cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tissue-specific regulation of lipoprotein lipase by isoproterenol in normal-weight humans

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a hydrolytic enzyme, involved in lipoprotein metabolism and nutrient partitioning, that is subject to tissue-specific regulation. Evidence for divergent regulation of the lipase by insulin has been demonstrated, but alterations in the tissue-specific response of LPL to catecholamines has not been studied in humans. The regulation of LPL in gluteal adipose tissue and vastus lateralis muscle by isoproterenol (epinephrine isopropyl homologue) in humans was examined over 2 h in subjects infused with 0 (saline) or 8 or 24 ng.kg-1.min-1 isoproterenol. The infusion of normal saline into control subjects failed to alter adipose tissue or skeletal muscle LPL activity. However, in the saline-infused subjects there was a positive correlation between the percent change in plasma norepinephrine concentrations and the percent change in muscle LPL activity (r = 0.826, P < 0.05). Isoproterenol infusion did not change LPL in either adipose tissue or muscle compared with saline-infused controls, but plasma insulin levels in addition to plasma glucose, free fatty acids, and glycerol were increased. To prevent the isoproterenol-induced hyperinsulinemia, a pancreatic clamp technique was utilized. An increase in muscle LPL was demonstrated (P = 0.037) with no change in adipose tissue LPL. The change in muscle LPL activity after the 2-h infusion correlated with the change in muscle mRNA (P = 0.021). Overall, these studies indicate that in humans the response of LPL to catecholamines is tissue specific with no effect in adipose tissue but a stimulation in skeletal muscle. Endogenous regulation of LPL in muscle by catecholamines could be important in muscle fuel metabolism and could relate to effects of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and/or fatty acids at the level of the LPL gene.
Term Ranking for Clustering Web Search Results.

Clustering web search engine results for ambiguous keyword searches poses unique challenges. First, we show that one cannot readily import the frequency based feature ranking to cluster the web search results as in the text document clustering. Next, we present TermRank, a variation of the PageRank algorithm based on a relational graph representation of the content of web document collections. TermRank achieves desirable ranking of discriminative terms higher than the ambiguous terms, and ranking ambiguous terms higher than common terms. We experiment with two clustering algorithms to demonstrate the ecacy of TermRank. TermRank is shown to perform substantially better than frequency based classical methods.
The Four Worlds of Spiritual Assessment and Care

From the dawn of human consciousness, religious and spiritual expressions have been inexorably intertwined with some degree of assessment toward more effective care— whether such care is offered by shaman, imam, rabbi, shirpa, prophet, priest, pastor, physician, nurse, or lay minister. Currently, two major forces have brought spiritual assessment and care into sharp focus regarding the delivery of health care in the U.S. The first is the advent of managed care. The shift in emphasis from sickness-based to wellness-based reimbursement, spurred by spiraling costs, has brought close scrutiny to provider effects on patient outcomes. The second major force, related to the first, has been increased attention to alternative medicine and to previously unacknowledged adjuncts to traditional health-care delivery, most often understood by the terms “holistic health” or “wellness.” One of the sub-areas within holistic health is spiritual care. A measure of the increasing importance of spiritual care within the delivery of U.S. health care is the fact that the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations (JCAHO) is gradually upgrading the place of chaplaincy services in the Standards. Thus, a clear, simple, user-friendly, inclusive, valid, reliable, useful diagnostic, care-anticipating, and outcomes-measurable spiritual-care model is becoming more a necessity in the increasingly demanding discipline of clinical chaplaincy.
Preliminary support for the role of reward relevant effort and chronotype in the depression/insomnia comorbidity.

Abstract Background The presence of insomnia in the context of depression is linked to a number of poor outcomes including reduced treatment response, increased likelihood of relapse, and greater functional impairment. Given the frequent co-occurrence of depression and insomnia, research into systems and processes relevant to both disorders, specifically reward processing and circadian rhythm disruption, may help parse this complex comorbidity. Methods A pilot study was conducted on a sample of 10 veterans with clinically significant depression and insomnia symptoms. Participants completed objective (actigraphy) and subjective (sleep diary) assessments of sleep, self-reports of chronotype, and behavioral tasks assessing reward relevant effort before and after 6 sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia. Results Insomnia and depression significantly improved following CBT-I. Subjective sleep parameters significantly improved with large effect sizes. Actigraphy results were nonsignificant, but effect sizes for sleep efficiency and onset latency were in the medium range. Chronotype shifted significantly toward morningness following CBT-I, and an earlier chronotype at baseline was associated with increased reward effort following treatment. Changes in chronotype, depression and insomnia were not associated with changes in effort. Limitations Findings are limited by small sample size and lack of randomized control group. Conclusions Findings should be interpreted as hypothesis generating in the service of furthering research aimed at uncovering potential mechanisms underlying the depression/insomnia comorbidity. Analyses of sleep data in extant datasets of reward processing impairments in depression as well as original projects aimed at exploring potential sleep, circadian rhythm, and reward interactions in depression are encouraged.
Effect of chemoradiation for cervical cancer on transient decrease and variable expansion in T-cell infiltrate and diversity of T-cell repertoire.

11557Background: The effect of fractionated radiation on intratumoral immune infiltrate is unclear. The purpose of this study was to characterize local immune changes and treatment response during ...
Sol-Gel Glasses

Sol–gel processing is a nonmelting path to forming primarily silicate glasses. The most widely used precursors for the sol–gel process are metal alkoxides that undergo hydrolysis and condensation polymerization. Pure silica, binary compositions and multicomponent compositions are reacted to generate oxide polymers in the presence of water and alcohols. The oxide polymers grow and crosslink to produce a gel network at the sol–gel transition. After gelation, the solvents are removed, leaving behind a microporous skeleton that can be collapsed to a chemical and physical duplicate of a melted glass. The sol–gel process also refers to solution routes that involve soluble salts and colloidal routes that involve metastable suspensions of oxide nanoparticles. Combinations of alkoxides, salts and colloids are all considered sol–gel routes. The advantage of the sol–gel process, compared to melting and quenching, is that the process is carried out largely at room temperature. The low temperature makes the sol–gel process compatible with organic polymers, which enables formation of organic–inorganic hybrids. Also, when it is not necessary to remove the porosity, the sol–gel process is a means to form microporous and macroporous glasses.
Implicit Reactions to Women in High Power Body Postures: Less Wonderful But Still Weaker

People rapidly form impressions of others based on their gender. Women tend to be liked more than men but men tend to be regarded as more powerful. However, a person’s nonverbal behavior has the potential to confirm or override these stereotypical impressions. Specifically, expansive, open body postures (e.g., based on widespread limbs) tend to convey high power compared to contracted, closed body positions. In three studies, we tested whether postural variations affected evaluations of men and women and impressions of their power. In Study 1, images of women elicited a more positive reactions than images of men in an affective misattribution procedure, but only when women enacted contracted body postures. In Studies 2 and 3, participants were slower to classify images of expansive postures as high power when enacted by women and slower to classify contracted postures as low power when enacted by men, but rated men and women similarly in explicit power-related judgments. Expansive body postures thus appeared to eliminate the usual positive reaction to women relative to men, but women still did not implicitly convey power to the same degree as men. Gender did not interfere with explicit, more controlled judgments of power. Together these studies demonstrate that gender implicitly interferes with perceptions of a person’s power, even in the presence of potentially individuating body postures.
Properties of Ideal Flat Metalenses

We derive image space fields of ideal flat metalenses, which differ significantly from those of refractive lenses, and use them to determine the modulation transfer function, depth of focus and spectral bandwidth of flat metalenses.
CommunityClick: Towards Improving Inclusivity in Town Halls

Despite the lack of inclusive participation from attendees and civic organizers struggle to capture their feedback in reports, local governments continue to depend on traditional methods such as town halls for community consultation. We present CommunityClick, a community-sourcing system that uses modified iClickers to enable silent attendees' to provide real-time feedback and records meeting audio to capture vocal attendees' feedback. These feedbacks are combined to generate an augmented meeting transcript and feedback-weighted summary, incorporated into an interactive tool for organizers to author reports. Our field deployment at a town hall and interviews with 8 organizers demonstrate CommunityClick's utility in improving inclusivity and authoring more comprehensive reports.
Fundamental Stealthiness-Distortion Tradeoffs in Dynamical (Control) Systems under Injection Attacks: A Power Spectral Analysis.

In this paper, we analyze the fundamental stealthiness-distortion tradeoffs of linear Gaussian dynamical systems under data injection attacks using a power spectral analysis, whereas the Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence is employed as the stealthiness measure. Particularly, we obtain explicit formulas in terms of power spectra that characterize analytically the stealthiness-distortion tradeoffs as well as the properties of the worst-case attacks. Furthermore, it is seen in general that the attacker only needs to know the input-output behaviors of the systems in order to carry out the worst-case attacks.
The Association of Exposure to Military Sexual Trauma and Romantic Relationship Satisfaction Among Partnered Men Service Members/Veterans: The Influence of Compulsive Sexual Behavior.

Civilian literature shows a strong, consistent association between exposure to sexual violence and poor romantic relationship satisfaction. The impact of sexual violence that occurred during military service, or military sexual trauma (MST), on romantic relationship satisfaction among partnered men service members/veterans (SM/Vs) is understudied. However, a recent study conducted in women observed that MST that involved an assault was associated with poorer relationship satisfaction through higher sexual dysfunction and lower sexual satisfaction. The current study extended the literature by examining sexual function as a mediator of the association of exposure to MST and romantic relationship satisfaction among partnered men SM/Vs (N = 499). Participants completed self-report measures of MST exposure, romantic relationship satisfaction, erectile dysfunction, and compulsive sexual behavior, as well as a demographic inventory. The average score on relationship satisfaction was in the distressed range. Sixty-four participants (12.83%) reported MST exposure. MST exposure was related to lower relationship satisfaction through higher compulsive sexual behavior. The model explained 16% of the variance in relationship satisfaction. The indirect effect of erectile dysfunction was nonsignificant. Current findings are consistent with research in women SM/Vs: the association of MST and romantic relationship satisfaction appears to be indirect, through the effects of sexual function. Couples' therapy may be most effective if it addresses sexual health concerns among men MST survivors, particularly engagement in compulsive sexual behaviors. Due to low endorsement of MST that involved assault, the impact of MST severity could not be examined.
Dreams and Power: Authoritarian Territory, Anarchistic Space in the Garden of Eden, William Blake’s Illustrations of the Book of Job, and Robert Frost’s “After Apple-Picking”

This chapter presents the pre-representational dreamscape as an anarchic space by situating the origins of dreaming in a postlapsarian biblical context. The dream is a response to Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden and contains elements of the pre-creation “deep” (tehom). Access to pre-creation comes through Eve’s rebellion, which was driven by an anarchistic or “disordering” desire for total freedom. These anarchist attributes are often constricted in the translation from the pre-representational dreamscape to the dream-text. Authoritarian structures utilize the dream for their own purposes, whether wittingly or not. This chapter presents case studies of dream-texts that straddle the line between anarchist assertions and authoritarian re-inscriptions. These include William Blake’s Illustrations of the Book of Job and Robert Frost’s “After Apple-Picking.”
Aqueous metabolome of tissue-specific conditional Pten-knockout mouse prostate cancer and TRAMP neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Background Metabolic reprograming is now a recognized hallmark of cancer. The prostate-specific phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (Pten) gene-conditional knockout (KO) mouse carcinogenesis model is highly desirable for studying prostate cancer biology and prevention due to its close resemblance of primary molecular defects and histopathological features of human prostate cancer. We have recently published macromolecular profiling of this model by proteomics and transcriptomics, denoting a preeminence of inflammation and myeloid suppressive immune cell features. Here, we performed metabolomic analyses of Pten-KO prostate versus wild type (WT) counterpart for discernable changes in the aqueous metabolites and contrasted to those in the TRAMP neuroendocrine carcinoma (NECa). Methods Three matched pairs of tissue-specific conditional Pten-KO mouse prostate and WT prostate of litter/cage-mates at 20-22 weeks of age and three pairs of TRAMP NECa versus WT (28-31 weeks) were profiled for their global aqueous metabolite changes, using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results The Pten-KO prostate increased purine nucleotide pools, cystathionine, and both reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH, GSSG), and gluconate/glucuronate species in addition to cholesteryl sulfate and polyamine precursor ornithine. On the contrary, Pten-KO prostate contained diminished pools of glycolytic intermediates and phosphorylcholine derivatives, select amino acids, and their metabolites. Bioinformatic integration revealed a significant shunting of glucose away from glycolysis-citrate cycle and glycerol-lipid genesis to pentose phosphate cycle for NADPH/GSH/GSSG redox and pentose moieties for purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, and glycosylation/glucuronidation. Implicit arginine catabolism to ornithine was consistent with immunosuppression in Pten-KO model. While also increased in cystathionine-GSH/GSSG, purine, and pyrimidine nucleotide pools and glucuronidation at the expense of glycolysis-citrate cycle, the TRAMP NECa increased abundance of many amino acids, methyl donor S-adenosyl-methionine, and intermediates for phospholipids without increasing cholesteryl sulfate or ornithine. Conclusions The aqueous metabolomic patterns in Pten-KO prostate and TRAMP NECa shared similarities in the greater pools of cystathionine, GSH/GSSG redox pair, and nucleotides and shunting away from glycolysis-citrate cycle in both models. Remarkable metabolic distinctions between them included metabolisms of many amino acids (protein synthesis; arginine-ornithine/immune suppression) and cholesteryl sulfate and methylation donor for epigenetic regulations.
Antipseudomonal Versus Narrow-Spectrum Agents for the Treatment of Community-Onset Intra-abdominal Infections.

Background Antipseudomonal antibiotics are often used to treat community-acquired intra-abdominal infections (CA-IAIs) despite common causative pathogens being susceptible to more narrow-spectrum agents. The purpose of this study was to compare treatment-associated complications in adult patients treated for CA-IAI with antipseudomonal versus narrow-spectrum regimens. Methods This retrospective cohort study included patients >18 years admitted for CA-IAI treated with antibiotics. The primary objective of this study was to compare 90-day treatment-associated complications between patients treated empirically with antipseudomonal versus narrow-spectrum regimens. Secondary objectives were to compare infection and treatment characteristics along with patient outcomes. Subgroup analyses were planned to compare outcomes of patients with low-risk and high-risk CA-IAIs and patients requiring surgical intervention versus medically managed. Results A total of 350 patients were included: antipseudomonal, n=204; narrow spectrum, n=146. There were no differences in 90-day treatment-associated complications between groups (antipseudomonal 15.1% vs narrow spectrum 11.3%, P=.296). In addition, no differences were observed in hospital length of stay, 90-day readmission, Clostridiodes difficile, or mortality. In multivariate logistic regression, treatment with a narrow-spectrum regimen (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.39-1.45) was not independently associated with the primary outcome. No differences were observed in 90-day treatment-associated complications for (1) patients with low-risk (antipseudomonal 15% vs narrow spectrum 9.6%, P=.154) or high-risk CA-IAI (antipseudomonal 15.8% vs narrow spectrum 22.2%, P=.588) or (2) those who were surgically (antipseudomonal 8.5% vs narrow spectrum 9.2%, P=.877) or medically managed (antipseudomonal 23.1 vs narrow spectrum 14.5, P=.178). Conclusions Treatment-associated complications were similar among patients treated with antipseudomonal and narrow-spectrum antibiotics. Antipseudomonal therapy is likely unnecessary for most patients with CA-IAI.
Business to Business Electronic Marketplace Characteristics Driving Use

Of the array of electronic commerce business models, business-to-business (B2B) electronic marketplaces (e-marketplaces) have been one of the most heralded. These marketplaces bring together businesses buying and selling goods and services in an online buying community. E-marketplaces promise to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of procurement activities by replacing traditional manual processes with automated electronic procedures and by expanding the number of available trading partners. Despite the technology availability and the high potential benefits, very few e-marketplaces have succeeded. This three-year qualitative study investigates a major B2B e-marketplace stumbling block: achieving e-marketplace use. This investigation develops a model of B2B e-marketplace characteristics driving marketplace use. This study offers insights to practitioners forming and participating in e-marketplaces. This study informs the interorganizational information systems literature as well as innovation diffusion theory, transaction cost economics, and the electronic markets hypothesis.
Transfection of Escherichia coli Spheroplasts IV. Transfection of rec+ and rec− Spheroplasts by Native, Denatured, and Renatured T5 Bacteriophage DNA After Repair of Single-Strand Breaks by Polynucleotide Ligase

Abstract Transfection of Escherichia coli spheroplasts by native T5 phage DNA was not affected by treatment with polynucleotide ligase. Denatured T5 phage DNA infectivity, only 0.1% of the native DNA level, was increased slightly by polynucleotide ligase treatment. Renatured T5 phage DNA infectivity was also increased slightly by polynucleotide ligase treatment. To form an infective center with rec+ spheroplasts, 1.6 to 2.1 native T5 phage DNA molecules were required; however, 1.4 T5 phage DNA molecules were required to form an infective center with recA−B− spheroplasts, and one molecule was sometimes sufficient for rec B− spheroplasts. Polynucleotide ligase treatment of T5 phage DNA had no effect on these parameters. Thus, the single-strand interruptions of T5 phage DNA are probably not essential to the survival of the parental T5 phage DNA, and T5 phage DNA, especially the denatured form, is highly sensitive to some nucleases in E. coli spheroplasts.
Single-Molecule Enzymology

Understanding how enzymes function requires a thorough characterization of enzymatic dynamics. Traditional enzymatic assays average over an ensemble of molecules, making it difficult to detect reaction intermediates and conformational fluctuations of the enzyme. These problems can be overcome by observing enzymes functioning in real time on the single-molecule level. This chapter describes recent research efforts to measure single-molecule enzyme kinetics and observe the structural dynamics of enzymes and discusses new approaches to study multiprotein complexes on the single-molecule level.
Costs and cautions in health care

The economic evolution of American health care David Dranove Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ; 2000 224 pp. US$27.95 (cloth) ISBN 0-671-00693-8 Notwithstanding all the negative publicity in recent months about deaths in the United States from medical errors, our poor record on infant
The use of L-arginine and sodium bicarbonate in the treatment of malabsorption due to cystic fibrosis.

It has long been recognized that patients with cystic fibrosis have a malabsorption syndrome secondary to pancreatic insufficiency for which they generally are treated with the oral administration of pancreatic extracts from hog or beef origin. Recently Solomons, Cotton, and Dubois reported that the oral administration of L-arginine resulted in a reduction of steatorrhea and gain of body weight in cystic fibrosis patients, perhaps by acting as a mild detergent and thus reducing the viscosity of intestinal mucus and increasing the emulsification of dietary fats. In the treatment of pancreatic insufficiency not due to cystic fibrosis, other investigators have advocated the oral administration of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) in an attempt to correct the deficiency of endogenous NaHCO3 secretion seen in such patients.
StegoRogue: Steganography in Two-Dimensional Video Game Maps

Techniques for hiding information in an innocuous carrier medium have been used throughout history. Video games represent an extremely popular, widely distributed, data-heavy medium, which makes them an optimal carrier medium for hidden messages and files. Despite this, the application of steganography to video games is a relatively untouched topic. We present StegoRogue, a content-aware method by which information can be hidden within a two-dimensional video game map.
Noncirrhotic portal hypertension in the pediatric population

NCPH is an uncommon cause of portal hypertension in children; however, it must be considered in cases where there is evidence of portal hypertension without evidence of cirrhosis or liver synthetic dysfunction. EHPVO is the most common cause in children. In general, NCPH has a good long‐term prognosis if the complications of portal hypertension can be controlled with medications or interventional procedures. However, in rare cases NCPH can result in portal biliopathy, significant neurocognitive dysfunction, or liver dysfunction in children.
Scalable Architecture for Adiabatic Quantum Computing of Np-Hard Problems

We present a comprehensive review of past research into adiabatic quantum computation and then propose a scalable architecture for an adiabatic quantum computer that can treat NP-Hard Problems without requiring local coherent operations. Instead, computation can be performed entirely by adiabatically varying a magnetic field applied to all the qubits simultaneously. Local (incoherent) operations are needed only for: (1) switching on or off certain pairwise, nearestneighbor inductive couplings in order to set the problem to be solved; and (2) measuring some subset of the qubits in order to obtain the answer to the problem.
Theoretical Overview of P3a and P3b

Recent empirical advances on the relationship between the P3a and P3b event-related brain potentials (ERPs) have suggested a plausible approach to how these potentials may interact. The purpose of this chapter is to review the issues surrounding these developments. The chapter is organized into several sections: First, the empirical background of the P3a and P3b subcomponent distinction is limned. Second, a theoretical perspective of P300 is presented. Third, the neuropsychological basis for the P300 component is outlined in terms of how these subcomponents may be related. The goal is to provide a theoretical overview of the topic areas by integrating prior findings with current perspectives.
Fused preforms for the fabrication of photonic crystal fibers

A novel approach for the fabrication of high-quality preforms for use in the fabrication of photonic crystal fibers is described. The preforms are fabricated in a multistep process that involves stacking a bundle with rods and (or) tubes of two dissimilar glasses, fusing the bundle, and then etching the fused bundle in acid to remove one of the two glasses. The procedure for fabrication of the fused preforms is similar to that used in the fabrication of microchannel plate glass and yields periodically spaced, uniform, round channels that extend through the length of the preform.
SNX27 mediates retromer tubule entry and endosome-to-plasma membrane trafficking of signalling receptors

Endocytic sorting of signalling receptors between recycling and degradative pathways is a key cellular process controlling the surface complement of receptors and, accordingly, the cell's ability to respond to specific extracellular stimuli. The β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) is a prototypical seven-transmembrane signalling receptor that recycles rapidly and efficiently to the plasma membrane after ligand-induced endocytosis. β2AR recycling is dependent on the receptor's carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand and Rab4. This active sorting process is required for functional resensitization of β2AR-mediated signalling. Here we show that sequence-directed sorting occurs at the level of entry into retromer tubules and that retromer tubules are associated with Rab4. Furthermore, we show that sorting nexin 27 (SNX27) serves as an essential adaptor protein linking β2ARs to the retromer tubule. SNX27 does not seem to directly interact with the retromer core complex, but does interact with the retromer-associated Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein and SCAR homologue (WASH) complex. The present results identify a role for retromer in endocytic trafficking of signalling receptors, in regulating a receptor-linked signalling pathway, and in mediating direct endosome-to-plasma membrane traffic.
Wind-Driven Model for Evaporite Deposition in a Layered Sea

Deposition of evaporites in a salinity- and density-layered sea is examined by theoretically predicting the large-scale circulation in a simplified model sea. In the constant depth model sea, vertical stratification is represented by two homogeneous layers; the upper layer is normal or slightly concentrated sea water, and the considerably denser lower layer is saturated with respect to halite. Each layer has a constant density and volume for all time. The horizontal transport form of the time-dependent equations of motion and continuity for each layer are solved numerically by a finite-difference method. A forward time extrapolation of four transport components, upper layer depth, and free surface height is performed on a square lattice covering the model basin. Interface stresses acting between the two layers and bottom stresses acting between the lower layer and the bottom allow consideration of vertical turbulent friction. Forcing is by a constant and uniform wind stress acting on the free surface. Rotation and hydrostatic pressure gradient terms are also included in the equations of motion. Several 140-hr (5.8 days) calculations were made for the Upper Silurian evaporites in Michigan Basin, using reasonable values of physical parameters. For an initially static sea 120 m deep with a 5-m-deep upper layer, mild easterly paleowinds cause upwelling of the lower layer at the north boundary. As the wind continues to blow, the region of upwelling slowly increases in area and migrates around the margin to the east boundary. In an evaporite sea, salt would precipitate in the exposed lower-layer brine because of evaporation. The salt could precipitate at the free surface as hopper crystals, internally, or at the bottom. By assuming a modest evaporation rate of 10 cm per yr, model calculations show that the total Upper Silurian salt volume is easily accounted for by an average of fewer than two 140-hr wind events per year. Model predicted upwelling at the north and east boundaries indicates that hopper crystals should be concentrated around the northeast margin of Michigan Basin. Other regional sedimentological and chemical variations related to circulation patterns, such as lithology and reef type, are suggested by the model calculations.
Quasi-linear pulses in birefringent fibers

The evolution of quasi-linear optical pulses in birefringent fibers, with strong dispersion-management, is studied analytically. The nonlinear terms of the Gabitov–Turitsyn equations (GTE) are analyzed asymptotically. The total spectral intensity, for a lossless system, is found to be an invariant of propagation, while for a lossy system it is dependent on the relative position of the amplifier in the dispersion map.
Pathological gambling as a defense against loss

The notion of pathological gambling as an elaborate defense against psychic pain is consistent with the traditional psychoanalytic literature, as well as recent writing on the process of addiction. The losses that pathological gamblers experience as a result of their gambling are enormous and well-documented, but losses suffered prior to the onset of gambling behavior may be far more significant. This paper explores the idea that pervasive developmental loss is a core issue for the compulsive gambler resulting in an intolerance for the anticipation of future losses and the certainty of mortality. Eight semistructured interviews were conducted with pathological gamblers in Gamblers Anonymous to explore the incidence of developmental loss and consequent styles of coping. An in-depth genogram and developmental history were done with each subject, revealing extensive developmental losses in all subjects.
Morphine responsiveness and seizure proneness

Previous research demonstrated that following amygdala kindling, animals showed a heightened sensitivity to morphine's convulsive effects and an exaggerated Straub tail response. These effects were evident to 3 months after their last convulsion and could be blocked by naloxone pretreatment. The present paper extends these findings by demonstrating that animals given metrazol or electroshock (ECS) convulsions also showed an enhanced morphine response that was blocked by naltrexone. Both metrazol- and ECS-treated animals convulsed in response to doses of morphine that produced little or no effect in control animals. In addition, it was shown that brain damage induced by electrode implantation or neocortex penetration by skull screws also increased an animal's sensitivity to morphine even in the absence of prior convulsions. This effect, however, could not be blocked by naltrexone. Finally, as opiate receptors vary with the diurnal rhythm, we determined that following amygdala kindling, animals are more sensitive to morphine's convulsive action during their dark phase when receptor number and sensitivity are highest. The results indicated that seizure proneness, whether induced by a history of prior convulsions or brain damage, increased sensitivity to morphine. This effect may be due to a change in opiate receptors only when prior convulsions have occurred.
Propranolol's metabolism is determined by both mephenytoin and debrisoquin hydroxylase activities.

The relative contributions of the debrisoquin and mephenytoin isozymes of hepatic cytochrome P-450 to the stereoselective metabolism of propranolol have been studied in a panel of volunteers of known oxidative phenotypes. Six subjects were extensive metabolizers of both debrisoquin and mephenytoin (EM). Four subjects were poor metabolizers of debrisoquin but rapid for mephenytoin (PMD). Five subjects were poor metabolizers of mephenytoin but rapid for debrisoquin (PMM), and one individual had a deficiency for both test compounds (PMD/M). Partial metabolic clearances of each propranolol enantiomer to 4-hydroxypropranolol (4-OH-P), the sulfate, and glucuronide conjugates of 4-OH-P, naphthoxylactic acid (NLA) and propranolol glucuronide, were estimated after a single oral dose of racemic propranolol (80 mg). The partial metabolic clearance of both enantiomers to total 4-OH-P in the PMD group was 75% less than in the EM and PMM groups, indicating the contribution of the debrisoquin isozyme to this route of metabolism. The R/S ratios for the clearance to 4-OH-P were similar between EM and PMD (2.5 +/- 0.5 vs 2.5 +/- 0.4, respectively), implying that the different enzymes involved in ring hydroxylation (i.e., the debrisoquin isozyme and other hydroxylases) have similar stereoselective preferences. The partial metabolic clearance to NLA was 55% less in the PMM group than in the EM and PMD groups, indicating that S-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylase contributes to the metabolic conversion of propranolol to NLA. The R/S ratios for the clearance to NLA were close to unity in all groups. The partial metabolic clearance to propranolol glucuronide also did not exhibit stereoselectivity and was similar in all groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Vascular and ureteral anatomy relative to the midsacral promontory.

Objective The objective of the study was to further characterize the vascular and ureteral anatomy relative to the midsacral promontory, a landmark often used during sacrocolpopexy, and suggest strategies to avoid complications. Study Design Distances between the right ureter, aortic bifurcation, and iliac vessels to the midsacral promontory were examined in 25 unembalmed female cadavers and 100 computed tomography (CT) studies. Data were analyzed using Pearson χ 2 , unpaired Student t test, and analysis of covariance. Results The average distance between the midsacral promontory and right ureter was 2.7 cm (range, 1.6–3.8 cm) in cadavers and 2.9 cm (range, 1.7–5.0 cm) on CT ( P = .209). The closest cephalad vessel to the promontory was the left common iliac vein, the average distance being 2.7 cm (range, 0.95–4.75 cm) in cadavers and 3.0 cm (range, 1.0–6.1 cm) on CT ( P = .289). The closest vessel to the right of the promontory was the internal iliac artery, with the average distance of 2.5 cm (range, 1.4–3.9 cm) in cadavers and 2.2 cm (range, 1.2–3.9 cm) on CT ( P = .015). The average distance from the promontory to the aortic bifurcation was 5.3 cm (range, 2.8–9.7 cm) in cadavers and 6.6 cm (range, 3.1–10.1 cm) on CT ( P P Conclusion The right ureter, right common iliac artery, and left common iliac vein are found within 3 cm from the midsacral promontory. A thorough understanding of the extensive variability in vascular and ureteral anatomy relative to the midsacral promontory should help avoid serious intraoperative complications during sacrocolpopexy.
Stochastic and Risk Management Models and Solution Algorithm for Natural Gas Transmission Network Expansion and LNG Terminal Location Planning

Due to the increasing demands for natural gas, it is playing a more important role in the energy system, and its system expansion planning is drawing more attentions. In this paper, we propose expansion planning models which include both natural gas transmission network expansion and LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) terminals location planning. These models take into account the uncertainties of demands and supplies in the future, which make the models stochastic mixed integer programs with discrete subproblems. Also we consider risk control in our models by including probabilistic constraints, such as a limit on CVaR (Conditional Value at Risk). In order to solve large-scale problems, especially with a large number of scenarios, we propose the embedded Benders decomposition algorithm, which applies Benders cuts in both first and second stages, to tackle the discrete subproblems. Numerical results show that our algorithm is efficient for large scale stochastic natural gas transportation system expansion planning problems.
Hypoxic cell death is reduced by pH buffering in a model of engineered heart tissue.

Introduction: In this report, we tested the ability of HEPES-buffered culture medium to reduce acidotic cell death in hypoxic monolayer cell cultures and in a diffusion-limited model of engineered heart tissue (EHT). Methods: Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were either plated (monolayers) or suspended in a hydrogel disc containing HEPES. Results: Monolayers cultured in 0% oxygen exhibited a pH drop to 5.46 ± 0.27 after 4 days with no HEPES, or 7.11 ± 0.09 with 50 mM HEPES. The lowest observed pH in EHTs was estimated as 6.2 with no HEPES and 7.1 with 50 mM HEPES, which were endpoints of noticeably different pH gradients across the EHTs. Addition of HEPES to hypoxic monolayers corresponded with fewer propidium iodide-positive cells and TUNEL-positive cells; addition of HEPES to EHTs resulted in greater calcein staining and less LDH release. Conclusion: Effective pH buffering reduces cell death by attenuating the acidosis that accompanies anaerobic metabolism.
Three-dimensional finite element analysis of residual stress in arteries.

Calculation of residual stress in arteries, using the analytical approach has been quite valuable in our understanding of its critical role in vascular mechanics. Stresses are calculated at the central section of an infinitely long tube by imposing a constant axial stretch while deforming the artery from the stress-free state to its unloaded state. However, segments used to perform opening-angle measurements have finite lengths. Further, the stress-free artery configuration is assumed to be circular. Experiments show that they are slightly noncircular. The numerical approach to residual stress calculation can allow us to study both these issues. Using 3D cylindrical geometries and an isotropic material model, we investigated how segment length can affect residual stress calculations and identified the appropriate segment length for experiments. Further, we recorded and used the true noncircular stress-free state of an artery segment, computed the residual stress distribution, and compared it to that from a similar, but circular segment. Our findings suggest that segment length must be ten times the wall thickness for it to be “long” enough. We also found that the circularity assumption may be a reasonable approximation for typical arteries.
Correlation of corticosterone elevation and negative contrast varies as a function of postshift day

In three experiments, rats shifted from 32% to 4% sucrose consumed less of the 4% sucrose than did rats that had received only the 4% solution. Experiment 1 showed that this negative contrast effect was not accompanied by a corticosterone elevation on the first day subsequent to the shift. Experiments 2 and 2a showed that corticosterone levels were substantially elevated on the 2nd postshift day and that there was a tendency for degree of elevation in corticosterone to be related to degree of lick suppression. These results are discussed in terms of other data suggesting that anxiolytic drugs and disinhibitory stimuli are more effective in alleviating contrast on the 2nd postshift day than on the 1st postshift day. It is suggested that, in the present paradigm, reaction to stimulus change may be the primary determinant of contrast on the 1st postshift day, but emotional processes related to reward loss and/or conflict develop by the 2nd postshift day.
Propagation of love surface waves in an elastic diatomic medium

Abstract Love waves propagating over the surface of a half-space covered by a layer of different diatomic materials are examined. After establishing the associated constitutive equations the equations of motion are derived, and the coefficients of the wave attenuation normal to the direction of propagation found. Fulfillment of the boundary conditions at a free surface and the interface leads to a dispersion equation in the form of a vanishing determinant of the sixth order. To obtain more tangible results, an example involving relaxed bonds between the constituents of the diatomic materials is given, and illustrated by a graph displaying the dependence of the phase velocity on the wave number in the first wave mode.
Methods for computing singular and nearly singular integrals

Many scientific problems are formulated in terms of singular integrals. We describe a simple method for computing such integrals. Our approach is to replace a singularity, or near singularity, with a regularized version, compute a sum in a standard way, and then add correction terms, which are found by asymptotic analysis near the singularity. We have used this approach for a single-layer potential on a doubly periodic surface, evaluated at a grid point on the surface. The quadrature rule so developed was used to design a convergent boundary integral method for three-dimensional water waves. In related work we have developed a method for computing a double-layer potential on a curve, evaluated at a point near the curve. Thus values of harmonic functions, with prescribed boundary conditions on a curve, can be calculated at grid points inside or outside, with only slightly extra effort for those points near the boundary. This procedure may be useful for computing fluid flow with moving boundaries. This arti...
High-temperature superconductivity is charge-reservoir superconductivity

An overview is presented of some evidence that the charge-reservoirs, not the cuprate-planes, are the loci of the primary superconductivity in high-temperature superconductors.
The thermal analysis of sequential LED driven mode

In this study, we use a LED die bordered with several LED chips and attached heat removal system for cooling. The commercially available CFD code, IcePak, is used to simulate the thermal behavior among the LED(heat source), heat sink base and fin structure.
What is to be Done? Children's Ascriptions of Conventional Obligations

It is often not apparent what people ought to do. Three experiments explored cues that children and adults may use to identify conventional obligations. Experiment 1 addressed the hypothesis that young children identify obligations with expected outcomes. Although preschool-aged (4-5 years) children often expected consistency, they and school-aged (7-8 years) and adult participants indicated that obligations may be at odds with costs and benefits. In Experiment 2, all participants realized that people may have obligations they are unaware of. Preschool-aged children often used information about obligations to identify characters' beliefs. In Experiment 3, preschool but not school-aged children reliably identified obligations with the desires of authorities. The results are discussed in terms of expectations about canonical relations between mental states, outcomes, and obligations.
Solutions of algebraic equations involving generalized fuzzy numbers

Abstract This paper deals with algebraic equations involving generalized fuzzy numbers with continuous membership functions. The generalized fuzzy number defined in this paper is a general name for fuzzy numbers, fuzzy intervals, crisp numbers, and interval numbers. Three important properties of the generalized fuzzy numbers with continuous membership functions are introduced as the basis for deriving the solvability criterion. The sufficient and necessary condition for solving A ± X = C is derived. The sufficient and necessary condition for solving A × X = C and A ÷ X = C when A and C are nonzero generalized fuzzy numbers is also derived in this paper. Instead of the inverse operation method, which fails for fuzzy sets, inverse operations on the boundary points of α-level set intervals for continuous membership functions are used when the derived criteria of solvability are satisfied. A unique solution rather than a solution set is obtained.
Mapping and visualizing the Great Salt Lake landscape dynamics using multi‐temporal satellite images, 1972–1996

This study focuses on monitoring and visualizing the Great Salt Lake dynamics from satellite images. Objectives of this research are to identify the Great Salt Lake and vicinity areas land cover types, to detect and quantify water and wetland dynamics, and to visualize these dynamics. Satellite imagery, including Landsat Multi‐Spectral Scanner (MSS) and Thematic Mapper (TM) images, were obtained for the extent of the Great Salt Lake and vicinity from 1972 to 1996, with a three‐year interval, except 1978 and 1981. These satellite images were first classified to map five land cover types: water, wetland, salt, developed land, and undeveloped land. These classified images were compared with each other to identify areas of change. Documentation, including tables and charts, was generated to report changes. In the final stage, computer animation files were created from both classified images and satellite images to visualize and simulate the Great Salt Lake and vicinity land cover changes and landscape dynamic...
A semi-automated 96-well protein precipitation method for the determination of montelukast in human plasma using high performance liquid chromatography/fluorescence detection.

Abstract A simple, semi-automated, protein precipitation assay for the determination of montelukast (SINGULAIR™, MK-0476) in human plasma has been developed. Montelukast is a potent and selective antagonist of the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor used for the treatment of asthma. A Packard MultiPROBE®II EX is used to transfer 300 μl of plasma from sample, standard, and QC sample tubes to a microtiter plate (96-well). After addition of the internal standard by a repeating pipettor, a Tomtec QUADRA 96® adds 400 μl of acetonitrile to all plasma sample wells, simultaneously, in the microtiter plate. The Tomtec is also used to transfer the acetonitrile supernatant from the plasma protein precipitation step, batchwise, to another microtiter plate for analysis by HPLC with fluorescence detection. This assay has been validated and implemented for a clinical study of over 1300 plasma samples and is comparable to manual assays in the LLOQ (lower limit of quantitation, 3 ng/ml) and in stability. This is the first semi-automated protein precipitation assay published for the analysis of montelukast in human plasma and it results in significant time savings over the manual methods, both in sample preparation and in HPLC run time.
Black holes in a bathtub

Many properties of black holes can be studied using acoustic analogues in the laboratory through the propagation of sound waves. We investigate in detail sound wave propagation in a rotating acoustic (2 + 1)-dimensional black hole, which corresponds to the draining bathtub fluid flow. We report results on i) quasinormal modes, ii) power-law tails, iii) superradiant amplification coefficients, iv) frequencies and growth times for the superradiant black hole bomb instability first studied by Press and Teukolsky.