cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) tat induces nitric-oxide synthase in human astroglia.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is known to cause neuronal injury and dementia in a significant proportion of patients. However, the mechanism by which HIV-1 mediates its deleterious effects in the brain is poorly defined. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of the HIV-1tat gene on the expression of inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) in human U373MG astroglial cells and primary astroglia. Expression of the tat gene as RSV-tat but not that of the CAT gene as RSV-CAT in U373MG astroglial cells led to the induction of NO production and the expression of iNOS protein and mRNA. Induction of NO production by recombinant HIV-1 Tat protein and inhibition of RSV-tat-induced NO production by anti-Tat antibodies suggest that RSV-tat-induced production of NO is dependent on Tat and that Tat is secreted from RSV-tat-transfected astroglia. Similar to U373MG astroglial cells, RSV-tat also induced the production of NO in human primary astroglia. The induction of human iNOS promoter-derived luciferase activity by the expression of RSV-tat suggests that RSV-tat induces the transcription of iNOS. To understand the mechanism of induction of iNOS, we investigated the role of NF-κB and C/EBPβ, transcription factors responsible for the induction of iNOS. Activation of NF-κB as well as C/EBPβ by RSV-tat, stimulation of RSV-tat-induced production of NO by the wild type of p65 and C/EBPβ, and inhibition of RSV-tat-induced production of NO by Δp65, a dominant-negative mutant of p65, and ΔC/EBPβ, a dominant-negative mutant of C/EBPβ, suggest that RSV-tat induces iNOS through the activation of NF-κB and C/EBPβ. In addition, we show that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) but not that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is involved in RSV-tat induced production of NO. Interestingly, PD98059, an inhibitor of the ERK pathway, and ΔERK2, a dominant-negative mutant of ERK2, inhibited RSV-tat-induced production of NO through the inhibition of C/EBPβ but not that of NF-κB. This study illustrates a novel role for HIV-1 tat in inducing the expression of iNOS in human astrocytes that may participate in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated dementia.
Novel role of human chorionic gonadotropin in differentiation of human cytotrophoblasts

Our laboratory previously demonstrated that cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts in human placental tissue contain hCG/LH receptors. From this finding, we postulated that one role of hCG might be to promote the differentiation of cytotrophoblasts into syncytiotrophoblasts. To test this postulate, cytotrophoblasts were isolated from human term pregnancy placentas and cultured with and without increasing concentrations of highly purified hCG. The results showed that hCG had a biphasic effect on 1) the aggregation of cells without intervening plasma membranes; 2) the expression of cadherin, a cell adhesion receptor that facilitates cellular aggregation; 3) the expression of hCG/LH receptor gene; and 4) the expression of three different hormonal markers of differentiation. The hCG effects were time and dose dependent and hormone specific. The addition of excess polyclonal hCG antibody, but not normal rabbit serum or nonspecific antirabbit immunoglobulin G, decreased basal responses as well as those to exogenous hCG. The polyclonal hCG/LH receptor antibody increased differentiation and dramatically stimulated hCG secretion in the presence or absence of exogenous hCG. (Bu)2cAMP mimicked the actions of hCG. H-89, a protein kinase-A inhibitor, decreased basal as well as exogenous hCG responses. Calphostin, a protein kinase-C inhibitor and lavendustin, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on the other hand, had no effect. In summary, it is novel that hCG made in human placenta can regulate the differentiation of cytotrophoblasts, which make little hCG, into syncytiotrophoblasts, which make considerable amounts of hCG.
Preisach model study of nonlinear exchange bias in antiferromagnetically coupled bilayers

In this paper, a theoretical study of the exchange bias as a function of the interfacial exchange and the grain structure of an antiferromagnetically coupled (AFC) bilayer media was performed. AFC structures are more convenient for this purpose then conventional exchange bias structures, because the exchange bias effect can be tuned solely through the applied field history without the need for thermal processing. In particular, a phenomenological Preisach-type model of the AFC bilayer media was proposed. Results gave an explanation for the recent experimental observation of nonlinear hysteretic exchange bias, as being caused by non-uniformity in interfacial exchange coupling. The role of the grain structure of the stabilizing layer on the bias field was also discussed in the framework of the proposed model.
Geographic variation in plasma protein patterns of snakes.

SummaryDistinct geographic differences between plasma proteins are revealed in king-snakes, racers, water snakes and garter snakes by variations in the position, number and quantity of fractions of paper-electrophoretic patterns. The faster migrating fractions of the patterns are most useful in such comparisons as slower migrating fractions exhibit much physiologic variation.
Temporal consistency and individual specialization in resource use by green turtles in successive life stages

Not all individuals in a population use the same subset of dietary and habitat resources. Patterns of indi- vidual specialization have been documented in an increasing number of organisms, but often without an associated time scale over which niche specialization was observed. We examined the patterns in individual resource use through time and in relation to the population with metrics of temporal consistency and degree of individual specialization. We used stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen in successive subsections of scute tissue from the carapace to compare foraging patterns in three suc- cessive life stages of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Temporal consistency was measured as the mean within- individual variation in stable isotope values through time, whereas the degree of individual specialization was a ratio of the individual variation to that of the population. The distinction between these two parameters is important, as the metric of temporal consistency quantifies the regularity of individual resource use, and the degree of individual specialization indicates what proportion of the population niche an average individual uses. The scute record retains a chronological history of resource use and was estimated to represent a minimum 0.8 years in juveniles to a maximum of 6.5 years in adults. Both temporal consistency and individual specialization varied significantly among life stages. Adults were highly consistent in resource use through time and formed a generalist population with individual specialists maintaining long-term patterns in resource use. Oceanic and neritic juvenile life stages exhibited less temporal consistency in resource use with less individual specialization than adults. These observa- tions are important when considering the ecological roles filled by green turtles in each life stage; also, individual differences in resource use may result in differential fitness consequences.
Temperature/Composition Phase Diagram of the System Bi2O3‐PbO

The Bi2O3-PbO phase diagram was determined using differential thermal analysis and both room- and high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction. The phase diagram contains a single eutectic at 73 mol% PbO and 635°C. A body-centered cubic solid solution exists above ∼600°C within a composition range of 30 to 65 mol% PbO. The compounds α-Bi2O3, σ5-Bi2O3, and γ-PbO (litharge) have wide solubility ranges. Four compounds, 6Bi2O3·PbO, 3Bi2O3·2PbO, 4Bi2O3,5PbO, and Bi2O3·3PbO, are formed in this system and the previously unreported X-ray diffraction patterns of the latter three compounds are reported. Diffraction patterns for some of these mixed oxides have been observed in ZnO-based varistors grown using Bi2O3 and PbO as sintering aids.
Cantilever and Implant Biomechanics: A Review of the Literature, Part 1

In Part 1 of this two-part literature review, the biomechanics of cantilever fixed partial dentures are reviewed. Theoretical constructs of implant biomechanics with special emphasis on implant-supported cantilevers are also discussed. Finally, an overview of the literature regarding occlusal forces generated by patients with implant-supported prostheses is presented.
Shared roles of yeast glycogen synthase kinase 3 family members in nitrogen-responsive phosphorylation of meiotic regulator Ume6p.

The pathway of meiosis and spore formation of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is initiated in response to nitrogen limitation. Underlying this pathway is a global change in gene expression: within 2 h after starvation, 58 genes are activated over fivefold (8). Many of these genes belong to the set of early meiotic genes, which are required for normal progression through meiosis (20). Expression of early meiotic genes depends on Ume6p and Ime1p, two subunits of a heteromeric transcriptional activator. Ume6p-Ime1p interaction is stimulated by nitrogen limitation (32), but the mechanism through which nitrogen governs interaction is unknown. Rim11p, a relative of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), is required for Ume6p-Ime1p interaction (25, 32). Rim11p phosphorylates both Ime1p and Ume6p in vitro within the interaction region of each protein, and multisite amino acid substitutions that abolish phosphorylation in vitro also disrupt complex formation (4, 24, 25). Thus, regulation of Rim11p-dependent phosphorylation of either substrate would provide a simple mechanism for regulation of Ume6p-Ime1p complex formation. In vitro measurements indicate that Rim11p specific activity is fourfold higher in acetate-grown cells than in glucose-grown cells but have not revealed any response of Rim11p to nitrogen limitation (25). Rim11p is loosely related to Mck1p (44% identity), a second yeast GSK3 homolog that has diverse functions. Mck1p promotes growth at temperature extremes, diauxic adaptation, centromere segregation, and meiosis (6, 16, 27, 35). In meiosis, Mck1p has two known roles (2, 27). First, it promotes IME1 transcription and is thus required indirectly for Ume6p-Ime1p interaction. Second, it promotes spore maturation, which occurs at the end of the meiotic program. Puziss et al. found that overexpression of Rim11p improves growth of an mck1 mutant at low and high temperatures (30), thus suggesting that Rim11p and Mck1p might have partially overlapping functions. However, mck1 mutant phenotypes are unaffected by a rim11 null mutation, and it has thus seemed equally likely that Rim11p can substitute for Mck1p only when it is overexpressed. In this study, we have examined the state of Ume6p phosphorylation in vivo. Our findings indicate that Rim11p and Mck1p act together to promote Ume6p phosphorylation and activity. The extent of Ume6p phosphorylation depends on nutrient availability and on the nutritional response protein kinase Rim15p (40), thus indicating that a nutritional control pathway governs phosphorylation by Rim11p and Mck1p. Our results predict a simple genetic interaction between rim11 and mck1 mutations that may provide a generally useful redundancy test for multifunctional protein kinases.
Differential arrival of leading and lagging strand DNA polymerases at fission yeast telomeres

To maintain genomic integrity, telomeres must undergo switches from a protected state to an accessible state that allows telomerase recruitment. To better understand how telomere accessibility is regulated in fission yeast, we analysed cell cycle‐dependent recruitment of telomere‐specific proteins (telomerase Trt1, Taz1, Rap1, Pot1 and Stn1), DNA replication proteins (DNA polymerases, MCM, RPA), checkpoint protein Rad26 and DNA repair protein Nbs1 to telomeres. Quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation studies revealed that MCM, Nbs1 and Stn1 could be recruited to telomeres in the absence of telomere replication in S‐phase. In contrast, Trt1, Pot1, RPA and Rad26 failed to efficiently associate with telomeres unless telomeres are actively replicated. Unexpectedly, the leading strand DNA polymerase e (Pole) arrived at telomeres earlier than the lagging strand DNA polymerases α (Polα) and δ (Polδ). Recruitment of RPA and Rad26 to telomeres matched arrival of DNA Pole, whereas S‐phase specific recruitment of Trt1, Pot1 and Stn1 matched arrival of DNA Polα. Thus, the conversion of telomere states involves an unanticipated intermediate step where lagging strand synthesis is delayed until telomerase is recruited.
DISTURBED RELATIONSHIP OF PLASMA-RENIN TO BLOOD-PRESSURE IN HYPERTENSION

Abstract A significant inverse relationship is reported in 78 normotensive individuals between blood-pressure and both plasma-renin-activity (P.R.A.) and plasma-renin concentration (P.R.C.). A similar relationship was not found in 76 hypertensive individuals. Use of the linear regression line of log P.R.C. v . mean blood-pressure for the 78 normotensive individuals revealed that 55% of hypertensive subjects had high P.R.C. (beyond 95% confidence limits) while none had low P.R.C. These data suggest that a negative feedback normally exists between blood-pressure and renin release, and that this mechanism operates imperfectly in a large proportion of individuals with mild hypertension, resulting in an inappropriately large release of renin for the level of blood-pressure. While a correlation between sodium excretion and blood-pressure was found, the relationship between renin and blood-pressure seems independent of the amount of sodium intake. An awareness of these relationships necessitates a reappraisal of the role of renin in hypertension.
An electrochemically driven poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic actuator: oxygen sensing and programmable flows and pH gradients.

We describe the fabrication and performance of an integrated microelectrochemical reactor—a design possessing utility for multiple applications that include electrochemical sensing, the generation and manipulation of in-channel microfluidic pH gradients, and fluid actuation and flow. The device architecture is based on a three-electrode electrochemical cell design that incorporates a Pt interdigitated array (IDA) working (WE), a Pt counter (CE), and Ag pseudo-reference (RE) electrodes within a microfluidic network in which the WE is fully immersed in a liquid electrolyte confined in the channels. The microchannels are made from a conventional poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) elastomer, which serves also as a thin gas-permeable membrane through which gaseous reactants in the external ambient environment are supplied to the working electrode by diffusion. Due to the high permeability of oxygen through PDMS, the microfluidic cell supports significantly (>order of magnitude) higher current densities in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) than those measured in conventional (quiescent) electrochemical cells for the same electrode areas. We demonstrate in this work that, when operated at constant potential under mass transport control, the device can be utilized as a membrane-covered oxygen sensor, the response of which can be tuned by varying the thickness of the PDMS membrane. Depending on the experimental conditions under which the electrochemical ORR is performed, the data establish that the device can be operated as both a programmable pH gradient generator and a microfluidic pump.
Carpal tunnel syndrome with polymyalgia rheumatica

Association of carpal tunnel syndrome with systemic diseases is well established. Carpal tunnel syndrome preceded or existed simultaneously in 5 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. It is probably related to tenosynovitis resulting in increase in the volume of the contents of the tunnel.
Microglial p38α MAPK is a key regulator of proinflammatory cytokine up-regulation induced by toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands or beta-amyloid (Aβ).

Background: Overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines from activated microglia has been implicated as an important contributor to pathophysiology progression in both acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, it is critical to elucidate intracellular signaling pathways that are significant contributors to cytokine overproduction in microglia exposed to specific stressors, especially pathways amenable to drug interventions. The serine/threonine protein kinase p38a MAPK is a key enzyme in the parallel and convergent intracellular signaling pathways involved in stressor-induced production of IL-1b and TNFa in peripheral tissues, and is a drug development target for peripheral inflammatory diseases. However, much less is known about the quantitative importance of microglial p38a MAPK in stressor-induced cytokine overproduction, or the potential of microglial p38a MAPK to be a druggable target for CNS disorders. Therefore, we examined the contribution of microglial p38aMAPK to cytokine up-regulation, with a focus on the potential to suppress the cytokine increase by inhibition of the kinase with pharmacological or genetic approaches. Methods: The microglial cytokine response to TLR ligands 2/3/4/7/8/9 or to Ab1-42 was tested in the presence of a CNS-penetrant p38a MAPK inhibitor, MW01-2-069A-SRM. Primary microglia from mice genetically deficient in p38a MAPK were used to further establish a linkage between microglia p38a MAPK and cytokine overproduction. The in vivo significance was determined by p38a MAPK inhibitor treatment in a LPS-induced model of acute neuroinflammation. Results: Increased IL-1b and TNFa production by the BV-2 microglial cell line and by primary microglia cultures was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the p38a MAPK-targeted inhibitor. Cellular target engagement was demonstrated by the accompanying decrease in the phosphorylation state of two p38a MAPK protein substrates, MK2 and MSK1. Consistent with the pharmacological findings, microglia from p38a-deficient mice showed a diminished cytokine response to LPS. Further, oral administration of the inhibitor blocked the increase of IL-1b in the cerebral cortex of mice stressed by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Conclusion: The p38a MAPK pathway is an important contributor to the increased microglial production of proinflammatory cytokines induced by diverse stressors. The results also indicate the feasibility of targeting p38a MAPK to modulate CNS proinflammatory cytokine overproduction.
The influence of specimen boundary conditions on the fracture toughness of running cracks

Abstract Dynamic crack propagation experiments on 4340 steel were combined with elastodynamic finite element analyses to determine the fracture toughness of running cracks as a function of crack velocity, K ID (ν) . The influence of different specimen boundary conditions on K ID (ν) was examined by testing compact specimens using loading systems having different stiffnesses. Under compliant loading, the boundary conditions varied from approximately fixed displacement (decreasing K ) at high crack velocities to those approaching constant load (increasing K ) at low velocities. In contrast, stiff loading approximated fixed displacement conditions (to within 20%) for all crack velocities. The results exhibited unexpectedly large variations in K ID (ν) suggesting that this parameter is not a geometry-independent, material property. Possible reasons for the nonuniqueness of K ID (ν) are discussed including experimental error, limitations of the analytical modeling, and variations in the intrinsic material properties and associated crack propagation mechanism.
Correcting density-dependent effects in abundance estimates from bottom-trawl surveys

Indices of abundance are important for estimating population trends in stock assessment and ideally should be based on fishery-independ- ent surveys to avoid problems associated with the hyperstability of the commercial catch per unit effort (cpue) data. However, recent studies indicate that the efficiency of the survey bottom trawl (BT) for some species can be density-dependent, which could affect the reliability of survey-derived indices of abundance. A function qef (u), where qe is the BT efficiency and u the catch rate, was derived using experimentally derived acoustic dead-zone correction and BT efficiency parameters obtained from combining a subset of BT catch data with synchronously collected acoustic data from walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in the eastern Bering Sea (EBS). We found that qe decreased with increasing BT catches resulting in hyperstability of the index of abundance derived from BT survey. Density-dependent qe resulted in spatially and temporarily variable bias in survey cpue and biased population age structure derived from survey data. We used the relationship qef (u) to correct the EBS trawl survey index of abundance for density-dependence. We also obtained a variance- covariance matrix for a new index that accounted for sampling variability and the uncertainty associated with the qe. We found that incorporating estimates of the new index of abundance changed outputs from the walleye pollock stock as- sessment model. Although changes were minor, we advocate incorporating estimates of density-dependent qe into the walleye pollock stock assessment as a precautionary measure that should be undertaken to avoid negative consequences of the density-dependent qe.
Effect of Mechanical Stresses on Characteristics of Chip Tantalum Capacitors

The effect of compressive mechanical stresses on chip solid tantalum capacitors is investigated by monitoring the characteristics of different part types under axial and hydrostatic stresses. An exponential increase of leakage currents was observed when stresses exceeded a critical value, which varied on average from 10 to 40 MPa depending on the part type. For the first time, reversible variations of leakage currents (up to two orders of magnitude) with stress have been demonstrated. Mechanical stresses did not cause significant changes of ac characteristics of the capacitors, whereas breakdown voltages measured during the surge-current testing decreased substantially, indicating an increased probability of failures of stressed capacitors in low-impedance applications. Variations of leakage currents are explained by a combination of two mechanisms: stress-induced scintillations and stress-induced generation of electron traps in the tantalum pentoxide dielectric.
Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus attachment to the gastrointestinal tract is associated with sialic acid binding

DA and GDVII are strains of Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV). DA virus mutant DApB encodes VP2 puff B of GDVII, whereas DApBL2M contains VP1 loop II of GDVII with a point mutation in VP2 puff B. Neuraminidase treatment of cells inhibited infection by DA and DApB, but not GDVII or DApBL2M viruses; sialic acid (SA) binding correlated with virus persistence. In virus binding assays to intestine sections, all four TMEVs bound goblet cells and the mucus of the epithelium that was SA dependent. Therefore, differences in SA composition on different cell types can affect tropism and infection.
DOES NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN INFLUENCE TRAVEL?: A BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS OF TRAVEL DIARY AND GIS DATA

Abstract Can urban design improve the environment? If communities could be designed to reduce automobile use, then yes. But can urban design influence travel? Surprisingly perhaps, the effects of any specific neighborhood feature on travel behavior at the margin are all but unknown. The policy significance of this issue is reflected in the swelling popularity of the ‘new urbanism’ and other planning strategies employing land use tools to mitigate the environmental impacts of metropolitan development. In addition to asserting that development patterns and densities affect how far, how often, and by what means people travel, urban designers frequently argue that the legibility and shape of the local street pattern play a key role. ‘Connected’ residential blocks are thus associated with less driving by comparison with the circuitous routes of the modern suburban cul-de-sac—chiefly by reducing trip lengths and facilitating pedestrian and transit access. Remarkably, there is little empirical and theoretical support for these claims. This paper provides the first direct tests of these hypotheses within a consistent behavioral framework. An analysis of household travel diary and GIS data for San Diego finds little role for land use in explaining travel behavior, and no evidence that the street network pattern affects either short or long non-work travel decisions. While results may vary in other areas, the empirical argument for using land use as an element of regional air quality or other environmental plans remains to be demonstrated.
Forgetting in context: The effects of age, emotion, and social factors on retrieval-induced forgetting

Retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) refers to the finding that selectively retrieving some information impairs subsequent memory for related but nonretrieved information. This occurs both for the individual doing the remembering (i.e., within-individual retrieval-induced forgetting: WI-RIF), as well as for individuals merely listening to those recollections (i.e., socially shared retrieval-induced forgetting: SS-RIF). In the present study, we examined how the contextual factors of age and emotion independently and interactively affect both WI-RIF and SS-RIF. The results indicated that both WI-RIF and SS-RIF occurred at equivalent levels, both for younger and older adults and for neutral and emotional information. However, we identified a boundary condition to this effect: People only exhibited SS-RIF when the speaker that they were listening to was of the same sex as themselves. Given that participants reported feeling closer to same-sex speakers, this suggests that people co-retrieve more, and therefore exhibit increased SS-RIF, with close others. In everyday life, these RIF effects should influence what information is remembered versus forgotten in individual and collective memories.
Evaluating the Effect of Access to Free Medication to Quit Smoking: A Clinical Trial Testing the Role of Motivation

INTRODUCTION Although the majority of smokers are ambivalent about quitting, few treatments specifically target smokers lacking motivation to quit in the near future. Most existing interventions are instead predicated on the belief that active treatments should only be distributed to smokers interested in quitting, a largely untested assumption. METHODS In the current clinical trial (N = 157), motivated smokers wanting to quit in the next 30 days were given a 2-week nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) sample and a referral to a quitline (Group MNQ), while unmotivated smokers were randomized to receive the same treatment (Group UNQ) or a quitline referral only (Group UQ). Participants were tracked via telephone for 3 months to assess quitting behaviors and smoking reduction. RESULTS Groups significantly differed across all comparisons with regard to incidence of any quit attempt (MNQ: 77%, UNQ: 40%, UQ: 18%, p < .05) and any 24-hr quit attempts (62%, 32%, 16%, p < .05). Clinically meaningful differences emerged in the rates of floating (19%, 17%, 6%) and point prevalence abstinence (17%, 15%, 5%). Compared to participants in Group UQ (11%), a greater proportion of participants in Group MNQ (48%, p = .01) and Group UNQ (31%, p = .01) reduced their daily cigarette consumption by at least half. Proxy measures of cessation readiness (e.g., motivation) favored participants receiving active forms of treatment. CONCLUSIONS Providing NRT samples engaged both motivated and unmotivated smokers into the quitting process and produced positive changes in smoking outcomes. This suggests that motivation should not be considered a necessary precondition to receiving treatment.
Thermal conductivity of monolayer hexagonal boron nitride nanoribbons

Abstract Using reverse nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations (RNEMD), the thermal conductivity of monolayer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoribbons as a function of length, width and edge chirality are investigated. While width effects on the thermal conductivity are not considerable, by increasing the length of ribbons their thermal conductivity significantly increases. The thermal conductivity of infinitely long armchair and zigzag nanoribbons are respectively predicted to be 277.78 W/m K and 588.24 W/m K, which are about one order of magnitude less than those of graphene. Moreover, we have studied the impact of monovanacies and Stone–Wales defects. While both monovacancies and Stone–Wales defects drastically lower the thermal conductivity of BN ribbons, the Stone–Wales defects have a more sever impact on the thermal transport properties of h-BN ribbons.
Computed Tomography and MRI of the Hepatobiliary System and Pancreas

MRI and computed tomographic (CT) imaging are becoming more common in the diagnosis of hepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders in small animals. With the advent of multislice CT scanners, sedated examinations in veterinary patients are feasible increasing the use of this imaging modality. CT and MRI provide additional information for dogs and cats with hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases because of lack of superimposition of structures, operator dependence, and through intravenous contrast administration. This added value provides more information for diagnosis, prognosis, and surgical planning.
Computer modeling of gastric parietal cell: significance of canalicular space, gland lumen, and variable canalicular [K+]

A computer model, constructed for evaluation of integrated functioning of cellular components involved in acid secretion by the gastric parietal cell, has provided new interpretations of older experimental evidence, showing the functional significance of a canalicular space separated from a mucosal bath by a gland lumen and also shedding light on basolateral Cl(-) transport. The model shows 1) changes in levels of parietal cell secretion (with stimulation or H-K-ATPase inhibitors) result mainly from changes in electrochemical driving forces for apical K(+) and Cl(-) efflux, as canalicular [K(+)] ([K(+)]can) increases or decreases with changes in apical H(+)/K(+) exchange rate; 2) H-K-ATPase inhibition in frog gastric mucosa would increase [K(+)]can similarly with low or high mucosal [K(+)], depolarizing apical membrane voltage similarly, so electrogenic H(+) pumping is not indicated by inhibition causing similar increase in transepithelial potential difference (Vt) with 4 and 80 mM mucosal K(+); 3) decreased H(+) secretion during strongly mucosal-positive voltage clamping is consistent with an electroneutral H-K-ATPase being inhibited by greatly decreased [K(+)]can (Michaelis-Menten mechanism); 4) slow initial change ("long time-constant transient") in current or Vt with clamping of Vt or current involves slow change in [K(+)]can; 5) the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) symporter (NKCC) is likely to have a significant role in Cl(-) influx, despite evidence that it is not necessary for acid secretion; and 6) relative contributions of Cl(-)/HCO3 (-) exchanger (AE2) and NKCC to Cl(-) influx would differ greatly between resting and stimulated states, possibly explaining reported differences in physiological characteristics of stimulated open-circuit Cl(-) secretion (≈H(+)) and resting short-circuit Cl(-) secretion (>>H(+)).
Geometry: The Parallel Postulate

The first half of the nineteenth century was a time of tremendous change and upheavals all over the world. First the American and then the French revolution had eroded old power structures and political and philosophical belief systems, making way for new paradigms of social organization. The Industrial Revolution drastically changed the lives of most people in Europe and the recently formed United States of America, with the newly perfected steam locomotive as its most visible symbol of progress. The modern era began to take shape during this time (Exercise 1.1). No wonder that mathematics experienced a major revolution of its own, which also laid the foundations for the modern mathematical era. For twenty centuries one distinguished mathematician after another attempted to prove that the geometry laid out by Euclid around 300 B.C.E. in his Elements was the “true” and only one, and provided a description of the physical universe we live in. Not until the end of the eighteenth century did it occur to somebody that the reason for two-thousand years’ worth of spectacular failure might be that it was simply not true. After the admission of this possibility, proof of its reality was not long in coming However, in the end this “negative” answer left mathematics a much richer subject. Instead of one geometry, there now was a rich variety of possible geometries, which found applications in many different areas and ultimately provided the mathematical language for Einstein’s relativity theory.
A temperature-dependent coarse-grained model for the thermoresponsive polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

A coarse-grained (CG) model is developed for the thermoresponsive polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), using a hybrid top-down and bottom-up approach. Nonbonded parameters are fit to experimental thermodynamic data following the procedures of the SDK (Shinoda, DeVane, and Klein) CG force field, with minor adjustments to provide better agreement with radial distribution functions from atomistic simulations. Bonded parameters are fit to probability distributions from atomistic simulations using multi-centered Gaussian-based potentials. The temperature-dependent potentials derived for the PNIPAM CG model in this work properly capture the coil–globule transition of PNIPAM single chains and yield a chain-length dependence consistent with atomistic simulations.
Bladder Distension Increases Blood Flow in Pain Related Brain Structures in Subjects with Interstitial Cystitis.

Purpose: In healthy control subjects certain brain regions of interest demonstrate increased regional cerebral blood flow in response to painful stimuli. We examined the effect of bladder distension on arterial spin label functional magnetic resonance imaging measures of regional cerebral blood flow in regions of interest in subjects with interstitial cystitis.Materials and Methods: A total of 11 female subjects with interstitial cystitis and 11 healthy controls underwent 3 brain perfusion scan studies using arterial spin label functional magnetic resonance imaging, including 1) with a full bladder, 2) with an empty bladder and 3) while experiencing heat pain. Regional cerebral blood flow was calculated using custom software and individual scans were spatially normalized to the MNI (Montreal Neurological Institute) template. Region of interest based, absolute regional cerebral blood flow was determined for each condition and for the within group/within subject regional cerebral blood flow distribution cha...
A Process to Obtain Robustness Metrics for Adaptive Flight Controllers

*† * ‡ * This research effort seeks a process to draw parallels between the classical stability metrics of gain and phase margins for classical linear control systems with stability margins for adaptive controllers. The method uses a Monte Carlo simulation to yield stability threshold results for the adaptive controller based on problem-specific performance metrics. By fitting a linear controller’s analytical robustness results to the adaptive stability data, the gain and phase margin for the performance-fitting linear system are considered to be the worst case equivalent gain and phase margin for the adaptive controller. This paper also discusses some experiences successfully obtaining time delay margin in a flight test setting.
Yes, Virginia, There Will Always Be Administrators

School administrators and teachers recognize the pertinence of perceived, classroom enviroriiucui iui siuucm ucnaviui aim auncvc ment. To evaluate this environment, the Class Atmosphere Scale (CAS) assesses quantitatively the perceptions held by teacher and stu dents about their common class milieu. A sample of 30 classes (N=509) provides data to calculate percentile norms for each of the 12 CAS subscales. Further analysis suggests four discrete applications of subscale profiles. The CAS can be useful for future basic and applied research on classroom structure and behavior. TO EVALUATE the learning environment of the class room is vital. One promising approach is measurement of the atmosphere or perceived pyschosocial environment. (See the review of pertinent research by Randhawa and Fu (14).) An appropriate atmosphere scale would enable administrators and teachers to describe in environmental terms the pattern and impact of classroom interactions. Specifically, an objective typology could assess student classroom and teacher-classroom fit or mismatch and thus suggest necessary changes. Furthermore, objective norms could predict potential for progress in classroom learning. To quantify the environmental contributions by teacher and by students, and to provide feedback on changes in class atmosphere seem attainable goals. Classroom environments vary. Different subjects, teach ers, and students generate diverse social ecological milieus affecting classroom behavior. Analytically, settings may be compared on the basis of objective characteristics or in terms of perceptions held by participants. These two fac to s are not necessarily congruent. For example, a teacher may in fact be quite strict, though perceived by students as permissive. However, perception is the primary determinant of manifest classro m behavior (9). The Class Atmosphere Scale (CAS) (15) measures perceived environment in order to specify degree of consensus and, inferentially, the strength of behavioral press along several dimensions.2 The CAS discriminates statistically among teachers, subjects, and classes, as well s among classes conducted by the same teacher. In addition, this instrument is composed of sub scales that have adequate internal consistency, external validity, and profile stability. CAS subscales are identical to those of the Ward Atmo phere Scale (WAS) (10) and those This content downloaded from 157.55.39.235 on Fri, 07 Oct 2016 06:02:29 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms
Quantitative Systems Pharmacology: A Framework for Context.

Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) is receiving increased attention. As the momentum builds and the expectations grow it is important to (re)assess and formalize the basic concepts and approaches. In this short review, I argue that QSP, in addition to enabling the rational integration of data and development of complex models, maybe more importantly, provides the foundations for developing an integrated framework for the assessment of drugs and their impact on disease within a broader context expanding the envelope to account in great detail for physiology, environment, and prior history. I articulate some of the critical enablers, major obstacles, and exciting opportunities manifesting themselves along the way. Charting such overarching themes will enable practitioners to identify major and defining factors as the field progressively moves towards personalized and precision healthcare delivery.
Distribution of Go60B12 in Blood of Chickens and Rabbits.

SummaryThe distribution of radioactivity between plasma and erythrocytes was determined in 30-day-old rabbits and newly-hatched chicks fed Co60 cyanocobalamin supplemented diets for 8 and 11 weeks respectively. In chick blood, 87% of the radioactivity was found in plasma, and all of the radioactivity was present in plasma of the rabbits. The distribution was not altered when the animals were depleted of vit. B12 for 2 weeks. The small amount of radioactivity present in erythrocytes was firmly bound and less than 20% was removed by washing the cells 4 times with saline.
The Politics of Policy Change

I compile accounts of U.S. federal policy change since 1945 and aggregate explanations for these changes. I focus on civil rights & liberties, education, and the environment. I introduce a new method for content analyzing secondary sources, rather than independently analyzing each policy change. Observers of policy history attribute policy change to at least 50 different factors but that no factor is judged important in more than one-third of explanations. Policy histories in these areas also demonstrate frequent policy changes in diverse venues. Explanations for policy change reference the executive branch and interest groups more often than other sets of factors; Congressional factors and real-world events are the next most frequent components of explanations for policy change. There are important differences in the types of factors contributing to policy change across venues, across issue areas, and across time.
Can we learn health care lessons from Germany

While Americans are unlikely to import a foreign health care financing system lock, stock and barrel, the country could learn from Germany's checks and balances that maintain fairness, economy and professional freedom, says this well-known congressional adviser.
Update and evaluation of Australian guidelines. Industry perspective.

This article is presented on behalf of the Australian Pharmaceutical industry and presents or represents the experiences of a cross section of the research-based industry. The qualitative comments made have been developed from inputs and discussions that took place between representatives of the industry and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) in October of 1994, as they undertook a technical review of the current costeffectiveness guidelines, which Mitchell refers to in his article.1 More recently, there has been a series of in-depth interviews with those members of the industry who have had significant experience under the guidelines during the last 2 years. This article describes the industry's experience with the guidelines. As suggested, the focus is on the areas of agreement between the reimbursement authorities and the industry, as well as the areas of controversy. Thus, the article begins with a brief discussion of areas of agreement and then goes on to discuss the additional areas of review process, methods, component, comparator, expert opinion, and industry experience. In terms of providing feedback from
How to discover drivers of gas construction productivity

In their continuous pursuit of productivity improvements, gas utilities and pipe line companies have tried to use some of the best data available: comparisons of productivity for different districts or territories. The data are readily available, familiar to operating personnel, and potentially a great source of insight into what drives productivity. This paper reports that the fact is that all these variables do make a difference, but it is hard to know how much of a difference, each one makes and which is most important. Therein lies the problem--and the opportunity. Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE G) used some simple statistical tools to find out the main determinants of district productivity. The gas business unit of PSE G serves over 11/2 million customers from northeastern New Jersey to the eastern suburbs of Philadelphia. Its 13 districts include a mix of stable towns and new growth areas. The southern edge of the Wisconsal moraine covers the northern districts, leaving them with stony soil and occasional outcroppings of rock. Paving, spoil removal and other job conditions vary widely by district.
Female Police Officers and Their Experiences: The Metropolitan Police of Buenos Aires Context

This research explores the experience of female police officers in the Metropolitan Police of Buenos Aires, which began providing public safety in 2010. The purpose of this research is to better understand the barriers and opportunities female officers are encountering in this new context of community policing in Latin America. With better understanding, law enforcement officials will be better equipped to ensure that female officers achieve at the highest levels in organizations. Responding female officers identified civic duty as a primary reason for joining the force. Female officers did not report significant levels of institutional discrimination but did report informal disparaging treatment, including sexual harassment. The results of this research suggest that as this young police force matures, officials should pay close attention to the emerging culture of the organization, as many common and negative aspects of it have already started to form.
Pilot prospective evaluation of (18)F-FPPRGD2 PET/CT in patients with cervical and ovarian cancer.

We report the effect of antiangiogenic therapy on the biodistribution of 18F-FPPRGD2 (a surrogate biomarker of integrin αvβ3 expression), and the potential of 18F-FPPRGD2 to predict the prognosis in patients with cervical cancer and ovarian cancer in this clinical scenario. Data from six women, age range 30 – 59 years (mean ± SD 44.0 ± 12.5 years), who had undergone a 18F-FPPRGD2 PET/CT scan and bevacizumab-containing therapy were prospectively collected and analyzed. We compared baseline 18F-FPPRGD2 and 18F-FDG uptake in the lesions and tumor-to-background (T/B) ratios. The maximum and mean 18F-FPPRGD2 standardized uptake values (SUVmax and SUVmean) were recorded for 13 normal organs, as well as in all the identified malignant lesions on the pretreatment scan and the 1-week post-treatment scan. We also measured changes in 18F-FPPRGD2 uptake from before to 1 week after treatment, and compared them to the changes in 18F-FDG uptake from before to 6 weeks after treatment. Treatment outcomes were correlated with these changes. The uptake in lesions and T/B ratio of 18F-FPPRGD2 were lower than those of 18F-FDG (SUVmax 3.7 ± 1.3 vs. 6.0 ± 1.8, P < 0.001; SUVmean 2.6 ± 0.7 vs. 4.2 ± 1.3, P < 0.001; T/B ratio based on SUVmax 2.4 ± 1.0 vs. 2.6 ± 1.0, P < 0.04; T/B ratio based on SUVmean 1.9 ± 0.6 vs. 2.4 ± 1.0, P < 0.003). One patient did not return for the follow-up scan and in another patient no lesions were identified on the pretreatment scan. 18F-FPPRGD2 uptake in lesions in the remaining four patients had significantly changed 1 week after treatment (SUVmean 3.3 ± 1.0 vs. 2.7 ± 1.0, P < 0.001), while uptake in all normal tissues analyzed was not affected by treatment. One patient with clinical disease progression had a decrease in lesional 18F-FPPRGD2 SUVmean of 1.6 % and in 18F-FDG SUVmean of 9.4 %. Two patients with a clinical complete response to treatment had decreases in lesional 18F-FPPRGD2 SUVmean of 25.2 % and 25.0 % and in 18F-FDG SUVmean of 6.1 % and 71.8 %. One patient with a clinical partial response had a decrease in lesional 18F-FPPRGD2 SUVmean of 7.9 % and in 18F-FDG SUVmean of 76.4 %. This pilot study showed that 18F-FPPRGD2 and 18F-FDG provide independent information about the biology of ovarian and cervical cancers. Bevacizumab-containing therapy does not affect 18F-FPPRGD2 uptake in normal organs, but does result in statistically significant changes in lesions. In addition, 18F-FPPRGD2 may have potential for early prediction of response to such treatments. These preliminary findings have to be confirmed in larger studies.