cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute Methotrexate Ingestions in Adults: A Report of Serious Clinical Effects and Treatments

Objective. Limited reported data have reports effects after acute ingestion of methotrexate. Treatment recommendations do not differentiate between exposure routes. Our objective was to determine the frequency of significant toxicity effects and use of therapy after methotrexate ingestion in adults. Methods. We performed a retrospective study on adult cases reported to 6 poison centers over 6 years (2000–2005) which exceed 180,000 exposures/year. Variables collected included demographics, dosages ingested, coingestions, clinical effects, and therapies with outcomes. Results. Sixty-three patients examined over the 6-year period met inclusion criteria. No patient in the series received dialysis or died. The mean dose ingested for all patients was 24 mg (range 2.5–100 mg) and the mean dose for suicidal ingestions was 47.5 mg (12.5–100 mg). The most common clinical effects were abdominal pain, oral irritation, throat irritation, nausea, dizziness, and headache. Nine patients received folinic acid and 3 patients received sodium bicarbonate. No patient developed renal failure, bone marrow suppression, seizure, or coma. No patient died or received dialysis. Conclusion. In our series of patients from 6 poison centers over six years, 63 cases of acute adult methotrexate ingestions were reported. Methotrexate toxicity from ingestion in adults was uncommon and rarely toxic.
A bond rating expert system for industrial companies

Abstract This article presents an expert system designed to perform the task of bond rating for industrial companies. ArBor-I (articulate bond rater for industrial companies) has been developed using a production system in the environment of Common Lisp. In this article, the knowledge engineering processes involved in the development of ArBor-I are discussed. First, the nature of bond rating is explained from the viewpoint of professional bond raters. Experiential knowledge of bond raters rather than formal financial theories is captured and represented in the system. Second, knowledge acquisition sessions are briefly discussed. Protocol analysis is primarily used as a methodology of knowledge acquisition. Also, the manuals published by the bond rating companies were analyzed with the advise of expert bond raters. Third, a task analysis is conducted by identifying and conceptualizing computational generic tasks of bond rating. The task analysis subsequently specifies the types of knowledge to be captured and represented in ArBor-I. Fourth, a bond rating model is conceptualized by identifying the generic tasks and process structure. Finally, an explanation capacity of ArBor-I is discussed with demonstration of some example sessions. Computer implementation issues are also discussed followed by current limitations of the ArBor-I system.
Small Molecule Pan-Dengue and West Nile Virus NS3 Protease Inhibitors

Background:Dengue fever, dengue haemorrhagic fever, and dengue shock syndrome are caused by infections with any of the four serotypes of the dengue virus (DENV), and are an increasing global health risk. The related West Nile virus (WNV) causes significant morbidity and mortality as well, and continues to be a threat in endemic areas. Currently no FDA-approved vaccines or therapeutics are available to prevent or treat any of these infections. Like the other members of Flaviviridae, DENV and WNV encode a protease (NS3) which is essential for viral replication and therefore is a promising target for developing therapies to treat dengue and West Nile infections.Methods:Flaviviral protease inhibitors were identified and biologically characterized for mechanism of inhibition and DENV antiviral activity.Results:A guanidinylated 2,5-dideoxystreptamine class of compounds was identified that competitively inhibited the NS3 protease from DENV(1–4) and WNV with 50% inhibitory concentration values in the 1–70 μM rang...
A community health worker intervention to address the social determinants of health through policy change.

Public policy that seeks to achieve sustainable improvements in the social determinants of health, such as income, education, housing, food security and neighborhood conditions, can create positive and sustainable health effects. This paper describes preliminary results of Accion para la Salud, a public health intervention in which Community health workers (CHWs) from five health agencies engaged their community in the process of making positive systems and environmental changes. Academic-community partners trained Accion CHWs in community advocacy and provided ongoing technical assistance in developing strategic advocacy plans. The CHWs documented community advocacy activities through encounter forms in which they identified problems, formulated solutions, and described systems and policy change efforts. Strategy maps described the steps of the advocacy plans. Findings demonstrate that CHWs worked to initiate discussions about underlying social determinants and environment-related factors that impact health, and identified solutions to improve neighborhood conditions, create community opportunities, and increase access to services.
Diffusive Synchrotron Radiation from Relativistic Shocks in Gamma-Ray Burst Sources

The spectrum of electromagnetic emission generated by relativistic electrons scattered on small-scale random magnetic fields, implied by current models of the magnetic field generation in the gamma-ray burst sources, is considered. The theory developed includes both perturbative and nonperturbative versions and therefore suggests a general treatment of the radiation in an arbitrary small-scale random field. It is shown that a general treatment of the random nature of the small-scale magnetic field, as well as angular diffusion of the electrons due to multiple scattering by magnetic inhomogeneities (i.e., nonperturbative effects), gives rise to a radiation spectrum that differs significantly from the so-called "jitter" spectrum. The spectrum of diffusive synchrotron radiation seems to be consistent with the low-energy spectral index distribution of the gamma-ray bursts.
Implementation issues using simulation for real-time scheduling, control, and monitoring

Some of the most significant implementation issues of using simulation for real-time scheduling and control decision-making in a computer-integrated manufacturing system are presented. The issues discussed include modeling structure, interfacing to the physical system, saving system status for evaluating alternatives, and recovery at decision points. The discussion is based on experience working with an existing discrete event simulation language applied as a real-time decision tool in a laboratory setting as well as on interchanges with other industrial experts working in this area. >
Ab initio calculations of the electronic structure and the vibrational spectra of the X 2Σ+g, 2Σ+u, A 2Πu and 2Πg states of Li+2

Abstract The potential energy curves and quadrupole moment for the X 2 Σ + g , 2 Σ + u , A 2 Π u and 2 Π g states of Li + 2 are presented. Our dissociation energy for the X 2 Σ + g state. D e = 10324 cm −1 , gives excellent agreement with the recent experimental estimate of Mathur and co-workers.
Synthesis of large ETS-4 crystals in the Na and Na/K systems: the effects of alkali metal ion and synthesis mixture alkalinity

Abstract The effects of Si/Ti ratio, initial pH, type of pH modifier and alkali metal cation system on ETS-4 crystal size and morphology were investigated. In the Na system at lower initial pH values (11.50–12.80), polycrystalline ETS-4 was obtained from all synthesis mixtures investigated (Si/Ti=3.0–3.6), using either base (sodium hydroxide) or acid (sulfuric acid) as a pH modifier. When the initial pH was adjusted to range from 12.90 to 13.50 using acid, base or a combination of both, monolithic ETS-4 crystals with rectangular prism morphology were obtained. The average length of these crystals increased from ∼15 μm at pH=12.90 to ∼40 μm at pH=13.50. These results indicate that in the Na system, morphology and size of ETS-4 are not directly related to the synthesis mixture Si/Ti ratio or the type of pH modifier used. The strong dependence of crystal characteristics on the initial pH suggests that alkalinity is a major factor affecting ETS-4 crystallization. When half of the Na ions were replaced by K ions in synthesis mixtures with initial pH=12.90, the resulting Na/K system yielded large single ETS-4 crystals with average dimensions ∼10×200×20 μm. These are the largest ETS-4 crystals reported to date. These results suggest a structure-breaking role for K ions in ETS-4 crystallization.
Modular design of cascaded H-bridge for community energy storage systems by using secondary traction batteries

This paper proposed a Community Energy Storage System (CES) by using reclaimed tractions batteries. The cascaded H-Bridge topology is selected for this application after reviewing all possible solutions. Control strategies to have independent control of each H-Bridge are reviewed and existing control strategies are all centralized control. To have modular design and independent control of each module, a new control strategy is proposed for cascaded H-Bridge converter. With this control strategy, each H-Bridge module will have its own controller and there is no connection between the controllers. All the control strategies are implemented in the local controllers and no central controller is needed. A small scale CES system is built to verify the proposed control strategy with great success.
Software design using UML for empowering end-users with an external domain specific language

Domain Specific Languages (DSL) also known as "small languages" lack the power of a general purpose language (GPL), but are very productive for the purpose they are designed. While "internal" DSLs require and rely on the use of a hosting GPL, "external" DSLs are independent of a GPL and are thus more suitable for the non-programmer - but domain expert - end-user. Empowering this end-user via DSLs is our prime goal as software designers and architects. Our product will be stronger since much of the final tuning of the application can be done by the end-user and will reduce the number of software revisions that require stringent GPL software testing and validations. As software engineers, the design of a DSL as part of our product should fit into the tools of the trade of software development. We adopt UML for this purpose and propose that the design of DSL can be embedded as an extension of the traditional software modeling and design tools. In this paper we present firstly a view of software development process in which DSLs are an integral part, and than how we use UML to design a DSL which, via empowering a domain expert end-user, achieves challenging software delivery requirements with good stability and excellent performance.
Challenges of IPv6 Flow Label implementation

The Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) protocol represents an emerging networking capability designed to enhance transport, management and security of IP packets through the networks. IPv6 packet header required for this protocol is much larger than that of the current IPv4 protocol. The processing of IPv6 packets can be complex depending on how many packet header options are needed for a given mode of transmission. There are currently no standards available from Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the body that develops all Internet networking standards, related to the use of the flow label. The current IETF standards define the concept of flow of IP packets based on the three tuple of source and destination addresses and the flow label. This definition requires that the bit content of flow label be delivered unmodified at the destination end-system. However, this requirement has its disadvantages in that the network treats the flow label as a component of the fixed bit space of the packet header - not unlike the address bits. This paper discusses an emerging flow label technology called 6LSA and then examines the challenges associated with Flow Label implementation as originally conceived and the advantages of the current state of using the Flow Label.
Analysis of a 1-megabase deletion in 15q22-q23 in an autistic patient: Identification of candidate genes for autism and of homologous DNA segments in 15q22-q23 and 15q11-q13

We have identified a one megabase deletion in the 15q22-15q23 region in a patient with autism, developmental delay, and mild dysmorphism. Genes that map within the deletion region and genes that are interrupted or rearranged at the deletion breakpoints are candidate genes for autism. Fluroescence in situ hybridization studies in this patient revealed that part or all of the PML gene is absent from one chromosome 15 and a BAC clone containing the D15S124 gene locus hybridizes to only one chromosome 15. BAC clones containing the PTPN9, and SLP-1[hUNC24] genes showed markedly reduced hybridization in the 15q22-q23 region on one chromosome 15 in the patient. These BACs also hybridize to the 15q11-q13 region in close proximity to SNRPN and HERC2, and in this region there is equal intensity of signal on the normal and on the deleted chromosome. There are previous reports of deletions and duplications of the 15q11-q13 region in patients with autism. Our patient represents the first report of a 15q22-q23 deletion. Hybridization of the PTPN9 and Slp-1 Bac clones to the 15q11-q13 and the 15q22-q23 regions of chromosome 15 may be due to the presence of PTPN9 or SLP-1 gene sequences or to the presence of other gene sequences or to non-coding homologous DNA sequences. The PTPN9 gene encodes a non-receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase. The Slp-1 [hUNC24] gene is expressed mainly in the brain. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 96:765-770, 2000.
Changes in Egg Production and Egg Intervals Under Selection for High Egg Number under 22 our Day Cycles of Artificial Lighting

Abstract Data were collected from eight generations of selection for 40 weeks egg production in line UCD-126 of White Leghorns. Hens were kept under a 22 hr day cycle with normal light-dark ratios. Each generation's exact time of lay was recorded for a period of about 30 days for a sample of hens when hens were about 30 weeks old. The percent of time intervals between eggs shorter than 24 hr (“back steps”) were determined for each hen from time-of-lay records. Forty week egg production increased through the selection period of an average of 2.6 eggs per year. There was a correlated response in the percent of ‘back steps,” with an average increase of 1.8% per year. For 40 weeks egg production, the regression of generation means on dams’ cumulative selection differential was .193 and the regression of daughters on their dams was .216. For percent of “back steps,” the daughter-dam regression was very low (.043), but this trait was found to be correlated with 40 week egg production, with the estimates rp = .293 and rg= .308. Some advantages of selecting hens for egg production under short day-cycles of 22 hours instead of using short time-intervals between eggs are discussed.
Quantitative DNA ploidy analysis of breast carcinoma : A study of the effects of Joint photographer experts Group (JPEG) compression on DNA ploidy images

Telepathology usage in the past has typically been a qualitative procedure rather than a quantitative measurement. DNA ploidy using image analysis has been favorably compared to DNA ploidy analysis by flow cytometry in numerous publications. A step from DNA ploidy analysis using conventional image analysis to DNA ploidy analysis using stored images allows DNA ploidy analysis by image cytometry to become a powerful tool in telepathology. Remote DNA ploidy analysis using stored images has an impact on the field of pathology, as not every hospital or laboratory can afford to perform this type of specialized testing. However, images have large data files and require lengthy transmission times over communication systems to other computers. Joint Photographer Experts Group (JPEG) compression is a computer algorithm that allows the file size of an image to be reduced in order to decrease transmission times to another computer. A study was initiated to investigate the effects of JPEG compression on images of Feulgen stained breast tumor touch preps and the resulting DNA ploidy histograms.
Relative Activity of the Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics in Birds as Measured by Clinical Effect

Abstract THE two broad-spectrum antibiotics, chlortetracycline and oxytetracycline, have found wide application in the control of certain infectious diseases of birds, with special reference to bluecomb disease, infectious synovitis, ornithosis and PPLO infections. The clinical activity of the two antibiotics following equivalent administrations has been assumed to be more or less equal in view of parallel in-vitro activity against most microorganisms. This perhaps is true in the case of infectious agents limited to the gastro-intestinal tract. Peterson and Hymas (1951) found the two drugs to be essentially identical in the control of experimental bluecomb disease in poults. Similar relative activity was noted by Pomeroy and Sieburth (1953), and Sieburth and Pomeroy (1956). In the case of systemic infections, however, the relative activity of drugs will be determined in part by the degree of intestinal absorption, the amount of conjugation, and the rapidity of elimination. The broad-spectrum antibiotics are known to be …
Architectures of whole-module and bimodular proteins from the 6-deoxyerythronolide B synthase

The 6-deoxyerythronolide B synthase (DEBS) is a prototypical assembly line polyketide synthase produced by the actinomycete Saccharopolyspora erythraea that synthesizes the macrocyclic core of the antibiotic erythromycin 6-deoxyerythronolide B. The megasynthase is a 2-MDa trimeric complex composed of three unique homodimers assembled from the gene products DEBS1, DEBS2, and DEBS3, which are housed within the erythromycin biosynthetic gene cluster. Each homodimer contains two clusters of catalytically independent enzymatic domains, each referred to as a module, which catalyzes one round of polyketide chain extension and modification. Modules are named sequentially to indicate the order in which they are utilized during synthesis of 6-deoxyerythronolide B. We report small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analyses of a whole module and a bimodule from DEBS, as well as a set of domains for which high-resolution structures are available. In all cases, the solution state was probed under previously established conditions ensuring that each protein is catalytically active. SAXS data are consistent with atomic-resolution structures of DEBS fragments. Therefore, we used the available high-resolution structures of DEBS domains to model the architectures of the larger protein assemblies using rigid-body refinement. Our data support a model in which the third module of DEBS forms a disc-shaped structure capable of caging the acyl carrier protein domain proximal to each active site. The molecular envelope of DEBS3 is a thin elongated ellipsoid, and the results of rigid-body modeling suggest that modules 5 and 6 stack collinearly along the 2-fold axis of symmetry.
Signal transduction by the global regulator RegB is mediated by a redox-active cysteine.

All living organisms alter their physiology in response to changes in oxygen tension. The photosynthetic bacterium uses the RegB–RegA signal transduction cascade to control a wide variety of oxygen-responding processes such as respiration, photosynthesis, carbon fixation and nitrogen fixation. We demonstrate that a highly conserved cysteine has a role in controlling the activity of the sensor kinase, RegB. In vitro studies indicate that exposure of RegB to oxidizing conditions results in the formation of an intermolecular disulfide bond and that disulfide bond formation is metal-dependent, with the metal fulfilling a structural role. Formation of a disulfide bond in vitro is also shown to convert the kinase from an active dimer into an inactive tetramer state. Mutational analysis indicates that a cysteine residue flanked by cationic amino acids is involved in redox sensing in vitro and in vivo. These residues appear to constitute a novel ‘redox-box’ that is present in sensor kinases from diverse species of bacteria.
Electrically conductive bulk composites through a contact-connected aggregate.

This paper introduces a concept that allows the creation of low-resistance composites using a network of compliant conductive aggregate units, connected through contact, embedded within the composite. Due to the straight-forward fabrication method of the aggregate, conductive composites can be created in nearly arbitrary shapes and sizes, with a lower bound near the length scale of the conductive cell used in the aggregate. The described instantiation involves aggregate cells that are approximately spherical copper coils-of-coils within a polymeric matrix, but the concept can be implemented with a wide range of conductor elements, cell geometries, and matrix materials due to its lack of reliance on specific material chemistries. The aggregate cell network provides a conductive pathway that can have orders of magnitude lower resistance than that of the matrix material - from 10 12 ohm-cm (approx.) for pure silicone rubber to as low as 1 ohmcm for the silicone/copper composite at room temperature for the presented example. After describing the basic concept and key factors involved in its success, three methods of implementing the aggregate into a matrix are then addressed – unjammed packing, jammed packing, and pre-stressed jammed packing – with an analysis of the tradeoffs between increased stiffness and improved resistivity.
As Easy to Move as a Feather: Perception of Lightness as Ease to Move

When perception by touch is couched in terms of movement, perception of heaviness can be understood as perception of difficulty to move. This experiment further investigated this proposal as well as the corollary proposal that perception of lightness may be understood as perception of ease to move. Blindfolded participants wielded weighted objects and rated how heavy or light each object felt and how difficult or easy each object was to move. Ratings of heaviness and difficulty to move were analogously constrained by movement-relevant variables. Ratings of lightness and ease-to-move were also analogously constrained by such variables, but in the opposite manner. Conventional descriptors such as heaviness or lightness may be inappropriate for a principled understanding of perception by touch.
Multiphoton processes in an intense laser field: Harmonic generation and total ionization rates for atomic hydrogen.

We report results of large-scale nonperturbative (Floquet) calculations of rates for harmonic generation and total ionization of H(1{ital s}) by fields whose intensity ranges from about 10{sup 12} to 3{times}10{sup 13} W/cm{sup 2} and whose wavelength ranges from 265 to 1064 nm. At long wavelengths and moderate to high intensities, perturbation theory yields estimates of total ionization rates that are orders of magnitude too large, and estimates of harmonic-generation rates that exhibit a qualitatively incorrect behavior with respect to order. We have studied the influence of resonances on the ionization rates, and we illustrate the resonance enhancement of the ionization yield for a realistic pulse. Finally, we address several formal aspects of Floquet theory, including the convergence of the induced dipole moment, gauge invariance, and the normalization of the wave function.
Motor cortical control of movement speed with implications for brain-machine interface control

Motor cortex plays a substantial role in driving movement, yet the details underlying this control remain unresolved. We analyzed the extent to which movement-related information could be extracted from single-trial motor cortical activity recorded while monkeys performed center-out reaching. Using information theoretic techniques, we found that single units carry relatively little speed-related information compared with direction-related information. This result is not mitigated at the population level: simultaneously recorded population activity predicted speed with significantly lower accuracy relative to direction predictions. Furthermore, a unit-dropping analysis revealed that speed accuracy would likely remain lower than direction accuracy, even given larger populations. These results suggest that the instantaneous details of single-trial movement speed are difficult to extract using commonly assumed coding schemes. This apparent paucity of speed information takes particular importance in the context of brain-machine interfaces (BMIs), which rely on extracting kinematic information from motor cortex. Previous studies have highlighted subjects' difficulties in holding a BMI cursor stable at targets. These studies, along with our finding of relatively little speed information in motor cortex, inspired a speed-dampening Kalman filter (SDKF) that automatically slows the cursor upon detecting changes in decoded movement direction. Effectively, SDKF enhances speed control by using prevalent directional signals, rather than requiring speed to be directly decoded from neural activity. SDKF improved success rates by a factor of 1.7 relative to a standard Kalman filter in a closed-loop BMI task requiring stable stops at targets. BMI systems enabling stable stops will be more effective and user-friendly when translated into clinical applications.
Gender-dependent problems in toxicity tests with Ceriodaphnia dubia.

The 7-d, three-brood Ceriodaphnia chronic toxicity test developed by Mount and Norberg is used to assess biological quality of water and wastewaters. The test is becoming widely accepted because it involves simple procedures, uses easily measurable and biologically meaningful endpoints (survival and fecundity), and uses a microcrustacean known to be relatively sensitive to various toxicants. The test uses individual animals as true replicates, and is relatively powerful statistically. Because male and female Ceriodaphnia neonates cannot be readily distinguished from one another, a 7-d C. dubia test started with neonates produced by females from stressed cultures may include an initially indeterminant number of males. The presence of males (which can be ascertained with certainty only when the test is nearly complete) can affect interpretation of toxicity test results. In this paper the results of toxicity tests of water samples from streams near the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are used to show the extent to which the presence of male C. dubia can confound the interpretation of a 7-d Ceriodaphnia test's fecundity endpoint. The authors also show the results of short-term experiments suggesting that male C. dubia are more sensitive than females to cadmium and phenol, and discuss the statistical and practicalmore » implications of the problems caused by the presence of males in chronic toxicity tests with this species.« less
Measurement of Penile Curvature in Peyronie’s Disease Patients: Comparison of Three Methods

ABSTRACT Aim Peyronie’s disease (PD) may be treated in a medical or surgical fashion. Factors involved in the decision of which treatment to choose include duration of disease and magnitude of penile deformity. Curvature can be measured using at‐home photography (AHP), vacuum erection device (VED), or intracavernosal injection (ICI). This study was undertaken to determine the concordance between the three methods of deformity assessment. Patients were also questioned regarding the presence of erectile dysfunction (ED) based on self‐report and the International Index of Erectile Function. Materials and Methods A total of 68 men presented to their urologist after taking penile photographs from three angles during maximal erectile rigidity. In the office, a VED was used to induce erection, and a goniometer was utilized to measure degree of curvature. ICI with trimix was then used to induce artificial erection, which was measured with a goniometer as well. Results There was a statistically significant difference in self‐report curvature magnitude compared with measured ICI‐assisted curvature. Curvature profiles included dorsal plaques in 50 patients (73.5%), ventral plaques in 10 (15%), and lateral in eight (11%). Using ICI, the mean curvature measured was 42 degrees. Mean degree of curvature using VED was 33 degrees, while that of photography was 34 degrees. Photographic measurements differed most from ICI in men with concurrent ED ( P 60 degrees. Conclusions Our results show that the degree of curvature measured using vacuum‐assisted device and AHP is underestimated as compared with the gold standard ICI. We therefore recommend that ICI be used to most accurately determine degree of deformity. If ICI is not available, it is imperative that the same manner of measurement be used between all patients in a study group, as well as during serial evaluation in a trial. Ohebshalom M, Mulhall J, Guhring P, and Parker M. Measurement of penile curvature in Peyronie’s disease patients: Comparison of three methods. J Sex Med 2007;4:199–203.
Hole burning in the Fock space of optical fields

Abstract Hole burning in the Fock space of a quantized electromagnetic field amounts to the selective removal of one or more specific number states from the field, or equivalently, manipulating the photon probability distribution to vanish for certain photon numbers. Previous work has concentrated on creating such holes for cavity fields where the manipulation of the field is performed with injected pre-and post-selected atoms. In the present Letter we demonstrate a method to generate such states for optical fields using state reduction with a Mach–Zehnder interferometer containing a Kerr medium in one arm. The method is an extension of a previous proposal by one of us (CCG) for the generation of optical Schrodinger cat states [Phys. Rev. A 59 (1999) 4095].
The Effect of Friction Stir Processing on the Mechanical Properties of Investment Cast and Hot Isostatically Pressed Ti-6Al-4V

Friction-stir (FS) processing was used to modify the coarse, fully lamellar microstructure of investment cast and hot isostatically pressed (HIP’ed) Ti-6Al-4V. The effect of FS processing on mechanical properties was investigated using microtensile and four-point bend fatigue testing. The tensile results showed a typical microstructure dependence where yield strength and ultimate tensile strength both increased with decreasing slip length. Depending on the processing parameters, fatigue strength at 107 cycles was increased by 20 pct or 60 pct over that of the investment cast and HIP’ed base material. These improvements have been verified with a statistically significant number of tests. The results have been discussed in terms of the resistance of each microstructure fatigue crack initiation and small crack propagation. For comparison, a limited number of fatigue tests was performed on α + β forged Ti-6Al-4V with varying primary α volume fraction and also on investment cast material heat treated to produce a bi-lamellar condition.
A rapid fluorometric assay for measurement of peptidase activity

Abstract A rapid method using orthophthaldialdehyde and mercaptoethanol to form a fluorescent adduct with released α-amino groups was developed and characterized as a means for assaying peptidase activity on physiological peptide substrates. A typical assay consisted of withdrawing a 10-μl aliquot of the substrate-enzyme solution at various time intervals, which was then added to 3 ml of reagent; the fluorescence was measured relative to 0.1 μg/ml quinine sulfate in 0.1 n H 2 SO 4 following a standardized 2-min reaction time. The assay can be performed either in the presence or absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate; addition of the detergent can be a convenient means for stopping the reaction. Contrary to previous suggestions, addition of detergent was found to slightly decrease fluorescence of dipeptide adducts with this reagent rather than causing a substantial enhancement. However, enhancement was observed for cases where the spacing between isoindoles or between isoindole and indole was similar to that for the disubstituted derivative of lysine. This method was characterized by assaying porcine intestinal peptidase on the peptides Leu-Gly, Gly-Gly, Ala-Gly, and Gly-Leu-Tyr. Using an immobilized form of this enzyme, excellent agreement was found between amino acid determinations and fluorescence-derived calculated values for the fraction of bonds hydrolyzed for dipeptide substrates. It was shown that the fluorescence ratio (F t − F 0 ) (F c − F 0 ) corresponds to the fractional hydrolysis of dipeptides where F t , F 0 , and F c are the relative fluorescences at time t , time zero, and complete hydrolysis, respectively.
Forward simulation models

The uses of simulation are virtually endless. In this article we consider only a few. The first is the use of simulation to take a data set and generate pseudo data points which are essentially stochastic combinations of points in the data set. This SIMDAT application is model free. The second is the use of simulation to obtain data-based estimates of a stochastic process model. In order to estimate model parameters, we simulate assuming parameter values pseudo data points. Using goodness-of-fit measures we can then adjust the parameter values to bring the resulting pseudo data into maximal concordance with the actual data. This SIMEST algorithm is highly a model dependent. Since the time of Poisson, stochatic processes are modeled in the forward (temporal) direction. Fisher's maximum likelihood is a temporally backwards technique of parameter estimation. Thus, for example, if we are looking at a data set of the times of detection of ‘secondary’ tumors, we need to consider all the possible pathways for genesis of these tumors, and there are an infinite number of these. A ‘secondary tumor’ may have been generated from a primary over a continuum of times. It might have been generated from a secondary tumor over a continuum of times. It might actually be a new primary, having been generated from a systemic failure of the immune system. In this paper, we give an example of the forwards SIMEST estimation procedure. SIMEST has been successfully used to generate pseudo data based on an assumption of parameter values and then compared with clinical data via Pearson's goodness of fit. In the area of computational finance, we briefly consider the work which, using simulation-based data analysis, challenges the efficient market hypothesis and looks at data-based portfolio alternatives. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Alaska Native people’s perceptions, understandings, and expectations for research involving biological specimens

Objectives. Members of racially and ethnically diverse groups have been persistently underrepresented in biomedical research in general, possibly due to mistrust with the medical and research community. This article describes the perceptions, understandings, and expectations of Alaska Native people about research involving the collection and storage of biological specimens. Study design. Stratified focus groups. Methods. Twenty-nine focus groups with Alaska Native people (n=178) were held in 14 locations using a semi-structured moderator guide. ATLAS.ti was used for thematic analysis through iterative readings and coding. Alaska Native peoples’ perceptions, understandings, and expectations of researcher beneficence, informed consent processes, and provision of research findings were elicited. Results and conclusions. Alaska Native people desired extensive disclosure of information beyond that typically provided in consent and results dissemination processes. Information germane to the motivation and intent of researchers and specifics of specimen storage and destruction were specifically requested. A clear and extensive process of informed consent and continued improvements in sharing results may enhance the transparency of research intent, conduct, and use of obtained results among Alaska Native people. Meeting expectations may improve relationships between researchers and the Alaska Native population which could result in increased research participation. Our findings offer a guide for researchers and communities when planning and implementing research with biological specimens. Keywords: Alaska; Indians; North America; focus groups research ethics; informed consent; results dissemination (Published: 22 May 2012) Citation: Int J Circumpolar Health 2012, 71 : 18642 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v71i0.18642
Stability of random-switching systems of differential equations

This work is devoted to the stability of random-switching systems of differential equations. After presenting the formulation of random-switching systems, the notion of stability is recalled, and sufficient conditions in terms of the Liapunov function are presented. Then easily verifiable conditions for stability and instability of systems arising in approximation are established. Using a logarithm transformation, necessary and sufficient conditions are derived for systems that are linear in the continuous state component. Several examples are provided as demonstrations. Among other things, a somewhat different behavior from the well-known Hartman-Grobman theorem is observed.
The Responsibilities of wealth

PREFACE The Gospel of Wealth: Andrew Carnegie Andrew Carnegie and His Gospel of Philanthropy: A study in the Ethics of Responsibility Barry D. Karl Aristotle and the Ethics of Philanthropy: Albert Anderson Philanthropy under Capitalism: Jonathan Riley A Business Man's Philanthropic Creed: A Centennial Perspective on Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth: Kenneth Fox Jan Addam's Views on the Responsibilities of Wealth: Louise W. Knight God and Money: Robert L. Payton CONTRIBUTORS INDEX
Tolerance to the effects of buprenorphine on schedule-controlled behavior and analgesia in rats.

Abstract Responding in rats was maintained under a fixed-ratio 30 schedule of food presentation. When administered acutely buprenorphine (0.018–0.56 mg/kg) produced dose-related decreases in overall rate of responding. In addition to schedule-controlled behavior, the analgesic effects of buprenorphine were evaluated during chronic administration using the tail-flick method. Tolerance developed to the effects of buprenorphine on both measures. In general dose-effect curves for the rate-decreasing effects of buprenorphine were shifted to the right by approximately 2 log units. In one subject, however, tolerance did not develop to the rate-decreasing effects of 10 mg/kg, suggesting that behavioral tolerance to buprenorphine is dose limited. Finally, the data also suggested that tolerance may develop more slowly, yet more completely, to the analgesic than to the rate-decreasing effects of buprenorphine.
Alcohol-induced depersonalization.

Abstract Background: A case of alcohol-induced depersonalization disorder is presented. The subject had experienced several depersonalization states following the consumption of alcohol rather than from a psychogenic etiology, and the episodes were transient, not chronic. Methods: Three quantitative EEG (QEEG) studies were performed on the subject, one during the index depersonalization episode and two subsequent studies when the subject was clinically asymptomatic. Results: Slow wave activity (relative theta power) was significantly increased when symptomatic. This slowing was still present over the occiput 3 days after the symptoms had remitted but was absent 17 days after symptoms had ameliorated. Conclusions: The time course of EEG slowing suggests a metabolic encephalopathy, a condition which likely contributes to the manifestations of depersonalization syndrome.
Aldosterone and hydrocortisone secretion by the denervated adrenal.

IN THE course of a systematic investigation of the physiological factors which influence the adrenal output of aldosterone, the effect of denervation of the adrenal on the secretion of this potent electrolyte-active steroid was determined. That the sympathetic nerve supply to the gland might influence corticosteroid output has been suggested by several workers. Vogt (1) described an increase in cortical hormone in the adrenal vein following splanchnic stimulation. Okinaka and collaborators (2) claim to have induced a fourfold increase in corticosteroid output by splanchnic stimulation. More recently, Rosenfeld (3) has found the output of 17-hydroxylated corticoids by isolated perfused calf adrenals to be increased by the addition of acetylcholine to the perfusion mixture. Rosenfeld has suggested that the liberation of acetylcholine at preganglionic endings of the sympathetic nerves to the gland represents a mechanism for neural control of the adrenal cortex.
Unusual case of dysgenetic renal cyst.

Abstract An unusual case of dysgenetic renal cyst presenting as an asymptomatic mass with peripheral calcification is reported. Embryologic considerations are discussed.
Legislation of Evidence-Based Treatments in Public Mental Health: Analysis of Benefits and Costs

The 2003 Texas 78th Legislature passed a bill that implemented several strategies to help realize a $1 billion decrease to health and human services spending (Senate Research Committee, 2003). A component of House Bill (HB) 2292 aimed at cost savings was the requirement for implementation of a resiliency and disease management model of service delivery in public mental health. As operationalized by the newly formed Department of State Health Services, the result was the legislation of evidence-based practice in community mental health in Texas. The purpose of this paper is to examine and analyze the policy change requiring a resiliency and disease management model for children's public mental health in response to HB 2292.
Nestmate discrimination and competition in incipient colonies of fire ants

Abstract Workers from incipient colonies of the fire ant,Solenopsis invicta, are less aggressive towards conspecific non-nestmates than are workers from reproductively mature colonies. This often leads to brood raiding between incipient colonies, where workers take brood from other incipient colonies without opposition. The development of aggressive reactions by incipient colony workers and queens towards non-nestmate workers and queens was examined. Both workers and queens show nestmate discrimination from the earliest stages of colony activity. Workers from the colony’s first cohort vigorously attacked workers from mature colonies. These same workers rarely attacked non-nestmate workers from incipient colonies, although they were more aggressive towards them than towards nestmates. Workers and queens often vigorously attacked non-nestmate queens, and were more aggressive towards unfamiliar than familiar queens. Queens bitten by workers were likely to be expelled or killed within 3 days of introduction. The highly aggressive response of incipient colony workers towards unfamiliar queens suggests that brood-raiding colonies do not consolidate for mutual benefit. Rather, they struggle for possession of brood while attempting to prevent the entry of additional reproductive females into the colony. In addition, heritable cues were neither necessary nor sufficient for worker acceptance of queens. Finally, although incipient colony workers from colonies with four foundresses were slightly less aggressive towards non-nestmates than workers in colonies with single foundresses, they still discriminated against non-nestmate queens. This result suggests that cooperative nest founding alone cannot explain the development of non-territorial, polygyneS. invictacolonies.
Covalent Modification of the Regulatory Domain Irreversibly Stimulates Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl− channel is regulated by three cytosolic domains, the regulatory domain (R domain) and two nucleotide binding domains. To learn more about how the cytosolic domains regulate channel activity, we used chemical modification to probe their structure. When we applied the sulfhydryl-modifying reagent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and other N-substituted maleimides to the cytosolic domains, we found that they rapidly and irreversibly stimulated channel activity. CFTR contains 14 intracellular cysteine residues that might be targets for NEM modification. We identified one, Cys832, that was essential for the response. Cys832 is located in the R domain. Single channel studies showed that NEM stimulated CFTR by increasing the duration of bursts of activity and by shortening the closed interval between bursts. At the single channel level, CFTR in which Cys832 was mutated to alanine behaved identically to wild-type CFTR, except that it failed to respond to NEM. Additional studies showed that NEM modification increased the potency of ATP-mediated stimulation. Previous work has shown that modification of the R domain by phosphorylation, which introduces negative charge, or replacement of multiple serines by negatively charged aspartates stimulates the channel. Our current data show that covalent modification of the R domain with a neutral, hydrophobic adduct at a site that is not phosphorylated can also stimulate CFTR. This finding suggests that an alteration in the conformation of the R domain may be a key feature that regulates channel activity.
Frequency of HEV contamination in sewerage waters in Pakistan

Introduction: Enteric viruses, including Hepatitis E virus (HEV), are able to persist under environmental conditions and may cause public health problems by contaminating natural and drinking water resources. Routine procedures for monitoring viruses in water samples have not been established for the water microbiology screening panel. Methodology: Eighty-six raw sewerage samples were collected from the different regions of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the twin cities of Pakistan. Samples were concentrated for HEV, using a polyethylene glycol-based method followed by viral RNA extraction using a commercial kit-based method. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with HEV specific primers was used for the detection of HEV. Results: The present investigation focused on 86 raw sewerage water samples taken from different locations of drainage outlets of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. After careful experimentation, 35 samples were found to be RT-PCR positive. Nineteen (44.7%) out of 47 samples from Rawalpindi city were HEV positive while 16 (41.02%) out of 39 samples from Islamabad were HEV positive. All positive samples were found in the highly congested areas. Conclusions: The high detection rate of HEV in this study shows that HEV circulates at a relatively high frequency in the sewerage waters in Pakistan. This study is the first report on detection of HEV from sewerage waste water from Pakistan and suggests that HEV might be a potent indicator of viral pollution in environmental specimens.
Unstable Baroclinic Waves beyond Quasigeostrophic Theory

Quasigeostrophic theory is an approximation of the primitive equations in which the dynamics of geostrophically balanced motions are described by the advection of potential vorticity. Quasigeostrophic theory also represents a leading-order theory in the sense that it is derivable from the primitive equations in the asymptotic limit of zero Rossby number. Building upon quasigeostrophic theory, and the centrality of potential vorticity, the authors have recently developed a systematic asymptotic framework from which balanced, next-order corrections in Rossby number can be obtained. The approach is illustrated here through numerical solutions pertaining to unstable waves on baroclinic jets. The numerical solutions using the full primitive equations compare well with numerical solutions to our equations with accuracy one order beyond quasigeostrophic theory; in particular, the inherent asymmetry between cyclones and anticyclones is captured. Explanations of the latter and the associated asymmetry of the warm and cold fronts are given using simple extensions of quasigeostrophic‐ potential-vorticity thinking to next order.