cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recurrent genital herpes treatments and their impact on quality of life

Herpes genitalis is one of the most common viral sexually transmitted diseases in the world, with an estimated seroprevalence in the US of greater than 20%. Two viruses of the same family cause herpes genitalis: herpes simplex virus 1 and 2. After the resolution of primary infection, the virus persists in the nerve roots of the sacral plexus, often causing recurrent (though generally less severe) outbreaks. These outbreaks, as well as the infectious potential to the patient's sexual partners, results in significant psychological stress on the patient, and has a tremendous negative impact on QOL. Current treatment modalities may result in a reduction in the number of outbreaks and viral shedding, but no cure exists. Although studies have clearly demonstrated the negative impact of recurrent genital herpes on QOL, an assessment scale specific to herpes was not developed until recently. Earlier studies indicated that patients did not perceive a significant benefit from episodic treatment with antivirals, but studies using the Recurrent Genital Herpes Quality of Life Questionnaire (RGHQoL) have now demonstrated that suppressive antiviral therapy improves quality of life in patients with frequent recurrences of genital herpes. However, not all patients with recurrent genital herpes need suppressive therapy, and proposed factors to consider include frequency of recurrence, physical and psychological distress caused by recurrences, and the potential for transmission to the patient's sexual partner. Newer therapeutic modalities, including the topical immune response modifier resiquimod and herpes vaccines, may eventually be shown to further decrease the psychological morbidity of recurrent genital herpes.
Meeting Community-Dwelling Older Adults' Needs Through Community Education Programs

Occupational therapists can take a proactive role in meeting community-dwelling senior citizens' safety, environmental, and cognitive needs through community-based presentations developed in conjunction with aging organizations. This paper provides recommendations to gerontic occupational therapists for developing, marketing, and implementing educational programs for community-dwelling older adults.
A dynamic model for the turbulent burning velocity for large eddy simulation of premixed combustion

Turbulent premixed combustion is particularly difficult to describe using large eddy simulation (LES). In LES, premixed flame structures typically exist on subfilter length scales. Consequently, premixed LES models must be capable of describing how completely unresolved flame structures propagate under the influence of completely unresolved eddies. This description is usually accomplished through the implementation of a model for the turbulent burning velocity. Here, a dynamic model for describing the turbulent burning velocity in the context of LES is presented. This model uses a new surface filtering procedure that is consistent with standard LES filtering. Additionally, it only uses information that comes directly from the flame front. This latter attribute is important for two reasons. First, it guarantees that the model can be consistently applied when level set methods, where arbitrary constraints can be imposed on field variables away from fronts, are used to track the flame. Second, it forces the model to recognize that the physics governing flame front propagation are only valid locally at the front. Results showing model validation in the context of direct numerical simulation (DNS), and model application in the context of LES, are presented.
Improved pump turbine transient behaviour prediction using a Thoma number-dependent hillchart model

Water hammer phenomena are important issues for high head hydro power plants. Especially, if several reversible pump-turbines are connected to the same waterways there may be strong interactions between the hydraulic machines. The prediction and coverage of all relevant load cases is challenging and difficult using classical simulation models. On the basis of a recent pump-storage project, dynamic measurements motivate an improved modeling approach making use of the Thoma number dependency of the actual turbine behaviour. The proposed approach is validated for several transient scenarios and turns out to increase correlation between measurement and simulation results significantly. By applying a fully automated simulation procedure broad operating ranges can be covered which provides a consistent insight into critical load case scenarios. This finally allows the optimization of the closing strategy and hence the overall power plant performance.
Fear of Reprisal for Disclosing Union Interest: Assessing the Effectiveness of Perceived Anti-Unionism

We modeled a macro-level relationship at a micro-level level to examine the effectiveness of anti-unionism in psychological terms. We reasoned that fear of reprisal for disclosing union interest in the work environment was an affective response to perceived anti-unionism and hypothesized that fear of reprisal would disrupt the prediction of expression of this interest among nonunion employees (N = 1,010). With financial strain as a predictor of interest and fear of reprisal as a moderator, disruption was found. The results of the model are discussed in terms of the unintended consequences of anti-unionism, which, we argue, can include stress effects among employees and healthcare cost effects among employers.
A general framework of supply chain contract models

A supply chain is two or more parties linked by a flow of goods, information, and funds. When one or more parties of the supply chain try to optimize their own profits, system performance may be hurt. Supply chain contract is a coordination mechanism that provides incentives to all of its members so that the decentralized supply chain behaves nearly or exactly the same as the integrated one. We have seen a vast literature on supply chain contracts recently. However, little work has been done on the relationships of those supply chain contract models. In this paper, we provide a general framework that synthesizes existing results for a variety of supply chain contract forms.
Corporate philanthropy in the new urban economy: The role of business-nonprofit realignment in regime politics

Does corporate philanthropy by software, entertainment, and tourism firms sustain the urban business community’s hegemony in urban politics? Software and entertainment depend on local resources but not ones that involve the business community and promote philanthropy to the traditional community charities. Tourism depends on local markets and environmental amenities, which promote philanthropy to traditional charities and collaborations with environmental groups, the traditional urban business community’s “enemy.” Overall, the three sectors’ philanthropy and advocacy collaborations with environmental nonprofits and higher educational institutions erode the cohesion of urban business communities and weaken the traditional urban business community’s control over civic resources.
Context and Strategy in Presidential Campaigns: Incumbency and the Political Climate

We propose and examine a theory of how the context of the political climate and incumbency interact to affect candidate strategies and their impact on candidate evaluations and the vote in presidential elections. From this theory, we generate four hypotheses. Two concern the difference between elections in which the incumbent runs as opposed to open seat races with a successor in-party candidate. The other two hypotheses concern the difference in evaluations of incumbents and successor candidates in open seat elections. The results indicate that open seat elections are less reflective of the political climate than incumbent elections, that incumbents experience higher highs and lower lows than successor candidates, that evaluations of successor candidates tend to be more muted representations of evaluations of incumbents, and that the vote in open seat races depends more heavily on how voters judge the successor candidate rather than the incumbent leaving office. The contextual campaign made a substantial...
Broadcasts in graphs

We say that a function f : V → {0, 1, ..., diam(G)} is a broadcast if for every vertex v ∈ V, f(v) ≤ e(v), where diam(G) denotes the diameter of G and e(v) denotes the eccentricity of v. The cost of a broadcast is the value f(V) = Σv∈V f(v). In this paper we introduce and study the minimum and maximum costs of several types of broadcasts in graphs, including dominating, independent and efficient broadcasts.
The value of optimizing dentition before cardiac surgery

A P y PATIENT’S TEETH and intraoral tissues are not an anesthesiologist’s primary concern before a cardiothoracic rocedure. However, the potentially deleterious effects of an ntreated oral infection can have wide-reaching implications.1,2 ecognizing this hazard preoperatively is paramount in order to aximize the overall benefit of the procedure.3-5 This review laborates on the association between oral health and cardioascular disease (CVD) by presenting the rationale for optiizing dentition before cardiac surgery, and reviews the unerstated role that an anesthesiologist may play in this scenario. The patient’s airway has long been the principal focus for the nesthesiologist. Appropriately, an evaluation of the various redictors of a potentially difficult endotracheal intubation ocurs during the preoperative patient assessment. This assessent usually includes a very cursory examination of the paient’s dentition or lack thereof. Such an examination is often irected toward the presence of any loose or chipped teeth, any xed or removable prosthetic dental appliances, and the meaurement of the width in finger breadths with respect to a atient’s maximal interincisal distance. Determining the suseptibility of any loose teeth and taking appropriate precautions o avoid dental damage in the perioperative period are necesary, yet are not necessarily enough. Preoperatively, the aneshesiologist’s attention should extend beyond noting which eeth are vulnerable to a traumatic intubation and include a ore thorough evaluation of the overall condition of the paient’s dentition.
Wireless power delivery for wearable sensors and implants in Body Sensor Networks

A recent study on witricity (wireless electricity) has demonstrated that wireless energy can be delivered over a moderate distance using strongly coupled magnetic resonance. The objective of this work is to apply the witricity technology to the problem of powering a wireless Body Sensor Network (wBSN). The theory of witricity is investigated using coupled mode theory. Compact witricity resonators are designed, and a working prototype of witricity powered wBSN is built and evaluated. An energy transfer efficiency of about 80 % over a distance of 15 cm is achieved. Besides the high efficiency, it has been observed that a certain misalignment between the transmitter and receiver has little effect on the power transfer. Our experimental results indicate that witricity provides a powerful solution to the energy supply problem of wBSN.
Effect of Intralumenal Cation-Exchange Resin on Excretion of Ammonia in Rat Ileum

Summary: Ammonia excretion was studied in rat ileal segments during perfusion of the animal through the saphenous vein. In the first 10 min during and after intravenous infusion of l-glutamine (116 mg/ kg to double arterial glutamine concentration) average net change in lumenal ammonia was 13 ± 8 (S.E.) nmole NH3/min/g ileum; average net change in ileal venous ammonia was 28 ± 9 nmole NH3/min/g ileum; and average net change in total ammonia (lumen + ileal vein) was 41 ± 13 compared to −5 ± 10 nmole/min/g ileum for animals infused with saline P < 0.025. These data suggest that ileal metabolism of arterial glutamine liberates ammonia to both ileal venous blood and intestinal lumen. When a cation-exchange resin which binds ammonia was infused intralumenally, average net change in lumenal ammonia in the first 10 min during and after intravenous infusion of 116 mg/kg l-glutamine was 415 ± 156 nmole NH3/min/g ileum (p < 0.01 compared to value during perfusion of Earle's solution alone). During the first 10 min during and after glutamine infusion net change in ileal venous plasma ammonia was −8 ± 14 when resin was being perfused through the lumen compared to +28 ± 9 nmole/min/g ileum during perfusion of Earle's solution alone without resin P < 0.05. Thus resin in the small intestine can trap very large amounts of ammonia.
The Beginning of Mass Marketing in America: George Eastman and Photography as a Case Study

This article offers an interpretation of the birth of mass marketing through an intensive study of one case: George Eastman and the photographic industry. Eastman transformed picture-taking from an expensive, technologically complex craft into a very simple process, making it accessible to a mass market. He was both a leader in his field and an example of what was happening as mass marketing swept through numerous U.S. industries late in the nineteenth century.
Gene Expression and Regulation in the Extended Longevity Phenotypes of Drosophila

We used both selection and single-gene mutagenesis studies to identify the mechanisms underlying the genetic control of longevity in Drosophila. The expression of the extended longevity phenotype (ELP) in our forward-selected strains depends on an early and specific upregulation of the antioxidant defense system (ADS) genes and enzymes, which results in decreased oxidative damage levels and a delayed onset of senescence. This mechanism does not alter metabolic rate and is itself reversed by a reverse selection regime. Single-gene mutational analysis of the regulatory genes controlling ADS gene expression show they are under the positive and negative control of several such genes, each of which can bring about the expression/repression of the ELP. Sister strains with identical ELPs have different patterns of ADS gene expression, showing that phenotypic equivalence does not require molecular equivalence. The organism may have multiple genetic strategies to cope with similar levels of oxidative stress.
3D/4D facial expression analysis: An advanced annotated face model approach

Facial expression analysis has interested many researchers in the past decade due to its potential applications in various fields such as human-computer interaction, psychological studies, and facial animation. Three-dimensional facial data has been proven to be insensitive to illumination condition and head pose, and has hence gathered attention in recent years. In this paper, we focus on discrete expression classification using 3D data from the human face. The paper is divided in two parts. In the first part, we present improvement to the fitting of the Annotated Face Model (AFM) so that a dense point correspondence can be found in terms of both position and semantics among static 3D face scans or frames in 3D face sequences. Then, an expression recognition framework on static 3D images is presented. It is based on a Point Distribution Model (PDM) which can be built on different features. In the second part of this article, a systematic pipeline that operates on dynamic 3D sequences (4D datasets or 3D videos) is proposed and alternative modules are investigated as a comparative study. We evaluated both 3D and 4D Facial Expression Recognition pipelines on two publicly available facial expression databases and obtained promising results.
Intracellular proteolytic systems may function as secondary antioxidant defenses: An hypothesis

In recent years it has become clear that various free radicals and related oxidants can cause serious damage to intracellular enzymes and other proteins. Several investigators have shown that in extreme cases this can result in an accumulation of oxidatively damaged proteins as useless cellular debris. In other instances, proteins may undergo scission reactions with certain radicals/oxidants, resulting in the direct formation of potentially toxic peptide fragments. Data has also been gathered (recently) demonstrating that various intracellular proteolytic enzymes or systems can recognize, and preferentially degrade, oxidatively damaged proteins (to amino acids). In this hypothesis paper I present evidence to suggest that proteolytic systems (of proteinases, proteases, and peptidases) may function to prevent the formation or accumulation of oxidatively damaged protein aggregates. Proteolytic systems can also preferentially degrade peptide fragments and may thus prevent a wide variety of potentially toxic consequences. I propose that many proteolytic enzymes may be important components of overall antioxidant defenses because they can act to ameliorate the consequences of oxidative damage. A modified terminology is suggested in which the primary antioxidants are such agents as vitamin E, beta-carotene, and uric acid and such enzymes as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and DT-diaphorase. In this classification scheme, proteolytic systems, DNA repair systems, and certain lipolytic enzymes would be considered as secondary antioxidant defenses. As secondary antioxidant defenses, proteolytic systems may be particularly important in times of high oxidative stress, during periods of (primary) antioxidant insufficiency, or with advancing age.
Review article: current status of gastrointestinal carcinoids.

Carcinoid tumours are enigmatic, slow growing malignancies which occur most frequently (74%) in the gastrointestinal tract. In recent years, it has become apparent that the term `carcinoid' represents a wide spectrum of different neoplasms originating from a variety of different neuroendocrine cell types. Carcinoid lesions are usually identified histologically by their affinity for silver salts, by general neuroendocrine markers, or more specifically by immunocytochemistry using antibodies against their specific cellular products. Within the gut, the most frequent sites are the small bowel (29%), the appendix (19%) and rectum (13%). Clinical manifestations are often vague or absent. Nevertheless, in approximately 10% of patients the tumours secrete bioactive mediators which may engender various elements of characteristic carcinoid syndrome. In many instances the neoplasms are detected incidentally at the time of surgery for other gastrointestinal disorders. The tendency for metastatic spread correlates with tumour size, and is substantially higher in lesions larger than 2.0 cm. An association with noncarcinoid neoplasms is ascribed in 8–17% of lesions. Treatment consists of radical surgical excision of the tumour, although gastric (type I and II) and rectal carcinoids may be managed with local excision. Overall 5-year survival is excellent for carcinoids of the appendix (86%) and rectum (72%), whereas small intestinal (55%), gastric (49%) and colonic carcinoids (42%) exhibit a far worse prognosis.
Real-World Implications of Digital Forensics: Technical, Methodological & Procedural Hurdles

This panel will discuss the issues and challenges that need to be taken into consideration when bringing laboratory Digital Forensic Science into the courtroom. Panelists and audience are encouraged to think about everything that was involved when laboratory DNA, its analysis and implications were first presented in court. The discussion will include 1) a brief overview of the technology, methodology or process and its objectives and limitations 2) a summary of what perceived challenges could be: technical complexity, jargon, challenges in deployment (e.g., education & training requirements for digital forensic laboratory personnel) 3) discussion of "lay person" challenges (e.g., courtroom presentation to jury, judge, and those involved in investigation, prosecution and defense; identification of educational analogies that facilitate understanding and presentation).
A high molecular weight form of pancreatic polypeptide was present in USP insulin and is absent in a more recent insulin preparation.

The concentrations and molecular forms of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and glucagon were determined in USP XX and single-peak insulin preparations. In USP insulin the concentration of PP was 7 ng mg−1 insulin; on gel chromatography the PP immunoreactivity fractionated into two peaks of about equal size. One of the PP peaks was in the region of 4200 dalton PP, and the other PP peak eluted earlier in the region of a 7000-10***000 dalton peptide. The concentration of PP in single-peak insulin was 0ṁ8 ng mg−1 insulin; the immunoreactivity eluted in a single peak in the region of [125I]PP. The concentration of glucagon in each preparation was 55 ng mg−1 insulin. On gel chromatography the immunoreactive glucagon in each insulin preparation eluted in the region of [125I]glucagon.
Inhaled nitric oxide in the treatment of preterm infants

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) has been used successfully in select term and near-term infants with respiratory failure. The use of iNO in the premature infant population, however, remains controversial. This article will review some of the current literature regarding the use of iNO in premature infants and discuss current recommendations and future research directions.
Discharge charateristics of neurons in anteroventral and dorsal cochlear nuclei of cat

Abstract A comparison was made of the discharge characteristics in two regions of the cochlear nuclear complex, the dorsal nucleus (DCN) and the spherical cell region (SCR) of the anteroventral nucleus. SCR neurons have narrow excitatory tuning curves and usually do not have inhibitory sidebands. The response to tone-burst stimulation is primary-like. Rate-intensity functions are almost always monotonic. The spacing of action potentials is irregular. Discharge may be phase-locked for frequencies exceeding 3 kHz. DCN neurons have more complicated discharge characteristics. Excitatory tuning curves may be broad or narrow and, in some cases, are multipeaked. Inhibitory sidebands are common and are especially prominent in units with narrow tuning curves. The response to tone bursts may be simple or complex. Complex response patterns involve silent pauses in discharge or the gradual buildup of activity. On occasion afterdischarges are seen. Many neurons, particularly those with complex response patterns, exhibit non-monotonic rate-intensity functions. Steady-state discharge patterns are regular. Phase-locking is usually limited to frequencies below 1.5 kHz. Results are discussed in terms of the morphology of the DCN and SCR.
M/G /1/ n vacation model with varying E-limited service discipline

We define and analyze anM/G/1/N vacation model that uses a service discipline that we call theE-limited with limit variation discipline. According to this discipline, the server provides service until either the system is emptied (i.e. exhausted) or a randomly chosen limit ofl customers has been served. The server then goes on a vacation before returning to service the queue again. The queue length distribution and the Laplace-Stieltjes transforms of the waiting time, busy period and cycle time distributions are found. Further, an expression for the mean waiting time is developed. Several previously analyzed service disciplines, including Bernoulli scheduling, nonexhaustive service and limited service, are special cases of the general varying limit discipline that is analyzed in this paper.
Linking induced technological change, and environmental regulation: Evidence from patenting in the U.S. auto industry

a b s t r a c t This article uses a carefully screened patent database in automobile emission control technologies and a detailed regulatory action analysis to examine firms' innovation in response to U.S. technology- forcing auto emissions standards enacted between 1970 and 1998. The study finds that under the performance-based technology-forcing (PBTF) auto emissions regulations, both automakers and compo- nent suppliers innovated and introduced more advanced emission control technologies for automobile applications. The study also shows that stringent PBTF regulation temporarily induced domestic U.S. firms to become more innovative than foreign firms that operated in the local U.S. market during the early phase of the regulatory regime. Findings of this research strongly imply that government intervention in the form of technology-forcing regulation can drive firms to invest in technological innovation.
Electrohydrodynamic ionization mass spectrometry - the ionization of liquid glycerol and non-volatile organic solutes

Abstract Electrohydrodynamic ionization produces charged droplets and/or ions from a liquid surface upon application of an electric field. An analytical ion source based on this principle has previously been used for mass analysis of liquid metal systems, and this study describes its application to organic liquids. Using glycerol as the host fluid and NaI as the electrolyte, the mass spectrum is predominantly composed of a series of glycerol polymers with a sodium cation or a proton attached. Addition of sucrose or proline to this working fluid produces peaks in the spectrum characteristic of the added compound, as well as clusters of the solute with glycerol. Molecular fragmentation is minimal, and the source is compared with other “soft” ionization techniques.
Fast analytical models of wheeled locomotion in deformable terrain for mobile robots

Hazardous terrains pose a crucial challenge to mobile robots. To operate safely and efficiently, it is necessary to detect the terrain type and modify operation strategies in real-time. Fast analytical models of wheeled locomotion on deformable terrains are thus important. Based on classic terramechanics, a closed-form wheel–soil interaction model was derived by quadratic approximation of stresses along the wheel–soil interface. The bulldozing resistance and the effects of grousers were also added for more accurate prediction of wheel contact forces. A non-iterative method was proposed to estimate the entry angle, by using approximated vertical pressure acting on the wheels. The computational efficiency was improved by avoiding traditional recursive search. Real-time computation of the wheel contact forces is achieved by the terramechanics-based formula (TBF), which was developed by integrating the wheel–soil interaction model and the entry angle estimator. In addition, an automotive-inspired approach was used to integrate the TBF and the simplified vehicle dynamics model for fast simulation of mobile robots. Stability problems in numerical simulation could be avoided by this method. The above models were verified by comparing simulation results and experiment data, including single-wheel experiments and full-vehicle experiments.
Comparison of Methods for Computing Equivalent Viscous Damping Ratios of Structures with Added Viscous Damping

Three analysis methods are compared for determining the equivalent viscous damping ratios in a simple one-story, one-bay system with three different added damping configurations. The analysis methods are modal strain energy using the undamped mode shapes, free vibration log decrement, and complex eigenvalue-eigenvector analysis. The damping configurations include a diagonal configuration, a horizontal configuration, and a toggle-braced system. For each of these systems, a variety of linkage stiffness and damper capacities are considered. In all cases the structure, exclusive of the dampers, is assumed to remain elastic. A brief discussion is provided for the behavior of systems with nonlinear viscous dampers. The results of the study show that significantly different values may be obtained for the effective viscous damping in the same system when different analysis approaches are used. For the toggle-braced system with relatively flexible linkages, it was shown that the modal strain energy approach consistently produced increasing effective damping with increased damper capacity, while the other two methods indicated the opposite results. Subsequent analysis of the toggle-braced structure using the complex eigenvalue-eigenvector approach showed that the effective system damping was indeed decreasing with an increased device damping constant, and that the behavior could be attributed to the axial flexibility of the toggle brace linkage. The analysis indicated that the greater the flexibility of the linkage relative to the damping constant of the device, the greater the phase difference between the deformational velocity in the device and the relative horizontal velocity of the story containing the device. While the phase shift is evident from response history analysis, the most efficient visualization tool is a plot of the damped mode shapes on a complex plane.
Fully automated liquid-liquid extraction for the determination of a novel insulin sensitizer in human plasma by heated nebulizer and turbo ionspray liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Abstract I , 2-{[5,7-dipropyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2-benzisoxazol-6-yl]oxy}-2-methyl propionic acid is an α peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist with some γ activity being investigated for potential use in the treatment of Type II diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. Two automated liquid–liquid extraction methods were developed and validated for the determination of I in human plasma. Concentrations of I were determined over a wide range of clinical doses. For Method A, plasma was acidified and extracted with ethyl acetate using a fully automated procedure. Analysis was performed by LC-MS/MS with a turbo ionspray source in negative ion mode. For Method B, a larger volume of plasma was extracted and a heated nebulizer source was used on the mass spectrometer. Method A was linear from 0.05 to 50 ng/mL and Method B from 0.2 to 1000 ng/mL. Validation procedures showed that both methods were robust, specific and reproducible.
Cortical spread of after-discharge in the monkey

Abstract 1. 1. In the monkey, after-discharge induced by cortical stimulation spreads locally by extension through contiguous cortical zones. The size of the cortical island invaded by the seizure depends upon the strength of stimulus, duration of the induced discharge and the relative excitability of the cortex. 2. 2. The discharge is manifested on the EEG initially by a train of high voltage “spikes”. Subsequently, bursts, of spikes or waves, both phenomena being closely interrelated, characterize the seizure. 3. 3. Local propagation of after-discharge appears to be prefaced by the development of surface negative waves in cortex surrounding the seizure focus. 4. 4. Dissemination of the discharge occurs by way of callosal conduction to an area homotopic to the stimulated locus. Remote conduction to other surface regions was otherwise lacking. 5. 5. This evidence supports the concept that seizure spread relates closely to induced alteration in dendritic potentials.
A Novel Non-Invasive Method of Estimating Pulmonary Vascular Resistance in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Background The assessment of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The main objective of this study was to determine whether the noninvasive index of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP) to heart rate (HR) times the right ventricular outflow tract time-velocity integral (TVI RVOT ) (SPAP/[HR × TVI RVOT ]) provides clinically useful estimations of PVR in PAH. Methods Doppler echocardiography and right-heart catheterization were performed in 51 consecutive patients with established PAH. The ratio of SPAP/(HR × TVI RVOT ) was then correlated with invasive indexed PVR (PVRI) using regression and Bland-Altman analysis. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, a cutoff value for the Doppler equation was generated to identify patients with PVRI ≥ 15 Wood units (WU)/m 2 . Results The mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 52 ± 15 mm Hg, the mean cardiac index was 2.2 ± 0.6 L/min/m 2 , and the mean PVRI was 20.5 ± 9.6 WU/m 2 . The ratio of SPAP/(HR × TVI RVOT ) correlated very well with invasive PVRI measurements ( r = 0.860; 95% confidence interval, 0.759-0.920). A cutoff value of 0.076 provided well-balanced sensitivity (86%) and specificity (82%) to determine PVRI > 15 WU/m 2 . A cutoff value of 0.057 increased sensitivity to 97% and decreased specificity to 65%. Conclusion The novel index of SPAP/(HR × TVI RVOT ) provides useful estimations of PVRI in patients with PAH.
Iron and iron management proteins in neurobiology

The ability of the brain to store a readily bioavailable source of iron is essential for normal neurologic function because both iron deficiency and iron excess in the brain have serious neurologic consequences. The blood-brain barrier presents unique challenges to timely and adequate delivery of iron to the brain. The regional compartmentalization of neurologic function and a myriad of cell types provide additional challenges. Furthermore, iron-dependent events within the central nervous system (CNS) are age dependent (e.g., myelination) or region specific (e.g., dopamine synthesis). Thus the mechanisms for maintaining the delicate balance of CNS iron concentration must be considered on a region-specific and age-specific basis. Confounding factors that influence brain iron acquisition in addition to age-specific and region-specific requirements are dietary factors and disease. This article raises and addresses the novel concept of regional regulation of brain iron uptake by reviewing the developmental patterns of iron accumulation and expression of proteins responsible for maintaining iron homeostasis in a region-specific and cell-specific manner. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for generating insights into diseases such as Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome, in which excess iron accumulation in the brain plays a significant role in the disease process, and should also unveil windows of opportunity for replenishing the brain in a state of iron deficiency.
Developmental times of the Pacific spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) on water-stressed almond trees

Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to assess the effects of water stress on almond leaf temperatures and Pacific spider mite, Tetranychus pacificus McGregor, developmental times. Egg-to-egg developmental times on water-stressed almond trees were 11% faster than developmental times on nonstressed trees. Leaf surface temperatures on the stressed trees averaged 2.1°C higher than those on the nonstressed trees. Accumulated degree hours for egg-to-egg development were not significantly different among the mites from the stress and nonstress treatments. Thus, the faster developmental times for the mites on the stressed trees were the result of the higher leaf surface temperatures. Mean daily leaf canopy temperatures from 4-yr-old, water-stressed almond trees were 2.0°C higher than control trees under field conditions. Leaf canopy temperature differences were significantly correlated with differences in predawn leaf water potentials between the water-stressed and control trees. Mature almond trees under an irrigation regime of 55% evapotranspiration (ET) had significantly higher afternoon leaf canopy temperatures than trees under regimes of 85 and 100% ET. Increased leaf surface temperatures in water-stressed almond trees have the potential for accelerating increases in spider mite populations.
RNA synthesis in yeast mitochondria: a derepressible activity.

RNA polymerase activity has been observed in isolated mitochondria of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Increase in this activity precedes that of other respiratory enzymes, and may be of functional significance in mitochondriogenesis.
Stress Concentration in an Elastic Cosserat Plate Undergoing Extensional Deformations

We formulate and solve the boundary value problem of a linearly elastic, infinite Cosserat plate which contains a circular hole and which is loaded in tension at infinity. The effect of hole radius, plate thickness, and material parameters on the stress concentration at the hole is discussed. We also discuss the stress concentration when the plate is subjected to pure shear.
Computational models of tandem SRC homology 2 domain interactions and application to phosphoinositide 3-kinase.

Intracellular signal transduction proteins typically utilize multiple interaction domains for proper targeting, and thus a broad diversity of distinct signaling complexes may be assembled. Considering the coordination of only two such domains, as in tandem Src homology 2 (SH2) domain constructs, gives rise to a kinetic scheme that is not adequately described by simple models used routinely to interpret in vitro binding measurements. To analyze the interactions between tandem SH2 domains and bisphosphorylated peptides, we formulated detailed kinetic models and applied them to the phosphoinositide 3-kinase p85 regulatory subunit/platelet-derived growth factor β-receptor system. Data for this system from different in vitro assay platforms, including surface plasmon resonance, competition binding, and isothermal titration calorimetry, were reconciled to estimate the magnitude of the cooperativity characterizing the sequential binding of the high and low affinity SH2 domains (C-SH2 and N-SH2, respectively). Compared with values based on an effective volume approximation, the estimated cooperativity is 3 orders of magnitude lower, indicative of significant structural constraints. Homodimerization of full-length p85 was found to be an alternative mechanism for high avidity binding to phosphorylated platelet-derived growth factor receptors, which would render the N-SH2 domain dispensable for receptor binding.
The distribution of trace metal ions in bone and tendon.

The natural trace metal compositions of human bone mineral and demineralized bone were measured by emission spectroscopy and compared with those of the original whole bone and human tendon. Cu, Fe and Zn remained in the collagenous matrix of bone and were found in similar quantities in tendon. It is suggested, therefore, that these ions are chemically bound to the collagen matrix in these tissuesin vivo, and that the binding has a part in their activity. Most of the Pb, Si, Sr, and V in bone remained with the mineral portion, probably as substituted or interstitial ions. Zn is divided between the organic and mineral phases.
Spitzer Observations of the Giant Molecular Cloud W3

We present new images of the giant molecular cloud W3 obtained with the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) and the Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPS) on board the Spitzer Space Telescope. The images encompass the star forming regions W3 Main, W3(OH), and a region that we refer to as the Central Cluster, which encloses the emission nebula IC 1795. We present a star count analysis of the point sources detected in W3. The star count analysis shows that the stellar population of the Central Cluster, when compared to that in the background, contains an over density of sources. The Central Cluster also contains an excess of sources with colors consistent with Class II young stellar objects (YSOs). An analysis of the color-color diagrams also reveals a large number of Class II YSOs in the Central Cluster. Our results suggest that an earlier epoch of star formation created the Central Cluster, created a cavity, and triggered the active star formation in the W3 Main and W3(OH) regions. We also detect a new outflow and its candidate exciting star.
Divalent Counterions Tether Membrane-Bound Carbohydrates To Promote the Cohesion of Auditory Hair Bundles

The cell membranes in the hair bundle of an auditory hair cell confront a difficult task as the bundle oscillates in response to sound: for efficient mechanotransduction, all the component stereocilia of the hair bundle must move essentially in unison, shearing at their tips yet maintaining contact without membrane fusion. One mechanism by which this cohesion might occur is counterion-mediated attachment between glycan components of apposed stereociliary membranes. Using capillary electrophoresis, we showed that the stereociliary glycocalyx acts as a negatively charged polymer brush. We found by force-sensing photomicrometry that the stereocilia formed elastic connections with one another to various degrees depending on the surrounding ionic environment and the presence of N-linked sugars. Mg2+ was a more potent mediator of attachment than was Ca2+. The forces between stereocilia produced chaotic stick-slip behavior. These results indicate that counterion-mediated interactions in the glycocalyx contribute to the stereociliary coherence that is essential for hearing.
Altered vitamin D metabolism in type II diabetic mouse glomeruli may provide protection from diabetic nephropathy

The db/db mouse develops features of type II diabetes mellitus as the result of impaired signaling through its abnormal leptin receptor. In spite of accurate metabolic features of diabetes, renal disease manifestations in these mice are not as severe as in humans suggesting the presence of protective genes. There is a growing body of evidence in humans for the relevance of vitamin D in diabetes. Here we followed a large cohort of db/db mice and their non-diabetic db/+ littermates. Transcriptional profiling revealed significant upregulation of 23 genes involved in Ca2+ homeostasis and vitamin D metabolism in db/db glomeruli relative to db/+ glomeruli. Increased glomerular expression of vitamin D3 1α-hydroxylase, vitamin D binding protein, calbindins D9K and D28K, and calcyclin mRNA was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction in 20-, 36-, and 52-week-old db/db glomeruli. Although vitamin D3 1α-hydroxylase protein was primarily expressed and upregulated in db/db renal tubules, it was also expressed in glomerular podocytes in vivo. Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and urinary Ca2+ excretion were increased >3-fold in db/db mice compared to db/+ mice. Cultured glomerular podocytes had mRNA for vitamin D3 1α-hydroxylase, vitamin D receptor, and calbindin D28K, each of which was increased in high glucose conditions. High glucose also led to enhanced production of fibronectin and collagen IV protein, which was blocked by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. These results show that vitamin D metabolism is altered in db/db mice leading to metabolic and transcriptional effects. The podocyte is affected by paracrine and potentially autocrine effects of vitamin D, which may explain why db/db mice are resistant to progressive diabetic nephropathy.
Charge transfer controlled surface interactions between oxygen and CdSe films

Abstract The interaction of oxygen with CdSe surfaces has been studied with thin films of CdSe evaporated in ultra high vacuum in the temperature range 0–360°C and pressure range 10−4−10mm Hg. The effect was monitored via conductivity measurements, carried out in situ. When oxygen is introduced, the initially “clean” film undergoes an instantaneous irreversible chemisorption followed by a slow uptake which is also irreversible in the studied temperature range. This interaction brings about a 3–5 orders of magnitude decrease in the conductivity of the n-type film, i.e. oxygen exhibits acceptor-like properties. The rate of the slow irreversible oxygen uptake can be expressed as d N d t = kP 1 4 o 2 exp ( − bN) and the activation energy for the process has been measured. Donor type weakly adsorbed oxygen was also found to be present on CdSe films which could be reversibly removed from the surface; this reaction was also accompanied by charge transfer and was strongly pressure dependent. The heat of reaction for this process is 12 kcal mole . The boundary layer theory was evoked to explain the kinetics of the slow uptake of the acceptor-like oxygen. Attempts have been made to explain the mechanism of the different surface reactions.
A simple high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay for the N-hydroxy derivatives of phenacetin, acetaminophen, 2-acetylaminofluorene, and other hydroxamic acids.

Abstract A sensitive high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay is reported for the quantitation of hydroxamic acids including the N-hydroxy derivatives of phenacetin, acetaminophen, and 2-acetylaminofluorene. In this assay ferric chloride is present in the elution solvent and the hydroxamic acids are detected as their respective ferric cholates at 546 nm. With this assay 25 ng of N-hydroxyphenacetin can be accurately quantitated. N-Acetylarylamines are not detected in the assay whereas some ortho-substituted phenol derivatives formed weakly absorbing colored complexes with ferric ions which in all cases studies eluted before the corresponding N-hydroxy-N-acetylarylamine. Other phenolic derivatives of N-acetylaryl-amines which were tested are not detectable in the assay. With this assay it was demonstrated that phenacetin was N-hydroxylated by hamster liver microsome at rates similar to that previously described by a radiochromatographic assay.
An approximate ab initio sum-over-states approach to the calculation of non-linear optical properties in organic molecules

Abstract We present an ab initio formulation of a modified sum-over-states method to perform calculations on the non-linear optical (NLO) properties for intermediate and large molecular systems. A benchmark application to the trans-octatetraene molecule is presented with comparison to other ab initio calculations. The method is also used to compute some key NLO parameters for the molecules di-alkyl-amino-nitro-stilbene and 3,4-methoxy-2,5-bis-(benzo-thiazolyl-2)thiophene treated earlier at the semi-empirical level by the present authors.
The New America Electronic Medical Record (EMR)--Design Criteria and Challenge

As you can see from a review of the physician interface, there are many exciting potentials that exist for the future of the EMR. None of these will happen unless we change the focus of the system design process and start by making the physician a key and primary player in this equation. To get a proactive physician following is the most important step forward and should be a primary focus for the large investments that are planned. We need a company or organization that sees the need for a future product that will accomplish these goals. We need funding for that process and a prototype development effort to perfect the design. We need the construction of a relational database of medicine with a professional staff to support its operation. Are there entrepreneurs still out there that can see this challenge and are willing to invest in its accomplishment? I sure hope so and I would be delighted to hear from you by email. Please send your comments and critique to: kqinc@aol.com
Can serum bilirubin be an index of in vivo oxidative stress

Bilirubin has been suggested as a physiological antioxidant, and recent studies suggest that its synthesis is induced in response to oxidative stress. Numerous reports in the literature show increases in serum bilirubin when using halogenated hydrocarbons as oxidative stress inducers. Analogously, these increases should also be expected for other inducers. On the other hand, bilirubin is destroyed by the same molecules that induce its production. The measurement of bilirubin may be a useful index of in vivo oxidative stress, although no big differences in bilirubin levels should be expected.
Inflation, openness, and exchange-rate regimes: The quest for short-term commitment

Abstract This paper further tests Romer's [Romer, D., 1993. Openness and inflation: theory and evidence. Quarterly Journal of Economics 58, 869–903] extension of Kydland and Prescott's [Kydland, F., Prescott, E., 1977. Rules rather than discretion: the inconsistency of optimal plans. Journal of Political Economy 85, 473–491] predictions for dynamic inconsistency problems in open economies. In a panel data set of developed and developing countries from 1973 to 1998, I find that openness does not play a role in restricting inflation in the short run. On the other hand, a fixed exchange-rate regime plays a significant role. The results are robust to controlling for other variables that determine inflation, performing sensitivity analysis, and using a de facto exchange-rate regime classification.