cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of key sentinel node biopsy parameters for 99mTc-tilmanocept (TcTM) and 99mTc-sulfur colloid (TcSC) in breast cancer

126 Objectives Intraoperative lymphatic mapping (ILM) for sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancer (BC) patients (pts) is conducted with a dye agent and/or a 99mTc-radiotracing agent (RTA). The currently-approved RTAs in the US and Europe for ILM/SLNB are only particulate colloids. TcSC (50-800nm) recently received approval in the US to assist in the localization of lymph nodes draining a primary tumor in pts with BC. TcTM (≤ 7nm) (Lymphoseek; Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, Dublin, OH), a novel, soluble, receptor-targeted (CD206) synthetic molecular ILM RTA has been evaluated in two phase 3 studies for BC. To date, no direct comparative clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy of TcTM and TcSC. Methods A meta-analysis of data from phase 3 TcTM trials vs TcSC published data identified in US regulatory review was conducted with regard to two key ILM/SLNB performance parameters, localization rate (LR) and degree of localization (DL), so as to construct a performance comparison. The functional endpoints were: 1] LR (% of pts w/ a hot node found) and 2] DL (# of hot nodes found/pt). Both metrics define the potential for RTA performance for ILM/SLNB and potentially for evaluation of nodal metastasis. Results The LR for TcSC was 94% (95% CI = 91.4, 96.0; n=9213). The LR for TcTM was 99.9% (95% CI = 99.2, 100.0; n=148); p Conclusions Based on a meta-analysis of clinical trial data, TcTM provided statistically significantly greater performance than TcSC in the key metrics of lymph node localization/pt, and degree of localization (nodes found/pt) in breast cancer. These data suggest that receptor-targeted TcTM may provide improved diagnostic ILM vs the currently employed nonspecific ILM RTA, TcSC.
Stabilizing performance in a single-server queue with time-varying arrival rate

We consider a class of general $$G_t/G_t/1$$Gt/Gt/1 single-server queues, including the $$M_t/M_t/1$$Mt/Mt/1 queue, with unlimited waiting space, service in order of arrival, and a time-varying arrival rate, where the service rate at each time is subject to control. We study the rate-matching control, where the service rate is made proportional to the arrival rate. We show that the model with the rate-matching control can be regarded as a deterministic time transformation of a stationary G / G / 1 model, so that the queue length distribution is stabilized as time evolves. However, the time-varying virtual waiting time is not stabilized. We show that the time-varying expected virtual waiting time with the rate-matching service-rate control becomes inversely proportional to the arrival rate in a heavy-traffic limit. We also show that no control that stabilizes the queue length asymptotically in heavy traffic can also stabilize the virtual waiting time. Then we consider two square-root service-rate controls and show that one of these stabilizes the waiting time when the arrival rate changes slowly relative to the average service time, so that a pointwise stationary approximation is appropriate.
Variation and Selection at the CAULIFLOWER Floral Homeotic Gene Accompanying the Evolution of Domesticated Brassica oleracea

The evolution of plant morphologies during domestication events provides clues to the origin of crop species and the evolutionary genetics of structural diversification. The CAULIFLOWER gene, a floral regulatory locus, has been implicated in the cauliflower phenotype in both Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica oleracea. Molecular population genetic analysis indicates that alleles carrying a nonsense mutation in exon 5 of the B. oleracea CAULIFLOWER (BoCAL) gene are segregating in both wild and domesticated B. oleracea subspecies. Alleles carrying this nonsense mutation are nearly fixed in B. oleracea ssp. botrytis (domestic cauliflower) and B. oleracea ssp. italica (broccoli), both of which show evolutionary modifications of inflorescence structures. Tests for selection indicate that the pattern of variation at this locus is consistent with positive selection at BoCAL in these two subspecies. This nonsense polymorphism, however, is also present in both B. oleracea ssp. acephala (kale) and B. oleracea ssp. oleracea (wild cabbage). These results indicate that specific alleles of BoCAL were selected by early farmers during the domestication of modified inflorescence structures in B. oleracea.
Room Temperature Binding of CO to Cobaltous Porphyrin π Cation Radical: Spectroscopic Characterization of Mono and Bis CO Complexes with Cobaltic Porphyrin

When CO(g) is added to solutions of the cobaltous porphyrin π cation radical [Co(II)OEP•]ClO4, prepared by oxidation of CoOEP by AgClO4 in anhydrous CH2Cl2, room temperature binding of CO to the metal center occurs. Two distinct products result, [(CO)Co(III)OEP]ClO4 and [(CO)2Co(III)OEP]ClO4. These compounds exhibit Soret maxima at 366 and 414 nm, respectively. Resonance Raman (RR) spectra measured before the addition of CO are used to characterize the cobaltous porphyrin π cation radical, and, after the addition of CO, RR spectra obtained by using 363.8 nm excitation confirm the occurrence of the five-coordinate Co(III) porphyrin complex. This complex, along with halide ligated analogs, displays some structure-sensitive vibrational frequencies which suggest that an unusual distortion of the porphyrin core occurs in CH2Cl2 solution. RR spectra obtained by using 413.1 nm excitation after the addition of CO are used to identify the second product as a typical six-coordinate cobaltic porphyrin. Titrations wi...
Dementia and the Patient—II

The conditions that produce demented behavior in older persons were described briefly in Chapter One. A more detailed and precise examination is necessary to appreciate the distinctions and similarities that are known at this time as well as the relationships that may be assumed between diagnostic label and both current and future behavioral outcomes. For this purpose, we will return to each of the several syndromes (Alzheimer’s disease, Multiinfarct Dementia, Pick’s disease, Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, Huntington’s Chorea, Parkinson’s disease, and normal pressure hydrocephalus). For each, the extant literature will be surveyed for cause, course, and outcomes. Finally, the research on drug intervention in progress (almost totally being conducted for Alzheimer’s disease) will be examined and evaluated. Much of the material in this chapter will reflect our knowledge (and lack of it) about Alzheimer’s, primarily because this is where the research efforts have been focused but also because medical diagnosis most often uses the label. In this sense, then, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) stands as the prototype or model for the various causes of dementia. This role accords with the fact that AD is considered most prevalent and, to a lesser extent, to the demonstration of accuracy of diagnosis at autopsy.
Estimation of Tigris-Euphrates streamflow from regional paleoenvironmental proxy data

A six thousand year history of streamflow in Mesopotamia is derived from a synthesis of regional paleoenvironmental proxy data. The proxy data are interpreted with consideration to the climatic signals represented in the records and to the temporal resolution of the records. A consideration of modern synoptic climatology suggests the spatial patterns of streamflow-generating precipitation in relation to atmospheric circulation. These patterns provide a framework for the interpretation of streamflow from the regional proxies. Given the nature of the data at hand, only a low frequency signal is reconstructed. Assessment of the role of small scale climatic fluctuations as a forcing function of population dynamics must await the availability of finer resolution environmental data.
Determination of soil background parameters via acoustic-seismic transfer function

Inversion methods for estimation of geoacoustic model parameters often use the scattered field data for obtaining the properties of viscoelastic layered media. This work presents a method to retrieve soil background parameters using the outdoor acoustic-seismic transfer function (admittance). Clutter in landmine detection is related to with spatial variations of soil parameters, so knowledge of soil parameters and their spatial variability are very important for landmine detection. The resonance method is extended and used for preliminary estimation of a set of parameters for a three-layered ground model. The least squares method is later used to choose the model with the best fit to experimental data. Results of the reconstruction show good agreement with the experimental data. A description of the resonant technique and the experimental setup are presented. The effect of a finite size of the sound sources often used in acoustic landmine detection on the acoustic-seismic transfer function is also discussed.
Evaluation of interfacial shear properties of metal matrix composites from fibre push-out tests

SUMMARY Fibre push-out test is commonly used to characterize the fibre-matrix interfacial behaviour. In the case of metallic and intermetallic matrix composites (MMCs and IMCs), the presence of high levels of thermal residual stresses, very small thickness of the specimens and ductility of the matrix material make the interpretation of the test results difficult. In this paper, single fibre push-out test is studied using finite element methods, with the objective of extracting interfacial properties from the experimental test results. The fibre-matrix interface is modelled using a contact-friction formulation, and debonding of the interface is predicted using a failure criterion based on the local stress state at the interface. Load versus displacement behaviour of the push-out tests is numerically simulated as a function of different interfacial strengths. The data is then used to generate a calibration curve to predict the actual interfacial properties for a given experimentally measured peak push-out l...
Discovery and Structure−Activity Relationship of Quinuclidine Benzamides as Agonists of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

A library of benzamides was tested for alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist activity using a chimeric receptor in a functional, cell-based, high-throughput assay. From this library, quinuclidine benzamides were found to have alpha7 nAChR agonist activity. The SAR diverged from the activity of this compound class verses the 5-HT(3) receptor, a structural homologue of the alpha7 nAChR. PNU-282987, the most potent compound from this series, was also shown to open native alpha7 nAChRs in cultured rat neurons and to reverse an amphetamine-induced gating deficit in rats.
Nine Year Summary of Parthenogenesis in Turkeys.

SummaryA breeding program for increasing parthenogenetic development, based on the progeny test method, was initiated in 1954. More than 42,000 eggs from 926 Belts-ville Small White virgin turkey h...
Verbal and nonverbal modality effects on impressions of political candidates: Analysis from the 1984 presidential debates

Two experiments examined the role of presentation modality in evaluations of Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale during the second Presidential debate in the 1984 campaign. In the first experiment, 219 subjects were presented selected segments from the debate in one of four following conditions: (1) audiovisual, (2) visual only, (3) audio only, or (4) text. Although Reagan was rated more favorably than Mondale in all of the conditions, Reagan's advantage was greatest in the visual modality. The second experiment (n = 64) examined the role of judgments of expressiveness and physical attractiveness as potential mediators of the visual modality advantage of Reagan. Results showed that rated expressiveness and physical attractiveness differences between the candidates were maximized in the visual modality condition, primarily due to Mondale being rated as less expressive and less physically attractive. Analysis of behavioral differences between the candidates revealed that Mondale blinked more frequently and had...
Reactions of Laser-Ablated Boron Atoms with HCN during Condensation in Argon. A Comparison of Matrix Infrared and DFT, CCSD(T), and CASSCF Frequencies of BNC, BCN, HBNC, and HBCN

Laser-ablated boron atoms (10B, 11B) have been reacted with hydrogen cyanide (HCN, H13CN, DCN) during condensation in excess argon at 6−7 K. The major products observed in the matrix infrared spect...
Nylon as a dialysis membrane

Unique permeability characteristics of Nylon film make it a useful membrane for conduct of dialysis studies or separations which are not readily accomplished with semipermeable films more commonly employed for these purposes. The permeability of Nylon to drugs is not that exhibited by a porous membrane, nor that of many nonporous polymeric membranes. Nylon is relatively impermeable to small molecules and ions, such as water, urea, and sodium chloride, but many less polar, higher molecular weight, unionized species, as well as such ionic compounds as cetyl-, dodecyl-, and ethylpyridinium bromides and sodium naphthalene sulfonate, diffuse readily through Nylon films.
Nonlinear stability of a flow with bound eddies

Kovasznay (1948) obtained an exact solution of the Navier-Stokes equations that describes a flow with periodic bound eddies. The stability of this nonparallel flow with respect to three-dimensional finite amplitude disturbances is analyzed by use of the energy method. A sufficient condition for global stability is obtained. It is shown that the additional nonhomogeneity in shear stress distribution in a nonparallel flow is a destabilizing factor.
Print Material Purchasing Decisions in Health Education Practice

Abstract This study identified the decisions used in purchasing brochures for health education using a print material checklist. A questionnaire with two randomly assigned pairs of pamphlets on nutrition was mailed to 103 health educators. Eighty-one participants recorded the degree to which each pamphlet met the stated items of each subscale and indicated their preference for one of the two pamphlets, given the target audience(s) they most often served. Using binary logistic regression, the message content (p<0.000) and visuals and format (p<0.001) subscales were found to be significant predictors for purchasing/selecting pamphlets. Participants preferred appealing visuals, graphics, and format and also emphasized message content and sensitivity. Readability and other material construction items were less important. This study identified how purchase decisions are made in health education practice, and identified issues that promote objectivity in selecting quality print material.
Pain reactivity of monkeys after lesions to the dorsal and lateral columns of the spinal cord

Macaca speciosa monkeys were trained to escape electrical stimulation of either hindlimb, and they were given the alternative of witholding the response for 10 sec to receive food reward. The force, latency and threshold of escape responses were measured as a function of stimulation intensity before and after lesions of the spinal cord. The stimulus range was set so that pain was certainly evoked by some portion of the intensities above escape threshold, and it was inferred that pain reactivity was altered if the force or latency curves or both were shifted by a lesion. Ipsilateral dorsal column lesions decreased pain reactivity as revealed by higher latencies and lower forces of escape responses. Thresholds were generally unaffected. Ipsilateral lesions of the dorsolateral column produced hyperesthesia, or reduced latencies and increased forces. Thresholds were again unaffected. Contralateral lesions of the lateral column elevated thresholds, and this effect was magnified by inclusion of the dorsal columns in the lesion.
Optical Limiting In Solutions Of Metallo-Phthalocyanines And Naphthalocyanines

Optical limiting measurements have been made on solutions of several metal containing phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines. Measurements at 532nm using nanosecond pulses from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser show limiting throughputs of 1-10 millijoules with mild focussing in alcohol solutions with nominal transmissions of 30-70 percent. Measurements on chloro-aluminum-phthalocyanine solutions utilizing individual 30 psec pulses or trains (spanning about 100nsec) of modelocked pulses have shown even lower limiting throughputs. Thus, the dynamic range of the limiting behavior has been shown to cover at least three orders of magnitude. Prompt limiting is attributed to strong singlet-singlet (S1-Sn) absorption, whereas the longer time limiting behavior is postulated to result from strong triplet-triplet (T1-Tn) absorption. In addition to these studies, efforts have been underway to identify materials with reduced limiting throughput and improved optical transmission characteristics.
Annemarie Weber: Ca2+ and the regulation of muscle contraction

Annemarie Weber has an MD from the University of Tubingen, Germany. However, she never intended to practise medicine. After an introduction into muscle research by her famous father (H. H. Weber), she never looked back. Following postdoctoral training at University College London, she moved to the USA, where she was a member of the Institute for Muscle Disease and of Columbia University in New York. She was Professor of Biochemistry at St Louis University before finally moving to the University of Pennsylvania. She is currently engaged in kinetic studies of actin polymerization and on the effect of actin-binding and -capping proteins.
Physiologic evaluation of the WBGT index for occupational heat stress

In order to examine whether identical WBGT levels achieved by different combinations of environmental thermal parameters result in equivalent physiological responses, three fit young men were exposed for 2 hours at WBGT levels of 85°F and 89°F, each under four different combinations of natural wet bulb, globe temperature, and air speed. Air temperature and metabolic work were kept constant, at 96°F and 289 kcal/hr, respectively. Heart rate, rectal temperature, forehead skin temperature, and sweat loss of the subjects were determined during the steady-state phase of the exposures. It was found that condition in which the ambient humidity was relatively higher resulted in higher heart rate, body core temperature, forehead temperature, and sweat loss. Under dry conditions, the strain of exposure at WBGT 85 and 89 could not be differentiated. Under these conditions computed HSI values and observed Botsford wet globe readings were better indicators of relative strain resulting from the exposures than WBGT.
Symptom and Disease Severity Differences Between Nasal Septal Deviation and Chronic Rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) exhibit more severe sinonasal symptom scores as compared with patients with nasal septal deviation (NSD) alone. METHODS: Two patient cohorts were prospectively identified: patients undergoing surgery for NSD alone and those undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS without NSD. Patients in the NSD group were required to have normal paranasal sinus CT scans, whereas patients in the CRS group were required to have radiographic evidence of CRS. All patients completed the Rhinosinusitis Symptom Inventory (RSI). Statistical comparisons were conducted between cohorts with respect to RSI symptom domains and medical resource utilization. RESULTS: A total of 42 patients were identified in the NSD group (mean age, 40.8 years) and 155 patients were identified in the CRS group (mean age, 44.9). Patients with CRS demonstrated higher severity scores for the nasal symptom domains (60.3 [CRS] versus 53.9 [NSD], P = 0.037). Oropharyngeal symptoms and total symptoms were also worse for the CRS group versus the NSD group (29.8 versus 23.1, P = 0.014 and 43.0 versus 37.0, P = 0.030). Facial and systemic symptom scores did not differ between groups. Patients with CRS demonstrated significantly higher utilization rates for topical nasal steroids (21.2 versus 12.2 weeks, P = 0.006) and oral antibiotics (7.9 weeks versus 2.1 weeks, P < 0.001), but not for oral antihistamines (P = 0.420). CONCLUSIONS: Although patients with CRS manifest higher sinonasal symptom scores than patients with NSD alone, differentiating these 2 diagnoses on the basis of symptoms alone is difficult. These data suggest that as a disease process, CRS confers a significant disease burden with more significant negative symptom impact.
Isolation of the polypeptide chains of prekeratin.

Abstract Stratum corneum α protein, the principal structural protein of the epidermis, and its precursor prekeratin have been studied. Both proteins have similar patterns on sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis and consist of several polypeptide chains (designated A, A′, B, B′). These subunits have been isolated by chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose in 8 M urea and characterized. Immunological studies have shown that the four subunits could be grouped into two distinct immunological groups referred to as the A and B groups and analysis of the cyanogen bromide fragments of purified components appeared to support such a hypothesis. X-ray diffraction studies have shown that at least one A component and one B component are necessary for the production of a typical α X-ray diffraction pattern. Circular dichroism studies have shown that the polypeptide chains of either class have low ellipticity when compared to the intact molecule, indicating that both chains are necessary for the formation of an α-helical structure.
Magnetic forces in thallium- and bismuth-based superconductors

Hysteretic force-separation relations for Tl, Bi and Y based superconductors and a magnet are compared. The magnitudes of the forces, the hysteresis, and the magnetic stiffness were all largest in the three-layer Tl2Ba2Ca2Cu3Ox compound, indicating strong flux pinning. The hysteresis in both two and three layer thallium compounds was sufficient to generate attractive forces as the superconductor and magnet were moved apart. The use of remanent fields to improve stability of levitated and suspended magnets is described.
Use of Composite Metal Foam for Improving Absorption of Collision Forces

Abstract Studies devoted to understand the mechanical behavior of Composite Metal Foams (CMFs) have revealed superior energy absorption capacity under quasi-static loading. Accordingly, CMF is a great nominee to replace currently used materials in vehicles crash energy management system. However, in order to utilize the full capacity of CMF under impact loading, understanding its high strain rate behavior is needed. This paper seeks to investigate the strain rate sensitivity of CMF by conducting Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar experiments. The test samples were manufactured using powder metallurgy technique and the role of loading rate and sample size was studied. The obtained results shows high rate dependency of the stress-strain behavior and an improvement in energy absorption capacity under impact loading.
Preservation of venous tissue.

The allograft vein can be used as a satisfactory arterial replacement when autogenous material is unavailable [2]. Although the techniques for cryopreservation of tumor cells and allograft skin have been well standardized, the ideal storage method for allograft venous tissue has not been defined. Tice has successfully used allograft veins that have been stored at -79°C [7]. Laboratory experience would indicate that cryopreservation of biological tissues in a viable form is best achieved at 196°C [l, 51. One of the parameters of successful cryopreservation of veins has been the preservation of contractile response of the smooth muscle in the vein wall. Contractile response to epinephrine has been shown to occur after periods of cryopreservation at 196°C [l]. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of storage temperature on the contractile function of venous tissue.
The infrared spectrum and internal rotation barrier in HF–BF3

Abstract The rotationally resolved infrared spectrum of the HF stretch fundamental in combination with one quantum of internal rotation excitation has been investigated for the HF–BF3 complex using a color-center-laser optothermal molecular-beam spectrometer. The infrared band origin is red-shifted by 3.9 cm−1 from the HF monomer origin. The magnitude of the Coriolis interaction in the m=±1 internal rotor state observed in combination with the HF stretch gives a barrier to internal rotation of 54 cm−1 in the HF stretch excited state.
Current status of acne vaccines

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common diseases in the industrialized world, especially among teenagers and young adults. The disease is caused by many factors, such as elevated sebum, hyperkeratinization, hormonal changes and inflammation. A major player in the inflammatory component of acne is Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), and is associated with more moderate or severe forms of acne. Currently, the treatments for acne have several clinical, practical and financial disadvantages. Using P. acnes as a target, however, several studies have demonstrated the potential for a vaccine that would be able to prevent the onset of acne vulgaris, or at the very least reduce its severity to only a fraction of what it would be normally.
Autonomic receptors in the developing submandibular glands of neonatal rats

The functional maturation of the gland during the neonatal period involves specific temporal sequences in the appearance of autonomic membrane receptors and associated changes in the secretory response to receptor stimulation. The density and affinity of cholinergic muscarinic and of α- and β-adrenergic receptors were determined in the glands of 1-, 7-, 14- and 21-day-old rats, using the radioligands [3H]-quinuclidinyl benzylate, [3H]-prazosin and [3H]-dihydroalprenolol for the measurement of muscarinic cholinergic, α1-adrenergic and β-adrenergic receptors, respectively. The density of binding sites followed similar developmental courses, whether expressed as pmolg tissue or pmolg protein. The densities (pmolg protein) of β-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors were low in 1-day-old animals, but increased rapidly; adult levels were reached by 2 and 3 weeks of age, respectively. α1-Adrenergic receptor binding was barely detectable at birth, increased slightly during the first week, dramatically by 14 days and approached adult levels by 21 days. The number of receptors per gland for these 3 autonomic receptor-binding sites increased 50 – 100-fold during the first 3 weeks of postnatal development. The affinities (KD) for each of the three ligands did not differ significantly with age. Surprisingly, the α2-adrenergic receptor density ([3H]-p-aminoclonidine binding) was high in 1-day-old animals and increased significantly during the first 2 weeks of life. The binding declined after 3 weeks and was nearly undetectable by 6 weeks. Frozen submandibular glands had markedly lower α2-adrenergic binding compared to fresh glands. These findings suggest that each of the autonomic receptors in rat submandibular glands follows its own specific developmental pattern, and that the appearance of individual receptor types may correlate with the ability of the developing gland to respond to specific stimulants. A K+-release response can be elicited by epinephrine at 2 weeks of age, when α1 receptor binding sites appear, while both the receptor binding sites and the response to muscarinic agonists are present at birth. As β-adrenergic receptor-binding sites may develop simultaneously with isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate-cyclase activity, it seems that receptor density is important in this response. The functional significance of the high density of α2-adrenergic receptors in the submandibular gland of neonatal animals is not clear.
Castration differentially alters basal and leucine-stimulated tissue protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue

Reduced testosterone as a result of catabolic illness or aging is associated with loss of muscle and increased adiposity. We hypothesized that these changes in body composition occur because of altered rates of protein synthesis under basal and nutrient-stimulated conditions that are tissue specific. The present study investigated such mechanisms in castrated male rats (75% reduction in testosterone) with demonstrated glucose intolerance. Over 9 wk, castration impaired body weight gain, which resulted from a reduced lean body mass and preferential sparing of adipose tissue. Castration decreased gastrocnemius weight, but this atrophy was not associated with reduced basal muscle protein synthesis or differences in plasma IGF-I, insulin, or individual amino acids. However, oral leucine failed to normally stimulate muscle protein synthesis in castrated rats. In addition, castration-induced atrophy was associated with increased 3-methylhistidine excretion and in vitro-determined ubiquitin proteasome activity in skeletal muscle, changes that were associated with decreased atrogin-1 or MuRF1 mRNA expression. Castration decreased heart and kidney weight without reducing protein synthesis and did not alter either cardiac output or glomerular filtration. In contradistinction, the weight of the retroperitoneal fat depot was increased in castrated rats. This increase was associated with an elevated rate of basal protein synthesis, which was unresponsive to leucine stimulation. Castration also decreased whole body fat oxidation. Castration increased TNFα, IL-1α, IL-6, and NOS2 mRNA in fat but not muscle. In summary, the castration-induced muscle wasting results from an increased muscle protein breakdown and the inability of leucine to stimulate protein synthesis, whereas the expansion of the retroperitoneal fat depot appears mediated in part by an increased basal rate of protein synthesis-associated increased inflammatory cytokine expression.
S-Adenosylmethionine-dependent Protein Methylation Is Required for Expression of Selenoprotein P and Gluconeogenic Enzymes in HepG2 Human Hepatocytes

Cellular methylation processes enable expression of gluconeogenic enzymes and metabolism of the nutrient selenium. Selenium status has been proposed to relate to type II diabetes risk, and plasma levels of selenoprotein P (SEPP1) have been positively correlated with insulin resistance. Increased expression of gluconeogenic enzymes glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) has negative consequences for blood glucose management in type II diabetics. Transcriptional regulation of SEPP1 is directed by the same transcription factors that control the expression of G6PC and PCK1, and these factors are activated by methylation of arginine residues. We sought to determine whether expression of SEPP1 and the aforementioned glucoconeogenic enzymes are regulated by protein methylation, the levels of which are reliant upon adequate S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and inhibited by S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). We treated a human hepatocyte cell line, HepG2, with inhibitors of adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AHCY) known to increase concentration of SAH before analysis of G6PC, PCK1, and SEPP1 expression. Increasing SAH decreased 1) the SAM/SAH ratio, 2) protein-arginine methylation, and 3) expression of SEPP1, G6PC, and PCK1 transcripts. Furthermore, hormone-dependent induction of gluconeogenic enzymes was reduced by inhibition of protein methylation. When protein-arginine methyltransferase 1 expression was reduced by siRNA treatment, G6PC expression was inhibited. These findings demonstrate that hepatocellular SAM-dependent protein methylation is required for both SEPP1 and gluconeogenic enzyme expression and that inhibition of protein arginine methylation might provide a route to therapeutic interventions in type II diabetes.
Combined trans- and periurethral injections of bulking agents for the treatment of intrinsic sphincter deficiency

The purpose of this study was to compare Contigen combined with Durasphere to Contigen injections alone for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD). Subjective and objective incontinence outcomes were compared at 2 weeks and 6 months. We compared rates of urinary retention and future incontinence surgery between groups. Thirty-three women underwent combined injections, and 51 underwent Contigen injections. Two weeks postoperatively, more women in the combined group were cured (72.7 vs. 39.2%, P = 0.003), but this difference diminished at 6 months (33.3 vs. 29.4%, P = 0.70). Retention was more common in the combined group (P = 0.002, odds ratio [OR] = 0.062 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 0.007, 0.52]). Twenty-three women in the Contigen and ten in the combined group underwent subsequent incontinence surgery (P = 0.17, OR = 2.03 [95% CI = 0.80, 5.1]). Combining Contigen and Durasphere injections to treat SUI with ISD does not improve outcomes compared to Contigen injections alone.
Conflict, consciousness, and control

To what degree is executive conflict resolution dependent on conflict awareness? A recent study by Dehaene et al. compared neural responses to conflict elicited through either visible or subliminal primes. Despite behavioral conflict effects for both prime types, neural activity in a control network including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was present only for visible primes. Along with other recent results, these findings have important implications for theories on the relationship between ACC, consciousness, and cognitive control.
The primary treatment of luteal phase inadequacy: progesterone versus clomiphene citrate.

This study was undertaken in order to evaluate the superiority, if any, of progesterone or clomiphene citrate in treatment of infertile women with luteal phase inadequacy. Eighty-two patients were randomly treated with progesterone or clomiphene citrate. Some patients with failure of progesterone were changed to clomiphene citrate treatment; some patients with failure of clomiphene citrate were changed to progesterone treatment. A life-table analysis was used for evaluation of the results. No statistical difference was noticed between the two treatments. Seventeen of 57 patients treated with progesterone and 13 of 62 patients treated with clomiphene citrate conceived. It is recommended that: (1) patients with luteal phase inadequacy can be treated primarily with progesterone; (2) an endometrial biopsy should be performed if the patients fail to conceive; (3) if endometrial biopsy continues to be abnormal the patients can be treated again with clomiphene citrate. Some alternative treatments for luteal phase inadequacy are needed.
Divergent roles of superoxide and nitric oxide in liver ischemia and reperfusion injury

Liver ischemia and reperfusion-induced injury is a major clinical complication associated with hemorrhagic or endotoxin shock and thermal injury as well as liver transplantation and resectional surgery. Data obtained from several different studies suggest that an important initiating event in the pathophysiology of ischemia and reperfusion-induced tissue injury is enhanced production of superoxide concomitant with a decrease in the bioavailability of endothelial cell-derived nitric oxide. This review will summarize the evidence supporting the hypothesis that the redox imbalance induced by alterations in superoxide and nitric oxide generation creates a more oxidative environment within the different cells of the liver that enhances the nuclear transcription factor-κB-dependent expression of a variety of different cytokines and mediators that may promote as well as limit ischemia and reperfusion-induced hepatocellular injury. In addition, the evidence implicating endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase-dependent and -independent generation of nitric oxide as important regulatory pathways that act to limit ischemia and reperfusion-induced liver injury and inflammation is also presented.
Comparison of two methods for the measurement of sperm concentration.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of both the hemocytometer and the MicroCell, to evaluate which method is the most reliable, and to confirm the accuracy of latex beads as an internal standard. Design: Prospective procedural assessment. Setting: University-based infertility clinic. Patient(s): One hundred sixty-five male sexual partners of women undergoing screening for infertility. Intervention(s): Semen analysis. Main Outcome Measurement(s): Sperm and latex bead concentrations. Result(s): Sperm concentration values obtained with the hemocytometer were highly correlated with those obtained from the MicroCell (r = 0.88). The mean value of the latex beads concentration was closer to the standard value using the hemocytometer than the MicroCell. Conclusion(s): Both the hemocytometer and the MicroCell are suitable as screening techniques to measure sperm concentration. Fixed suspensions of latex beads serve as reliable internal quality control standards.
Observational Evidence for the Influence of Surface Heat Fluxes on Rapid Maritime Cyclogenesis

Abstract We present an observational study of the possible effects of sea surface fluxes of latent and sensible heat on rapidly deepening cyclones over the western Atlantic Ocean. Based on the recognition that conventional operational models (specifically the LFM), until very recently, routinely underpredicted the intensity of such cyclogenesis events, we form the hypothesis that this failure may be systematically related to the amount of warming that can occur from the ocean, through sensible heating and the condensation of evaporated sea water aloft. We test this idea for a sample of 29 explosive cases occurring between 1981 and 1985. Results indicate a strong correlation between the underestimate of 24 hour central pressure fall by the model and the increase in 1000–500 mb thickness that would occur if that layer were to become neutrally stable to surface parcels saturated at sea surface temperature. We find the correlation particularly robust for the more rapid deepeners of the sample. In the second p...
Biological applications of high aspect ratio nanoparticles

This review describes recent advances in nanomaterials fabrication that have led to the synthesis of high aspect ratio particles on nanometer length scales. The elongated structure of these materials often result in inherent chemical, electrical, magnetic, and optical anisotropy that can be exploited for interactions with cells and biomolecules in fundamentally new ways. We briefly describe the synthetic procedures that have been developed to fabricate nanorods, nanowires, and nanotubes. We summarize literature reports that describe the use of high aspect ratio nanoparticles for biological sensing, separations, and gene delivery. We emphasize the recent discovery of single nanowire field-effect transistors that may revolutionize biological sensing and yield extremely low detection limits. Separations technology with chemically modifiable nanotube membranes and with magnetic nanowires that can be tailored to selectively interact with molecules of interest is also described. Other areas of biotechnology that have been improved by the integration of high aspect ratio nanoparticles are also described.
Estimation of peak load on trunked repeater systems

This paper discusses procedures for estimating the peak loads of trunked repeater systems. In addition to nominal peak load prediction, two aspects of overload are addressed: (1) system-to-system variation and (2) day-to-day variation. The procedures allow one to estimate the maximum communication load to be expected during a specified time interval for a specified fraction of trunked systems with equal mobile counts. One application of these procedures concerns the recent proposal of trunking at the 3 channel level. The results indicate that for most such systems to have viable grades-of-service, appreciably lower loading standards than exist today at the 5 channel level are necessary.
Supporting student-built algorithm animation as a pedagogical tool

This demonstration describes a new approach to algorithm animation, one in which the students construct the animations. We introduce the Samba system that facilitates this process and describe how it has been used an undergraduate algorithms courses as a teaching aid. Having students build the animations, that is, construct the mapping from concepts to images, appears to enable true understanding of the algorithm under study.
IRIS pressurizer fluid dynamics and heat transfer analyses

A CFD study of the IRIS Internal Pressurizer has been carried out in frame of a NERI project on Internal Pressurizer Characteristics to determine the heat transfer conditions between the pressurizer and primary circuit. FLUENT computer code has been used and a simplified two-phase model has been employed. Results are applicable for designing the pressurizer internal structures and components.
The transitions in phases II–III–IV in high purity ammonium nitrate

The phase changes in high-purity ammonium nitrate were studied by a differential thermal analysis (DTA) apparatus designed for constant heating and cooling rates and continuous cycling for ∼3-gram samples. On the basis of DTA and X-ray diffraction data very consistent behavior is observed. Phase IV → III transformation on heating in the range 43‡ to 51‡ and Phase II → IV transformation on cooling in the range 49‡ to 53‡ are demonstrated. The III → II transition at about 86→ is seen with repeated temperature cycling. This repeatable behavior not consistently seen by investigators using other techniques is believed to be due to the high purity material and constant heating and cooling rates.
‘Democracy to come’: a personal narrative of pedagogical practices and ‘Othering’ within a context of higher education and research training

The purpose of this essay is to simultaneously work for and against democracy, ‘Othering’ and commonality, from the perspective of a teacher and qualitative methodologist working in a higher education setting. I describe examples of conceptual frameworks and my own pedagogical practices that are shaped by a multidimensional, incomplete, and fragmented vision of democracy. Furthermore, I discuss both the possibilities and impossibilities of learning and teaching within the context of changing, but specific historical and material pedagogical conditions. Specifically, I focus on how learners’ rights, responsibilities, and various voices and the partially negotiated curriculum require the learning community to (re)consider the ‘Other’—other learners, pedagogies, and ideologies, as well as other contexts and contents of learning.
The future of capital punishment: determinants of the time from death sentence to execution

This paper analyzes data on all inmates under a death sentence in the U.S. since 1972, to determine the effect of various factors on the time from sentence to execution, and the probability of execution. We find that over time the probability of execution is increasing, and the time to execution is declining. The probability of execution is greater for males and inmates with a high level of education, and may also be greater for those who were previously convicted of murder. There is no evidence of any effect of race. The fact that there are sharp differences between States within the same Federal Circuit with respect to both the likelihood of execution and waiting time, suggests that the lower federal courts play a relatively minor role in death penalty litigation.
Discussing Religion and Spirituality Is an Advanced Communication Skill: An Exploratory Structural Equation Model of Physician Trainee Self-Ratings

Abstract Background: Communication about religious and spiritual issues is fundamental to palliative care, yet little empirical data exist to guide curricula in this area. The goal of this study was to develop an improved understanding of physicians' perspectives on their communication competence about religious and spiritual issues. Methods: We examined surveys of physician trainees (n=297) enrolled in an ongoing communication skills study at two medical centers in the northwestern and southeastern United States. Our primary outcome was self-assessed competence in discussing religion and spirituality. We used exploratory structural equation modeling (SEM) to develop measurement and full models for acquisition of self-assessed communication competencies. Results: Our measurement SEM identified two latent constructs that we label Basic and Intermediate Competence, composed of five self-assessed communication skills. The Basic Competence construct included overall satisfaction with palliative care skills an...
Soft X-ray emission and absorption—a comparative study on the sensitivity to oxidation state and ligand environment of transition metal complexes

Abstract In order to understand the function of transition metals, which are a necessary part of many catalytic cycles, it is necessary to obtain information about oxidation states, ligand environment, and local structure surrounding the metal centers. L-Edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, which probes the unoccupied 3d levels, has been shown to be a sensitive probe of the oxidation and spin state of transition metal sites. As soft X-ray fluorescence (SXF) instead probes the occupied states, an investigation of how this complementary technique can be used to probe transition metal centers was conducted and the results are presented here. SXF is found to be very sensitive to ligand environment and relatively insensitive to electronic geometry and metal oxidation state. Potential applications of this technique to systems such as metalloproteins and manganese–lithium batteries are discussed.
Mucopolysaccharides and mucoproteins of calf scapula

In the ossifying calf scapula the sharp division between cartilage and bone was found to allow collection of nearly unlimited quantities of both cartilage and bone in any desired stage of the transformation process. The mucopolysaccharides (MPS) of all zones consist mainly of galactosaminoglycans of the chondroitin sulfate A and C type. The highest concentration of MPS and mucoproteins (MP) was found in the 2 mm-wide cartilage zone adjacent to the bone. Significant differences among cartilage zones were observed in the quantity and nature of the extracted MP, with a rise in equivalent weight and a reduction in exchangeable sulfate toward the cartilage-bone junction. Removal of co-extracted serum proteins altered the MP values, presumably by making available functional groups which are covered up or occupied in the natural state. Microradiograms indicate regions of especially concentrated radiopaque mineral deposition in the vicinity of all chondrocyte nuclei and in a narrow region of cartilage immediately adjacent to the newly formed bone.
A Critique and Suggested Revision of Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales Developmental Procedures

The use of the standard deviation of item ratings as a criterion of scale anchor selection is criticized on several grounds. Data are presented which show that the criterion (a) lacks verification, (b) leads to mid-range scale gaps, and (c) wastes large numbers of potentially useful items. An alternative criterion that is based on item intercorrelation procedures is suggested and tested. Results indicate that the alternative criterion does not lead to the negative outcomes of the SD criterion. Discussion indicates that the alternative criterion is more theoretically meaningful than the SD criterion.