cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of chronic adrenergic receptor blockade on plasma renin activity in man.

The response of plasma renin activity (PRA) to the stimuli of upright posture and sodium deprivation was determined in three normal adults and in ten hypertensive patients before and after chronic alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade with phenoxybenzamine and chronic beta-blockade with propranolol. Alpha-receptor blockade produced little effect on supine or upright PRA values; beta-receptor blockade, however, consistently and significantly suppressed PRA in both the supine and standing positions. Dose-response studies suggest that the maximal suppression of PRA attainable after oral propranolol administration occurs at peak plasma levels of about 30–50 ng/ml. Beta-adrenergic receptors appear to constitute that part of the sympathetic nervous system which mediates a significant portion of the renin release mechanism. Pharmacologic interference with renin secretion by beta-adrenergic receptor blockade is easily achieved in both normal and hypertensive subjects. The suppression of supine and upright PRA with b...
Biologie der Spermatozoen im menschlichen Hoden und Nebenhoden

Es wird uber das Verhalten der Spermatozoen im Hoden und Nebenhoden des Menschen berichtet. Die Untersuchungen sind ausgefuhrt an Organen von Hingerichtete.. Die Spermien aus dem Hoden zeigen bereits gut entwickelte Bewegungsfahigkeit. Die Bewegungsdauer der Hodenspermien ist jedoch kurz, die Resistenzfahigkeit.gering. Im Nebenhodenkopf beobachtet man eine Zunahme der Bewegungsdauer und Intensitat, welche im Nebenhodenschweif weiter ansteigen. Im lebenden Organ zeigen die Spermien keine Eigenbewegung. Die Bewegung wird durch physikalisch-chemische und chemische Vorgange gehemmt. Die Haftdauer und die seelische Beeindruckung uben auf die Funktion dieser Organe anscheinend nur einen sehr geringen Einflus aus.
Abstract LB-41: Prolonged survival upon ultrasound-enhanced doxorubicin delivery in two syngenic glioblastoma mouse models

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor, with a very poor prognosis. Chemotherapeutical treatment of GBM is limited by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This physical and metabolic barrier separates the blood from the brain parenchyma and prevents the entry of toxins but also of potentially useful chemotherapeutics from the blood into the brain. Microbubble-enhanced focused ultrasound (MB-FUS) has been proposed to disrupt locally and reversibly the BBB to facilitate diffusion of drugs from the micro vasculature into brain tissue. The present study investigates the feasibility and the safety of such an approach in two syngenic mouse models of GBM (GL261 and SMA-560). Local doxorubicin (DOX) concentration in MB-FUS sonicated normal brain tissue as well as in brain tumor tissue was increased as compared to the unsonicated control tissue in the contralateral hemisphere. Moreover, ultrasound mediated BBB disruption, in combination with DOX therapy, resulted in a significant increase of survival and in a slower disease progression in the two syngenic GBM mouse models. In conclusion, our results confirm that MB-ultrasound might ultimately be an effective technology to improve the therapy of GBM, and they provide for the first time evidence that combining MB-FUS with DOX treatment is effective in syngenic mouse models for GBM which can serve as preclinical models to study the impact of immune system on the therapeutic application of MB-FUS chemotherapy. Citation Format: Zsofia Kovaks, Beat Werner, Ernst Martin-Fiori, Michele Bernasconi. Prolonged survival upon ultrasound-enhanced doxorubicin delivery in two syngenic glioblastoma mouse models. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-41. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-41
Prevalence, intensity, and fertility of ovine cystic echinococcosis in the central Peruvian Andes.

Abstract An abattoir survey of 212 sheep of different ages was undertaken to determine the local epidemiological transmission patterns of Echinococcus granulosus in the central Peruvian Andes. Overall prevalence of the disease in sheep in this survey (which ended in July 1996) was 77·4%, with 96% of sheep aged ⩾6 years being infected. Of 1165 cysts examined, 41·1 % were fertile with a mean protoscolex viability of 73·2%. A logistic regression model for the distribution of cyst fertility and type by age, location and size is described. Mathematical modelling also determined that infection pressure on sheep was 0·44 infections per year and that the mean number of cysts increased linearly by 1·28 cysts per year. These data suggest that E. granulosus is in an endemic state in this area and control measures could drive the disease towards extinction.
Using ICA and realistic BOLD models to obtain joint EEG/fMRI solutions to the problem of source localization

We develop two techniques to solve for the spatio-temporal neural activity patterns using Electroencephalogram (EEG) and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data. EEG-only source localization is an inherently underconstrained problem, whereas fMRI by itself suffers from poor temporal resolution. Combining the two modalities transforms source localization into an overconstrained problem, and produces a solution with the high temporal resolution of EEG and the high spatial resolution of fMRI. Our first method uses fMRI to regularize the EEG solution, while our second method uses Independent Components Analysis (ICA) and realistic models of Blood Oxygen-Level Dependent (BOLD) signal to relate the EEG and fMRI data. The second method allows us to treat the fMRI and EEG data on equal footing by fitting simultaneously a solution to both data types. Both techniques avoid the need for ad hoc assumptions about the distribution of neural activity, although ultimately the second method provides more accurate inverse solutions.
SIDEWALK/CURB-BREAKING TREE ROOTS. 1. WHY TREE ROOTS CAUSE PAVEMENT PROBLEMS

Summary Problems of breaking sidewalk and curbs due to the proximity of tree roots is a common occurrence, especially in the close confines of urban settings. Half of the claims against a city can be from root-caused problems. The time for the problem to occur and reoccur can be short. One survey in the San Francisco area indicates ten trees, which are most often cited as root-problem trees. Where roots originate, how and where they develop and why they grow in the proximity of pavement, are discussed.
Encoding tactics in the retention of maps

Abstract Two experiments were designed to determine which of two encoding tactics learners use to remember maps and whether one or the other differentially preserves locational memory for mapped features. Experiment 1 subjects were presented a map with either low or high spatial distinction, with half of the subjects receiving general instruction to cluster the map's features. Results showed that the subjects have an apparent propensity to encode mapped features using a semantically based encoding tactic; yet the visuospatial properties of a map influence the employment of this tactic. In Experiment 2, the encoding instructions were made more specific by informing subjects to encode mapped features either conceptually or spatially or simply to study the map. Half the subjects in each group recalled mapped features either by listing them or by reconstructing the entire map. Results showed that a well-defined set to employ specific mechanisms of encoding differentially affects retention, but memory for location is preserved by an encoding tactic that is spatially based. Findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical and instructional implications.
Intraoperative radiation therapy in the management of gynecologic and genitourinary malignancies

Women with locally advanced primary or recurrent gynecologic malignancies have a poor prognosis. The doses of external radiation necessary to treat gross or microscopic recurrent disease in patients previously irradiated exceed the doses tolerated by normal tissue [1,3-5]. IORT has been added to the treatment armamentarium in this group of patients to maximize local control and minimize the radiation exposure to dose-limiting surrounding structures. In addition, IORT may improve the long-term local control and the overall survival rates in women with pelvic sidewall or para-aortic nodal recurrence [1,4,5]. The most encouraging results are seen in cases of microscopic residual disease following surgical debulking [4,6]. In gynecologic malignancies, IORT has served to reiterate the importance of optimal surgical resection. Higher 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates have been documented in women who have microscopic residual disease, compared with those who have gross residual disease [1,3-6]. IORT in the management of GU malignancies has not been used extensively. In RCC, where surgery alone often results in suboptimal treatment results, IORT seems to be well tolerated and controls local disease [2,27,29,30]. Because of the chemoresistant nature of RCC, IORT may play an important role in the future in the management of locally advanced and recurrent RCC. In bladder cancer, IORT had been used in combination with chemotherapy and EBRT, as part of bladder-sparing protocols. The data suggest that IORT in this patient population is also well tolerated, and may become more widely used as less radical surgical procedures gain clinical importance. IORT in the treatment of prostate and testicular cancers has not been used frequently, given the highly efficacious treatment modalities currently available to treat these malignancies. A review of institutional experiences with IORT may allow the establishment of guidelines for patient selection. These criteria, in turn, may be useful in the design of clinical trials. The construction, execution, and evaluation of clinical trials are mandatory to adequately assess the role of IORT in the treatment of patients with gynecologic and GU malignancies.
Inactivated HSV-2 in MPL/Alum Adjuvant Provides Nearly Complete Protection Against Genital Infection and Shedding Following Long Term Challenge and Rechallenge

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) infection can result in life-long recurrent genital disease, asymptomatic virus shedding, and transmission. No vaccine to date has shown significant protection clinically. Here, we used a mouse model of genital HSV-2 infection to test the efficacy of a vaccine consisting of whole, formalin-inactivated HSV-2 (FI-HSV2) formulated with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and alum adjuvants. Vaccine components were administered alone or as a prime-boost immunization together with DNA vaccines encoding a truncated glycoprotein D2 (gD2t) and two conserved HSV-2 genes necessary for virus replication, UL5 (DNA helicase) and UL30 (DNA polymerase). Our results show: (1) compared with mock immunized controls, mice immunized with FI-HSV2 plus MPL/alum consistently showed protection against disease burden and total viral shedding while the mice immunized with gD2t protein with MPL/alum did not; (2) protection against genital disease and viral replication correlated with the type of boost in a prime-boost immunization with little advantage afforded by a DNA prime; (3) intramuscular (i.m.) immunization with FI-HSV2 in MPL/Alhydrogel adjuvant provided nearly complete protection against vaginal HSV-2 shedding after a lethal intravaginal (i.vag.) short-term challenge and long-term rechallenge; (4) single formulation immunization with DNA vaccines, FI-HSV2, and MPL in an aluminum phosphate (Adju-Phos) adjuvant did not increase protection relative to FI-HSV2/MPL/Adju-Phos alone; and (5) addition of MPL/alum to the FI-HSV2 was required for optimal protection against disease, viral replication, and latent virus load in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Most notably, an optimized vaccine formulation of FI-HSV2 MPL/Alhydrogel given i.m. completely protected against detectable vaginal HSV-2 shedding in the majority of animals and HSV-2 latent DNA in the DRG of all animals.
Unrestricted Synaptic Growth in spinster—a Late Endosomal Protein Implicated in TGF-β-Mediated Synaptic Growth Regulation

In a genetic screen for genes that control synapse development, we have identified spinster (spin), which encodes a multipass transmembrane protein. spin mutant synapses reveal a 200% increase in bouton number and a deficit in presynaptic release. We demonstrate that spin is expressed in both nerve and muscle and is required both pre- and postsynaptically for normal synaptic growth. We have localized Spin to a late endosomal compartment and present evidence for altered endosomal/lysosomal function in spin. We also present evidence that synaptic overgrowth in spin is caused by enhanced/misregulated TGF-β signaling. TGF-β receptor mutants show dose-dependent suppression of synaptic overgrowth in spin. Furthermore, mutations in Dad, an inhibitory Smad, cause synapse overgrowth. We present a model for synaptic growth control with implications for the etiology of lysosomal storage and neurodegenerative disease.
PLANETARY SCIENCE Devitrification of Tektite Glass

THEORIES of the origin of tektites have usually been based on the assumption that tektite glass is stable. In view of the critical nature of this assumption, the tendency of various natural tektite glasses to crystallize has been studied by subjecting them to heat treatments for specified lengths of time. Two types of experiments were performed, one involving the heat treatment of supercooled glass above the strain point, and the other, crystallization of tektite liquid on slow cooling from the melt. The tektite samples used in these experiments were lent by R. S. Clarke, jun., of the Smithsonian Institution, and E. C. T. Chao of the US Geological Survey.
Effect of detritus supply on trophic relationships within experimental benthic food webs. II. Microbial responses, fate and composition of decomposing detritus

Abstract The dynamics of bacterial, protozoan and fungal populations were examined in a long-term (40–55 wk) microcosm experiment designed to assess the effects of detritus supply on meiofauna-polychaete (Capitella capitata (Type I) Fabricius) interactions. Bacterial and protozoan numbers and bacterial growth rates were inversely correlated with population fluctuations of the polychaete at low (50 mg N · m−2 · day −1) detritus supply, but did not correlate with fluctuating polychaete densities at two higher (100 and 150 mg N · m−2 · day−1) ration levels of detritus. Bacterial and protozoan numbers and bacterial growth rates did not correlate with standing amounts of detritus or with fungi or meiofauna at any of the detritus rations. Fungi were associated primarily with aggregates of detritus particles and fecal pellets produced by C. capitata. Labile (fiber-free) organic matter did not correlate with microbes or meiofauna, but was inversely correlated with population fluctuations of the polychaete C. capitata at all three ration levels of detritus. Polychaete fecal pellets accounted for most of the refractory matter in the tanks with C. capitata and did not accumulate in the sediments, suggesting that fecal pellets were continually being produced, broken apart and decomposed. Our experiments suggest that contradictions in previous studies on the effects of macroconsumers on microbes, especially bacteria, can be explained as a failure to consider the effects of detritus supply on microbial growth rates.
MO‐E‐204C‐08: Characterization of Cerenkov Optical Irradiation from Radioactive Probes in Phantoms and Living Subjects

Purpose: Molecular probes labeled with beta emitters within a medium radiate visible light. A series of experiments were carried out to quantify the optical properties of different radiotracers in optical phantoms and in living subjects to evaluate the potential of this new imaging modality. Method and Materials: A number of commonly used beta emitters such as 18F, 131I, 64Cu, and 90Y, were first put into small vials with known concentrations and imaged using a Xenogen IVIS 200 optical imager. The photon yields and optical spectra of these samples were measured. The radiotracers were also placed into a tissue‐mimicking phantom at a depth of 2 mm and the optical spectrum was studied with a Xenogen IVIS Lumina 2. Radionuclide PET and optical Cerenkov imaging were also done in mice with implanted tumors and the two types of images were registered and compared quantitatively. Results: Cerenkov photons were observed for all beta emitters and no optical photons were recorded for the pure gamma emitters tested. Among different emitters, electron‐emitting 90Y had the highest photon yield (∼an order of magnitude higher than that of 18F at the same concentration). Depth studies revealed that the optical signal decays rapidly with the depth of tracer placement, due to the dominant blue emission, indicating that this technique is suitable only for applications of superficial diseases. In vivo mice measurements were consistent with phantom studies and showed the potential of the new optical imaging modality for imaging in living subjects. Conclusion: The data reported here show the characteristicproperties of Cerenkov light emission for radioactive probes and demonstrate its potential for molecular imaging. Combined optical / radionuclide imaging provides a new paradigm for molecular imaging and may provide additional information for in vivo biological processes.
The Syk/ZAP-70 protein tyrosine kinase connection to antigen receptor signalling processes.

Abstract The T- and B-cell receptor (TCR and BCR) signal tranduction processes involve a coordinated interplay between two classes of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), the Src-family and the Syk/ZAP-70 family of PTKs. Following antigen-receptor stimulation, the Src-family of PTKs mediate the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues contained in a signalling motif localized in the TCR and BCR subunits. The phosphorylation of this signalling motif recruits the Syk/ZAP-70 family of PTKs into the antigen receptor complex. This mechanism requires the tandem SH2 domains in ZAP-70 complexing to two critically spaced phosphotyrosine residues within the signalling motif. The clustering of Syk/ZAP-70 and cross-talk between this family and the Src-PTKs regulates subsequent signalling events that lead to a variety of cellular responses, such as antibody secretion, lymphokine production, cytolytic activity, proliferation, differentiation and cell survival.
Dynamics of a Flexible Beam Contacting a Linear Spring at Low Frequency Excitation: Experiment and Analysis

A detailed study of one-, two-, and three-impact per period motion of a vibro-impacting, pinned beam is presented involving experimental results, as well as one- and multi-degree-of-freedom theoretical models. The details of the impact event are examined and correlated to the qualitative appearance of the frequency response. In addition, it is noted that the multi-degree-of-freedom model is necessary in order to predict response at high frequencies. This study is unique in that the model system includes a pinned boundary condition, the forcing frequency is considerably lower than the fundamental in-contact natural frequency, and the frequency analysis extends into a range important for acoustic predictions.
Listening to Prozac, with the third ear: a psychoanalytic theory of psychopharmacology.

A model of the mind, utilizing constructs from object relations theory, is developed that bridges the conceptual gap between brain functions, influ- enced by the chemical milieu interior, and the psychodynamic construction of states of mind. A theory of self-regulation and regulation of the self is derived from the archaic mutual psychophysiological regulation between infant and mother that permits the actualization of a metapsychological structure, the in- ternalized "environmental" mother that interpenetrates with chemically alter- able brain physiology. This structure forms the background mental matrix of all experience and is maintained/altered either by meaningful (selfobject) relation- ships or by chemical agents and/or self initiated behavior, which modify the psychophysiological matrix directly via physiology. Linking this construct with a theory of internal object relations derived from Kernberg, and, a body of re- search documenting state-dependent learning, a clinically applicable theory of the direct (not symbolic) effect of physical events on the construction of experience is realized.
Cultural Identity and Ethical Decision Making: An Experiential Exercise

This experiential exercise enables students to explore an ethical decision and the relationship between cultural identity (as operationalized by Hofstede) and ethical decision making. The exercise involves a short case that can also be used as a role-play. Complete instructions for running and debriefing the exercise as either a case or a role-play and all materials are included.
The Bland-White-Garland syndrome in pregnancy

both cases on initial study. Later, the lateral ventricle width/hemispheric width ratio was greater than the normal range even for 15 to 17 weeks (Fig. 2). Early in development of the fetal brain, the aqueduct which separates the third and fourth ventricles is relatively short and broad. With growth and differentiation of the caudal mesencephalon, the aqueduct becomes greatly elongated and narrowed. This normal constriction of the aqueduct occurs rapidly between the fifteenth week and the seventeenth week after conception. This corresponds to the seventeenth to nineteenth week after the last normal menstrual period, the time at which hydrocephalus apparently developed in these two fetuses. Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest that congenital hydrocephalus due to X-linked aqueductal stenosis may develop as an exaggeration of the normal process of narrowing of the aqueduct of Sylvius which occurs during growth of the caudal mesencephalon 15 to 17 weeks after conception.
Simulation-based Bayesian optimal design for multi-factor accelerated life tests

ABSTRACTWe consider simulation-based methods for the design of multi-stress factor accelerated life tests (ALTs) in a Bayesian decision theoretic framework. Multi-stress factor ALTs are challenging due to the increased number of simulation runs required as a result of stress factor-level combinations. We propose the use of Latin hypercube sampling to reduce the simulation cost without loss of statistical efficiency. Exploration and optimization of expected utility function is carried out by a developed algorithm that utilizes Markov chain Monte Carlo methods and nonparametric smoothing techniques. A comparison of proposed approach to a full grid simulation is provided to illustrate computational cost reduction.
Further evidence for the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-like activity of Solanum malacoxylon

Abstract Administration of an aqueous extract of the calcinogenic plant Solanum malacoxylon (S.m.) to vitamin D-deficient or strontium fed chicks produces significant plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) activity within 6 hr. (via radioreceptor assay) and subsequently elicits the appearance of immunoreactive intestinal calcium binding protein. Studies of a purified aqueous extract of S.m. show that it does not compete effectively with radioactive 1,25-(OH)2D3 for binding to the sterol's intestinal receptor. However, treatment of the extract with β-glucosidase releases a biologically active substance which is soluble in organic solvents and efficiently competes with labeled sterol for the receptor. This factor migrates exactly with tritiated 1,25-(OH)2D3 on high resolution Celite liquid-liquid partition columns. Thus, S.m. contains a molecule very similar or identical to 1,25-(OH)2D3 which is combined with one or more carbohydrate moieties in the native plant. This glycoside is probably cleaved in vivo before biological activity is attained.
Occupational hazards to health care workers: Report of a conference

Health care workers are exposed to an array of physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial hazards. At a national conference in Seattle May 11-13, 1983, hospital occupational medicine programs were characterized as lagging far behind those in industries with comparable illness and injury rates. Participants and speakers recommended that health care workers be trained to recognize occupational hazards; that epidemiologic, laboratory, and clinical studies be undertaken to discern trends and establish the mechanisms of effects from hazardous exposures; and that adequate employee health and safety programs be established in health care settings.
Helium Exhaust Studies in H-Mode Discharges in the DIII-D Tokamak Using an Argon-Frosted Divertor Cryopump.

The first experiments demonstrating exhaust of thermal helium in a diverted, $H$-mode deuterium plasma have been performed on the DIII-D tokamak. The helium, introduced via gas puffing, is observed to reach the plasma core, and then is readily removed form the plasma with a time constant of $\ensuremath{\sim}$10--20 energy-confinzement times by an in-vessel cryopump conditioned with argon frosting. Detailed analysis of the helium profile evolution suggests that the exhaust rate is limited by the exhaust efficiency of the pump ( $\ensuremath{\sim}$5%) and not by the intrinsic helium-transport properties of the plasma.
Signal transduction via the MAP kinases: proceed at your own RSK.

Abstract An explosion of new information linking activation of cell surface signal initiators to changes in gene expression has recently emerged. The focus of much of this information has centered around the agonist-dependent activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. Although this intracellular signal transduction pathway is extremely complex, conservation of many of its components has been observed in yeast, nematodes, Drosophila, and mammals. Thus, these signaling proteins may participate in the regulation of a variety of cellular processes.
Real-time study of a current controlled plug-in vehicle for vehicle-to-grid transaction

A real-time model of a current controlled plugin electric vehicle (PEV) parking lot (SmartPark) has been presented in this paper. The controller of the SmartPark is designed in such a way that the active and reactive power transaction with the grid can be controlled independently. Also, the controller limits the current going out of the vehicle during grid faults for batter protection. The realtime modeling is carried out on a Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS). Initially, the performance of the controller is studied while being connected to an infinite bus. Also, twelve such parking lot models are integrated to a 12-bus power system. The dynamic performance of that system under different contingencies is presented in the paper.
Settlement patterns of Iranians in the United States

IN 1990, THE U.S. CENSUS REPORTED THAT 226,123 IRANIAN immigrants were living in the U.S., a growth of slightly under 100,000 in a tenyear period. These were individuals who either were born in Iran, or were of Iranian ancestry but born outside Iran in a country other than the U.S. The almost doubling of this population over a short period of time, combined with the group's variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, has created some of the most diverse ethnic geographies in the U.S. Traditionally, academic theories have focused on issues regarding chain migration, port of entry, the assimilation process, ethnic economy, and labor market participation to explain the geographic distribution of various ethnic groups and their shifts over time. These theories would suggest that since a significant number of Iranians anived in the U.S. after 1975 and that higher education was a major instigator of their initial distribution and settlement in the U.S., a faster rate of integration into American society and a diffused settlement pattern should have been the result. This expectation has not materialized, however, and Iranian immigrants have displayed a large geographic concentration in the Los Angeles metropolitan area and to a smaller degree in the greater Washington, D.C., and New York metropolitan areas. In this paper, I will argue that the settlement pattern of Iranian immigrants can be understood only within the larger context of their immigration pattern, which historically includes a mixture of three populations: students, their families, and the "exiles." These groups arrived in the U.S. over a relatively short period, with students forming the core of Iranian communities in most states. During the 1980s, the arrival of students' families and the "exiles" in the U.S. began to create a more visible presence of Iranian communities in the three areas mentioned earlier. In fact, while the 1970s were characterized by the arrival of a youthful immigrant population that resided primarily in areas where major universities were located,' by the 1980s and the early 1990s Iranians had assumed a faster rate of geographic concentration through family reunification, the search for economic opportunities, and the potential economic momentum generated by growing Iranian communities in a few specific places. The growth in "retired/not working" population among Iranians who arnived after 1980 points to the creation of a viable market for growing ethnic-based business activity and hence higher degrees of regional concentrations. Although Iranian businesses do not cater to Iranians alone, the publication since 1981 of the Iranian Yellow Pages in
Stereoselectivity of N-carboxymethyl-amino acid complexes of copper(II) toward optically active amino acids

Abstract The stability constants for a series of mixed, labile copper(II) complexes of amino acids and amino acid derivatives are reported. These constants indicate that Cu(II) complexes of N-carboxymethyl- L -valine, - L -isoleucine, or - L -serine or Cu(II) complexes of N-benzyl-N-carboxymethyl- L -alanine or - L -leucine coordinate L -valine, L -leucine, or L -threonine more strongly than their D isomers. N-carboxymethyl- L -aspartic acid, - L -glutamic acid and - D -valine show opposite preferences. These results are discussed in terms of amine proton interactions between the ligands bound to the copper.
The UNESCO Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights: A Canon for the Ages?

The UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights of 2005 purports to articulate universal norms for bioethics. However, this document has met with mixed reviews. Some deny that the elaboration of universal bioethics norms is needed; some deny that UNESCO has the expertise or authority to articulate such norms; some regard the content of the UNESCO document as too vague or general to be useful; and some regard the document as a cog in the effort of like-minded cosmopolitans to codify their particular moral intuitions in international law. This issue examines the potential merits and pitfalls of the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights.
Role of Fn14 in acute alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice

TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a growth factor for bipotent liver progenitors that express its receptor, fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14), a TNF receptor superfamily member. Accumulation of Fn14+ progenitors occurs in severe acute alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) and correlates with acute mortality. In patients with severe ASH, inhibition of TNF-α increases acute mortality. The aim of this study was to determine whether deletion of Fn14 improves the outcome of liver injury in alcohol-consuming mice. Wild-type (WT) and Fn14 knockout (KO) mice were fed control high-fat Lieber deCarli diet or high-fat Lieber deCarli diet with 2% alcohol (ETOH) and injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 for 2 wk to induce liver injury. Mice were euthanized 3 or 10 days after CCl4 treatment. Survival was assessed. Liver tissues were analyzed for cell death, inflammation, proliferation, progenitor accumulation, and fibrosis by quantitative RT-PCR, immunoblot, hydroxyproline content, and quantitative immunohistochemistry. During liver injury, Fn14 expression, apoptosis, inflammation, hepatocyte replication, progenitor and myofibroblast accumulation, and fibrosis increased in WT mice fed either diet. Mice fed either diet expressed similar TWEAK/Fn14 levels, but ETOH-fed mice had higher TNF-α expression. The ETOH-fed group developed more apoptosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and regenerative responses. Fn14 deletion did not reduce hepatic TNF-α expression but improved all injury parameters in mice fed the control diet. In ETOH-fed mice, Fn14 deletion inhibited TNF-α induction and increased acute mortality, despite improvement in liver injury. Fn14 mediates wound-healing responses that are necessary to survive acute liver injury during alcohol exposure.
Multimodal Analgesia Techniques and Postoperative Rehabilitation

The concept of multimodal analgesia involves the use of different classes of analgesics and different sites of analgesic administration to provide superior dynamic pain relief with reduced analgesic-related side effects. Although multimodal analgesia techniques have assumed increasing importance in the management of perioperative pain, it has become increasingly apparent that postoperative outcome may not be improved. Nevertheless, the integration of multimodal analgesia techniques with a multimodal and multidisciplinary rehabilitation program may enhance recovery, reduce hospital stay, and facilitate early convalescence.
Programming the memory hierarchy revisited: supporting irregular parallelism in sequoia

We describe two novel constructs for programming parallel machines with multi-level memory hierarchies: call-up, which allows a child task to invoke computation on its parent, and spawn, which spawns a dynamically determined number of parallel children until some termination condition in the parent is met. Together we show that these constructs allow applications with irregular parallelism to be programmed in a straightforward manner, and furthermore these constructs complement and can be combined with constructs for expressing regular parallelism. We have implemented spawn and call-up in Sequoia and we present an experimental evaluation on a number of irregular applications.
Spring Clipping, Fire, and Simulated Increased Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition Effects on Tallgrass Prairie Vegetation

Defoliation aimed at introduced cool-season grasses, which uses similar resources of native grasses, could substantially reduce their competitiveness and improve the quality of the northern tallgrass prairie. The objective was to evaluate the use of early season clipping and fire in conjunction with simulated increased levels of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on foliar canopy cover of tallgrass prairie vegetation. This study was conducted from 2009 to 2012 at two locations in eastern South Dakota. Small plots arranged in a split-plot treatment design were randomized in four complete blocks on a warm-season grass interseeded and a native prairie site in east-central South Dakota. The whole plot consisted of seven treatments: annual clip, biennial clip, triennial clip, annual fire, biennial fire, triennial fire, and undefoliated control. The clip plots consisted of weekly clipping in May to simulate heavy grazing. Fire was applied in late April or early May. The subplot consisted of nitrogen applied
Individualized follow up programme and early discharge in term neonates

Early discharge of mother/neonate dyad has become a common practice, and its effects are measured by readmission rates. We evaluated the safety of early discharge followed by an individualized Follow-up programme and the efficacy in promoting breastfeeding initiation and duration. During a nine-month period early discharge followed by an early targeted Follow-up was carried out in term neonates in the absence of weight loss <10% or hyperbilirubinaemia at risk of treatment. Follow-up visits were performed at different timepoints with a specific flow-chart according to both bilirubin levels and weight loss at discharge. During the study period early discharge was performed in 419 neonates and Follow-up was carried out in 408 neonates (97.4%). No neonates required readmission for hyperbilirubinaemia and dehydration during the first 28 days of life. Breastfeeding rate was 90.6%, 75.2%, 41.5% at 30, 90 and 180 days of life, respectively. A six-month phone interview was performed for 383 neonates (93.8%) and satisfaction of parents about early discharge was high in 345 cases (90.1%). Early discharge in association with an individualized Follow-up programme resulted safe for the neonate and effective for breastfeeding initation and duration.
People Claim Objectivity After Knowingly Using Biased Strategies

People tend not to recognize bias in their judgments. Such "bias blindness" persists, we show, even when people acknowledge that the judgmental strategies preceding their judgments are biased. In Experiment 1, participants took a test, received failure feedback, and then were led to assess the test's quality via an explicitly biased strategy (focusing on the test's weaknesses), an explicitly objective strategy, or a strategy of their choice. In Experiments 2 and 3, participants rated paintings using an explicitly biased or explicitly objective strategy. Across the three experiments, participants who used a biased strategy rated it as relatively biased, provided biased judgments, and then claimed to be relatively objective. Participants in Experiment 3 also assessed how biased they expected to be by their strategy, prior to using it. These pre-ratings revealed that not only did participants' sense of personal objectivity survive using a biased strategy, it grew stronger.
Ion permeation through a Cl--selective channel designed from a CLC Cl-/H+ exchanger

The CLC family of Cl−-transporting proteins includes both Cl− channels and Cl−/H+ exchange transporters. CLC-ec1, a structurally known bacterial homolog of the transporter subclass, exchanges two Cl− ions per proton with strict, obligatory stoichiometry. Point mutations at two residues, Glu148 and Tyr445, are known to impair H+ movement while preserving Cl− transport. In the x-ray crystal structure of CLC-ec1, these residues form putative “gates” flanking an ion-binding region. In mutants with both of the gate-forming side chains reduced in size, H+ transport is abolished, and unitary Cl− transport rates are greatly increased, well above values expected for transporter mechanisms. Cl− transport rates increase as side-chain volume at these positions is decreased. The crystal structure of a doubly ungated mutant shows a narrow conduit traversing the entire protein transmembrane width. These characteristics suggest that Cl− flux through uncoupled, ungated CLC-ec1 occurs via a channel-like electrodiffusion mechanism rather than an alternating-exposure conformational cycle that has been rendered proton-independent by the gate mutations.
Association Between American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination Scores and Resident Performance

Importance The American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) is designed to measure progress, applied medical knowledge, and clinical management; results may determine promotion and fellowship candidacy for general surgery residents. Evaluations are mandated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education but are administered at the discretion of individual institutions and are not standardized. It is unclear whether the ABSITE and evaluations form a reasonable assessment of resident performance. Objective To determine whether favorable evaluations are associated with ABSITE performance. Design, Setting, and Participants Cross-sectional analysis of preliminary and categorical residents in postgraduate years (PGYs) 1 through 5 training in a single university-based general surgery program from July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2014, who took the ABSITE. Exposures Evaluation overall performance and subset evaluation performance in the following categories: patient care, technical skills, problem-based learning, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, systems-based practice, and medical knowledge. Main Outcomes and Measures Passing the ABSITE (≥30th percentile) and ranking in the top 30% of scores at our institution. Results The study population comprised residents in PGY 1 (n = 44), PGY 2 (n = 31), PGY 3 (n = 26), PGY 4 (n = 25), and PGY 5 (n = 24) during the 4-year study period (N = 150). Evaluations had less variation than the ABSITE percentile (SD = 5.06 vs 28.82, respectively). Neither annual nor subset evaluation scores were significantly associated with passing the ABSITE (n = 102; for annual evaluation, odds ratio = 0.949; 95% CI, 0.884-1.019; P = .15) or receiving a top 30% score (n = 45; for annual evaluation, odds ratio = 1.036; 95% CI, 0.964-1.113; P = .33). There was no difference in mean evaluation score between those who passed vs failed the ABSITE (mean [SD] evaluation score, 91.77 [5.10] vs 93.04 [4.80], respectively; P = .14) or between those who received a top 30% score vs those who did not (mean [SD] evaluation score, 92.78 [4.83] vs 91.92 [5.11], respectively; P = .33). There was no correlation between annual evaluation score and ABSITE percentile ( r 2 = 0.014; P = .15), percentage correct unadjusted for PGY level ( r 2 = 0.019; P = .09), or percentage correct adjusted for PGY level ( r 2 = 0.429; P = .91). Conclusions and Relevance Favorable evaluations do not correlate with ABSITE scores, nor do they predict passing. Evaluations do not show much discriminatory ability. It is unclear whether individual resident evaluations and ABSITE scores fully assess competency in residents or allow comparisons to be made across programs. Creation of a uniform evaluation system that encompasses the necessary subjective feedback from faculty with the objective measure of the ABSITE is warranted.
Agricultural extension in South-Eastern Europe: Issues of transition and sustainability

Following the economic reforms in the early 90's, most of the south-eastern European countries (SEE) made efforts to establish agricultural extension services. However, a number of factors including tight governmental budgets, lack of experience, and the existence of vested interests have constrained the development of extension services. This paper examines the rationale for public funding of extension programs and evaluates the incentive structure for private and public provision of agricultural extension service in the SEE countries. It suggests a medium and long-term approach with a primary focus on institutional design. Two groups of factors that affect the private sector supply of extension are analyzed: (i) demand and supply-side factors that affect the profitability of the service and (ii) factors arising from the public-good nature of extension output, externalities, and moral hazards that affect the appropriation of returns of the service. The main conclusion is that the SEE countries should try...
Determination of the amino acid requirements for a protein hinge in triosephosphate isomerase

We have determined the sequence requirements for a protein hinge in triosephosphate isomerase. The codons encoding the hinge at the C-terminus of the active-site lid of triosephosphate isomerase were replaced with a genetic library of all possible 8, 000 amino acid combinations. The most active of these 8, 000 mutants were selected using in vivo complementation of a triosephosphate isomerase deficient strain of E. coli, DF502. Approximately 3% of the mutants complement DF502 with an activity that is above 70% of wild-type activity. The sequences of these hinge mutants reveal that the solutions to the hinge flexibility problem are varied. Moreover, these preferences are sequence dependent; that is, certain pairs occur frequently. They fall into six families of similar sequences. In addition to the hinge sequences expected on the basis of phylogenetic analysis, we selected three new families of 3-amino-acid hinges: X(A/S)(L/K/ M), X(aromatic/β-branched)(L/K), and XP(S/N). The absence of these hinge families in the more than 60 known species of triosephosphate isomerase suggests that during evolution, not all of sequence space is sampled, perhaps because there is no neutral mutation pathway to access the other families.
Induction of phencyclidine metabolism by phencyclidine, ketamine, ethanol, phenobarbital and isosafrole

Abstract The in vitro metabolism of phencyclidine (PCP) was investigated in 9000 g supernatant fractions of both control and PCP-, ketamine-, ethanol-, phenobarbital- or isosafrole-pretreated rats. Levels of PCP, trans -4-phenyl-4-piperidinocyclohexanol (I), 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)-4-hydroxypiperidine (II), N -(5-hydroxypentyl)-1-phenylcyclohexylamine (IX), and 5-(1-phenylcyclohexylamino)-valeric acid (X) were monitored by gas Chromatographic analysis in all cases. The inhibition of metabolism by N 2 , CO, SKF-525A or 2,4-dichloro-6-phenylphenoxyethylamine (DPEA), or deletion of NADPH or protein, implied the involvement of cytochrome P-450 in the reactions. The various inducing agents affected the metabolism of PCP in different ways, implying that at least several isozymes of cytochrome P-450 were involved in the total metabolism. The majority of the consumed PCP was not accounted for by the measured metabolites so that some other metabolic pathways of major quantitative importance must be operative.
Experimental thermal characterization of VLSI packages

To insure optimum performance of circuits, highly accurate measurements are needed to characterize the thermal performance of very large-scale integrated circuit (VLSI) packages. To do this, a temperature-sensitive device inside the package is measured after calibrating the devices with respect to temperature variations. The different methodologies used to calibrate packaged devices are described. The method used as a basis is: to apply a constant forward current to a p-n junction and to measure the change in voltage across the junction due to a change in temperature. This p-n junction voltage is referred to as the temperature-sensitive parameter (TSP). The range of temperatures was limited to a 100 degrees C range. Equipment used included current sources, thermocouples, thermal measurement instrumentation, thermal environment controllers, and test devices. It was concluded that the voltage measured across a conducting semiconductor junction can serve as an excellent temperature-sensitive parameter for the thermal characterization of VLSI packages. It is easily measured and well behaved, i.e., linear with temperature change over a wide range. >
Flavor: a language for media representation

We present the design and implementation of a new programming language for media-intensive applications called Flavor (Formal Language for Audio-Visual Object Representation). It is an extension of C++ and Java in which the typing system is extended to incorporate bitstream representation semantics. This allows to describe in a single place both the in-memory representation of data as well as their bitstream-level (compressed) representation as well. We have developed software tools (www.ee. columbia.edu/flavor) that automatically generate standard C++ and Java code from the Flavor source code, so that direct access to compressed multimedia information by application developers can be achieved with essentially zero programming.
Using a Generalized Mean as a Measure of Location

In Taylor (1985 a) a measure of location, akin to a generalised mean was proposed, it's properties were studied for a particular family of skew distributions. The measure of location is essentially the retransformed mean after first transforming the observations to an approximately symmetric scale. Here it's properties are investigated for more general skew distributions. In particular, we study whether it satisfies the axioms for measures of location given in Bickel and Lehmann (1975). We show that it is estimating approximately the distribution median and through simulations we show that it is more efficient than the sample median.