cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of membrane lipids on ion channel structure and function.

Biologic membranes are not simply inert physical barriers, but complex and dynamic environments that affect membrane protein structure and function. Residing within these environments, ion channels control the flux of ions across the membrane through conformational changes that allow transient ion flux through a central pore. These conformational changes may be modulated by changes in transmembrane electrochemical potential, the binding of small ligands or other proteins, or changes in the local lipid environment. Ion channels play fundamental roles in cellular function and, in higher eukaryotes, are the primary means of intercellular signaling, especially between excitable cells such as neurons. The focus of this review is to examine how the composition of the bilayer affects ion channel structure and function. This is an important consideration because the bilayer composition varies greatly in different cell types and in different organellar membranes. Even within a membrane, the lipid composition differs between the inner and outer leaflets, and the composition within a given leaflet is both heterogeneous and highly dynamic. Differential packing of lipids (and proteins) leads to the formation of microdomains, and lateral diffusion of these microdomains or "lipid rafts" serve as mobile platforms for the clustering and organization of bilayer constituents including ion channels. The structure and function of these channels are sensitive to specific chemical interactions with neighboring components of the membrane and also to the biophysical properties of their membrane microenvironment (e.g., fluidity, lateral pressure profile, and bilayer thickness). As specific examples, we have focused on the K+ ion channels and the ligand-gated nicotinicoid receptors, two classes of ion channels that have been well-characterized structurally and functionally. The responsiveness of these ion channels to changes in the lipid environment illustrate how ion channels, and more generally, any membrane protein, may be regulated via cellular control of membrane composition.
Error bounds for constant step-size Q-learning

We provide a bound on the first moment of the error in the Q-function estimate resulting from fixed step-size algorithms applied to finite state-space, discounted reward Markov decision problems. Motivated by Tsitsiklis’ proof for the decreasing step-size case, we decompose the Q-learning update equations into a dynamical system driven by a noise sequence and another dynamical system whose state variable is the Q-learning error, i.e., the difference between the true Q-function and the estimate. A natural persistence of excitation condition allows us to sample the system periodically and derive a simple scalar difference equation from which the convergence properties and bounds on the error of the Q-learning algorithm can be derived.
Finiteness of Kite Relative Equilibria in the Five-Vortex and Five-Body Problems

We study the finiteness of planar relative equilibria of the Newtonian five-body problem and in the five-vortex problem in the case that configurations form a symmetric kite (three points on a line and two additional points placed symmetrically with respect to that line). We can prove that the equivalence classes of such relative equilibria are finite with some possible exceptional cases. These exceptional cases are given explicitly as polynomials in the masses (or vorticities in the vortex problem). These results depend on computations performed with the software Sage, Singular, Magma, and Gfan.
Molecular dynamics simulation of proton-coupled electron transfer in solution

A new approach for the molecular dynamics simulation of proton-coupled electron transfer reactions in solution is presented. The solute is represented by a four-state valence bond model, and the solvent is described by explicit solvent molecules. The nuclear quantum effects of the transferring hydrogen are incorporated with a procedure based on a series of purely classical molecular dynamics simulations. The resulting mixed electronic/vibrational free energy surfaces depend on two solvent reaction coordinates corresponding to electron and proton transfer. This approach is shown to be equivalent to adiabatic mixed quantum/classical molecular dynamics, in which the nuclear quantum effects are included during the simulation, under well-defined, physically reasonable conditions. The results of the application of this approach to a model system are compared to those from a previous study based on a dielectric continuum treatment of the solvent. In addition, specific molecular motions of the solvent associated ...
Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of Continuous Passive Motion After Total Knee Replacement

Abstract Objective To determine the effects of using a continuous passive motion (CPM) device for individuals with poor range of motion (ROM) after a total knee replacement (TKR) admitted for postacute rehabilitation. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF). Participants Adults (N=141) after TKR with initial active knee flexion Intervention Two randomized groups: group 1 (n=71) received the conventional 3 hours of therapy per day, and group 2 (n=70) received the addition of daily CPM use for 2 hours throughout their length of stay. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome measure was active knee flexion ROM. Secondary outcome measures included active knee extension ROM length of stay, estimate of function using the FIM and Timed Up and Go test, girth measurement, and self-reported Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores. Results All subjects significantly improved from admission to discharge in all outcome measures. However, there were no statistically significant differences in any of the discharge outcome measures of the CPM group compared with the non-CPM group. Conclusions CPM does not provide an additional benefit over the conventional interventions used in an IRF for patient after TKR, specifically in patients with poor initial knee flexion ROM after surgery.
Threshold scaling rules for cooperative emission of X-rays

Abstract The theory of many-electron X-ray anomalies is merged with the theory of cooperative emission. Threshold exponents for satellite bands (corresponding to simultaneous annihilation of two holes on the same atom) are expressed in terms of main-band exponents.
Severe injury from neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser therapy for penile condylomata acuminata

Abstract Laser therapy is widely accepted as a safe and effective means of treating genital condylomata acuminata. In this report, single-session neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser treatment of extensive condylomata of the penis resulted in deep coagulation necrosis and sloughing of penile shaft skin and urethra. Management of this unfortunate occurrence is also described.
Marriage Counseling with Alcoholics and Their Spouses‐II The Correlation of Excessive Drinking Behavior with Family Pathology and Social Deterioration

Summary This paper has described a limited study of the correlations of alcoholic drinking with family pathology and social deterioration. Study of the data obtained in follow-up interviews with couples who have received group counseling for marital problems complicated by alcoholism in one of the partners indicates the following: (1) For those couples whose family pathology decreased, both drinking change and the final drinking pattern were found to be positively correlated with the actual number of areas of considerable disagreement at time of follow-up. Specifically, those couples who reported no more than one or two areas of considerable disagreement at follow-up were most likely to respond positively to questions about the alcoholic spouse's drinking at follow-up. (2) Therefore, more important in counseling than solely aiming for a decrease in family pathology is working for a decrease to a maximum of one or two areas of considerable disagreement. (3) Findings indicate that a decrease in drinking behavior is slightly better than the final pattern of drinking behavior as an indicator of a lessening of social deterioration. (4) The hypothesis that improvement in the area of marital conflict is associated with improvement in drinking behavior has been supported. This is sufficient to conclude that counseling which focuses on the family pathology of alcoholics may be therapeutic not only with respect to the family and marriage problems, but with respect as well to the drinking problem. Thus an indirect approach to the treatment of alcoholism, through other problem areas in the alcoholic's life, may well be useful.
Near-Equational and Equational Systems of Logic for Partial Functions. II

Equational logic for total functions is a remarkable fragment of first-order logic. Rich enough to lend itself to many uses, it is also quite austere. The only predicate symbol is one for a notion of equality, and there are no logical connectives. Proof theory for equational logic therefore is different from proof theory for other logics and, in some respects, more transparent. The question therefore arises to what extent a logic with a similar proof theory can be constructed when expressive power is increased. The increase mainly studied here allows one both to consider arbitrary partial functions and to express the condition that a function be total. A further increase taken into account is equivalent to a change to universal Horn sentences for partial and for total functions. Two ways of increasing expressive power will be considered. In both cases, the notion of equality is modified and nonlogical function symbols are interpreted as ranging over partial functions, instead of ranging only over total functions. In one case, the only further change is the addition of symbols that denote logical functions, such as the binary projection function A e that maps each pair ‹ a 0 , a 1 › of elements of a set A into the element a 0 . An addition of this kind results in a language, and also in a system of logic based on this language, which we call equational In the other case, instead of adding a symbol for A e , one admits those special universal Horn sentences in which the conditions expressed by the antecedent are, in a sense, pure conditions of existence. Languages and systems of logic that result from a change of this kind will be called near-equational . According to whether the number of existence conditions that one may express in antecedents is finite or arbitrary, the resulting language and logic shall be finite or infinitary , respectively. Each of our finite near-equational languages turns out to be equivalent to one of our equational languages, and vice versa.
Mechanism for Inhibition of Thyroid Peroxidase by Leucomalachite Green

The triphenylmethane dye, malachite green (MG), is used to treat and prevent fungal and parasitic infections in the aquaculture industry. It has been reported that the reduced metabolite of MG, leucomalachite green (LMG), accumulates in the tissues of fish treated with MG. MG is structurally related to other triphenylmethane dyes (e.g., gentian violet and pararosaniline) that are carcinogenic in the liver, thyroid, and other organs of experimental animals. The ability of LMG to inhibit thyroid peroxidase (TPO), the enzyme that catalyzes the iodination and coupling reactions required for thyroid hormone synthesis, was determined in this study. LMG inhibited TPO-catalyzed tyrosine iodination (half-maximal inhibition at ca. 10 microM). LMG also inhibited the TPO-catalyzed formation of thyroxine in low-iodine human goiter thyroglobulin (half-maximal inhibition at ca. 10 microM) using a model system that measures simultaneous iodination and coupling. Direct inhibition of the coupling reaction by LMG was shown using a coupling-only system containing chemically preiodinated thyroglobulin as the substrate. Incubation of LMG with TPO, iodide, and tyrosine in the presence of a H2O2-generating system yielded oxidation products that were identified by using on-line LC/APCI-MS as desmethyl LMG, 2desmethyl LMG, 3desmethyl LMG, MG, and MG N-oxide. Similar products from LMG were observed in incubations with TPO and H2O2 alone. These findings suggest that the anti-thyroid effects (increased serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and decreased serum thyroxine) observed in rats treated with LMG result from blockade of hormone synthesis through alternate substrate inhibition and that chronic exposure could cause thyroid follicular cell tumors through a hormonal mechanism. The observed TPO-catalyzed oxidative demethylation of LMG to a primary arylamine also suggests a genotoxic mechanism for tumor formation is possible.
Mechanisms of stress corrosion cracking and intergranular attack in Alloy 600 in high temperature caustic and pure water

In recent years, several studies have been conducted on the intergranular stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and intergranular attack (IGA) of Alloy 600. A combination of SCC and IGA has been observed in Alloy 600 tubing on the hot leg of some operating steam generators in pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear power plants, and sodium hydroxide along with several other chemical species have been implicated in the tube degradations. SCC has been observed above and within the tube sheet, whereas IGA is generally localized within the tube sheet. Alloy 600 is also susceptible to SCC in pure and primary water. Various factors that influence SCC and IGA include metallurgical conditions of the alloy, concentrations of alkaline species, impurity content of the environment, temperature, and stress. The mechanisms of these intergranular failures, however, are not well understood. Some of the possible mechanisms of the SCC and IGA in high temperature water and caustic are described in this paper.
Hypereosinophilic syndrome: Case presentation and update

Persistent peripheral blood eosinophilia can be associated with a variety of diseases, ranging from parasitic infection to gastrointestinal disease to vasculitis to the hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). Mucosal ulcerations are a variant presentation of the HES that appear to be markers for a mutation that characterizes a subgroup of patients with HES responsive to treatment with imatinib mesylate. We present a patient with peripheral blood eosinophilia and severe recurrent mucosal ulcers and discuss his presentation in the context of new information about the evaluation, disease progression, and treatment of HES.
Effect of Atomic Oxygen on the Surface Morphology of Polyethylene

Abstract The chemical species created in a low-pressure electrical discharge in oxygen attack the polymer at the surface, converting it to gaseous products. This process is interesting because: 1) the chemical changes on the resulting surface facilitate the formation of strong adhesive bonds and provide sites for the chemical attachment of other molecules, 2) significant morphological features lying below the surface may be revealed, 3) polymer can be cleanly removed from surfaces which are resistant to oxidation, and 4) dielectric breakdown frequently is preceded by the attack on the polymer of chemical species created in a corona discharge. Atomic oxygen is an important chemical species created in such a discharge. It reacts with organic substances rapidly at room temperature, but lives long enough in the low-pressure gas that it can be separated from many other reactive species created in the discharge. “Titration” with NO2 provides a straightforward chemiluminescent means for determining the concentra...
Protons from Carbon and Aluminum Bombarded by Deuterons

The design of a cloud chamber and the technique of its use are described. With it a study of the protons from deuteron bombardment of carbon and aluminum has been made. The group corresponding to the ground state of ${\mathrm{C}}^{13}$ appears to be single. The protons from ${\mathrm{Al}}^{27}$ show a general distribution in agreement with the work of McMillan and Lawrence; but analysis into groups is difficult as there appear to be many such, with small spacing. Curves are shown from which any group structure can be inferred. The homogeneity of the deuteron beam was tested by scattering the deuterons from a thin gold foil: It is homogeneous to within 0.15 Mev.
Determination of potential functions for low-frequency, anharmonic vibrations

Abstract By combining far infrared spectral data (Δv=l) with the transitions (Δv=1 or Δv=2) observed in the Raman effect, it has been possible to obtain the potential functions governing a number of low-frequency, anharmonic vibrations. Potential functions have been determined for small ring compounds, quasi-linear molecules, molecules which contain two internal C, rotors and molecules which have more than one conformation present at ambient temperature. By a combination of far infrared data (Δv=13 ior the ring-puckering vibration (pseudorotational mode) and the Δv=l transitions for the ring-twisting mode (radial mode) obtained from the Raman effect, it has been possible to observe the effects of a finite barrier to planarity and to calculate the two dimensional potential surface for the two low-frequency out-of-plane modes for saturated five-membered rings. By utilizing only the Δv=2 transitions obtained from the Raman spectra for the low-frequency bending modes of quasi-linear molecules, the potential functions for the bending modes of these molecules have been obtained and the equilibrium angle in the ground vibrational state evaluated. For molecules which contain two C3v rotors, the Δv=1 transitions observed in the far infrared spectrum along with the Δv=2 transitions observed in the Raman spectrum of the gases has made it possible to determine both the cosine-cosine (approximately ten percent of the V3 term) and the sine-sine (order of magnitude smaller than the cosine-cosine term) coupling terms.
Substrate-related effects on molecular and atomic emission in LIBS of explosives

Femtosecond laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been shown to be sensitive to a variety of ERC's (explosive-related compounds) deposited on substrates. In LIBS, surface material is excited by a high-powered laser pulse forming a plasma. The optical emission from this plasma is collected and spectrally analyzed to determine the surface species entrained in the excitation event. The detection of explosive related compounds in the field presents many challenges, one of these being the wide variety of materials surfaces that might be covered with ERC's. Results from femtosecond and nanosecond LIBS of ERC's of metal, glass, and polymer substrates show that the optical properties of the substrate play a large role in the observed emission. Results indicate that nanosecond LIBS of ERC's on metal surfaces yield strong atomic emission while nanosecond LIBS of ERC's on glass results in some molecular emission. Molecular emission is also present in femtosecond LIBS spectra of ERC's on all surfaces but is particularly strong for metal substrates. In particular emission from the CN molecular fragment could provide a means to understand the effect of the substrate on the excitation event in nitroaromatic compounds since it is present in both nanosecond LIBS spectra of the TNT/glass system and femtosecond LIBS spectra of the TNT/Al system. The origins of this CN molecular fragment are currently being studied since fragmentation and reaction processes in LIBS events are not fully understood at this time.
Welding of high-tc superconducting ceramics by gravity-aided texture growth in the partial melting regime

Abstract A technique for welding YBa2Cu3O7 wire has been developed using gravity-aided texture growth with partial melting. The solid phase of the specimen is self-supporting during the welding. A welded specimen shows continuous microstructure at the join of the fibre-textured wire.
Effect of casein on iodide metabolism.

IN 1950 we reported (Van Middlesworth, 1950) that we had raised rats on purified casein diets containing very little iodide (20-50 μg. iodide/kg, of diet, Van Middlesworth, 1951) and no goiter resulted. Since then we have attempted to elucidate the mechanism of this phenomenon (Van Middlesworth, 1953). Axelrad and Leblond (1954) recently reportedthat casein prevented goiter in mice fed a low iodide diet.
Self-activated healing of delamination damage in woven composites

A study of the healing of delamination damage in woven E-glass/epoxy composites is performed. With the ultimate goal of self-healing in mind, two types of healing processes are studied. In the first a catalyzed monomer is manually injected into the delamination. In the second a self-activated material is created by embedding the catalyst directly into the matrix of the composite, then manually injecting the monomer. Healing efficiencies relative to the virgin fracture toughness of up to 67% are obtained when the catalyzed monomer is injected and about 19% for the self-activated materials. Scanning electron microscopy is used to analyze the fracture surfaces and provide physical evidence of repair.
Relevance of cyclin D1 and other molecular markers to cancer chemoprevention

Until recently studies on mutations in cellular genes implicated in multistage carcinogenesis have concentrated mainly on dominant acting mutations in cellular proto-oncogenes, genes that normally mediate agonist-induced signal transduction pathways, and recessive mutations in cellular tumor suppressor genes, whose normal products appear to inhibit cell growth and/or control differentiation and cell-cell interactions. It seems likely, however, that a third category of cellular genes, the cyclins and cyclin-related genes, may also be critical targets during multistage carcinogenesis because of the central role that they play in controlling cell cycle progression. These proteins could, therefore, provide biomarkers for identifying individuals at high risk of developing cancer and also serve as novel targets for chemopreventive agents. This paper reviews evidence that the gene cyclin D1 is amplified and/or overexpressed in a major fraction of human tumors, and that this can occur relatively early in the carcinogenic process. Mechanistic studies indicates that this overexpression plays a critical role in tumor progression as well as the maintenance of the tumorigenic phenotype. Thus, increased cyclin D1 expression can enhance gene amplification and cell transformation and antisense to cyclin D1 can revert malignant cells. The latter findings provide direct evidence that cyclin D and related proteins might be useful markers and also targets for cancer chemoprevention.
Students' perceptions of their future professional behavior

Abstract Doctoral students from university-based clinical, counseling, and school psychology programs responded to items that asked how willing they would be to engage in various professional activities and the reasons for their choices. The data were factor analyzed; five subscales resulted that were analyzed in a one-way MANOVA. Results indicated similarities between clinical and counseling for therapy and medically related disorders (Subscale 1) and specialized assessments and techniques (Subscale 4); and similarities among all three specialties on academic activities (Subscale 5). Traditional differences were also found: school students were more likely to endorse activities related to children and schools (Subscale 2); whereas counseling students were more likely to endorse activities related to consultation, educational—vocational counseling, and evaluation (Subscale 3). The results support current similarities and historical differences among the specialties and raise questions regarding education of and future career opportunities for psychologists.
The structural basis of R-spondin recognition by LGR5 and RNF43

R-spondins (RSPOs) enhance Wnt signaling, affect stem cell behavior, bind to leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptors 4–6, (LGR4–6) and the transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligases RING finger 43/zinc and RING finger 3 (RNF43/ZNRF3). The structure of RSPO1 bound to both LGR5 and RNF43 ectodomains confirms their physical linkage. RSPO1 is sandwiched by LGR5 and RNF43, with its rod module of the cysteine-rich domain (CRD) contacting LGR5 and a hairpin inserted into RNF43. LGR5 does not contact RNF43 but increases the affinity of RSPO1 to RNF43, supporting LGR5 as an engagement receptor and RNF43 as an effector receptor. Disease mutations map to the RSPO1–RNF43 interface, which promises therapeutic targeting.
Bringing KASH under the SUN: the many faces of nucleo-cytoskeletal connections

The nucleus is the most prominent cellular organelle, and its sharp boundaries suggest the compartmentalization of the nucleoplasm from the cytoplasm. However, the recent identification of evolutionarily conserved linkers of the nucleoskeleton to the cytoskeleton (LINC) complexes, a family of macromolecular assemblies that span the double membrane of the nuclear envelope, reveals tight physical connections between the two compartments. Here, we review the structure and evolutionary conservation of SUN and KASH domain–containing proteins, whose interaction within the perinuclear space forms the “nuts and bolts” of LINC complexes. Moreover, we discuss the function of these complexes in nuclear, centrosomal, and chromosome dynamics, and their connection to human disease.
Training college adults to think creatively with words.

100 college Ss were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups of equal number and exposed to five creative thinking strategies. Practice increased the probability of the occurrence of original responses as measured by two scales of originality.
A rapid method for preparing low volume CH4 and CO2 gas samples for 14C AMS analysis

Abstract 14 C measurements of CH 4 in environmental samples (e.g. soil gas, lake water, gas hydrates) can advance understanding of C cycling in terrestrial and marine systems. The measurements are particularly useful for detecting the release of old C from climate sensitive environments such as peatlands and hydrate fields. However, because 14 C CH 4 measurements tend to be complex and time consuming, they are uncommon. Here, we describe a novel vacuum line system for the preparation of CH 4 and CO 2 from environmental samples for 14 C analysis using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). The vacuum line is a flow-through system that allows rapid preparation of samples (1 h for CH 4 and CO 2 , 30 min for CH 4 alone), complete separation of CH 4 and CO 2 and is an easy addition to multipurpose CO 2 vacuum lines already in use. We evaluated the line using CH 4 and CO 2 standards with different 14 C content. For CH 4 and CO 2 , respectively, the total line blank was 0.4 ± 0.2 and 1.4 ± 0.6 μg C, the 14 C background 51.1 ± 1.2 and 48.4 ± 1.5 kyr and the precision (based on pooled standard deviation) 0.9‰ and 1.3‰. The line was designed for sample volumes of ca. 180 ml containing 0.5–1% CH 4 and CO 2 , but can be adjusted to handle lower concentration and larger volume samples. This rapid and convenient method for the preparation of CH 4 and CO 2 in environmental samples for 14 C AMS analysis should provide more opportunities for the use of 14 C CH 4 measurements in C cycle studies.
Validity of the continuous spectrophotometric assay of Kalckar for adenosine deaminase activity.

Abstract Both adenosine and inosine obey Beer's law to 1.0 m m at 265 nm and pH 7.4 at 25°C. Murphy et al. (1) claimed serious deviation from Beer's law above 200 μ m for both substances, and concluded that the assay of adenosine deaminase activity based on recording spectrophotometric change at 265 nm as originally suggested by Kalckar produces anomalous results. The data herein presented show that this is not so, and that the large number of published studies of adenosine deaminase activity assayed by this method are indeed valid and should not be dismissed as artifactual as suggested by Murphy et al.
Counselor incentives to improve client retention in an outpatient substance abuse aftercare program

Pay for performance, the provision of financial incentives for favorable performance, is increasingly under study as an evidence-based practice. This study estimated the improvement in client retention from offering incentives to 11 substance abuse counselors providing outpatient aftercare treatment. During the incentive period, a counselor could earn a bonus of $100, in addition to his regular compensation, for each client who completed at least five aftercare sessions (the “milestone” which we considered the minimum adequate dose of the aftercare curriculum). We evaluated this and a similar, 12-session incentive using a logistic regression in which the retention “milestone” was the dependent variable and the proportion of time in the incentive condition was the independent variable. Among the 123 clients offered this aftercare program, their probability of completing at least 5 sessions was 59% with the incentive compared to 33% beforehand (odds ratio 4.1, P<.01). These findings suggest that counselor incentives are an effective strategy to improve client retention in substance abuse treatment.
Absorbing layers for the Dirac equation

This work is devoted to the construction of perfectly matched layers (PML) for the Dirac equation, that not only arises in relativistic quantum mechanics but also in the dynamics of electrons in graphene or in topological insulators. While the resulting equations are stable at the continuous level, some care is necessary in order to obtain a stable scheme at the discrete level. This is related to the so-called fermion doubling problem. For this matter, we consider the numerical scheme introduced by Hammer et al. 19], and combine it with the discretized PML equations. We state some arguments for the stability of the resulting scheme, and perform simulations in two dimensions. The perfectly matched layers are shown to exhibit, in various configurations, superior absorption than the absorbing potential method and the so-called transport-like boundary conditions.
Influence of dietary protein level on body composition and energy expenditure in calorically restricted overweight cats

High-protein (HP) diets help prevent loss of lean mass in calorie-restricted (CR) cats. However, it is not entirely known whether these diets also induce changes of energy expenditure during periods of CR. To investigate this issue, sixteen overweight cats were fed either a high-protein [(HP), 54.2% of metabolizable energy (ME)] or a moderate-protein [(MP), 31.5% of ME] diet at 70% of their maintenance energy intakes for 8 weeks, and energy expenditure, energy intake, body weight and composition, and serum metabolites and hormones were measured. While both groups of cats lost weight at a similar rate, only cats eating the HP diet maintained lean mass during weight loss. Indirect respiration calorimetry measurements revealed that both total and resting energy expenditure (kcal/d) significantly decreased during weight loss for both treatment groups. However, only cats eating the MP diet exhibited significant decreases of total and resting energy expenditures after energy expenditure was normalized for body weight or lean mass. Results from this study suggest that in addition to sparing the loss of lean mass, feeding HP diets to overweight cats in restricted amounts may be beneficial for preventing or minimizing decreases of mass-adjusted energy expenditure during weight loss.
Death in High-Fidelity Simulation: A Bioethical Analysis

With the growing popularity and increasing use of high fidelity simulation (HFS) in medical education, the appropriate role of simulated patient death in the curriculum has been debated from both an educational and ethical perspective. Given that HFS is a relatively new medical teaching modality, the prevailing uncertainty regarding the use of patient death to reinforce medical knowledge and decision-making likely stems from a lack of literature and open discussion on the topic. It is the goal of this paper to further explore the ethical implications of exposing learners in HFS to simulated patient death, with the hope of aiding in the development of effective curriculum for HFS programs.
VERTIGO AND DYSEQUILIBRIUM WITH ASSOCIATED HEARING LOSS

There are numerous disorders that can present with hearing loss and vertigo or dysequilibrium. The combination of vertigo and imbalance associated with hearing loss are symptoms suggestive of a peripheral vestibular disorder. This article summarizes presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of the various common and rare peripheral vestibular disorders that can present with these symptoms.
Sex and hormone dependent alterations in responsiveness to caloric dilution

Potential sex differences in the long-term control of feeding behavior in rats was tested by comparing male and female rats in terms of their responsiveness to a 20 and 40 percent diet dilution challenge. During three-day test periods with both levels of diet dilution, female rats increased their daily food intake (FI) significantly more than did male rats. As a further index of greater precision in the long-term control of feeding behavior by female than by male rats, body weight (BWt) was less affected in female than in male rats during the caloric dilution challenges. In a second experiment, gonadectomy was found to attenuate this sexually dimorphic response to a 40% diet dilution test, whereas daily injections of gonadal hormones reestablished the sex difference in FI and BWt changes produced by the dilution challenge. Since responsiveness to the dilution challenge of female rats, but not males, was altered by gonadectomy and steroid treatment, it appears that estrogen shifts the control of feeding behavior in female rats towards more long-term factors.
Convergences of adaptive block simultaneous iteration method for eigenstructure decomposition

Abstract Eigenstructure decomposition of data correlation matrices is of basic interest in many modern signal processing problems. In practical situations, often the data environment is changing or nonstationary, and thus it may be advantageous to use adaptive algorithms to obtain the desired eigenvectors and eigenvalues. Recently, we have shown the adaptive block simultaneous iteration method (SIM) has an efficient implmentation using a systolic processor array architecture for evaluating some or all of the eigenvectors of the data correlation matrix. In this paper, the convergence and optimality properties of this adaptive algorithm are considered. We first review the basic properties of the adaptive SIM algorithm and consider its application to the MUSIC direction-of-arrival problem. Then we discuss the convergence in the mean and the asymptotic convergence of the adaptive SIM eigendecomposition solutions to the true solutions, based upon two standard assumptions in the analysis of adaptive algorithm. Furthermore, we consider the optimality of the algorithm under the minimum variance criterion. We show the asymptotic equivalence of the Kalman algorithm approach and the adaptive SIM algorithm approach in estimating the smallest eigenvector using a transversal filter. Our analytical results on the adaptive SIM algorithm confirm and extend various optimality results reported by Karhunen based on simulation results.
On optimization of structural and control systems using a reduced order model

An optimization method is presented to design a minimum weight structure with constraints imposed on the closed-loop frequency distribution and damping parameters. The control approach used here is linear quadratic regulator theory. The control model reduction is achieved by using Model Error Sensitivity Suppresssion. The application of the method is illustrated by designing the structure for different order of control models with the same constraints. The different designs obtained by these approaches are compared. The optimization problem is solved by using a nonlinear mathematical approach.
Prediction of protein degradation of forages from solubility fractions.

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine the relationship between enzymatic digestion of forage protein and fractionation based on solubility. The first experiment used 42 forages, each replicated three times, including different species, stages of maturity, and methods of conservation. Crude protein was fractionated into six parts for each forage by sequential extraction in TCA, bicarbonate-phosphate buffer, acetone, detergent at pH 7, and detergent with acid. Multiple regression analysis, with all the solubility fractions as independent variables, resulted in prediction of CP degradation by ruminal enzyme extract at 2 and 24h; R 2 were .88 and .81, respectively. Greater solubility in the buffer and the detergent at pH 7 was associated with higher protein degradation; solubility in acetone, detergent with acid, and insolubility were associated with lower degradation. In the second experiment, eight forages each replicated twice were digested with ruminal enzyme for 0, 2, 6, and 24h and then were extracted as described. Solubility in TCA and acetone increased during degradation, but solubility in buffer, detergent with acid, and insolubility decreased. For both experiments, buffer-soluble CP was the only uniform fractions across forages; other fraction contained proteins that degraded at diverse rates. Solubility of CP is related to degradation properties, but further research is needed to improve the accuracy of predictions based on solubility.
Causality and Space-like Signals

ALTHOUGH we pointed out1 in 1962 that space-like particles (signals) travelling “backward in time” carry negative energy—or must be reinterpreted—recent textbooks on the special theory of relativity (for example, refs. 2–7) still purport to show that causality arguments forbid the existence of faster-than-light particles. One book which is at least partially correct on this score is Ya. P. Terletskii's Paradoxes in the Theory of Relativity8, but even this ignores the possibility of reinterpretation.
Motivational orientations of non‐traditional adult students to enroll in a degree‐seeking program

The purpose of this research was to investigate the motivational orientations of non-traditional adult students to enroll in a degree-seeking program based on their academic goal. The Education Participation Scale (EPS) was used to measure the motivational orientations of participants. Professional advancement, cognitive interest, and educational preparation were found to be the dominant motivational orientations of non-traditional adult college students. There were significant differences in motivational orientations among associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree students. The findings from this study provide opportunities for instructors and administrators in higher education to use motivational orientations data in designing recruitment materials and activities for their program as well as in adopting curriculum and instruction strategies to increase students’ motivation toward learning.
Education, politics and opinions about climate change evidence for interaction effects

U.S. public opinion regarding climate change has become increasingly polarized in recent years, as partisan think tanks and others worked to recast an originally scientific topic into a political wedge issue. Nominally “scientific” arguments against taking anthropogenic climate change seriously have been publicized to reach informed but ideologically receptive audiences. Reflecting the success of such arguments, polls have noted that concern about climate change increased with education among Democrats, but decreased with education among Republicans. These observations lead to the hypothesis that there exist interaction (non-additive) effects between education or knowledge and political orientation, net of other background factors, in predicting public concern about climate change. Two regional telephone surveys, conducted in New Hampshire (n = 541) and Michigan (n = 1, 008) in 2008, included identical climate-change questions that provide opportunities to test this hypothesis. Multivariate analysis of both surveys finds significant interactions. These empirical results fit with theoretical interpretations and several other recent studies. They suggest that the classically identified social bases of concern about the environment in general, and climate in particular, have shifted in recent years. Narrowcast media, including the many Web sites devoted to discrediting climate-change concerns, provide ideal conduits for channeling contrarian arguments to an audience predisposed to believe and electronically spread them further. Active-response Web sites by climate scientists could prove critical to counterbalancing contrarian arguments.
Responses of pikas (Ochotona princeps, Lagomorpha) to naturally occurring terrestrial predators

The responses of individually marked pikas (Ochotona princeps) to terrestrial predators were investigated in 1980 and 1981 in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Pikas uttered short call vocalizations in a variety of contexts: preceding or following an individual's movement, and in response to conspecifics, other nonpredaceous mammals and predators. Adult pikas apparently discriminated contexts in which predators were present by short calling more frequently and for longer duration compared with calling in nonpredator contexts. Short calls uttered by juveniles were similar in all contexts.
Mutation induction and DNA adduct formation in Chinese hamster ovary cells treated with 6-nitrochrysene, 6-aminochrysene and their metabolites.

Abstract 6-Nitrochrysene, 6-aminochrysene and several of their metabolites were assayed for mutagenic activity at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (hprt) locus in DNA-repair-proficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells and excision-repair-deficient CHO-UV5 cells. Mutagen—DNA adducts were analyzed by 32P-postlabeling in cells treated under the conditions of the mutagenicity assay and compared with the adduct patterns produced from the in vitro reaction of metabolites of 6-nitrochrysene and 6-aminochrysene with calf-thymus DNA. The mutagenic activities of the test compounds in the presence of a liver homogenate (S9) fraction from Aroclor 1254-pretreated rats, expressed as the number of mutants per 106 cells per nmole test compound per ml, in CHO-K1 and CHO-UV5 cells, respectively, were as follows: 6-nitrochrysene, 0.3 and 4; 6-aminochrysene, 35 and 117; 6-nitrochrysene-1,2-dihydrodiol, 1 and 6; 6-aminochrysene- 1,2-dihydrodiol, 488 and 644; chrysene (run as a positive control), 12 and 28. 6-Nitrosochrysene was a direct-acting mutagen, yielding 127 and 618 mutants per 106 cells per nmole per ml in CHO-K1 and CHO-UV5 cells, respectively. Mutagen-DNA adduct analysis indicated that cells treated with 6-aminochrysene in the presence of S9 or 6-nitrosochrysene in the absence of S9 contained an adduct pattern identical to that derived from the in vitro reaction of N-hydroxy-6-aminochrysene with calf-thymus DNA. Cells treated with 6-aminochrysene-1,2-dihydrodiol plus S9 contained a single mutagen-DNA adduct that was distinct from those derived from N-hydroxy-6-aminochrysene. Based on comparison with previous studies, this adduct is presumed to be derived from 1,2-dihydroxy-3,4-epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-aminochrysene. Cells treated with 6-nitrochrysene plus S9 and 6-nitrochrysene-1,2-dihydrodiol plus S9 contained a single major chromatographically identical adduct that was apparently derived from N-hydroxy-6-aminochrysene- 1,2-dihydrodiol. The results indicate that 6-nitrochrysene, 6-aminochrysene and their metabolites are mutagenic in CHO cells, but that the major activation pathway for 6-nitrochrysene and 6-nitrochrysene-1,2-dihydrodiol in this system differs from previously described pathways.
Potential for Genetic Damage from Multivitamin Solutions Exposed to Phototherapy Illumination

Summary: The ability of standard phototherapy illumination to produce damage in intracellular DNA is well established. In this study, the addition of a dilute solution (1:6400) of a clinically-used multivitamin concentrate to human KB cells was found to enhance the generation of single-strand DNA breaks produced by broad-spectrum fluorescent light. The effect of the exogenous photosensitizing agent (multivitamins) was blocked by the enzyme catalase; thus, the photoproduct responsible for the DNA modification was hydrogen peroxide, an extremely reactive molecule capable of damaging a variety of biologic macromolecules.
In Vitro Activity of Paclitaxel-Loaded Polymeric Expansile Nanoparticles in Breast Cancer Cells

Through a series of in vitro studies, the essential steps for intracellular drug delivery of paclitaxel using a pH-responsive nanoparticle system have been investigated in breast cancer cells. We successfully encapsulated paclitaxel within polymeric expansile nanoparticles (Pax-eNPs) at 5% loading via a miniemulsion polymerization procedure. Fluorescently tagged eNPs were readily taken up by MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells grown in culture as confirmed by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. The ability of the encapsulated paclitaxel to reach the cytoplasm was also observed using confocal microscopy and fluorescently labeled paclitaxel. Pax-eNPs were shown to be efficacious against three in vitro human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and SK-BR-3) as well as cells isolated from the pleural effusions of two different breast cancer patients. Lastly, macropinocytosis was identified as the major cellular pathway responsible for eNP uptake, as confirmed using temperature-sensitive metabolic reduction, pharmacologic inhibitors, and fluid-phase marker colocalization.
Persistent Photoinduced Changes in Charge States of Donors and Acceptors in Hydrothermally Grown ZnO

Bulk ZnO grown by the hydrothermal technique was investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), photoluminescence (PL), and infrared absorption (FTIR) techniques. Isolated subsitutional lithium is the dominant acceptor and could be detected using EPR or PL. A large concentration of neutral Li + -OH − centers were observed using FTIR data. EPR spectra assigned to Mn, Co, Ni, Fe, and Group III (Al, Ga) donors were also observed. Photoinduced changes in the charge states of the different deep and shallow centers were produced using 325 nm light, and the stability of these changes were monitored with EPR during pulsed thermal anneals. The charge-state changes for some defects were persistent and remained up to 300 K. These impurities, when present in device structures, may act as stable charge trapping sites.
Priming in perceptual identification of pseudowords is normal in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have deficits in recall and recognition memory, and show dissociable performance in repetition priming tasks: They exhibit impaired priming in word-completion and word-generation tasks, but normal priming in perceptual identification of words. In order to examine whether AD patients can show normal priming with novel, unfamiliar stimuli, the present study examined their performance in perceptual identification of pseudowords. Despite impaired recognition memory performance, AD patients showed normal priming in perceptual identification of pseudowords. These results extend the boundaries of intact repetition priming in AD, demonstrating that such priming is not limited to stimuli that are pre-morbidly represented in long-term knowledge. Preserved repetition priming in AD may reflect the operation of perceptual processes localized to posterior visual circuits that are relatively spared in AD.
Effect of high doses of naloxone on shuttle avoidance acquisition in rats.

Abstract Administration of high doses of naloxone intraperitoneally (2.5 – 0.0 mg/kg) resulted in a dose-related impairment of avoidance response acquisition in a shuttle avoidance paradigm in rats. Naloxone in this dose range produced a significant decrease in the number of intertrial responses but did not result in a significant dose-response. Escape latencies were not affected by naloxone administration at any dose tested. The effect of naloxone on activity and nociception are implicated as possible causes of the observed behavior. The results are discussed as behavioral evidence supporting theories postulating multiple opiate receptors.