cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High acetylcholine concentrations cause rapid inactivation before fast desensitization in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors from Torpedo.

By using both a 3 to 4 ms quenched-86Rb+ flux assay and native acetylcholine receptor (AChR) rich electroplaque vesicles on which 50–60% of acetylcholine activation sites were blocked with alpha-BTX, we determined apparent rates of agonist-induced inactivation in AChR from Torpedo under conditions where measured flux response was directly proportional to initial 86Rb+ influx rate. Inactivation kinetics with acetylcholine in both the activating range (10 microM-10 mM) and the self-inhibiting range (15–100 mM) were measured at 4 degrees C. In the presence of 10 microM-1 mM acetylcholine, inactivation is characterized by a single exponential rate constant, kd (fast desensitization). Plots of kd vs. acetylcholine concentration display maximum kds [kd(max)] of 6.6–8.0 s-1, half-maximal kd at 102 +/- 16 microM, and a Hill coefficient of 1.6 +/- 0.3, closely paralleling the initial ion flux response of AChR. Thus, fast desensitization probably occurs from a doubly-liganded preopen state or the open channel state. In the self-inhibiting acetylcholine concentration range, inactivation is biphasic. A "rapid inactivation" phase is complete within 30 ms, followed by fast desensitization at a rate close to kd(max). Both the rate and extent of rapid inactivation increase with acetylcholine concentration, indicating that acetylcholine binds to its self-inhibition site with apparent kon approximately equal to 10(3) M-1s-1 and koff approximately equal to 40 s-1. This slow kon suggests either hindered access to the inhibitory allosteric site or that a fast binding step is followed by a slower conformational change leading to channel inhibition. Overall, our data suggest that acetylcholine binds preferentially to its inhibitory site when the receptor is in the open-channel conformation and that fast desensitization can occur from all multiple-liganded states.
Sexual Dimorphism and Seasonal Variation of Reproductive Hormones in the Pascagoula Map Turtle, Graptemys gibbonsi

The Pascagoula Map Turtle (Graptemys gibbonsi) is a narrowly endemic species found only in the Pascagoula River drainage in Mississippi. It is among the most poorly known turtle species because of research taxonomic biases and this species' relatively recent recognition as a unique taxon. A recent petition requested protective status for G. gibbonsi under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. We describe population parameters, quantitatively assess sexual dimorphism of G. gibbonsi, and document hormone secretion patterns from the Chickasawhay and Leaf rivers in Mississippi. We demonstrate a significant male-skewed sex ratio and a female-biased size dimorphism in both carapace length and height. Males showed a bimodal peak of plasma testosterone in fall and spring, consistent with the pattern shown by many other southeastern turtles with late summer-fall spermatogenesis and mating during spring and fall. Females did not show seasonal variation in estradiol secretion, an unexpected result that was possibly due t...
Tidally generated internal wave packets in Massachusetts Bay

Observations in Massachusetts Bay of high-frequency internal wave packets indicate that they are caused by lee waves generated outside a submarine bank at the Bay's seaward margin during ebb tide. The lee waves propagate into the Bay as the tide turns to flood, steepen nonlinearly, and develop into the packet. A 200-kHz acoustic back-scattering system detected the evolution of the packets. Large overturning events were observed acoustically and in density profiles. Plankton distributions undergo strong vertical displacements and mixing associated with the wave packet passage.
Autism spectrum disorders: update of evaluation and treatment.

Autistic spectrum disorders are a group of neuro-developmental conditions that are increasingly capturing the attention of clinicians and investigators. New insights from genetics and neuropathophysiology of autism will increasingly inform treatment. Presently, individualized treatment approaches typically include a mix of behavioral and, occasionally, pharmacotherapeutic strategies. Concerning the latter, exquisite sensitivity to medication is not uncommon in some children with autism.
Indomethacin decreases both luteinizing hormone binding and fluidity of testicular microsomal membranes in rat.

Abstract The objective of these studies was to examine the effects of in vivo treatment with indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, on luteinizing hormone receptors and fluidity in microsomal membrane preparations of rat testis. Adult male rats were treated with vehicle or either of two doses of indomethacin (3.8 μg/g body weight or 7.5 μ g/g body weight) every 8 h for 1, 2 and 3 days. Indomethacin treatment decreased human luteinizing hormone (hLH) binding in rat testis in a time-dependent fashion. The lower dose of indomethacin decreased hLH binding by 19%, 35% and 50%, respectively, after 1, 2 and 3 days of treatment. The higher dose of indomethacin decreased hLH binding at these respective times by 21%, 44% and 56%. Scatchard analysis of the hLH binding of testicular membrane preparations indicated that indomethacin treatment decreased the number of hLH binding sites rather than the apparent affinity constant. Testicular membrane fluidity was estimated by a fluorescence polarization technique. The effects of indomethacin on apparent fluidity of microsomal membrane paralleled that of LH binding. The values of apparent microviscosity, inversely related to the fluidity, also increased in a time-dependent fashion. These simultaneous effects of indomethacin on testicular LH binding and fluidity suggest that these phenomena are interrelated and that prostaglandins are involved in the maintenance of LH receptors in vivo .
The epidemiologic transition and changing concepts of causation and causal inference

Resume L’epidemiologie est parfois definie comme « la science fondamentale de la sante publique » parce que les epidemiologistes cherchent a identifier les causes de maladies dans le but de promouvoir des actions de prevention. Dans la premiere moitie du xxe siecle, la discipline epidemiologique, jusqu’alors presque exclusivement limitee aux maladies infectieuses, s’interessa davantage aux maladies chroniques comme le cancer et les maladies de cœur. Dans le meme temps, les epidemiologistes developperent de nouvelles methodes de recherche ameliorant la surveillance et l’identification des facteurs de risque au niveau des populations. Mais avec ces changements, une nouvelle maniere de penser les relations entre cause et effet devint necessaire. S’interesser a une multiplicite de facteurs de risque comme causes d’une maladie chronique s’opposait au modele de la causalite specifique alors utilise pour la maladie infectieuse. Par suite, les epidemiologistes des maladies chroniques developperent des modeles probabilistes multifactoriels de la causalite, influences par les developpements en physique quantique et en biologie. Les nouveaux modeles de la causalite refletaient la complexite et l’incertitude de la survenue d’une maladie chronique. Par exemple, alors que les fumeurs de cigarettes developpent plus frequemment un cancer du poumon, fumer des cigarettes n’est ni necessaire ni suffisant pour avoir un cancer du poumon. Les epidemiologistes elaborerent aussi des regles informelles pour l’inference causale, qui remplacerent les postulats de Koch utilises dans l’etude des maladies infectieuses. Mais ces nouvelles approches de la causalite et de l’inference causale etaient autant influencees par les besoins pratiques de la sante publique et de la prevention des maladies chroniques que par les nouvelles constatations scientifiques. Alors que certains epidemiologistes continuerent a defendre l’existence de causes specifiques et deterministes, ils reconnurent que les modeles probabilistes et non-specifiques de la causalite de la maladie etaient necessaires dans la pratique en sante publique.
Some critical materials problems of thermionic cathode systems for fission-heat conversion

Abstract Two types of thermionic emitters have been suggested for the direct conversion of fission heat to electrical energy: (1) uranium-bearing carbides which also function as the nuclear fuels, and (2) refractory metals fueled with uranium containing oxides or carbides. Irrespective of what happens in a reactor, there are certain conditions which have to be met before these emitter systesm can be of any practical value. For the carbide emitters, the rate of material loss by vaporization should satisfy the designed life expectancy at temperatures where useful performance is obtainable. For the refractory-metal emitters, the diffusion of the components of the fuels into the metals should not impair their electron-emission characteristics. The purpose of this paper is to analyze these aspects on the basis of existing experimental data and to discuss the current status and problem areas with regard to the feasibility of these two emitter systems.
Anaesthetic ejaculation resolved in integrative sex therapy

Abstract The following case illustrates the treatment of a relatively rare ejacula-tory dysfunction wherein a patient does not experience any genital pleasure or sensation during his ejaculatory phase. However, ejaculation is physiologically normal with a propulsive ejection of semen.
Generation of genetic diversity in microsporidia via sexual reproduction and horizontal gene transfer

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular pathogens mainly infecting both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. The group comprises approximately 150 genera with 1,200 species. Due to sequence divergence phylogenic reconstructions that are solely based on DNA sequence have been unprecise for these pathogens. Our previous study identified that three microsporidian genomes contained a putative sex-related locus similar to that of zygomycetes. In a comparison of genome architecture of the microsporidia to other fungi, Rhizopus oryzae, a zygomycete fungus, shared more common gene clusters with Encephalitozoon cuniculi, a microsporidian. This provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that microsporidia and zygomycete fungi may share a more recent common ancestor than other fungal lineages. Genetic recombination is an important outcome of sexual development. We describe genetic markers which will enable tests of whether sex occurs within E. cuniculi populations by analyzing tandem repeat DNA regions in three different isolates. Taken together, the phylogenetic relationship of microsporidia to fungi and the presence of a sex-related locus in their genomes suggest the microsporidia may have an extant sexual cycle. In addition, we describe recently reported evidence of horizontal gene transfer from Chlamydia to the E. cuniculi genome and show that these two obligate intracellular pathogens can infect the same host cells.
Drug-eluting stents reduce restenosis rates and major adverse cardiac events, but not mortality, in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention ☆

Question Do drug-eluting stents reduce restenosis rates and major adverse cardiac events compared with bare-metal stents in people having percutaneous coronary intervention? Study design Systematic review with meta-analysis. Main results Eleven trials met inclusion criteria. In the first 12 months, drug-eluting stents containing paclitaxel or sirolimus did not reduce rate of death or heart attack compared with bare-metal stents (see Results table). Drug-eluting stents significantly decreased the rates of target-lesion revascularisation and major adverse cardiac events compared with bare-metal stents. The rate of angioplastic restenosis was significantly lower in people receiving drug-eluting stents (drug-eluting stent V bare-metals stent: OR 0.2, 95%CrI 0.1 to 0.4). There was no significant difference in edge stenosis between groups (drug-eluting stent V bare-metals stent: OR 1.4, 95%CrI 0.5 to 2.86). Authors’ conclusions Stents that elute paclitaxel or sirolimus significantly lower the medium-term rates of restenosis and major adverse cardiac events compared with bare-metal stents in people who have percutaneous coronary intervention. The lower rate of major cardiovascular events is entirely due to a reduction in the rate of target-lesion revascularisation, as drug-eluting stents do not reduce the rate of heart attack or death.
An annotation system for displaying operating parameter values in dual-chamber pacing.

Larsen H: Reduced myocardial blood flow in acute and chronic digitalization. Acta Pharmacol Toxic01 43:29, 1978. 39. Guttler K, Klaus W: Influence of cardiac glycosides on myocardial energy metabolism. In Greeff, K, editor: Cardiac glycosides. New York, 1981, Springer-Verlag, pp. 255258. 40. Morris JJ, Tatt CV, Whalen RE, McIntosh HD: Digitalis and experimental myocardial infarction. AM HEART J 77:342, 1969. 41. Tanz RD, Russell NJ, Banerian SP, Sharp VH: Ouabaininduced tachyarrhythmias and cell damage in isolated perfused guinea-pig hearts. I. Protection by propranolol. J Mol Cell Cardiol 14:655, 1982. 42. Tanz RD, Russell NJ: Mechanism of cardiac glycosideinduced toxicity: Physiology, biochemistry, and electron microscopy. Fed Proc 42:2470, 1983. 43. Stark J, Sanders CA, Powell WJ: Neurally mediated and direct effects of acetylstrophanthidin on canine skeletal muscle vascular resistance. Circ Res 30:274, 1972. 44. Garan H, Smith TW, Powell WJ: The central nervous system as the site of action for the coronary vasoconstrictor effect of digoxin. J Clin Invest 54:1365, 1974. 45. Somberg JC: Localization of neurally mediated arrhythmogenic and coronary vasoconstrictor properties of digitalis. Fed Proc 43:2963, 1984. 46. Mikkelsen E, Andersson K-E, Pedersen OL: Effects of digoxin on isolated human mesenteric vessels. Acta Pharmacol Toxic01 45:25, 1979. 47. Toda N: Mechanisms of ouabain-induced arterial muscle contraction. Am J Physiol 239:H-199, 1980. 48. Lorenz RR, Powis DA, Vanhoutte PM, Shepherd JT: The effects of acetylstrophanthidin and ouabain on the sympathetic adrenergic neuroeffector junction in canine vascular smooth muscle. Circ Res 47:845, 1980. 49. Nayler WG, Williams A: Relaxation in heart muscle: Some morphological and biochemical considerations. Em J Cardiol 7:suppl 35, 1978. 50. Noack E, Felgentrager J, Zettner B: Changes in myocardial Na and K content during development of cardiac glycosile inotropy. J Mol Cell Cardiol 11:1189, 1979.
Effects of implantation and annealing on the Raman spectrum of InP and GaAs

Abstract Raman scattering is sensitive to lattice order and effects such as implantation induced damage, encapsulation and annealing associated strains, and polycrystallite formation can result in significant changes in the spectrum. Semi-insulating (100) InP and GaAs substrates were implanted with Be or Si and the laser-induced Raman spectra were measured as a function of implant fluence and annealing. Results and discussions on the variations of the LO mode intensity and the appearance of a well-defined signal at the TO frequency are presented in this paper.
Genetic control of chlorophyll biosynthesis in Chlamydomonas. Analysis of mutants at two loci mediating the conversion of protoporphyrin-IX to magnesium protoporphyrin.

In this report we describe two nonallelic Mendelian protoporphyrin accumulating mutants brs-1 and brc-1. Results of experiments with these mutants lead us to postulate that porphyrin biosynthesis branches into light and dark steps between protoporphyrin-IX and magnesium protoporphyrin. We hypothesize that the brc locus controls a dark step while the brs locus either controls a step in the main pathway before the branch or mediates the preparation of the magnesium ion for its insertion into protoporphyrin-IX. The brs-1 mutant is thought to be light sensitive because a block prior to the branch point in the porphyrin pathway prevents chlorophyll formation in either the light or the dark. The brc-1 mutant, which also accumulates protoporphyrin in the dark, forms chlorophyll and chloroplast lamellae when transferred to the light, showing that function of the porphyrin pathway is normal in the light.
Lowering revision rates in medial pedicle breast reduction by the selective addition of "inverted-T" technique.

Background The superomedial pedicle vertical-scar breast reduction is an effective technique, but high revision rates have been reported. The purpose of this study is to determine if revision rates can be lowered by the rational use of an inverted-T technique in a subset of patients who undergo superomedial pedicle reduction.
Temporal and Spatial Localization of the Dentin Matrix Proteins During Dentin Biomineralization

Formation of bone and dentin are classical examples of matrix-mediated mineralization. The mineral phase is essentially the same in these two tissues and primarily consists of a carbonated hydroxyapatite, but the difference lies in the crystal size and shape. There are three components that are necessary for proper mineralization, namely the proper synthesis and secretion of the non-collagenous proteins (NCPs), self-assembly of the collagenous matrix, and delivery of calcium and phosphate ions to the extracellular matrix. Three major NCPs present in the dentin matrix are dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1), dentin phosphophorin (DPP), and dentin sialoprotein (DSP). In this study, we show the temporal and spatial localization of these NCPs and correlate their expression with the presence of collagenous matrix and calcified deposits in developing mouse incisors and molars. DMP1, an acidic protein, is present predominantly at the mineralization front and in the nucleus of undifferentiated preodontoblast cells. DPP, the major NCP, is present in large amounts at the mineralization front and might function to regulate the size of the growing hydroxyapatite crystals. For the first time, we report the localization of DPP in the nucleus of preodontoblast cells, suggesting a signaling function during the odontoblast differentiation process. DSP is localized predominantly in the dentinal tubules at the site of peritubular dentin, which is highly mineralized in nature. Thus, the precise localization of DMP1, DPP, and DSP in the dentin tissue suggests that a concerted effort between several NCPs is necessary for dentin formation.
Ecology of stocked northern pike in two Lake Erie controlled wetlands

Northern pike (Esox lucius) were stocked in and sampled from two diked Lake Erie wetlands from 1985 to 1987 to determine if there was selection for common carp (Cyprinus carpio), a nuisance species, and what effect a closed, shallow water environment would have on survival, growth, and reproduction of northern pike. In both wetlands, feeding was selective for soft-rayed prey, mainly carp and goldfish(Carassius auratus). There was also positive selection for larger soft-rayed prey versus spiny-rayed prey. The survival rate (13 percent) for West Marsh was low, but growth was greater than reported in the literature, and stocked northern pike successfully reproduced. In Darr Marsh, survival was not measured, growth was high, and there was no evidence of reproduction when sampling ended in summer.
Phospholipase A2-catalyzed hydrolysis of plasmalogen phospholipids in thrombin-stimulated human platelets

In the present study, phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-catalyzed hydrolysis of platelet membrane phospholipids was investigated by measuring PLA2 activity, phospholipid hydrolysis, arachidonic acid release and choline lysophospholipid production in thrombin-stimulated human platelets. Thrombin-stimulated platelets demonstrated selective hydrolysis of arachidonylated plasmenylcholine and plasmenylethanolamine, with little change in diacyl phospholipids. Accelerated plasmalogen hydrolysis was accompanied by increased arachidonic acid and thromboxane B2 release and increased lysoplasmenylcholine production. Thrombin stimulation caused an increase in PLA2 activity measured in the cytosolic fraction with plasmenylcholine only; no increase in activity was measured with phosphatidylcholine. No change in membrane-associated PLA2 activity was observed with either substrate tested. Pretreatment with the Ca2+-independent PLA2-selective inhibitor, bromoenol lactone, inhibited completely any thrombin-stimulated phospholipid hydrolysis. Thus, thrombin stimulation of human platelets activates a cytosolic PLA2 that selectively hydrolyzes arachidonylated plasmalogen phospholipids.
Fatigue Design Factors and Safety Level Implied in Fatigue Design of Offshore Structures

With the publication of the ABS Guide for Fatigue Assessment of Offshore Structures (2003) and the Commentary to the Guide for the Fatigue Assessment of Offshore Structures (2004), application of the Fatigue Design Factor (FDF) is highlighted in fatigue assessments of offshore structures. Following review of FDF’s in available Rules/Guides from other authorities, FDF’s applied in the ABS Guide is presented and quantified with a corresponding safety level thus helping the user to relate FDF’s to estimated failure probability levels.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
HIV-positive patients with anal carcinoma have poorer treatment tolerance and outcome than HIV-negative patients

PURPOSE: Anal carcinoma is being found in HIV-positive patients with increasing frequency. Most patients are treated with combined chemotherapy and radiation. It was our impression that HIV-positive patients do not fare as well as HIV-negative patients in terms of both response to and tolerance of therapy. METHODS: To test this hypothesis, we reviewed our experience with anal carcinoma and compared HIV-positive to HIV-negative patients by age, gender, sexual orientation, stage at diagnosis, treatment rendered, response to treatment, tolerance, and survival. From 1985 to 1998, 98 patients with anal neoplasms were treated. Seventy-three patients had invasive squamous-cell carcinoma (including cloacogenic carcinoma), and this cohort was analyzed. Thirteen patients were HIV positive and 60 were HIV negative. RESULTS: The HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups differed significantly by age (42vs. 62 years,P<0.001), male gender (92vs. 42 percent,P<0.001), and homosexuality (46vs. 15 percent,P<0.05). There were no differences by stage at diagnosis or radiation dose received. Acute treatment major toxicity differed significantly (HIV positive 80 percentvs. HIV negative 30 percent;P<0.005). Only 62 percent of HIV-positive patients were rendered disease free after initial therapyvs. 85 percent of HIV-negative patients (P=0.11). Median time to cancer-related death was 1.4vs. 5.3 years (P<0.05). A survival model did not show age, gender, stage, or treatment to be independent predictors. CONCLUSION: We found that HIV-positive patients with anal carcinoma seem to be a different population from HIV-negative patients by age, gender, and sexual orientation. They have a poorer tolerance for combined therapy and a shorter time to cancer-related death. A strong trend to poorer initial response rate was also seen. These results suggest that the treatment of HIV-positive patients with anal carcinoma needs to be reassessed.
Psychological Distress in Long-term Survivors of Adult-Onset Cancer: Results From a National Survey

Background As advances in cancer screening and treatment increase the number of long-term cancer survivors, it is important to understand the long-term psychological sequelae of the cancer experience. Methods The 4636 respondents who identified themselves as survivors of adult-onset cancer of 5 years or more and 122 220 respondents who were never diagnosed as having cancer were identified in the 2002 to 2006 National Health Interview Survey. The primary outcome in this population-based study was serious psychological distress (SPD) defined as a K6 scale (a validated screening tool for mental illness) score of 13 or more. Results Among survivors, the median age at diagnosis was 50 years, the age at interview was 66 years, and the time since diagnosis was 12 years. The prevalence of SPD was significantly higher among long-term cancer survivors than among respondents who were never diagnosed as having cancer (5.6% vs 3.0%;P Conclusions Long-term survivors of adult-onset cancer are at increased risk for psychological distress. This study identifies several clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with SPD that may help target high-risk survivors for psychological screening and support.
Is intravenous urography indicated in a young adult with hematuria

Abstract Objectives Published reports are devoid of U.S. studies investigating the role of the intravenous urogram (IVU) in adult patients of differing ages with hematuria. To evaluate the efficacy of the IVU in patients less than 55 years old, a retrospective analysis was performed. Methods The records of all patients (n = 800) undergoing IVU in an inner city hospital from January 1991 through October 1994 were reviewed for age, gender, race, urinalysis data, and cystoscopic and biopsy findings. Age greater than 55 years, recent trauma, and known malignancy were exclusion criteria. Hematuria was the indication for IVU in 128 of 800 patients. Eight (6.2%) of 128 patients had inadequate chart information, leaving a total of 120 evaluable charts. Results We stratified the 120 patients by age, degree of hematuria (gross versus microscopic), and gender. The younger group (17 to 40 years old) included 64 patients (53%) and the older group (41 to 55 years old) 56 patients (47%). Gross hematuria was reported in 65 patients (54%), whereas 55 (46%) had microscopic hematuria. Men accounted for 78 patients (65%) and women for 42 (35%). The majority of patients were African-Americans (100 [83%] of 120). Abnormal findings were seen in 17 (14%) of 120 patients. The IVU alone provided no diagnosis of immediate consequence. There was no significant difference in findings between the age groups (P = 0.61), gross and microscopic hematuria (P = 0.28), and men and women (P = 0.59). Contrast reactions occurred in 3 (2.5%) of 120 patients. Conclusions In this inner city population younger than 55 years of age, the usefulness of the IVU for the evaluation of hematuria is questionable. It did not establish a diagnosis, modify the subsequent evaluation, or change the therapy in any of our patients.
The “ Tetrahymena pyriformis ” complex of cryptic species

Cryptic species are common among protists and have long been known in ciliates. The ciliate genus Tetrahymena contains a large group of morphologically indistinguishable species referred to as the ‘T. pyriformis’ complex. These species include those reproductively isolated by mating type as well as asexual species characterized by the absence of the germinal micronucleus. This paper examines the molecular diversity of the species and describes the biogeography of ‘T. pyriformis’ species. Most species are globally distributed, though the best studied species, T. thermophila, is confined to North America and gives evidence of population structure in local populations. Selfers and asexual species are common and arise from sexual species, a possible exploitation of nuclear dimorphism. It is argued that the cryptic species likely have different ecological roles and that the biodiversity of Tetrahymena in particular, and ciliates in general, is underestimated.
Coupling of the Plasmon Resonances of Chemically Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles to Local Order in Thermotropic Liquid Crystals

We report that surface-induced ordering of liquid crystals in the vicinity of chemically functionalized gold nanoparticles leads to changes in the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the ...
Fenoprofen and codeine analgesia.

Studies were conducted on postpartum and postoperative patients to estimate the dose-response line of fenoprofen and to contrast it with codeine and placebo. The postpartum patients included women with episiotomy pain and with uterine cramping. This mix allowed contrast of ability of the various pain models to distinguish codeine from placebo. The methodology for the studies was single-dose parallel groups design with interviews conducted by trained nurse observers to obtain subjective responses. More than 850 patients participated in the trial. The results indicate that fenoprofen at doses as low as 12.5 mg has analgesic properties. In each of the five studies, the mean value of 100- and/or 200-mg doses of fenoprofen for the variable sum of the pain intensity difference (SPID) was higher than that of 65 mg codeine. The pooled relative potency calculation based on SPID suggests that 100 mg fenoprofen is approximately equivalent to 60 mg codeine. In their ability to distinguish codeine from placebo, patients with uterine cramp, episiotomy, or surgical pain did not appear to differ. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1981) 29, 606–616; doi:10.1038/clpt.1981.85
Sprouty genes regulate proliferation and survival of human embryonic stem cells

Sprouty (Spry) genes encode negative regulators of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling, which plays important roles in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). SPRY2 and SPRY4 are the two most highly expressed Sprouty family members in hESCs, suggesting that they may influence self-renewal. To test this hypothesis, we performed siRNA-mediated knock down (KD) studies. SPRY2 KD resulted in increased cell death and decreased proliferation, whereas SPRY4 KD enhanced survival. In both cases, after KD the cells were able to differentiate into cells of the three germ layers, although after SPRY2 KD there was a tendency toward increased ectodermal differentiation. SPRY2 KD cells displayed impaired mitochondrial fusion and cell membrane damage, explaining in part the increased cell death. These data indicate that Sprouty genes regulate pathways involved in proliferation and cell death in hESCs.
Doppler-free absorption measurements of Stark broadening in a flowing hydrogen plasma

Abstract This paper presents measurements of electron number density in a low-density hydrogen arcjet plasma flow. A spatially translated Langmuir probe is used to obtain these data, and comparisons are made to measurements of electron density using Doppler-free absorption spectroscopy (DFAS) of the Stark-broadened spectral line of the atomic hydrogen Balmer-alpha (H α ) transition. A lineshape model is developed for the DFAS spectra which includes crossover resonances, and collisional coupling between the electronic states within the n =2 atomic hydrogen level. The electron number densities extracted from the Langmuir probe traces are found to be significantly less than those determined from the DFAS measurements. This difference is attributed to the averaging of the collected current over the extended probe surface.
Removal of nitrobenzene vapors by a trickling air biofilter

A stable microbial consortium that grew on nitrobenzene (NB) as its sole source of carbon, nitrogen and energy and liberated excess nitrogen as ammonia, was immobilized on a perlite-packed trickling air biofilter. On a sustained basis, the biofilter removed 50 g NB m−3 packing h−1 and its operation at pH 8.7 resulted in ammonia stripping, making pH and salinity controls unnecessary. Low maintenance and stable performance during 4 months of continuous operation invite the scale-up of this biofilter for control of NB emissions.
RENT IN AN EQUILIBRIUM MODEL OF LAND USE

ABSTRACT An algebraic model of agricultural product and land markets, based on the economics of forces contained in the von Thunen rent diagram, shows the equivalence of the land rent theories of von Thunen and Ricardo. In this model, as in the generalized Richardian model, supply shifts may increase or decrease the total rent bill, and demand shifts unambiguously increase it, but rent per acre on land already cultivated must decrease as the result of supply increases.
Self-Management in Early Adolescence and Differences by Age at Diagnosis and Duration of Type 1 Diabetes:

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to describe the frequency of diabetes self-management activities, processes, and goals among early adolescents. In addition, differences in self-management by ag...
High-power C band Read IMPATT diodes

A GaAs multimesa Read IMPATT-diode structure has been developed for operation in C band. Such devices give reproducible oscillator power output levels in excess of 10 W c.w. at 5 GHz. Junction temperature rises less than1 80 deg C are observed during high-power operation. The diodes are constructed with an integral gold-plated heatsink and bonded with Au : Sn eutectic solder in a small package.
Thermal fluctuations of the shapes of droplets in dense and compressed emulsions.

We generalize the theory of diffusing-wave spectroscopy (DWS) to include the effects of fluctuations of the amplitudes of the scattered fields. Thus DWS can be used to probe the internal dynamics of flexible particles. We study the thermally induced shape fluctuations of monodisperse emulsion droplets as a function of the droplet volume fraction \ensuremath{\varphi}. We find that a droplet's mean-squared deviation from spherical shape increases with \ensuremath{\varphi}, while the characteristic rate of relaxation of the shape deformations decreases with \ensuremath{\varphi}. Our generalization of the theory of DWS allows us to measure the autocorrelation function of the fluctuating amplitude of the field scattered from a droplet. We use fluid dynamics and scattering theory to calculate this autocorrelation function theoretically for an isolated droplet. The significant contribution of many independent modes of deformation results in a distinctly nonexponential relaxation. The measured behavior agrees with the theory as \ensuremath{\varphi} approaches zero. At higher values of \ensuremath{\varphi} throughout the range of colloidal liquids we find a surprising scaling behavior, which implies that particle interactions bring about the enhancement and slowing down of shape fluctuations without altering the spectrum of excited deformation modes. We relate the form of the scaling function to the particle radial distribution function. In ``compressed'' emulsions with \ensuremath{\varphi} as high as 0.8, shape fluctuations may be the only dynamical behavior that can occur. We suggest that in these systems the amplitude of the shape fluctuations is related to the emulsion's elastic modulus. (c) 1995 The American Physical Society
Power Control and Resource Allocation for Outage Balancing in Femtocell Networks

Given channel statistics information, we develop a joint power control (PC) and resource-allocation (RA) scheme for outage balancing in a multicarrier femto/macro system to minimize the maximum femtocell user equipments' outage probability constrained on macrocell user equipments' outage requirements. The formulated problem falls into the category of nonconvex mixed-integer optimization, which is in general very hard to solve. In this paper, we propose an alternating optimization scheme to find at least a local optimal point in the sense that no single femto base station can increase the system performance by changing its RA and PC strategy. Starting from a special initial RA scheme to handle cross-tier interference, PC and RA are then updated alternately. In particular, we find the optimal power for fixed RA scheme distributedly during the PC subroutine and greedily move to the most beneficial neighboring RA scheme in the RA subroutine. The proposed algorithm converges by producing monotonic improvement of system performance. Furthermore, to reduce the implementation complexity and feedback overhead, we propose a variant local search algorithm, which greatly reduces the computational burden without causing a significant loss of performance in the simulations.
Role of adenosine in the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative supraventricular tachyarrhythmias

Adenosine (Adenocard) has a potent but very transient negative dromotropic effect on atrioventricular (A-V) nodal conduction. By slowing A-V nodal conduction, adenosine may interrupt a re-entry pathway causing paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia or facilitate the diagnosis of other supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) by exposing the underlying atrial activity. We report 15 postoperative cases in which adenosine was used to clarify the diagnosis of postoperative SVT, and allowed the appropriate postoperative care.
Using Surveillance Data for Assessing and Projecting the AIDS Epidemic

Systems for surveillance of AIDS exist in the United States and other countries. Since 1982, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has collected information on AIDS cases concerning dates of AIDS diagnosis and report, diseases present, demographics, risk factors for transmission, HIV antibody test, and date of death. The CDC provides public use data sources that enable investigators to explore their own hypotheses concerning epidemic trends; although the geographic information only describes the region in which the AIDS case occurred, no specific information about states or cities is available. Nonetheless, the public-access data permit analyses of trends in incidence of AIDS over time and by region or risk category as well as analyses of survival after AIDS diagnosis. Using surveillance data bases requires sophisticated analyses; even seemingly straightforward comparisons, such as rates of growth of the epidemic by sex or risk category, require complex methods. The reason for this is that changes over time in the definition of AIDS, in reporting lag, or in treatment have a profound effect on estimates of trends. In this report, we consider these problems in detail as well as ways to adjust for them in analyses of surveillance data.
Reaching Youth With Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing Building on Successes, Challenges, and Lessons Learned From Local Get Yourself Tested Campaigns

Nine programs were funded across eight states in the United States to customize, implement, and evaluate local campaigns in support of the national Get Yourself Tested (GYT) campaign. Each program promoted chlamydia screening and treatment/referral to sexually active young women (aged 15-25 years) and their partners through accessible, free, or low-cost services. This article documents the strategies and outcomes of these local GYT campaigns, highlighting the diversity in which a national sexual health campaign is implemented at the local level and identifying challenges and successes. Nearly all (n = 7) programs involved target audience members in campaign development/implementation. Youth were linked to free or low-cost sexually transmitted disease testing through community centers, high schools and colleges, community and clinic events; online or text-based ordering of test kits; and community pickup locations. Sites used a combination of traditional and new media, on-the-ground activities, promotional products, and educational and social events to promote testing. With the exception of one site, all sites reported increases in the number of persons tested for chlamydia during campaign implementation, compared to baseline. Increases ranged from 0.5% to 128%. Successes included development of local partnerships, infrastructure, and capacity; use of peer leaders and involvement; and opportunities to explore new innovations. Challenges included use of social media/new technologies, timing constraints, limited organizational and evaluation capacity, and unforeseen delays/setbacks. Each of these issues is explored, along with lessons learned, with intent to inform future sexual health promotion efforts.
Social Sustainability and the City

Over the past 25 years, sustainability has become a key consideration for city governments. However, many sustainability initiatives have remained dogged by the concept’s nebulous character. The development of the triple-bottom-line conceptualization of sustainability – environment, economy, society – has been seen as potentially offering a solution to this problem. This paper reviews recent engagements in academic and policy debates with the least examined of the triple-bottom-line: social sustainability. It begins by asking if a concern for the social sustainability of cities is anything new. This leads into a review of the ways in which the concept of social sustainability has been developed in the urban literature. Here, varying relations to environmental debates are identified and the intersections between sustainability and contemporary policy thinking flagged. A cursory review of current engagements with social sustainability by city governments, something mostly confined to the Anglo context, flags how issues of definition and application distinguish those approaches developed. In conclusion, the question of whether engagements with social sustainability conform to critiques about the post-political nature of sustainability is considered.
Seismic tomography, surface uplift, and the breakup of Gondwanaland: Integrating mantle convection backwards in time

Mantle density heterogeneities, imaged using seismic tomography, contain information about time-dependent mantle flow and mantle structures that existed in the past. We model the history of mantle flow using a tomographic image of the mantle beneath southern Africa as an initial condition while reversing the direction of flow and analytically incorporating cooling plates as a boundary condition. If the resulting (backwards integrated) model for structures is used as a starting point for a forwards convection model, today's mantle can be adequately reconstructed if we do not integrate backwards more than than about 50–75 Ma. Flow can also be reliably reversed through the Mesozoic, but only if instability of the lower boundary layer can be suppressed. Our model predicts that the large seismically-slow and presumably hot structure beneath southern Africa produced 500–700 m of dynamic topography throughout the Cenozoic. Since ~30 Ma, uplift has moved from eastern to southern Africa, where uplift rates are ~10 m/Myr, consistent with observations. During the Mesozoic, the modeled topographic high is situated near Gondwanaland rifting, raising the possibility that this buoyant structure may have been involved with this breakup.
Environmental Mimics and the Lvh Type IVA Secretion System Contribute to Virulence-Related Phenotypes of Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila, the causative organism of Legionnaires' disease, is a fresh-water bacterium and intracellular parasite of amoebae. This study examined the effects of incubation in water and amoeba encystment on L. pneumophila strain JR32 and null mutants in dot/icm genes encoding a type IVB secretion system required for entry, delayed acidification of L. pneumophila-containing phagosomes, and intracellular multiplication when stationary-phase bacteria infect amoebae and macrophages. Following incubation of stationary-phase cultures in water, mutants in dotA and dotB, essential for function of the type IVB secretion system, exhibited entry and delay of phagosome acidification comparable to that of strain JR32. Following encystment in Acanthamoeba castellanii and reversion of cysts to amoeba trophozoites, dotA and dotB mutants exhibited intracellular multiplication in amoebae. The L. pneumophila Lvh locus, encoding a type IVA secretion system homologous to that in Agrobacterium tumefaciens, was required for restoration of entry and intracellular multiplication in dot/icm mutants following incubation in water and amoeba encystment and was required for delay of phagosome acidification in strain JR32. These data support a model in which the Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system is conditionally rather than absolutely required for L. pneumophila virulence-related phenotypes. The data suggest that the Lvh type IVA secretion system, previously thought to be dispensable, is involved in virulence-related phenotypes under conditions mimicking the spread of Legionnaires' disease from environmental niches. Since environmental amoebae are implicated as reservoirs for an increasing number of environmental pathogens and for drug-resistant bacteria, the environmental mimics developed here may be useful in virulence studies of other pathogens.
Anterior Urethral Valve Associated With Posterior Urethral Valves: Report of 2 Cases and Review of the Literature

Anterior urethral valve (AUV) associated with posterior urethral valves (PUVs) is an extremely rare congenital urologic anomaly resulting in lower urinary tract obstruction. We present our experience with 2 children with concomitant AUV and PUV as well as a literature review. The clinical presentation of concomitant AUV and PUV is variable. Successful endoscopic management can result in improvement in renal function, reversal of obstructive changes, and improvement or resolution of voiding dysfunction.
Fast likelihood computation techniques in nearest-neighbor based search for continuous speech recognition

This paper describes two effective algorithms that reduce the computational complexity of state likelihood computation in mixture-based Gaussian speech recognition systems. We consider a baseline recognition system that uses nearest-neighbor search and partial distance elimination (PDE) to compute state likelihoods. The first algorithm exploits the high dependence exhibited among subsequent feature vectors to predict the best scoring mixture for each state. The method, termed best mixture prediction (BMP), leads to further speed improvement in the PDE technique. The second technique, termed feature component reordering (FCR), takes advantage of the variable contribution levels made to the final distortion score for each dimension of the feature and mean space vectors. The combination of two techniques with PDE reduces the computational time for likelihood computation by 29.8% over baseline likelihood computation. The algorithms are shown to yield the same accuracy level without further memory requirements for the November 1992 ARPA Wall Street Journal (WSJ) task.
Frying Oil Deterioration and Vitamin Loss During Foodservice Operation

Oxidation and vitamin E loss in four frying oils (two partially hydrogenated soybean oils, one with methyl silicone, the other with tertiary butyl hydroquinone, citric acid and dimethyl siloxane added; a semi-solid hydrogenated soybean and palm oil shortening with mono and diglycerides added; and 100% corn oil) were studied under experimental and ‘actual’ operational conditions. Vitamin E loss in the frying oil increased significantly with increasing fatty acid oxidation. Added antioxidants, vitamin E and hydrogenation of fat decreased the rate of vitamin E loss. No significant change in vitamin E of the French fries occurred during 4 days of commercial frying; a significant increase in French fry fat uptake improved the 40% reduction in vitamin E of the frying oil. Vitamin C in the French fries (a major source of the vitamin in fast food meals) decreased significantly as the vitamin E content of the oils was reduced.
Comparison of viral vectors: gene transfer efficiency and tissue specificity in a bladder cancer model.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Gene transfer efficiency and specific cell targeting of vectors is a major obstacle in preclinical studies of gene therapy for malignant disease. Previous attempts at gene transfer in bladder cancer models have resulted in variable urothelial and tumor transgene expression after intravesical administration of recombinant viral vectors. In the current study we compared the gene transfer efficiencies of different viral vectors.Materials and Methods: We compared the gene transfer efficiencies of the viral vectors replication-deficient adenovirus, attenuated vaccinia virus (NYVAC) and canarypox virus (ALVAC) in vitro and in an orthotopic murine bladder cancer model. We used β-galactosidase and firefly luciferase reporter gene expression to compare gene transfer efficiency.Results: Significantly higher transgene expression was observed in vitro when these cells were infected with NYVAC or ALVAC compared with adenovirus vectors. Similarly the efficiency of adenovirus vectors to transfer genetic...
DNA damage signals facilitate osmotic stress adaptation.

osmotic stress occurs when the concentration of dissolved compounds in water surrounding cells and organisms changes. For example, changes in dissolved salt (inorganic ion) concentration in the environment are common for soil bacteria exposed to drought or rain, intertidal and estuary organisms