cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction between conducted vasodilation and sympathetic nerve activation in arterioles of hamster striated muscle

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that sympathetic nerve activity can influence the conduction of vasodilation along the arteriolar wall. Arterioles in the superfused cremaster muscle of anesthetized male hamsters (n=21, 109±4 g) were studied. Microelectrodes were positioned adjacent to the distal end of primary arterioles to stimulate sympathetic nerves throughout arteriolar networks (perivascular nerve stimulation [PNS]). Microiontophoresis micropipettes (tip outer diameter, 1 to 2 μm) filled with acetylcholine (ACh, 1 mol/L) were positioned adjacent to the wall of second-order (2A) or third-order (3A) arterioles ≈1 mm distal to their origin to induce local and conducted vasodilation; diameter responses were recorded at the micropipette tip and at vessel origins, respectively. For 2A and 3A arterioles (resting diameters, 15 to 54 and 9 to 30 μm, respectively), vasoconstriction with PNS was frequency dependent (0.5 to 32 Hz); this was attenuated by 65% ( P 40% during 16-Hz PNS ( P P P
Physics at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility

The Continuous Electron Accelerator Facility, CEBAF, located at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, is devoted to the investigation of the electromagnetic structure of mesons, nucleons, and nuclei using high energy, high duty-cycle electron and photon beams. Selected experimental results of particular interest to the MAMI community are presented.
Six-dimensional Yang black holes in dilaton gravity

Abstract We study the six-dimensional dilaton gravity Yang black holes of Bergshoeff, Gibbons and Townsend, which carry ( 1 , − 1 ) charge in SU ( 2 ) × SU ( 2 ) gauge group. We find what values of the asymptotic parameters (mass and scalar charge) lead to a regular horizon, and show that there are no regular solutions with an extremal horizon.
Inhibition and modulation of γ-secretase for Alzheimer’s disease

The 4-kDa amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) is strongly implicated the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and this peptide is cut out of the amyloid β-protein precursor (APP) by the sequential action of β- and γ-secretases. γ-Secretase is a membrane-embedded protease complex that cleaves the transmembrane region of APP to produce Aβ, and this protease is a top target for developing AD therapeutics. A number of inhibitors of the γ-secretase complex have been identified, including peptidomimetics that block the active site, helical peptides that interact with the initial substrate docking site, and other less peptide-like, more drug-like compounds. To date, one γ-secretase inhibitor has advanced into late-phase clinical trials for the treatment of AD, but serious concerns remain. The γ-secretase complex cleaves a number of other substrates, and γ-secretase inhibitors cause in vivo toxicities by blocking proteolysis of one essential substrate, the Notch receptor. Thus, compounds that modulate γ-secretase, rather than inhibit it, to selectively alter Aβ production without hindering signal transduction from the Notch receptor would be more ideal. Such modulators have been discovered and advanced, with one compound in late-phase clinical trials, renewing interest in γ-secretase as a therapeutic target.
The Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Latency-Associated Nuclear Antigen Binds to Specific Sequences at the Left End of the Viral Genome through Its Carboxy-Terminus

Abstract Latent infection by members of the gammaherpesvirus family is typically characterized by stable episomal maintenance of genomic viral DNA. In the case of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), this is dependent upon binding of the Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) to sites which lie within the origin of plasmid replication (OriP). The recently discovered Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes the latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA), which appears to be important for supporting the latent infection of human cells by KSHV. The present work describes site-specific binding of the LANA protein to multiple different elements at the left end of the genome, a region which appears to be critical for maintenance of KSHV episomes. Of the three sites, terminal LANA-binding region 4 (TLBR4) binds LANA with the highest affinity when compared to the other sites. Further characterization of this cis -acting element by mutagenesis studies indicates that the minimal TLBR4-binding sequence is represented by a 13-bp sequence 5′ CGCCCGGGCATGG 3′. Furthermore, this specific binding to TLBR4 was mediated by the distal 200 amino acid C-terminus of the LANA protein.
MAKING AND VALIDATING COMPLEX DECISIONS WITH THE AHP/ANP

Several examples that serve to validate the AHP/ANP with matrices hierarchies and networks are given in this paper. They are then followed by a discussion of the real numbers and how they are generated without the need for an absolute zero, and how they define an absolute scale of measurement that also does not need an absolute zero. In the AHP/ANP the measurement of an alternative depends on what other alternatives it is compared with. The result is that rank can change if alternatives are added or deleted, something that does not occur in one-at-a-time rating of the alternatives by comparing them with an ideal. An example is provided to show that this is natural and need not involve new criteria or change in judgments. A brief discussion of Utility Theory, the other multi-criteria theory, which uses interval scales to measure intangibles and some of its problems and paradoxes, is given. The references at the end include most of the papers that are adverse to the AHP with brief comments about several of them given in the paper.
Fever in Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Background Although fever has been reported in severalcase series of acute pulmonary embolism (PE), the extent to which fevermay be caused by PE, and not associated disease, has not beenadequately sorted out. Clarification of the frequency and severity offever in acute PE may assist in achieving an accurate clinicalimpression, and perhaps avoid an inadvertent exclusion of thediagnosis. Purpose The purpose of this investigationis to evaluate the extent to which fever is caused by acute PE. Methods Patients participated in the Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED). Temperature wasevaluated among patients with angiographically proven PE. Adetermination of whether other causes of fever were present was basedon a retrospective analysis of discharge summaries, PIOPED summaries, and a computerized list of all discharge diagnoses. Results Among patients with PE and no other source offever, fever was present in 43 of 311 patients (14%). Fever inpatients with pulmonary hemorrhage or infarction was not more frequentthan among those with no pulmonary hemorrhage or infarction, 39 of 267patients (15%) vs 4 of 44 patients (9%; not significant). Clinicalevidence of deep venous thrombosis was often present in patients withPE and otherwise unexplained fever. Conclusion Low-grade fever is not uncommon in PE, and high fever, although rare, may occur. Fever need not be accompanied by pulmonary hemorrhage orinfarction.
Modeling structural change using early Soviet data

Abstract This paper describes a multi-sector, multi-period, economy-wide model constructed by applying linear programming techniques to an input-output system. The model is designed to provide a flexible, cost-effective tool for testing the impact of alternative development policies on consumption levels, capital stocks, output growth rates, and rate of technological change. Early Soviet data are used to show how the model can generate a problem-free expansion path as a reference. The model and reference solution are then used to decompose historical experience, measuring the intersectoral and intertemporal impact of major historical events on the economy's performance.
Perturbed Open Resonators

The resonant frequencies and diffraction losses of two-mirror open resonators which depart somewhat from an ideal configuration are evaluated by a perturbative technique. Detailed results are derived and discussed for flat mirrors of rectangular or circular aperture with a parabolic phase perturbation as well as flat-roof and conical systems with large apex angle.
Environmental factor weighting at the federal energy regulatory commission

Abstract The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is required to assess the environmental impact of any project under its jurisdiction (e.g. pipeline construction and hydroelectric projects). Normally, this assessment involves preparing a written report that covers the entire project and identifying alternatives that have a lower environmental impact when such alternatives exist. This paper presents an approach based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for measuring environmental impacts on a common scale so that an overall impact index of a project or group of projects can be reported.
The influence of interface and arrangement of inclusions on local stresses in composite materials

Abstract We studied a model composite material consisting of a thin epoxy plate (matrix) reinforced with stiff circular disks (inclusions) and subjected to a uniaxial tension. At each inclusion—matrix interface there is an interfacial layer, an interphase, which has uniform properties. The inclusions are arranged in the matrix at random but with no overlap. For comparison we also considered square and triangular periodic arrangements. We have studied elastic fields of such composites both experimentally, using a photoelasticity method, and numerically via a finite element method. We have found that random inclusion arrangements give higher stress concentrations than the periodic ones owing to stress localizations. The highest stress increase is in a compliant interface case, which also exhibits the highest scatter in stress magnitudes for different random arrangements at the same volume fraction.
High speed image compression system, prototype and final configuration

A hardware implementation of the full frame image compression method developed at UCLA has been completed and is undergoing evaluation. Variable compression ratios can be achieved according to user input parameters. Current clinical acceptance studies focus on a compression ratio of 10:1. The compression and reconstruction process for 1K x 1K images each take approximately 8.5 sec. Future upgrades can enhance the performance to 1.1 sec for 1K images and 4.3 sec for 2K images. Peripheral functions incorporated into the compression module include 1K image display and parallel data link to a VAX base PACS system.
Microcrack closure phenomena for AI 2219-T851

The effect of maximum cyclic stress, σmax, on the closure behavior of surface microcracks is studied for Al 2219-T851 subjected to fatigue for fully reversed cyclic loading. The relationship between σmax and the crack closure stress σcc, is found to change as the noncrystallographic transgranular microcracks grow from intermetallic particles at the alloy surface (where they initiate) to the grain boundaries. After crack initiation, with crack lengths just slightly greater than the width of the intermetallics from which they have propagated, σcc is found to be independent of σmax· For longer microcracks with lengths of approximately the grain size, σcc∞ σmax. Crack closure mechanisms which can explain this behavior are discussed.
Four color compensation

Four-color immunophenotyping can now be routinely performed using either a single laser or dual laser flow cytometer. When a single laser instrument is used, the fluorochromes evaluated are usually FITC, PE, PE-TR and PE-CY5 (or PerCP). For two-laser excitation APC is generally used in place of PE-TR. Since each tandem dye construct contains PE, three of the four detectors are affected and compensation can be problematic. In this report we show that each tandem conjugated antibody, whether different batches from the same supplier or conjugates from different suppliers all require unique compensation. This inconsistency results in erroneous data, negates the use of single labeled particles as a method for providing adequate compensation and requires dual and triple labeled cells of known pattern to verify compensation. It is also shown that improper compensation can reduce or eliminate completely the detection of fluorescence emission from PECY5 conjugated antibodies. These problems are caused by a variation in energy transfer between PE and either TR or CY5 because the chemistry involved in preparation and conjugation to antibodies is not sufficiently controlled to produce reagents with uniform compensation requirements. The variation in tandem dye compensation can be addressed by either using the same tandem conjugated antibody, by using the same second step tandem reagent to an appropriate first step antibody or by using software compensation. The latter provides an easy solution because a unique compensation matrix can be produced for each antibody tandem conjugate. Cytometry (Comm. Clin. Cytometry) 38:161–175, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with aberrations of both MLL loci

Translocations involving the MLL gene at 11q23 have been implicated in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), as well as acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Such translocations result in gain of function fusion proteins that drive cell proliferation. Except in cases of T-cell ALL, MLL rearrangement is typically associated with a poor prognosis. We report a case of T-cell ALL with a t(11;19)(q23;p13.3) and deletion of the other chromosome 11 homolog at band q23. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses confirmed involvement of the MLL loci in both the translocation and deletion. This case is unique in that deletions of 11q23 reported in ALL generally do not involve MLL. We are unaware of a previous report showing rearrangement of the MLL loci on both chromosome 11 homologues.
Relative quantification of stable isotope labeled peptides using a linear ion trap-Orbitrap hybrid mass spectrometer.

The quantitative analysis of complex biological samples has emerged as a key research area in the field of proteomics. Although quantitative proteomic experiments remain challenging, these strategies have been greatly facilitated by the development of newer high-performance mass spectrometers. In this work, we have evaluated the use of the LTQ-Orbitrap, a hybrid mass spectrometer in which a linear ion trap is coupled to an Orbitrap mass analyzer, for quantitative analyses. By analyzing a range of yeast protein standards, we found that the high mass accuracy, high resolution, large ion capacity, and large dynamic range of the LTQ-Orbitrap led to as much as a 4−5-fold improvement in the number and quality of the peptide ratio measurements compared to similar analyses done on the LTQ. We also successfully quantified protein expression differences that occur in metabolically labeled rat synapses during brain development to further demonstrate the suitability of the LTQ-Orbitrap for the comparative analysis of...
Hyaluronan induces scarless repair in mouse limb organ culture.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Wounded fetal mouse limbs harvested from two distinct time points in gestation heal differently in organ culture. The healing of a gestational day 14 limb is by scarless repair, whereas gestational day 18 (gd 18) limbs heal by scarring. The persistence of elevated levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) is a major difference in the extracellular matrix of scarless repair. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that chronic additions of HA to incisional wounds of gd 18 limbs induces scarless repair. Methods: Time-dated pregnant CD-1 mice (term, 20 days) were killed on gestational day 18 and fetuses were harvested via laparotomy. A through and through stab wound was made in each forelimb with a 1-mm microscapel, and the wound was closed with a single 0–10 nylon suture. The forelimbs were amputated at the level of the shoulder and placed in organ culture. Daily medium changes with 1 mL of BGJb (devoid of serum) were made. Half the cultures received 10 μL of HA (4 mg/mL) directly to the wound site with each medium change. The other half of the cultures received 10 μL of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS-control). At day 7, the limbs were harvested, fixed in methyl Carnoys solution, paraffin embedded, and 5-μm serial sections cut. The sections were stained with H&E or Sirius red/fast green. The sections were viewed in a blinded fashion by two observers. Suture defined the wound site, and the sections were graded for healing by scarring. Results: Minimal limb growth occurred in both control and HA-treated limbs. Grossly, both control and treated limbs healed incisional wounds by 7 days in culture. Limbs from both treatment and control groups showed viability by microscopic analysis. The limbs treated with HA had no appreciable scar morphologically in sections in which epithelial dimpling and suture were evident. The orientation of the collagen fiber bundles in the control wounds were in parallel arrays perpendicular to the incision. The orientation of the collagen fiber bundles in the HA-treated limbs had a basket weave pattern that was indistinguishable from unwounded dermis. The direct repeated additions of HA to healing organ cultured limb explants of gestational day 18 fetal mice promoted scarless repair. Conclusions: This result demonstrates that chronic elevation of HA in the microenvironment of a wound affects healing by promoting the deposition of a more dermal-like connective tissue matrix in the wound site. The maintenance of elevated levels of HA could have utility in the clinical setting to improve the organization of connective tissue, leading to the reduction of scar complications.
Enhancement mode In0.53Ga0.47As MOSFET with self-aligned epitaxial source/drain regrowth

A scalable, self-aligned In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As MOSFET process was developed and enhancement mode device operation was demonstrated. The 0.7 µm L g device shows a maximum drive current of 0.14 mA/µm at V gs =4.0V and V ds =2.5 V. The devices have almost an order of magnitude larger drive current than our previously reported MOSFETs. The channel layer was 5 nm thick InGaAs with InAlAs bottom barrier for vertical confinement. 4.7 nm of Al 2 O 3 (∼ 2 nm EOT) dielectric was deposited in an atomic layer deposition tool. After gate formation, self-aligned source/drain regions were defined by migration enhanced epitaxial (MEE) regrowth, and self-aligned in-situ Mo source/drain contacts were formed.
Sensitivities of NO x transformation and the effects on surface ozone and nitrate

Abstract. As precursors to tropospheric ozone and nitrate, nitrogen oxide (NOx) in the present atmosphere and its transformation in response to emission and climate perturbations are studied by using the CAM-Chem model and air quality measurements from the National Emissions Inventory (NEI), Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET), and Environmental Protection Agency Air Quality System (EPA AQS). It is found that NOx transformations in present atmospheric conditions show different sensitivities over industrial and non-industrial regions. As a result, the surface ozone and nitrate formations can be divided into several regimes associated with the dominant emission types and relative levels of NOx and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Ozone production in industrial regions (the main NOx emission source areas) increases in warmer conditions and slightly decreases following an increase in NOx emissions due to NOx titration, which is opposite to the response in non-industrial regions. The ozone decrease following a temperature increase in non-industrial regions indicates that ozone production in regions that lack NOx emission sources may be sensitive to NOx transformation in remote source regions. The increase in NO2 from NOx titration over industrial regions results in an increase rate of total nitrate that remains higher than the increase rate of NOx emissions. The presented findings indicate that a change in the ozone concentration is more directly affected by changes in climate and precursor emissions, while a change in the nitrate concentration is affected by local ozone production types and their seasonal transfer. The sensitivity to temperature perturbations shows that a warmer climate accelerates the decomposition of odd nitrogen (NOy) during the night. As a result, the transformation rate of NOx to nitrate decreases. Examinations of the historical emissions and air quality records of a typical NOx-limited area, such as Atlanta and a VOC-limited area, such as Los Angeles further confirm the conclusions drawn from the modeling experiments.
Demonstration of Sequence Detection Algorithms for Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks

Spectrum sensing is a critical requirement for proposed Dynamic Spectrum Access networks both to avoid causing interference to primary users and to maximize the throughput of the secondary network. Traditional sensing algorithms are performance limited by the length of time they can observe the primary user's transmission. We implement for demonstrative purposes a number of sequence detection spectrum sensing algorithms that take into account the transitions in the primary user's channel access, resulting in better sensing performance. The demonstration consists of primary and secondary data links that are both streaming video in the same frequency band, forcing the secondary link to opportunistically access the spectrum. Various sensing algorithms are selectable and configurable at the secondary transmitter, including multiple sequence detection algorithms and energy detection. The superior performance of the sequence detection algorithms is evident at the receivers through a number of metrics, including video quality, plots of the historical data rate, and estimates of the detection and false alarm probabilities.
Exploring the Role of the β-Adrenergic Receptor Kinase in Cardiac Disease Using Gene-Targeted Mice

Abstract The β-adrenergic receptor signaling system plays a fundamental role in heart function. Signaling through βARs can be dampened by the actions of the βAR kinase, a kinase whose expression and activity are elevated in chronic human heart failure. In this review we highlight studies that have used genetically engineered mice to understand how perturbations in myocardial βAR signaling could adversely impact the pathogenesis of cardiac disease. Interrupting this process may provide novel therapeutic strategies in the treatment of human heart failure.
Electromyographic Guidance in Injecting Botulinum Toxin

background. Many practitioners involved with the cosmetic applications of botulinum toxin believe that electromyography (EMG) is an invaluable tool in determining the precise locations to inject. Others feel that it is unnecessary and of no value whatsoever. objectives. The objective of this paper is to (1) demonstrate the proper technique for usage of the EMG machine, and (2) determine if its use in connection with injection of facial muscles for cosmetic purposes is worthwhile. conclusions. The anatomy of the muscles of the face is somewhat variable from person to person. Electromyography can be a valuable adjunct when injecting botulinum toxin for cosmetic purposes by ensuring that the injecting needle is precisely in the muscle, thereby ensuring that the botulinum toxin will have the greatest possible effect.
Importance of Including Early Nonadherence in Estimations of Medication Adherence

BackgroundMany medication adherence metrics are based on refill rates determined from pharmacy claims databases. However, these methods do not incorporate assessment of nonadherence to new prescriptions when those prescriptions are never dispensed (primary nonadherence), or dispensed only once (early nonpersistence). As a result, published studies may overestimate adherence, but the extent of overestimation posed by not considering patients with primary nonadherence and early nonpersistence has not been assessed.Objective:To estimate the magnitude of misestimation in adherence estimates that results from not including patients with primary nonadherence and early nonpersistence,Methods:We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 15,417 patients enrolled in an integrated health care delivery system who were newly prescribed an antihypertensive, antidiabetic, or antihyperlipidemic medication. We linked prescription orders to medication dispensings. Based on dispensing and refill rates, we stratified patient...
Expression of herpes simplex virus type 2 latency-associated transcript in neurons and nonneurons.

Abstract The presence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) transcription during in vivo latent infection was investigated by in situ hybridization. Latent infection of mouse dorsal root ganglion was investigated with the BamHI p fragment of HSV-2, which resulted in evidence of ganglion hybridization, and other fragments representing approximately 40% of the genome, which did not result in hybridization. Strand specificity of hybridization was investigated in studies with synthetic oligonucleotides, which supported the conclusion that a latency-associated transcript(s) had been detected. Hybridization was detected with oligonucleotides complementary to the infected-cell polypeptide 0 (ICP0) template strand but not with oligonucleotides synthesized from the ICP0 template strand. Although most hybridization occurred over neurons, in some instances hybridization appeared to occur over nonneuronal ganglion cells, and this was more evident when tissue sections were examined by phase contrast microscopy. Although these results supported the usual neuronal site of HSV-2 latency, latency in nonneuronal cells may be important in considering the pathobiology of HSV-2 infections.
A yellow variant of the eumycetozoan Didymium nigripes which exhibits aging.

A cycloheximide-resistant, yellow variant of the true slime mold, Didymium nigripes, has been isolated. It exhibits aging as exemplified by a loss of ability to fruit, fuse with other plasmodia, and grow. It is often rejuvenated after fruiting or being present in a heteroplasmodium with the wild type. The behavior of subclones was very variable, but the behavior of populations of clones was predictable.
X-ray Spectroscopy of Laser Imploded Targets

X-ray spectroscopy provides a variety of means for studying the interaction of lasers with plasmas, in particular the interaction with imploding targets in inertial confinement fusion. A typical fusion target is composed of materials other than the thermonuclear fuel which play a variety of roles (tamping, shielding, thermal isolation, etc.). These structural elements emit characteristic X-ray lines and continua, and through their spectral and spatial distributions can yield very valuable information on the interaction and implosion dynamics. Examples are the study of heat conductivity, the mixing of different target layers, and the determination of temperature and density at the compressed target core. Results will be shown for electron densities N$_{\text{e}}\approx $ 10$^{24}$ cm$^{-3}$ and temperatures T $\approx $ 1 keV measured during compression of argon-filled targets with a six-beam laser of peak power 2 TW.
The future of ILAR

AbbreviationsACR American College of RheumatologyAFLAR African League Against RheumatismAPLAR Asia Pacific League of Associationsfor RheumatologyCOPCORD Community Oriented Program for Controlof Rheumatic DiseasesEULAR European League of Associationsof RheumatologyOMERACT Outcome Measures for Arthritis ClinicalTrialsPANLAR Pan-American League of Associationsfor RheumatologyFaced with the choice between adaptation and extinction,ILAR has, in the past 2 years, undergone a fundamentalmetamorphosis. Even ILAR’s name is new, albeit with thesame initials. No longer the International League AgainstRheumatism, ILAR is now the International League ofAssociations of Rheumatology. From my perspective asChair of ILAR’s Executive Committee in 2008, I will reviewrecent progress and future prospects for the new ILAR.The initial entity that later evolved into ILAR wasknown as The International Committee on Rheumatism,and its formation, in 1927, at the International Society ofHydrology meeting in Paris, preceded the existence ofnational and regional rheumatology societies or leagues [1].The first President of this new organization was Dr. JFortescue Fox of London, England—who is not, to myknowledge, one of my biological ancestors even though hecan be viewed as one of my professional forefathers! Anoffice was opened in Amsterdam and within a year a newname was adopted—le Ligue International contre leRheumatisme. The first journal published by ILAR wasActa Rheumatologica [1]. For decades the ILAR meetingswere the primary forum for the international exchange ofscientific and clinical information in the field of rheuma-tology. ILAR developed a productive relationship with theWorld Health Organization, and more recently with theBone and Joint Decade and with OMERACT [2, 3].Importantly, ILAR helped sponsor the COPCORD network,which has conducted community-based studies of theprevalence of rheumatic diseases in many parts of thedeveloping world [2]. In several countries the onlyavailable data concerning the epidemiology of arthritis hasbeen generated by COPCORD.More recently, however, interest in and support for theILAR meetings waned, as both the ACR and the EULARcongresses grew larger and more international in scope.Fortunately, the publication of Clinical Rheumatology,ILAR’s current journal, has continued without interruption,and this may indeed have saved ILAR from disappearingentirely.After 2 years of planning, 2008 saw the implementationof a new structure and mission for ILAR. The governanceof ILAR has been streamlined and is centered on anExecutive Committee that is comprised of the President andPresident-Elect of five rheumatology organizations:AFLAR, APLAR, EULAR, PANLAR (the four regionalleagues), and the ACR. The Chair position rotates annually,to ensure an equal role for each member organization. TheExecutive committee meets twice each year: in early Juneat the EULAR congress and in the fall at the ACR meeting.
The heat increment of feeding in house wren chicks: magnitude, duration, and substitution for thermostatic costs

The heat increment of feeding (HIF), a transient postprandial increase in metabolic rate, is the energy cost of processing a meal. We measured HIF in house wren chicks (Troglodytes aedon) ranging in mass from 1.6 to 10.3 g. This mass range (age 2–10 days) spanned a transition from blind, naked, ectothermic chicks through alert, endothermic birds with nearly complete feathering. We fed chicks crickets (2.7–10% of chick body mass) and determined HIF from continuous measurements of oxygen consumption rate (\(\)O2) before and after meals. At warm ambient temperatures (Ta) of 33–36 °C, the magnitude of HIF (in ml O2 or joules) was linearly related to meal mass and was not affected by chick mass. HIF accounted for 6.3% of ingested energy, which is within the range of results for other carnivorous vertebrates. The duration of HIF was inversely related to chick mass; 10-g chicks processed a standard meal approximately twice as fast as 2-g chicks. HIF duration increased with increasing meal mass. The peak \(\)O2 during HIF, expressed as the factorial increase above resting metabolism, was independent of body mass and meal mass. In large, endothermic chicks ( > 8 g), HIF substituted for thermoregulatory heat production at low Ta.
Educational Reform and the Loss of Humanism.

The possible effects of increased state level of control of education in the United States is discussed using the Republic of Cyprus as an example.
Warming the fuel for the fire: Evidence for the thermal dissociation of methane hydrate during the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum

Dramatic warming and upheaval of the carbon system at the end of the Paleocene Epoch have been linked to massive dissociation of sedimentary methane hydrate. However, testing the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum hydrate dissociation hypothesis has been hindered by the inability of available proxy records to resolve the initial sequence of events. The cause of the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum carbon isotope excursion remains speculative, primarily due to uncertainties in the timing and duration of the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum. We present new high-resolution stable isotope records based on analyses of single planktonic and benthic foraminiferal shells from Ocean Drilling Program Site 690 (Weddell Sea, Southern Ocean), demonstrating that the initial carbon isotope excursion was geologically instantaneous and was preceded by a brief period of gradual surface-water warming. Both of these findings support the thermal dissociation of methane hydrate as the cause of the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum carbon isotope excursion. Furthermore, the data reveal that the methane-derived carbon was mixed from the surface ocean downward, suggesting that a significant fraction of the initial dissociated hydrate methane reached the atmosphere prior to oxidation.
A study design with conditional, serially assessed co‐primary endpoints: An application to a single‐arm, pilot non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma trial

Optimizing study designs is an important responsibility for applied statisticians supporting clinical trials. We describe the study design for an early-phase non-Hodgkin's lymphoma trial with two co-primary endpoints; however, evaluation of the second endpoint on a subject is conditional on a positive response to the first endpoint. Thus, these dichotomous measures are collected conditionally and in series. We present the probability density function for this study design selected and derive the parameters that describe this distribution. We also derive the maximum likelihood estimates for the unknown parameters of interest to the trial investigator. We compare the theoretical operating characteristics (type I and type II error rates) to a simulation study for the motivating example. Using this report as a guide, others designing studies with similarly measured co-primary endpoints can utilize these formulas to calculate the operating characteristics and analyze their resulting study data. Drug Dev Res 71: 395–403, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An extended table of chi-square for two degrees of freedom, for use in combining probabilities from independent samples

A table of values of Chi-square for two degrees of freedom corresponding to values of P from .001 to .999 is presented, together with a description and an example of its use in combining probabilities from two or more independent samples to obtain an aggregate probability.
The WIGGUM gene is required for proper regulation of floral meristem size in Arabidopsis

The study of cell division control within developing tissues is central to understanding the processes of pattern formation. The floral meristem of angiosperms gives rise to floral organs in a particular number and pattern. Despite its critical role, little is known about how cell division is controlled in the floral meristem, and few genes involved have been identified. We describe the phenotypic effects of mutations in WIGGUM, a gene required for control of cell proliferation in the floral and apical meristem of Arabidopsis thaliana. wiggum flowers contain more organs, especially sepals and petals, than found in wild-type flowers. This organ number phenotype correlates with specific size changes in the early floral meristem, preceding organ initiation. Genetic studies suggest that WIGGUM acts on a similar process but in a separate pathway than the CLAVATA1 and CLAVATA3 genes in meristem size regulation, and reveal interactions with other genes affecting meristem structure and identity. Analysis of double mutant phenotypes also reveals a role for WIGGUM in apical meristem function. We propose that WIGGUM plays a role in restricting cell division relative to cellular differentiation in specific regions of the apical and floral meristems.
Update in Palliative Medicine and End-of-Life Care

Palliative medicine includes clinical palliative care, education, and research that focus on the quality of life of patients with advanced disease and their families. The domain of palliative medicine is the relief of suffering: physical, psychological, social, and spiritual. Palliative medicine and care for patients at the end of life and their families include the following key components: compassionate communication; exploration of patient and family values and goals of care; expert attention to relief of suffering; management of pain, depression, delirium, and other symptoms; awareness of the manifestations of grief; and sensitivity to the concerns of bereaved survivors.
Policy Watch Debt Relief

At the Gleneagles summit in July 2005, the heads of state from the G-8 countries—the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United Kingdom—called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the African Development Bank to cancel 100 percent of their debt claims on the world's poorest countries. The world's richest countries have agreed in principle to forgive roughly d55 billion dollars owed by the world's poorest nations. This article considers the wisdom of the proposal for debt forgiveness, from the standpoint of stimulating economic growth in highly indebted countries. In the 1980s, debt relief under the "Brady Plan" helped to restore investment and growth in a number of middle-income developing countries. However, the debt relief plan for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) launched by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in 1996 has had little impact on either investment or growth in the recipient countries. We will explore the key differences between the countries targeted by these two debt relief schemes and argue that the Gleneagles proposal for debt relief is, at best, likely to have little effect at all. Debt relief is unlikely to help the world's poorest countries because, unlike the middle-income Brady countries, their main economic difficulty is not debt overhang, but an absence of functional economic institutions that provide the foundation for profitable investment and growth. We will show that debt relief may be more valuable for Brady-like middle-income countries than for low-income ones because of how it leverages the private sector.
Sonic hedgehog signaling is required during the appearance of spinal cord oligodendrocyte precursors

Spinal cord oligodendrocyte precursors arise in the ventral ventricular zone as a result of local signals. Ectopic oligodendrocyte precursors can be induced by sonic hedgehog (Shh) in explants of chick dorsal spinal cord over an extended developmental period. The role of Shh during normal oligodendrocyte development is, however, unclear. Here we demonstrate that Shh is localized to the ventral spinal cord immediately prior to, and during the appearance of oligodendrocyte precursors. Continued expression of Shh is required for the appearance of spinal cord oligodendrocyte precursors as neutralization of Shh signaling both in vivo and in vitro during a defined developmental period blocked their emergence. The inhibition of oligodendrocyte precursor emergence in the absence of Shh signaling was not the result of inhibiting precursor cell proliferation, and the neutralization of Shh signaling after the emergence of oligodendrocyte precursors had no effect on the appearance of additional cells or their subsequent differentiation. Similar concentrations of Shh induce motor neurons and oligodendrocytes in dorsal spinal cord explants. However, in explants from early embryos the motor neuron lineage is preferentially expanded while in explants from older embryos the oligodendrocyte lineage is preferentially expanded.
A precise in situ calibration of the RHIC H-Jet polarimeter

Two new methods of calibration of the hydrogen jet target polarimeter (H-Jet) at RHIC are discussed. First method is based on the measurement of low amplitude signal time of fast particles penetrating through detector. The second, geometry based, method employs correlation between z-coordinate of the recoil proton and its kinetic energy. Both methods can be used for in situ calibration of the H-Jet polarimeter. These two methods are compared with a traditional calibration of the H-Jet which uses α-sources.
Globalization, Consumption Patterns and Human Development in Egypt

Although the last three decades represent only the most recent episode of Egypt's "opening up to the world", their impact on the Egyptian economy and society seems much wider and goes much deeper than anything that Egypt had experienced before, this justifies the use of the relatively new term "globalization". This paper discusses the impact of globalization on only those aspects that could be regarded as major indicators or determinants of Human Development.
The A31P missense mutation in cardiac myosin binding protein C alters protein structure but does not cause haploinsufficiency

Mutations in MYBPC3, the gene encoding cardiac myosin binding protein C (cMyBP-C), are a major cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). While most mutations encode premature stop codons, missense mutations causing single amino acid substitutions are also common. Here we investigated effects of a single proline for alanine substitution at amino acid 31 (A31P) in the C0 domain of cMyBP-C, which was identified as a natural cause of HCM in cats. Results using recombinant proteins showed that the mutation disrupted C0 structure, altered sensitivity to trypsin digestion, and reduced recognition by an antibody that preferentially recognizes N-terminal domains of cMyBP-C. Western blots detecting A31P cMyBP-C in myocardium of cats heterozygous for the mutation showed a reduced amount of A31P mutant protein relative to wild-type cMyBP-C, but the total amount of cMyBP-C was not different in myocardium from cats with or without the A31P mutation indicating altered rates of synthesis/degradation of A31P cMyBP-C. Also, the mutant A31P cMyBP-C was properly localized in cardiac sarcomeres. These results indicate that reduced protein expression (haploinsufficiency) cannot account for effects of the A31P cMyBP-C mutation and instead suggest that the A31P mutation causes HCM through a poison polypeptide mechanism that disrupts cMyBP-C or myocyte function.
Endopyelotomy : Retrograde ureteroscopic approach

Ureteroscopy is a natural extension of a urologist's practice. This article describes technical details and results using the ureteroscopic approach to treat ureteropelvic junction obstruction. With a variety of treatment options available, this approach compared favorably.
Essential irrelevance of the full faith and credit clause to the same-sex marriage debate

Although the Full Faith and Credit Clause is often assumed by the popular press and some legal commentators to impose a mandatory duty on states to recognize same-sex marriages validly celebrated in another state, this common assumption is clearly false. States have always retained the power to refuse to recognize some out-of-state marriages that violate their expressions of public policy. This has happened with, for example, marriages involving underage spouses or marriages that violate a state's consanguinity rules. Marriages do not stand on the same constitutional footing as litigated judgments. As a result, whether a state chooses to recognize a same-sex marriage celebrated in another state is a function of the recognizing state's law and its conflict-of-laws principles and not a matter of constitutional compulsion.
Horatio Alger with Affirmative Action: Review of My Beloved World, by Sonia Sotomayor

A review of My Beloved World by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, with a particular focus on her discussions of affirmative action.
Studies on the Flight of European Corn Borer Moths to Light Traps: a Progress Report

Literature on the reaction of European corn borer moths to light has, as a whole, been discouraging from the point of view of the use of light as a practical control measure. Such literature has dealt primarily with the use of the so-called ordinary types of lamps. During the more recent years, new lamps have appeared on the market as commercial or experimental types, which have shown evidence of providing a more definite response from the European corn borer adults than the ordinary types, and results of a more practical nature now seem possible.
Advanced Packaging for High Integration and High Speed Applications

The rapidly advancing technology which has brought us higher integration and higher speed LSIs has also necessitated the continuous improvement of ceramic packages.
Mechanistic Insights and Safety Evaluation of the Ritter Reaction Utilizing tert-Butyl Acetate as the tert-Butyl Cation Source

The Ritter reaction utilizing tert-butyl acetate as the tert-butyl cation source was investigated by in situ FTIR and calorimetry under various reaction conditions. It was established that, when a batch mode reaction in acetic acid was performed, minimal isobutylene was evolved into the headspace, thereby avoiding pressurization of the reaction vessel. The safety of these conditions is due to the equilibrium of isobutylene and acetic acid with tert-butyl acetate. In addition, the observation of acetic anhydride provided insight into the role of acetic acid in the mechanistic pathway.
Facial Fractures and Epistaxis

Facial fractures and epistaxis are common injuries in youth athletics. Because the oral and nasal airways may be involved, such injuries may represent true medical emergencies. Management of specific injuries varies according to anatomic location and specific details. Many athletes presenting with these problems can be managed by a primary care clinician and can return to play without extended care. A significant number of such injured athletes, however, require advanced, specialty care. Prompt recognition and appropriate treatment can avoid rare, but significant morbidity in the youth athlete.
Public Attitudes Toward Sexual Expression in Long-Term Care: Does Context Matter?:

The purpose of this study was to (a) examine how age and sex of longterm care (LTC) residents influence public attitudes toward sexuality in LTC and (b) understand how, in the absence of cognitive decline, residing in LTC influences the perception of sexuality as a basic human right. Attitudes were examined using a factorial vignette with a probability sample of 325 respondents from a southern state. Results indicate that attitudes were not statistically affected by a vignette character’s age or sex; but respondent education level, parenthood status, and religious affiliation did have direct bearing on attitudes. The notion of sexuality as a basic human right for residents of LTC was ultimately challenged as 19% of respondents said that LTC residents should not be permitted to have sexual relations with their spouse in the facility.
Pharmacodynamics of Nianmo Kuiyang Powder on oral ulcer

Objective To observe the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Nianmo Kuiyang Powder as well as the therapeutic effect on experimental oral ulcer.Methods The models of experimental oral ulcer (in rats),acid-induced writhing and croton oil-induced ear swelling (in mice) were used to determine relevant indicators.Results Nianmo Kuiyang Powder significantly improved ulcer symptoms of experimental oral ulcer,reduced ulcer diameter,inhibited ear swelling,and decreased writhing frequency.Conclusion Nianmo Kuiyang Powder has obvious anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and therapeutic effect on experimental oral ulcer.
Complications associated with covering the bronchial stump with pleura.

Coverage of the bronchial stump with parietal pleura generally should be performed after pulmonary resection. We describe four patients who underwent coverage of the bronchial stump of the right upper lobe with a laterally based parietal pleural flap. The flap eventually caused distortion and collapse of the right intermediate bronchus, necessitating reoperation in three paitents. This complication can be avoided.