cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calmodulin dependence of somatostatin release stimulated by growth hormone-releasing factor.

Experiments were performed in vitro to examine the possible role of calcium and calmodulin in GRF-induced somatostatin (SRIF) release from the median eminence. Adult male rats were used as tissue donors. The median eminences were first prestimulated in 0.4 ml Krebs Ringer bicarbonate glucose buffer (pH 7.4) containing bacitracin at 37C in an atmosphere of 95% O2, 5% CO2 with constant shaking for 30 min. When calcium was omitted, this medium was used during the prestimulation and stimulation periods. After prestimulation, the medium was discarded and replaced by medium containing the different substances to be tested (GRF, EGTA, calcium channel blockers, and calmodulin inhibitors). The stimulation of SRIF release induced by 10-10 M GRF was not inhibited by omission of extracellular calcium or when the remaining CA+2 was chelated with lO-4 M EGTA. The calcium channel blockers, nifendipine and verapamil (10-6 M), failed to alter the increase of SRIF release induced by rGRF. Three calmodulin inhibitors were e...
Patient and Hospital-Level Characteristics Associated with the Use of Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders in Patients Hospitalized for Sepsis

BACKGROUND Identifying factors associated with do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders is an informative step in developing strategies to improve their use. As such, a descriptive analysis of the factors associated with the use of DNR orders in the early and late phases of hospitalizations for sepsis was performed.
Experimental Identification of Dynamic Parameters of Rolling Element Bearings in Machine Tools

In-situ identification is essential for estimating bearing joint parameters involved in spindle systems because of the inherent interaction between the bearings and spindle. This paper presents in-situ identification results for rolling element bearing parameters involved in machine tools by using frequency response functions (FRF's). An indirect estimation technique is used for the estimation of unmeasured FRF's, which are required for identification of joint parameters but are not available. With the help of an index function, which is devised for indicating the quality of estimation or identification at a particular frequency, the frequency region appropriate for identification is selected. Experiments are conducted on two different machine tool spindles. Repeatable and accurate joint coefficients are obtained for both machine tool systems.
Qualitative Research in Education: A User's Guide by LICHTMAN, MARILYN

The article reviews the book "Qualitative Research in Education: A User's Guide," second edition, by Marilyn Lichtman.
Isolation and characterization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-like protein from fetal calf thymus

A nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-like protein (AChR-LP) was isolated from fetal calf thymus by affinity chromatography using cobrotoxin-Sepharose after alkaline extraction and solubilization with Triton X-100. The AChR-LP had a specificity of 1.61 +/- 1.12 nmol of alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites per mg of protein. The isoelectric point, sedimentation coefficient and amino acid composition of the purified AChR-LP were very similar to those of muscle and electric organ AChRs. Upon SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis purified thymus AChR-LP preparations contained up to 6 polypeptide bands of molecular weights of 40,000, 43,000, 51,000, 56,000, 58,000, and 66,000, respectively. The peptides of 40,000, 51,000, 56,000, and 66,000 dalton cross-reacted with the four subunits of Torpedo californica and fetal calf muscle AChR.
Cell‐Free HIV‐1 Virucidal Action by Modified Peptide Triazole Inhibitors of Env gp120

Initial entry of HIV-1 into host cells remains a compelling and yet elusive target for developing agents to prevent infection. This step is mediated by a sequence of interactions of a trimeric gp120/gp41 envelope (Env) protein complex with host cells, including initial gp120 encounter with the cellular receptor CD4 and a chemokine co-receptor usually either CCR5 or CXCR4 [1]. A peptide triazole class of entry inhibitor leads has been shown to bind to gp120 with close to nanomolar affinity, to suppress protein ligand interactions of the Env protein at both its CD4 and co-receptor binding sites and to inhibit cell infection by a broad range of virus subtypes [2]. These inhibitors appear to function mechanistically by conformationally entrapping gp120 in an inactivated state, different from either the flexible ground state of gp120 or the highly structured CD4-activated state. This entrapment effectively halts the entry process at the initial binding stages.
Failure of Plasma Protein Level to Indicate Developing Fatty Liver in Chickens

Abstract INTRODUCTION THE fatty liver syndrome is a problem plaguing the poultry egg industry (Couch, 1956Couch, 1964; Fisher and Weiss, 19S6; Ringer and Sheppard, 1963; Quisenberry et al., 1967; Barton, 1967). Control and treatment of developing fatty liver in the living bird would be enhanced if early detection were possible. Since plasma proteins are produced primarily in the liver and are intimately associated with lipid transport to and from body lipid depots, this study was conducted to evaluate plasma protein level as an index of developing fatty liver. PROCEDURES Forty-eight commercial egg-type pullets, twenty weeks of age were fed two experimental diets (Table 1). Diet A reportedly produced fatty liver whereas diet B tended to alleviate the fatty liver condition (Barton, 1967). The birds were individually housed in a temperature control room at 26.7 ± 1.1°C. in triple deck cages 20.32 × 40.64 × 40.64 cm. for twenty-five weeks. The birds were
Responses to Thyrotropin-Releasing Factor (TRF) by Intrapituitary Infusion of Hypothalamic Extracts

Endogenous pituitary release of TSH was depressed in rats by phenobarbital anesthesia and raised ambient temperature to study the effects of intrapituitary infusion of porcine hypothalamic extracts on dose response relationships and the time course of the release of thyrotropin. Thyrotropin (TSH) releasing activity of the extracts was determined indirectly through the release into blood of 131I previously incorporated in the thyroids. Intravenous infusion of the extract from of a hypothalamus did not elevate blood 131I nor did intrapituitary infusion of 0.85 % saline. By contrast, intrapituitary infusion of extracts from to 1/60 of a hypothalamus always resulted in elevation of 131I levels in blood. Over this dose range the response was linearly related to the logarithm of dose. Responses were diminished by reduction of the time of exposure of the pituitary to the extracts. Within 1 hr from onset of intrapituitary infusion blood 131I levels rose significantly (p<0.05) and continued to rise thereafter to a...
Bifacial Peptide Nucleic Acid as an Allosteric Switch for Aptamer and Ribozyme Function

We demonstrate herein that bifacial peptide nucleic acid (bPNA) hybrid triplexes functionally substitute for duplex DNA or RNA. Structure–function loss in three non-coding nucleic acids was inflicted by replacement of a duplex stem with unstructured oligo-T/U strands, which are bPNA binding sites. Functional rescue was observed on refolding of the oligo-T/U strands into bPNA triplex hybrid stems. Bifacial PNA binding was thus used to allosterically switch-on protein and small-molecule binding in DNA and RNA aptamers, as well as catalytic bond scission in a ribozyme. Duplex stems that support the catalytic site of a minimal type I hammerhead ribozyme were replaced with oligo-U loops, severely crippling or ablating the native RNA splicing function. Refolding of the U-loops into bPNA triplex stems completely restored splicing function in the hybrid system. These studies indicate that bPNA may have general utility as an allosteric trigger for a wide range of functions in non-coding nucleic acids.
Requirement of SHP2 binding to Grb2-associated binder-1 for mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in response to lysophosphatidic acid and epidermal growth factor.

Grb2-associated binder-1 (Gab1) is a multisite docking protein containing a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, multiple potential tyrosine phosphorylation sites, and several proline-rich sequences. Gab1 becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated in cells stimulated with growth factors, cytokines, and ligands for G protein-coupled receptors. A major Gab1-binding protein detected in cells treated with extracellular stimuli is the tyrosine phosphatase, SHP2. Although the role of SHP2-Gab1 interaction in cell signaling has not yet been characterized, SHP2 is known to mediate mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation induced by the epidermal growth factor (EGF). However, the mechanism by which the SHP2 phosphatase exerts a positive signaling role remains obscure. In this study, we prepared Gab1 mutants lacking the SHP2 binding site (Gab1Y627F), the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) binding sites (Gab1ΔPI3K), and the PH domain (Gab1ΔPH). Expression of Gab1Y627F blocked the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 (ERK2) activation by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and EGF. Conversely, expression of the wild-type Gab1 in HEK293 cells augmented the LPA receptor Edg2-mediated ERK2 activation. Whereas the PH domain was required for Gab1 mediation of ERK2 activation by LPA, it was not essential for EGF-induced ERK2 activation. Expression of Gab1ΔPI3K had no apparent effect on ERK2 activation by LPA and EGF in the cells that we have examined. These results establish a role for Gab1 in the LPA-induced MAP kinase pathway and clearly demonstrate that Gab1-SHP2 interaction is essential for ERK2 activation by LPA and EGF. These findings also suggest that the positive role of SHP2 in the MAP kinase pathway depends on its interaction with Gab1.
Interaction of Boundary Layer and Blade Vibration at Ultra-Low Advance Ratios and Low Reynolds Numbers in a Novel Flapping and Spinning Propulsor

The nonlinear thrust properties of a small, near-hovering, conventional-looking propulsor are examined. When the propulsive power versus displacement of large and small manmade underwater vehicles is compared against that of large and small fish (distinguishing their red and white muscle distributions), universal trends are observed for cruising and maneuvering irrespective of size. While there is an overlap in the low displacement range of 0.1 to 1 m3, manmade propulsors have rotating blades that are fixed, but animals use flapping pectoral fins. With this cue, a small and novel propulsor has been built where the fins/blades can both flap and spin. The blade pitch can also be varied, allowing the production of reverse thrust. The nondimensional parameter range of thrust production in both the flapping and spinning modes is determined. When the advance ratio (J) and Reynolds number (Rec) are ultra-low in the spinning mode, the blade boundary layer couples with small pitch oscillations, and a bimodal behavior ensues. Boundary layer fence and rough blade surfaces shift the behavior to higher effective pitch angles, but the bi-modal behavior persists. A quasi-steady thrust modeling is carried out of the spin mode when the boundary layer couples with the inadvertent small pitch oscillation and when it does not. Temporal modeling indicates that, at ultra-low values of J and Rec, the boundary layer and blade vibration interaction can be described as a Lienard (nonlinear) oscillator. The potential mechanism of interaction between blade vibration and rotation, and of their modeling, is discussed.
Hospitality Managers’ Price-Ending Beliefs: A Survey and Applications

The use of “just-below” pricing (such as pricing an item at $6.99 or $6.95, rather than $7.00) has been common in some segments of the hospitality industry (such as quick-service and mid-scale dining). The results of a detailed survey of the price-ending beliefs of hospitality managers show that many believe that just-below prices connote good value and round-number prices connote high quality. Furthermore, the majority of these managers believe that consumers tend to drop off or otherwise give insufficient consideration to a price’s rightmost digits. Although one might expect this drop-off belief among those managers who use just-below price endings, it is found also in a majority of those managers who do not use just-below price endings. The survey results suggest that managers who decline the benefits of a consumer drop-off tendency do so because they also believe in one or more possible negative consequences of using just-below price endings. These include the beliefs that just-below endings (1) impai...
A Cure for Bioengineering? A New Undergraduate Core Curriculum

Student interest, industry growth, and medical advances highlight a growing need for baccalaureate trained bioengineers. However, undergraduate bioengineering curricula have not kept pace with the recent rapid growth of biotechnology, bioinformatics, and cellular level bioengineering. It is the premise of this paper that a new baccalaureate core curriculum in cell and tissue engineering is needed to foster the full development of bioengineering as a core engineering discipline. Employment opportunities for baccalaureate Bioengineering graduates in the emerging biologically-based engineering industry (e.g. bioinformatics, cell and tissue engineering, neural engineering) are increasing. We describe a new undergraduate B.S. bioengineering curriculum in cell and tissue engineering with an emphasis in interfacial molecular approaches. This curriculum is integrated with traditional bioengineering topics and has its technical emphasis in molecular biology, nanotechnology, and computational modeling. Thus, the future bioengineer can be expected to design, model, fabricate, and control living systems and their fundamental constituents at the same level of detail as an electrical engineer uses SPICE and CAD tools to develop a microelectronic or micro-electro-mechanical device. Such engineers would be expected to take their place in industry, graduate school, or medicine with a clear mastery of cell and tissue-based bioengineering.
A perspective on color vision in platyrrhine monkeys

Studies carried out over the past two decades show that many platyrrhine (New World) monkeys have polymorphic color vision. This condition results from the sorting of allelic versions of X-chromosome cone opsin genes at a single gene site, yielding a mixture of dichromatic and trichromatic phenotypes in the population. Two genera of platyrrhine monkey are known to deviate significantly from this pattern. Examination of color vision, photopigments, and photopigment genes of all of these monkeys have stimulated a renewed interest in understanding the evolution of primate color vision.
Effects of stabilizing atmospheric CO2 on global climate in the next two centuries

Previous coupled ocean-atmosphere model simulations showed that the reduction in global warming is only moderate by year 2100 under CO2 stabilization (STA) scenarios compared with that under business-as-usual (BAU) scenarios. To further illustrate the long-term effect of stabilizing CO2 on global climate, we integrated a coupled ocean-atmosphere model from 1870 to 2200 forced by historical and projected CO2, SO2 and other greenhouse gases under newly updated BAU and STA scenarios. Our results show that the reduction in global warming resulting from CO2 stabilization could be large (∼1.5°C globally, and up to 12°C in DJF at northern high-latitudes) by the later part of the 22nd century. Stabilizing the CO2 level also results in reduced changes in precipitation, soil moisture and diurnal temperature range. BAU and STA patterns of change are similar for all variables examined.
Deoxidation/reduction of aromatic esters, α-diketones, acyloins, and epoxides to the corresponding bibenzyl products with lithium 4,4'-di-t-butylbiphenyl radical anion

Abstract Sonication of aromatic esters, benzil, benzoin, cis - and trans -stilbene, and trans -stilbene oxide with excess lithium in the presence of catalytic amounts of 4,4′-di- t -butylbiphenyl (DBB) in dry THF afforded bibenzyl derivatives in high yields.
Aggression, Legitimacy and the International Criminal Court

The late Thomas Franck postulated that the legitimacy of international norms and institutions rested in large part upon certain important factors, notably whether the norm or institutional process was validated through commonly accepted means, whether it was clearly understood by those upon whom it operated, whether it cohered with other norms and institutions, and whether it was well-grounded in secondary rules of international law concerning law formation. This article argues that the proposed draft amendment to the Rome Statute on the crime of aggression does not fare well under these criteria, casting into doubt the long-term prospects for the legitimacy of the definition of the crime and of the institutional structures charged with administering it. Choices made at the ICC Review Conference in 2010 to finalize an amendment to the Rome Statute may help alleviate or aggravate these concerns.
The influence of RGD-bearing hydrogels on the re-expression of contractile vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype

This study reports on the ability of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel scaffolds with pendant integrin-binding GRGDSP peptides (RGD-gels) to support the re-differentiation of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) toward a contractile phenotype. Human coronary artery SMCs were seeded on RGD-gels, hydrogels with other extracellular matrix derived peptides, fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LN). Differentiation was induced on RGD-gels with low serum medium containing soluble heparin, and the differentiation status was monitored by mRNA expression, protein expression, and intracellular protein organization of the contractile smooth muscle markers, smooth muscle alpha-actin, calponin, and SM-22alpha. RGD-gels supported a rapid induction (2.7- to 25-fold up-regulation) of SMC marker gene mRNA, with expression levels that were equivalent to FN and LN controls. Marker protein levels mirrored the changes in mRNA expression, with levels on RGD-gels indistinguishable from FN and LN controls. Furthermore, these markers co-localized in stress fibers within SMCs on RGD-gels suggesting the recapitulation of a contractile apparatus within the cells. These results indicate that SMCs cultured on RGD-bearing hydrogels can re-differentiate toward a contractile phenotype suggesting this material is an excellent candidate for further development as a bioactive scaffold that regulates SMC phenotype.
A factor-graph based ZP-OFDM receiver for deep water acoustic channels

In this paper, we present a factor-graph based receiver for zero-padded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (ZP-OFDM) transmissions over deep water channels with extremely long delay spreads. Due to the geometric structure of deep oceans, the channel delay spread between the direct paths and surface/bottom reflections can be on the order of hundreds of milliseconds, which is usually several times larger than the ZP-OFDM block duration, leading to severe inter-block-interference (IBI). Channel time variation also introduces inter-carrier-interference (ICI). The proposed receiver addresses both IBI and ICI in a unified factor-graph representation. Data detection is performed according to the Gaussian message passing (GMP) principle which operates on the factor graph in an iterative manner. The proposed structure is further extended to the progressive/iterative framework, while the channel estimation is updated in each iteration loop. Compared with a multiuser receiver, which views overlapped blocks as coming from different users, the proposed receiver enjoys better block-error-rate performance and appealing expansion capability when multiple receiving-elements are used. Both simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the performance of the proposed receiver.
Campath-1H immunosuppressive therapy reduces incidence and intensity of acute rejection in intestinal and multivisceral transplantation.

Campath-1H, an anti-CD52 antibody, is being used at our institution as immunosuppression in multivisceral and intestinal transplantation. We reviewed the pathologic findings of 1696 small bowel allograft biopsies obtained in the first 250 days posttransplant from 78 patients who underwent isolated intestinal or multivisceral transplantation and received induction immunosuppression with Campath (n = 30) or Zenapax (n = 57). We found an overall reduced incidence of acute cellular rejection (ACR) in patients receiving Campath (19.1%) compared with those on Zenapax (32.8%). The majority of Campath patients showed no rejection or was indeterminate for rejection over the period of measurement. The frequencies of mild and moderate ACR were approximately twice and three times more common, respectively, in Zenapax-treated patients. The mean grade of ACR in Campath patients compared with Zenapax patients was significantly lower (P < .01) during the first 6 weeks posttransplant. Thereafter, the grade of rejection in both patient groups showed fluctuation, with Zenapax patients sometimes having lower values (eg, at 2 to 4 months) than Campath patients. Patient and graft survival was not significantly different between the two groups. These data suggest that the incidence of ACR is significantly reduced with Campath during the first 2 months posttransplant, when compared with Zenapax. However, the incidence and intensity of ACR following this initial time period shows vacillation with both types of immunosuppression.
Ultrastructure of Thelohania duorara Iversen & Manning, 1959 (Microspora, Thelohaniidae) in the Pink Shrimp, Penaeus duroarum Burkenroad

. The structure of Thelohania duorara Iversen & Manning, 1959, a micro-sporidian parasite of pink shrimp. Penaeus duorarum Burkenroad, was examined with electron microscopy. Earliest developmental stages observed were limited to diplokaryotic cells. Both microtubules associated with exospore formation, and hair-like filaments, projecting from the outer surface of the exospore, were observed during sporogony. The continuity of the cisternae of the polaroplast, the perinuclear cisterna, the outer membrane of the polar filament and membranes surrounding masses of secretion granules were noted. Mature spores had a granular endospore and hair-like filamentous projections on the exospore surface. The polar filament made 13–14 turns, the most distal being slightly constricted. Information presented here indicates that T. duorarum should be retained within the genus Thelohania as it is now defined.
Concentric Two-Ring Network (CTRN): RWA Algorithms and Protection Schemes

We proposed a concentric two-ring network (CTRN) for African continent in [1]. In this work, we extend our CTRN study by proposing little-arc-first (LAF) routing algorithm, first-matching (FM) wavelength assignment, and parallel-bridge and opposite-ring protection (OPP). Simulation experiments demonstrate that LAF and FM can improve network resource assignment, and OPP can enhance network robustness.
V. Liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection for plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine

Abstract One of the most significant advances in catecholamine methodology in recent years has been the development of the electrochemical detector in combination with liquid chromatography. In this report the practicability of this system for the routine quantitative determination of norepinephrine and epinephrine in plasma is described. The method has been found to be of particular value in evaluating the effect of alpha adrenergic agonists on norepinephrine and epinephrine levels in the plasma of dogs.
LINGUISTIC AND COMPUTATIONAL SEMANTICS

We argue that because the very concept of computation rests on notions of interpretation, the semantics of natural languages and the semantics of computational formalisms are in the deepest sense the same subject. The attempt to use computational formalisms in aid of an explanation of natural language semantics, therefore, is an enterprise that must be undertaken with particular care. We describe a framework for semantical analysis that we have used in the computational realm, and suggest that it may serve to underwrite computationally-oriented linguistic semantics as well. The major feature of this framework is the explicit recognition of both the declarative and the procedural import of meaningful expressions; we argue that whereas these two viewpoints have traditionally been taken as alternative, any comprehensive semantical theory must account for how both aspects of an expression contribute to its overall significance.
The egg capsules of certain Neritidae

The little capsules in which snails of this family deposit eggs are so durable as sometimes to be found adherent to museum specimens; hitherto, however, detailed descriptions of such capsules have been restricted to the capsules long known as made by Neritina fluviatilis in fresh waters of Europe. The present paper adds descriptions, with measurements and sketches, of Neritina reclivata from Florida, Neritina virginea, Neritina punctulata, Theodoxus mneleagris, Nerita peloronta, Nerita alticola, Nerita tesselata and Neritilia succinea from Jamaica, British West Indies. These capsules are found to be remarkable in that the digestive tract aids in their formation; that is, the capsules are made as secretions of the lower oviduct to which mineral particles are added, and these mineral particles are supplied from the intestine and stored up in a special sac opening into the oviduct. Moreover, the mineral particles are of twofold origin; in some Neritinas they come from the ooze taken in with the food and passed through the intestine; in some Neritas they come from the liver as calcospherites, to be passed through the intestine. It is hoped that the data given will aid future descriptions of capsules from other species till a firm foundation is built for utilization of these capsules as aids in taxonomy.
The Neurology of mTOR

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is a crucial cellular signaling hub that, like the nervous system itself, integrates internal and external cues to elicit critical outputs including growth control, protein synthesis, gene expression, and metabolic balance. The importance of mTOR signaling to brain function is underscored by the myriad disorders in which mTOR pathway dysfunction is implicated, such as autism, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disorders. Pharmacological manipulation of mTOR signaling holds therapeutic promise and has entered clinical trials for several disorders. Here, we review the functions of mTOR signaling in the normal and pathological brain, highlighting ongoing efforts to translate our understanding of cellular physiology into direct medical benefit for neurological disorders.
Molecular Characterization and Expression of Porcine Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor-IB in the Uterus of Cyclic and Pregnant Gilts

Previous gene mapping analyses revealed a quantitative trait locus for uterine capacity on chromosome 8. Comparison of porcine and human genetic maps suggests that the bone morphogenetic protein receptor IB (BMPR-IB) gene may be located near this region. The objectives of this study were to 1) clone the full coding region for BMPR-IB, 2) examine BMPR-IB gene expression by the endometrium and its cellular localization in cyclic and pregnant gilts, and 3) map the BMPR-IB gene. By iterative screening of an expressed sequence tag library, we obtained a 3559-base pair cDNA clone including the full coding region of BMPR-IB. Endometrial BMPR-IB mRNA expression of White composite gilts was determined by Northern blotting in Days 10, 13, and 15 cyclic and Days 10, 13, 15, 20, 30, and 40 pregnant gilts. In cyclic gilts, endometrial BMPR-IB mRNA expression was elevated on Days 13 and 15 (P < 0.01) compared with Day 10. Expression of BMPR-IB mRNA was localized in both luminal and glandular epithelium on Day 15. However, in pregnant gilts, BMPR-IB mRNA expression was not significantly different in the endometrium from Day 10 to Day 20, and it was significantly decreased on Days 30 and 40 (P = 0.011). The BMPR-IB gene was mapped to 108 cM on chromosome 8. These findings show that BMPR-IB mRNA expression is regulated differently in cyclic and pregnant gilts; this pattern of gene expression may be important for endometrial function during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle as compared with early pregnancy.
The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans: Implications for Clinical and Public Health Practice

The US government released its first formal recommendations on physical activity, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, in 2008. By issuing the guidelines, the government has established increased physical activity as a major societal health target for the 21st century. The guidelines include recommendations of the types and amounts of physical activity that people should perform to gain important health benefits. Physicians and other health care providers can help people attain and maintain regular physical activity by providing advice on how to be active, appropriate types of activities, and ways to reduce the risk of injuries. Although training for providers on how to counsel patients about physical activity is limited, training of future providers offers an opportunity to improve this area of medical education. Public health practitioners have shifted their efforts to promote physical activity toward an environmental focus, usually incorporating organizational and community-level interventions. As federal health policy moves toward a greater emphasis on prevention of chronic diseases, it is expected that new resources will become available to support physical activity promotion in health care and public health settings. Familiarity with the guidelines should aid professionals in medicine and public health in responding effectively to these new expectations and opportunities.
Impact of IEEE 802.11n Operation on IEEE 802.15.4 Operation

Wireless communication among sensor devices, enabled by IEEE 802.15.4 protocol, is increasingly replacing the existing wired technology in a wide range of monitoring and control applications. IEEE 802.15.4 networks typically operate in 2.4GHz ISM band, which is used by popular IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) networks as well. An overlap between the channels used by IEEE802.15.4 and IEEE 802.11 networks may adversely impact the operation of IEEE 802.15.4 since it is a low power protocol using a small channel width compared to the transmitted power levels and channel width used by IEEE 802.11. Avoiding channel overlap between IEEE 802.15.4 and IEEE 802.11 networks will become difficult once proposed IEEE 802.11n technology becomes popular. This is because an IEEE802.11n network may use two 20MHz wide channels for its operation, rather than a single 20MHz channel as is the case with other IEEE 802.11 PHY layers. In this paper, we evaluate, via test bed experiments, the impact of IEEE 802.11n operation on IEEE 802.15.4 performance when there is an overlap between the channels used by IEEE 802.15.4 and IEEE 802.11n networks.
The impacts of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter roll steering on Phoenix relay link

The 2005 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) mission has the primary objective of placing a science orbiter into Mars orbit to perform remote sensing investigations that will study the surface, subsurface and atmosphere of Mars and will identify potential landing sites for future missions. Its relay service for a landing asset on the Martian surface will not begin until the arrival of the 2009 Phoenix Mars Lander. Among the many newly added features such as finer resolution camera, advanced instruments, and the second-generation communication radio Electra, MRO is capable of rolling the spacecraft at a fixed angle during its flight over a surface asset. This improves MRO's link performance and thus, increases the overall data throughputs. In our study, we are interested in determining the optimum roll angle for each pass relative to nadir pointing and its impact in terms of data throughput gain. In this paper, we present a mathematical formulation, which is based on the constrained optimization framework, to determine the optimum roll angle. The model is designed to find the best roll angle for each pass, where the roll angle is bounded by plusmn30deg so that the resulting data throughput is largest. The data throughput is computed based on MRO's and Phoenix's geometry, the roll angle, and the telecom parameters and capabilities, including supportable data rates, antenna patterns, etc. Other important quantities include the statistics of the passes of different peak elevation angles, margins, day passes, duration and frequency of the passes, type of data rates, etc. These questions can provide a general guideline to facilitate the planning process between the science and the navigation teams. Long-term simulation and study have also been implemented. Statistical findings based on the simulation for several possible future landing sites will be presented
Meta-analysis: vertebroplasty for vertebral compression fracture ineffective in improving pain and function

Commentary on: Staples MP, Kallmes DF, Comstock BA, et al. Effectiveness of vertebroplasty using individual patient data from two randomised placebo controlled trials: meta-analysis. BMJ 2011;343:d3952.[OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF) are a significant public health concern worldwide. Percutaneous vertebral augmentation or vertebroplasty was introduced to alleviate the pain and reduce the disability associated with VCF in patients failing conservative therapy, but were at very high-risk for open surgery. Due to the apparent success and low morbidity of vertebroplasty, these indications were expanded and widespread use ensued until several randomised trials evaluated the efficacy of vertebroplasty in VCF.1,–,5 Of these, two double-blind sham-controlled randomised trials (ie, the INVEST and Australian trials) … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DBMJ%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1136%252Fbmj.d3952%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F21750078%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=bmj&resid=343/jul12_1/d3952&atom=%2Febmed%2F17%2F5%2F142.atom
Teaching Behavioral Self-Change: A Course Model:

The need for psychology departments to offer course instruction in behavioral self-change is presented. Results of a random survey suggest that less than 10% of psychology programs offer such instruction, despite evidence in the literature of its effectiveness and popularity with students. My own behavioral self-change course is described and specific suggestions for implementing the course are included. The course offers students an opportunity to apply proven psychological principles to their own lives and thus meets the needs for personal relevance of education. The course also remains true to scientific rigor by introducing and integrating several important concepts from research methods and behavior modification.
Saharan oceans and bridges, barriers and divides in Africa's historiographical landscape

Based on a broad assessment of the scholarship on North-Western Africa, this article examines Saharan historiography with a particular view towards understanding how and why historians have long represented the continent as being composed of two ‘Africas’. Starting with the earliest Arabic writings, and, much later, French colonial renderings, it traces the epistemological creation of a racial and geographic divide. Then, the article considers the field of African studies in North African universities and ends with a review of recent multidisciplinary research that embraces a trans-Saharan approach.
Modeling of temperature-dependent diffusion and polymerization kinetics and their effects on two-photon polymerization dynamics

Two-photon polymerization (2PP) is an effective technique for the fabrication of complex polymeric 3-D micro/nanofeatures and structures using ultrashort pulses from a NIR laser source. The interaction of laser pulses with photoresponsive resin creates a voxel (volumetric pixel) that defines the resolution of the 2PP process. In this work, we present a mathematical model of the 2PP process that considers the effects of radical diffusion and polymerization kinetics on polymerization dynamics. The increase in temperature during the polymerization process and its effect on polymerization kinetics are considered in the model. The developed model is solved numerically to obtain a better understanding of the polymerization dynamics at various time scales. The effects of diffusion and polymerization kinetics on the growth of voxels are analyzed from the presented simulations. A comparison between high and low pulse repetition rate systems is also presented, showing different polymerization dynamics.
Network design and performance for a massively parallel SIMD system

It is shown that a nearest neighbor communication network can be complimented with a log-diameter multistage network to handle different communications patterns. This is especially useful when the pattern of data movement is not uniform. The designed network is evaluated for two cases: a dense case with many processing elements communicating and a sparse case. For 32-b data, the algorithm for computing partial sums of an array improves by 2.7 times with the multistage interconnection network. In a sparse random case, the number of cycles taken to communicate 32 b is 4000 (with 10% of the nodes communicating). Thus, it is concluded that a network like a multistage omega network is very useful for SIMD (single-instruction multiple-data) massively parallel machines. This is especially true if the machine is to be used for applications where long distance and nonuniform routing patterns are needed. >
Prediction of Soil Stresses Beneath a Rigid Wheel

A finite element modeling technique is being de- difficult to measure and the rigid geometry permits the veloped as a management tool that can be used to determination of the direction of these stresses. A true predict and avoid excessive soil compaction. Values of three-dimensional device (such as an agricultural trac­ normal stress between a rigid wheel and the soil were tor tyre) is much more difficult to model because the obtained using an instrumented bar across the width direction of the stresses at the soil interface are of the wheel. These values were used to apply loads to the finite element model. A non-linear stress-strain relationship was used that shows that soil compaction is a function of both normal and shearing stress. The linear-elastic parameters, Young’s Modulus and Poisson’s ratio, are updated at small increments of load to follow the non-linear stress-strain relationship closely. Values of octahedral normal (mean normal) and major principal stress are predicted accurately in some situations but not at the high load condition in an initially uniformly loose soil profile.
Ionic and Metabolic Requirements for High-Affinity Choline Uptake and Acetylcholine Synthesis in Nerve Terminals at a Neuromuscular Junction

: We have shown previously that in the chick ciliary nerve-iris muscle preparation Na+-dependent high-affinity choline uptake was confined to the nerve terminals. In this paper the sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake (SDHACU), which is coupled to acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis, was further characterized by measuring uptake of [3H]choline and its conversion to [3hjach under a variety of ionic and metabolic perturbations. Mannitol equilibration with the extracellular space was found to occur in less than 1 min in this preparation. Na+-dependent choline (Ch+) uptake was shown to be linear for 16 min and to reach an equilibrium before Na+-independent Ch+ uptake, which continued to increase for 60 min. Elevated [K+]0 concentrations inhibited Ch+ uptake and ACh synthesis. Glycolytic and respiratory inhibitors also reduced both processes, as did ouabain and omission of [K+]0. Incubation conditions that reduce transmitter release had no effect on inhibition by high [K+]0. Reduction of SDHACU and sodium-dependent ACh synthesis by depolarization with high [K+]0 or by inhibition of Na, K-ATPase implies that the electrochemical gradients for Ch+ and Na+ are important in providing a driving force for high-affinity Ch+ uptake. The inhibition by metabolic blockers suggests active transport, but the effects may be indirect, caused by reduced Na, K-ATPase activity and alterations in membrane potential. While most metabolic inhibitors exerted parallel effects on both Ch+ uptake and ACh synthesis, in some cases Ch+ uptake was more strongly inhibited than ACh synthesis. This occurred in preparations incubated with high [K+]0 and ouabain. Na+-dependent Ch+ uptake and ACh synthesis were found to be temperature-dependent with a Q10 (20–30°) of 3.6 and 6.6, respectively and a Q10 (30–40°) of 1.3 and 1.0, respectively. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by paraoxon increases to 92% the proportion of the Ch+ taken up which is converted to ACh. ACh did not reduce Ch+ transport when present at 100 μM.
Survival of black persons compared with white persons in the Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS)

From July 1974 to May 1979, 573 black persons in the Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) underwent coronary angiography. Compared with 23,008 white persons, larger percentages of black men and women were current smokers and reported a history of systemic hypertension. Despite the presence of chest pain, larger percentages of blacks had normal coronary arteries by angiography than did whites. The 5-year age- and sex-adjusted survival rate was 88% for whites and 82% for blacks (p less than 0.0001). Cox analysis indicated that black race was related to poorer survival in the medical group (p = 0.0006) but not in the surgical group (p = 0.28). For blacks, surgical therapy was related to a better survival rate (p = 0.009). These results raise questions concerning the effects of excess cigarette smoking and systemic hypertension and the role of coronary artery bypass surgery on survival of black persons.
Prenatal Breastfeeding Education: Its Effect on Breastfeeding Among WIC Participants

The effect of prenatal breastfeeding education on breastfeeding incidence and duration was determined among 31 prenatal WIC participants. The subjects, assigned to a control group (n = 17) or experimental group (n = 14), received prenatal nutrition education through the WIC program. The experimental group received at least one breastfeeding education class. There was no significant difference in breastfeeding incidence between the groups, however, there was a significant difference in breastfeeding incidence by parity (p < 0.05). There was a significantly higher percentage of women still breastfeeding at 3 and 4 months postpartum in the experimental versus the control group (p < 0.05). The control group breastfed for 29.5 +/- 43.6 days, while the experimental group breastfed for 76 days +/- 104.3 (p = .05). Multiparous women who had bottle-fed previous children breastfed for a shorter duration (18 +/- 22 days) than primiparous women (60 +/- 87 days) (p < .07).
The other allele: exploring the long allele of the serotonin transporter gene as a potential risk factor for psychopathy: a review of the parallels in findings.

Converging evidence suggests that the short allele of the serotonin transporter gene polymorphism increases risk for a variety of psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, and alcoholism. Thus, the short allele is typically considered the “risk” allele, and findings related to the long allele are rarely discussed. However, upon closer examination, findings associated with the long allele of the serotonin transporter gene share striking similarities with findings from studies of psychopathy. Here, the parallels between findings associated with the long/long genotype and findings associated with psychopathic traits in the areas of neuropsychology, psychophysiology, hormones, and brain imaging are reviewed. It is suggested that the long/long genotype may be a potential risk factor for the development of psychopathic traits.
Feasibility and advantage of adding 131I-MIBG to 90Y-DOTATOC for treatment of patients with advanced stage neuroendocrine tumors

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is an effective form of treatment for patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). However, delivering sufficient radiation dose to the tumor to result in a high percentage of long-term tumor remissions remains challenging because of the limits imposed on administered activity levels by radiation damage to normal tissues. The goal of this study was to evaluate the dosimetric advantages of adding 131I meta-iodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) to 90Y DOTA Phe1-Tyr3-octreotide (90Y-DOTATOC) in patients with advanced stage midgut NETs. Ten patients were imaged simultaneously with 131I-MIBG and 111In-pentetreotide (as a surrogate for 90Y-DOTATOC) on days 1, 2, and 3 post-administration. Blood samples were obtained at the same time points. Using dosimetry measures from this data and our previously published methodology for calculating optimal combined administered activity levels for therapy, we determined the amount of 131I-MIBG that could be added to 90Y-DOTATOC without exceeding normal organ dose limits (marrow and kidneys) along with the expected increase in associated tumor dose, if any. We found that a median value of 34.6 GBq of 131I-MIBG could be safely added to 90Y-DOTATOC (delivered over multiple cycles) by reducing the maximum total deliverable 90Y-DOTATOC by a median value of 24.5%. Taking this treatment approach, we found that there would be a median increase in deliverable tumor dose of 4,046 cGy in six of the ten subjects. Of note, there were a small number of metastases that were positive for only one or the other of these radiopharmaceuticals within the same subject. We conclude that approximately half of the patients with midgut NETs that are eligible for PRRT could reasonably be expected to benefit from the addition of 131I-MIBG to 90Y-DOTATOC.
The Ten Commandments of Ethnic Rhinoplasty

Because a basic, well-organized surgical plan is important whether one is dealing with a simple or a very complicated rhinoplasty, I have established and always try to follow these Ten Commandments of Ethnic Rhinoplasty: I. Carefully evaluate the individual’s anatomy, physiology, and psychology. II. Establish realistic goals for the patient and for yourself III. Prepare a detailed preoperative evaluation and surgical plan. IV. Consider the use of preoperative “BASICS” (Benadryl, Antibiotics, Steroids, Ice, Compression, and Standard Surgical Preparations). V. Mix your own fresh local anesthetic with epinephrine. VI. Maintain nasal airway function. VII. Use only autologous grafts whenever possible. VIII. Control swelling and bleeding intraoperatively with “ICE” (Ice, Compression, and Elevation). IX. Prepare a postoperative care plan such as “DAMP” (Dietary and Activity restrictions, Medication, and Pressure). X. Perform revision procedures only when truly warranted.