cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some implications of statistical transport theory in rock mechanics

Recently, a new theory of the subsidence of rock masses has been advanced byLitwiniszyn and coworkers, which is based on the notion that the individual rock particles perform random walks. It is shown in the present paper that the final equations of the random walk theory can be justified from general principles of statistical mechanics in which no specific theoretical model of particle behaviour has to be made. The theory appears to account appropriately for subsidence phenomena.
Gender, Types of Conflict, and Individual Differences in the Use of Violent and Peaceful Strategies Among Children Who Have and Have Not Witnessed Interparental Violence

Child witnesses' use of violent or peaceful strategies to resolve conflicts with peers were compared with strategies used by nonwitnesses. Stories depicting 5 types of peer conflicts were presented to each child, and the strategies used by the child to reach peaceful resolutions were scored. Findings include differences between witnesses and nonwitnesses, differences between genders, differences according to types of conflicts, and individual differences.
The ultrastructure of mitosis during sporangiogenesis inWoronina pythii (Plasmodiophoromycetes)

Mitotic divisions during sporangiogenous plasmodial cleavage inWoronina pythii were studied with transmission electron microscopy. We conclude that these nuclear divisions (e.g., transitional nuclear division, and sporangial mitoses) share basic similarities with the cruciform nuclear divisions inW. pythii and other plasmo-diophoraceous taxa. The major distinction appeared to be the absence of nucleoli during sporangial mitosis and the presence of nucleoli during cruciform nuclear division. The similarities were especially evident with regard to nuclear envelope breakdown and reformation. The mitotic divisions during formation of sporangia were centric, and closed with polar fenestrae, and characterized by the formation of intranuclear membranous vesicles. During metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, these vesicles appeard to bleb from the inner membrane of the original nuclear envelope and appeared to coalesce on the surface of the separating chromatin masses. By late telophase, the formation of new daughter nuclear envelopes was complete, and original nuclear envelope was fragmented. New observation pertinent to the mechanisms of mitosis in thePlasmodiophoromycetes include a evidence for the incorporation of membrane fragments of the original nuclear envelope into new daughter nuclear envelopes, and b the change in orientation of paired centrioles during sporangial mitosis.
Subtherapeutic Tylosin Phosphate in Broiler Feed Affects Campylobacter on Carcasses During Processing

Tylosin phosphate is an antimicrobial drug approved for use in broiler feed at subtherapeutic levels for growth promotion. Erythromycin is often the drug of choice for treating humans with campylobacteriosis. Both tylosin and erythromycin are classified as macrolide drugs and cross-resistance between these antimicrobials occurs. Commercial broiler chicks were placed in isolation grow-out chambers and colonized with Campylobacter jejuni. From 14 d of age through grow-out, broilers were fed ad libitim a diet that included 22 ppm of tylosin phosphate (20 g/ton). Control broilers received the same diet without tylosin phosphate. At 42 d of age, broilers were processed in a pilot plant with equipment that closely modeled commercial conditions. Carcass rinses were collected after feather removal, after inside and outside washing, and after immersion chilling. Campylobacter numbers recovered from carcasses after feather removal did not differ according to feed type (3.53 log cfu/mL of rinse for control carcasses, and 3.60 log cfu/mL of rinse for those fed medicated feed). Likewise, medicated feed did not affect Campylobacter numbers on carcasses after inside-outside washing (3.11 and 3.07 log cfu/mL of rinse). However, carcasses of broilers fed tylosin phosphate had lower numbers of Campylobacter after chilling (1.45 log cfu/mL of rinse) than control carcasses (2.31 log cfu/mL of rinse). No Campylobacter isolated from control carcasses were resistant to erythromycin; all Campylobacter recovered from carcasses fed tylosin phosphate were resistant to erythromycin. Application of tylosin phosphate in feed results in lower numbers of Campylobacter on chilled carcasses; however, the Campylobacter that do remain are resistant to erythromycin.
Investigation of the nonlinearity properties of the DC I-V characteristics of metal-insulator-metal (MIM) tunnel diodes with double-layer insulators

The DC I-V characteristics of metal-insulator-metal (MIM) tunnel diodes with double insulator layer is investigated by means of computer simulations. Simulation results on the properties of the diode characteristics such as resistance and quality factor are presented in various diagrams and the dependences on the different diode parameters are discussed. The simulations algorithm applied is also described in brief.
Hemodynamics of AV Synchrony and Rate

Dual-chamber pacing was developed to overcome the symptomatic and hemodynamic deficiencies of single-chamber ventricular pacing. It was later suggested that the benefit of dual-chamber pacing with activity was not because ofAV synchrony but because of the ability to increase rate. It is suggested that the benefit of dual-chamber pacing has been underestimated by lack of an appropriately programmed AV delay.
Therapeutic approaches to preventing cell death in Huntington disease.

Neurodegenerative diseases affect the lives of millions of patients and their families. Due to the complexity of these diseases and our limited understanding of their pathogenesis, the design of therapeutic agents that can effectively treat these diseases has been challenging. Huntington disease (HD) is one of several neurological disorders with few therapeutic options. HD, like numerous other neurodegenerative diseases, involves extensive neuronal cell loss. One potential strategy to combat HD and other neurodegenerative disorders is to intervene in the execution of neuronal cell death. Inhibiting neuronal cell death pathways may slow the development of neurodegeneration. However, discovering small molecule inhibitors of neuronal cell death remains a significant challenge. Here, we review candidate therapeutic targets controlling cell death mechanisms that have been the focus of research in HD, as well as an emerging strategy that has been applied to developing small molecule inhibitors—fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD). FBDD has been successfully used in both industry and academia to identify selective and potent small molecule inhibitors, with a focus on challenging proteins that are not amenable to traditional high-throughput screening approaches. FBDD has been used to generate potent leads, pre-clinical candidates, and has led to the development of an FDA approved drug. This approach can be valuable for identifying modulators of cell-death-regulating proteins; such compounds may prove to be the key to halting the progression of HD and other neurodegenerative disorders.
α-S-GalCer: Synthesis and evaluation for iNKT cell stimulation

The synthesis and evaluation for iNKT stimulation of α-S-galactosylceramide is reported. Prepared by alkylation of a galactosylthiol, this analog of the potent immunostimulatory agent, KRN7000, did not stimulate iNKT cells either in vitro or in vivo.
Matching interior and exterior all-quadrilateral meshes with guaranteed angle bounds

This paper presents an extension of our earlier work on quadtree-based all-quadrilateral mesh generation, which generates guaranteed-quality meshes for the interior or exterior domain of any given planar curve. In this paper, we develop an algorithm to match the generated interior and exterior meshes with conformal boundary, preserving the guaranteed angle bounds. In addition, we introduce another automatic and robust approach to preserve sharp features. All the elements in the final mesh are within $$[45^{\circ} - \varepsilon, 135^{\circ} + \varepsilon] (\varepsilon \leq 5^{\circ}),$$ except small sharp angles present in the input geometry. Here, $$\varepsilon$$ is an input parameter. The smaller $$\varepsilon$$ is, the better angle bounds we can get. Finally, we group all the elements into six types, and most elements only need a few flops to construct the element stiffness matrix. This will significantly reduce the computational time during the finite element analysis.
Mechanism of Biological Action of Vitamin K and its Synthetic Analogues

THE correlation between structure and biological action of the vitamin K group is an object of many investigations. However, in spite of much experimental material we still lack a satisfactory explanation of both the established correlations and of the mechanism of biological action of the natural vitamins K1 and K2 and of their synthetic analogues. It was, already in 1939 that L. F. Fieser first suggested tlie hypothesis1 further developed in 19412 that the biological activity of most analogues of vitamin K is due not to these substances as such, but to the quinones of the type of the natural vitamin into which they are transformed within the organism as a result of biological synthesis. As to the mechanism of biological action of the vitamin itself, this question remains open. L. F. Fieser's hypothesis is far from being in accord with much experimental evidence, nor does it offer a satisfactory explanation of much of it. At the same time it strikingly contradicts the notion that a perceptible, although slight, antihaemorrhagic activity is shown by phthalic acid3. This discrepancy is particularly noteworthy in view of the fact established in this laboratory that a high antihaemorrhagic activity is characteristic of the diethyl ether of phthalic acid (the biological assay was carried out by B. A. Kudriashev). The possibility of transformation, within the organism, of phthalic acid into compounds of the 1,4-naphthoquinone series is indeed extremely doubtful.
Changes in dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase expression and activity during postnatal development and aging in the rat brain

Brain energy metabolism is increased during postnatal development and diminished in neurodegenerative diseases linked to senescence. The objective of this study was to determine if these conditions could involve postnatal or senescence-related shifts in activity or expression of dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLDH), a key mitochondrial oxidoreductase. Rats ranging from 10 to 60 days of age were used in studies of postnatal development, whereas rats aged 5 or 30 months were used in the aging studies. The expression of DLDH was determined by Western blot analysis using anti-DLDH antibodies and DLDH diaphorase activity was measured by an in-gel activity staining method using nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)/NADH. Activity of DLDH dehydrogenase was measured as NAD+ oxidation of dihydrolipoamide. When these measures were considered in separate groups of 10-, 20-, 30-, or 60-day-old rats, all three showed an increase between 10 and 20 days of age. However, dehydrogenase activity of DLDH showed a further, progressive increase from 20 days to adulthood, in the absence of any further change in DLDH expression or diaphorase activity. No age-related decline in DLDH activity or expression was evident over the period from 5 to 30 months of age. Moreover, aging did not render DLDH more susceptible to oxidative inactivation by mitochondria-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS). Taken together, results of the present study indicate that (1) brain DLDH expression and activity undergo independent postnatal maturational increases; (2) senescence does not confer any detectable change in the activity of DLDH or its susceptibility to inactivation by mitochondrial oxidative stress.
Extraction of selected metallic cations by two sterically hindered di-acidic phosphorus-based extractants, (GO)PO(OH)2☆

Abstract The extraction of Eu 3+ , Am 3+ and UO 2 2+ from an aqueous acidic chloride phase into a solution of a phosphorus-based extractant of the type (GO)PO(OH) 2 , where G is 2,6-dimethyl heptyl-4 or 2,6,8-trimethyl nonyl-4, has been studied as a function of concentration of the extractant in the organic phase and of the hydrogen ion in a 1.0 F (NaCl + HCl) aqueous phase. The “nonyl” and “dodecyl” compounds are respectively represented as H 2 M(DIBM)P and H 2 M(2,6,8-TM-N-4)P. In systems employing benzene as the carrier diluent, the extraction stoichiometries, where H 2 Y represents either of the extractants, are: M A 3+ + 2H 2 Y) po ⇌ M ( H 4 p −3 Y 2 p ) O + 3H A + , K S = K [ H + ] 3 /F 2 UO 2 2+ + 2H 2 Y) po ⇌ UO 2 ( H 4 p −2 Y 2 p ) O + 2H A + , K S = K [ H + ] 2 /F 2 In systems employing n -heptane as carrier diluent and H 2 M(2,6,8-TM-N-4)P as extractant, the stoichiometries are: M A 3+ + H 2 Y) po ⇌ M ( H 2 p −3 Y q ) O + 3H A + , K s = K [ H + ] 3 /F 2 UO 2 2+ + H 2 Y) qo ⇌ UO 2 ( H 2 q −2 Y q ) O + 2H A + , K S = K [ H + ] 2 /F 2 The K s values, nine in all, for UO 2 2+ , Am 3+ and Eu 3+ in the system H 2 Y in carrier diluent vs an aqueous 1.0 F (NaCl + HCl) phase have been calculated.
Histologic effects of laser-assisted topical anesthesia in a porcine model.

Objectives A handheld laser device that removes the stratum corneum, the major barrier to transdermal absorption, has recently been approved to assist with topical anesthesia before painful procedures such as intravenous cannulation. The authors assessed the cutaneous histomorphologic effects of the laser device and the ability of the laser-treated skin to resist infection in a porcine model. Methods This was a blinded, randomized animal experiment using isoflurane-anesthetized young domestic pigs. The ventral surface of the animals was irradiated multiple times with a lightweight, portable erbium yttrium-aluminum-garnet unit or a sham laser. One third of the wounds were inoculated with a Staphylococcus aureus suspension. The treated areas were then covered with a dry dressing, and full-thickness biopsy specimens of the treated areas were obtained immediately after treatment and at three, seven, ten, and 14 days for blinded histopathologic evaluation using hematoxylin and eosin staining and electron microscopy. Quantitative bacterial counts were obtained at three days in wounds exposed to bacteria. Main outcomes were quantitative bacterial counts, presence of cellular necrosis, epidermal integrity, and dermal scarring. Data analysis was conducted with descriptive statistics. Results Laser irradiation resulted in immediate disruption of the cornified layer of the skin and necrosis of the stratum spinosum in all treated areas. There were also focal areas of vacuolar alteration of the basal one third of the epidermis. There was no evidence of any damage to the basement membrane or the underlying dermis. At three days, the epidermis had healed and there was evidence of epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis that was completely resolved by 14 days. There were no infections and no scarring. Sham laser had no histomorphologic effects on the skin. There was no bacterial growth from all sham laser-treated wounds challenged with bacteria. Three of 20 (15%; 95% confidence interval = 0% to 31%) laser-irradiated wounds that were challenged with bacteria grew between 280,000 and 1,600,000 colony-forming units/g. Conclusions Laser irradiation results in ablation of the stratum corneum and a superficial burn to the epidermis that heals by three to 14 days without any scarring or infection in pigs. Challenging laser-irradiated cutaneous wounds with a large bacterial inoculum resulted in bacterial growth in a minority of wounds.
Student Diaspora and Learning Style Impact on Group Performance

The study examined diaspora (team culture) and learning style of 700 international students from 19 countries, enrolled at an accredited Australian university. The research focus was to explore online pedagogy by measuring student diaspora and learning style impact on group performance. To accomplish that, a generalized least squares regression model was developed from survey responses, homeland culture, and team project performance, during a flexible learning course (part online, part face-to-face). Teacher reflections were reviewed for additional pedagogical insight into learning style and diaspora interaction.
Pediatric sedation for diagnostic testing: child friendly and JCAHO approved

Abstract In recent years, an expansion of diagnostic technologies and the recognition that many minor surgical procedures can safely take place outside a traditional operating room has increased the use of sedative agents in outpatient clinics, radiology suites, emergency departments, and ambulatory care centers. Sedation of pediatric patients facilitates the performance of these procedures but carries inherent risks: hypoventilation, apnea, hypoxia, airway obstruction, hypotension, and cardiopulmonary arrest. The goal of our policy at Children's Hospitals and Clinics in Minnesota is to support patient safety, provide for patient comfort, and minimize any adverse psychological impact of the sedation experience on the patient and the family. Sedation of patients occurs along a continuum. Our practice recognizes this continuum and outlines the requirements for each intended level of sedation, understanding that it is possible to inadvertently achieve levels of sedation that are deeper than the level intended. This presentation included the definitions of sedation (minimal, moderate, and deep), the policy for sedation administration, and the medication profiles used for drug selection. Also included in this presentation was all documentation of sedation education and performance improvement tools, which enabled participants to have all necessary information to implement sedation practices in their facilities.
A Chebyshev-based state representation for linear quadratic optimal control

A computationally attractive method for determining the optimal control of unconstrained linear dynamic systems with quadratic performance indices is presented. In the proposed method, the difference between each state variable and its initial condition is represented by a finite-term shifted Chebyshev series. The representation leads to a system of linear algebraic equations as the necessary condition of optimality. Simulation studies demonstrate computational advantages relative to a standard Riccati-based method, a transition matrix method, and a previous Fourier-based method
Graph-Based Shape Analysis for MRI Classification

Searching for correlations between brain structure and attributes of a personâ€™s intellectual state is a process which may be better done by automation than by human labor. Such an automated system would be capable of performing classification based on the discovered correlation, which would be means of testing how accurate the discovered correlation is. The authors have developed a system which generates a graph-based representation of the shape of the third and lateral ventricles based on a structural MRI, and classifies images represented in this manner. The system is evaluated on accuracy at classifying individuals showing cognitive impairment to Alzheimerâ€™s Disease. Classification accuracy is 74.2% when individuals with CDR 0.5 are included as impaired in a balanced dataset of 166 images, and 79.3% accuracy when differentiating individuals with CDR at least 1.0 and healthy individuals in a balanced dataset of 54 images. Finally, the system is used to classify MR images according to level of education, with 77.2% accuracy differentiating highly-educated individuals from those for whom no higher education is listed, in a balanced dataset of 178 images.
Persistent Site-Specific Remodeling of a Nucleosome Array by Transient Action of the SWI/SNF Complex

The SWI/SNF complex participates in the restructuring of chromatin for transcription. The function of the yeast SWI/SNF complex in the remodeling of a nucleosome array has now been analyzed in vitro. Binding of the purified SWI/SNF complex to a nucleosome array disrupted multiple nucleosomes in an adenosine triphosphate-dependent reaction. However, removal of SWI/SNF left a deoxyribonuclease I-hypersensitive site specifically at a nucleosome that was bound by derivatives of the transcription factor Gal4p. Analysis of individual nucleosomes revealed that the SWI/SNF complex catalyzed eviction of histones from the Gal4-bound nucleosomes. Thus, the transient action of the SWI/SNF complex facilitated irreversible disruption of transcription factor-bound nucleosomes.
Determinants of PDT-induced apoptosis

Photodynamic therapy can initiate cell death by apoptosis or necrosis. Using agents with known patterns of sub-cellular localization, we examined the correlation between sites of photodamage and the mode of cell death, using murine leukemia cells in vitro. Mitochondrial or mitochondrial/lysosomal photodamage caused the rapid release of cytochrome c. This effect was not temperature sensitive, and could be demonstrated immediately after irradiation of photosensitized cells at 10 degrees C. Subsequent warming to 37 degrees C led to a rapid apoptotic response, consistent with the known ability of cytochrome c to trigger the activation of caspase-3. In contrast, lysosomal or lysosomal/membrane photodamage resulted in the release of cathepsins and other proteolytic enzymes. A subsequent incubation at 37 degrees C resulted in mitochondrial degradation, leading to loss of cytochrome c within 30 min. The apoptotic response was both delayed and incomplete, with many dead cells not exhibiting an apoptotic morphology. The latter outcome was traced to photodamage to procaspase-3, an effect not observed with sensitizers that caused mainly mitochondrial photodamage. Studies in a cell-free system demonstrated that agents with lysosomal and/or membrane targets could bring about photoinactivation of caspase-3. These result are consistent with the proposal that photodynamic therapy can both activate and inactivate components of the apoptotic process.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Liberation of immunoreactive somatomedin-C from its binding proteins by proteolytic enzymes and heparin.

Most of the somatomedin in serum exists as a high molecular weight complex (≈140,000) composed of binding protein subunits and small molecular weight somatomedin. These binding proteins may interfere with measurements of the somatomedins by various radioligand assays. In a companion paper, we reported that when serum is incubated at neutral pH the detectability of the somatomedin-C (Sm-C) is increased. Using gel chromatography, however, it was not possible to demonstrate release of free Sm-C from the macromolecular complex. In the studies reported here, incubation of heparinized plasma at pH 7.4 followed by gel chromatography in a heparincontaining buffer caused 70-80% of the immunoreactive Sm-C to shift from the γ-globulin region to a molecular weight which approximates that of free Sm-C. This conversion is a timedependent process which is inhibited by the proteolytic enzyme inhibitor antipain. Similar changes in the elution profile of Sm-C were observed when heparinized plasma was acidified and chromato...
Arrangement of chromatin in the nucleus

The factors responsible for producing some degree of order to the arrangement of chromatin in the nucleus are reviewed. They are the following: 1. Chromosomes are attached to the nuclear membrane, nucleolus and intranuclear matrix. As a result they have a relatively fixed position in the nucleus. 2. In some species somatic pairing results in alignment of homologs. This is rare in mammals. 3. The association of ribosomal DNA and 5S DNA with the nucleolous results in the close approximation of the chromosomes carrying these DNA sequences. In man and other animals the most obvious consequence is satellite association. 4. Heterochromatin is condensed onto the inner nuclear membrane and periphery of the nucleolous while genetically active chromatin occupies the more central portion of the nucleus. The results is a peripheral location of late replicating DNA and a central location of early relicating DNA. 5. The DNA replication points tend to be associated with the nuclear matrix. Autoradiography of briefly labelled cells shows a high frequency of grains associated with nuclear matrix material. 6. Heterochromatin association results in chromocenters and ectopic pairing. 7. In addition to all these is the Rabl orientation or alignment of centromeres with centromeres and telomeres with telomeres. This polarization of the chromosomes results from the traction on the centromeres by the spindle fibers. There is no firm evidence for any higher degrees of order that might bring specific functioning genes into close proximity.
Relationship between the meanings of verbal stimuli and their associative responses

Summary This study investigated the relationship between verbal stimuli and successive associative responses using both a measure of meaning (the semantic differential) and an index of association strength. Two methods of response production were employed: repeated association and chain association. The meaning of the response became progressively less similar to the stimulus with succeeding associates, the effect being more pronounced with chain association. The index of association strength indicated that the later associates were less strongly linked to the stimulus, the effect again being more pronounced with chain association. Thus, changes in meaning and associative strength were similarly affected by the association method, this covariation being maintained throughout the association process.
The Cauchy Problem for the Klein–Gordon–Schrödinger System in Low Dimensions Below the Energy Space

ABSTRACT We show that the Klein–Gordon–Schrodinger system in one, two, and three dimensions has a global solution below the energy space. The proof uses the I-method recently introduced by Colliander et al. (2001) and mixed type Strichartz estimates for the solutions of Schrodinger and Klein–Gordon equations, respectively.
Quantitative α-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Activity Staining in Brain Sections and in Cultured Cells

The activity of a key mitochondrial enzyme, the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC), declines in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, as well as in thiamine-deficient (TD) animals. The decreased activity often occurs without a reduction in enzyme protein, which negates the use of immunocytochemistry to study cellular or regional changes in enzyme activity within the brain. To overcome this limitation, an activity staining method using nitroblue tetrazolium was developed. The histochemical activity staining was standardized in cultured cells. The assay was linear with time and was highly specific for KGDHC. The dark-blue reaction product (formazan) formed a pattern that was consistent with mitochondrial localization. Treatment of the cultured cells with both reversible and irreversible inhibitors decreased formazan production, whereas conventional enzyme assays on cell lysates only revealed loss of KGDHC activity with irreversible inhibitors. The activity staining was also linear with time and highly specific for KGDHC activity in mouse brain sections. Staining occurred throughout the brain, and discrete neuronal populations exhibited particularly intense staining. The pattern of staining differed markedly from the distribution of KGDHC protein by immunocytochemistry. Generalized decreases in the intensity of activity staining that occurred in the TD brains compared to controls were comparable with the loss of KGDHC activity by conventional enzyme assay. Thus, the present study introduces a new histochemical method to measure KGDHC activity at the cellular and regional level, which will be useful to determine changes of in situ enzyme activity.
The substantia nigra pars reticulata mediates the enhancement of startle by the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF 82958 in rats.

Several studies have shown that the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) is a critical site of action mediating dopamine agonist effects on motor behaviors. Because dopaminergic and GABAergic mechanisms may interact in the SNr, we tested the contribution of both dopamine and GABA receptors in the SNr on the enhancement of startle by the dopamine D1 agonist SKF 82958. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with cannulae into the SNr and 1 week later infused with either the D1 antagonist SCH 23390 (0.1, 1 µg) or the GABAA antagonist bicuculline (0.1 µg), followed by a systemic challenge with the D1 agonist SKF 82958 (1 mg/kg). Other rats were infused with the GABAA agonist muscimol (0.1 µg) or SKF 82958 (0.1, 1, 5 µg). Both SCH 23390 and bicuculline infused into the SNr completely blocked the enhancement of startle by systemic SKF 82958. Muscimol infused into the SNr produced a significant increase in startle by itself, whereas SKF 82958 had no effect. These results suggest that activation of D1 receptors in the SNr is necessary for the enhancement of startle by SKF 82958, but that activation of these receptors alone is not sufficient to increase startle. These results also suggest that GABA transmission in the SNr may be involved in the enhancement of startle by SKF 82958. Based on these data, we propose that activation of striatonigral neurons by D1 receptor agonists facilitates GABA release in the SNr to produce the observed enhancement of startle.
Molecular dynamics simulations of membrane channels and transporters.

Membrane transport constitutes one of the most fundamental processes in all living cells with proteins as major players. Proteins as channels provide highly selective diffusive pathways gated by environmental factors, and as transporters furnish directed, energetically uphill transport consuming energy. X-ray crystallography of channels and transporters furnishes a rapidly growing number of atomic resolution structures, permitting molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to reveal the physical mechanisms underlying channel and transporter function. Ever increasing computational power today permits simulations stretching up to 1 μ s, that is, to physiologically relevant time scales. Membrane protein simulations presently focus on ion channels, on aquaporins, on protein-conducting channels, as well as on various transporters. In this review we summarize recent developments in this rapidly evolving field.
How do I mentor medical students interested in radiology?1

The future of Radiology depends on what current medical students think of radiology and how they are attracted into the field. Because of the awesome responsibility of attracting medical students into radiology, the mentoring process is a recurrent annual activity in which faculty and residents participate. In this review the step-by-step activities of the Radiology faculty mentor with interested students and an approximate timetable are described. Frequently asked questions are answered; pointers for success are given.
The Cyclical Component of U. S. Economic Activity

Quarterly data on industrial production and deflated gross national product in the United States from 1947 through 1985 are decomposed into independent nonstationary trend and stationary cycle components using Kalman filtering and smoothing techniques. Estimates of the model parameters imply that at least half of the quarterly innovation in U. S. economic activity can be attributed to a stationary cyclical component that persists over periods of time as long as five years. This finding is inconsistent with the hypothesis that most of the apparent variation in U. S. economic activity can be attributed to a nonstationary trend component.
Laplace Plane Analysis of Impedance on the H Meridian

The AC impedance of a length of the H meridian not containing any acupuncture points was studied by means of Laplace plane analysis of the time domain response to an input voltage pulse. The ensuing frequency domain data were compared to the results of an identical analysis for two anatomically similar controls on either side of the meridian. The resistance of the meridian was significantly lower than either control.
Particle Image Velocity Investigation of a High Speed Centrifugal Compressor Diffuser: Spanwise and Loading Variations

An efficient diffuser is essential to a modern compressor stage due to its significance in stage performance, durability, and operability. To address the need for data that describe the complex, unsteady flow field in a vaned diffuser, particle image velocity is utilized to characterize the spanwise and circumferential variations in the flow features in the vaned diffuser passage of a transonic centrifugal compressor. The spanwise variation in the diffuser flow field is further investigated by the comparison of three different operating conditions representative of low, nominal, and high loading. These data demonstrate that not only the diffuser flow field is highly dependent on the operation conditions, e.g., hub-to-shroud variation increases with loading, but also the circumferential periodicity, created by the highly three dimensional impeller discharge flow, generates a larger unsteadiness toward the hub region of the vaned diffuser.
Preparental hormone levels and parenting experience in male cotton-top tamarins, Saguinus oedipus.

Male cotton-top tamarins, Saguinus oedipus, display hormonal changes associated with parenting prior to the birth of their infants. Here we examined the hormonal changes that occurred in experienced and inexperienced fathers during the postconception period, prior to the birth of infants. Noninvasive techniques were used to collect urine from 10 male cotton-top tamarins (5 experienced and 5 inexperienced breeders) three times weekly during the 6-month gestation period. Samples were analyzed for prolactin, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and cortisol, averaged by gestational month. Experienced males showed elevated prolactin during the mate's 3rd gestational month, and the elevation correlated with the number of infants surviving from the previous birth (0, 1, and 2) but not with outcome of the current pregnancy. However, an experienced male with no infants present still showed elevated prolactin and some inexperienced males showed elevated prolactin just before parturition, suggesting noninfant cues are also important. While prolactin levels were influenced by the male's prior infant experience, testosterone levels did not differ between experienced and inexperienced males. Testosterone levels were significantly elevated for all males during the 3rd, 4th and 5th months but had no relationship with number of infants present or with outcome of current pregnancy. DHT decreased during the second half of pregnancy compared with testosterone but this finding was not consistent for every male. No significant changes occurred in cortisol levels. These results suggest that infant-rearing experience affected the hormonal responsitivty of the male to his mate's current pregnancy.
“It's like a Prison in there”: Organizational Fragmentation in a Demographically Diversified Workplace

When a vehicle maintenance unit of a public transit agency underwent extensive demographic diversification of its work force, original workers escalated the symbolic actions and language patterns t...
Non-hydrazine solution processed CuIn(Se,S) 2 photovoltaic device

Solution processing of CuIn(Se,S) 2 or Cu(InGa)S 2 has proven to be one of the most promising strategies for low-cost, high-efficiency photovoltaic devices. With hydrazine as the sole solvent for dissolving Cu 2 S and In 2 Se 3 , power conversion efficiencies can achieve up to 12.2%, which is dramatically better than those through using Cu or In chloride or nitrate precursor dissolved in organic solvents, such as butylamine. Although the hydrazine-based process produces the CISS absorber layer with less impurity, the reactivity and toxicity of hydrazine limit the further investigation and application in industry. Here, we demonstrate an alternative for hydrazine-based process by using suitable mixture of ethanolamine (EA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to dissolve Cu and In hydrazinium precursor. Control experiments suggest that sulfur in DMSO coordinates with Cu or In in precursors, while EA stabilizes the dissolved Cu-In complex. XRD and Raman characterization indicate the formation of the CISS phase after annealing. Amorphous carbon in the as-formed film, which comes from the decomposition of solvents, can be removed by selenization of the film. Optimized devices exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 3.83% with only ∼300 nm-thick CISS absorber layer, which is comparable to that in N 2 H 4 -based device with similar thickness.
Predicting Retention from Students' Experiences with College Processes

Over the past decade, retention was studied at this college by a variety of methods. Although valuable information resulted from these studies, a major limitation has been the difficulty in identifying specific, focused changes in college processes that have “leverage,” that is, high potential for having an impact on retention patterns. A prospective study of students was conducted. Data was gathered shortly after students' encounters with key college processes in order to determine which components of those processes predict student retention. The results identified a small set of process characteristics (both administrative and instructional) that differentiated between returning and nonreturning students.
Study of Hurricanes and Typhoons from TRMM Precipitation Radar Observations: Self Organizing Map (SOM) Neural Network

Precipitation radar (PR) on Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite provides high resolution vertical profile of reflectivity (VPR) of tropical storms. Three- dimensional downward-looking observations of tropical storms are very useful to study Hurricanes and Typhoons. The increased reflectivity measured in bright band (BB) region can lead to rainfall overestimate. It is also known that VPR of BB holds extensive information on the types of precipitation and their variability. Better knowledge of VPR of storms is important to understand cloud dynamics and microphysical processes, and to improve satellite retrieval algorithm. Because of a large number of VPR observation, it is of interesting to classify the VPR into characteristic profiles so that it can be useful in studying and comparing different vertical reflectivity profiles. In this study, Self Organizing Map (SOM) Neural Network is used as a method to study and classify VPR of Hurricanes and Typhoons. SOM is unsupervised neural network. It forms a non-linear mapping of the data to a two-dimensional map grid that can be used as an exploratory data analysis tool for generating hypotheses on the relationships of VPR. Similarity relationships within the VPR data and its vertical structure can be visualized and interpreted. Preparation of vertical profile of reflectivity used as input vectors of SOM algorithm is one of the most vital steps. In total eleven Hurricanes and forty Typhoons are studied. VPR of Hurricanes and Typhoons are classified into characteristic profiles. The result of classification shows a distribution that indicates location of each characteristic profile within a storm when viewed from the PR. Percentages of contribution of each characteristic profile to Hurricanes and Typhoons can also be determined. By using SOM, VPR can be classified into various numbers of classes up to one hundred. In this study, VPR is classified into four classes. Two simple operations were performed. Firstly, SOM was applied to all VPR data regardless of rain type. Secondly, stratiform and convective portion of VPR was applied to SOM separately. For stratiform portion of Hurricanes and Typhoons, the bright band (BB) properties including the height of BB peak, BB thickness, reflectivity of BB peak and BB sharpness index of Hurricanes and Typhoons are investigated and compared to those of generic oceanic storm. Comparison of those BB properties of Hurricanes, Typhoons and generic oceanic storm reveals similarities and differences among them.
Orbital Compartment Syndrome as the Presenting Sign of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation From Metastatic Prostatic Cancer to the Orbit

A 70-year-old man with castrate-resistant metastatic prostate cancer to the lumbar spine presented with sudden onset of left orbital compartment syndrome. Hematologic workup revealed disseminated intravascular coagulation with isolated left orbital hemorrhage. A canthotomy and blood product transfusions failed to control the bleeding and restore vision. Operative intervention found a new left orbital roof metastasis from primary prostatic carcinoma. Acute onset of headache or ocular pain in patients with metastatic prostate cancer warrants further workup to rule out orbital and intracranial metastases, rare but significant clinical entities that can lead to severe complications.
Luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone agonists in the treatment of men with prostate cancer: timing, alternatives, and the 1-year implant

This article reviews the evidence underlying hormone treatment decisions for men with advanced prostate cancer. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogs are the mainstays of therapy, but 3 areas of LHRH use need clarification: (1) when to start therapy, (2) what alternatives are available, and (3) how to incorporate a long-term strategy for the individual patient. The Medical Research Council (MRC) study, a randomized clinical trial in 938 patients, shows that immediate hormone therapy in men presenting with advanced prostate cancer (stage > or =T3) imparts a survival advantage over a delayed-treatment approach (7.5 years vs 5.8 years, P = 0.0003). LHRH analogs are also widely used (1) along with definitive radiation therapy, (2) when positive lymph nodes are found after radical prostatectomy, and (3) when prostate-specific antigen increases after any primary treatment (biochemical failure). In these situations, timing of therapy is somewhat controversial. Several new developments in hormone therapy are noteworthy, including high-dose antiandrogen monotherapy, a LHRH antagonist (abarelix), transdermal estrogens, and a subcutaneous implant that releases leuprolide acetate at a constant rate for 1 year (Viadur; Bayer Corporation, West Haven, CT). With 4 years of clinical experience with Viadur now available, the long-term data indicate continued, uniform testosterone suppression into the castrate range and a high degree of patient satisfaction. Thus, a long-term strategy-permitting increased patient freedom and decreased dependence on a fixed injection schedule-has for the first time become possible with the Viadur implant in men requiring hormone therapy for prostate cancer.
The Role of the Mammillary Bodies in Memory: A Case of Amnesia Following Bilateral Resection

Background and Objectives: Craniopharyngioma (CP) patients typically show good neuropsychiatric outcome following tumor resection. We present the case of a 51-year old woman who sustained damage to white matter pathways during surgery resulting in a disconnection of the Papez circuit (loss of bilateral mammillary bodies, columns of the fomix and mammillothalamic tracts). Methods and Results: Neuropsychological evaluations were completed at 10 and 30 weeks post-operatively, and indicated both retrograde and severe anterograde amnesia, as well as persistent depression. At the second evaluation, most cognitive deficits had improved, but memory and mood deficits remained. Metamemory and priming remained intact. Conclusions: This case illustrates a profound neuropsychiatric morbidity associated with a surgery that is typically considered benign and confirms the well-known dissociation between explicit recollection of newly learned information and less conscious forms of learning and memory. This rare pathology provides further information regarding the role of the mammillary bodies in memory.
Fine bore jejunostomy feeding following major abdominal surgery: A controlled randomized clinical trial

A randomized controlled prospective clinical trial has been undertaken to examine the efficacy of the technique of early postoperative feeding using a fine bore catheter jejunostomy. Fifty patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal malignancy were randomly allocated into treatment and control groups. A low residue liquidized diet (Isocal) was administered to the patients in the treatment group. Control patients received routine intravenous therapy. Nutritional parameters (serum albumin, serum transferrin, serum prealbumin, weight, body fat and fat free mass) were measured pre-operatively and on the tenth postoperative day. Postoperative surgical complications were similar in both groups. There were 20 catheter complications and one death directly attributable to the jejunal catheter feeding. Postoperative stay was significantly longer (P less than 0.01) in the treatment group patients. Evaluation of the nutritional parameters showed no advantage for either the treatment group or a selected complication-free, 'successful treatment', subgroup. It is concluded that no significant clinical or nutritional advantage for jejunal catheter feeding has been demonstrated and because of the related complications, its routine use cannot be recommended.
A Review of: “Black Protest Thought and Education”

In her autobiography, Unbought and Unbossed, published in 1970, late U.S. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm lamented about the sociopolitical, economic, and policy structures that preclude African Ame...
Computer-assisted chart making from the graphic designer's perspective

It is important to improve the aesthetics and effectiveness of information graphics through greater awareness of graphic design as a visual communication discipline. Chart making is one subject area in which graphic design awareness can be enhanced. Basic design principles are reviewed which are relevant to creating better charts. Examples demonstrate improvements.
Development and Application of an Immunohistochemical Staining Technique to Detect Avian Polyomaviral Antigen in Tissue Sections

An immunohistoch emical staining technique was developed to detect polyomaviral antigens of budgerigar fledgling disease in formalin-fixe d tissue sections. This technique used an indirect avidin-biotin, alkaline phosphatase labeling system with a mixture of monoclonal antibodies developed against the virus major capsid protein. The staining technique was applied retrospectively to 24 avian accessions which were originally diagnosed as budgerigar fledgling disease or avian polyomavirus infection based on microscopic findings in- cluding typical intranuclear inclusions. Immunohistochemical staining resulted in positive reactions in some tissues from 17 of 24 cases. The tissues most frequently containing typical intranuclear inclusions or positive immunohistochemical staining were the spleen, liver, and kidney. Neither of the 2 nonpsittacine cases was positive immunohistochemically. This technique may be used either as a rapid test on routinely processed diagnostic samples to confirm the presence of avian polyomavirus or for pathogenesis research studies.