cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling length-tension properties of RCPm muscles during voluntary retraction of the head

Head retraction exercises are one of several commonly used clinical tools that are used to assess and treat patients with head and neck pain and to aid in restoration of a normal neutral head posture. Retraction of the head results in flexion of the occipitoatlantal (OA) joint and stretching of rectus capitis posterior minor (RCPm) muscles. The role that retraction of the head might have in treating head and neck pain patients is currently unknown. RCPm muscles arise from the posterior tubercle of the posterior arch of C1 and insert into the occipital bone inferior to the inferior nuchal line and lateral to the midline. RCPm muscles are the only muscles that attach to the posterior arch of C1. The functional role of RCPm muscles has not been clearly defined. The goal of this project was to develop a three-dimensional, computer-based biomechanical model of the posterior aspect of the OA joint. This model should help clarify why voluntary head retraction exercises seem to contribute to the resolution of head and neck pain and restoration of a normal head posture in some patients. The model documents that length-tension properties of RCPm muscles are significantly affected by variations in the physical properties of the musculotendonous unit. The model suggests that variations in the cross sectional area of RCPm muscles due to pathologies that weaken the muscle, such as muscle atrophy, may reduce the ability of these muscles to generate levels of force that are necessary for the performance of normal, daily activities. The model suggests that the main benefit of the initial phase of head retraction exercises may be to strengthen RCPm muscles through eccentric contractions, and that the main benefit of the final phase of retraction may be to stretch the muscles as the final position is held.
Differentiation of Hippelates Pusio, H. Bishoppi and H. Pallipes (Diptera: Chloropidae) by Electrophoresis

Hippelates pusio Loew, H. bishoppi Sabrosky, and H. PALLIPES (Loew) (Diptera: Chloropidae) from North Carolina were examined by starch gel electrophoresis for 5 enzymes: esterase, α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, “leucine” aminopeptidase, NAD dependent malic dehydrogenase, and aldehyde oxidase. Both similarities and differences in electrophoretic patterns among the species were noted. The esterase and aminopeptidase patterns from larval extracts apparently were distinguishing characteristics of all 3 species. The other enzymes were less species-specific.
Embolization of a Renal Transplant Pseudoaneurysm Following Angiolipoma Resection: A Case Report

The development of a pseudoaneurysm in renal allografts is a well-known complication of percutaneous biopsy. However, the authors report a case of pseudoaneurysm formation in a renal cadaver allograft, following documented angiolipoma resection prior to transplantation. Treatment required superselective embolization with multiple platinum coils.
The use of ultrasound to initiate ring-opening polymerization

It has been discovered that a combination of heat and high-power ultrasound can be used to initiate ring-opening polymerization in cyclic bisphenol A polycarbonate oligomers. The polymerization can be conducted with or without the use of added chemical initiators. The use of ultrasound was extended to prepare glass-filled composites. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Acquired Gitelman’s syndrome: an oxymoron?

We present the case of a 27-year-old woman with end stage renal disease from Diabetes Mellitus type 1 who had been on hemodialysis for a year. Her father, who was otherwise healthy, was evaluated as a possible living donor. Incidentally, during the workup process, he was identified as having Gitelman’s syndrome (GS). The transplant proceeded without any complications, following which the recipient developed biochemical abnormalities consistent with GS. Both donor and recipient are doing well at this time. To our knowledge, this is the only known case of kidney donation by a patient with GS either living or deceased.
Population pharmacodynamics of doxacurium.

The nonlinear mixed-effects modeling (NONMEM) computer program was used to investigate the variability in the duration of doxacurium-induced neuromuscular block in 408 patients enrolled in phase II and phase III clinical trials of doxacurium. Spontaneous recovery data in the 10% to 90% block range from all patients were pooled and fitted to a linear model. Two parameters were estimated: (1) the slope, which is related to the pharmacokinetics and to the steepness of the dose-response curve, and (2) the intercept, which is linearly related to dose but has no physiologic meaning. The primary goal was to determine the factors affecting the slope by use of univariate and multivariate analyses techniques. Estimates of the slope ranged from 0.67% to 1.1% block/min (interindividual variability, 39%). Factors with clinically significant effects on the slope included the following: age, obesity, and anesthesia type. Thus these factors influence the time course of doxacurium-induced block and may require individualization of dose. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1992) 52, 528–536; doi:10.1038/clpt.1992.181
Comparison of isometric contractile properties in hindlimb extensor muscles of the frogs Rana pipiens and Bufo marinus: functional correlations with differences in hopping performance.

The leopard frog (Rana pipiens) is an excellent jumper that can reach high take-off velocities and accelerations. It is diurnal, using long, explosive jumps to capture prey and escape predators. The marine toad (Bufo marinus) is a cryptic, nocturnal toad, typically using short, slow hops, or sometimes walking, to patrol its feeding area. Typical of frogs with these different locomotor styles, Rana has relatively long hindlimbs and large (by mass) hindlimb extensor muscles compared to Bufo. We studied the isometric contractile properties of their extensor muscles and found differences that correlate with their different hopping performances. At the hip (semimembranosus, SM), knee (peroneus, Per) and ankle (plantaris longus, PL), we found that Rana's muscles tended to produce greater maximum isometric force relative to body mass, although the difference was significant only for PL. This suggests that differences in force capability at the ankle may be more important than at other joints to produce divergent hopping performances. Maximum isometric force scaled with body mass so that the smaller Rana has relatively larger muscles and force differences between species may reflect size differences only. In addition, Rana's muscles exhibited greater passive resistance to elongation, implying more elastic tissue is present, which may amplify force at take-off due to elastic recoil. Rana's muscles also achieved a higher percentage of maximum force at lower stimulus inputs (frequencies and durations) than in Bufo, perhaps amplifying the differences in force available for limb extension during natural stimulation. Twitch contraction and relaxation times tended to be faster in Rana, although variation was great, so that differences were significant only for Per. Fatigability also tended to be greater in Rana muscles, although, again, values reached significance in only one muscle (PL). Thus, in addition to biomechanical effects, differences in hopping performance may also be determined by diverse physiological properties of the muscles.
The thalamic afferents to the inferior parietal lobule of the rhesus monkey.

The inferior parietal lobule (IPL) of the monkey is the homologous region to the supramarginal and angular gyri in man, subserving language and related cortical functions. We have examined specific zones of the IPL by injecting eight monkeys with retrogradely transported HRP, and located the positive cells in the thalamic sections with the assistance of an X-Y plotter and reference to the atlas of Olszewski ('52). Projections to the IPL were found in the following thalamic nuclei: Anterior (Anterior Medial, Anterior Ventral); Lateral (Ventral Anterior, Ventral Anterior magnocellularis, Ventral Lateral caudalis, Pulvinar oralis, medialis, lateralis and inferior, Lateral Posterior and Lateral Dorsal); Medial (Medialis Dorsalis densocellularis, parvocellularis, and multiformis); Midline and Intralaminar (Centralis densocellularis, Centralis lateralis, Centralis inferior, Centralis superior lateralis, Subfascicularis parvocellularis, Paracentralis and Parafascicularis); and Posterior (Limitans, Suprageniculatus and Geniculatus Medialis magnocellularis). A major projection to the superior portion of the IPL was from the anterior nuclei and Paracentralis of the intralaminar group. Ventralis Lateralis and oral Pulvinar projected primarily to the anterior-inferior portion of the IPL, whereas Lateral Posterior projected most strongly to the anterior and superior portion. The major projection of the lateral Pulvinar was to the mid-superior portion of the IPL and to area 19. The projections of the inferior Fulvinar were heaviest to area 19, but there was some overlap in the mid-superior portion of the IPL with the medial and lateral Pulvinar. The major projection from the posterior thalamic nuclear complex was to the mid-IPL. The heterogeneous input from the thalamus to the IPL was not anticipated on the basis of prior anterograde or retrograde degeneration studies, and suggests that classical subdivisions of specific and associational thalamic nuclei should be revised with the axonal transport methods of study.
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE: SOCIETAL, MEDICAL, LEGAL AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSES

(2002). INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE: SOCIETAL, MEDICAL, LEGAL AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSES. Journal of Legal Medicine: Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 609-616.
Shear viscosity of rubber modified thermoplastics: Dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers and ABS resins at very low stress

The shear viscosity of PP-EPDM dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers and ABS resins were investigated using (a) a constant shear stress creep instrument, (b) a rotational rheometer, and (c) a capillary extrusion rheometer. It was found that stresses exist for some of these materials below which they exhibit only finite deformations. This indicates they exhibit yield values. Much attention was given to measurements of creep at low stresses especially in the neighborhood of yield values. The magnitudes of the yield stresses obtained from these low stress measurements are significantly lower than those obtained using standard extrapolation to zero shear rate of higher stresses from rotational instruments. We also observed a high shear viscosity (∼10 9 PA s) plateau in the materials of high rubber content. We contrasted our results to those found in the literature.
Mars - The role of the regolith in determining atmospheric pressure and the atmosphere's response to insolation changes

A quantitative model for atmosphere-regolith exchange of CO2 on Mars is presented. The model, based on new laboratory measurements of CO2 adsorption on ground rock at 158, 175, 196, and 231 K for CO2 pressures from 1.0 to 80 mbar, is consistent with Viking observations, while models involving a massive residual CO2 cap and no long-term atmosphere-regolith CO2 exchange are not consistent. The model indicates: (1) the atmosphere-plus-cap system is buffered on a long-term basis by exchangeable CO2 adsorbed in the regolith; (2) if the atmosphere-plus-cap system suddenly disappeared, the system would eventually be almost completely restored by reequilibration with the regolith; (3) exchange with the adsorbed phase in the regolith has greatly restricted O-18 enrichment of the atmosphere; (4) the layered terrain primarily represents current periodic pressure increases; and (5) pressures of 100-300 nbar might have existed during the early history of the planet.
Twin pregnancies: incidence of group B streptococcal colonization and disease.

Twin PREGNANCIES, responsible for 1% of births, account for 4 to 10% of all perinatal deaths?. 2 Premature birth appears to be the greatest hazard. Complications of delivery, intrauterine growth retardation, and hemodynamic abnormalities represent additional risks to the twin. 2 Naeye et aP have suggested that the amniotic fluid infection syndrome may be the most common identifiable cause of perinatal death in twins, being implicated in 16 to 38% of twin deaths, depending upon the population studied. Beta hemolytic streptococci, including members of serologic group B, are among tile causes of the syndrome. 4 Group B streptococcal infection in twins has been described, 5-7 but prospective data are lacking. Our prospective studies of GBS infections in infants have been in progress for several years. Data from the first year of investigation, recently reported, ~ included one set of twins who died with fulminant GBS sepsis. Additional cases, septicemia in a mother and one of her twin infants, prompted this analysis of the outcome of twin pregnancies in this population. An increased risk of GBS !nfection in twin pregnancies was strikingly evident.
Homological representations of the Hecke algebra

In this paper a topological construction of representations of theAn(1)-series of Hecke algebras, associated with 2-row Young diagrams will be given. This construction gives the representations in terms of the monodromy representation obtained from a vector bundle on which there is a natural flat connection. The fibres of the vector bundle are homology spaces of configuration spaces of points in C, with a suitable twisted local coefficient system. It is also shown that there is a close correspondence between this construction and the work of Tsuchiya and Kanie, who constructed Hecke algebra representations from the monodromy ofn-point functions in a conformal field theory onP1. This work has significance in relation to the one-variable Jones polynomial, which can be expressed in terms of characters of the Iwahori-Hecke algebras associated with 2-row Young diagrams; it gives rise to a topological description of the Jones polynomial, which will be discussed elsewhere [L2].
A Critique of Values: Clarification in Drug Education

Values clarification is today widely used in drug education programs in the United States. The premise is that decisions pertaining to whether to use drugs or to abstain are a direct function of a confused value system. The purpose of values clarification is to assist individuals both to structure and operationalize a value system which is personally satisfying and socially acceptable. In an attempt to raise questions regarding its efficacy to influence drug use, criticisms will be offered on the following areas: the role of content in valuing, the position of “ethical relativism,” the danger of indoctrination, and the social pressure to conform.
Surviving the change: The economic paradigm of higher education in transformation

Abstract This article describes some of the major economic issues that confront the future of librarians and scholars in higher education. It explores the pricing model followed over the past half-century by higher education and the outcomes that affect our profession in a changing economy.
A Mathematical Model of the Gas-Phase and Surface Chemistry in GaAs Mocvd

This paper presents a detailed mathematical model of the coupled gas-phase chemistry, surface chemistry, and fluid mechanics in the MOCVD of GaAs from trimethylgallium and arsine in a rotating-disk reactor. The model predicts steady-state deposition rates as a function of susceptor temperature and partial pressure of the reactants. Rate constants in the model have been adjusted to match experimental deposition rates from the literature. 20 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.
Models and reality : some reflections on the art and science of simulation:

This paper presents a philosophical overview of simulation, with an emphasis on the nature of the relation between models and the systems they represent. Model-making is shown to be an essential feature of human thinking. The “abstraction ladder,” which leads from observations of reality to mathematical models, is reviewed from a semantic viewpoint. The problem of validation of the results of a simulation is then outlined. The paper concludes with same philosophical observations on the relation of model and reality.
An endogenous motor program for sand crab uropods.

A stereotyped pattern of spontaneous, rhythmic bursting in motoneurons of three prinicipal uropod muscles in the sand crab Emerita analoga has been recorded from a deafferented chain of the foru most-posterior abdominal ganglia. This endogenous motor program resembles the electromyogram pattern recorded from return-stroke and power-stroke muscles in swimming crabs in that (1) latencies of power-stroke bursts and burst periods are positively correlated with each other and (2) durations of power-stroke bursts are brief and mearly invarient. The endogenous program differs from the electromyogram pattern in having longer periods and return-stroke bursts which are brief and sporadic. The neural oscillator underlying the endogenous motor program, therefore, appears to drive the power stroke. Circumstantial evidence suggests that it may also inhibit return-stroke motoneurons concurrently with excitation of the power-stroke excitor.
The impact of dose of FSH (Folltropin) containing LH (Lutropin) on follicular development, estrus and ovulation responses in prepubertal gilts

FSH is favored over chorionic gonadotropins for induction of estrus in various species, yet little data are available for its effects on follicle development and fertility for use in pigs. For Experiment 1, prepubertal gilts (n = 36) received saline, 100 mg FSH, or FSH with 0.5 mg LH. Treatments were divided into six injections given every 8 h on Days 0 and 1. Proportions of gilts developing medium follicles were increased for FSH and FSH-LH (P 70%), ovulation (100%), and ovulation rate (>30 CL) compared to saline. There was an increase (P < 0.05) in the proportion of hormone-treated gilts with follicular cysts at Day 5, but these did not persist to Day 22. These gilts also showed an increase in poorly formed CL (P < 0.05). FSH alone or with small amounts of LH can induce medium follicle growth but greater amounts of LH at the same time is needed to sustain medium follicles, stimulate development of large follicles and induce estrus and ovulation in prepubertal gilts.
Development of non-precious metal oxygen-reduction catalysts for PEM fuel cells based on N-doped ordered porous carbon

Abstract N-doped ordered porous carbon (CNx) was synthesized via a nano-casting process using polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as the carbon and nitrogen precursor and mesoporous silica as a hard template. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the synthesized CNx and the derived non-precious metal oxygen-reduction catalysts. The CNx exhibited a highly ordered porosity and high graphitization with a surface area of 1132 m2 g−1 and a nitrogen content of 6.88 at.%. The non-precious metal oxygen-reduction catalysts were prepared by pyrolyzing iron acetate-impregnated CNx in argon, followed by post-treatments. Optimizations of the iron loading and the pyrolyzing temperature were also explored. The catalytic activities of the CNx products for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were examined by rotating disc electrode (RDE) measurements and single-cell tests. The onset potential for oxygen reduction in 0.5 M H2SO4 of the best catalyst was as high as 0.88 V vs. normal hydrogen electrode (NHE). The current density obtained in an H2/O2 proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) was as high as 0.6 A cm−2 at 0.5 V with a cathode catalyst loading of 2 mg cm−2.
Lipid Alterations During the Fermentation of Vegetables by the Lactic Acid Bacteriaa

SUMMARY Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the fatty acids of the various lipid fractions of raw and fermented cabbage and Brussels sprouts were made by gas-liquid chromatography of the methyl esters. The amount of free or non-esterified fatty acids increased considerably in the lipid fractions of both vegetables as a result of fermentation. The unsaponifiable matter, and the fatty acids of both the acetone-soluble and acetone-insoluble fractions of the vegetables, decreased during the fermentations. Free or non-esterified palmitic acid increased significantly during fermentation—from 0.63 to 6.87% of the total fatty acid lipid in the cabbage fermentation. Results were similar in Brussels sprouts. During fermentation, the unsaturated C18 fatty acids decreased while the shorter-chain fatty acids increased. As a result of fermentation, a change was observed in the waxy or shiny appearance of the cabbage. The presence of longer-chain saturated fatty acids in the non-esterified fatty acid fraction of the fermented material has been attributed to the changes in the unsaponifiable fraction. These longer-chain fatty acids were notably absent from the fatty acids of the acetone-soluble and acetone-insoluble lipids of the unfermented vegetables. The data suggest that the changes in the lipid fraction during fermentation were effected primarily through the metabolic activities of the various lactic acid bacteria. Since it is known that many of the lactic acid bacteria require certain fatty acids for growth, it has been postulated that the changes in the lipid fraction could influence the growth and sequence of the various bacterial types that are observed in a particular fermentation.
Some characterizations of the analytic Radon-Nikodým property in Banach spaces

The analytic Radon-Nikodým property for a complex Banach space X is characterized in several ways analogous to the common characterizations of the Radon-Nikodým property. For example, the Banach space X has the analytic Radon-Nikodým property if and only if any operator from L1 to X that factors through L1H01 is representable. The characterizations are used to study complemented subspaces of L1H01 and to define the analytic Radon-Nikodým property for real Banach spaces.
The design of flexible ciprofloxacin-loaded PLGA implants using a reversed phase separation/coacervation method.

Abstract The purpose of this research is to design and characterize flexible PLGA-based implants for the controlled release of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride for up to 6 weeks in vitro. This research uses a reversed phase separation/coacervation method to fabricate flexible PLA and PLGA: excipient implants with dichloromethane/mineral oil as solvent/non-solvent. Physical characterization was performed using thermal and mechanical analyses. Drug loading and release studies were performed with ciprofloxacin HCl as the model drug. Release kinetics was modeled to elucidate possible mechanisms of drug release. Four polymer–excipient combinations with glass transition temperatures less than 20 °C and representing a wide range of Young’s moduli were shown to entrap up to 8% of ciprofloxacin HCl that could be released at a controlled rate for 65 days in vitro. The release rate could consistently fit a ternary Gaussian pattern with an R 2 > 0.99. It was postulated that these release patterns could be related to ciprofloxacin that was loosely or poorly bound (burst release), trapped within the polymer matrix, or encapsulated by the polymer. These studies show that flexible implants can be fabricated from PLGA-based polymers for the controlled release of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride for up to 6 weeks in vitro.
Long-term Perspectives on Lagged Ecosystem Responses to Climate Change: Permafrost in Boreal Peatlands and the Grassland/Woodland Boundary

Changes in climate could have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation, such as boreal permafrost peatlands and grassland/woodland boundaries. The long-term data from our studies in these ecosystems suggest that transient responses of permafrost and vegetation to climate change may be difficult to predict due to lags and positive feedbacks related to vegetation and disturbance. Boreal permafrost peatlands comprise an ecosystem with strong local controls on microclimate that influence the formation and thaw of permafrost. These local controls may preserve permafrost during the transient stages of climate warming, producing lagged responses. The prairie–forest border region of the northern Great Plains has experienced frequent change and has complex dynamics involving transitions in the grassland composition of prairie and in the degree of woodiness in bordering forests. Fire frequency interacts with fuel loading and tree recruitment in ways that affect the timing and direction of change. Lags and thresholds could lead to sudden large responses to future climate change that are not readily apparent from current vegetation. The creation of adequate models to characterize transient ecosystem changes will require an understanding of the linkages among processes operating at the scale of 10s of meters and over long time periods.
Surface chemistry on transition metal colloids : an infrared and NMR study of carbon monoxide adsorption on colloidal platinum

Highly dispersed (<10{angstrom}) platinum has been prepared in colloidal solution by condensing platinum vapor into a solution of triisobutylaluminoxane in methylcyclohexane. Carbon monoxide, adsorbed in a linear mode on the surface of the colloidal metal, has been characterized by infrared spectroscopy and {sup 13}C NMR. The chemical shift of the adsorbed CO is 192 ppm, and the absence of a Knight shift is interpreted in terms of a pseudomolecular description of the highly dispersed platinum particles, which are not large enough to exhibit metallic properties. The CO covered colloid is converted by hydrolysis into the molecular platinum carbonyl anion clusters (Pt{sub 3}(CO){sub 6}){sub n}{sup 2 {minus}}, n = 3, 4.
5,6-DIMETHOXY-2-ISOPROPENYLBENZOFURAN AND 2-ISOPROPENYL-5,6-METHYLENEDIOXYBENZOFURAN

(1978). 5,6-DIMETHOXY-2-ISOPROPENYLBENZOFURAN AND 2-ISOPROPENYL-5,6-METHYLENEDIOXYBENZOFURAN. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 137-142.
Collisional-radiative-equilibrium spectroscopic diagnosis of a compressed, optically thick neon plasma

By self-consistently calculating x-ray spectra from first principles, we have delineated the relationships between the spectrum and the state of compression and heating of a neon plasma in detail. A collisional-radiative model including Stark line profiles is used to determine the highly ionized high-density states of neon. One of our calculated spectra reproduces remarkably well an experimental spectrum obtained from laser implosion by Yaakobi et al. and indicates compression conditions significantly different from those obtained assuming the validity of local thermodynamic equilibrium. Implications of our calculations for spectroscopic diagnoses of fusion plasmas are discussed.
Osteochemonecrosis: An Overview

Osteonecrosis of the jaw to a certain extent has been with us for many years. But recently the advent of various medications such as bisphosphonates, VEGF inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and humanized antibodies to osteoclastic action have resulted in thousands of cases. While the bisphosphonates continue to be the most common medication associated with osteochemonecrosis antibodies such as denosumab which irreversibly act on osteoclastic action are also being reported. This narrative review will serve as an update with a focus on some of the histopathologic features discussed and reviewed. Perhaps even more uncommonly seen in past reports a discussion of features possibly observed while grossing specimens will be discussed. At the end of this report is hoped that the pathologist will have a better understanding of the historical features, clinical settings, gross examination features as well as histopathologic features associated with osteochemonecrosis.
Synergistic Effect of N-Formimidoyl Thienamycin with Gentamicin and Amikacin Against Streptococcus faecalis

Abstract The in vitro activities of N-formimidoyl thienamycin alone and in combination with amikacin and gentamicin were tested against 10 strains of Streptococcus faecalis. Synergy was demonstrated in 35% of the combinations tested by the microtiter checkerboard technique; 50% were found to be synergistic with time killing curves.
Regional distribution of SK3 mRNA‐containing neurons in the adult and adolescent rat ventral midbrain and their relationship to dopamine‐containing cells

SK3 small conductance, calcium-activated potassium channels play an important role in regulating the activity of mesencephalic dopamine (DA) neurons. In the present series of experiments, in situ hybridization techniques were used to compare SK3 and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA expression throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the ventral midbrain in juvenile and adult rats. SK3 mRNA was found exclusively in areas that also contained large numbers of DA neurons including the substantia nigra (SN), the ventral tegmental area, and related cell groups (VTA-A10). An anteroposterior and mediolateral gradient in SK3 mRNA hybridization was apparent in the VTA-A10 but not in the SN. Younger rats appeared to possess higher levels and less regional variation in TH and SK3 transcripts. These results are consistent with previous studies reporting differential expression of SK3 protein within the midbrain and suggest that variations in SK3 channel distribution could contribute to differences in dopamine-related functions in the rat.
n-3 (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids prevent acute atrial electrophysiological remodeling.

Background and Purpose: Recent reports suggest that n-3 (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may reduce atrial fibrillation (AF). Reduction of the atrial effective refractory period (ERP) is believed to be an important early remodeling event that favors the development and perpetuation of AF. We hypothesized that n-3 PUFAs would attenuate early atrial electrophysiolgical remodeling in a canine model of acute atrial tachypacing. Experimental Approach: Adult dogs of either sex received n-3 PUFAs (n=6), n-6 PUFAs (n=6), or saline (n=6) infused over 1 h. After a stable ERP was established, treatment was initiated concurrently with 6 h of rapid atrial pacing (400 b.p.m.). Serial right atrial ERPs were measured during rapid atrial pacing, and induction of atrial tachyarrhythmias was attempted at the conclusion of each study. Key results: There was no change in P wave duration or in the PQ, QRS, QT or QTc intervals in any of the treatment groups. N-3 PUFA treatment significantly reduced the shortening of atrial ERP, compared to both control groups (P<0.05). In separate experiments, the same n-3 PUFA infusion was given to dogs remaining in normal sinus rhythm. During sinus rhythm, n-3 PUFA infusion did not alter any electrocardiogram (ECG) parameter or the atrial ERP. Conclusions and Implications: We conclude that acute n-3 PUFA treatment prevents acute atrial electrophysiological remodeling during high rate activity, which may minimize the self-perpetuation of AF. British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 281–285. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706977
Revitalization Movements as Indicators of Completed Acculturation

Revitalization movements have been viewed, when found within a culture contact situation, as a retrogression, a backward step in acculturation of a subordinate society to the customs and values of another. The return to celebration of differences between themselves and the people of the dominant group has been viewed as just another hurdle to be overcome before integration of the subordinate group could be brought about.
Discrimination, Attributional Tendencies, Generalized Self-Efficacy, and Assertiveness as Predictors of Psychological Distress Among African Americans

This study tested whether perceived past racial discrimination and a tendency to attribute negative outcomes across varied life situations to racial prejudice or discrimination (TAND) predicted uni...
MINIMAL KNOTTED POLYGONS ON THE CUBIC LATTICE

The polygons on the cubic-lattice have played an important role in simulating various circular molecules, especially the ones with relatively big volumes. There have been a lot of theoretical studies and computer simulations devoted to this subject. The questions are mostly around the knottedness of such a polygon, such as what kind of knots can appear in a polygon of given length, how often it can occur, etc. A very often asked and long standing question is about the minimal length of a knotted polygon. It is well-known that there are knotted polygons on the lattice with 24 steps yet it is unproved up to this date that 24 is the minimal number of steps needed. In this paper, we prove that in order to obtain a knotted polygon on the cubic lattice, at least 24 steps are needed and we can only have trefoils with 24 steps.
Review: Tubulin Function, Action of Antitubulin Drugs, and New Drug Development

Anticancer agents that interfere with microtubulin function are in widespread use in man and have a broad spectrum of activity against both hematological malignancies and solid tumors. The mechanisms of actions of these agents have been better defined during the past decade, indicating that there are distinct binding sites for these agents and that they interfere with microtubulin dynamics (growth and shortening of tubules) at low concentrations and only evoke microtubulin aggregation or dissociation at high concentrations. Tubulin has been recently described in the nucleus of cells and in mitochondria. Downstream events from tubulin binding are believed to be critical events for the generation of apoptosis in the malignant cell. The effects of vinca alkaloids and taxanes are distinct, suggesting that the interference with the tubulin cap by high-affinity binding of effective agents is not the only mechanism of cytotoxic effect, and the low-affinity binding of drug, which distorts microtubulin function, may also be important. The epothilones share some of the binding characteristics of the taxanes and are in clinical trials because of cytoxic activity in taxane resistant cells. Tubulin has additional target sites for anticancer drugs including interference with the binding and function of microtubule associated proteins and interference with motor proteins which are essential for the transport of substances within the cell. Because many of these microtubule associated proteins have an ATP binding site, both computer-aided design and combinatorial chemistry techniques can be used to make agents to interfere with their function analogous to imatinib mesylate (Gleevec). Agents that interfere with the motor protein kinesin are entering clinical trials.
A retrofit 60 Hz current sensor for non-intrusive power monitoring at the circuit breaker

We present a new sensor for power monitoring that measures current flow in a circuit breaker without permanent modification of the breaker panel or the circuit breaker itself. The sensor consists of three parts: an inductive pickup for sensing current from the breaker face, an inductive link designed to transmit power through the steel breaker panel door, and a passive, balanced JFET modulator circuit for transmitting information through the inductive link. The demodulated breaker current signal is available outside of the breaker panel door. This sensor provides a solution for low-cost, non-intrusive retrofit of any circuit breaker panel for centralized power monitoring.
Effects of sound on separated flows

Measurements of flow and fluctuating heat transfer were made for a circular cylinder in cross-flow with a transverse standing sound field imposed simultaneously. Reynolds numbers were of the order of 104, known to be in the disturbance-sensitive range, and sound intensities were as large as 140 db. The frequencies of the sound field were of the order of the disturbance frequency in the separated shear layers, reported first by Bloor.With a sound field having its frequency matched sufficiently closely to that occurring naturally in the shear layer, the growth of the instability is enhanced with the processes of vortex fusion and possibly vortex breakdown being detectable. At the same time, the vortex street frequency is only very weakly affected, although the vortex formation region length is reduced when the instability in the shear layer is enhanced. It is suggested that the discretization of vorticity in the shear layers is one factor significant in reducing the formation length. Heat transfer at the rear of the cylinder fluctuates at frequencies centred on the shedding frequency. The fluctuation level increases as the formation region shortens.
Control of mechanical systems subject to unilateral constraints

In this work we consider the problem of control of mechanical systems subject to unilateral constraints. Impulsive forces arise whenever the constraints become active and these forces give rise to nonsmooth dynamics. The dynamics of the system is defined by a set of differential equations with discontinuous righthand side using Hamilton's equations of motion. A nonlinear transformation is applied and the dynamics of the system is written in two sets of differential equations in the transformed coordinates. Three different phases (inactive, transition and active) for the system are formulated depending on the activation/deactivation of the constraints. A discontinuous controller is designed for the three phases for tracking the desired trajectories of the system. Stability analysis is conducted for all the phases using tools like Filippov's differential inclusions, nonsmooth Lyapunov analysis and generalized gradients. We give an illustrative example for the theory developed.
Oligomeric self-association of basic fibroblast growth factor in the absence of heparin-like glycosaminoglycans.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) represents a class of heparin-binding growth factors that are stored in the extracellular matrix attached to heparin-like glycosaminoglycans (HLGAGs). It has been proposed that cell surface HLGAGs have a central role in the biological activity of FGF-2, presumably by inducing dimers or oligomers of FGF-2 and leading to the dimerization or oligomerization of FGF receptor and hence signal transduction. We have previously proposed that FGF-2 possesses a natural tendency to self-associate to form FGF-2 dimers and oligomers; HLGAGs would enhance FGF-2 self-association. Here, through a combination of spectroscopic, chemical cross-linking and spectrometric techniques, we provide direct evidence for the self-association of FGF-2 in the absence of HLGAGs, defying the notion that HLGAGs induce FGF-2 oligomerization. Further, the addition of HLGAGs seems to enhance significantly the FGF-2 oligomerization process without affecting the relative percentages of FGF-2 dimers, trimers or oligomers. FGF-2 self-association is consistent with FGF-29s possessing biological activity both in the presence and in the absence of HLGAGs; this leads us to propose that FGF-2 self-association enables FGF-2 to signal both in the presence and in the absence of HLGAGs.
Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic guidance of total artificial heart implantation.

these patients survived, the patient described in this study will be followed by a medical geneticist. SVT is the most common arrhythmia with cardiac tumors in the neonatal period, and rhabdomyoma can be associated with ventricular pre-excitation. Evolution of inconsistent arrhythmia types suggests that the patient’s re-entrant tachycardia was not mediated by an embryonic accessory pathway. Destruction of the conduction system has been described in diffuse rhabdomyomatosis, and likely explains the unusual progression of this patient’s arrhythmias. Analogous alternate routes of conduction have been described in glycogen-storage disease, whereby diffuse myocardial infiltration may connect atrial and ventricular myocardium, resulting in pre-excitation. The differential diagnosis for infantile HCM includes primary sarcomeric defects, infiltrative cardiomyopathies with diagnosable biochemical perturbations, and syndromic cardiomyopathies. However, the presence of refractory arrhythmias and fluctuating wall thickness changes in a patient with diffuse ventricular thickening may indicate an alternative diagnoses, such as diffuse rhabdomyomatosis. This patient’s clinical course was atypical for sarcomeric HCM. Her early, severe and rapid progression to heart failure, recalcitrant SVT, and evolving arrhythmias were clues to a diagnosis other than HCM, which may have changed our approach to management. If diffuse rhabdomyomatosis was suspected and confirmed by biopsy, an electrophysiology study with the potential for decompensation would not have been pursued aggressively. Given the natural history of diffuse rhabdomyomatosis, ablation could have been avoided and transplantation may have been pursued earlier, which is important because early transplant outcomes are directly related to the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygen (ECMO) support before transplantation.
Diagnosing and treating chronic prostatitis: do urologists use the four-glass test?

Abstract Objectives. To examine the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis, we conducted a national mail survey of practicing urologists in 1998. Methods. Probability samples were drawn from the American Medical Association Registry of Physicians. Results. Five hundred four urologists responded (response rate 64%). Urologists reported seeing a median of 30 patients (interquartile range 11 to 60) newly diagnosed with chronic prostatitis in the previous 12 months. Eighty percent of urologists responded that they “rarely” (47%) or “never” (33%) performed the Meares-Stamey four-glass diagnostic test. Only 4% answered “almost always.” Forty percent of urologists responded that they treat “all” their patients with antibiotics and 42% more responded that they treat “more than half” with antibiotics. Physicians who routinely performed the four-glass test did not differ in antibiotic use from those who used the test less often; however, they were more likely to use treatment other than antibiotics. For example, alpha-blockers were used in one half or more of the patients by only 35% of physicians who never do the four-glass test compared with 42% who rarely do the test and 57% who do the test more often ( P = 0.002). Results were similar for treatment with natural remedies. Conclusions. Urologists frequently diagnose chronic prostatitis but rarely perform the four-glass diagnostic test. Use of the four-glass test does not appear to affect urologists’ antibiotic treatment patterns. Although bacterial prostatitis is thought to be rare, antibiotic use in the population of men with prostatitis is not. The four-glass test and empiric antibiotics are practices in the diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis that deserve scrutiny.
An intelligent system to detect Crohn's disease inflammation in Wireless Capsule Endoscopy videos

A Wireless Capsule Endoscope (WCE) is a small device that is capable of acquiring thousands of images as it travels through the gastrointestinal track. WCE is becoming a widely accepted method which physicians use in the diagnosis of Crohn's disease, an inflammatory disease that occurs mainly in the small intestine. In this article we present a novel method to detect those images showing inflammation among the thousands of images acquired by the WCE. Further, our method is capable of delineating the inflammation region(s) in each detected frame. Our system utilizes the mean-shift algorithm to find centers of candidate regions that may show Crohn's disease inflammation. Then the system classifies these regions by a trained Support Vector Machine. We have trained, validated and tested our method on three mutually exclusive sets. Our system's testing accuracy, specificity and sensitivity are 87%, 93% and 80% respectively.
Circuit width, register allocation, and ordered binary decision diagrams

The relationship between two important means of representing Boolean functions, combinational circuits and ordered binary decision diagrams (OBDDs), is studied. Circuit width is related to OBDD size. and it is shown how algorithms for register allocation can be used to determine a good variable order for OBDD construction. In particular, it is shown that if C has n inputs, moutputs, and width w(C), then there is a variable ordering for which the directed-acyclic-graph-based representation for C has at most n*m*2/sup w(C)/ modes. Since the width of a circuit is closely related to the number of registers required to evaluate the circuit, the result indicates that register allocation techniques can be used to compute good variable orderings. How these ideas can be used in decomposing a function either for representation as a set of OBDDs or for implementation in a cascode technology is outlined. A class of multioutput functions, which includes addition, whose members have particularly small OBDDs is characterized. >
Total synthesis and structure confirmation of leptofuranin D.

A convergent total synthesis of leptofuranin D is described. The linear polyketide C12−C24 segment was assembled through addition of a chiral allenylzinc reagent, derived from mesylate 12, to the chiral aldehyde 11. Directed hydrostannation of the adduct 13 followed by iodinolysis and Sonogashira coupling yielded the enyne 16, which was converted to the methyl-substituted enye 20, through hydrogenolysis of the derived bromide 19. Hydrostannation of the terminal alkyne converted 21 to 22, which was then treated with iodine to afford the vinyl iodide 23. The dihydropyranone precursor 40 was prepared by addition of allenystannane 29 to aldehyde 27. Partial hydrogenation of the derived propargylic alcohol then protection as the TBS ether afforded the (Z)-olefin 34. Further homologation was effected through Witttig condensation of aldehyde 36 with the ylide derived from phosphonium bromide 37. Selective deprotection of the primary TES ether of 38, followed by conversion of alcohol 39 to iodide 40, completed th...
A multirate signal processing approach to block decision feedback equalization

The author presents a method of implementing decision feedback equalization (or precoding) over a channel with intersymbol interference (ISI) when the input is a multiplexed version of several parallel input signals. The resultant scheme is a combination of prefiltering and postfiltering and scalar decision feedback equalization of a few of the input signals. As an interesting consequence of this technique, it is demonstrated how codes designed for the 1-D channel, in conjunction with codes for the ISI-free channel, can be used over the 1+D channel. >
Exercise and resistance to neoplasia

Epidemiological evidence has revealed an inverse relationship such that increased physical activity as measured directly subjective recall, job classification, former athletic status, or indirectly...
Update on Management of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in the Emergency Department

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are frequently treated in the emergency department (ED) setting. Recent studies provide critical new information that can guide new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of SSTIs in the ED. Rapid polymerase chain reaction assays capable of detecting MRSA in approximately 1 h hold significant potential to improving antibiotic stewardship in SSTI care. Emergency ultrasound continues to demonstrate value in guiding appropriate management of SSTIs, including the early diagnosis of necrotizing infections. Since emerging in the 1990s, community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) continues to increase in prevalence, and it represents a significant challenge to optimizing ED antibiotic use for SSTI management. Growing literature reinforces the current recommendation of incision and drainage without antibiotics for uncomplicated abscesses. Selecting antibiotics with CA-MRSA coverage is recommended when treating purulent SSTIs; however, it is generally not necessary in cases of nonpurulent cellulitis. Future advances in ED SSTI care may involve expansion of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy protocols and the recent development of a novel, once weekly antibiotic with activity against MRSA.