cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emerging role of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a vicious and highly vascular cancer with a dismal prognosis. It is a life-threatening illness worldwide that ranks fifth in terms of cancer prevalence and third in cancer deaths. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage by which time conventional therapies are no longer effective. Targeted molecular therapies, such as the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib, provide a modest increase in survival for advanced HCC patients and display significant toxicity. Thus, there is an immense need to identify novel regulators of HCC that might be targeted effectively. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis is commonly abnormal in HCC. Upon activation, the IGF axis controls metabolism, tissue homeostasis, and survival. Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) is a secreted protein of a family of low-affinity IGF-binding proteins termed "IGFBP-related proteins" that have been identified as a potential tumor suppressor in HCC. IGFBP7 has been implicated in regulating cellular proliferation, senescence, and angiogenesis. In this review, we provide a comprehensive discussion of the role of IGFBP7 in HCC and the potential use of IGFBP7 as a novel biomarker for drug resistance and as an effective therapeutic strategy.
The Shape of the Messenger: Using Protein Structure Information to Design Novel Cytokine-based Therapeutics

The cloning and mass production of recombinant cytokine proteins opened a new world of treatment possibilities. While some cytokines, including several haematopoietic factors and interferons, are now used routinely in the clinic, there are still many problems with side effects. These are due to the many different activities of cytokines on different cell populations. In some cases, activities responsible for side effects have been attributed to discreet areas of the proteins and "structure driven design" can be used to generate novel proteins with better clinical profile. In other cases, structural alterations can enhance activity by increasing serum half-life. This review summarizes the structures of cytokines and their receptor complexes deposited in the Protein Data Base (PDB) and introduces the other articles in this issue on structure-driven design of cytokines for therapy. Cytokines fall into only a few structural classifications. Most of the growth regulatory cytokines including serum factors, growth hormone, haematopoietic growth factors, colony stimulating factors, erythropoietin, IL-3, IL-2 and interferons, are four or five helix bundles. Factors which primarily induce inflammatory responses, including TNF, lymphotoxin and IL-1, form beta-barrel structures that resemble the FGF family. Chemokines and factors that regulate multicellular responses, such as macrophage migration, neutrophil invasion and chemotaxis, have similar structures, classified as alpha + beta. One biological paradox is that many cytokines that vary greatly in function have a similar structure and share receptors. However, homologous cytokines may differ considerably in their mode of interaction with a shared receptor. A few structures for the extracellular regions of cytokine receptors are known, in several cases complexed with their biological target. These structures, coupled with structural alignment of families, indicate areas that control binding to receptors, as opposed to specific areas responsible for the specific activities of this diverse group of proteins. Methods to use cytokine structure to derive better therapeutics are summarized.
The Toxicity of Chlorpromazine and Mescaline on Mouse Cerebellum and Fibroblast Cells in Culture

: The toxicity of chlorpromazine (CPZ) and mescaline (MCL) to mouse cerebellum and fibroblast cells was studied in vitro. CPZ proved to be more toxic than MCL to both tissues. Fibroblast celles are more sensitive than the cerebellum to both CPZ and MCL.
Cultural barriers to organisational unlearning: The US army, the ‘zero‐defects’ culture and operations in the post‐cold war world

Much intellectual effort in the post‐Cold War US Army has been put into examinations of how best to conduct MOOTW and urban warfare. One of the main problems for the Army in this respect is the fact that these operations require a good deal of initiative to be displayed by troops at the lowest command levels. This has not normally been forthcoming. There is, in the Army, a ‘zero‐defects’ culture that is stymying the necessary initiative. Only when this culture has been properly appreciated and tackled will the Army that has proved itself so adept at the ‘big war’ be able to conclusively tackle the ‘small war’.
Evaluation of fetal and uterine hemodynamics during maternal cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background About 4% of pregnant women have concomitant cardiac disease and a few of these do not respond to medical therapy and require surgical correction during pregnancy. We report a unique case describing fetal hemodynamics and uterine blood flow before, during, and after maternal cardiopulmonary bypass, and compare them to normal reference values in the second trimester. Case A woman with severe aortic regurgitation underwent aortic valve replacement at 19 weeks' gestation. A nonpulsatile cardiac pump was used for cardiopulmonary bypass, maintaining the mean arterial pressure at 77–90 mmHg, with a peak flow rate of 3.5–4.0 L/minute/m 2 and core temperature of 34–35C throughout surgery. Blood velocity waveforms were recorded by Doppler ultrasound at the level of maternal main uterine artery and fetal vessels. Pulsatility index (PI) values were calculated. Preoperatively, fetal hemodynamic characteristics were within normal limits. Preoperatively, uterine artery PI was 3.9 (normal 0.5–1.5 at 20 weeks). Intraoperatively, fetal bradycardia ensued after aortic clamping (120 to 75 beats per minute), with a rise in umbilical artery PI (1.7 to 7.1) and disappearance of diastolic flow. The middle cerebral artery PI decreased (2.0 to 0.92) and the PI increased in the descending aorta (2.22 to 3.55), inferior vena cava (2.7 to 9.3), and ductus venosus (0.6 to 1.7). During bypass, after aortic clamping, nonpulsatile uterine artery flow was noted. Postoperatively, the uterine artery PI improved, to 1.0. Two days later, hydrocephalus and hydrops were observed. Conclusion Despite high peak flow rates, normal mean arterial pressure, and normothermia, fetal outcome was dismal. Nonpulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass under normothermia may not be able to meet the demands of the fetoplacental circulation.
Personality Correlates of Faculty and Course Evaluations.

This study explored the interactions of classroom experiences and selected student and faculty personality variables in faculty and course evaluations. University instructors from five disciplines and their students participated in the study. Students completed the Locus of Control Scale, Mehrabian Achievement Scale, Instructor Evaluation Form, and a semantic differential scale to assess course content and structure. Pearson and canonical correlations indicated that a student's need to achieve is significantly related to faculty evaluation. Similarly, evaluation of course content and structure was significantly related to student personality variables.
Spin-column isolation of DNA-protein interactions from complex protein mixtures for AFM imaging.

Abstract Applications of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate structural–functional interactions between DNA and proteins, at the molecular level, should prove valuable for gaining a better understanding of gene expression. Specific genomic DNA–protein interactions occur within a sea of intracellular proteins. Successful AFM imaging requires isolating the specific DNA–protein complex free of background protein contamination. Using spin-column chromatography, we report the successful isolation and AFM imaging of transcription factor DNA complexes from DNA molecules incubated with crude cell lysates. This method should be applicable for the isolation and imaging of other specific DNA–protein complexes pertinent to functional genomic research.
Superconductivity and microstructure in the Bi1.7(Pb0.3)HgxSr2Ca2Cu3Oδ (0⩽x⩽0.4) system

Abstract The superconducting properties and microstructure evolution of Hg doped Bi based compounds with the nominal composition of Bi 1.7 (Pb 0.3 )Hg x Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O δ (0⩽ x ⩽0.4) were investigated as a function of the doping level and sintering temperature. The transition to the superconductive state was observed at 94 K in the Hg doped samples sintered for 4 h and the addition of Hg increased the onset transition temperature to ≈ 118 K. Aligned grain structures and improved inter-grain linkage were observed in all the microstructures by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The density of the Hg doped samples also increased with increasing the Hg content.
A linear model method for rank measures of association from longitudinal studies with fixed conditions (visits) for data collection and more than two groups

Several statistical methods are available for the analysis of responses with ordinal categories or continuous distributions for the respective visits in longitudinal studies. This paper discusses an alternative nonparametric strategy for studies with more than two groups through Mann-Whitney rank measures of association for all pairs of groups. The proposed method is based on U-statistic theory, and it applies a linear or linear logistic model to the Mann-Whitney estimators for the probabilities of better response for each group relative to each of the others. In addition, the ways of adjusting for covariables and managing stratification factors are explained. Analysis of parallel dose-response relationships for two treatments is illustrated for the proposed method with data from a multicenter study with repeated measurements. A nonparametric estimator for relative potency is provided from the method.
Pure Components versus Pure Bundling in a Marketing Channel

Abstract This paper examines how channel interactions influence product bundling decisions by channel members. Specifically, what products or bundles should be offered, at what prices, and by which channel members, in equilibrium. To answer this, we analyze Stackelberg games between a manufacturer and retailer, with pricing and bundling as decision variables, under discrete and uniform continuous distributions of reservation prices. We find that selling pure components by both manufacturer and retailer is the equilibrium except in a narrow region of the parameter space. However, if the manufacturer can sell bundles and prevent unbundling, then such a bundling strategy is optimal in many cases. Interestingly, the channel and retailer also benefit from this strategy.
Phenylalanine hydroxylase and isozymes of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase in relationship to the phylogenetic position of Pseudomonas acidovorans (Ps. sp. ATCC 11299a).

The evolution of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis and its regulation is under study in a large assemblage of prokaryotes (Superfamily A) whose phylogenetic arrangement has been constructed on the criterion of oligonucleotide cataloging. One section of this Superfamily consists of a well defined (rRNA homology) cluster denoted as Group III pseudomonads. Pseudomonas acidovorans ATCC 11299a, a Group III member, was chosen for indepth studies of 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate (DAHP) synthase, the initial regulatory enzyme of aromatic biosynthesis. This strain is of particular interest for evolutionary studies of aromatic metabolism because it possesses phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme whose physiological role and distribution among prokaryotes is largely unknown. Although P. acidovorans ATCC 11299a has been of uncertain identity, we now establish it unambiguously as a species of acidovorans by virtue of its 87% DNA homology with P. acidovorans ATCC 15668 (type strain). This result conformed with enzyme patterning studies which placed ATCC 11299a into pseudomonad Group IIIa, a subgroup containing the acidovorans species. Crude extracts of Group III pseudomonads had previously been shown to share, as a common group characteristic, sensitivity of DAHP synthase to feedback inhibition by either l-tyrosine or l-phenylalanine. Detailed studies with partially purified preparations from strain ATCC 11299a revealed the presence of two distinct regulatory isozymes, DAHP synthase-phe and DAHP synthase-tyr. DAHP synthase-tyr is tightly controlled by l-tyrosine with 50% inhibition of activity being achieved at 4.0 μM effector. DAHP synthase-phe is inhibited 50% by 40 μM l-phenylalanine and exhibits dramatic changes in levels of activity, as well as chromatographic elution patterns, in response to dithiothreitol. This two-isozyme pattern of DAHP synthase has not been described previously, although it may prove to be widespread.
Effects of carbonate dissolution on the radiocarbon age structure of sediment mixed layers

Abstract Radiocarbon age structures of nine sediment cores from the tropical Atlantic Ocean show the effects of a depth-dependent relationship between dissolution and bioturbation. The age of the mixed layer becomes younger in cores taken from greater than 4400 m water depth. Solution-induced modification of the carbonate sediment, as indicated by weight percent fragmentation and percent resistant planktonic foraminifera, coincides with the change in age structure. The interaction of bioturbation with dissolution in sublysocline cores produces a bias in the observed radiocarbon age of the mixed layer towards young ages. Published observations of mixed layer ages in the equatorial Pacific show the reverse trend; mixed layer ages become older below the lysocline. The existence of Atlantic vs Pacific response patterns indicates that the bioturbation/dissolution relationship is environment-dependent and time-varying. This conclusion has two important implications for the interpretation of deep-sea sediment records: (1) 14C stratigraphies from different preservational settings cannot be strictly compared and (2) the steady-state solution of bioturbation models cannot be used as a tool for reconstructing the exact temporal history of a bioturbated record.
Pharmacological evaluation of the β-adrenoceptor agonist and thromboxane receptor blocking properties of 1-benzyl substituted trimetoquinol analogues

Abstract The β 1 - and β 2 adrenoceptor agonist and thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2 ) antagonist properties of trimetoquinol (TMQ, I) and 1-benzyl substituted TMQ analogues [3′-iodo-4′,5′-dimethoxy TMQ, II; 3′, 5′-diiodo-4′-dimethoxy TMQ, III; 3′,4′-dimethoxy-5′ nitro TMQ, IV; 3′,4′-dimethoxy-5′-amino TMQ;V; and 3′,4′-dimethoxy TMQ, VI] were studied in guinea pig atria ( β 1 ) and trachea ( β 2 ), and in rat thoracic aorta and human platelets, respectively. The rank order of agonist activities in β 1 - and β 2 -adrenoceptor tissues was IV⩾I>II>V>III>VI and I>II=IV=V>VI>III, respectively. An increase of β 2 / β 1 -selectivity (2- to 3-fold) was observed for analogues V and VI as compared to TMQ. The rank order of inhibitory potency against U46619-induced contraction of rat aorta and human platelet aggregation and secretion was the same (I=II=III>IV>V>VI). The results show that varying the substituents at the 3′- and 5′-positions of the trimethoxybenzyl group of TMQ produces compounds which give different profiles of biological activity for β-adrenoceptor agonism versus TXA 2 antagonism. Certain TMQ analogues, notably analogue V, showed a greater selectivity as β 2 -receptor agonists and TXA 2 antagonists in vascular smooth muscle than the parent drug (TMQ), and the iodinated analogues (II and III) have promise as potential radioligands or photoaffinity probes for thromboxane A 2 receptors.
Tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium current in rat fetal ventricular myocytes--contribution to the plateau phase of action potential.

In cardiomyocytes of some animals, the Na+ current shows slow gating properties, and seems to contribute to the plateau phase of the action potential. In the present study, we characterized the fast Na+ current in freshly-isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes from 18-day-old fetal rats, using whole-cell patch clamp, and examined a possible contribution of the Na+ current to action potential duration (APD). Currents were recorded (at 25 degrees C) in Ca(2+)-K(+)-free external and internal (pipette) solutions with 143 mM [Na]o and 20 mM [Na]i. The fast Na+ current was elicited by depolarizing steps above -47 mV from a holding potential of -97 mV. The maximal amplitude of the current was 735 +/- 94 pA (mean +/- S.E., n = 11) at -7 mV. The current density was 39.0 +/- 6.7 pA/pF (n = 9). The reversal potential was 51 +/- 3 mV (n = 11), agreeing with the equilibrium potential for Na+ (51 mV). The inward current was completely blocked in absence of [Na]o and by tetrodotoxin (TTX, 10 microns). The inactivation curve (h infinity) was sigmoidal between -127 and -27 mV, the half-inactivation potential and slope factor (k) being -69 and 9.5 mV, respectively. The activation curve (normalized gNa) was also sigmoidal, with half-activation voltage and k of -27 mV and -8.4 mV, respectively. The two curves overlapped from -60 to -30 mV. The current decay was best fitted by a two-exponential equation: (a) the time constant of the fast component (tau if) decreased from 3.9 +/- 0.6 ms at -37 mV to 0.8 +/- 0.1 ms at 23 mV; (b) the slow component (tau is) declined from 31 +/- 8 ms to 16 +/- ms at the same potentials. The recovery from inactivation had also two components: fast (tau rf = 10 +/- 2 ms) and slow (tau rs = 307 +/- 44 ms). TTX (1 micron) decreased the slow inactivating component and ADP50 by 69.5 +/- 4.2% and 25 +/- 6%, respectively. Therefore, the Na+ current in rat fetal cardiomyocytes may significantly contribute to the plateau phase of the action potential. The kinetics properties of the fast Na+ current of the 18-day fetal cardiomyocytes were compared with those from 1-day old neonatal rats. The current density was lower and the current decay was slower in the fetal cells in comparison with neonatal cells.
Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging positively impacts the management of some patients with rheumatoid arthritis or suspected RA.

OBJECTIVE: Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is important given the availability of highly effective disease-modifying antirheumatic (DMARD) medications, including biologics. However, because of associated risks and cost, accurately assessing disease activity is critical. Because magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect synovitis and bone marrow edema, both of which may precede erosion development, we sought to determine the impact of enhanced MRI on patient management in a group of patients referred for MRI by rheumatologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After institutional review board approval, we evaluated all hand MRI examinations referred by the rheumatology department for synovitis evaluation between September 2007 and May 2009. The magnetic resonance images were classified as positive or negative and later reviewed by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists. A musculoskeletal radiologist and rheumatologist jointly reviewed the patients' medical records to determine the following: (1) Did the MRI findings alter treatment? (2) Were the treatment alterations beneficial? RESULTS: The study included 48 patients (39 women and 9 men) with a mean age of 51 years (range, 18-79 years). Significant management changes initially occurred in 79% (23/29) of the positive (DMARDs added in 20) and in 11% (2/19) of the negative MR examinations with average follow-up of ~300 days. Eighty percent (16/20) of the patients with DMARDs added experienced symptom improvement, none of the patients whose medications were discontinued experienced symptom relapse, and 18% (4/22) of patients without initial therapeutic changes required delayed treatment modifications. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced MRI significantly altered clinical management in 50% of these patients with RA or suspected RA. Therefore, when the clinical picture in a patient with RA or suspected RA is unclear, enhanced MRI can provide useful guidance for treatment modifications.
Automatic knowledge base refinement for classification systems

Abstract An automated approach to knowledge base refinement, an important aspect of knowledge acquisition is described. Using empirical performance analysis, SEEK2 extends the capabilities of its predecessor rule refinement system, SEEK [17]. In this paper, the progress made since the original SEEK program is described: (a) SEEK2 works with a more general class of knowledge bases than SEEK, (b) SEEK2 has an automatic refinement capability, it can perform many of the basic tasks involved in knowledge base refinement without human interaction, (c) a metalanguage for knowledge base refinement has been specified which describes knowledge about the refinement process. Methods for estimating the expected gain in performance for a refined knowledge base and prospective test cases are described and some results are reported. An approach to justifying refinement heuristics is discussed.
An approximate method for predicting pressure distributions on blunt bodies at angle of attack

Pressure distributions prediction on blunt bodies at angle of attack, considering bodies of revolution and large angle cones
Manufacturing Technologies for Small Lot Size, Short Cycle Time and Low Cost

New manufacturing methods involving direct fabrication processes seem ideal for mass customization or “just-in-time” production. The use of tool-less means of production ensures reduced lead-time and lower cost. Besides, they provide flexibility in design and fabrication, which are essential for small lot sizes. However, part quality and production reliability are challenges that must be met. When adapted to the micro-factory paradigm, direct manufacturing can be made portable and capable of remote manufacturing. The benefits of miniaturization are savings in materials and energy consumption, but the increased surface area to volume ratio has implications for material behavior, especially mechanical strength. The newest incarnation of direct manufacturing is direct digital manufacturing or DDM, which involves localized deposition of material or energy and the creation of heterogeneous objects with digital means of control. DDM seeks spatial control of macrostructure, composition, texture and properties with the possibility of producing materials with unusual behavior, functionally gradient structures and integrated component devices. For DDM, multi-material design, precision in deposition, shaping and removal and understanding of heterogeneous material behavior are challenges.
Influence of ionic environment on the stress relaxation behavior of an invertebrate connective tissue

The rheological properties of an invertebrate connective tissue were measured in three different ionic environments. Short-term stress relaxation tests were conducted on sections of holothurian (Echinodermata) body wall immersed in isotonic monovalent and divalent salt solutions and deionized water. Using a reduced modulus format, the viscoelastic behavior over the experimental time scale was described by a two term Maxwell equation with empirically determined spring constants and relaxation times. In addition, equilibrium relaxation moduli (Ge) were estimated from the empirical relationship of Chasset and Thirion (1965, in Physics of Non Crystalline Solids, ed. Prins, North Holland). The experiments indicated that both relaxation times and equilibrium moduli decreased in the presence of monovalent and divalent inorganic ions whereby the effect of the Na+ was greater than that of the Ca++. The present findings are compared with those reported for vertebrate connective tissue.
Validity of dependent bootstrapping in finite populations

Abstract The traditional bootstrap resamples with replacement from the original sample observations to form arrays of row-wise independent and identically distributed bootstrap random variables. There are situations, for example, when sampling from finite populations, where resampling without replacement provides a more realistic bootstrap procedure and produces dependent bootstrap random variables. The desired properties of consistency and asymptotic validity are shown to hold for certain nonparametric dependent bootstrap estimators. In addition, it is shown that the smaller variation in dependent bootstrap estimators can be used to increase precision in some of the estimators.
Experimental studies of the effects of tricyanoaminopropene on the memory and learning capacities of geriatric patients.

DEPARTING from the traditional model of interaction within complex nets of neural cells, KATZ and HALSTEAD~ in 1951 proposed that information coding and storage in the brain might occur by means of biochemical mechanisms within single neurones. Various hypotheses have been advanced concerning such possible chemical storage mechanisms in neural tissue,2 and in these the potential role of nucleic acids has been prominent.3 There have been several reports on changes in nucleic acid concentration of neural tissue following stimulus input or stimulus deprivation. 4 From these it appears that the concentration of nucleic acids increases with variable stimulus input and decreases when stimuli are reduced or monotonously repetitive. Experiments with regenerated planarianss indicated that ribonuclease counteracted the retention of conditioned responses, and therefore were compatible with the hypothesis that in those organisms information could be coded and stored in nucleic acid molecules. On the basis of this report, CAMERON and his associates 6,7,s administered ribonucleic acid (RNA) to senile and arteriosclerotic patients to determine the effect of this treatment on their memory function. Their findings showed that yeast ribonucleic acid was efficacious in improving performance in certain tasks involving memory. DENBER,g however, has criticized the use of ribonucleic acid in man on a number of scores, and NODINE and his associates10 failed to confirm the findings of CAMERON et al. Although, intravenous administration of ribonucleic acid to man may not be efficacious in the treatment of memory disorders, it is possible that compounds which have been shown to increase nucleic acid synthesis in neural tissue may have some value in the treatment of memory disorders if derangement in nucleic acid metabolism is of etiological significance. In 1949, HYDEN and HARTELIUS~~ reported that a solution of malononitrile injected into rabbits produced a significant increase in the nucleoprotein content of neurons 24 hours
Predicting retention data by target factor analysis and multiple regression analysis

Abstract Target factor analysis is used to predict gas-chromatographic retention indices from a training-set data matrix for 13 solutes and 15 stationary phases. In the target-combination approach, sets of data vectors are target-tested in combination and the resulting coefficients for the best model are used for prediction. Retention indices for 42 solutes and 24 stationary phases are predicted to better than 1% even with a three-factor model. In the target free-float approach, values for missing retention indices on target test vectors are predicted. Predictions from sets of target-test data selected by chemical intuition are compared to those obtained from sets of target-test data selected by using models from the combination step. The target-combination approach and multiple-regression approach are overall of similar utility for predicting new data.
Biochemical demonstration of mu-opioid receptor association with Gsα: enhancement following morphine exposure

Abstract Biochemical data indicate μ-opioid receptor (MOR) coupling predominantly to the Gi and Go family. Additionally, MOR coupling to Gs is suggested by pharmacological assessments that have revealed excitatory MOR effects, which are resistant to pertussis toxin and sensitive to cholera toxin. However, biochemical evidence for such interactions remains elusive; Gsα has not been shown to be present in immunoprecipitate obtained using anti-MOR antibodies. In the current study, the presence of MOR in immunoprecipitate obtained with anti-Gsα antibodies was investigated using Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with MOR (MOR-CHO). MOR Western analyses of opioid naive MOR-CHO membranes immunoprecipitated using anti-Gsα antibodies reveal the presence of an ≈75–80 kDa MOR species. Interestingly, acute and chronic morphine treatment markedly enhances the magnitude of MOR that co-immunoprecipitates with Gsα, despite the concomitant down-regulation of membrane MOR protein. Enhanced co-precipitation of MOR with Gsα occurs without a concomitant increase in the immunoprecipitated Gsα protein indicating their increased association. In contrast, chronic morphine diminishes the co-immunoprecipitation of MOR with Giα. Moreover, although only a single MOR species co-immunoprecipitated with Gsα, MOR Western analysis of MOR-CHO membranes as well as immunoprecipitate obtained with either anti-MOR or anti-Giα antibodies reveals the presence of multiple molecular mass species of MOR. These data reveal the existence of a subset of MORs whose association with Gsα can be enhanced by morphine exposure. Notably, the regulation by chronic morphine of MOR association with Gsα and Giα is reciprocal. The relevance of MOR–Gsα coupling to opioid tolerance formation is discussed.
A shop floor controller class for computer-integrated manufacturing

Abstract Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) has not yet provided the expected benefits for small-to-medium volume discrete parts manufacturing operations. Typically, these systems come in over budget and yet do not provide the promised flexibility. This can be directly attributed to the high cost of control software development for integrated systems. Reusable software has been proposed as a solution to the high software development and maintenance costs. One paradigm for reusable software, object-oriented modeling and programming, has emerged as an important method for specifying, creating, and reusing software modules. This paper describes an object-oriented approach to specifying and developing shop floor controllers for automated manufacturing environments. Specifically, a shop floor controller class hierarchy has been developed based on the behaviour of specific shop floor equipment and is described in this paper. User experience has shown that software development time can be significantly redu...
Theory of high-Tc cuprate superconductivity

Abstract Hubbard model may be used for cuprate high-T c superconductors (HTSC). For these HTSC, the Cu3d and 02p energy levels are close together. The topmost valence band is the oxygen band. Since 0 −2 ions cannot exist in free state, the oxygen Hubbard parameter U may depend on hole concentration z of oxygen ion. For sufficiently strong z-dependence of U, the Fermi sea of oxygen band may become unstable toward electron density fluctuations, leading to HTSC. Theoretical T c values of La 2−x (Sr, Ba)CuO 4 and YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−x (maximum T c ∼38 and 92°K) are consistent with experimental data for 02p-Cu3d separations of −0.4 and 1 eV. For T c ∼250°K of the epitaxial films, the separation may be 4 eV. Theory explains the universality of oxygen in cuprate HTSC and the absence of of isotope effects.
CT-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment for pudendal neuralgia

was performed. A search of the electronic medical records database was conducted for biopsies performed in interventional radiology during the previous five years. All patients had CT or MRI evidence suggestive of osteomyelitis were included in the study. Patients that had evidence of osteomyelitis secondary to a known abscess or had a history of vertebral instrumentation were excluded. Two groups of patients were then analyzed: 1) patients with suspected osteomyelitis secondary to decubitus ulcers, and 2) patients with imaging and clinical concern for spondylodiscitis. The positive culture rate for each group was obtained. Results: A total of 129 patients met the inclusion criteria. Forty-six patients underwent PNB to rule out osteomyelitis secondary to decubitus ulcers and 19.6% (9/46) were culture positive for osteomyelitis. Eighty-three patients underwent PNB to rule out osteomyelitis secondary to suspected spondylodiscitis and 28.9% (24/83) were culture positive for osteomyelitis. Conclusion: This retrospective analysis demonstrated a yield rate of 19.6% for patients with osteomyelitis associated with decubitus ulcers and 28.9% for patients with osteomyelitis from suspected spondylodiscitis. The rate for osteomyelitis associated with decubitus ulcers was higher than anticipated by the investigators even given the limitation of the retrospective nature of the study. However, our data indicated that image guided PNB in the setting of decubitus ulcer and suspected spondylodiscitis was an effective means of obtaining a useful microbiology specimen that can help guide treatment algorithms.
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) enhances the release of acetylcholine by 5-HT4 and D1 receptor mechanisms in the rat prefrontal cortex.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), an amphetamine analog, has been shown recently to increase the release of acetylcholine (ACh) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The present study further characterizes the stimulatory effect of MDMA on cortical ACh release and examines the role of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) receptors in this response. The extracellular concentration of ACh was increased dose-dependently and similarly by the (+) and (−) enantiomers of MDMA (5 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.). The systemic administration of the 5-HT4 antagonist SDZ 205,557 (1 mg/kg, i.p.), but not the 5-HT2A/2B/2C antagonist LY-53,857 (3 mg/kg, i.p.), significantly decreased cortical ACh release induced by MDMA. The MDMA-induced increase in the extracellular concentration of ACh also was significantly blunted in rats treated with the D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.). The extent to which the coadministration of SDZ 205,557 and SCH 23390 suppressed the MDMA-induced release of ACh in the PFC was no greater than that produced by either antagonist alone. These results suggest that the 5-HT4 and D1 receptor subtypes contribute to the mechanism by which MDMA increases ACh release in the PFC. Synapse 58:229–235, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The retinal cells generating the circadian small spikes in the Bulla optic nerve.

A circadian rhythm in the frequency of compound action potentials (CAPs) in the optic nerve of the mollusc Bulla gouldiana is believed to be generated by the basal retinal neurons (BRNs) of the eye. Along with the CAPs, which are about 100 μV in amplitude, there are 10- to 40-μV impulses from an undetermined cell type in records from the optic nerve. These impulses, called "small spikes," are generated spontaneously in darkness and show a circadian rhythm in frequency that is about 12 hr out of phase with the CAP rhythm.To enable us to determine the origin of the small spikes, intracellular recordings were made from retinal cells while optic nerve activity was monitored. The cells were identified by their light responses and then injected with the fluorescent dye Lucifer Yellow CH or the tracer biocytin. It was found that the large photoreceptors of the distal retina generated graded depolarizations in response to light, and had axons in the optic nerve, but did not show impulses at the level of the photo...
Necrotizing pancreatitis during pregnancy: A rare cause and review of the literature

Acute pancreatitis is an uncommon cause of abdominal pain during pregnancy, and rarely progresses to the necrotizing form of the disease in this clinical setting. Hyperlipidemia is an infrequent cause of acute pancreatitis. Whereas only 100 cases of hyperlipidemia-induced necrotizing pancreatitis have been reported in the literature to date, all of the cases were mild in severity and responsive to conservative medical management. Herein we present a case of life-threatening necrotizing pancreatitis, which developed in a hyperlipidemic pregnant woman and required multiple peripartum pancreatic necrosectomies. Additionally, we review the evaluation of pregnant patients with abdominal pain, the pathophysiology of hyperlipidemia-induced necrotizing pancreatitis, and the operative care of this challenging group of patients, revisiting an innovative technique for management of the retroperitoneum.
Standards-based grading in introductory university physics

Standards-based grading (SBG) is an approach to assessment and reporting in which scores are attached to the specific learning objectives of a course, rather than to assignments or tests. Each score represents a student’s mastery of that learning objective, and may change over time in response to evidence that her level of understanding has changed. SBG is increasingly popular in K-12 education, but has been poorly documented and studied in a university context. I explored the practicality and effects of using SBG in a moderately large university class by incorporating it into the two successive courses of an introductory physics sequence. Although design flaws and logistical difficulties plagued these attempts, most students responded positively to the basic intent and elements of the approach. Our experiences revealed likely implementation errors and suggested some wise design choices. More interestingly, I found that SBG foregrounds and forces us to confront some fundamental tensions present but latent within most or all teaching.
Miracle drug, poison, or placebo: patients' experiences with antidepressant medications as described in postings on an online message board.

Messages posted on the MSN Health message board in response to a news story reporting that antidepressant medications are placebos were examined. Over 37 days, 1,624 messages were posted by 1,238 unique authors. The sampling unit consisted of 960 authors who were users. Users’ messages were gathered in real time and content analyzed. Few users explicitly responded to the question posed in the article: 2.5% of the users stated their antidepressant was a miracle drug, 2.0% stated it was a poison, and only 0.2% stated it was a placebo. Users reported positive experiences with antidepressants more than twice as often as they reported negative experiences.
Dengue virus envelope protein domain I/II hinge: A key target for dengue virus vaccine design?

Dengue virus is the most significant arboviral pathogen worldwide with nearly 400 million infections annually and half the global population at risk of disease. Despite this tremendous public health burden, there are no licensed treatments or vaccines to prevent dengue in humans. Results from clinical trials of leading vaccine candidates have demonstrated that our current understanding of the correlates of protection from dengue is incomplete, and as such vaccine performance has been moderate, but with considerable room for improvement. Here we highlight new findings revealing key neutralizing epitopes that regulate serotype-specific immunity, and discuss their implications for design and evaluation of future vaccine candidates.
Future of Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Therapeutics

SUMMARY This study reviews human clinical experience to date with several synthetic cannabinoids, including nabilone, levonantradol, ajulemic acid (CT3), dexanabinol (HU-211), HU-308, and SR141716 (Rimonabant®). Additionally, the concept of “clinical endogenous cannabinoid deficiency” is explored as a possible factor in migraine, idiopathic bowel disease, fibromyalgia and other clinical pain states. The concept of analgesic synergy of cannabinoids and opioids is addressed. A cannabinoid-mediated improvement in night vision at the retinal level is discussed, as well as its potential application to treatment of retinitis pigmentosa and other conditions. Additionally noted is the role of cannabinoid treatment in neuroprotection and its application to closed head injury, cerebrovascular accidents, and CNS degenerative diseases including Alzheimer, Huntington, Parkinson diseases and ALS. Excellent clinical results employing cannabis based medicine extracts (CBME) in spasticity and spasms of MS suggests extensi...
Navigating the Academic Market for Agricultural Economists

As Ph.D. students in Agricultural Economics and related departments near completion of their degrees, they often ask how to go about applying for positions in academia. Success in the academic market requires a long list of publications, a good set of references, a little classroom or extension teaching experience, and decent grades (in that order of priority). The obvious now being said, this article focuses on the more subtle aspects of the hunt: what to expect at various points in the process, when and where to look, how to apply, making the most of rejection, preparing to interview, handling the offer, and revising career objectives. Common pitfalls are listed for each step in the process. The literature provides information of hiring trends in agricultural economics (Marchant and Zepeda), but little guidance on how individuals go about the search. This is surprising given the availability of advice for agricultural economics professors at other stages of their academic careers. As examples, Marchant provided advice on developing a teaching program while Hamermesh (1992, 1994, 1995) illuminated elements of the publishing process. Boehlje and Levins provided data on the odds of getting tenure.
Modelling interference properties of SMPS DC power distribution buses

The potential for a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) DC distribution bus to create electromagnetic interference (EMI) is examined using the SPICE circuit analysis program. Attaching a SMPS to a long length of transmission line essentially places a time changing load across that line. This generates reflections on the line that result in short periods over which the line voltage can change by a significant percentage of the nominal voltage (as much as 100% of the nominal DC bus voltage). Although these spikes do not substantially change the DC voltage of the bus, their rapid rise/fall times can generate high-frequency signals on the bus (as on long antenna) that can radiate and cause interference with other electronic subsystems. The frequency content of these voltage spikes can extend to frequencies well above the basic switch rate of the individual SMPS units that are connected to the bus. The potential EMI of these spikes is strongly related to the nominal DC operating voltage of the DC bus. The higher the bus voltage, the larger the amplitudes of these spikes. >
Genetic basis of aboveground productivity in two native Populus species and their hybrids

Summary Demonstration of genetic control over riparian tree productivity has major implications for responses of riparian systems to shifting environmental conditions and effects of genetics on ecosystems in general. We used field studies and common gardens, applying both molecular and quantitative techniques, to compare plot-level tree aboveground net primary productivity (ANPPtree) and individual tree growth rate constants in relation to plant genetic identity in two naturally occurring Populus tree species and their hybrids. In field comparisons of four cross types (Populus fremontii S. Wats., Populus angustifolia James, F1 hybrids and backcross hybrids) across 11 natural stands, productivity was greatest for P. fremontii trees, followed by hybrids and lowest in P. angustifolia. A similar pattern was observed in four common gardens across a 290 m elevation and 100 km environmental gradient. Despite a doubling in productivity across the common gardens, the relative differences among the cross types remained constant. Using clonal replicates in a common garden, we found ANPPtree to be a heritable plant trait (i.e., broad-sense heritability), such that plant genetic factors explained between 38% and 82% of the variation in ANPPtree. Furthermore, analysis of the genetic composition among individual tree genotypes using restriction fragment length polymorphism molecular markers showed that genetically similar trees also exhibited similar ANPPtree. These findings indicate strong genetic contributions to natural variation in ANPP with important ecological implications.
Macro and micro deformations in a sandwich foam core

Most of the current theoretical and experimental investigations deal with macro/global response of sandwich materials. However, damages are often initiated microscopically. Thus it is necessary that one investigates the micro-mechanics as well as macro-mechanics damage mechanisms of such a material. Two digital random speckle techniques (one macro and one micro) are introduced to map the full field deformation surrounding a crack in the foam core of a sandwich beam. We find that at the macro-scale the deformation pattern is quite similar to that in a homogeneous and isotropic material. However at the micro-scale, the deformation pattern is quite complicated.
Modern Supercritical Fluid Technology for Food Applications

This review provides an update on the use of supercritical fluid (SCF) technology as applied to food-based materials. It advocates the use of the solubility parameter theory (SPT) for rationalizing the results obtained when employing sub- and supercritical media to food and nutrient-bearing materials and for optimizing processing conditions. Total extraction and fractionation of foodstuffs employing SCFs are compared and are illustrated by using multiple fluids and unit processes to obtain the desired food product. Some of the additional prophylactic benefits of using carbon dioxide as the processing fluid are explained and illustrated with multiple examples of commercial products produced using SCF media. I emphasize the role of SCF technology in the context of environmentally benign and sustainable processing, as well as its integration into an overall biorefinery concept. Conclusions are drawn in terms of current trends in the field and future research that is needed to secure new applications of the SCF platform as applied in food science and technology.