cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discoidal complexes containing apolipoprotein E and their transformation by lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase

The primary objectives of this study were to determine whether analogs to native discoidal apolipporotein (apo)E-containing high-density lipoproteins (HDL) could be prepared in vitro, and if so, whether their conversion by lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT; EC 2.3.1.43) produced particles with properties comparable to those of core-containing, spherical, apo-E-containing HDL in human plasma. Complexes composed of apoE and POPC, without and with incorporated unesterified cholesterol, were prepared by the cholate-dialysis technique. Gradient gel electrophoresis showed that these preparations contain discrete species both within (14–40 nm) and outside (10.8–14 nm) the size range of discoidal apoE-containing HDL reported in LCAT deficiency. The isolated complexes were discoidal particles whose size directly correlated with their POPC: apoE molar ratio: increasing this ratio resulted in an increase in larger complexes and a reduction in smaller ones. At all POPC: apoE molar ratios, size profiles included a major peak corresponding to a discoidal complex 14.4 nm long. Preparations with POPC: apoE molar ratios greater than 150:1 contained two distinct groups of complexes, also in the size range of discoidal apoE-containing HDL from patients with LCAT deficiency. Incorporation of unesterified cholesterol into preparations (molar ratio of 0.5:1, unesterified cholesterol: POPC) resulted in component profiles exhibiting a major peak corresponding to a discoidal complex 10.9 nm long. An increase of unesterified cholesterol and POPC (at the 0.5:1 molar ratio) in the initial mixture, increased the proportion of larger complexes in the profile. Incubation of isolated POPC-apoE discoidal complexes (mean sizes, 14.4 and 23.9 nm) with purified LCAT and a source of unesterified cholesterol converted the complexes to spherical, cholesteryl ester-containing products with mean diameters of 11.1 nm and 14.0 nm, corresponding to apoE-containing HDL found in normal plasma. Conversion of smaller cholesterol-containing discoidal complexes (mean size, 10.9 nm) under identical conditions resulted in spherical products 11.3, 13.3, and 14.7 nm across. The mean sizes of these conversion products compared favorably with those (mean diameter, 12.3 nm) of apoE-containing HDL of human plasma. This conversion of cholesterol-containing complexes is accompanied by a shift of some apoE to the LDL particle size interval. Our study indicates that apoE-containing complexes formed by the cholate-dialysis method include species similar to discoidal apoE-containing HDL and that incubation with LCAT converts most of them to spherical core-containing particles in the size range of plasma apoE-containing HDL. Plasma HDL particles containing apoE may arise in part from direct conversion of discoidal apoE-containing HDL by LCAT.
On the electronic structure of the ground state of cyclopentoxy. The case for a two coupled state description

Abstract Previous descriptions of the cyclopentoxy radical have considered the ground state as an isolated electronic state; however, the doublet ground and first excited states of the cyclopentoxy radical arise from three electrons in the oxygen 2pπ orbitals, yielding states that may not be adequately described by a single state model. In this work, a prelude to the determination of the photoelectron spectrum of cyclopentoxide, the electronic structure of the ground and first excited state of cyclopentoxy is studied. Both axial and equatorial structures are considered. The ground state is found to have an axial configuration. Conical intersections of the ground and excited state potential energy surfaces in both axial and equatorial nuclear configurations are found, with the minimum energy axial (equatorial) conical intersection lying within ∼515 (260) cm −1 of the axial (equatorial) ground state minimum. The barriers to axial–equatorial interconversion and to ring opening are estimated. The implications for the simulation of the cyclopentoxide photoelectron spectrum are discussed.
Prophylaxis of FANFT induced bladder tumours in rats by intravesical DNCB instillation.

Immunotherapy to prevent the appearance of superficial bladder tumours was studied in the (N(4-(5-Nitro-2-Furyl)-2-Thiazolyl Formamide) (FANFT) rat model. Intravesical 2, 4-dinitro-1-chlorobenzene (DNCB) was instilled beginning at six weeks after feeding the animals FANFT and given at montly intervals. Results showed no difference between control versus treated groups in tumour growth or lymphocytic infiltration near tumours. A significant incidence of calculi formation was noted in the DNCB group.
Hmong women in Wisconsin: what are their concerns in pregnancy and childbirth?

ABSTRACT: Childbirth in different cultures is treated as a traumatic life crisis and a time of vulnerability for the mother and infant. This qualitative descriptive study explored specific concerns related to pregnancy and childbirth in 52 Hmong women living in central and northeastern Wisconsin. Women were questioned using a semistructured interview about 4.6 months after childbirth. They described concerns related to breastfeeding, contraception, touch, communication with health caregivers, and procedures performed during childbirth. Women preferred bottle-feeding over breastfeeding. They reported difficulty practicing birth control because of cultural expectations of male and female roles, but were aware of the need for education about methods of contraception. Fear of miscarriage if they were touched by doctors and nurses resulted in delayed prenatal visits. The women believed that invasive procedures such as episiotomies and circumcisions are not natural, and they preferred natural tearing and healing. It is important for health caregivers to be culturally sensitive and understanding of Hmong practices and beliefs when touching and communicating with these women and when educating them about breastfeeding, contraception, and medical procedures during hospitalization.
Capsule commentary on Betz et al., "I wish we could normalize driving health": a qualitative study of clinician discussions with older drivers.

Betz et al.1 used qualitative focus groups and semi-structured interviews to explore the roles and responsibilities of providers, patients, and caregivers when discussing driving cessation due to age-related impairment. They found that both providers and older drivers prefer to discuss stopping driving preventatively, rather than after a driving-related incident. While primary care providers have the legal ability to revoke driving privileges, they often lack knowledge of older adult’s driving practices. This suggests a significant gap between the espoused ideals and actual practice of patient-centered care in general practice. As an ideal, patient-centeredness is a philosophical orientation that seeks to place patients at the center of their own care.2 In practice, primary care providers can be placed in a difficult position when patients or their caregivers make inappropriate requests for treatments, diagnostic tests, or other procedures, including revoking driving privileges. Communication is key to balancing patient-centeredness with medical authority.3 Routinizing discussion about difficult topics, such as driving safety, during office visits may help open a dialogue about difficult issues, while helping to normalize difficult conversations at a later time. Previous research has shown that discussing difficult topics before they become a necessity may help to ease emotional risk for providers, patients, and caregivers.4 In the study, Betz et al. sampled older adults who were still driving and did not perceive their own driving to be at risk. One significant and unaddressed question is whether this population would be willing to discuss driving if they knew their independence was at stake. Advance discussions may help older drivers imagine a future in which they will no longer drive and may help providers identify patients at risk for unsafe driving. However, providers also need effective techniques to identify drivers who may be at risk and better communication training to hold these potentially charged conversations. The challenge for primary care providers is to make difficult recommendations while maintaining a humane therapeutic alliance, a balance that walks along the razor’s edge. This study suggests a testable hypothesis that the frequency of difficult conversations may help to normalize stigmatized health topics. The implications of this communication technique goes well beyond driving cessation, as it may be useful for other difficult conversations, such as end of life planning, sexual health, and treatment intensification.
High resolution solid state nmr and magic angle spinning

Abstract The interactions which broaden the NMR of nuclei in powdered solids are discussed. The means of selective removal or attenuation of these interactions via rotations in spin space, or in real space are treated. Average Hamiltonian theory is used to develop the formalism.
Hierarchical fermion masses and mixing angles from the flipped string

Abstract We present a general method to obtain specific predictions for the fermion masses and mixings in the low-energy theory of the flipped SU(5) × U(1) superstring model. The condition of unbroken N = 1 supergravity at MPl in the presence of an anomalous UA(1) symmetry gives strong constraints on the parameters of the model. We obtain: (i) a top quark mass between 60 and 100 GeV, with values close to 100 GeV strongly favored; (ii) up- and down-type quark and lepton mass ratios and Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa mixings, which could be found consistent with their accepted values simultaneously in parameter space; (iii) a direct connection between the hierarchical fermion mass spectrum and baryon decay modes, we find p → μ + π 0 , ν μ π + ; n → μ + π − , ν μ π 0 , with τ p ∼ τ n ∼ 10 35±2 y ; and (iv) a vanishing bare u quark mass that solves the strong CP problem in this model and is not in conflict with previous expectations. We stress that a full dynamical calculation would unambigously determine these observables and hence constitute a definite test of the model. However, the whole framework is so constrained that crucial information can already be extracted from the model at this stage.
Interferon therapy for orbital infiltration secondary to Erdheim-Chester disease

Abstract PURPOSE: To describe a 55-year-old male with Erdheim-Chester disease with bilateral orbital infiltration and visual loss who was successfully treated with interferon-alpha. METHODS: Interventional case report. RESULTS: The patient was treated with interferon-alpha and had an improvement in his clinical signs, including his visual acuity, after 4 weeks of interferon therapy. CONCLUSION: Interferon-alpha can be effective in the treatment of orbital infiltration secondary to Erdheim-Chester disease.
Raman spectra, normal coordinate treatment, and calculated thermodynamic properties for hydrazine and tetradeuterohydrazine

Abstract Raman displacements, relative intensities, and depolarization factors have been obtained for liquid hydrazine at room temperature. All available data concerning the structure, Raman and infrared spectra, frequency assignments, and dipole moment measurements were collected and examined for the most reliable values. Results of normal coordinate treatment based on the C2 model are given and frequency assignments are reviewed. Also, calculated thermodynamic properties for 273.16°K to 1000°K on the basis of the rigid rotator harmonic oscillator approximation are listed. The C8 model (suggested by others) also was considered.
Resonant scattering and optical properties of intermediate valence Sm1−xYxS

Abstract The intermediate-valence state of Sm in Sm 1− x Y x S has been investigated in terms of the d.c. and optical scattering time of the conduction electrons. Strong resonant scattering in the collapsed metallic phase is attributed to the pinning of the Fermi level E F within a mixed-configuration resonant state. The composition- and temperature dependent electronic phase transition is found to occur when E F reaches the resonant state.
Case report 555

Skeletal Radiology Skeletal Radiol (1989) 18:385-388 Case report 555 David H. Dungan, B.S. 1, Leanne L. Seeger, M.D. 1, and Joseph M. Mirra, M.D. 2 Departments of 1 Radiological Sciences and 2 Pathology, U C L A School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA Imaging studies Fig. 1. Anteroposterior radiograph of the left ankle. Lobulated subchondral lucencies are seen at the tibial plafond (arrows). The margins are well defined, faintly sclerotic, and the joint space appears normal Fig. 2. A Coronal spin echo image with relative Tl-weighting (TR = 800, TE = 20). Well circumscribed, low signal intensity lesion is seen in the subchondral region. Septation (arrow) is imaged as a line of signal void. Adjacent articular cartilage is normal. B, C Axial spin echo T2-weighted images (TR = 2000, TE = 80). Lesion shows regions of high signal intensity as well as foci of signal void (B). Thin line of high signal intensity appears to connect the lesion with the flexor tendon sheaths (C, arrowheads) Clinical information This 42-year-old woman sprained her left ankle 5 months previously and subsequently experienced persistent pain along the posterior aspect of her ankle. Her medical history was unremarkable ex- cept for a parathyroid adenoma which was excised two years earlier. Physical examination revealed moderate tenderness over the posterior aspect of the ankle with no swelling. Roentgenograms of the ankle demonstrated a lobulated lucency with sclerotic margins in the sub- chondral region of the distal end of the left tibia Address reprint requests to: L.L. Seeger, M.D., Department of Radiological Sciences, U C L A School of Medicine, 10833 La Conte, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA (Fig. 1). No evidence of articular or soft tissue in- volvement was noted. Radionuclide bone scan showed increased uptake in the distal end of the tibia, with no other regions of abnormal uptake. Magnetic resonance images were obtained, demonstrating a sharply circumscribed lesion in the subchondral region of the distal end of the left tibia (Fig. 2). Except for septations, the lesion appeared as a homogeneous low signal intensity on Tl-weighted images. With T2-weighting, foci of very high signal intensity were intermixed with regions of signal void. A serpiginous line of high signal intensity was identified coursing between the lesion and the flexor tendons. Surgical excision of the lesion was performed. 9 1989 International Skeletal Society
Gabapentin for smoking cessation

Introduction: We conducted a preliminary proof-of-concept study evaluating gabapentin for the treatment of tobacco dependence. Methods: Subjects (N = 80) were randomized to gabapentin (600 mg three times per day or 900 mg three times per day) or placebo. After a 2-week dose titration, the target dose was maintained for 9 weeks and then tapered over 1 week. Follow-up was for 12 weeks after the medication phase. Results: The study had high dropout rates with more than one half of participants in each arm discontinuing study. Gabapentin-treated participants exhibited lower abstinence rates than placebo-treated participants; however, this difference was not significant. Smoking reduction was observed across all treatment arms compared with baseline (p < .01) but did not differ across treatment groups. Discussion: Although not definitive, our findings suggest that gabapentin administered at these doses with this dosing regimen holds little promise for the treatment of tobacco dependence in a population of smokers seeking treatment.
Flow behaviors of high acyl gellan aqueous solutions as affected by temperature, and calcium and gellan concentrations

Rheological behaviors of high acyl (HA) gellan are not well understood partially because of its relatively late commercialization compared to low acyl gellan. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of temperature (5-30 °C), calcium (0, 1 and 10 mM) and gellan concentrations (0.0044-0.1000% w/v) on the flow behaviors of high acyl gellan aqueous solutions using rheological tests. Gellan solutions with 0 or 1 mM added Ca++ exhibited shear thinning behavior at gellan concentrations above 0.0125%. The influence of temperature on apparent viscosity (shear rate, 100 s-1) of gellan solutions can be described with an Arrhenius relationship. The apparent viscosity of gellan solution at low concentrations was more sensitive to temperature changes. The addition of Ca++ led to a decrease in flow resistance for a dilute gellan solution ( 0.0125%).
Influence of vitamin B auxotrophy on nitrogen metabolism in eukaryotic phytoplankton

While nitrogen availability is known to limit primary production in large parts of the ocean, vitamin starvation amongst eukaryotic phytoplankton is becoming increasingly recognized as an oceanographically relevant phenomenon. Cobalamin (B12) and thiamine (B1) auxotrophy are widespread throughout eukaryotic phytoplankton, with over 50% of cultured isolates requiring B12 and 20% requiring B1. The frequency of vitamin auxotrophy in harmful algal bloom species is even higher. Instances of colimitation between nitrogen and B vitamins have been observed in marine environments, and interactions between these nutrients have been shown to impact phytoplankton species composition. This review evaluates the potential for interactive effects of nitrogen and vitamin B12 and B1 starvation in eukaryotic phytoplankton. B12 plays essential roles in amino acid and one-carbon metabolism, while B1 is important for primary carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism and likely useful as an anti-oxidant. Here we will focus on three potential metabolic interconnections between vitamin, nitrogen and sulfur metabolism that may have ramifications for the role of vitamin and nitrogen scarcities in driving ocean productivity and species composition. These include: (1) B12, B1, and N starvation impacts on osmolyte and antioxidant production, (2) B12 and B1 starvation impacts on polyamine biosynthesis, and (3) influence of B12 and B1 starvation on the diatom urea cycle and amino acid recycling through impacts on the citric acid cycle. We evaluate evidence for these interconnections and identify oceanographic contexts in which each may impact rates of primary production and phytoplankton community composition. Major implications include that B12 and B1 deprivation may impair the ability of phytoplankton to recover from nitrogen starvation and that changes in vitamin and nitrogen availability may synergistically impact harmful algal bloom formation.
Modeling effects of land use on carbon storage in the forests of the Pacific Northwest: the challenge for remote sensing

Within the context of a study to model the effects of land use on carbon storage in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States we are processing about 100 Landsat images. The image processing challenges within the study are numerous. To determine the utility of our proposed methods many of them are being tested on a 1.2 Mha area within the region. The major challenges include mapping of forest cover type and seral stage, radiometric and geometric rectification, and change detection. In this paper we present preliminary results.
TO REGULATE OR NOT TO REGULATE: THE NEED FOR COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL NORMS BY GUATEMALA AND COOPERATION BY THE UNITED STATES IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTIONS

The United States will be entering into force the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption by the end of 2007. At this time, all intercountry adoptions that occur between the United States and one of the 70 other countries that also have entered the Hague Convention into force must be done according to Hague protocol. Guatemala has entered the Convention into force but its adoption practices do not currently align themselves with Convention requirements. The U.S. State Department has threatened that intercountry adoptions between the United States and Guatemala will come to a complete stop if Guatemala's conditions are not reformed. One out of every 100 children born in Guatemala is adopted by an American family and in the 2006 fiscal year, the United States adopted 4,135 Guatemalan babies. This high number placed Guatemala as the second country from which the United States adopted the most children in 2006 second only to China. A structured compromise must be established between the United States and Guatemala in order to ensure the continued provision of homes to Guatemala babies in America while Guatemala reforms its malignant adoption practices.
Why one enters torpor: focus on “NPY Y1 receptor antagonist prevents NPY-induced torpor-like hypothermia in cold-acclimated Siberian hamsters”

neuropeptide y (npy) has long been known to play a major role in mediating energy balance. Intracerebral ventricular injection of NPY results in a vigorous feeding response and is perhaps the most orexigenic compound studied to date ([3][1]). NPY expression is robustly elevated within the
Analyzing the performance of diamond-coated micro end mills.

Abstract A method is presented to improve the tool life and cutting performance of 300 μm diameter tungsten carbide (WC) micro end mills by applying thin ( 50%). Reduction of the cutting forces is attributed to the low friction and adhesion of the diamond coating. However, approximately 80% of the tools coated with the larger FGD coatings failed during testing due to delamination. Additional machining benefits were attained for the NCD films, which was obtained by using a higher nucleation density seeding process for diamond growth. This process allowed for thinner, smaller grained diamond coatings to be deposited on the micro end mills, and enabled continued operation of the tool even after the integrity of the diamond coating had been compromised. As opposed to the FGD-coated end mills, only 40% of the NCD-tools experienced delamination issues.
No atheists in foxholes: Arguments for (but not against) afterlife belief buffers mortality salience effects for atheists

Terror management theory (TMT) posits that people cope with mortality concerns via symbolic immortality (e.g., secular cultural beliefs that outlast death) and/or literal immortality (afterlife belief). However, what happens when these two forms of immortality conflict, as in atheism? Would atheists’ mortality concerns be better assuaged by affirming an afterlife, or by affirming their literal immortality-denying worldview? Drawing on an untested TMT hypothesis, we predicted that atheists would be buffered from mortality concerns if their atheistic worldview – no life after death – was challenged, but not if it was supported. Results confirmed the hypothesis and were also found for theists and agnostics. These findings support TMT's claim that literal immortality is of paramount importance in ameliorating death concerns.
A contracting “package” in the treatment of marital problems: A case study

Abstract A behavioral contract was used to change several behaviors in a married couple's relationship. A multi-assessment “package” was used to determine the effect of the behavior change on the couple's relationship. A multiple baseline, single-subject design demonstrated that the treatment “package” was responsible for producing behavior change and changes in levels of satisfaction. Further research should concentrate on which components of the “package” may be the most critical. Multi-assessments provide the therapist or researcher with concrete data on a couple's progress in behavioral marital therapy.
Perception of object–context relations: Eye-movement analyses in infants and adults.

Twenty-eight 4-month-olds’ and twenty-two 20-year-olds’ attention to object– context relations was investigated using a common eye-movement paradigm. Infants and adults scanned both objects and contexts. Infants showed equivalent preferences for animals and vehicles and for congruent and incongruent object– context relations overall, more fixations of objects in congruent object– context relations, more fixations of contexts in incongruent object– context relations, more fixations of objects than contexts in vehicle scenes, and more fixation shifts in incongruent than congruent vehicle scenes. Adults showed more fixations of congruent than incongruent scenes, vehicles than animals, and objects than contexts; equal fixations of animals and their contexts but more fixations of vehicles than their contexts; and more shifts of fixation when inspecting animals in context than vehicles in context. These findings for location, number, and order of eye movements indicate that object– context relations play a dynamic role in the development and allocation of attention.
BIOMARKERS AND MECHANISTIC APPROACHES IN ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY

Environmental epidemiological research involves the identification of relationships between previous exposures to putative causative agents and subsequent biological effects with study populations. Such relationships are often hard to fully characterize because of difficulties in accurately quantifying exposure, dose, and effect. Biomarkers are indicators, residing in biological systems or samples, of exposure, dose, effect, or susceptibility. Biomarkers of exposure indicate the presence of previous exposure to an environmental agent; a biomarker of dose bears a quantitative relationship to previous exposure or dose; these include exogenous substances, interactive products, or interactions that change the status of the target molecule. Biomarkers of effect indicate the presence and magnitude of a biological response to exposure to an environmental agent; these include endogenous components, or measures of the functional capacity or state of the system. Biomarkers of susceptibility indicate an elevated sen...
What About the Episiotomy? A Response to Katie Gentile's Article, “What About the Baby?”

This discussion of Katie Gentile's paper (this issue) raises questions about the underlying unconscious dynamics at work in the cultural icon of the supermodel mom. The “supermodel mom” offers a kind of seamless, bloodless, stretch-mark-less version of pregnancy and childbirth. In so doing, it provides us with a fantasied escape from those worrying dimensions of the female body in childbirth. On a deeper level this fantasied construction offers a means by which time is stalled, both future and past being eradicated and manically fended off. Using a clinical example of a woman pregnant with her second child, the article explores in detail some of the meanings kept alive by the idea of triumphing over pregnancy. The terror of the pregnancy and baby taking over one's body and one's mind is part of what is staved off with the fantasy of the supermodel mom. In addition, this fantasy protects against loss of all kinds—ultimately the losses associated with our own vulnerabilities.
Delay Analysis for Maximal Scheduling in Wireless Networks with Bursty Traffic

We consider the delay properties of one-hop networks with general interference constraints and multiple traffic streams with time-correlated arrivals. We first treat the case when arrivals are modulated by independent finite state Markov chains. We show that the well known maximal scheduling algorithm achieves average delay that grows at most logarithmically in the largest number of interferers at any link. Further, in the important special case when each Markov process has at most two states (such as bursty ON/OFF sources), we prove that average delay is independent of the number of nodes and links in the network, and hence is order-optimal. We provide tight delay bounds in terms of the individual auto-correlation parameters of the traffic sources. These are perhaps the first order-optimal delay results for controlled queueing networks that explicitly account for such statistical information.
What’s the Matter with Kansas?: The Development and Confirmation of the Evolutionary Attitudes and Literacy Survey (EALS)

The present survey was designed to assess predominant regional belief systems and the roles these beliefs play in science understanding and attitudes, and curricular effectiveness in colleges and universities. To this end, we created a wide variety of theory-driven subscales (lower order factors) reflecting, for example, exposure to evolutionary material, young earth creationist beliefs, moral and social objections, political ideology, endorsement of intelligent design fallacies, knowledge (and distrust) of the scientific enterprise, and attitudes of evolutionary theory’s relevance in several domains (e.g., sciences and humanities). We also included potentially important demographic variables (e.g., rural upbringing, family size). Finally, we assessed openness to experience, a key facet of personality. Hierarchical Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis showed the 16 constructs to have a theoretically meaningful and quantitatively coherent higher order factor structure. In this large Kansas sample of university students, creationist reasoning and conservative orientation (political and religious) were negatively associated with exposure to evolutionary theory, knowledge about it, and positive attitudes toward its relevance. At the same time, exposure to the theory was positively associated with knowledge and positive attitudes. Importantly, though most Kansas-specific demographic variables (e.g., rural origins) were largely unrelated to outcomes of interest in this university-based sample, the personality factor openness to experience appears to be highly relevant for several higher order factors (e.g., exposure, knowledge and relevance, and creationist reasoning). We close with implications for educators and the next steps in survey development.
Simulating 3-D Lung Dynamics Using a Programmable Graphics Processing Unit

Medical simulations of lung dynamics promise to be effective tools for teaching and training clinical and surgical procedures related to lungs. Their effectiveness may be greatly enhanced when visualized in an augmented reality (AR) environment. However, the computational requirements of AR environments limit the availability of the central processing unit (CPU) for the lung dynamics simulation for different breathing conditions. In this paper, we present a method for computing lung deformations in real time by taking advantage of the programmable graphics processing unit (GPU). This will save the CPU time for other AR-associated tasks such as tracking, communication, and interaction management. An approach for the simulations of the three-dimensional (3-D) lung dynamics using Green's formulation in the case of upright position is taken into consideration. We extend this approach to other orientations as well as the subsequent changes in breathing. Specifically, the proposed extension presents a computational optimization and its implementation in a GPU. Results show that the computational requirements for simulating the deformation of a 3-D lung model are significantly reduced for point-based rendering.
Genetics and caries: prospects

Caries remains the most prevalent non-contagious infectious disease in humans. It is clear that the current approaches to decrease the prevalence of caries in human populations, including water fluoridation and school-based programs, are not enough to protect everyone. The scientific community has suggested the need for innovative work in a number of areas in cariology, encompassing disease etiology, epidemiology, definition, prevention, and treatment. We have pioneered the work on genetic studies to identify genes and genetic markers of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic value. This paper summarizes a presentation that elaborated on these initial findings.
Violent fantasy, dangerousness, and the duty to warn and protect

An evaluation of homicidal ideation is a routine component of a mental status examination and may be evaluated in more depth in forensic evaluations as a dangerousness risk assessment. The evaluation of dangerousness often includes asking about violent fantasies that may have physical or sexual content. The authors examine the circumstances in which the revelation of violent fantasies to a mental health professional may trigger a duty to warn or protect third parties. Legal cases in which violent fantasies were considered in the context of assessing potential dangerousness are reviewed. The research literature on homicidal and sexually violent fantasies in both non-incarcerated and offender populations is examined. No consistent predictive relationship between violent fantasies and criminally dangerous behavior is reported in the available scientific literature. The authors suggest factors that mental health professionals may consider when assessing whether a particular violent fantasy indicates that a patient's thoughts could give rise to a duty.
Prospective evaluation of carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) as a molecular marker in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

5112 Background: CAIX is an important molecular marker of survival and response to immunotherapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The purpose of this study was to prospective...
Long-Term Outcome of TIPS

In the 11 years since its introduction into clinical practice (RICHTER et al. 1989; ROSSLE et al. 1988), transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has become widely accepted as a percutaneous minimally invasive treatment of portal hypertension and its sequelae. Primarily TIPS has been used for controlling acute bleeding from gastroesophageal varices unresponsive to medical and endoscopic therapy and for prophylaxis of its recurrence. It has been particularly useful in patients with compromised synthetic liver function belonging to Pugh-Child classes Band C and has created a bridge for these patients from acute hemorrhage to future elective transplant surgery. Control of hepatogenic ascites refractory to other treatments has recently become another frequent indication for TIPS. Occasionally, TIPS has been used for management of bleeding from intestinal and stomal varices, BuddChiari syndrome, hepatogenic hydrothorax, hepatorenal syndrome, and hypertensive enteropathy.
Boundary Element Analysis of Acoustic Radiation and Scattering in Half Space Using a Generalized Green’s Function

Conventional half-space boundary element formulation in acoustics is limited to a perfectly rigid or soft boundary condition on the reflecting plane. In this paper, a generalized half-space Green’s function is used in the boundary element formulation so that any locally reacting boundary condition on the reflecting plane can be exactly satisfied. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate this formulation.
Western Tent Caterpillar: Contact Toxicity of Ten Insecticides Applied to the Larvae

Ten chemicals representative of four insecticide groups (carbamate, organophosphate, chlorinated hydrocarbon, and pyrethroid) were applied topically to mixed groups of 5th- and 6th-stage larvae of Malacosoma californicum californicum (Packard). Only 2—the pyrethroid NIA 24110 ((5-benzyl-3-furyl) methyl trans- (+)-3-(cyclopentylidene-methyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate), and resmethrin—were more toxic than DDT at LD50. Because of the low slope of DDT, however, 8 insecticides exceeded it in toxicity at LD90. These were, in decreasing order of toxicity, NIA 24110, resmethrin, methomyl, pyrethrins, mexicarbate, carbaryl, and malathion.
Why Physical System Modeling Is Important to Industry: Bond Graph Models That Could Have Prevented Some Costly Mistakes

The modeling discussed in this paper is specifically directed to the concept development of mechatronic systems. These systems typically involve multiple energy domains where electro-mechanical, -pneumatic, and -hydraulic devices are involved. Since the device or system is not well defined at this stage, the modeling must be handled by the inventors using physical principles, and assembling the various pieces of the model into an overall dynamic model that can be simulated. Bond graphs are particularly well suited for concept development of multi-energy domain systems. This is demonstrated here using several examples where modeling at an early stage of development would have avoided some very costly mistakes.
Total Body Electrical Conductivity (TOBEC) to Estimate Total Body Fat of Free-Living Birds

Traditional methods to determine total body fat are undesirable under many circumstances because they require sacrificing individual birds. Walsberg (1988) recently introduced the total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) method for total body fat to ecological studies. In this paper we expand on Walsberg's (1988) seminal paper and show that: (1) TOBEC is accurate under a narrow array of body masses, and is therefore appropriate for intraspecific studies; (2) dead birds exhibit significantly different TOBEC than live birds; and (3) the use of metal bands does not affect TOBEC measurements. We conclude that TOBEC provides an accurate estimate of total body fat, that it is preferable to traditional methods because it does not require sacrificing the bird, measurements can be taken quickly in the field, and (most importantly to field ornithologists) body fat can now be tracked through time for individual, free-living birds.
Copper(I) thiocyanate networks with aromatic diimine ligands

Abstract A total of five new CuSCN-LL complexes with aromatic diimine ligands, LL = quinoxaline (Qox), quinazoline (Qnz), phthalazine (Ptz), 2-aminopyrazine (2-NH2Pyz), and 2-methoxypyrazine (2-MeOPyz) have been prepared and characterized by crystallographic methods. The following compounds are reported: (CuSCN)2(Qox) (1), (CuSCN)(Qnz) (2), (CuSCN)2(Ptz) (3), (CuSCN)2(2-NH2Pyz) (4), and (CuSCN)(2-MeOPyz) (5). Compounds 1–4 were prepared using an extended aqueous reflux method in the presence of KSCN and ammonia. Compound 5 was prepared by directly reacting solid CuSCN with the liquid ligand. In complexes 2 and 5, LL is monodentate, while in others LL is bridging bidentate. All network structures are 2-D sheets, consisting of μ2-LL-crosslinked CuSCN ladders for 1 and 4, LL-decorated CuSCN sheets for 2 and 5, and unusual μ2-LL-“stapled” sheets for 3.
Pharmacologic strategies in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Recent studies of dosage in the drug treatment of acute/exacer-bated or chronic schizophrenia suggest that lower doses probably do as well as higher ones. Intermittent long-term neuroleptic treatment does not appear to work as well as continuous treatment. Clozapine, lithium, propranolol, and carbamazepine may help in schizophrenic patients who do not respond to typical neuroleptic drugs. Management of side effects requires persistence and sensitivity to their many manifestations.
Post-Traumatic Priapism

AbstractReview of 7 cases of post-traumatic priapism indicated that, despite the type of initial therapy, all patients expressed dissatisfaction with the total efforts, although erections were resumed. A surgical effort directed at drainage of fluid collections and correction of the ruptured tunic seems warranted and may aid the patients in further sexual activities.
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of thin cell layer explants of Scutellaria ocmulgee small: a rare plant with anti-tumor properties

Scutellaria ocmulgee (Ocmulgee skullcap) is a rare plant species with medicinal and ornamental value and requires immediate conservation. We report here the first protocol for plant regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of S. ocmulgee using leaf and shoot-derived transverse thin cell layer (tTCL) explants. The effect of MS and B5 salts in combination with varying levels of growth regulators and two carbon sources on shoot proliferation and plant regeneration were studied. Among the various media treatment combinations, the best shoot induction response was observed from leaf-derived tTCL explants on B5 medium supplemented with 6- benzyl aminopurine (BAP), 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and sucrose whereas shoot-derived tTCL explants produced the maximum number of shoots also on B5 medium supplemented with either BAP or thidiazuron, NAA and maltose. Shoots obtained from both types of explants were rooted on MS medium containing 5.0 µM indole butyric acid. Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation protocol was optimized using leaf tTCL explants. A binary plasmid pq35SGR harboring the β glucuronidase and green fluorescent protein/neomycin phosphotransferase II fusion reporter gene was used to optimize transformation parameters. Explants were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105 and then transferred to shoot induction and regeneration medium to generate transgenic plants. Stable gene expression was observed in transgenic cultures and plants. The presence and integration of transgenes was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot hybridization.
Autoantibodies to decondensed sperm nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid in patients with antisperm antibodies and systemic lupus erythematosus detected by immunofluorescence flow cytometry

Objective To evaluate a flow cytometric method to detect and quantitate serum anti-DNA antibodies using unfixed, swollen and decondensed human sperm nuclei and to examine the relationship between antibodies against sperm surface antigens to the presence of antibodies against nuclear antigens. Design Serum IgG and IgG subclass antibodies to decondensed sperm nuclei were detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) flow cytometry. Sera were screened by IIF for anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies using the protozoan Crithidia luciliae as the substrate and for antinuclear antibodies using human epithelial (HEp 2) cells, respectively. All sera were assessed for antibodies against the sperm plasma membrane by an indirect immunobead test. Setting Infertility laboratory at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and rheumatology laboratory at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Patients Sera from 33 antisperm antibody-positive patients (5 subgroups), 33 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; 6 subgroups), and 20 normal controls were selected. Results IgG antibodies against decondensed sperm nuclear DNA were detected in 11 (33.3%) of 33 antisperm antibody-positive patients versus 14 (42.4%) of 33 patients with SLE. Anti-DNA antibodies were most prevalent in vasectomized men and in antisperm antibody positive women with SLE. In the sera from patients with SLE, the presence of the anti-nuclear ribonucleoprotein antibody was associated with the presence of sperm head-directed antisperm antibodies. Anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies were found in 6 (18.1%) of 33 sera from patients with antisperm antibody and 17 (51.5%) of 33 sera from patients with SLE. Antinuclear antibodies were found in only 9 (27.2%) of 33 sera from patients with antisperm antibody and 30 (90.9%) of 33 sera from patients with SLE. All 20 of the control sera gave negative results in the three tests. Serum IgG reactivity to sperm nuclei was predominantly of the IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses. Conclusion Anti-DNA is frequently found in either patients with antisperm antibodies or patients with SLE. Our results indicated that decondensed sperm nuclei can provide a specific substrate for screening serum anti-DNA antibodies.
Poems Written in Service of “Service”

Faculty members in U.S. universities are charged to perform in three areas: Teaching, Research, and Service. Service includes contributions to the profession, institution, college, department, students, and the community. This chapter contains 12 poems about various categories of service: attending professional conferences, serving as a grant reader, serving on external dissertation committees, serving on external tenure and promotion committees, giving speeches to community groups, meeting students outside of office hours, etc.
A sex difference in oxidative stress and behavioral suppression induced by ethanol withdrawal in rats

Ethanol withdrawal (EW) is referred to the abrupt termination of long-term heavy drinking, and provokes oxidative brain damage. Here, we investigated whether the cerebellum and hippocampus of female rats are less affected by prooxidant EW than male rats due to the antioxidant effect of 17β-estradiol (E2). Female and male rats received a four-week ethanol diet and three-week withdrawal per cycle for two cycles. Some female rats were ovariectomized with E2 or antioxidant (Vitamin E+Co-Q10) treatment. Measurements were cerebellum (Rotarod) and hippocampus (water-maze)-related behaviors, oxidative markers (O2(-), malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls), mitochondrial membrane swelling, and a key mitochondrial enzyme, cytochrome c oxidase (CcO). Separately, HT22 (hippocampal) cells were subjected to ethanol-exposure and withdrawal for two cycles to assess the effect of a CcO inhibitor on E2's protection for mitochondrial respiration and cell viability. Ethanol-withdrawn female rats showed a smaller increase in oxidative markers in cerebellum and hippocampus than male rats, and E2 treatment decreased the oxidative markers. Compared to male counterparts, ethanol-withdrawn female rats showed better Rotarod but poorer water-maze performance, accompanied by more severe mitochondrial membrane swelling and CcO suppression in hippocampus. E2 or antioxidant treatment improved Rotarod but not water-maze performance. In the presence of a CcO inhibitor, E2 treatment failed to protect mitochondrial respiration and cell viability from EW. These data suggest that antioxidant E2 contributes to smaller oxidative stress in ethanol-withdrawn female than male rats. They also suggest that EW-induced severe mitochondrial damage in hippocampus may blunt E2's antioxidant protection for hippocampus-related behavior.
Human Cloning as the Other in Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go

In her article "Human Cloning as the Other in Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go" Wen Guo analyzes Kazuo Ishiguro's novel with focus on Ishiguro's analogy between human cloning and people of marginality in contemporary society. Guo discusses the novel's ambience of doubt and suspense and elaborates on how the theme of otherness is addressed by Ishiguro's mock-realism in a landscape of science fiction. Further, Guo analyses the "unhomely" Hailsham of the novel, the clones' self-pursuit, and their ethical attitudes. Guo argues that in Ishiguro's novel a person's ethical choices are determined by his/her situation which confirms Ishiguro's beliefs with regard to one's responsibility, loyalty, and destiny by his/her ethical choices. Wen Guo, "Human Cloning as the Other in Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go" page 2 of 7 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 17.5 (2015): Special Issue Fiction and Ethics in the Twenty-first Century. Ed. Zhenzhao Nie and Biwu Shang
Facile Enhancement of Open-Circuit Voltage in P3HT Analogues via Incorporation of Hexyl Thiophene-3-carboxylate

Two families of copolymers featuring varying percentages of hexyl thiophene-3-carboxylate, herein referred to as 3-hexylesterthiophene (3HET), were synthesized via Stille polymerization to generate a series of random poly(3-hexylthiophene-co-3-hexylesterthiophene) (P3HT-co-3HET) copolymers as well as a series of semi-random poly(3-hexylthiophene—thiophene—3-hexylesterthiophene–diketopyrrolopyrrole) (P3HTT-DPP-HET) copolymers. Through the introduction of the strongly withdrawing 3HET component, HOMO energy levels can be tuned, and the open-circuit voltage of the resulting polymer solar cells can be significantly enhanced compared to their parent structures, regioregular P3HT and semi-random P3HTT-DPP. We demonstrate that 50% HET content in random copolymers (P3HT50-co-3HET50) outperforms reference P3HT solar cells. In addition to solar cell performance, the influence of 3HET content on copolymers is evaluated by UV–vis absorption, electrochemical HOMO determination, GIXRD crystallinity measurements, DSC, a...