cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pitfalls in pharmacokinetic multicompartment analysis

When a pharmacokinetic (PK) two-compartment body model with first-order absorption is fitted to blood levels of a drug, the estimates of the PK parameters may have considerable errors and can cause wrong predictions in other features of the system. The objectives of this report were to illustrate this problem, to provide an easy way to prevent wrong estimation, and to investigate the origin of the mistake. A simple way to prevent wrong interpretation of the calculated PK parameters is to inspect the PK profiles visually. Without observing a clear biphasic profile, one should not apply the two-compartment model if the resulting parameters are to be interpreted and used for further simulations. We investigated the origin of this ambiguity in terms of the relative order of magnitude of microconstants (ka, k12, k21, and k10) and of hybrid constants (A and B). The observed parameter errors will not be of any relevance if the calculated parameters are used only to predict future blood levels over the same time-span. However, if these parameters are used to predict any other characteristic of the system, erroneous predictions may result.
Initiation of protein synthesis in vitro by a clostridial system. I. Specificity in the translation of natural messenger ribonucleic acids.

Abstract The homologous ribosomal systems from Escherichia coli and Clostridium pasteurianum were compared for their ability to translate f2 RNA, formaldehyde-treated f2 RNA, T4 early messenger RNA, E. coli messenger RNA, and C. pasteurianum messenger RNA in protein synthesis assays in vitro. The E. coli ribosomal system translated all five of these messengers, while the C. pasteurianum ribosomal system translated only the C. pasteurianum messenger RNA. The two ribosomal systems also had different characteristic magnesium profiles and exhibited different levels of endogenous activity in the protein synthesis assays. The messenger RNA responsible for the C. pasteurianum endogenous activity was shown to occur in the salt-washed ribosomes and not in the initiation factor fraction. The formaldehyde-treated f2 RNA and the C. pasteurianum messenger RNA exhibited different characteristics from the other types of messenger RNAs in their behavior with the E. coli ribosomal system in the protein synthesis assays. The two homologous ribosomal systems were also tested for their ability to bind [14C]formyl-Met-tRNA in response to different types of mRNA. The E. coli system bound fMet-tRNA in response to synthetic poly(A, G, U), f2 RNA, T4 early mRNA, and C. pasteurianum mRNA. The C. pasteurianum ribosomal system bound fMet-tRNA in response to poly(A, G, U) and C. pasteurianum mRNA but not f2 RNA or T4 early mRNA.
The Form and Function of Ritual Dialogue in the Marriage Traditions of Celtic-Language Cultures

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Neill Martin Year: 2007 Pages: 428 Publisher: The Edwin Mellen Press ISBN: 978-0-7734-5328-9 (hard cover). Prices: $129.95 USD(hard cover).
Self-triality in statistical mechanics and field theory

I present here a system which exhibits self-triality, a natural extension of the Kramers-Wannier self-duality. There are three complete sets of variables ψ, R and L for describing the system. Any two are disorder variables with respect to the third and the hamiltonian has the same form when expressed in terms of ψ, R or L.
Setting a Price for Charitable Giving Increases Donations through Self-Concept Maintenance

Many people give to charity, but they typically give very little. We propose that this behavior can be explained by people’s motivation to maintain a positive self-concept. Drawing on the theoretical framework of self-concept maintenance, we propose a new method for increasing charitable donations: setting a price for giving. If donors’ options are limited to giving nothing or giving a large amount, many may choose to give even when the donation amount is substantially larger than what they would have given in a standard unconstrained donation, in order to maintain a positive self-concept as a giver. A series of experiments provide evidence of charitable giving patterns consistent with self-concept maintenance – such that restricting donors’ options to a binary all-or-none donation choice raises substantially more money than an unconstrained donation choice – and provide evidence that self-concept maintenance serves as a mechanism underlying this effect.
Promising candidates for allergy prevention

Recent advances in understanding environmental risk factors for allergic diseases in children have led to renewed efforts aimed at prevention. Factors that modify the probability of developing allergies include prenatal exposures, mode of delivery, diet, patterns of medication use, and exposure to pets and farm animals. Recent advances in microbial detection techniques demonstrate that exposure to diverse microbial communities in early life is associated with a reduction in allergic disease. In fact, microbes and their metabolic products might be essential for normal immune development. Identification of these risk factors has provided new targets for prevention of allergic diseases, and possibilities of altering microbial exposure and colonization to reduce the incidence of allergies is a promising approach. This review examines the rationale, feasibility, and potential effect for the prevention of childhood allergic diseases and explores possible strategies for enhancing exposure to beneficial microbes.
Medicolegal Sidebar: Informed Consent in the Information Age.

The process of informed consent is essential to building the doctor-patient relationship, and also to shared decision-making, whereby patients and doctors actively work together to formulate treatment decisions. Traditionally, physicians had nearly exclusive knowledge and understanding of disease, its course, and available treatments and associated risks. This is changing. Every physician now is an educator; transfer of relevant information empowers patients, facilitates shared decision-making, and supports the concept of truly informed consent. Informed consent has a legal foundation as well. Under the legal doctrine of informed consent, a doctor must provide enough information to help the patient make enlightened healthcare choices. One premise of informed consent was that patients do not know enough, and that the doctor knows more; this asymmetry of information must be countered by physician disclosure of all relevant risks to the patient. The information age has had a profound impact on many industries, including healthcare. Patients now can find detailed medical information on the Internet, including forums where patients with similar conditions communicate about their diseases and even comment about their physicians. As such, the notion of informed consent, premised on the inherent imbalance of information in favor of the physician, may be changing rapidly.
Abstract 2624: Elevated expression of phosphorylated mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) as a mechanism of resistance to the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin in HUT 78 cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cells

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Elevated expression of phosphorylated mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) as a mechanism of resistance to the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin in HUT 78 cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cells. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) have shown promise in the treatment of T-cell lymphomas including cutaneous and peripheral T-cell lymphomas. However, resistance to romidepsin limits its activity in some patients. A detailed understanding of the mechanisms of resistance to HDIs may lead to strategies designed to increase clinical efficacy. To study mechanisms of resistance to the HDI romidepsin, the HUT78 cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cell line was exposed to increasing concentrations of romidepsin in the presence of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors verapamil or valspodar (PSC-833) to prevent the emergence of P-gp, a known resistance mechanism. The DpVp35 and DpVp50 sublines are maintained in 35 ng/ml and 50 ng/ml romidepsin, respectively, in the presence of 5 µg/ml verapamil while DpP75 is maintained in 75 ng/ml romidepsin and 3 µg/ml valspodar. In 4-day cytotoxicity assays, the sublines are approximately 55-fold resistant to romidepsin and are not cross resistant to the HDIs belinostat, panobinostat or vorinostat. Low but detectable levels of P-gp do not explain the resistance. We used a custom drug resistance gene expression array and found increased expression of insulin receptor (IR) in the resistant cells that was confirmed by immunoblot analysis. Elevated expression of phosphorylated mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), a downstream effector of the IR pathway, was also observed in the resistant cells compared to the parental cells. Interestingly, resistant cells were found to be exquisitely sensitive to MEK inhibition, as significant apoptosis was observed after 48 h in the presence of 5 nM of the MEK inhibitor PD0325901 and 10 nM of the MEK inhibitor AZD 6244 as measured by flow cytometry with annexin V and by immunoblot examining poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. No significant apoptosis was observed in parental cells at concentrations up to 500 nM. Resistant cells were not, however, sensitive to extracellular related kinase (ERK) inhibition or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibition in as determined by annexin V assay. In summary, we hypothesize that activated MEK can mediate resistance to romidepsin, but may also lead to collateral sensitivity to MEK inhibitors. The emerging role of activated MEK as a mechanism of resistance to romidepsin suggests combination of romidepsin with MEK inhibitors in future clinical trials. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2624. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2624
Finding stationary fronts for a discrete Nagumo and wave equation; construction

Abstract We present single front stationary solutions for a spatially discrete reaction–diffusion equation, and a wave equation, with a piecewise linear zigzag shaped nonlinearity. Of notable interest is that a region of propagation failure does not exist for an infinite number of isolated values of the diffusion parameter.
Thermodynamic calculations on biological molecules

Application of free-energy simulation methods to the calculation of thermodynamic properties for biologically relevant processes will be presented. Attention will be given to the usefulness of thermodynamic methods to explore the accuracy of empirical energy functions. Calculations of aqueous hydration and binding thermodynamics for drug molecules (trimethoprim and other related compounds) to biological targets (the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase) will be presented. In these applications we will discuss differences in “binding modes” for different drugs and the ability of thermodynamic methods to predict these changes. Finally, comments will be made regarding the free energy derivative methods and coordinate-coupled free energy calculations.
Thermally Stable Polymers: Polyoxadiazoles, Polyoxadiazole-N-Oxides, Polythiazoles, and Polythiadiazoles

Abstract This review is organized into four sections according to backbone functional group: (1) poly(l)3,4-oxadiazoles), (2) poly(l,2,4-oxa-diazoles) and poly(l,2,4- and 1,2,5-oxadiazole-N-oxides), (3) poly -thiazoles, and (4) polythiadiazoles. The structures of the principal groups are given below.
Numerical model to predict the fate of jettisoned aviation fuel

While airborne, military and civilian aircraft must occasionally jettison unburned aviation fuel into the atmosphere. This research investigates the fate of jettisoned fuel (e.g., JP-4, JP-8, etc.) from initial release to final ground fall by numerically modeling the physical phenomena governing the fate of this fuel: evaporation, advection, and dispersion. Using previous work in evaporation and free fall of fuel droplets as a foundation, this article presents an integrated evaporation, advection, and dispersion model designed to run under the resources of a typical personal computer. This integrated model is capable of using near real-time meteorological data (i.e., vertical profiles of temperature, pressure, and wind) in all model calculations. Physical assumptions in the numerical model are presented, along with sample model calculations supporting these assumptions. Model calculations performed for two jettison scenarios show good agreement with previously published results and with an infinite line source calculation.
CMOS focal-plane-array for analysis of enzymatic reaction in system-on-chip spectrophotometer

A CMOS focal-plane-array is designed for the high-throughput analysis of enzymatic reaction in on-chip spectrophotometer system. One of potential applications of the presented prototype system is to perform enzymatic analysis of biocompounds contained in blood. This function normally requires an expensive diode-array spectrophotometer, but it is possible to perform high throughput analysis with low budget if the spectrophotometer system is scaled down to a chip. The CMOS active pixel sensor array can cover a layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) forming the microfluidic channels and the substrate solution for enzymatic reaction can be injected into the channels by capillary force. Under room light, the underneath CMOS active pixel sensor with 40 x 40 pixels detect the gray levels of the fluid’s color. Inside the image sensor chip (size: 3mm x 3mm), the pixels of the same column share the same sample and hold circuits. The analog signals from 40 columns are multiplexed into one input feeding an on-chip 8 bits dual-slope analog to digital converter. The color change can be displayed on the external monitor by using a data acquisition card and personal computer.
Childhood growth hormone deficiency, bone density, structures and fractures: scrutinizing the evidence

Childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is frequently perceived to cause low bone density, fractures and osteoporosis. This article critically reviews the evidence behind these perceptions. Inherent limitations of current bone imaging techniques have caused many artefacts and misconceptions about bone density and structure. Using appropriate size-corrections, bone density is normal in children and adults with isolated GHD. Cortical density, trabecular density and trabecular volume are normal when measured by peripheral quantitative computerized tomography and histomorphometry. The only verifiable deficit affects cortical thickness (periosteal expansion), both in human and animal studies. However, short limb bones cannot be expected to have an average-sized shaft, as bone elongation and widening could be proportionally impaired in GHD. In addition, GH and IGF-1 have indisputable anabolic actions not only on bone, but also on muscle tissue. In fact, compared with all other bone-related variables, muscle size is the lowest at diagnosis of GHD. During GH therapy, muscle enlargement precedes and exceeds any gain in bone mass. The mechanostat theory suggests that the GHD-induced deficit in muscle force secondarily causes low cortical thickness. There is no evidence that isolated childhood-onset GHD, or severe GH resistance, causes an increased fracture risk in children or adults. Only adults with organic hypopituitarism appear to have a slightly greater risk of fractures. Using current transition guidelines, short children and adults with GHD are at risk of being misdiagnosed with low bone mass and may consequently receive inappropriate treatment. As neither reports of increased fracture risk nor low bone density can stand up against scrutiny, these misconceptions should no longer influence clinical practice. In this respect, GHD should not be listed as a cause of osteoporosis in children and there is a need to review current transition guidelines.
An extracellular polysaccharide produced by Palmella mucosa Kütz.

An extracellular polysaccharide composed of glucose, fucose, arabinose and glucuronic acid in a molar proportion of 11:6:3:1 is a major end-product of photosynthesis by Palmella mucosa Kutz. The liberation of polysaccharide is related to the age of the culture. Glucose can substitute efficiently for CO2 as the source of carbon for polysaccharide synthesis. Nitrate-nitrogen from sodium, potassium and calcium salts can be used in the mineral salts medium with little differences in carbon metabolism of the alga. Ammonium nitrate produces an acidic medium which limits polysaccharide production. The incorporation of C14 into the polysaccharide from NaHC14O3 shows initially a trend toward intracellular synthesis. The C14 appears in the extracellular polysaccharide after prolonged exposure. Glucose-C14 is actively transformed to polysaccharide material which is an indication that glucose may play an important role in the synthesis of polysaccharide by Palmella mucosa Kutz.
Spectral Diversity among the Nuclei of Comets

Abstract The spectral characteristics of cometary nuclei are poorly known. To help rectify this situation, we have been obtaining spectra of cometary nuclei when they are favorably located, i.e., sufficiently far from the Sun that little cometary activity remains. In this work we present moderate resolution (10-A Full Width at Half Maximum) CCD spectra of five comets at large heliocentric distances (Chiron, P/Arend-Rigaux, P/Giacobini-Zinner, P/Tempel 2, and P/Encke) and five cometary nucleus candidates [5145 Pholus, 3552 (1983 SA), 944 Hidalgo, 3200 Phaethon, and 2212 Hephaistos]. Any near-nucleus coma contamination was carefully subtracted using the spatial information along the spectrograph slit and the resulting spectra are believed to represent the nuclei themselves. Our results show that cometary nuclei are spectrally diverse, with a range that is greater than hitherto suspected, from slightly blue (reflectivity gradient S′ = -3%/10 3 A) to very red (S′ = 20%/103 A). A similar range of colors is shared by the cometary nucleus candidates. The new spectra are compared with previous spectra of cometary nuclei and cometary nucleus candidates.
Analysis of the temperature dependent magnetic scattering by ferromagnetic Ni (110) surface

The temperature dependence of the bulk and layer‐by‐layer surface magnetization of Ni (110) is derived using the molecular field theory. We then use these results in a dynamical polarized low‐energy electron diffraction (PLEED) calculation to determine the temperature dependent polarization S of the diffracted intensities. The S vs T curves are strongly dependent on the incident electron energies and the critical exponents for surface magnetization are different from the bulk case. Multiple scattering effects profoundly modify the results predicted by using the kinematical scattering approximations. We also examine the sensitivity of S upon the use of different spin‐dependent scattering potentials of the surface atoms. These results are then compared with recent experimental data for 0.6 TCurie⩽T⩽TCurie. The usefulness of PLEED for surface magnetic structural determination is clearly demonstrated.
Relation Among Stenosis Severity, Myocardial Blood Flow, and Flow Reserve in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Background Coronary arteriography is considered the “gold standard” for evaluating the severity of a coronary stenosis. Because the resistance to blood flow through a stenotic lesion depends on a n...
Observation of anticorrelation between scintillation and ionization for MeV gamma rays in liquid xenon

A strong anticorrelation between ionization and scintillation signals produced by MeV $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays in liquid xenon has been measured and used to improve the energy resolution by combining the two signals. The improvement is explained by reduced electron-ion recombination fluctuations of the combined signal compared to fluctuations of the individual signals. Simultaneous measurements of ionization and scintillation signals were carried out with $^{137}\mathrm{Cs}$, $^{22}\mathrm{Na}$, and $^{60}\mathrm{Co}$ $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays, as a function of electric field in the liquid. A resolution of $1.7%(\ensuremath{\sigma})$ at $662\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{keV}$ was measured at $1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kV}∕\mathrm{cm}$, significantly better than the resolution from either scintillation or ionization alone. A detailed analysis indicates that further improvement to less than $1%(\ensuremath{\sigma})$ is possible with higher light collection efficiency and lower electronic noise.
Calculating reversible potentials for Pt-H and Pt-OH bond formation in basic solutions.

Two redox reactions on platinum electrodes in base, the formation of underpotential deposited hydrogen, forming a Pt−H bond, and the electro-oxidation of water, forming a Pt−OH bond, were studied by two methods. The first applies a linear relationship between reaction energy in solution and standard reversible potential, an approach recently used in this lab to predict the formation potential of the surface-bonded species. This method depends on the availability of accurate surface adsorption bond strengths from measurement or theory and can be applied in two formats, the empirical model and the linear correlation model. The second method treats the reaction within the so-called double-layer model where reactants and products on the surface are well defined and are experiencing the influence of the electrolyte. When this approach is used, two coordination shells of hydrogen bonded water molecules are found necessary to sufficiently stabilize the hydroxide ion in this model, unlike acid for which past work...
Electronic and Traditional Ways of Communicating and Not Communicating in Adolescent Psychotherapy

Using electronic media during adolescent psychotherapy sessions allows a patient to communicate particular information, to communicate in a certain way, not to communicate in another way, or not to communicate at all. Use of electronic media is not the only way to accomplish these kinds of communications, which also occur without electronic communication. The case presented in this paper illustrates forms of communication—including electronic communication—that are intermediate between communing with oneself, as in private thoughts or in writing in a journal, and sharing thoughts with another person, as in conversation. The case is of a girl with experiences of loss and a tendency to alexithymia (trouble expressing feelings with words). After the case presentation, I will offer some thoughts of Winnicott's to give a conceptual framework for the discussion.
Low Prevalence of Cyprinid Herpesvirus 3 Found in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) Collected from Nine Locations in the Great Lakes

Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV3) is a viral disease of fish first detected in the United States in 1998. Since that time, mortality events in common carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) have occurred in several locations within the Great Lakes basin, but not within the Great Lakes themselves. We sampled 675 carp from 20 sites across the Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair, Michigan, USA, between 19 July and 26 September 2010. We tested the gill and a pooled internal organ sample from each fish for CyHV3 with the use of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Virus was detected in 18 fish from nine sites in four lakes (Lakes Michigan, Huron, St. Clair, and Ontario). Tissues from these 18 fish were also tested for CyHV3 with the use of the PCR assay recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health; amplification was achieved from two fish and confirmation by sequencing of CyHV3 from one fish collected in Lake St. Clair. The results of this study suggest that CyHV3 is present in the Great Lakes.
Partial nucleotide sequence of the porcine corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) cDNA and specification of CBG expression sites in postnatal pigs.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to develop a porcine CBG cDNA probe in order to examine the porcine CBG mRNA expression in major tissues from the postnatal pig. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to develop the porcine CBG cDNA probe using total RNA extracted from liver of 40-day-old pig. The RT-PCR product was subcloned into the pGEM vector (Promega, Madison, WI) and subjected to restriction enzyme treatments and DNA sequencing. Northern blot analysis was conducted using total RNA extracted from samples (∼200 mg) of liver, lung, kidney, and whole adrenal tissue that were collected from pigs on day 3 (n=2) or day 40 (n=2) postpartum. A 500 bp partial porcine CBG cDNA encoded 166 amino acids and had 83, 78, and 77% homology to a 494-nucleotide sequence of CBG from sheep, human, and rabbit, respectively. The deduced peptide sequence of the partial porcine CBG showed 77, 62, 60, and 51% homology to sheep, human, rabbit, and rat CBG sequences, respectively. An approximately 1.53 kb CBG mRNA was detected only in the liver tissue. In conclusion, the development of a partial CBG cDNA for swine makes it possible to study the ontogeny and the regulation of CBG synthesis at the molecular level and, based on tissues examined in this study, the liver appears to be the primary source of CBG biosynthesis in the postnatal pig.
Benjamin P. Flower (1962–2012)

Benjamin P. Flower, a gifted paleoceanographer and marine geologist, supportive colleague, and dedicated educator at the University of South Florida (USF) College of Marine Science (CMS) passed away on 1 July 2012 from complications related to a rare genetic immune dysfunction, Common Variable Immunodeficiency. He was 49 years old. During his brief illness, Ben's love of life and boundless high spirits were an inspiration to his family, friends, and colleagues. He exhibited remarkable courage and kept his sense of humor in face of adversity. Ben's intellectualism and enduring love of science remained intact, even in his last hours.
pH‐reversible magnetic gel with a biodegradable polymer

Polymer gels that react to external stimuli, such as pH, temperature, and electromagnetic fields, are an important class of materials. Such materials have pharmaceutical, industrial, and biomedical applications. Our intention in this study was to synthesize a stimuli-responsive polymer gel with a biodegradable polymer. However, the chemical crosslinker, divinyl sulfone, which is most widely used for the crosslinking of this type of material, is highly toxic in nature. To overcome this problem, a reversible magnetic gel was synthesized with hydroxy propyl cellulose (HPC) and maghemite at pH 13 without with a chemical crosslinker. With a decrease in pH from 13 to 9, the gel formed a homogeneous dispersion of HPC particles with maghemite in it. This process was a reversible physical gelation where the crosslinks of the network had a physical origin (in this case, hydrogen bonding) and, therefore, were sensitive to variations in pH. When this physically prepared gel was compared with the chemically crosslinked one, no significant differences in structural properties were noted. At higher pH values, the gel was formed due to weak intermolecular hydrogen bonding, as observed by the broadening of the IR band in both the magnetic and nonmagnetic gels. Transmission electron micrographs also showed no significant difference in the gel morphology. Differential scanning calorimetry showed an increase in melting temperature for the gel sample compared to that of pure HPC. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3337–3341, 2004
Validation of the tremulous jaw movement model for assessment of the motor effects of typical and atypical antipychotics: effects of pimozide (Orap) in rats

Drug-induced tremulous jaw movements (TJMs) in rats have been used as a model of parkinsonian tremor. Previous studies demonstrated that the typical antipsychotic haloperidol induced TJMs after acute or subchronic administration, while atypical antipsychotics did not. Moreover, it has been suggested that the relative potency for suppression of tacrine-induced TJMs relative to the suppression of lever pressing can be used to discriminate between typical and atypical antipsychotics. In order to validate this model with additional drugs, the present studies assessed the effects of the typical antipsychotic pimozide. In the first series of experiments, the effects of acute pimozide on tacrine-induced TJMs and lever pressing were examined. As with haloperidol, pimozide failed to suppress tacrine-induced TJMs, even at doses considerably higher than those that suppressed lever pressing. In the second group of experiments, rats were given single daily injections of pimozide (0.125-1.0 mg/kg) or tartaric acid vehicle for 13 days, and were observed for TJMs on days 1, 7, and 13. Pimozide induced TJMs in a dose-related manner on all days. The jaw movements occurred largely in the 3-7 Hz frequency range characteristic of parkinsonian tremor. These data support the hypothesis that typical antipsychotics can induce TJMs in rats, and demonstrate that chronic administration of typical antipsychotics is not necessary for induction of TJMs. TJMs induced by acute or subchronic pimozide may be related to early-onset motor syndromes such as drug-induced parkinsonism.
Development of a Thermal Transport Database for Air Plasma Sprayed ZrO2-Y2O3 Thermal Barrier Coatings

Thermal diffusivities of air plasma sprayed (APS) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) were measured by the laser flash method. The data were used to calculate thermal conductivity of TBCs when provided with density and specific heat data. Due to the complicated microstructure and other processing-related parameters, thermal diffusivity of TBCs can vary as much as three- to four-fold. Data collected from over 200 free-standing ZrO2-7-8wt.%Y2O3 TBCs are presented. The large database gives a clear picture of the expected “band” of thermal diffusivity values. When this band is used as a reference for thermal diffusivity of a specific TBC, the thermal transport property of the TBC can be more precisely described. This database is intended to serve researchers and manufacturers of TBCs as a valuable resource for the evaluation of TBCs.
Topological relationship query processing for complex regions in Oracle Spatial

Although geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial database communities have extensively studied topological relationships for more than two decades, there is little literature describing how to efficiently implement them in GIS and spatial database systems. This is rather surprising considering that topological relationship queries are supported in many GIS and spatial database systems including IBM Informix Spatial and Geodetic DataBlades, ESRI SDE, Microsoft SQL server 2008, Oracle Spatial and PostGIS. In order to bridge this gap, we report our experience with implementing several optimization techniques in Oracle Spatial to speed up topological relationship query processing for query windows represented by complex regions (such as polygons or multi-polygons). Our experiments, utilizing real-world data sets, demonstrate that topological relationship query performance can be significantly improved using the proposed techniques.
Examining medication adherence in older women with coronary heart disease.

The purposes of this study were to examine medication adherence in older women with coronary heart disease and to identify barriers and facilitators of medication adherence. Methods: The study used a semistructured interview guide and established measures to examine medication taking 3 months after hospital discharge. Results: Thirty-two women completed the study: 65.6% were adherent to medications, but others were less adherent and self-modified their therapy. Over half (52.1%) suffered side effects, 71.9% had experienced psychological barriers, and all had economic barriers. Facilitators included a pillbox system (85%) and discharge medication counseling (90%). Conclusion: Tailored interventions to improve adherence in older women are needed.
Trench MOS Barrier Schottky (TMBS) rectifier: A Schottky rectifier with higher than parallel plane breakdown voltage

Abstract A new rectifier structure, called Trench MOS Barrier Schottky (TMBS) rectifier, is proposed and demonstrated by modeling and fabrication to have excellent characteristics. Two-dimensional numerical simulations have demonstrated coupling between the charge in the N − drift region and the metal on the trench sidewalls resulting in an improved electric field distribution. For epitaxial layer doping of 1 × 10 17 cm −3 , simulations show that break-down voltages of three times the plane parallel breakdown can be achieved with low leakage current. The measured on-state voltage drops for the devices fabricated using 0.5 μm technology at 60 and 300 A/cm 2 were 0.2 and 0.28 V, respectively. Due to smaller drift region resistances, TMBS rectifiers can be operated at large current densities (∼ 300 A/cm 2 ) resulting in small evice sizes.
OCDMA platform for avionics applications

A scalable OCDMA platform for testing different avionics applications at Lockheed Martin has been designed and built. The platform enables communication at OC-24 per user with raw BER<10−12 using fast wavelength-hopping, time-spreading prime codes with picosecond optical pulses. A novel optical encoder/decoder pair enables a connectivity approaching a so-called ‘one-time pad’ security and eavesdropping studies.
The relationship between dimensional self-concept and juvenile gang involvement: implications for prevention, intervention, and court referred diversion programs

In this investigation we assessed 427 youths from an area with considerable gang activity to determine the way in which self-concept is related to gang involvement, and to assess how gang involvement fluctuates as a function of gender and grade level. Product moment correlations revealed a significant negative association between gang involvement and the self-concept dimensions of competence, affect, academic, family, and global; however, only the relationship with competence self-concept remained significant after adjusting for alpha inflation. Discriminant analysis revealed a significant predictive relationship between self-concept and classification into high or low gang-involved groups. Males were found to be significantly more gang involved than females, but no differences were found by grade level (although a significant gender by grade interaction was present). Implications for field-based prevention/intervention efforts and court referred diversion programs are discussed.
Role of NF-κB-dependent Caveolin-1 Expression in the Mechanism of Increased Endothelial Permeability Induced by Lipopolysaccharide

We investigated the role of NF-kappaB activation by the bacterial product lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in inducing caveolin-1 (Cav-1) expression and its consequence in contributing to the leakiness of the endothelial barrier. We observed that LPS challenge of human lung microvascular endothelial cells induced concentration- and time-dependent increases in expression of Cav-1 mRNA and protein. The NEMO (NF-kappaB essential modifier binding domain)-binding domain peptide (IkB kinase (IKK)-NEMO-binding domain (NBD) peptide), which prevents NF-kappaB activation by inhibiting the interaction of IKKgamma with the IKK complex, blocked LPS-induced Cav-1 mRNA and protein expression. Knockdown of NF-kappaB subunit p65/RelA expression with small interfering RNA also prevented LPS-induced Cav-1 expression. Caveolae open to the apical and basal plasmalemma of endothelial cells increased 2-4-fold within 4 h of LPS exposure. IKK-NBD peptide markedly reduced the LPS-induced increase in the number of caveolae as well as transendothelial albumin permeability. These observations were recapitulated in mouse studies in which IKK-NBD peptide prevented Cav-1 expression and interfered with the increase in lung microvessel permeability induced by LPS. Thus, LPS mediates NF-kappaB-dependent Cav-1 expression that results in increased caveolae number and thereby contributes to the mechanism of increased transendothelial albumin permeability.
Saponins of two alfalfa cultivars

Abstract A saponin mixture was separated from the forage of DuPuits and Lahontan cultivars of Medicago sativa and found to contain about 30 saponins. Glucose, galactose, xylose, arabinose and rhamnose, were the principal sugars; the sapogenins comprised soyasapogenols A and B, lucernic acid, medicagenic acid together with four unidentified but related triterpenoids. Medicagenic acid was the predominant sapogenin of the DuPuits cultivar, whereas soyasapogenot A was prominent in Lahontan saponins. Galactose was found in the saponins of monocarboxylic or nonacidic sapogenins but was absent in those containing dicarboxylic sapogenins, such as medicagenic acid.
Surface area of cement paste conditioned at various relative humidities

Abstract The N 2 BET surface area (SA) of bottle hydrated portland cement is greatly reduced if exposed to changing relative humidities. The maximum SA loss, from 83 m 2 /g, occured on exposure to between 40 and 60% RH. In addition, the number and rate of humidity changes appear to affect the value of the SA, which increases only when exposed to relative humidities in excess of 75%. The phenomenon cannot be explained by the usual causes of aging of high specific SA solids. It is proposed that the solid, deformed by non-uniform moisture distribution during changing humidity conditions, breaks and makes interparticle bonds. A unique feature of cement paste is that these bonds can easily form and remain intact even after the moisture gradient vanishes.
Quantitative tools for assessing the fate of xenotransplanted human stem/progenitor cells in chimeric mice.

: Background: Identification of transplanted human cells in mouse models is important for studying the biology and therapeutic potential of stem/progenitor cells. As stem/progenitor cells are often transplanted in low numbers, detection of cell engraftment requires sensitive tools. Probes for single copy genes, as well as repetitive genetic elements are available for detecting transplanted cells, although their value relative to one another had not been defined. Methods: We examined whether human sequences in chimeric mice could be measured with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, type 1 repeat element, sex-determining region Y, or short tandem repeats (STR) across human leukocyte antigen (HLA) regions, which are distinct from rodent genomes. Results: We found that specific probes for all three candidate approaches successfully identified human cells in mixtures containing human and mouse genomes. However, probes for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease element or STRs for HLA regions were less effective for low numbers of transplanted human stem/progenitor cells in mice than human sex-determining region on Y-chromosome. None of the approaches could identify transplanted human cells constituting less than one percent of the total cell mass. This required localization of transplanted cells in tissue sections with human-specific in situ hybridization probes. Conclusions: Quantitative assays with probes for single copy gene sequences, STRs or sex-determining region will be helpful for demonstrating organ repopulation, although initial lower frequency engraftment of human cells in chimeric mice will be most effectively identified by complementary tools, such as in situ localization of human cells in tissues.
An Investigation of the End Milling Process Under Varying Machining Conditions

Varying machining conditions are encountered in adaptively controlled machining situations where operating conditions such as the feedrate and spindle speed are adjusted continuously to achieve desired objectives. Proper design, of constraint-type adaptive control systems in particular, requires models of the milling process mechanics since the milling process is usually part of the feedback loop. The adequacy of available models of milling process mechanics is evaluated here experimentally for many cases of varying machining conditions, including changing axial and radial depths of cut and feedrate. Startup transients in the force as the cutter engages the workpiece are also investigated. The significance of dynamic effects in the milling process and of effects such as runout, for constraint-type adaptive control system design, is then evaluated.
Experiments on Root Stresses of Helical Gears With Lead Crown and Misalignments

In this study, the results of an experimental parametric study of the combined influence of shaft misalignments and gear lead modifications on the load distribution and tooth bending stresses of helical gear pairs are presented. A set of helical gear pairs having various amounts of total lead crown was operated under loaded, low-speed conditions with varying amounts of tightly controlled shaft misalignments. Gear teeth were instrumented through strips of strain gages along the face width of gears at the tooth fillet region at a roll angle that is near the start of the active profile. Variations of root strains along the face width were quantified for different levels of shaft misalignments and gear lead crown. The results presented demonstrate the direct link between the lead crown and gear misalignments as well as the effectiveness of the lead crown in preventing edge loading conditions due to misalignment. The results presented here form a database that should be available for a validation of gear contact models in terms of their ability to simulate misalignments.
Polynomial time approximation schemes for minimum disk cover problems

The following planar minimum disk cover problem is considered in this paper: given a set $\mathcal{D}$ of n disks and a set ? of m points in the Euclidean plane, where each disk covers a subset of points in ?, to compute a subset of disks with minimum cardinality covering ?. This problem is known to be NP-hard and an algorithm which approximates the optimal disk cover within a factor of (1+?) in $\mathcal{O}(mn^{\mathcal{O}(\frac{1}{\epsilon^{2}}\log^{2}\frac{1}{\epsilon})})$ time is proposed in this paper. This work presents the first polynomial time approximation scheme for the minimum disk cover problem where the best known algorithm can approximate the optimal solution with a large constant factor. Further, several variants of the minimum disk cover problem such as the incongruent disk cover problem and the weighted disk cover problem are considered and approximation schemes are designed.
Rewriting Canonical Love Stories from the Peripheries

In her article "Rewriting Canonical Love Stories from the Peripheries" Karen Ya-Chu Yang compares postcolonial and postmodern intertextuality in Taiwanese and the Caribbean texts. Hsien-Yung Pai's "Wandering in the Garden, Waking from a Dream" (1966) and Tien-Hsin Chu's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1997) are two short stories which depict identity crises of first generation and second generation ??? (waishen gren, mainland immigrants). In these two texts disillusionment towards the center's romantic prospects is the lived reality for those compelled to accept their currently marginalized status and adopt hybrid flexibility as a practical survival strategy. In comparison, Jean Rhys in Wide Sargasso Sea (1966) and Maryse Conde in La Migration des coeurs (1995) deconstruct the love prospects from within for purposes of disenchanting the passing down of particular romantic fallacies. Rhys and Conde highlight race and ethnic hybridity to problematize love formulas. As rewritings from the peripheries, Rhys and Conde explore problematic and creative places and spaces of hybrid reconstructions providing insight into the hidden restrictions and possibilities of border crossing.
Cost comparison of three HIV counseling and testing technologies

Abstract Background In the United States, more than 2 million human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody tests are performed annually at publicly funded HIV counseling and testing (CT) clinics. Clients do not receive results from one third of these tests because of low return rates. New rapid-testing technologies may improve receipt of results, but no study has systematically analyzed the costs of these newer technologies compared with the standard protocol. Objective To estimate and compare the economic costs associated with three HIV CT protocols: the standard protocol and the one-step and two-step rapid protocols. Methods A cost analysis model was developed in 2002 to calculate the intervention costs for HIV CT services with the standard CT protocol and the one-step and two-step rapid-test protocols for a hypothetical client in a publicly funded HIV clinic. Sensitivity analyses were performed to ascertain the effects of uncertainty in the model parameters. Results The one-step rapid protocol was generally the least expensive of the three protocols. The standard protocol cost less than the two-step protocol per HIV-positive client notified of his or her HIV status, but cost more per HIV-negative client. The sensitivity analysis indicated overlap in the cost estimates for HIV-negative clients, reflecting the generally similar costs of the three testing protocols. Taking into account HIV seroprevalence, the two-step rapid protocol would be less expensive than the standard protocol for most publicly funded testing programs in the United States. Conclusions Rapid test protocols offer economic advantages as well as convenience, compared to the standard testing protocol. The cost estimates presented here should prove helpful to HIV program managers and other public health decision makers who need information on these counseling and testing technologies.
Topographic/photometric model of small bodies

Developing image acquisition requirements is a major part of the Autonomous Feature and Star Tracking (AFAST) project's work in advancing sensor technologies for planetary exploration. Sensing and detecting desired planetary features also involve topographic and photometric characterization of celestial bodies. The photometric study can provide felicitous designs of optics, focal plane array, and processing pertaining to feature extraction and tracking. In this paper, we present the results based on our preliminary study and implementation of photometric modeling on the AFAST's SGI-based 3D graphics testbed. Specifically, a computer-generated topographical model of Phobos is used since the photometry of Phobos have been studied in great details. The photometric function derived is mapped onto the computer-generated topographic model. Using the photometric model and specific camera parameters, an accurate CCD pixel response to target irradiance can then be calculated. This pixel information can be used by the feature tracking algorithm, and sensitivity to signal-to-noise ratio can then be determined.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Importance of Occupational Therapy Contributions to Health Services Research

Health care delivery includes a backdrop of constrained resources and scrutiny of quality, benefits, and cost of services. The peer-reviewed evidence supporting the benefits of occupational therapy...