cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Imaging and biomarkers will be used for detection and monitoring progression of early Alzheimer’s disease

During the early development of medicine, clinical diagnosis relied on symptoms, history, as well as the visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory skills of the physician. More recently, advances of technology led to the development of the stethoscope, EKG machine, X-ray, etc. Another line of technology involved measurements of electrolytes and other substances in blood, urine and other body fluids. Most areas of medicine have greatly benefited from these advances especially and the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease primarily uses clinical information. Fortunately, this situation is now undergoing rapid evolution. There are a number of candidate biomarkers which can be used for diagnosis, early detection, or monitoring progression of Alzheimer's disease. Structural MRI demonstrates hippocampal atrophy in demented and mildly impaired subjects.. Flurodeoxyglucose PET shows reduced glucose metabolism in the posterior cingulate gyrus and hippocampal regions. Recent studies with C-11 PIB and F18 amyloid ligands suggest that the brain amyloid load may be quantified. As expected, subjects with Alzheimer's almost all have high amyloid loads detected by such imaging techniques. A high fraction of MCI and a lower fraction of normal elderly also have high brain amyloid. Measurements of CSF obtained by lumbar puncture show that patient's with Alzheimer's disease have low CSF amyloid and elevated tau and phosphotau. A variety of proteins and other substances in blood also appear to change in Alzheimer's disease. For many years its been known that many elderly subjects who appear cognitively normal for age, have evidence of Alzheimer's pathology at autopsy. An important question is: do normal elderly subjects with evidence for Alzheimer's pathology (e.g. small hippocampus, reduced posterior cingulate glucose metabolism, reduced CSF amyloid and elevated tau etc) have a higher risk for cognitive decline and ultimate conversion to dementia? Similarly, do subjects with MCI who have biomarker/imaging evidence for Alzheimer's pathology have a higher risk for future converstion to dementia? This special (1-17) issue focuses on the use of various imaging techniques and biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease clinical trials. In this setting imaging/biomarkers have at least 4 uses:
Exploring Strategies to Improve Emergency Department Intake

Abstract Background The emergency department (ED) is the point of entry for nearly two-thirds of patients admitted to the average United States (US) hospital. Due to unacceptable waits, 3% of patients will leave the ED without being seen by a physician. Objectives To study intake processes and identify new strategies for improving patient intake. Methods A year-long learning collaborative was created to study innovations involving the intake of ED patients. The collaborative focused on the collection of successful innovations for ED intake for an “improvement competition.” Using a qualitative scoring system, finalists were selected and their innovations were presented to the members of the collaborative at an Association for Health Research Quality-funded conference. Results Thirty-five departments/organizations submitted abstracts for consideration involving intake innovations, and 15 were selected for presentation at the conference. The innovations were presented to ED leaders, researchers, and policymakers. Innovations were organized into three groups: physical plant changes, technological innovations, and process/flow changes. Conclusion The results of the work of a learning collaborative focused on ED intake are summarized here as a qualitative review of new intake strategies. Early iterations of these new and unpublished innovations, occurring mostly in non-academic settings, are presented.
Modulation of 5‐Hydroxytryptamine1A Receptor Density by Nonhydrolyzable GTP Analogues

Co-incubation of rat cortical membranes with 10(-4) M GTP results in a competitive inhibition of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A (5-HT1A) receptor binding sites labeled by [3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin [( 3H]8-OH-DPAT). Preincubation of cortical membranes with 10(-4) M GTP does not significantly change either KD or Bmax values, indicating that the effect of GTP is reversible. By contrast, GTP gamma S and 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate (GppNHp) are nonhydrolyzable analogues of GTP which lengthen the time course of guanine nucleotide activation of guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) and thereby alter G protein-receptor interactions. These nonhydrolyzable GTP analogues were used to characterize the effects of persistent alterations in G proteins on [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding to 5-HT1A receptors. Co-incubation of rat cortical membranes with either 10(-4) M GTP gamma S or GppNHp results in a decrease in both the affinity and apparent density of 5-HT1A binding sites. Co-incubation with the nonhydrolyzable nucleotides reduces the affinity of [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding by 65-70% and lowers the density of the binding site by 53-61%. Similarly, preincubation of membranes with a 10(-4) M concentration of either GTP gamma S or GppNHp significantly increases the KD value and reduces the Bmax value of [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding. These results indicate that GTP gamma S and GppNHp induce persistent changes in 5-HT1A receptor-G protein interactions that are reflected as a decrease in the density of binding sites labeled by [3H]8-OH-DPAT.
Data‐based model‐free representation of complex hysteretic MDOF systems

A general approach is presented for developing data-based, model-free representations of complex non-linear (including hysteretic) multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems under arbitrary dynamic loads. Only the excitation forces and corresponding response is needed to implement the procedure: the system mass need not be known. The approach utilizes a two-stage procedure: in the first stage, least-squares techniques are used to identify the system matrices of an equivalent linear MDOF system; in the second stage, the non-linear system restoring force vector is determined, and transformed into the ‘modal space’ associated with the eigenvectors of the linearized system. Subsequently, non-parametric identification techniques are used to represent the transformed restoring force surface in terms of suitable state variables. The robustness of the method is illustrated by means of a 3DOF system incorporating non-linear features associated with friction, hysteresis, and limited-slip phenomena, as typically encountered in ‘joints.’ Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A non-quasistatic semi-empirical model for small geometry MOSFETs

Abstract A new charge-oriented semi-empirical non-quasistatic (NQS) model is developed for small geometry MOSFETs that is computationally efficient to be useful for circuit simulation. The NQS model includes the effect of velocity saturation, gate field dependent mobility, charge sharing, drain induced barrier lowering and geometric dependencies of threshold voltage. To model the carrier inertia that causes non-steady state conditions, a non-quasistatic model is adopted. An approximate inversion charge profile is used to reduce the nonlinear current-continuity equation to an ordinary differential equation. The model is valid in all regions of operation (weak, moderate and strong inversion) and is derived without resorting to the approximate arbitrary channel charge partitioning. The results from the proposed model are examined and compared with 2D simulation results and good agreement is obtained for the transient source, drain and gate currents for large signals applied to the gate.
Prehospital tracheal intubating conditions during rapid sequence intubation: rocuronium versus vecuronium

Abstract Introduction: The study purpose was to evaluate tracheal intubating conditions and cardiovascular effects of rocuronium and vecuronium (vec) in the transport setting. Methods: A prospective blinded study of adult patients requiring emergency rapid sequence oral tracheal intubation using direct laryngoscopy. Patients received equipotent doses of roc 1.0 mg/kg (n=44) or vec 0.15 mg/kg (n=56) on an alternate day basis. Results: Intubation was successful in 95% of patients in the vec group and 100% in the roc group. The percentage of patients having good or excellent jaw relaxation and vocal cord exposure was similar between groups (vec/79%, roc/77%). Eleven patients (vec/7, roc/4) had difficult intubation as evidenced by Grade III or IV view and more than three attempts. Five patients in the vec group had inadequate neuromuscular blockade versus 1 patient in the roc group (P=0.17). No cardiovascular differences occurred between groups after intubation. Conclusion: Tracheal intubating conditions and clinical evidence of complete neuromuscular blockade tended to be better after roc than after vec.
Culture and Empirically Supported Treatments: On the Road to a Collision?:

The dual influence of culturally sensitive therapies (CSTs) and empirically supported treatments (ESTs) on clinical practitioners has grown quickly in the United States. While CST advocates have been driven by the need to provide culturally diverse populations with services that are consistent with their cultural characteristics, practitioners of ESTs have striven to empirically demonstrate the benefits of psychotherapy. However, as EST's influence grows, it may increasingly threaten CST's advances. Some assumptions underlying the development of ESTs are not culturally sensitive and can be detrimental to the well-being of culturally diverse patients. This article highlights these assumptions in four interrelated areas and provides suggestions to overcome these shortcomings. Cultural assumptions and methodological implications of ESTs are presented, as well as some suggestions on how to broaden their cultural understandings. To conclude, some general recommendations on how to start bridging the gap between...
Promoting Health and Preventing Disease: Ethical Demands and Social Challenges:

This article argues that a critical impasse has been reached in American health promotion and disease prevention and examines the three factors that must be confronted and addressed if we are to move forward. These factors are: 1) the cultural and political contexts of health promotion, including the continuing tension between individualism and a common good/public health perspective, 2) the increasing power of narrow, biomedical conceptualizations of disease and illness, and 3) the variety of ethical options available to governments, employers and HMO's concerned with changing unhealthy behaviors. A public interest perspective on health promotion then is presented, with attention to both the obstacles it faces and the advantages it may hold as we pursue the goal of a healthy society at the turn of the century.
Overcoming Expression and Purification Problems of RhoGDI Using a Family of “Parallel” Expression Vectors☆

We describe the construction of expression vectors based on three of the most frequently used gene fusion affinity tags [glutathione S-transferase (GST), maltose binding protein (MBP), and the His6 peptide]. The polylinkers of pGEX4T1, pMal-c2, and a pET vector were replaced with the polylinker isolated from the baculovirus expression plasmid pFastBac. Once appropriate restriction sites have been introduced into a gene, it can be fused to all three affinity tags with little effort, allowing expression-screening experiments to be performed efficiently. We discuss the development and use of these vectors with respect to overcoming purification problems encountered for the RhoA GDP/GTP nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (RhoGDI) and their advantages over commercially available expression vectors.
RLPM -- A Communicator's Planning Tool

This paper describes a Radio Link Performance Model (RLPM) that can be used to predict the effectiveness of analog and digital surface and air-to-ground radio communication links operating in the LF through UHF bands. The model emphasizes the computation of meaningful performance measures and uses color graphics to display the results in an easily-understood manner. It has a user-friendly interface that permits data to be entered in an interactive manner, error-trapping routines are used to minimize the chances of program abort due to key stroke errors. It is written in FORTRAN 77 and runs on an HP minicomputer.
Hoiamide a, a sodium channel activator of unusual architecture from a consortium of two papua new Guinea cyanobacteria.

Summary Hoiamide A, a novel bioactive cyclic depsipeptide, was isolated from an environmental assemblage of the marine cyanobacteria Lyngbya majuscula and Phormidium gracile collected in Papua New Guinea. This stereochemically complex metabolite possesses a highly unusual structure, which likely derives from a mixed peptide-polyketide biogenetic origin, and includes a peptidic section featuring an acetate extended and S-adenosyl methionine modified isoleucine moiety, a triheterocyclic fragment bearing two α-methylated thiazolines and one thiazole, and a highly oxygenated and methylated C15-polyketide substructure. Pure hoiamide A potently inhibited [ 3 H]batrachotoxin binding to voltage-gated sodium channels (IC 50 = 92.8 nM), activated sodium influx (EC 50 = 2.31 μM) in mouse neocortical neurons, and exhibited modest cytotoxicity to cancer cells. Further investigation revealed that hoiamide A is a partial agonist of site 2 on the voltage-gated sodium channel.
An area-efficient maximum-ratio-combining diversity receiver in 90 nm CMOS for free-space optical links

This paper presents a low-power imaging diversity front-end receiver employing the maximum-ratio-combining algorithm for free-space optical communication. It consists of seven signal channels and an output stage, each channel has a front-end transimpedance amplifier, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimator and a variable gain amplifier (VGA). The imaging receiver circuit was implemented in a 90 nm CMOS process. The maximum-ratio weighting is achieved with the SNR estimator and variable gain amplifier (VGA), which provides the signal with a gain proportional to the signal amplitude. The maximum ratio combining feature was demonstrated with two channels driven by photodiode emulation circuits for electrical characterization. The power dissipation for the whole chip is 43 mW from a single 1.2 V supply.
Corticosterone has independent effects on tissue maturation and growth in the suckling rat.

Glucocorticoids are associated with reduced weight gain when used to improve pulmonary function in premature infants. However, tissue maturation is stimulated during normal development by an increase in serum glucocorticoids. We evaluated the effects of glucocorticoid treatment on tissue weight gain and the activity of specific enzymes in the suckling rat, with the hypothesis that these processes are independently regulated. Before the ontogenic surge in corticosterone, 6-d-old rat pups were implanted with a pellet to release corticosterone continuously at 0 (placebo), 48, 120, 240, or 360 μg/d. We killed the pups at 7, 9, or 12 d of age and measured tissue weights and activities of sucrase and glutamine synthetase. Serum corticosterone concentrations were elevated with dose. Tissue weight gain was proportional to lne serum corticosterone at all ages. In contrast, enzyme indices of tissue maturation did not respond to corticosterone until d 9. Also, intestinal tissue was more sensitive than muscle to the effects of corticosterone on weight but less sensitive to its effects on maturation. We conclude that the immediate response, in terms of weight versus the delayed response of the enzymes and their reciprocal sensitivity in muscle and gut, indicates that these processes are independently regulated.
Ion source development at RTNS-II

Abstract Results are reported for an ongoing effort to optimize D+ beam production by the MATS-III ion source used at RTNS-II. The characteristics of the source have been determined. Particular attention was paid to the extraction geometry and plasma production. The plasma spatial and temporal uniformity has been examined. The seven aperture triode geometry has been varied to optimize neutron production. This includes beamlet steering and electrode gapping as well as aperture shaping.
Neutron scattering studies of amorphous Invar alloys

This paper reviews recent inelastic neutron scattering experiments performed to study the spin dynamics of two amorphous Invar systems: Fe/sub 100-x/B/sub x/ and Fe/sub 90-x/Ni/sub x/Zr/sub 10/. As in crystalline Invar Fe/sub 65/Ni/sub 35/ and Fe/sub 3/Pt, the excitation of conventional long-wavelength spin waves in these amorphous systems cannot account for the relatively rapid change of their magnetization with temperature. These results are discussed in terms of additional low-lying excitations which apparently have a density of states similar to the spin waves.
The Effects of Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma, Heart Disease, and Stroke on Quality-Adjusted Life Expectancy

stroke contributed 1.9, 2.2, 0.8, 1.2, and 0.8 years of population QALE loss at age 18 years, respectively. Conclusions: Persons with each of the five diseases had significantly lower life expectancy and QALE. Because the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension has increased significantly in the United States in the last two decades, the burdens of these two conditions, measured by population QALE losses, had increased 83% and 29% from 1993 to 2009, respectively. Also, by examining changes in population QALE loss at different ages, policymakers can identify age groups most affected by particular diseases and develop the most costeffective interventions by focusing on these groups.
Analysis of a production/inventory system subject to random disruptions

In this paper we study an unreliable bottleneck production/inventory system with a constant production and demand rate that is subject to random disruptions. We assume that the restoration times are constant, the time between breakdowns is exponential, the production setup cost and/or setup time is positive, and excess demand is backordered. We propose an s, S production policy for such systems and develop expressions for the operating characteristics of the system. The properties of the policy parameters that minimize the expected total cost rate are investigated and a procedure for finding their optimal values is developed. In addition, we devise and test a simple heuristic procedure for finding near optimal production policies. The results of a numerical experiment suggest that i setup cost reduction is more effective in reducing total operating cost when the production system is more reliable, ii setup cost reduction in unreliable production systems results in higher optimal safety stock level, and iii proper determination of the safety stock levels is extremely important in Just-in-Time systems, which are susceptible to disruptions.
Primary malignant hemangioendothelioma of the greater omentum. A case report

Primary tumors of the great omentum are not common. Most of the described and well-documented tumors are leiomyomas, leiomyosarcomas and hemangiopericytomas. A patient with primary malignant hemangioendothelioma of the omentum will be described. The clinical course of this patient resembled that described in the literature on other intraperitoneal hemangioendotheliomas and was characterized by severe recurrent intraperitoneal bleeding.
Single-mode GaN nanowire lasers

We demonstrate stable, single-frequency output from single, as-fabricated GaN nanowire lasers operating far above lasing threshold. Each laser is a linear, double-facet GaN nanowire functioning as gain medium and optical resonator, fabricated by a top-down technique that exploits a tunable dry etch plus anisotropic wet etch for precise control of the nanowire dimensions and high material gain. A single-mode linewidth of ~0.12 nm and >18 dB side-mode suppression ratio are measured. Numerical simulations indicate that single-mode lasing arises from strong mode competition and narrow gain bandwidth.
Reply to Comment on “CARS probe of RDX decomposition”

Abstract CARS spectra from an RDX composite flame which has been purported in the preceding Comment to be transitions in CO 2 may be tentatively assigned to CO 2 and/or HCN. Temperature estimated from these spectra is consistent with the contention of Aron and Harris that CARS spectra from near the solid surface originate from the reaction zone of the RDX composite flame.
Specific heat and magnetic susceptibility of the high-Tc superconductor (Bi, Pb, Sb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10

Abstract The temperature dependence of the specific heat and magnetic susceptibility of single phase (Bi, Pb, Sb) 2 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 10 has been measured. A distinct jump in the specific heat C ( T ) at the superconducting transition temperature T c is obtained with a δ C at T c =6.2±0.2 J/mole K and T c =109 K. This result combined with an estimate of the Sommerfeld constant γ obtained from scaling the temperature independent contribution of the magnetic susceptibility χ( T ) is close to the value of δ C expected assuming a weak coupling BCS theory. The γ-value obtained from δC =1.43 γT c and the temperature independent contribution to χ( T ) is ∼40 mJ/mole K 2 which indicates that the electrons are highly correlated with a band mass ≈10 m 0 where m 0 is the free electron mass. These γ-values and the effective electron mass are very similar to those previously reported for other high- T c superconductors, e.g., YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 . At low temperatures C ( T ) can be fitted to A / T 2 + γT + βT 3 + C E ( T ) with A =40 mJK/mole, γ⋍0.0 and β =1.76 mJ/mole K 4 and C E ( T ) representing a small Einstein-like contribution to C ( T ) with an Einstein temperature of ∼4 3 K.
Strength of aggressive display in siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) toward a conspecific, an alien species (Macropodus opercularis), and a mirror image as affected by prior conspecific visual experience

Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) were provided with 10 days of visual experience with other conspecifics or were visually isolated from them for 10 days. Bettas were then allowed to display aggressively toward the following stimuli: a conspecific, an alien species (Macropodus opercularis), and a mirror image. Differences between intraspecific and interspecific displays depended on the response measure used. Isolated bettas displayed more frequently to conspecifics than did the visually experienced bettas, and more so than any other group. Visually experienced bettas showed longer latencies to conspecifics than did isolated bettas. However, there were no differences in the other response measures (duration of display and time to absence of responding for 15 min) in any of the stimulus conditions. Whether there are differences between intraspecific aggression, interspecific aggression, and aggression toward a mirror image may depend on the response measures used and the procedures leading up to behavioral testing.
A beautiful heart.

Each weekday morning, I review my clinic schedule to see who will be visiting. With just a glance, I can predict the tenor of the day. Certain names evoke joy, others indifference, some dread. I still remember the first day of spring, some years ago, when my schedule augured a banner day: Opal
The antecedents and consequences of integrated global marketing

International marketing is undergoing a transformation to become integrated global marketing. The emphasis has shifted from understanding and explaining between‐country differences to identifying transnational similarities; and from country‐by‐country functional adjustment of marketing mix elements to seeking global cross‐functional integration. In this paper, the authors discuss how the contextual factors of international marketing are changing to make between‐country differences less relevant for international marketing practice. The emergence of integrated global marketing has a greater potential for theory development in international marketing as it is not contextually bound and thus can be generalized.
Feeling Connected via Television Viewing: Exploring the Scale and Its Correlates

Contextualized in television program viewing, the current study seeks to develop a new scale that captures individuals' feelings of being connected to others via media consumption. Literature on general human motivation and media consumption motivation sheds light on social relatedness in television experiences. Data suggest a three-factor structure of the focal concept of feeling connected via television viewing (FCTV): (1) a perception of shared viewing among one's immediate social circle and anticipation of subsequent communication as aided by television programs, (2) a sense of global community enhanced by shared television experiences, and (3) communication with distant unknown others. A stronger sense of FCTV predicts a greater tendency for an individual to watch a program when it is first released, and to watch it together with one's friends, as well as a higher level of general involvement with television. Further, we differentiate the focal concept of feeling connected to other television viewers...
Understanding computer understanding of narrative text

Abstract This paper surveys recent successes in getting computers to understand human language by imbuing them with cultural knowledge and everyday common sense. The paper begins with a discussion of the centrality of language comprehension in giving computing machines their universality. Next, differences between formal programming languages currently understood by machines and properties of natural languages are discussed. The central problems of representing thought, encoding cultural knowledge, and generating inferences and cultural expectations are addressed within the context of the development of a number of computer programs dealing with narrative text. Finally, the paper ends with a discussion of the author's own computer program, BORIS, which extends the theory of language understanding and narrative comprehension in a number of directions. In particular, BORIS implements a theory of knowledge interactions, multiple perspectives, emotional reactions, parsing integrated with episodic memory, expectation failures, planning errors, and abstract narrative themes.
The field service function in the electronics industry: Providing a link between customers and production/marketing

Abstract In today's economy, the importance of and emphasis on customer service has been steadily increasing. In response to this shift, the field of operations management has expanded both its teaching and research horizons to include not only the traditional concepts of production but also those of service operations. Companies are becoming increasingly aware of customer service as a competitive edge and, in many cases, as a competitive necessity. An important aspect of the service sector is the area of field service. Field service often represents a service organization within a manufacturing firm — providing customer service, a source of revenue, and a means for strategic competitive differentiation. Although field service has been recognized by many companies as a competitive edge, in-depth case studies of field service firms are difficult to find. In response to this lack of information, a research effort was undertaken focusing on field service leaders in the electronics industry. The electronics industry was chosen due to the emphasis on and the importance of field service to competitiveness; industry leaders such as General Electric Computer Services, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, NCR, were selected based on various industry rankings and on recommendations provided by field service consultants, practitioners, and personnel from national field service professional associations. Data were collected primarily through on-site interviews with field service and marketing managers from the various companies. On-site interviews, telephone interviews, facsimile transmissions, and mail correspondence were also utilized to gather data from other parties (recommended by the primary interviewees) and to correct any discrepancies. Areas studies include organization, strategy, performance measures, service processes, management information systems, and service parts management. Case summaries will be provided in addition to cross-case analysis. The research indicates that field service is a critical source of customer and product performance feedback. Additionally, in the six companies studied, field service management information systems and information flow are recognized as critical to not only the field service organization but also to the business as a whole. In addition to management information systems, the physical co-location of field service personnel within other company functions facilitates the cross-flow of information necessary to provide total customer account support.
Pre- and Postsynaptic Neurotoxic Effects of Dopamine Demonstrated by Intrastriatal Injection

Abstract Considerable evidence indicates that dopamine (DA) may play a neurotoxic role in brain in certain pathologic circumstances. To investigate this issue, dopamine (1000 nmol/1 μl) was directly injected into the striatum of anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Control animals received equal-volume injections of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) or NaCl at identical concentrations (diluted in distilled H2O, pH 7.0-7.7). Brains were removed 7 to 9 days later and frozen or fixed and sectioned for histologic and autoradiographic analysis. Dopamine injection resulted in a small-volume (3.3-mm3) lesion in comparison to control GABA and NaCl injections which produced only a needle track
Apelin/APJ Signaling Is a Critical Regulator of Statin Effects in Vascular Endothelial Cells—Brief Report

Objective—The endothelial response elicited by the G-protein−coupled receptor pathway involving apelin and APJ predicts an overall vasoprotective effect. As a number of downstream endothelial targets of apelin/APJ signaling are also known to be targeted by statins (3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl [HMG]-CoA reductase inhibitors) as potential mediators of their known pleiotropic effects, we evaluated for the involvement of apelin/APJ signaling in statin endothelial effects. Methods and Results—We found that disruption of apelin/APJ signaling in endothelial cells leads to significantly decreased expression of Krűppel-like factor 2, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and thrombomodulin. We found that statin-mediated induction of Krűppel-like factor 2, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and thrombomodulin expression, as well as inhibition of monocyte-endothelial adhesion, was abrogated by concurrent apelin knockdown. Moreover, we found that statins can transcriptionally regulate APJ in a Krűppel-like factor 2−depe...
Characterization and correlation of DC electrical penetration graph waveforms with feeding behavior of beet leafhopper, Circulifer tenellus

Feeding behavior of beet leafhopper, Circulifer tenellus (Baker) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), was studied with a DC electrical penetration graph. Nine different electrical penetration graph waveforms associated with feeding were identified and characterized. Waveforms were correlated with specific feeding behaviors using a number of techniques, including high magnification video recording, honeydew analysis, stylectomy, and histological processing. Waveforms were grouped into three phases based on feeding behavior: pathway phase (waveforms A, B1, B2, and C), non-phloem ingestion phase (waveform G), and phloem phase (waveforms D1, D2, D3, and D4). No ingestion was found to occur during waveforms A, B1, B2, and C. Waveform G was associated primarily with ingestion of xylem sap and occasionally with ingestion of mesophyll sap. Stylet tips were located in phloem during waveforms D1, D2, and D3, and waveforms D2 and D3 were correlated with ingestion of phloem sap. Waveform D4 probably also plays a role in phloem ingestion, because D4 is very brief and always occurs embedded in either waveform D2 or D3. In contrast to most other homopteran insects, rate of honeydew production (and hence rate of ingestion) was much lower on phloem than on xylem. More rapid rates of ingestion are expected on phloem, because its high turgor pressure drives sap into the feeding insect whereas the negative pressure of xylem sap is expected to cause a slow rate of ingestion. The very slow ingestion rate of beet leafhopper feeding on phloem suggests that it is not able to exploit the high turgor pressure of phloem to achieve the high rate of ingestion that is typical of phloem ingestion by other insects.
Hemispheric Asymmetry In The Processing Of Stroop Stimuli: An Altered Format

As in previous studies, the interference condition of the Stroop (color words printed in incongruent ink colors) was presented to male and female subjects. Unlike earlier studies in which word and color responses were elicited randomly, subjects knew in advance what to expect. Word responses were grouped together as were the color responses. Fifteen males and 15 females served in each of two conditions – word responses first or color responses first. In this altered format, an analysis of covariance revealed no gender or order of presentation differences in relation of word to color responses. When analyzed separately, there were no differences on the color responses but significantly shorter latencies for males on word responses. Word response latencies were shorter when presented before rather than after color responses for all subjects. The strong Stroop effect was ever present.
Case report: Peri-anal episiotomy scar endometrioma imaged by CT and sector endoluminal ultrasound

Endometriosis is a common clinical entity, and is found in approximately 15% of menstruating females. An endometrioma is somewhat less common, and is defined as functioning endometrial tissue outside the uterus. Endometriomas have been reported in a variety of different locations, including the rectus abdominis muscle following Caesarean section, skin and tissues adjacent to surgical scars, and even abdominal wall endometrial implants at the site of needle passage for amniocentesis. We present a case of a solitary endometrioma located in the peri-anal region beneath the site of an episiotomy scar. Sector endoluminal ultrasound was utilized in imaging this thick-walled, cystic mass. Episiotomy scar endometriomas have thus far only been reported in the surgical literature, without reference to radiologic imaging. Our case is illustrated with CT and sector endoluminal ultrasonography.
Development of the Spatial Rainfall Generator (SRGEN) for the Agricultural Policy/Environmental Extender Model

Accurate spatial representation of climatic patterns is often a challenge in modeling biophysical processes at the watershed scale, especially where the representation of a spatial gradient in rainfall is not sufficiently captured by the number of weather stations. The spatial rainfall generator (SRGEN) is developed as an extension of the “weather generator” (WXGEN), a component of the Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model. SRGEN generates spatially distributed daily rainfall using monthly weather statistics available at multiple locations in a watershed. The spatial rainfall generator as incorporated in APEX is tested on the Cowhouse watershed (1,178 km2) in central Texas. The watershed presented a significant spatial rainfall gradient of 2.9 mm/km in the lateral (north-south) directions based on four rainfall gages. A comparative analysis between SRGEN and WXGEN indicates that SRGEN performs well (PBIAS = 2.40%). Good results were obtained from APEX for streamflow (NSE = 0.99, PBIAS = 8.34%) and NO3-N and soluble P loads (PBIAS ≈ 6.00% for each, respectively). However, APEX underpredicted sediment yield and organic N and P loads (PBIAS: 24.75-27.90%) with SRGEN, although its uncertainty in output was lower than WXGEN results (PBIAS: −13.02 to −46.13%). The overall improvement achieved in rainfall generation by SRGEN is demonstrated to be effective in the improving model performance on flow and water quality output.
Immunity, infection, and nasal disease.

Mucosal surfaces provide interfaces between the external and internal environments through which gases, nutrients, waste products, and other materials move. The properties of host mucosal surfaces that allow for these functions also provide ideal sites for the entry of microbial pathogens. Probably for this reason, the immune system developed defensive components with functions specialized for mucosal areas. These include mucus and its constituents, secretory immunoglobulins, and unique subsets of leukocytes that localize to or maturate in mucosal regions. They function to prevent attachment of microbes to host tissues and thereby prevent entry, and to signal and mobilize other immune components if entry has been achieved.
Celebration Intoxication: An Evaluation of 21st Birthday Alcohol Consumption

The authors designed this study to evaluate the prevalence and magnitude of heavy drinking among college students in celebrating their 21st birthdays and the impact of a birthday card suggesting moderation. The authors randomly assigned subjects to receive or not receive the card approximately 1 week prior to their birthday. Approximately 1 week after turning 21, the authors sent surveys to all subjects. Results based on 164 returned surveys indicated that 90% consumed alcohol, 75% went to a bar, 61% reached a blood alcohol content (BAC) above the legal driving limit, and 23% reached a BAC above .25. Results were similar for men and women. Although subjects generally liked the birthday card, it had no impact on their drinking or celebration plans. Findings suggest the need for additional attention focusing on specific alcohol-related events and further development of prevention approaches that are event specific.
Prenatal care and drug use in pregnant women

This case-control study tested the hypothesis that pregnant inner-city women with low utilization of prenatal care are likely to be frequent drug users. Cases registered consecutively for prenatal care at > or = 28 weeks gestation or had < 4 prenatal visits. Controls were matched to cases by date of delivery. 24/81 (30%) cases and 16/128 (12%) controls were frequent drug users (adjusted odds ratio = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.2-5.4). Drug use (P = 0.01) and socioeconomic status (P = 0.001) were significantly correlated with prenatal care utilization. Self-report alone failed to note as many drug users as toxicology screen alone. Both substance use history and toxicology screen are advisable in women with low utilization of prenatal care.
Instructional system reviews

This system has been developed over a period of 7 years. It started in 1973 with one small section out of several large sections. Over the years all of the sections were integrated into the competency-based system. The development activity was essentially Magerian in nature and is highlighted by the sequence of objectives and learning activities provided by the Student Manual. (See Figure 1.) Designing and implementing a system such as this requires extra effort. Several staff members spent considerable time preparing their assignments. This system also requires new kinds of behavior from teachers and students. The teacher is no longer a 3-hour per week performer but rather a curriculum designer, consultant, and evaluator. The student finds that it is not possible to be a passive learner. It is his or her responsibility to come to the center, study the material, ask for help if needed, and take the tests: The student must become an active responder.
Distortion of particulate extinction profiles measured with lidar in a two-component atmosphere

Distortions of particular extinction-coefficient profiles measured with lidar in a two-component (molecular and aerosol) scattering atmosphere are analyzed. The error of the extinction coefficient measured at range r depends on the location of the point rb, where a boundary value is specified, and the particulate optical depth of the atmosphere between r and rb; the particulate backscatter-to-extinction ratio; and the ratio of particulate and molecular scattering extinction. If the near-end solution is used, small measurement errors can produce a significant divergence between the actual and the retrieved extinction-coefficient profiles, even if the boundary value and the particulate backscatter-to-extinction ratio are specified accurately. This effect is exacerbated at small values of the particulate scattering coefficient and the backscatter-to-extinction ratio. When reasonable criteria are used, feasible minimum and maximum boundary values can be specified to restrict the range of lidar equation solutions from below and from above.
Principles and Practices in Lobectomy (Including Segmental Resection) and Total Pneumonectomy for Bronchiectasis and Chronic Lung Abscess

In two important chronic lung conditions the rationale of surgery has been presented, certain important technical considerations have been described, and the preoperative and postoperative management and the anesthetic routine have been outlined. Adams 14 is correct when he says there is no more grateful group of patients than those who have been cured of chronic pulmonary disease by the surgical measures that are entirely practical today. Both bronchiectasis and lung abscess, however, are diseases in which the surgeon is not self-sufficient. He cannot expect success without the close and intimate cooperation of the internist, the roentgenologist and the anesthetist.
Freezing damage of bovine erythrocytes: Simulation using glycerol concentration changes at subzero temperatures☆

Abstract When a cell is frozen and thawed, it is exposed to (i) lowered temperature, (ii) increased solute concentration during freezing, and (iii) decreased solute concentration during thawing. Without actually freezing the cells, an attempt has been made to simulate physical-chemical changes to which bovine erythrocytes are exposed when frozen and thawed in glycerol solutions. Experimentally, the study consisted of suspending erythrocytes in 1, 2, or 3 m glycerol at 20 °C for various times and then exposing them to each of several dilution sequences. The dilution sequences were: (i) transfer from the initial glycerol concentration at 20 °C into the same concentration at −5 °C, (ii) transfer into an increased glycerol concentration at 20 °C, (iii) transfer into an increased followed by a decreased glycerol concentration at 20 °C, (iv) transfer into an increased glycerol concentration at −5 °C, and (v) transfer into an increased followed by a decreased glycerol concentration at −5 °C. This last sequence is analogous to the exposure that cells undergo at subzero temperatures to increased solute concentration during freezing and decreased solute concentration during thawing. This dilution sequence yielded a survival pattern very similar to that obtained when bovine erythrocytes are frozen and thawed, and thus does appear to mimic freezing damage. It is concluded that a major factor in freezing damage is the extent to which a cell must shrink or swell to achieve osmotic equilibrium at subzero temperatures in partially frozen or thawed solutions.
Film Stability in a Vertical Rotating Tube with a Core‐Gas Flow

The linear hydrodynamic stability of a thin‐liquid layer flowing along the inside wall of a vertical tube rotating about its axis in the presence of a core‐gas flow is examined. The stability problem is formulated under the conditions that the liquid film is thin, the density and viscosity ratios of gas to liquid are small and the relative (axial) pressure gradient in the gas is of the same order as gravity. The resulting eigen‐value problem is first solved by a perturbation method appropriate to axisymmetric long‐wave disturbances. The damped nature (to within the thin‐film and other approximations made) of the nonaxisymmetric and short‐wave disturbances is noted. In view of the limitations on a truncated perturbation solution when the disturbance wavenumber is not small, an initial value method using a digital computer is presented. Stability characteristics of neutral, growing, and damped modes are presented showing the influences of rotation, surface tension, and the core‐gas flow. Energy balance in a neutral mode is also illustrated.
Quantitative drop analysis. VII. Further investigations on the determination of calcium

A reinvestigation of the drop scale determination of calcium has been made, and an improved procedure is given. Amounts of 0.5 to 12γ calcium have been determined in simple solutions and in blood with a relative precision of less than ± 0.5 per cent on all but the lowest amounts.
Differences in 111In uptake in mouse brain sarcoma based on form of administration

Abstract It has been shown that when 111 In is injected as the chloride, it largely binds to transferrin. We studied the biokinetics and distribution of three substances in mice bearing an in situ sarcoma-like brain tumor. The substances were 111 In-chloride at pH 1.5, 111 In bound to mouse serum proteins, and 111 In bound to transferrin (human). Standardized methods for determining tumor and tissue concentrations and renal clearance and whole body retention were used. For protein preparations, 111 In was incubated with mouse serum or transferrin (human), and then passed down a Sephadex G-25 column using total protein fractions. Tumor uptake of the 111 In-chloride was greater than uptake of the 111 In-serum protein or 111 In-transferrin from 1 to 4 hr. The brain uptakes of the three compounds were similar over 48 hr. There was more 111 In-chloride in the skin for all time periods after 1 hr; the muscle uptake of the 111 In-chloride was also greater than the other compounds over the first 6 hr. There were variations in blood concentrations of the three compounds over the first 4 hr, but the blood concentrations were the same after 6 hr. All left the blood faster than 131 I-iodinated human serum albumin. Considerably more of the 111 In-serum protein was found in the liver the first 2 hr. The urinary excretion patterns of the three compounds differed with the 111 In-chloride being excreted faster the first 2 hr, but slower over longer periods of time. Whole-body retention curves over 22 days for the three compounds were very similar, as were the estimated total body radiation doses. There are distinct differences in the biokinetics in the mouse of 111 In-chloride, 111 Inserum proteins (mouse), and 111 In-transferrin which indicate that all 111 In injections are not the same, and suggest that for tumor localization studies, the injection of the 111 In-chloride at pH 1.5 may be the best form of administration.
Compressive response of circular cell polycarbonate honeycombs under inplane biaxial static and dynamic loading. Part I: experiments

The static and dynamic experimental results of a polycarbonate circular cell honeycomb subjected to inplane biaxial loading are simulated through numerical analysis using the finite element method. The experimental results were presented in Part I of this two part paper (Chung and Waas, Int. J. Impact Eng. (2001), in preparation). Through several comparisons between the experimental and numerical results, the biaxial inplane crushing mechanisms of the circular cell honeycomb material are studied. The finite element simulations are able to accurately capture the essential features observed and measured in the experiments.
Dynamic X-Ray Diffraction Study of an Unreduced Iron Oxide Catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

Abstract As a result of a previous in situ DXRD study of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over an unsupported, reduced iron catalyst, a similar study has been undertaken with an unreduced iron oxide catalyst. At 543 K and with H 2 /CO = 3.2, the initial α-Fe 2 O 3 is immediately reduced to magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ), which is in turn, slowly converted to χ-Fe 2.5 C via a shrinking core process. Catalytic activity appeared to be directly correlated with the formation of the χ-carbide and it is postulated that this is the catalytically active species. Significantly lower deactivation rates are observed with the unreduced iron catalyst, and it is concluded that this is due to the direct formation of χ-carbide in unreduced iron catalysts, which precludes the ϵ′-carbide → χ-carbide transformation and avoids the production of the nucleate carbon arising from that transformation.