cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive assessment of left ventricular isovolumic contraction and relaxation with continuous wave Doppler aortic regurgitant velocity signals: An in vivo validation study

The purpose of this study was to provide fundamental in vivo validation of a method with the use of aortic regurgitant (AR) jet signals recorded with continuous wave (CW) Doppler for assessing left ventricular (LV) isovolumic contraction and relaxation. Preliminary studies have suggested that analysis of CW Doppler AR velocity signals permits the estimation of LV positive and negative dP/dt. We studied 19 hemodynamically different states in 6 sheep with surgically induced chronic aortic regurgitation. CW AR velocity spectra and high-fidelity LV and aortic pressures were recorded simultaneously. Rates of LV pressure rise and fall (RPR and RPF) were calculated by determining the time interval between points at 1 m/s and 2.5 m/s in the deceleration and acceleration slopes of the CW Doppler AR velocity envelope (corresponding to a pressure change of 21 mm Hg). RPR and RPF calculated by CW Doppler analysis for each state were compared with the peak positive dP/dt and negative dP/dt, obtained from the corresponding high-fidelity LV pressure curve, respectively. The LV peak positive and negative dP/dt derived by catheter ranged from 817 to 2625 mm Hg/s and from 917 to 2583 mm Hg/s, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that Doppler RPR correlated well with catheter peak positive dP/dt (r = 0.93; mean differences, -413 +/- 250 mm Hg/s). There was also good correlation and agreement between Doppler RPF and the catheter peak negative dP/dt (r = 0.89; mean difference, -279 +/- 239 mm Hg/s). Both Doppler-determined RPR and RPF underestimated their respective LV peak dP/dt. CW Doppler AR spectra can provide a reliable noninvasive estimate of LV dP/dt and could be helpful in the serial assessment of ventricular function in patients with aortic regurgitation.
The Addition of Dexamethasone to Antiandrogen Therapy for Hirsutism Prolongs the Duration of Remission

Abstract Objective: To determine whether the addition of dexamethasone to antiandrogen therapy prolongs the duration of remission in women with hirsutism. Design: Follow-up study of patients treated with one of four regimens: spironolactone (100 mg/d) for 1 year, dexamethasone (0.37 mg/d) for 1 year, dexamethasone (0.37 mg/d) plus spironolactone (100 mg/d) for 1 year, or dexamethasone (0.37 mg/d) plus spironolactone (100 mg/d) for 2 years. Setting: Academic medical practice in reproductive endocrinology. Patient(s): Fifty-four women with hirsutism and hyperandrogenism. Intervention(s): Ferriman-Gallwey-Lorenzo scores were obtained and serum levels of testosterone, unbound testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were measured before therapy, every 6 months during therapy, and for 1 year after the withdrawal of therapy. Main Outcome Measure(s): Hirsutism scores and serum indices of hormonal changes were monitored. Result(s): Ferriman-Gallwey-Lorenzo scores and androgen levels remained low 1 year after the withdrawal of therapy in patients who were treated with dexamethasone, either alone or in combination with spironolactone. In patients who were treated with spironolactone alone, hirsutism scores had returned to baseline values after 1 year. Conclusion(s): The addition of an agent that suppresses androgen levels may be useful to prolong the duration of remission of hirsutism in women with hyperandrogenism who are treated with antiandrogens.
Photoelectron holography of Pt ( 111 ) at 351 eV

Abstract A 351 eV photoelectron hologram of a Pt(111) surface was collected by detection of photoelectrons from the 4f5/2 subshell in a display analyzer, and was Fourier-analyzed. The real space image showed sensitivity to the fourth atomic layer, excellent reproduction of the fcc lattice, and sixteen source-atom neighbors. Transverse atomic positions were located to 0.1 A. Photoelectron holography is thus shown to be capable of imaging lattices and interfaces, using low-energy electrons.
Secretion of the proenzyme and active bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2 enzyme by Saccharomyces cerevisiae: design and use of a synthetic gene.

Abstract We have developed a phospholipase A2(PLA2)-producing system using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A 456-bp synthetic DNA fragment was constructed encoding bovine pancreatic prophospholipase A2 (proPLA2; zymogen) along with the signal sequence of dog pancreatic PLA2. Yeast-preferred codons were chosen and unique restriction enzyme sites were incorporated. 22 oligodeoxynucleotides that varied in size from 33 to 48 nucleotides were chemically synthesized and assembled into the DNA fragment, which was then placed under the control of the yeast acid phosphatase repressible promoter. The resulting plasmid, transformed into S. cerevisiae, directed the synthesis of about 2.8 ;μg/ml of PLA2, most of which was secreted into the culture fluid. The secreted PLA2 comprised 18 to 26% of active enzyme, the remainder being proenzyme. Both had the expected N-terminal amino acid sequences, indicating that the yeast accurately released the signal peptide and the activation peptide (N-terminal heptapeptide of proPLA2). The specific activity of PLA2 thus produced is the same as that of the authentic bovine enzyme.
Pericardial effusion and tamponade

Pericardial effusion may occur as a result of a variety of clinical conditions, including viral, bacterial, or fungal infections and inflammatory, postinflammatory, autoreactive, and neoplastic processes. More common causes of pericardial effusion and tamponade include malignancy, renal failure, viral and bacterial infectious processes, radiation, aortic dissection, and hypothyroidism. It can also occur after trauma or acute myocardial infarction (as in postpericardiotomy syndrome following cardiac or thoracic surgery) or as an idiopathic pericardial effusion. Although pericardial effusion is common in patients with connective tissue disease, cardiac tamponade is rare. Among medical patients, malignant disease is the most common cause of pericardial effusion with tamponade. Table 1 shows the causes of pericardial tamponade. The effusion fluid may be serous, suppurative, hemorrhagic, or serosanguineous. The pericardial fluid can be a transudate (typically occurring in patients with congestive heart failure) or an exudate. The latter type, which contains a high concentration of proteins and fibrin, can occur with any type of pericarditis, severe infections, or malignancy. Once the diagnosis of pericardial effusion has been made, it is important to determine whether the effusion is creating significant hemodynamic compromise. Asymptomatic patients without hemodynamic compromise, even with large pericardial effusions, do not need to be treated with pericardiocentesis unless there is a need for fluid analysis for diagnostic purposes (eg, in acute bacterial pericarditis, tuberculosis, and neoplasias). The diagnosis of pericardial effusion/tamponade relies on a strong clinical suspicion and is confirmed by echocardiography or other pericardial imaging modalities. Alternatively, when the diagnosis of cardiac tamponade is made, there is a need for emergency drainage of pericardial fluid by pericardiocentesis or surgery to relieve the hemodynamic compromise. Following pericardiocentesis, it is necessary to prevent recurrence of tamponade. Intrapericardial injection of sclerosing agents, surgical pericardiotomy, and percutaneous balloon pericardial window creation are techniques used to prevent reaccumulation of pericardial fluid and recurrence of cardiac tamponade.
Models and Applications as Advanced Organizers.

This study involved 240 fourth graders and 240 seventh graders from four North Chicago schools. It was a replication and extension of an unpublished doctoral dissertation that was conducted by Johnson at Northwestern University in 1973. The objective of the study was to investigate the relative effectiveness of four different types of advanced organizers when they were used to introduce a 30-minute self-instructional unit about elementary concepts in motion geometry. One type of organizer used several simple applications to introduce intuitively the ideas that were in the unit; another type of organizer used only a single application; another used several concrete models; and the fourth used a single concrete model. In addition to comparing the four basic types of organizers, experimental treatments compared children who received an organizer before reading the basic unit (i.e., an advanced organizer) with children who received an organizer after they had completed the basic unit (i.e., a post organizer); and it compared children who worked on the organizer in small groups with children who worked individually.
Day 2 Embryo Transfer (ET) and Day 3 ET Afford Similar Reproductive Outcomes in the Poor Responder

A retrospective review of 237 initial, fresh nondonor IVF cycles in which all embryos generated during the cycle were transferred on either day 2 (n = 109) or day 3 (n = 128) were evaluated with regards to reproductive outcomes. Patients who underwent a day 2 ET had similar conception (18% vs. 16%; relative risk [RR], 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64–1.95), clinical pregnancy (13% vs. 16%; RR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.44–1.55), implantation (6% vs. 7%; RR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.50–1.68), and live-birth (10% vs. 16%; RR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.32–1.29) rates as those who underwent a day 3 ET.
Effect of adrenalectomy on rate of metabolism of histamine in the mouse.

SummaryNo significant difference was found between adrenalectomized and shamoperated mice in the ability to destroy minute quantities of injected C14-histamine.
Anisotropy Study of a Constrained Thin Walled Component Using a Range of Processing Control Factors

An anisotropy study was performed on a constrained thin-walled injection molded component using measurements made from a laser measuring system. Wall thickness and material glass fiber concentration were varied to determine their effects on parallel and perpendicular shrinkage rates. Several ranges of the processing control factors were used in the study. The shrinkages were determined and were described as a function of glass fiber concentration and wall thickness. The shrinkage ratio (a ratio representing the parallel shrinkage rate divided by the correlative perpendicular shrinkage rate) was used to investigate the influence of wall thickness and glass fiber (G.F.) concentration on shrinkage.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
The Counseling Opportunity Structure: Examining Correlates of Four-Year College-Going Rates

This study examines the relationships between the normative and resource dimensions of a high school counseling department and four-year college-going rates. Utilizing data from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS: 09), we employ multiple regression and latent class analysis to identify salient factors related to the college-going culture of a high school and to classify schools according to their underlying counseling opportunity structure, respectively. Results demonstrate that both norms (i.e., average caseload and hours spent on college counseling) and resources (i.e., college fairs, college course offerings, and financial aid) are important predictors of a school’s four-year college-going rates. These results, in turn, produced a three-level typology of schools based on a divergent, emergent, and convergent classification system. The study concludes with a discussion of findings and implications for researchers and policymakers interested in improving and better understanding the counseling opportunity structure.
Marks of Brain-Based Assessment: A Practical Checklist.

Recognizing that students learn in various ways and at different rates makes alternative assessment tools imperative. But what are distinguishing marks of effective assessment tools for brain-based learning? What does intelligence-fair assessment look like? And how can we adjust our classroom practices to accommodate multiple ways of knowing, while honoring the demands of curriculum mandates, state requirements, and college entrance expectations?
The Apple Maggot in Michigan

The Apple Maggot ( Rhagoletis pomonella Walsh) has once more been causing severe losses in Michigan after a dom1ancy of about a quarter of a century. The adults appear in .July and are at large until near the end of August. The larvae leave the fruit soon after it falls to the ,ground and enter the ground to pupate. About one-third of these emerge in September forming a second brood of flies that oviposit in late winter apples. Others may possibly lie over in the soil two years before emerging.
Inhibition of Pyruvate Kinase M2 by Reactive Oxygen Species Contributes to Cellular Antioxidant Responses

Control of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations is critical for cancer cell survival. We show that, in human lung cancer cells, acute increases in intracellular concentrations of ROS caused inhibition of the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) through oxidation of Cys358. This inhibition of PKM2 is required to divert glucose flux into the pentose phosphate pathway and thereby generate sufficient reducing potential for detoxification of ROS. Lung cancer cells in which endogenous PKM2 was replaced with the Cys358 to Ser358 oxidation-resistant mutant exhibited increased sensitivity to oxidative stress and impaired tumor formation in a xenograft model. Besides promoting metabolic changes required for proliferation, the regulatory properties of PKM2 may confer an additional advantage to cancer cells by allowing them to withstand oxidative stress.
A simplified unit for distance relaying

One method of providing an intermediate step between the performance, cost, and complexity of overcurrent and conventional 3-zone distance relays is described here. RELAY APPLICATION naturally varies widely with the practices of the various operating utilities. However, it seems to be a general trend that for low-voltage short lines, simple overcurrent relays are employed most commonly, while for longer moderate- to high-voltage lines a high-speed form of protection is used such as high-speed distance relaying. Modern high-speed 3-zone distance relaying is necessarily more complex and expensive than overcurrent relaying, and, while the fine performance of these relays might be considered desirable for intermediate-voltage lines, cost factors may swing the balance to straight overcurrent relaying. One method of providing an intermediate step between the performance, cost, and complexity of these two basic forms of relaying is described here. A previous article1 has described another scheme for providing distance relays economical for use on subtransmission lines.
Ego Threat and Intergroup Bias: A Test of Motivated-Activation Versus Self-Regulatory Accounts

Psychological Science http://pss.sagepub.com/ Ego Threat and Intergroup Bias : A Test of Motivated-Activation Versus Self-Regulatory Accounts Thomas J. Allen and Jeffrey W. Sherman Psychological Science 2011 22: 331 originally published online 11 February 2011 DOI: 10.1177/0956797611399291 The online version of this article can be found at: http://pss.sagepub.com/content/22/3/331 Published by: http://www.sagepublications.com On behalf of: Association for Psychological Science Additional services and information for Psychological Science can be found at: Email Alerts: http://pss.sagepub.com/cgi/alerts Subscriptions: http://pss.sagepub.com/subscriptions Reprints: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsReprints.nav Permissions: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav Downloaded from pss.sagepub.com at UNIV CALIFORNIA DAVIS on August 9, 2011
Tyrosine sulfation: a modulator of extracellular protein-protein interactions.

Abstract Tyrosine sulfation is a post-translational modification of many secreted and membrane-bound proteins. Its biological roles have been unclear. Recent work has implicated tyrosine sulfate as a determinant of protein–protein interactions involved in leukocyte adhesion, hemostasis and chemokine signaling.
A comparison of glycosaminoglycan synthesis by human fibroblasts from normal skin, normal scar, and hypertrophic scar.

Fibroblasts isolated from normal skin, normal scar, and hypertrophic scar tissues were compared with respect to their growth curves, protein contents, and abilities to synthesize glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). While no significant differences were found with respect to protein content or population doubling times, we did find significant differences in the proportions of radiolabel incorporated into the various GAGs among the 3 groups of cell lines. Using a dual-label technique to label both hyaluronic acid and the sulfated GAGs, we isolated labeled constituents from the extracellular, the pericellular, and the cellular fractions by pronase digestion and gel filtration and identified the various GAGs by electrophoresis and selective digestion with enzymes. Of the GAGS isolated from the extracellular fraction, hypertrophic scar fibroblasts incorporated proportionately more 35 S into chondroitin sulfate and less into heparan sulfate and more [ 3 H]glucosamine into hyaluronic acid than did normal skin fibroblasts. Of the GAGs isolated from the cellular fraction, hypertrophic scar fibroblasts incorporated proportionately more 38S into heparin and less into heparan sulfate and more [ 3 H]glucosamine into hyaluronic acid than did normal skin fibroblasts. These differences in biosynthesis may help to explain the differences in GAG content in skin and scars found in vivo and to give insight into the development of hypertrophic scars.
Poultry Disease Control in California

Abstract BASICALLY, the purpose of any attempt to control diseases of livestock and poultry is the reduction of the economic loss due to pathological conditions. This applies equally whether the abnormalities causing the decreased income are infectious or non-infectious; whether they cause mortality or decreased efficiency of production. Similarly, the difference between disease control and disease eradication is merely a matter of degree. Each attempts to increase the efficiency of production and enable the producer of livestock, poultry, or products of livestock and poultry to have a greater return from the time and money invested. The title of this paper is somewhat misleading, in that one might get the impression that in the State of California we have a single program of disease control. For rather obvious reasons this is not true. Wide variation is found in California. For example, the highest and lowest elevations in the United States are situated . . .
Dehydrogenase and oxoreductase activities of porcine placental 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Dehydrogenase (cortisol to cortisone) and oxoreductase (cortisone to cortisol) activities of porcine placental 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) were measured in tissue fragment cultures on day 75 of gestation. Dehydrogenase activity was over fivefold greater than oxoreductase activity (p < .001). There were positive linear associations (p < .01) between net dehydrogenase activity (dehydrogenase minus oxoreductase) and fetal weight, fetal length, and placental weight. These data indicate a predominance of placental 11beta-HSD dehydrogenase activity at this gestational stage that would insure a net conversion of cortisol to cortisone as it traverses the placenta. The data further suggest that 11beta-HSD activities may provide an optimal glucocorticoid environment that is supportive of enhanced fetal and placental growth.
Toward a global culture: Human rights, group rights and cultural relativism

This study seeks to define universal standards of human rights within a cross-cultural context. It begins with a review of three positions in the prior literatures regarding the relationship between culture and definitions of human rights. These three positions are: Western normative hegemony; weak cultural relativism; and strong cultural relativism. The paper then considers various feminist critiques that call into question the basic assumptions of all three prior views. The paper concludes by arguing that there are universal standards of human rights that apply to all cultures. My own position argues that these universal standards are part of an emerging "global culture."
A non-photorealistic lighting model for automatic technical illustration

Phong-shaded 3D imagery does not provide geometric information of the same richness as human-drawn technical illustrations. A non-photorealistic lighting model is presented that attempts to narrow this gap. The model is based on practice in traditional technical illustration, where the lighting model uses both luminance and changes in hue to indicate surface orientation, reserving extreme lights and darks for edge lines and highlights. The lighting model allows shading to occur only in mid-tones so that edge lines and highlights remain visually prominent. In addition, we show how this lighting model is modified when portraying models of metal objects. These illustration methods give a clearer picture of shape, structure, and material composition than traditional computer graphics methods. CR Categories: I.3.0 [Computer Graphics]: General; I.3.6 [Computer Graphics]: Methodology and Techniques.
Determinants of atypical antipsychotic use among antipsychotic users in community-dwelling elderly, 1996-2004.

ABSTRACTObjectives: This study examined the determinants of atypical antipsychotic use among antipsychotic users in community-dwelling elderly in the United States.Methods: The study involved analysis of household and prescription files of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 1996 to 2004. The analysis focused on the use of six atypical antipsychotic agents namely, clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, ziprasidone, and aripiprazole among the elderly of 60 years or older. Multiple logistic regression analysis within the conceptual framework of Andersen's Behavioral Model was used to examine the determinants of atypical antipsychotic use among antipsychotic users in community-dwelling elderly.Results: An average of 0.62 million elderly received antipsychotic agents annually during the study period. A majority of the elderly using antipsychotic agents were female (70%), white (86%), non-Hispanic (95%), and living in metropolitan statistical areas (79%). Frequently reported diagnose...
Topological separation versus weight sharing in neural net optimization

Recent advances in neural networks application development for real life problems have drawn attention to network optimization. Most of the known optimization methods rely heavily on a weight sharing concept for pattern separation and recognition. The shortcoming of the weight sharing method is attributed to a large number of extraneous weights which play a minimal role in pattern separation and recognition. Our experiments have shown that up to 97% of the connections in the network can be eliminated with little or no change in the network performance. Topological separation should be used when the size of the network is large enough to tackle real life problems such as fingerprint classification. Our research has focused on the network topology by changing the number of connections as secondary method of optimization. Our findings so far indicate that for large networks topological separation yields smaller network size which is more suitable for VLSI implementation. Topological separation is based on the error surface and information content of the network. As such it is an economical way of size reduction which leads to overall optimization. The differential pruning of the connections is based on the weight contents rather than number of connections. The training error may vary with the topological dynamics but the correlation between the error surface and recognition rate decreases to a minimum. Topological separation reduces the size of the network by changing its architecture without degrading its performance. The method also results in a network which is considerably smaller in size with a better performance.
Sandwiching of superconductor by carbon fibre metal matrix composite for improving the mechanical properties, air stability and thermal cycling resistance

The sandwiching of YBa2Cu3O7−δ by two layers of continuous copper-coated carbon fibre Sn-Pb matrix composite was found to (i) increase the tensile and compressive strengths in the direction parallel to the fibres, such that both strengths increased with increasing fibre volume fraction, (ii) increase the resistance to thermal cycling between room temperature and 77 K and (iii) increase the stability in air. The sandwich composites were made by diffusion bonding at 110°C and 0.34 MPa, or by hot roll bonding at 240°C and 7.0 cm s−1.
Fetal bowel anomalies – US and MR assessment

The technical quality of prenatal US and fetal MRI has significantly improved during the last decade and allows an accurate diagnosis of bowel pathology prenatally. Accurate diagnosis of bowel pathology in utero is important for parental counseling and postnatal management. It is essential to recognize the US presentation of bowel pathology in the fetus in order to refer the patient for further evaluation or follow-up. Fetal MRI has been shown to offer some advantages over US for specific bowel abnormalities. In this paper, we review the normal appearance of the fetal bowel on US and MRI as well as the typical presentations of bowel pathologies. We discuss more specifically the importance of recognizing on fetal MRI the abnormalities of size and T1-weighted signal of the meconium-filled distal bowel.
On Lattices Equivalent To Their Duals

Abstract A lattice is called isodual if it is geometrically congruent to its dual. We show that the densest three-dimensional isodual lattice is the "mean centered-cuboidal" lattice, a lattice which is in a sense the mean of the face-centered and body-centered cubic lattices. This lattice is also the most economical three-dimensional isodual covering. We give a number of other dense isodual lattices in R n , n ≤ 24.
Measuring the discriminatory impact associated with higher recreational fees

Abstract Higher fees for publicly provided outdoor recreation facilities have the potential of forcing low‐income users to reduce their use of the facilities more than for higher income users. Some low‐income users may be forced to stop using the facilities altogether. However, to our knowledge, no studies have been designed specifically to test for the presence of this type of discriminatory impact among current users. In this article we present an approach for determining whether higher fees create a discriminatory impact on low‐income users. An empirical application of the approach suggests that a discriminatory impact does exist among the users of Maine state park campgrounds.
Hierarchical encryption in WDM optical network links

In telecommunication networks and in computer grid networks, a significant ongoing research is in a technology known as wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), which is capable to transport more than 1 Tbps aggregate traffic over a single fiber. However, when massive amounts of information are transported, as in optical networks, there are three issues that stand, cost-efficient ultra-high bandwidth delivery, security of information and data, and security of the network and of the transporting link layer. In optical networks, each fiber link consists of segments, each several kilometers long. Since a single WDM channel carries traffic, there are opportunities for sophisticated eavesdroppers to tap the fiber, copy a channel, isolate a specific payload and attempt to decrypt it if the encryption key is known or it is breakable with a fast computer. Therefore, end-to-end data security should not only rely on the client's encryption method but also on securing the transmission method on the optical link. In this paper, we present a WDM link security methodology that encrypts multiple channels and with multiple keys to render channel monitoring by eavesdroppers virtually impossible. Although our paper presents the applicability of the method on a point-to-point topology, it is applicable to a multilink and edge-to-edge network path.
The theoretical bases of economic policy: the Schumpeterian perspective

The central role of economic policy in an evolutionary environment is stressed. Based on a Schumpeterian view the theoretical foundations of such a policy are discussed. This investigation leads to the result that not general rules satisfying and maintaining equilibrium are required but a constant watchfulness, reaction, and, if possible, anticipation of what happens in the economy.
Frequency dependence of muscarinic facilitation of transmitter release in urinary bladder strips from neurally intact or chronic spinal cord transected rats

1 Electrical stimulation evoked release of 3H-noradrenaline (NA) and 14C-acetylcholine (ACh), as well as neurally evoked contractions were measured at various (1–40 Hz, 100 shocks) stimulation frequencies in bladder strips from neurally intact (NI) and spinal cord transected (SCT) rats. 2 The frequency response curves for ACh and NA release were shifted to the left in SCT bladder strips as compared to NI bladder strips. 3 Atropine (1 μM) depressed ACh release in NI bladder strips at high frequency stimulation (10 and 40 Hz) but not at low frequency stimulation (2–5 Hz). However, in SCT bladders, atropine depressed ACh release both at low and high frequencies of stimulation, indicating that muscarinic facilitation occurs at lower frequencies. 4 Atropine depressed the release of NA in NI bladders at only 40 Hz stimulation, but depressed release at all frequencies in SCT bladders. 5 The amplitude of neurally evoked contractions of bladder strips from NI rats was enhanced as the frequency of stimulation was increased from 1 to 40 Hz (80 shocks). The frequency response curve was shifted to the left in SCT bladders. Atropine blocked the neurally evoked contractions in SCT bladder strips to a greater extent than the contractions in NI strips indicating a cholinergic dominance in the SCT bladders. 6 Maximal contractile force of SCT bladder strips evoked by neural stimulation at 20 Hz 10 shocks and 80 shocks was significantly lower than that of NI bladder strips, whereas the release of ACh was significantly higher in SCT than NI bladders indicating a postjunctional defect in the SCT preparations. 7 It is suggested that presynaptic muscarinic facilitatory mechanisms are upregulated in the cholinergic and adrenergic nerve terminals in SCT bladders leading to a larger relative contractile response at lower frequencies of stimulation (2–5 Hz). Thus the hyperreflexic bladder occurring after spinal cord injury may be due in part to an enhancement of transmitter release at bladder postganglionic nerve terminals. British Journal of Pharmacology (1998) 125, 241–246; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0702041
Cannabis abuse and risk for psychosis in a prodromal sample

The goal of the present study was to examine the rate of cannabis use among participants in the Cognitive Assessment and Risk Evaluation (CARE) Program, a longitudinal program for individuals who are "at risk" for developing a psychotic disorder. Cannabis abuse was assessed in 48 individuals identified as at risk for psychosis based on subsyndromal psychotic symptoms and/or family history. At 1 year follow-up, 6 of the 48 (12.5%) at risk subjects had made the transition to psychosis. Of the 32 subjects who had no use or minimal cannabis use, one subject (3.1%) converted to psychosis. Of the 16 subjects who met criteria for cannabis abuse/dependence, five (31.3%) converted to psychosis. The results show a significant association between cannabis abuse and conversion to psychosis in this sample. Nicotine use was also found to be significantly associated with later conversion. The significant associations between cannabis and nicotine abuse and conversion to psychosis in individuals at risk for schizophrenia suggest that early identification and intervention programs should screen for and provide education about the deleterious effects of these substances.
Transport of Methotrexate Dialkyl Ester Prodrugs Across Full-Thickness Hairless Mouse Skin

AbstractThe permeability coefficients of methotrexate (MTX) and a series of its mono and dialky1 ester prodrugs across full-thickness hairless mouse skin have been determined using an in vitro diffusion method. MTX was found to permeate across this skin model with a mean permeability of 5.6x10-5 cm/hr. Monoesterification only slightly improved MTX permeation and the effect appeared to be invariant with alky1 chain length. Diesterification of MTX, on the other hand, resulted in derivatives prone to simultaneous conversion during permeation by both skin esterase and chemical hydrolysis in the diffusion medium. The contribution of conversion to overall MTX diffusion was treated mathematically in order to calculate the intrinsic permeabilities of MTX dialky1 esters. It was found that the dialky1 esters showed a parabolic permeability versus chain length relationship with the dimethy1 ester being the most permeable compound.
Influence of Membrane Lipids on the Regulatory Properties of UDP‐Glucuronyltransferase

The maximal potential activity of UDP-glucuronyltransferase is constrained by the structure of the phospholipid environment in intact microsomal membranes. This constraint can be relieved by treatment of microsomes with phospholipase A. As shown by the data in this paper, however, relief of constraint is associated with a loss of specificity in the binding of UDP-sugars at the UDP-glucuronic acid site of UDP-glucuronyltransferase. As a result; several UDP-sugars which have no effect on the activity of the untreated enzyme act as inhibitors of the unconstrained, phospholipase A-treated form of UDP-glucuronyltransferase. In addition to the loss of specificity of substrate binding, the phospholipase-A-treated form of UDP-glucuronyltransfease cannot be activated by UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, which is a positive K-type of allosteric effector for the untreated form of the enzyme. UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, in fact, is an inhibitor of the phospholipase-A-treated from of the enzyme. In contrast to the effects of other UDP-sugars, inhibition by UDP-N-acetylglucosamine seems to result from the binding of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine at an allosteric site rather than the active site. Inhibition of the phospholipase-A-treated form of UDP-glucuronyltransferase by UDP-N-acetylglucosamine and other UDP-sugars is additive.
Computer Model Calibration Using the Ensemble Kalman Filter

Computer model calibration is the process of determining input parameter settings to a computational model that are consistent with physical observations. This is often quite challenging due to the computational demands of running the model. In this article, we use the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) for computer model calibration. The EnKF has proven effective in quantifying uncertainty in data assimilation problems such as weather forecasting and ocean modeling. We find that the EnKF can be directly adapted to Bayesian computer model calibration. It is motivated by the mean and covariance relationship between the model inputs and outputs, producing an approximate posterior ensemble of the calibration parameters. While this approach may not fully capture effects due to nonlinearities in the computer model response, its computational efficiency makes it a viable choice for exploratory analyses, design problems, or problems with large numbers of model runs, inputs, and outputs.
Self-Replicating Amyloid-Beta Oligomers Open Doors to New Molecular Mechanisms in Alzheimer Disease

Aggregates of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides have been implicated in the etiology of Alzheimer disease (AD). Among the different forms of Aβ aggregates, low molecular weight species ranging between 2- and 50-mers, also called “soluble oligomers,” have emerged as the species responsible for early synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss. Emerging evidence suggests that the neurotoxic oligomers need not be formed along the obligatory nucleation-dependant fibril formation pathway. In our earlier work, we reported the isolation of one such “off-pathway” 12–18-mer species of Aβ42 generated from fatty acids called large fatty acid-derived oligomers (LFAOs) (Kumar, A., Bullard, R. L., Patel, P., Paslay, L. C., Singh, D., Bienkiewicz, E. A., Morgan, S. E., and Rangachari, V. (2011) PLoS One 6, e18759). Here, we present the physiochemical aspects of LFAO-monomer interactions and its implications to AD. We discovered that LFAOs are a replicating strain of oligomers that recruit Aβ42 monomers and quantitatively convert them into LFAO assemblies at the expense of fibrils, a mechanism similar to prion propagation. These results further support the hypothesis that low molecular weight oligomers can be generated via non-fibril formation pathways. This unique self-replicating property of LFAOs has opened doors towards mechanisms that may be of profound significance for Alzheimer disease pathology.
Noninvasive imaging of molecular dynamics in heterogeneous materials

The macroscopic properties of microscopically heterogeneous materials are often determined by specific molecular changes within constitutive microdomains. In particular, the electrooptical properties of a class of composites termed polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) are established by the orientation dynamics of the component liquid crystals (LCs) and the dissolved species dictated by applied electric fields. We demonstrate the accessibility of spatially resolved molecular dynamics in the millisecond time regime by developing a time-resolved Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic imaging technique. Applying this approach to PDLCs, we determine the molecular reorientation dynamics to be a strong function of spatial position. The liquid crystal and polymer segmental dynamics correlate through dipole−dipole interactions, demonstrating that chemical factors other than surface anchoring interactions contribute significantly to the electrooptical characteristics of polymer−LC composites. The mor...
More advanced colonic cancer among smokers

Clinical records of 392 patients with adenocarcinomas of the colon were reviewed. Tumors identified in smokers had been diagnosed more often at an advanced stage. In comparison with tumors identified in nonsmokers, those of smokers were much less likely to be Modified Dukes' Stage A (3.9% versus 12.2%) (P < 0.001), less likely to be Stage B (30.1% versus 39.0%) or Stage C (23.3% versus 26.8%), and nearly twice as likely to be Stage D (42.7% versus 22.0%) (P < 0.001). The duration of symptoms before diagnosis was similar for smokers and nonsmokers. Age-corrected, 2-year and 5-year survivals were similar for smokers and nonsmokers after correction for the more advanced disease of smokers at diagnosis. The association between smoking and tumor stage was independent of age, sex, tumor location, and date of diagnosis. These observations suggest that environmental stresses may be able to modify tumor-host interrelationships. Smoking-associated changes seem most likely to reflect alterations in host immune anti-tumor defenses.Cancer 58:784-787, 1986.
Real-time estimation of arterial travel time under congested conditions

It is well-known that accurate estimation of arterial travel time on signalised arterials is not an easy task because of the periodic disruption on traffic flow by signal lights. It becomes even more difficult when the signal links are congested with long queues because under such situations the queue length cannot be estimated using the traditional cumulative input–output curves. In this article, we extend the virtual probe model previously proposed by the authors to estimate arterial travel time with congested links. Specifically, we introduce a new queue length estimation method that can handle long queues. The queue length defined in this article includes both the standing queue, i.e. the motionless stacked vehicles behind the stop line, and the moving queue, i.e. those vehicles joining the discharging traffic after the last vehicle in the standing queue starts to move. The moving queue concept is important for the virtual probe method because moving queue also influences the manoeuvre behaviour of a ...
The changing structure of US agriculture: Implications for world trade

Abstract The reciprocal cause and effect relationship between the structure of US agriculture and world trade is the central theme of this paper. The author highlights those dimensions of the structure which could have a significant impact on trade: farm numbers and size, ownership and control of farmland, changes in the value of production assets, proprietors' equity in farm assets, ownership of farm debt, sources of operating funds, changes in farm employment, changes in production technology, coordination of production and marketing, changes in the structure of commodity markets. The concluding section briefly assesses which of these factors have a major effect on trade.
Respiratory Effects of Short-Term, High-Intensity Toxic Inhalations: Smoke, Gases, and Fumes:

Respiratory insufficiency resulting from inhalation of hot air, smoke, or toxic gas is a common cause of death in fire victims. Toxic gas inhalation in settings other than fires is a less common but still important cause of death and disability. Pulmonary inhalation injury and systemic intoxication from exposure to a variety of agents are discussed with regard to their pathogenesis, pathophysi ology, diagnosis, and treatment. Upper airway obstruc tion and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema are the life- threatening respiratory complications in the immediate postinhalation period. Carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide intoxication are frequently associated with in halation injury in fire victims. Early recognition and treatment of inhalation injury and systemic intoxication in victims of fires and industrial and environmental acci dents could well result in improved survival.
Single-Molecule Arrays for Ultrasensitive Detection of Host Immune Response to Dengue Virus Infection

Dengue virus serotype 2-positive plasma was applied to two indirect single-molecule arrays (Simoas) for the detection of anti-dengue virus IgG and IgM. The Simoas were 1,000 and 10,000 times more sensitive than enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of IgG and IgM, respectively. Using Simoas, serology may be used for the detection of dengue virus infection in the acute phase.
Dual voltage design for minimum energy using gate slack

This paper presents a new slack-time based algorithm for dual V dd design to achieve maximum energy saving. Although a global optimum is sought computation time is kept low. The slack of a gate is defined as the difference between the critical path delay for the circuit and the delay of the longest path through that gate. A linear-time algorithm is used for computing slacks for all gates of the circuit. Positive non-zero slack gates are classified into two groups, one in which all gates can be unconditionally assigned low voltage and the other where only a selected subset can be assigned low voltage without violating the positive non-zero slack requirement. Multiple voltage boundaries are given special consideration. The overall complexity of this power optimization algorithm is linear in number of gates as compared to a previously published exponential-time exact algorithm using mixed integer linear program (MILP). We apply the new algorithm to optimize ISCAS'85 benchmark circuits and compare the results with those from MILP. We avoid the use of level converters at multiple voltage boundaries. Energy savings from the new slack-time based algorithm is very closed to those from MILP. For c880, the energy saving is 22% for subthreshold voltage operation and 50% for nominal operation in PTM CMOS 90nm. For c2670 nominal voltage design, time of dual voltage optimization is reduced 43X compared to the MILP method. This new algorithm is beneficial for large circuits with many large positive slack paths that would require enormous time for optimization by the MILP approach.
Third-Generation Instructional Models: More About Guiding Development and Design Than Selecting Training Methods

In this article, I summarize and respond to key comments and criticisms offered in commentaries on Kraiger (2008). At issue is whether the proposed third-generation instructional model is fundamentally sound, represents a new or better approach, overemphasizes the importance of learner–learner interaction, and underemphasizes the role of the instructor. Responses to these concerns are offered, along with clarification that the major contribution of the third-generation model is at the point of training design.
The clinical and environmental determinants of airway transcriptional profiles in allergic asthma.

Rationale: Gene expression profiling of airway epithelial and inflammatory cells can be used to identify genes involved in environmental asthma.Methods: Airway epithelia and inflammatory cells were obtained via bronchial brush and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from 39 subjects comprising three phenotypic groups (nonatopic nonasthmatic, atopic nonasthmatic, and atopic asthmatic) 4 hours after instillation of LPS, house dust mite antigen, and saline in three distinct subsegmental bronchi. RNA transcript levels were assessed using whole genome microarrays.Measurements and Main Results: Baseline (saline exposure) differences in gene expression were related to airflow obstruction in epithelial cells (C3, ALOX5AP, CCL18, and others), and to serum IgE (innate immune genes and focal adhesion pathway) and allergic–asthmatic phenotype (complement genes, histone deacetylases, and GATA1 transcription factor) in inflammatory cells. LPS stimulation resulted in pronounced transcriptional response across all subjects in b...
Patterns of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Multiple Infection and Genome Divergence in a Free-Ranging Population of African Lions

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus that causes AIDS-like immunodeficiency disease in domestic cats. Free-ranging lions, Panthera leo, carry a chronic species-specific strain of FIV, FIV-Ple, which so far has not been convincingly connected with immune pathology or mortality. FIV-Ple, harboring the three distinct strains A, B, and C defined by pol gene sequence divergences, is endemic in the large outbred population of lions in the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania. Here we describe the pattern of variation in the three FIV genes gag, pol-RT, and pol-RNase among lions within 13 prides to assess the occurrence of FIV infection and coinfection. Genome diversity within and among FIV-Ple strains is shown to be large, with strain divergence for each gene approaching genetic distances observed for FIV between different species of cats. Multiple in fections with two or three strains were found in 43% of the FIV-positive individuals based on pol-RT sequence analysis, which may suggest that antiviral immunity or interference evoked by one strain is not consistently protective against infection by a second. This comprehensive study of FIV-Ple in a free-ranging population of lions reveals a dynamic transmission of virus in a social species that has historically adapted to render the virus benign.
Modeling and simulation for product design process

Descriptive simulation finds the performance measure of a system, given a particular value for the input parameters. Inverse simulation reverses this and attempts to find the controllable input parameters required to achieve a particular performance measure. This paper proposes using a 'stochastic approximation' to estimate the necessary design parameters within a range of desired accuracy. The proposed solution algorithm is based on Newton's methods using a single-run simulation to minimize a loss function that measures the deviation from a target value. The properties of the solution algorithm and the validity of the estimates are examined by applying them to a reliability system with a known analytical solution.