as conduction velocity decreased. The opposite effect of the two conditions on SF was reflected in the minimum attainable conduction velocity before failure: decreased excitability could reduce velocity to only one third of control (from 54 to 17 cm/s) before failure occurred, whereas decreased coupling could reduce velocity to as low as 0.26 cm/s before block. Under normal conditions and conditions of reduced excitability, ICa(L) had a minimal effect on SF and on conduction. However, ICa(L) played a major role in sustaining conduction when intercellular coupling was reduced. This phenomenon demonstrates that structural, nonmembrane factors can cause a switch of intrinsic membrane processes that support conduction. High intracellular calcium concentration, [Ca]i, lowered propagation safety and caused earlier block when intercellular coupling was reduced. [Ca]i affected conduction via calcium-dependent inactivation of ICa(L). The increase of safety factor during reduced coupling suggests a major involvement of uncoupling in stable slow conduction in infarcted myocardium, making microreentry possible. Reliance on ICa(L) for this type of conduction suggests ICa(L) as a possible target for antiarrhythmic drug therapy.
Tight Placement of Erich Arch Bar While Avoiding Wire Fatigue Failure

Purpose To determine the number of wire twists needed to acquire ideal Erich arch bar tightness before wire fatigue failure (fracture) in relation to different distances and angles at which different gauge wires are grasped to provide information to improve the efficiency of arch bar application. Materials and Methods This study mimicked surgical placement of arch bars with 24- and 26-gauge wires. The number of twists to tightness and failure was evaluated when the wire distance between the arch bar and wire holder tip changed (5 vs 10 mm) and when the degree at which the wire was held relative to the tooth axis was changed (45° vs 90°). A wire shearing test also was used to investigate the fatigability of wires tightened under these same conditions. Wires twisted to tightness, past tightness, and after shearing test movements were visualized with electron microscopy. Results For 24-gauge wire held at 5 mm, 2.6 to 2.8 twists were needed for wire tightness, with failure after 1.7 to 1.9 twists past tightness; for 24-gauge wire held at 10 mm, 4.4 to 4.9 twists produced tightness, with failure after 2.3 to 2.9 twists past tightness. For 26-gauge wire held at 5 mm, 3.3 to 3.5 twists provided tightness, with 1.6 to 1.8 twists past tightness causing failure; for 26-gauge wire held at 10 mm, 5.1 to 5.5 twists produced tightness, with 3.1 to 3.7 twists past tightness causing failure. At a 45° angle, the wire tightened with fewer twists and showed more resistance to failure with twists past tightness compared with 90° using 24- and 26-gauge wires. In contrast, 24-gauge wire held at a 5-mm distance showed the opposite result, with decreased resistance to failure at the 45° angle. However, the differences were not statistically meaningful. Scanning election microscopy showed no wire fatigue for either angle for 26-gauge wire held at a 5-mm distance and twisted to tightness. After overtightening and oscillation, the 90° angle trials showed fatigue, whereas the 45° angle trials did not. Conclusions Holding a 24-gauge wire at 45° to the tooth axis is recommended owing to fewer twists to tightness and more resistance to failure. A 5-mm grasping distance is recommended for experienced surgeons owing to fewer twists to tightness, whereas a 10-mm grasping distance is recommended for novice surgeons owing to a greater tolerance for over-twisting before failure.
RELATIVE VOLUME COMPARISON WITH INTEGRAL CURVATURE BOUNDS

In this paper we shall generalize the Bishop-Gromov relative volume comparison estimate to a situation where one only has an integral bound for the part of the Ricci curvature which lies below a given number. This will yield several compactness and pinching theorems.
Efficient voxel lookup in nonuniformly spaced images using virtual uniform axes

Medical image data is usually represented by a uniformly spaced grid of voxels. However, CT scanners for example are capable of producing non-uniformly spaced slice images. This is desirable when for a particular patient some regions (lesions) need to be imaged with a high resolution, while a lower resolution would be sufficient in other areas. Such an adaptive slice spacing can significantly reduce X-ray dose, thus directly benefitting the patient. Unfortunately, computational handling of the resulting volume data is far less efficient than that of uniformly spaced images. To deal with this problem, the present paper introduces a novel data structure for non-uniformly spaced image coordinates, the so-called virtual uniform axes. By a generalization of Euclid's greatest common divider (GCD) algorithm, a table of virtual voxels on a uniform grid is produced. Each of the uniform voxels in the virtual grid holds a pointer to the corresponding voxel in the original, non-uniform grid. Finding a voxel in the virtual uniform image can be done in constant time as compared to logarithmic time for finding a voxel in a non-uniform image. This is achieved with significantly less additional storage than by resampling the image data itself to a uniform grid. Interpolation artifacts are also completely avoided.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Persistent pain: Cognitive-behavioral approaches to assessment and treatment

.M. IS A 49-year-old woman who has had persistent lower back pain for 5 years. She first injured her back when she moved to the Durham area. During the move, she was lifting a box and turning to pass it to her husband when she felt excruciating pain in her lower back and radiating down her right leg. After a 3-week trial of conservative treatment, she went to see an orthopedic surgeon and was found to have a large herniated disc at L4-5. She had a laminectomy, which reduced her leg pain somewhat but had no effect on her lower back pain. The back pain
Competition between non-profits and for-profits: entry and growth

The non-profit sector in the United States relies on fee-paying individuals for a high proportion of its revenue. Given this fact, non-profits and forprofits coexist in the same industry when each type of firm can find a stable market niche that rewards its own special strengths: ideological commitment in the non-profit sector; access to capital and the profit motive in the for-profit. Coexistence is also possible when the non-profit form is superior but there is a shortage of non-profit entrepreneurs. The paper next considers the entry of non-profits into sectors dominated by for-profits. Here one must distinguish between purely commercial activities and those designed to further the charity's basic mission. In the former, non-profits should behave no differently than their for-profit competitors unless subsidies designed for mission-related activities are diverted to these activities. In the latter, the non-profits may have an advantage which reflects not ‘unfair competition’ but a judgment that their activities are worthy of subsidy. In evaluating competition between non-profits and for-profits, one must separate the issue of the appropriateness of an organisation's tax-exempt status from the impact of its actions on for-profit firms.
Screening for grain polyphenol variants from high-tannin sorghum somaclones.

Several hundred somaclones established from plants regenerated from embryogenic callus cultures of six high tannin sorghum lines were screened for variants with altered levels of polyphenols in the grain. Grain from over 6000 plants including the R1 (primary), R2, and R3 generations were analyzed for total phenols, flavan-4-ols, and proanthocyanidins (condensed tannins). Although many variants which had lost the ability to synthesize chlorophyll were found, none of the somaclones tested had lost or greatly reduced the ability to synthesize any of the polyphenols assayed. However, we did observe statistically significant differences in polyphenol concentration between tissue culture-derived R1 plants and the parental controls. In the R2 generation the proportion of somaclones which differed significantly from the parents varied from 47% to 68% depending upon genotype. The average somaclonal variation rate and somaclonal variant frequency estimated in the tested population for the three polyphenol characteristics ranged from 37.3% to 40.7% and 5.3% to 7.8%, respectively. Variants with decreased levels of polyphenols were usually epigenetic and reverted back to normal levels in subsequent generations, but those with increased levels usually persisted after two meiotic cycles, indicating they are heritable. Variants with polyphenol levels increased up to 80% or decreased by 30% were selected for in the R3 generation.
Integer goal programming model for the implementation of multiple corporate objectives

Abstract The problem of long-range planning and investment project evaluation is complicated by the presence of multiple conflicting goals measured in incommensurable units, indivisibility of alternative projects, and the desire of management to consider mutually exclusive marketing-pricing strategies. The model proposed in this study attempts to allow for these complexities through the use of integer goal programming. It is the hope of the authors that this model will provide management with an additional decision-making tool for implementation of multiple corporate objectives.
Blood thrombogenicity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients is associated with glycemic control

Abstract OBJECTIVES This study was designed to determine whether blood thrombogenicity is related to chronic glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and a high rate of arterial thrombotic complications. Whether increased blood thrombogenicity is associated with glycemic control has not been properly tested. METHODS Forty patients with T2DM with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥7.5% were selected. Maintaining their current hypoglycemic therapies, patients were randomized into a conservative (diet modification plus placebo) or intensive (diet modification plus troglitazone) hypoglycemic regimen for three months. Blood thrombogenicity was measured at baseline and after three months with the Badimon ex vivo perfusion chamber and assessed as platelet-thrombus formation. The repeated measurements allowed every patient to be his/her own control. RESULTS Patients in both groups (48% and 74% of the conservative and intensive groups, respectively) improved glucose control (HbA1c reduction ≥0.5%), showing a significant decrease in blood thrombogenicity. A significant positive correlation was observed between the reduction in thrombus formation and the reduction in HbA1c (r = 0.47, p CONCLUSIONS In T2DM, there is an association between improved glycemic control and blood thrombogenicity reduction. The effect of glycemic control on the thrombotic complications of T2DM patients deserves further investigation.
Third-Order Tensors as Linear Operators on a Space of Matrices

Abstract A recently proposed tensor-tensor multiplication (M.E. Kilmer, C.D. Martin, L. Perrone, A Third-Order Generalization of the Matrix SVD as a Product of Third-Order Tensors , Tech. Rep. TR-2008-4, Tufts University, October 2008) opens up new avenues to understanding the action of n × n × n tensors on a space of n × n matrices. In particular it emphasizes the need to understand the space of objects upon which tensors act. This paper defines a free module and shows that every linear transformation on that module can be represented by tensor multiplication. In addition, it presents a generalization of ideas of eigenvalue and eigenvector to the space of n × n × n tensors.
The deuterostome ancestor

Hemichordates, the phylum of bilateral animals closest to chordates, can illuminate the evolutionary origins of various chordate traits to determine whether these were already present in a shared ancestor (the deuterostome ancestor) or were evolved within the chordate line. We find that an anteroposterior map of gene expression domains, representing 42 genes of neural patterning, is closely similar in hemichordates and chordates, though it is restricted to the neural ectoderm in chordates whereas in hemichordates, which have a diffuse nervous system, it encircles the whole body. This map allows an accurate alignment of the anterioposterior axes of members of the two groups. We propose that this map dates back at least to the deuterostome ancestor. The map of dorsoventral expression domains, organized along a Bmp-Chordin developmental axis, is also similar in the two groups in terms of many gene expression domains and for the placement of the gill slits, heart, and post-anal tail. The two groups, however, differ in two major respects along this axis. The nervous system and epidermis are not segregated into distinct territories in hemichordates, as they are in chordates, and furthermore, the mouth is on the Chordin side in hemichordates but the Bmp side in chordates. The dorsoventral dimension has undergone extensive modification in the chordate line, including centralization of the nervous system, segregation of epidermis, derivation of the notochord, perhaps from the gut midline, and relocation of the mouth. Based on the shared domain maps, speculations can be made for the remodeling of the body axis in the chordate line.
Quantitatives Trennverfahren für Silber und die drei Platinmetalle Ruthenium, Rhodium und Palladium für Halbmikromengen

Es wird ein Trennverfahren fur Silber und die drei Platinmetalle Ruthenium, Palladium und Rhodium beschrieben, das besonders fur radiochemische Untersuchungen geeignet ist. In der angegebenen Reihenfolge wird das Ag als AgCl, das Ru gelost in Tetrachlorkohlenstoff, das Pd als Dimethylglyoximkomplex und das Rh in wasriger Phase oder als metallisches Rh bestimmt. Die Methode liefert in der kurzen Zeit von 10–12 min eine quantitative Halbmikrotrennung dieser Elemente mit ausgezeichneter Ausbeute und hohem Reinheitsgrad.
Dual Efficacy of Delta Opioid Receptor-Selective Ligands for Ethanol Drinking and Anxiety

Alcoholism and anxiety disorders have a huge impact on society and afflict 17.6 million and 40 million people in the United States, respectively. A strong comorbidity exists between alcoholism and anxiety disorders. Indeed, alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety is a primary contributing factor for relapse, and anxiolytics are a common adjuvant therapy prescribed for treatment-seeking alcoholics. It is thought that the use of alcohol to self-medicate and relieve anxiety contributes to the development of addiction. Treatment for anxiety disorders and alcoholism exist but are not universally effective. The delta opioid receptor (DOR) plays a role in both alcohol consumption and anxiety, making it a very interesting clinical target. Two pharmacologically distinct DORs have been described: DOR1 and DOR2. We find here that the relative specificity of DOR agonists for DOR1 or DOR2 can greatly affect the effects they exert on ethanol consumption and anxiety. The DOR1 agonist 2-methyl-4aα-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,12,12aα-octahydro-quinolino[2,3,30g]isoquinoline (TAN-67), although not effective in decreasing anxiety-like behavior in naive mice, has anxiolytic-like properties in ethanol-withdrawn mice. In contrast, a less subtype-selective agonist, (+)-4-[(αR)-α-((2S,5R)-4-allyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-3-methoxybenzyl]-N,N-diethylbenzamide (SNC80), while also reducing anxiety-like behavior, increases ethanol consumption. In addition, we found that the conical anxiolytic diazepam [DZ; 7-chloro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(1H)-one] is a less effective anxiolytic in ethanol-withdrawn mice than in naive mice. Together, our findings suggest that selective DOR agonists can decrease anxiety-like behavior and are more effective than diazepam at reducing ethanol consumption. We believe the dual efficacy of DOR1 agonists makes these receptors an interesting therapeutic target for treatment-seeking alcoholics.
Characterization of metabolites of steroid contraceptives by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Abstract Metabolites isolated from human urine after oral administration of dimethisterone (6α-methyl-17α-(1-propynyl)-17β-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one) and norethisterone (17α-ethynyl-17β-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one) were identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The major metabolite of dimethisterone is 6α-methyl-17α-(1-propynyl)-5β-androstane-3α, 17β-diol. The major urinary metabolites of norethisterone are 17α-ethynyl-5β-estrane-3α, 17β-diol and 17α-ethynyl-5α-estrane-3α, 17β-diol. The drug metabolites can be readily differentiated from urinary metabolites of endogenous steroids by both gas Chromatographic retention data and mass spectrometry.
Different methods to assess quality of life from multiple follow-ups in a longitudinal asthma study

Abstract Background and Objective Serial measurements obtained during observational longitudinal studies offer the opportunity to describe the effects of chronic diseases on patient-centered outcomes such as quality of life. The purpose of this study was to assess serial Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and SF-36 scores against a transition item using three methods of data analysis—final minus initial scores, maximum minus minimum scores, and regression line slopes through all scores. Methods Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, each method of analysis was compared against patients’ responses to a global transition question about change in asthma status with responses dichotomized as “stayed the same or got worse” or “improved.” A total of 185 patients, mean age 41±11 years, 83% women, completed the AQLQ and SF-36 three to seven times at approximately 8-month intervals over a mean of 24.8±3.9 months. For the AQLQ, all three methods of data analysis performed well against the transition item with ROC areas highest for the symptoms, activities, and the summary AQLQ scores (0.74–0.78). Results Overall, ROC areas increased as the number of observations increased, ranging from 0.78 to 0.93 for the AQLQ summary score for patients with three to six or more assessments, respectively ( P = .02). As part of the AQLQ, patients cited specific activities in which they were limited because of asthma. A total of 66 different activities were cited, including limitations in stair climbing, walking, interacting with others, sleeping, and working. In ROC analysis, serial measurements of these items also performed well against the transition item with areas ranging from 0.72 to 0.75 for all three methods of analysis. In contrast, ROC areas for the SF-36 Physical and Mental Component Summary scores were significantly lower, ranging from 0.59 to 0.66 compared to the AQLQ areas, indicating that the generic scale was less responsive than the disease-specific scale ( P ⩽.01). The three different methods of analysis also provided unique information about the cohort. The final minus initial analysis showed that 63% of patients had clinically important improvements, the maximum minus minimum analysis showed that over 90% of patients had fluctuations in scores that were clinically important, and the slope analysis showed that 79% of patients had an overall trend of improvement. Conclusions This study described possible methods to analyze and present serial data. Additional techniques to assess and interpret serial longitudinal data are needed to comprehensively describe long-term effects of chronic diseases on quality of life.
Schedule-induced polydipsia as a function of percent of body weight in the mongolian gerbil

Three male Mongolian gerbils displayed schedule-induced polydipsia on a fixed-time 3-min food reinforcement schedule at 85% body weight (BW). When the gerbils' body weights were gradually increased to ad lib levels, the polydipsia disappeared. When the gerbils were subsequently reduced to 85% BW again, the previous polydipsia levels of water intake were recaptured. These data replicate previous findings with rats, and suggest that schedule-induced polydipsia may be as robust in gerbils and other species, as it is with rats, once the optimal generating conditions are established.
Co-Inhibition of BCL-W and BCL2 Restores Antiestrogen Sensitivity through BECN1 and Promotes an Autophagy-Associated Necrosis

BCL2 family members affect cell fate decisions in breast cancer but the role of BCL-W (BCL2L2) is unknown. We now show the integrated roles of the antiapoptotic BCL-W and BCL2 in affecting responsiveness to the antiestrogen ICI 182,780 (ICI; Fulvestrant Faslodex), using both molecular (siRNA; shRNA) and pharmacologic (YC137) approaches in three breast cancer variants; MCF-7/LCC1 (ICI sensitive), MCF-7/LCC9 (ICI resistant), and LY2 (ICI resistant). YC137 inhibits BCL-W and BCL2 and restores ICI sensitivity in resistant cells. Co-inhibition of BCL-W and BCL2 is both necessary and sufficient to restore sensitivity to ICI, and explains mechanistically the action of YC137. These data implicate functional cooperation and/or redundancy in signaling between BCL-W and BCL2, and suggest that broad BCL2 family member inhibitors will have greater therapeutic value than targeting only individual proteins. Whereas ICI sensitive MCF-7/LCC1 cells undergo increased apoptosis in response to ICI following BCL-W±BCL2 co-inhibition, the consequent resensitization of resistant MCF-7/LCC9 and LY2 cells reflects increases in autophagy (LC3 cleavage; p62/SQSTM1 expression) and necrosis but not apoptosis or cell cycle arrest. Thus, de novo sensitive cells and resensitized resistant cells die through different mechanisms. Following BCL-W+BCL2 co-inhibition, suppression of functional autophagy by 3-methyladenine or BECN1 shRNA reduces ICI-induced necrosis but restores the ability of resistant cells to die through apoptosis. These data demonstrate the plasticity of cell fate mechanisms in breast cancer cells in the context of antiestrogen responsiveness. Restoration of ICI sensitivity in resistant cells appears to occur through an increase in autophagy-associated necrosis. BCL-W, BCL2, and BECN1 integrate important functions in determining antiestrogen responsiveness, and the presence of functional autophagy may influence the balance between apoptosis and necrosis.
Immunological studies on urinary bladder tumors of rats and mice

Human neoplasms derived from the same tissue have been previously shown to have tumor associated antigens characterizing that tissue type. Evidence is now presented for the existence of analogous antigens common to both rat bladder papillomas and carcinomas, and for antigens common to mouse bladder carcinomas. Rats immunized with syngeneic urinary bladder papillomas, then challenged with a methylcholanthrene pellet inserted into the bladder, develop (4 to 6 months later) fewer primary bladder tumors than rats immunized with normal bladder tissue.
Utility Curves, Total Utility, and Consumer's Surplus

Introduction, 292. — The concept of total utility, 293. — Relativity of utility to rates of consumption, 294. — Ambiguity of the word utility: potential utility and satisfaction actually enjoyed, 295. — Intra-marginal surpluses of utility from sporadic and intermittent consumption, 296. — Conclusion, 298. Recognized difficulties of dealing quantitatively, by means of demand schedules, with the subjective background of economic phenomena, 303. — Relativity of demand schedules to rates of consumption, 304. — Doctrines of consumer's surplus: (a) Bargain purchases of intra-marginal utility, 308; (b) The addition to one's total utility that attends a decline in price, 311; (c) Life's excess of utility over the disutility of earning a living, 313. — Resume, 315.
Targeting of desmoglein 1 in exfoliative toxin-mediated disease

Exfoliative toxin (ET) is secreted by Staphylococcus aureus and has long been known to cause localized or widespread epidermal blistering in humans termed bullous impetigo or staphylococcal scalded-skin syndrome, respectively. While initial hypotheses suggested that ET was a superantigen, sequence and crystallographic analysis characterized the toxin as a serine protease. More recent work determined that ET cleaves a desmosomal cadherin, desmoglein (Dsg)1. This discovery explained the mechanism of toxin-induced blistering, since Dsg1 proteolysis compromises desmosomes, which link keratinocytes and support epidermal integrity. Here, we review clinical findings in ET-mediated disease, the characterization of ET, the molecular pathogenesis of bullous impetigo/staphylococcal scalded-skin syndrome, the structure and function of Dsg1, and current and potential treatments of ET-mediated disease.
Sequences of two active-site peptides from spinach ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase.

Abstract Two tryptic peptides from spinach ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase that contain the essential lysyl residues derivatized by the affinity label 3-bromo-1,4-dihydroxy-2-butanone 1,4-bisphosphate were subjected to sequence analyses. The sequences of these peptides are -Tyr-Gly-Arg-Pro-Leu-Leu-Gly-Cys-Thr-Ile-Lys-Pro-Lys- and -Leu-Ser-Gly-Gly-Asp-His-Ile-His-Ser-Gly-Thr-Val-Val-Gly-Lys-Leu-Glu-Gly-Glu-Arg-, respectively. The reagent moiety is covalently attached to the internal lysyl residue in each peptide.
Carbon‐13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of phenycyclidine analogs

Natural abundance carbon-13 chemical shifts are reported for the hydrochloride salts of phencyclidine (1a) and sixteen analogs. The signals are assigned on the basis of chemical shift theory, SFORD multiplicities, signal intensities, and comparisons with model compounds. In addition to its forensic value, the data suggests that the solution conformations of the analogs are similar to that of phencyclidine hydrochloride.
Remote Detection of Chemicals by Millimeter-Wave Spectroscopy

This paper discusses the development and field testing of a remote chemical detection system that is based on millimeter-wave (mm-wave) spectroscopy. The mm-wave system is a monostatic swept-frequency radar that consists of a mm-wave sweeper, a hot-electron-bolometer detector, and a trihedral reflector. The chemical plume to be detected is situated between the transmitter/detector and the reflector. Millimeter-wave absorption spectra of chemicals in the plume are determined by measuring the swept-frequency radar return signals with and without the plume in the beam path. The problem of pressure broadening, which hampered open-path spectroscopy in the past, has been mitigated in this work by designing a fast sweeping source over a broad frequency range. The heart of the system is a Russian backward-wave oscillator (BWO) tube that can be tuned over 225--315 GHz. A mm-wave sweeper that includes the BWO tube was built to sweep the entire frequency range within 10 ms. The radar system was field-tested at the DOE Nevada Test Site at a standoff distance of 60 m. Methyl chloride was released from a wind tunnel that produced a 2-m diameter plume at its exit point. The mm-wave system detected methyl chloride plumes down to a concentration of 12 ppm. The measurement results agree well with model-fitted data. Remote or standoff sensing of airborne chemicals is gaining importance for arms control and treaty verification, intelligence collection, and environmental monitoring.
Marketing Channels: A Content Analysis of Recent Research, 2010–2012

The aim of this work is to undertake a content analysis to gain an understanding of the research conducted involving marketing channels from an institutional-oriented perspective over the last three years. We examine the content of seven leading journals and identify 90 papers relevant to the study. The database of papers was classified into four mutually exclusive lines of research categories: theory, source, structure, and relationships. Of the papers in the study, 38 articles were classified as relationship-oriented, representing the largest (42.2%) segment of the sample. In terms of the overall database, broad topics that received considerable research attention include vertical competition, franchising, strategy, channel design, performance, relationalism, and push promotion. We generally conclude that research from an institution-oriented perspective remains of interest to channels researchers.
Students' and Teachers' Beliefs About Language Learning

ABSTRACT This study compares one group of students' beliefs about language learning with those of their teachers and with those of their peers at another institution. It furthermore examines change in students' beliefs in relation to those of their instructors in an effort to develop hypotheses about the potential influence of teachers' beliefs on students' beliefs. Beliefs were assessed by means of the Beliefs About Language Learning Inventory, developed by Horwitz (1985, 1988). Results were found to be significantly affected by the type of analysis: global analyses of group means and percentages showed overall similarities between teachers' and students' beliefs as well as between students' pre- and posttest responses, while analyses of individuals and course section groups revealed much greater differences. The findings of the study suggest that teachers' beliefs are but one of many factors that affect students' beliefs about language learning and that multivariate research designs are needed to explore with greater precision the complex interrelationships between learners' and teachers' belief systems.
High-energy metal ion implantation into titanium dioxide films

Abstract Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) films prepared by a sol-gel method were irradiated with 0.5 MeV V, Ti and 1.8 MeV Au ions and subsequently annealed at approximately 480°C. After the implantation and thermal annealing, the microstructure and the optical properties of the TiO 2 films were studied by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), optical absorption and glancing angle X-ray diffraction measurements. It was found that the distribution of the implanted metal was slightly changed after annealing. The absorption edge of the films also slightly shifted toward the longer wavelength side. The films were composed of anatase and rutile phases. The anatase phase was reduced by ion implantation.
Supersaturated Designs With the Maximum Number of Factors for a Given Resolution-Rank

This article introduces new balanced two-level supersaturated designs with a large number of factors for a given resolution-rank, a criterion that directly assesses a supersaturated design’s ability to detect active factors. The search for supersaturated designs with the largest possible number of factors for a given resolution-rank is implemented by binary integer programming and exhaustive search that exploits design equivalence. We explore supersaturated designs with n = 6, 8, 10, and 12 runs. Six designs have been shown to have the maximum number of columns, and six new designs with improved resolution rank are found.
Athletic identity – or an autoethnography of almost losing a leg

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use autoethnography to explore notions of self-identity formation and projection. The author uses the stages of grief as an analytical tool to explain athletic identity formation and personal effects when an injury removed that part of her self. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses autoethnography, a self-reflective, qualitative methodology meant to engage the researcher's personal experience, which then is potentially adapted and understood by others in similar situations. Autoethnography might pair personal research with existing analytical frameworks and theories, as this story does. Findings –The author realized that losing, even temporarily, self-identifying characteristics (here, athletic identity) affects self-esteem, social interactions, and future motion-based endeavors, for fear of starting the cycle of grief again. Originality/value – The paper is valuable, as many people are “weekend warrior” athletes that identity as a runner, cyclist, triathl...
Measurement of density and mass flow of particles in a dilute suspension in general flow

Abstract For the measurement of density and mass flow of the particle phase in an air suspension in pipe flow with tangential motion, new instrumentation, needs arose. For these measurements, the earlier fiber optics probe and electrostatic ball probe have to be modified. Simultaneous measurements of particle density and mass flow permits determination of mean velocity of the particle phase. For the measurement of particle density, a ‘twin diode’ optical probe has been introduced. In this design, the source and detector are two miniature diodes, one as a source and the other as a detector mounted on two arms of a probe holder. The probe is insensitive to yaw angles of ±90° and pitch angles of ±30°. The probe sensitivity approaches 0.01 kg/m 3 . An important innovation of the electrostatic counter probe is by filtering and counting the electric pulses of particles impacting on a probe due to charge transfer. The probe diameter can be as small as 1.6 mm. Sensitivity of the order of 0.002 kg/m 2 s has been indicated. This probe is insensitive to direction of motion of particles and has potential for use in fluctuating or nonsteady flows.
Noninvasive evaluation of diastolic function: need for hemodynamically and clinically relevant variables.

Radionuclide angiography and echocardiography provide accurate clinical assessment of systolic left ventricular function. In contrast, although several noninvasive variables of diastolic function have been proposed, none are routinely employed in clinical practice. This is unfortunate because symptoms and signs of congestive heart failure are often caused by diastolic rather than systolic dysfunction, especially in patients with hypertension, hypertrophic and restrictive cardiomyopathy and pericardial constriction. Recognition of diastolic dysfunction in the absence of systolic dysfunction is important because of the differences in appropriate patient management (I). Assessment of diastolic ventricular function. Clinical application of diastolic functional indexes has been hampered by a lack of investigator agreement on optimal variables, questions of load dependence of these indexes and uncertainty over which variables best predict clinical outcome (2). The assessment of diastolic function is usually classified into three components: ventricular relaxation, chamber stiffness and myocardial stiffness (3). Ventricular relaxation is best described by isovolumetric relaxation indexes such as negative rate of rise in pressure (-dP/dt) and 7. Assessment of the passive elastic properties of the ventricle (chamber and muscle stiffness) requires accurate simultaneous measurement of pressure and volume. Chamber stiffness is generally defined as the change in pressure relative to a change in chamber volume (dP/dV). Its reciprocal is chamber compliance. The ratio dP/dV is load dependent and increases exponentially with volume, the slope of the relation being used as a hemodynamic index of chamber stiffness. Myocar-
A novel mutation (E767K) in the second extracellular loop of the calcium sensing receptor in a family with autosomal dominant hypocalcemia

Autosomal dominant hypocalcemia resulting from gain-of-function mutations of the calcium sensing receptor (CASR) is a rare familial disorder that can become evident at any age. We report a novel mutation (E767K) of the CASR in a family with autosomal dominant hypocalcemia. Ten members of the family had a history of hypocalcemia. The index case exhibited marked hypocalcemia and seizures in the newborn period, while her father who also has hypocalcemia, was largely asymptomatic except for a myocardial infarction-like event at 21 years of age, a new presentation of the disorder. The E767K mutation, which resides in the second extracellular loop adjacent to the fifth transmembrane domain, co-segregated with hypocalcemia in these two individuals. Both subjects are heterozygous for the mutation. The proband is also heterozygous for the previously reported CASR polymorphism of G990R in the intracellular domain, while her father is homozygous. The co-segregation of this naturally occurring mutation with autosomal dominant hypocalcemia supports the previously reported experimental model in which it was proposed that the three acidic residues (767, 758, and 759) in exo-loop 2 in CASR help maintain an inactive conformation of the receptor.
Period-colour and amplitude-colour relations for MACHO project Large Magellanic Cloud RR Lyrae stars

In this Letter, we analyse period–colour and amplitude–colour relations at minimum, mean and maximum V-band light for 6391 RRab stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud obtained by the MACHO project. Specifically, we find that colour and amplitude are nearly independent of period at minimum light, but that there exists a definite relation between period and colour and amplitude and colour at maximum light. These two properties are consistent with earlier work suggesting that these observed properties are, at least to some extent, explained by the application of the Stefan–Boltzmann law and the interaction of the photosphere and hydrogen ionization front at minimum light. When we examine the slope of the period–colour relation as a function of phase, we find that the slope varies significantly with phase and is small for a wide range of phases around minimum light. This suggests that another factor that needs to be considered when trying to understand RR Lyrae observed properties is their behaviour at different phases during a pulsation cycle.