cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A structural constitutive model for smooth muscle contraction in biological tissues

A structural constitutive model that characterizes the active and passive responses of biological tissues with smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is proposed. The model is formulated under the assumption that the contractile units in SMCs and the connected collagen fibers are the active tissue component, while the collagen fibers not connected to the SMCs are the passive tissue component. An evolution law describing the deformation of the active tissue component over time is developed based on the sliding filament theory. In this evolution law the contraction force is the sum of a motor force that initiates contraction, a viscous force that describes the actin–myosin filament sliding, and an elastic force that accounts for the deformation of the cross-bridges. The mechanical response of the collagen fibers is governed by the fiber recruitment process: collagen fibers support load and behave as a linear elastic material only after becoming taut. The proposed structural constitutive model is tested with published active and passive, uniaxial and biaxial experimental data on pig arteries.
Life and Death Signaling Pathways Contributing to Skin Cancer

Apoptosis is generally regarded as a critical regulatory event in the development of malignancies in several different organ systems (Thompson, 1995). Initially, oncologists focused on alterations in rates of proliferation and cell cycle kinetics, but more recently an emphasis on apoptosis has dominated the fight against cancer (Evan and Vousden, 2001). As approximately 1,000,000 individuals in the U.S.A. develop skin cancer each year, it is important to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that govern cell survival and cell death in the epidermis (Miller and Weinstock, 1994). Moreover, given that most skin cancers occur on sun-exposed skin, the pro-apoptotic and antiapoptotic response of keratinocytes (KC) to UV light is of particular relevance to the development of skin cancer (Brash et al, 1996). Whereas both squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) arise from epidermal KC, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the natural history of their development, their underlying molecular pathogenesis, and potential involvement of antiapoptotic pathways are significantly different. Nonetheless, as pointed out later in the text, significant progress is being made in our understanding of the pathophysiology of these relatively common epithelial-cell-derived neoplasms. In this review we will explore four topics: first, a review of the life and death signaling pathways operative in normal human skin that prevents premature apoptosis of KC with an emphasis on nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) survival signals; second, the molecular pathways that are engaged and regulate apoptosis after normal KC are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light; third, the apoptotic resistant mechanisms that premalignant and malignant KC utilize to avoid cell death; fourth, therapeutic strategies that can render malignant cells more susceptible to apoptosis with an emphasis on a death pathway mediated by the death ligand TRAIL.
Relative Effects of Ionizing Radiation and Winds from O-Type Stars on the Structure and Dynamics of H ii Regions

The structure and dynamics of H ii regions (and some planetary nebulae) are affected not only by radiative heating via photoionization but also by winds from the embedded O-type stars. When a fast wind (c m s 1 ) turns on, a hot ( K) bubble heated by the wind expands into the warm ( K) 84 4 v ≥ 10 T k 10 T 10 surrounding nebula which is heated and mechanically driven by photoionization. The bubble and a shell of swept- up, i.e., shocked, nebular gas evolve under the influence of mechanical effects and radiative cooling. Previous calculations of wind effects make no direct comparison of the dynamical effects of the heating through photoionization. In addition, most previous calculations deal with particular combinations of wind strength and interstellar gas density. Here, we derive simple scaling laws for spherically symmetric, homogeneous model nebulae with uniform density and make direct comparison of wind effects and photoionization effects for much wider ranges of nebular densities, stellar luminosities, and wind strengths than have been considered in previous works. Lifetimes, energies, volumes, and masses of wind-affected material are compared to similar quantities for nebular material heated and driven by photoionization. For the simple models considered in this study, photoionization dominates as winds with strengths expected for zero-age O-type stars are of little influence in the ultimate overall structure and dynamics of radiation-bounded H ii regions, except for the "best case for wind" models featuring nebulae of very high density ( g cm 3 , 19 r 10 cm 3 ). Consequently, even though heating by photoionization seems to dominate the evolution of 56 N 10 -10 H i regions and the formation of H ii regions surrounding O-type stars, dense molecular clouds may be more strongly influenced by winds. Winds can also be more influential in the overall structure and dynamics of gas- bounded H ii regions of moderate density if the system is sufficiently optically thin to ionizing radiation.
Contractual Arrangement and Marketing Practices in the Indirect Export Channel

The association between contractual arrangement and the marketing practices of export intermediaries and domestic supplies is examined. Based on data collected from a national sample of export management companies, the effect of structuring the export arrangement as a contractual, administrative, or conventional channel is analyzed. Prior research suggests that contractual form establishes the framework within which all the economic and sociopolitical interactions between the supplier and export middleman take place. Hypothesized relationship between export practices and channel structure are empirically tested, and the central role of structure in the operation of export channels is largely confirmed.
The state of statistics in agricultural science

The history of statistics in agricultural research is a history of designed experiments in the basic sciences combined with applications on production agriculture and commodity processing. In agriculture, we deal with the variabilities between and within plantand animal species growing and reproducing in variable environments. Early statistical procedures were primarily concerned with partitioning of variances and hypothesis testing. We continue to use these basic procedures, with many modern updates. The basic statistical toolbox of the agricultural scientist was changed by the computer revolution and is continuing to be changed by advances in experimental designs, computer graphics, and measurement systems. Agricultural scientists are using statistical procedures adapted from engineers, ecologists, and economists in order to deal with the growing problems of analysis and interpretation of more and more data. Problems associated with sampling will continue to grow, especially when dealing with rare or highly variable events, such as insect counts, microorganisms, mycotoxins, or specific metabolites. The statisticians will be asked to provide usable, efficient, understandable, user-friendly procedures to analyze and interpret more and more complex data.
Inhibition of Paclitaxel Metabolism In Vitro in Human Hepatocytes by Ginkgo biloba Preparations

Since the late 1980s, chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment, also known as “chemobrain”, has been a recognized side effect in patients undergoing cancer treatment (). Although products containing Ginkgo biloba may be used by patients undergoing chemotherapy with paclitaxel and other agents, the potential for an herb–drug interaction with this combination has not been adequately explored. This report describes the inhibition of paclitaxel metabolism by Ginkgo preparations in vitro in human hepatocytes. Hydrolyzate of Ginkgo extract (10–100 mM in terpene lactone concentration) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the 6α -hydroxylation of paclitaxel, the enzymatic activity responsible for the majority of the clearance of that drug in clinical applications; parent extract had no effect. Contrary to the assumed therapeutic benefit of Ginkgo, its concomitant use with paclitaxel could result in elevated blood levels of the chemotherapeutic, with attendant exacerbation of cognitive impairment and other toxic...
Advances in the development of an AlGaAs/GaAs cascade solar cell using a patterned germanium tunnel interconnect

Abstract In this paper, we discuss various aspects of the development of an inverted-grown AlGaAs/GaAs cascade solar cell incorporating a patterned germanium tunnel junction. Topics include the development of the Al 0.37 Ga 0.63 As top cell, the growth of the GaAs bottom cell over the patterned germanium tunnel junction, and a technique for selective removal of thin AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures after lattice-matched growth of germanium substrates. The problems to be overcome for the achievement of around 30% efficiencies in the AlGaAs/GaAs cascade cell under concentrator applications are also discussed.
Gigapixel synthetic-aperture digital holography

Building on the work of Goodman and Lawrence [1], we have extended digital holographic imaging to gigapixel scales with 2-D aperture synthesis. Sub-pixel registration algorithms were required to mosaic together thousands of arrays of data, and phase-error correction algorithms were required to correct for system instabilities.
Molecular determinants of specificity for synthetic nucleoside analogs in the concentrative nucleoside transporter, CNT2

Members of the concentrative nucleoside transporter (CNT) family (SLC28) mediate the transport of naturally-occurring nucleosides, and nucleoside analog drugs across the plasma membrane of epithelial cells. Each of the three CNT family members has a distinct specificity for naturally occurring nucleosides, and residues that contribute to the specificity of each transporter have been identified. In contrast, the molecular determinants of specificity for synthetic nucleoside analogs are not known. In this study, we take advantage of the large species difference that exists between human and rat CNT2 (hCNT2 and rCNT2) in their ability to transport the nucleoside analog drug cladribine, 2CdA, (rCNT2 > > > hCNT2) to identify the critical domains and amino acid residues that contribute to the observed difference in specificity between CNT2 orthologs. Using chimeric proteins of human and rat CNT2, we determined that the C-terminal half of CNT2 contained the determinants of 2CdA selectivity. We replaced key residues in the C terminus of hCNT2 with the equivalent residue in rCNT2. One residue in the C-terminal portion of CNT2 was found to significantly contribute to 2CdA selectivity: hCNT2-S354A. This mutant caused an increase of 5-6-fold over hCNT2. The 2-chloro pharmacophore, rather than the 2'-deoxyribose was responsible for the reduced 2CdA uptake by hCNT2. Our data are consistent with a model in which an increased capability for hydrogen bonding in critical amino acids that reside in the C terminus of rCNT2 contributes to its enhanced selectivity for 2CdA.
Quantitative structure-activity relationships of protoporphyrinogen oxidase-inhibiting diphenyl ether herbicides

Abstract Diphenyl ether (DPE) herbicides induce protoporphyrin IX (Proto IX) accumulation in plants by inhibiting the enzyme protoporphyrinogen oxidase (Protox). Others have shown DPE herbicides to inhibit Protox competitively with respect to its substrate, protoporphyrinogen IX (Protogen). We compared the geometrical, bulk, and electronic parameters of Protogen and the DPE acifluorfen. Our analysis suggests that a competitive inhibitor of Protox must be bicyclic, representing roughly one half fraction of Protogen, for fulfilling the steric complementarity. We also examined the relationships between molecular properties of 24 DPE herbicides and their effects on enzyme-inhibitory and herbicidal activities in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). All compounds inhibited Protox although their I50 values ranged from 0.008 to 420 μM. The QSAR involving 24 DPEs showed that (a) the electronic (partial charge, SLUMO, and dipole moment) and lipophilicity properties accounted for the variation in the Protox-inhibiting activity and (b) the molecular bulk and overall electrostatic potentials were responsible for the observed variation in the herbicidal effects. In general, the analogues with substitutions on the m-carbon of the p-nitrophenyl ring were highly active as both enzyme-inhibitors and herbicides. Neither the enzyme-inhibitory activity nor the initial herbicidal activity were changed by substituting a p-chloro for a p-nitro group. In the acifluorfen-methyl structure, the herbicidal activity was completely lost when the CF3 group was moved from the para to the meta position. Compounds with sulfide, sulfoxide, or sulfone bridges between the phenyl rings were herbicidally inactive.
K–Ar ages of meteorites: Clues to parent-body thermal histories

Abstract Whereas most radiometric chronometers give formation ages of individual meteorites >4.5 Ga ago, the K–Ar chronometer rarely gives times of meteorite formation. Instead, K–Ar ages obtained by the 39Ar–40Ar technique span the entire age of the solar system and typically measure the diverse thermal histories of meteorites or their parent objects, as produced by internal parent body metamorphism or impact heating. This paper briefly explains the Ar–Ar dating technique. It then reviews Ar–Ar ages of several different types of meteorites, representing at least 16 different parent bodies, and discusses the likely thermal histories these ages represent. Ar–Ar ages of ordinary (H, L, and LL) chondrites, R chondrites, and enstatite meteorites yield cooling times following internal parent body metamorphism extending over ∼200 Ma after parent body formation, consistent with parent bodies of ∼100 km diameter. For a suite of H-chondrites, Ar–Ar and U–Pb ages anti-correlate with the degree of metamorphism, consistent with increasing metamorphic temperatures and longer cooling times at greater depths within the parent body. In contrast, acapulcoites–lodranites, although metamorphosed to higher temperatures than chondrites, give Ar–Ar ages which cluster tightly at ∼4.51 Ga. Ar–Ar ages of silicate from IAB iron meteorites give a continual distribution across ∼4.53–4.32 Ga, whereas silicate from IIE iron meteorites give Ar–Ar ages of either ∼4.5 Ga or ∼3.7 Ga. Both of these parent bodies suffered early, intense collisional heating and mixing. Comparison of Ar–Ar and I–Xe ages for silicate from three other iron meteorites also suggests very early collisional heating and mixing. Most mesosiderites show Ar–Ar ages of ∼3.9 Ga, and their significantly sloped age spectra and Ar diffusion properties, as well as Ni diffusion profiles in metal, indicate very deep burial after collisional mixing and cooling at a very slow rate of ∼0.2 °C/Ma. Ar–Ar ages of a large number of brecciated eucrites range over ∼3.4–4.1 Ga, similar to ages of many lunar highland rocks. These ages on both bodies were reset by large impact heating events, possibly initiated by movements of the giant planets. Many impact-heated chondrites show impact-reset Ar–Ar ages of either >3.5 Ga or
Telescoping composite mechanics for composite behavior simulation

Abstract Telescoping composite mechanics are described and implemented in terms of recursive laminate theory. The initial elemental scale is defined where simple equations are derived. Subsequently these mechanics are applied to homogeneous composites, hybrid composites, smart composites and composite enhanced reinforced concrete structures. Results from those applications are presented in terms of tables/figures to illustrate the versatility and generality of telescoping composite mechanics. Comparisons with methods such as approximate, single cell, and 2D and 3D finite element demonstrate the predictive accuracy and computational effectiveness of composite telescoping mechanics.
Quantum yield for NO3 production from photolysis of ClONO2

Abstract Chlorine nitrate, ClONO 2 , was photolyzed at 249 nm by a 10 ns pulse from an excimer laser, and the primary product NO 3 was followed by tunable dye-laser absorption at 662 nm. With Ar or Ar plus CH 4 as carrier gases between 20 and 100 Torr, the primary quantum yield for NO 3 was 0.55 (−0.1 to +0.3).
Update on Biliary Strictures in Liver Transplants

Biliary complications continue to be the Achilles heel of orthotopic liver transplantation. These include ischemic-type biliary lesions that mostly affect liver allografts donated after cardiac and lead to increased morbidity and retransplantation in patients undergoing liver transplantation. Although this entity has been recognized for >20 years, the true mechanism of injury remains unknown. Identification of the pathogenesis will likely lead to the increased use of grafts donated after cardiac death and thus increase the organ pool. This update reviews the risk factors that have been implicated in ischemic-type biliary lesion formation, potential therapies, and mechanisms that might lead to their formation.
Acute bowel morbidity after prostate brachytherapy with cesium-131

Abstract Purpose The present study evaluates the severity and time to resolution of bowel symptoms in men undergoing prostate brachytherapy (PB) with cesium-131 ( 131 Cs). Methods and Materials A longitudinal, prospective study of patients who had undergone PB with 131 Cs at a single institution was performed. All patients were asked to complete the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite preoperatively and at 2 weeks and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Student’s t test. Results The first 142 patients to have undergone PB with 131 Cs at our institution were included in the study. The mean Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite bowel summary score at baseline was 90.1 ± 11.0 compared with 71.5 ± 22.8 ( p = 0.000), 70.1 ± 20.7, 87.1 ± 13.8 ( p = 0.01), and 90.7 ± 9.2 ( p = 0.70) at 2 weeks and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. Conclusions In men undergoing PB as monotherapy with 131 Cs, bowel symptoms returned to baseline by 3 months after the procedure. For patients undergoing PB with 131 Cs as part of combination therapy, bowel symptoms return to their post–external beam radiotherapy, pre-PB baseline by 3 months after the procedure.
Performance-based university research funding systems

Abstract The university research environment has been undergoing profound change in recent decades and performance-based research funding systems (PRFSs) are one of the many novelties introduced. This paper seeks to find general lessons in the accumulated experience with PRFSs that can serve to enrich our understanding of how research policy and innovation systems are evolving. The paper also links the PRFS experience with the public management literature, particularly new public management, and understanding of public sector performance evaluation systems. PRFSs were found to be complex, dynamic systems, balancing peer review and metrics, accommodating differences between fields, and involving lengthy consultation with the academic community and transparency in data and results. Although the importance of PRFSs seems based on their distribution of universities’ research funding, this is something of an illusion, and the literature agrees that it is the competition for prestige created by a PRSF that creates powerful incentives within university systems. The literature suggests that under the right circumstances a PRFS will enhance control by professional elites. PRFSs since they aim for excellence, may compromise other important values such as equity or diversity. They will not serve the goal of enhancing the economic relevance of research.
TherfbGenes inAzotobacter vinelandiiAre Arranged in arfbFGCGene Cluster: A Significant Deviation to the Arrangement of therfbGenes in Enterobacteriaceae☆

Abstract We report the identification of rfbF and rfbC located adjacent to the previously identified rfbG (Gavini et. al. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 1997, 240, 153-161) from the non-symbiotic, non-pathogenic soil bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii. The rfbF open reading frame encodes a putative polypeptide of 256 amino acids. This polypeptide shares a homology of 74% with the RfbF of Synechocystis sp. and a 70% homology with the AscA of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis which function as α-D-glucose-1-phosphate cytidylyltransferases in the biosynthesis of the O-antigen. The rfbC encodes a putative polypeptide of 186 amino acids. It shows strongest homology to the RfbC of Synechocystis sp. (64%) and Salmonella typhimurium (40%). RfbC functions as a dTDP-4-Dehydrorhamnose 3,5-Epimerase. The genes identified here have a low G+C content (∼56%) as compared to the A. vinelandii chromosome (∼63%) which is characteristic of the rfb clusters identified in other bacteria and may be indicative of the acquisition of the rfb genes by interspecific gene transfer. Despite the high level of sequence conservation, the organization of the rfb genes in A. vinelandii deviates from the arrangement of the most thoroughly studied rfb gene clusters of Enterobacteriaceae.
Distinctions in the diets and distributions of larval tunas and the important role of appendicularians

Monthly plankton sampling across the Straits of Florida (SOF) allowed for a thorough investigation of the feeding ecologies of four taxa of larval tunas (family Scombridae, tribe Thunnini) and the horizontal and vertical distributions of tuna larvae and their dominant prey. Before piscivory, Thunnus spp. larvae had a mixed diet of crustaceans and appendicularians, whereas skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus), and Auxis spp. displayed highly selective and nearly exclusive feeding on appendicularians. The availability of both appendicularians and larval fish prey declined from west to east across the SOF, and appendicularians were notably patchy. In the western SOF where prey was more abundant, all taxa of tuna larvae co-occurred, indicating the sharing of resources by the larvae, in addition to the adults of these taxa using similar spawning habitat upstream in the Florida Current. In the central and eastern SOF, where prey was less abundant, only Thunnus spp. and skipjack tuna co-occurred, and these two taxa exhibited significantly different vertical distributions. Prey removal rates (estimated from gut evacuation rates and daily rations) occurring in the western SOF where tuna taxa co-occurred are likely to be sustainable by appendicularian levels within this region but would potentially not be by levels in the east. The spatial and trophic characteristics of these four abundant larval taxa highlight the potential influence of feeding-related processes on larval and adult behavior, while also illustrating a critical trophic link to the microbial food web provided by appendicularians in this oligotrophic environment.
Transcriptional Activation by Bacillus subtilis ResD: Tandem Binding to Target Elements and Phosphorylation-Dependent and -Independent Transcriptional Activation

The expression of genes involved in nitrate respiration in Bacillus subtilis is regulated by the ResD-ResE two-component signal transduction system. The membrane-bound ResE sensor kinase perceives a redox-related signal(s) and phosphorylates the cognate response regulator ResD, which enables interaction of ResD with ResD-dependent promoters to activate transcription. Hydroxyl radical footprinting analysis revealed that ResD tandemly binds to the -41 to -83 region of hmp and the -46 to -92 region of nasD. In vitro runoff transcription experiments showed that ResD is necessary and sufficient to activate transcription of the ResDE regulon. Although phosphorylation of ResD by ResE kinase greatly stimulated transcription, unphosphorylated ResD, as well as ResD with a phosphorylation site (Asp57) mutation, was able to activate transcription at a low level. The D57A mutant was shown to retain the activity in vivo to induce transcription of the ResDE regulon in response to oxygen limitation, suggesting that ResD itself, in addition to its activation through phosphorylation-mediated conformation change, senses oxygen limitation via an unknown mechanism leading to anaerobic gene activation.
Atom transfer radical polymerization of ionic liquid monomer: The influence of salt/counterion on polymerization

Understanding the influence of salt/counterion on atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is important to optimize the conditions for ATRP of ionic monomers, such as ionic liquid monomer. This article reports the results of a systematical investigation of the variables associated with ATRP in the presence of different types and amounts of salts, solvents, ligands, and monomers. A series of control ATRP experiments were conducted under various polymerization conditions. The kinetics of the polymerizations, the molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution of the formed polymers were studied by nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography. The results indicated that all of the studied variables influenced the ATRP process to different degrees. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 2175–2184
Nasal analysis for secondary rhinoplasty.

David W. Kim, MD*, Dean M. Toriumi, MD Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of California at San Francisco, 400 Parnassus Avenue A-730, San Francisco, CA 94143-0342, USA Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1855 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Symposium on explanations and social ontology 1: rational choice theory and social explanation

In the Common Mind, Pettit argues that rational choice theory cannot provide genuine causal accounts of action. A genuine causal explanation of intentional action must track how people actually deliberate to arrive at action. And, deliberation is necessarily enculturated or situated “. . . we take human agents to reason their way to action, using the concepts that are available to them in the currency of their culture” (p. 220). When deciding how to act, “. . . people find their way to action in response to properties that they register in the options before them, properties that are valued in common with others and that can be invoked to provide at least some justification of their choices” (p. 272). That people seek to make justified decisions implies that, at times, their own goals or objectives will be modified in deliberation. Something that rational choice theory cannot allow.
Representation of geometric features, tolerances, and attributes in solid modelers based on constructive geometry

Tolerancing and surface finish data are essential for automatically planning the manufacture, inspection, and robotic assembly of mechanical components. A scheme for representing surface features in a solid modeler based on constructive solid geometry (CSG) and for associating tolerances and other attributes with such features. It shows conclusively that commonly-held beliefs on CSG's inability to deal with surface features and tolerances are unfounded. The scheme has been implemented in the PADL-2 modeling system and is being used to support research on high-level languages for programming numerically controlled (NC) machine tools.
Has the number of Indian summer monsoon depressions decreased over the last 30 years

Monsoon depressions are cyclonic atmospheric vortices with outer radii near 1000 km that form within the larger-scale monsoon circulations of India and other regions. Recent studies have reported a downward trend in recent decades in the number of Indian summer monsoon depressions. In particular, the years 2002, 2010, and 2012 were noted for having the first summers, in over a century, in which no depressions formed. Here satellite and reanalysis data are used to document the existence of multiple storms in the summers of 2002, 2010, and 2012 that meet traditional criteria for classification as monsoon depressions. Furthermore, the number of extreme synoptic events occurring each summer over the Bay of Bengal is estimated from satellite scatterometers and exhibits no statistically significant trend over the last three decades. These results raise questions about the validity of previously claimed large trends in monsoon depression activity in the Indian summer monsoon.
Air and Water Contributions to Polar Motion Excitation

Modern space-geodetic observations show that the Earth’s polar motion occurs over a broad range of frequencies from below the Chandler frequency at fractions of a cycle per year (cpy), up to tens of cycles per year. Across this entire frequency band, the excitation sources for polar motion are only partially understood. Several studies have confirmed that meteorological effects, especially air mass redistribution, are correlated with observed polar motion within various frequency bands,(Wilson and Haubrich, 1976a, Wahr, 1982a, Eubanks et al, 1989), but the correlation has been imperfect, and the variance of observed air and water motion insufficient, suggesting that additional unknown sources must exist This paper reviews the studies of the contributions of air and water redistribution to polar motion excitation, with particular attention to estimates of the effects of continental water storage variation. Additional details are presented by Kuehne (1989). Because water can be stored on land in many forms, including ground water, ice, vegetation, and soil moisture, the estimates of water storage effects are difficult to obtain, but the general order of magnitude can be inferred from the widely available records of precipitation, in combination with other data and reasonable assumptions about climatological variation. The magnitude of the estimates suggests that continental water storage does not account for the unexplained portion of polar motion. A discrepancy in polar motion excitation persists over a broad band of frequencies including the annual frequency, where air and water are the certain cause. This implies that there are additional polar motion excitation sources in the atmosphere and oceans which remain unidentified.
Oleander poisoning: Treatment with digoxin-specific fab antibody fragments

A 37-year-old man presented two hours after the ingestion of "a handful" of oleander leaves (probably Nerium oleander) in a suicide attempt. Cardiotoxicity was evidenced by the presence of bradycardia (rate, 30 to 45) with sinoatrial nodal arrest and junctional escape consistent with a cardiac glycoside effect. The patient was treated empirically with a single dose of five vials (200 mg) of digoxin-specific Fab antibody fragments (Digibind). The pretreatment digoxin level was 1.5 ng/mL. After treatment, the patient's rhythm stabilized with residual sinus bradycardia (rate, 56). The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on the fifth hospital day to inpatient psychiatric care.
Glomus Jugulare Tumors Masquerading as Benign Intracranial Hypertension

Intracranial hypertension has been reported as a complication of massive glomus jugulare tumors with intracranial extension. We describe a patient with papilledema, failing vision, and a diagnosis of benign intracranial hypertension with bilateral glomus jugulare tumors that went undetected for 2 years. There was no evidence of intracranial invasion by the tumors to explain the elevation of intracranial pressure. Embolization followed by surgical removal of the left tumor resulted in stabilization of the neurologic condition and preservation of the lower cranial nerves, including intact hearing. The likely mechanism of intracranial hypertension in this case is an impairment of cerebrospinal fluid absorption. This unusual presentation should be recognized to avoid delayed diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, intracranial hypertension is not always associated with massive intracranial tumor involvement, as had been previously proposed. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1994;120:1277-1280)
Contemporary Visions of Psychotherapy Supervision: Sharing Perspective, Identifying Need, and Charting Possibility

Psychotherapy supervision has now celebrated its first centennial, is poised to move boldly forward into its second century of contribution to psychotherapy education, and seems perfectly positioned to further advance our knowledge about and practice of how to effectively facilitate, influence, and mentor our supervisees. Professional interest in and recognition of psychotherapy supervision appears to be at an all time high, and its value as a potentially alchemical educational event seems increasingly incontrovertible. But if supervision is to maintain and even enhance its substance and significance in 21st century psychotherapy education, what are the matters to which we as supervision practitioners, researchers, and theorists must vigilantly attend and vigorously address? In this special supervision issue of the Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, we would like to examine some of those matters. The topics that are addressed include: competencies, evidence-based practice, and supervising psychoanalytic/psychodynamic, cognitive/behavioral, humanistic/existential, and integrative/eclectic psychotherapies. The binding theme of “pressing needs and impressing possibilities” will be evident throughout this journal issue. In this introductory paper, I briefly define psychotherapy supervision, consider its beginnings, provide a rationale for this special issue, and identify the specific questions that give focus and frame to each of the succeeding contributions.
Hypothalamic catecholamines and adrenergic innervation of hypothalamic blood vessels. Potential role in shock.

Previous studies by a number of investigators have established that the hypothalamus contains the highest concentration of norepinephrine (NE) among all regions of the brain (3,4,12,13,14, 24,26). This appears to be true of all species that have been studied. Results from our own studies in a number of laboratory species are shown in Table 1. We have also made extensive studies on the distribution of NE in various regions of the brain in the cat and squirrel monkey. These results are summarized in Table 2 and indicate that there are no striking differences in this respect between the feline and primate. The results obtained in the cat agree with previous findings (3, 18). Of all the tissues examined (Table 2) the hypothalamus had the highest concentration of norepinephrine (NE).
Structural genomics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: a preliminary report of progress at UCLA

The growing list of fully sequenced genomes, combined with innovations in the fields of structural biology and bioinformatics, provides a synergy for the discovery of new drug targets. With this background, the TB Structural Genomics Consortium has been formed. This international consortium is comprised of laboratories from 31 universities and institutes in 13 countries. The goal of the consortium is to determine the structures of over 400 potential drug targets from the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and analyze their structures in the context of functional information. We summarize the efforts of the UCLA consortium members. Potential drug targets were selected using a variety of bioinformatics methods and screened for certain physical and species-specific properties to yield a starting group of protein targets for structure determination. Target determination methods include protein phylogenetic profiles and Rosetta Stone methods, and the use of related biochemical pathways to select genes linked to essential prokaryotic genes. Criteria imposed on target selection included potential protein solubility, protein or domain size, and targets that lack homologs in eukaryotic organisms. In addition, some protein targets were chosen that are specific to M. tuberculosis, such as PE and PPE domains. Thus far, the UCLA group has cloned 263 targets, expressed 171 proteins and purified 40 proteins, which are currently in crystallization trials. Our efforts have yielded 13 crystals and eight structures. Seven structures are summarized here. Four of the structures are secreted proteins: antigen 85B; MPT 63, which is one of the three major secreted proteins of M. tuberculosis; a thioredoxin derivative Rv2878c; and potentially secreted glutamate synthetase. We also report the structures of three proteins that are potentially essential to the survival of M. tuberculosis: a protein involved in the folate biosynthetic pathway (Rv3607c); a protein involved in the biosynthesis of vitamin B5 (Rv3602c); and a pyrophosphatase, Rv2697c. Our approach to the M. tuberculosis structural genomics project will yield information for drug design and vaccine production against tuberculosis. In addition, this study will provide further insights into the mechanisms of mycobacterial pathogenesis.
Assessment of Volt/Var control schemes at power distribution level

This paper proposes a general approach to assess the effectiveness of a Volt/Var control (VVC) scheme for a power distribution system. It first provides a comprehensive list of possible performance metrics for VVC. Then, a power flow based method is proposed to estimate the metrics considered. To illustrate the approach, a case study for a given VVC scheme on a test feeder with high PV penetration is also presented.
Sexual Dysfunction in Uremia

In summary, sexual dysfunction is a common finding in both men and women with chronic renal failure. Common disturbances include erectile dysfunction in men, menstrual abnormalities in women, and decreased libido and fertility in both sexes. These abnormalities are primarily organic in nature and are related to uremia as well as the other comorbid conditions that frequently accompany the chronic renal failure patient. Fatigue and psychosocial factors related to the presence of a chronic disease are also contributory factors. Disturbances in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis can be detected before the need for dialysis but continue to worsen once dialytic therapy is initiated. Impaired gonadal function is prominent in uremic men, whereas the disturbances in the hypothalamicpituitary axis are more subtle. By contrast, central disturbances are more prominent in uremic women. Therapy is initially directed toward optimizing the delivery of dialysis, correcting anemia with recombinant erythropoietin, and controlling the degree of secondary hyperparathyroidism with vitamin D. For many practicing nephrologists, sildenafil has become the first-line therapy in the treatment of impotence. In the hypogonadal man whose only complaint is decreased libido, testosterone may be of benefit. Regular gynecologic follow-up is required in uremic women to guard against potential complications of unopposed estrogen effect. Uremic women should be advised against pregnancy while on dialysis. Successful transplantation is the most effective means of restoring normal sexual function in both men and women with chronic renal failure.
Immortalized cell lines for real-time analysis of circadian pacemaker and peripheral oscillator properties.

In the mammalian circadian system, cell-autonomous clocks in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) are distinguished from those in other brain regions and peripheral tissues by the capacity to generate coordinated rhythms and drive oscillations in other cells. To further establish in vitro models for distinguishing the functional properties of SCN and peripheral oscillators, we developed immortalized cell lines derived from fibroblasts and the SCN anlage of mPer2 (Luc) knockin mice. Circadian rhythms in luminescence driven by the mPER2::LUC fusion protein were observed in cultures of mPer2 (Luc) SCN cells and in serum-shocked or SCN2.2-co-cultured mPer2 (Luc) fibroblasts. SCN mPer2 (Luc) cells generated self-sustained circadian oscillations that persisted for at least four cycles with periodicities of ≈24 h. Immortalized fibroblasts only showed circadian rhythms of mPER2::LUC expression in response to serum shock or when co-cultured with SCN2.2 cells. Circadian oscillations of luminescence in mPer2 (Luc) fibroblasts decayed after 3-4 cycles in serum-shocked cultures but robustly persisted for 6-7 cycles in the presence of SCN2.2 cells. In the co-culture model, the circadian behavior of mPer2 (Luc) fibroblasts was dependent on the integrity of the molecular clockworks in co-cultured SCN cells as persistent rhythmicity was not observed in the presence of immortalized SCN cells derived from mice with targeted disruption of Per1 and Per2 (Per1(ldc) /Per2 (ldc) ). Because immortalized mPer2 (Luc) SCN cells and fibroblasts retain their indigenous circadian properties, these in vitro models will be valuable for real-time comparisons of clock gene rhythms in SCN and peripheral oscillators and identifying the diffusible signals that mediate the distinctive pacemaking function of the SCN.
EPGA and rapid prototyping technology use in a special purpose computer for molecular genetics

A custom accelerator for gene sequence analysis is described. The use of rapid prototyping technology, the key to producing a working system in a short amount of time, as well as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and in-house printed circuit board (PCB) prototyping, are discussed. Price-performance comparisons of the processor with other machines are offered. The processor is completely functional and yields a 15* performance improvement over an unassisted host. >
The response of vertical foliage distribution to spacing and species composition in mixed conifer stands in central Oregon.

The effects of initial spacing and species composition on vertical foliage distribution were tested in two mixed-species spacing trials in central Oregon. Relative and absolute foliage distributions on individual trees were estimated by building branch-level leaf area models for grand fir (Abies grandis (Dougl. ex D. Don) Lindl.), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.), and ponderosa pine (Pinusponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) and then estimating foliage distribution for entire crowns. Branch leaf area declined at the base of the live crown in all tree species, reinforcing the importance of accounting for branch position within the crown. Tree-level foliage distributions responded to differences in stand structure imposed by initial spacing and species composition. Foliage distribution also differed by tree social position within the stand. The effect of species composition and tree social position diminished with increasing spacing. Species with differing levels of shade tolerance can be quite plastic in the amount and vertical distribution of foliage in response to stand structure.
Modulation of secretagogue-induced chloride secretion by intracellular bicarbonate

We have previously demonstrated inhibition of basal Cl- secretion by intracellular bicarbonate concentration ([HCO3-]i) in rat distal colon. We now examined whether secretagogue-induced Cl- secretion is inhibited by [HCO3-]i as well. Stripped segments of distal colon from male Sprague-Dawley rats and the colon tumor cell line T84 were studied. Flux measurements were performed in the Ussing chamber under short-circuit conditions. [HCO3-]i was calculated from intracellular pH (pHi) values that were estimated with the pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. Dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and carbachol were used as secretagogues. In both distal colon and T84 cells, [HCO3-]i did not affect cAMP-induced Cl- secretion. However, carbachol-induced secretion was inhibited by [HCO3-]i; in rat colon, Cl- secretion decreased from 2.3 to 1.5 mueq.cm-2.h-1 when [HCO3-]i was increased from 15.0 to 28.4 mM (P < 0.05). In T84 cells, the change in short-circuit current decreased from 8.1 to 1.1 microA/cm2 over a range of [HCO3-]i from 0 to 15.6 mM (P < 0.001). We conclude that [HCO3-]i is an important modulator of carbachol-stimulated Cl- secretion in both rat distal colon and the T84 cell line. cAMP-mediated secretion is not affected by [HCO3-]i.
Blood Injection Intracerebral Hemorrhage Mouse Model

A major limitation to intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) research is the lack of a reproducible animal model. Several animal models of ICH have been developed in mice. In this chapter, we introduce a step-by-step procedure to perform a blood injection method of ICH in the mouse. The present ICH model produces a consistent neurological deficit, hematoma volume and brain swelling. This model closely mimics human hypertensive basal ganglionic ICH and can be useful to evaluate the pathophysiological, biochemical and molecular processes after ICH as well as potential new treatments.
Unexamined Potential Effects of the Noncontingent Delivery of Reinforcers

Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) de-scribes an arrangement in which a reinforcer is delivered on a time-based schedule, typically a ﬁxed-time (FT) or a variable-time (VT) schedule. In recent years, numerous researchers have de-scribed the use of NCR as an intervention for the treatment of behavior problems (e.g., Hagopian, Fisher, & Legacy, 1994; Vollmer, Iwata, Zarcone, Smith, & Mazaleski, 1993). Typically, the use of NCR in this context involves conducting a func-tional assessment to identify the consequences that reinforce the problem behavior, initially arranging a dense FT or VT schedule of rein-forcement to suppress the behavior, then thinning the FT or VT schedule to make the intervention more practical while, hopefully, maintaining the suppressive effects on the target behavior. Oth-ers have used the term NCR to describe circum-stances in which a preferred stimulus that was unrelated to the hypothesized behavioral function was delivered on a time-based schedule (e.g., Fisher, O’Connor, Kurtz, DeLeon, & Gotjen, 2000; Fischer, Iwata, & Mazaleski, 1997) and have also found this procedure effective in reducing problem behavior.Recent discussions of NCR have focused on two topics. The ﬁrst topic is the perhaps unfortunate term now commonly used for this arrangement (Poling & Normand, 1999; Vollmer,