cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A reexamination of the distance-based facility layout problem

In this paper we qualitatively and numerically compare basic modeling approaches to the distance-based facility layout problem and the types of result obtained from them. In the process we observe that when the facility layout problem is modeled as a QAP, one will not necessarily obtain an optimal solution to the layout problem even if the QAP is solved to optimality. We also propose an alternative distance measure, namely, EDIST, which is based on the expected distance between two departments. We illustrate how the EDIST measure addresses some of the well-known shortcomings associated with the centroid-to-centroid distance measure.
A malignant glaucoma-like syndrome following pars plana vitrectomy.

Abstract Objective To report two cases of a malignant glaucoma-like syndrome following pars plana vitrectomy. Design Two interventional case reports. Intervention The first patient was treated with a neodymium:YAG laser peripheral iridectomy with hyaloidectomy and with intracameral tissue plasminogen activator. The second patient was treated with a posterior approach iridectomy through residual hyaloid, zonules, and iris. Main outcome measures Axial anterior chamber depth and intraocular pressure (IOP). Results The interventions resulted in deepening of the anterior chambers and normalization of IOPs. Conclusion A pseudomalignant glaucoma syndrome may be related to obstruction of aqueous flow, either by residual anterior hyaloid or by fibrin and other inflammatory debris at the level of the ciliary body-zonular apparatus. Treatment of this syndrome involves restoring aqueous flow to the anterior chamber by disrupting the residual anterior hyaloid or clearing fibrin or inflammatory debris. The clinician should not disregard the possibility of a pseudomalignant glaucoma syndrome following vitrectomy despite the fact that vitrectomy has traditionally been considered a curative treatment for malignant glaucoma.
The effect of anxiety on cue selection in the A-Br paradigm

The influence of generalized drive (D) as measured by the Manifest Anxiety Scale (MAS) was examined as it related to paired-associate acquisition, Br transfer and functional stimulus selection. One-hundred twenty Ss were equally distributed through 12 cells of a 2 by 2 by 3 factorial study with the first level being anxiety, the second level being degree of pre-experimental association and the third level being stimulus conditions. Following practice to one perfect trial Ss learned a Br list which corresponded to the respective categories. Modest evidence was found to support the hypothesis that high anxious Ss learn simple paired associates faster than do low anxious Ss but that opposite tendencies were noted in the complex Br transfer paradigm.
Lack of Association Between Video Game Exposure and School Performance

To the Editor .— I am concerned that one of the conclusions of the study “Association Between Television, Movie, and Video Game Exposure and School Performance”1 might easily be misinterpreted or overlooked. The authors examined middle school students' self-report of their school performance and correlated the resulting scores to several …
Synthesis and nucleosome structure of DNA containing a UV photoproduct at a specific site.

A strategy was developed to assemble nucleosomes specifically damaged at only one site and one structural orientation. The most prevalent UV photoproduct, a cis-syn cyclobutane thymine dimer (cs CTD), was chemically synthesized and incorporated into a 30 base oligonucleotide harboring the glucocorticoid hormone response element. This oligonucleotide was assembled into a 165 base pair double stranded DNA molecule with nucleosome positioning elements on each side of the cs CTD-containing insert. Proton NMR verified that the synthetic photoproduct is the cis-syn stereoisomer of the CTD. Moreover, two different pyrimidine dimer-specific endonucleases cut ∼90% of the dsDNA molecules. This cleavage is completely reversed by photoreactivation with E. coli UV photolyase, further demonstrating the correct stereochemistry of the photoproduct. Nucleosomes were reconstituted by histone octamer exchange from chicken erythocyte core particles, and contained a unique translational and rotational setting of the insert on...
Cyclic Alkoxyamines for Nitroxide-Mediated Radical Polymerization

A 5-membered cyclic alkoxyamine and a 17-membered cyclic alkoxyamine were synthesized and used in the polymerization of styrene. Polymerizations using the 5-membered cyclic alkoxyamine resulted in polymers with uncontrolled molecular weights and high polydispersities. Polymerizations using the 17-membered cyclic alkoxyamine produced oligomeric polymers in which multiple polymer chains are linked through NO-C bonds. EPR homolysis experiments revealed that the 5-membered cyclic alkoxyamine does not dissociate to form a nitroxide species, even at temperatures as high as 403 K. In contrast, the 17-membered cyclic alkoxyamine does dissociate to form nitroxide, but the rate of dissociation is slower than that of parent acyclic alkoxyamine 2,2,5-trimethyl-3-(1-phenylethoxy)-4-phenyl-3-azahexane.
Science vs. Religion: What Scientists Really Think

1. The Real Religious Lives of Scientists 2. The Voice of Science 3. The Voice of Faith 4. Spiritual Entrepreneurs 5. Suppression or Engagement: How Scientists Handle Religion in the Classroom 6. No God on the Quad: Efforts Toward A Purely Secular University 7. Is God on the Quad?: Making Room for Faith on Campus 8. What Scientists are Doing Wrong That They Could be Doing Right 9. Shattering Myths, Toward Dialogue
Enterprise Systems Architecture/370: an architecture for multiple virtual space access and authorization

The Enterprise Systems Architecture/370™ provides a significant step in the IBM System/370 evolution by providing new capabilities for virtual addressing and program linkage across multiple address spaces. This paper reviews the evolution that led to this advance and illuminates the goals, such as eliminating growth constraints and improving security, integrity, reliability, and performance, that have guided it. The major architectural capabilities are discussed, along with the system environments in which they are useful. The rationale for design choices is presented and related to issues of performance, access authorization, and constraints relief.
Spin angular momentum transfer in current-perpendicular nanomagnetic junctions

Spin angular momentum transfer, or spin-transfer, describes the transfer of spin angular momentum between a spin-polarized current and a ferromagnetic conductor. The angular momentum transfer exerts a torque (spin-current induced torque, or spin-torque) on the ferromagnetic conductor. When its dimensions are reduced to less than 100 nm, the spin-torque can become comparable to the magnetic damping torque at a spin-polarized current of high current density (above 106 A/cm2), giving rise to a new set of current-induced dynamic excitation and magnetic switching phenomena. This has now been definitively observed in sub-100-nm current-perpendicular spin-valves and magnetic tunnel junctions, and appears promising as a basis for direct write-address of a nanomagnetic bit when the lateral bit size is reduced to well below 100 nm. An overview is presented in this paper of spin-transfer phenomena. The first part of the paper contains a brief introduction to spin-transfer, especially the characteristic dynamics associated with spin-torque. In the second part, several representative experiments are described. In the third part, a set of basic phenomenological models are introduced that describe experimental observations. The models also serve as a bridge for quantitative comparison between experiments and first-principles spin-polarized transport theory. In the last part of the paper, some device concepts based on spin-transfer-induced magnetic excitation and magnetic reversal are described.
Effects of caffeine on sensorimotor gating of the startle reflex in normal control subjects: impact of caffeine intake and withdrawal.

Rationale: Prepulse inhibition (PPI), a cross–species measure of sensorimotor gating, is impaired in certain neuropsychiatric disorders. This study was designed to assess caffeine effects on PPI in normal humans, as part of an effort to understand cross-species differences and similarities in the neurochemical regulation of PPI. Methods: Startle was measured during a screening session; 7 days later, subjects were retested after placebo or caffeine (200 mg; double-blind design). Subjects were characterized as low versus high caffeine drinkers based on established scales (range 11–628 mg/day), and either maintained ad libitum caffeine intake (Ad lib study; n=18) or refrained from caffeine consumption for ≥15 h prior to testing (Withdrawal study; n=12). Autonomic and self-rating measures, acoustic and tactile startle, and unimodal and cross-modal PPI, were measured in divided sessions for 3 h post-treatment. Results: There were significant effects of caffeine and/or caffeine withdrawal on several self-rating and autonomic measures, and on startle reflex habituation, but not on acoustic or tactile startle magnitude or PPI. Difference scores of startle data from screening versus test days revealed no group effects on startle magnitude, but PPI difference scores revealed that caffeine had opposite effects on low versus high caffeine drinkers (means=57 versus 258 mg/day) in the two withdrawal states. In the absence of withdrawal, caffeine reduced PPI in heavy caffeine drinkers; during withdrawal, caffeine increased PPI in heavy caffeine drinkers. The opposite pattern was evident in low caffeine drinkers. Conclusions: While a physiologically active dose of caffeine has no simple effects on PPI in normal humans, both withdrawal states and normal levels of caffeine consumption may be important factors in understanding this drug's effects on sensorimotor gating.
Dorsal Laminectomy in the Horse I. Review of the Literature and Description of a New Procedure

Equine cervical vertebral malformation may result in spinal cord compression that, until recently, has been treated medically. Two descriptions of dorsal laminectomy in the horse indicated the technique could be disastrous, even in the normal horse, and postoperative improvement was variable. In the technique described here, the horse is placed in an oblique lateral position with the neck ventroflexed. A dorsal midline incision is used to expose the cervical vertebrae. Following removal of the soft tissues overlying the dorsal laminae, a Funkquist type B laminectomy is performed. Ligamentum flavum scar tissue, articular facets, and joint capsule are trimmed if they are contributing to the spinal cord compression. The bony defect is filled with a nuchal fat graft, and the surgical site is drained for 4 to 5 days by a suction drainage apparatus. The technique is evaluated in two accompanying articles.
Differential protein expression in lens epithelial whole-mounts and lens epithelial cell cultures.

Purpose. Lens fibergenesis is a problem in several types of cataract and in the posterior capsular opacification following cataract surgery. To correct improper fiber differentiation or to prevent unwanted growth on the posterior capsule following cataract surgery requires a thorough understanding of normal and abnormal fiber formation. To this end, studies were initiated to characterize fiber differentiation in the bovine lens and in lens epithelial cell cultures. Methods. Indirect immunofluorescence and immunoblot analysis were employed to study the expression of vimentin, β-crystallin, γ-crystallin, filensin, aquaporin 0 and the Na, K-ATPase catalytic subunit isoforms (α1, α2, α3) in bovine lens epithelium whole-mounts as well as lens epithelial cell cultures propagated in medium containing 10% bovine serum or in medium supplemented with bovine serum concentrations ≤4%. Results. Three distinct cell types were observed in the bovine lens epithelium. The cells of the central zone were identified by a polarized distribution of two distinct Na, K-ATPase catalytic subunit isoforms, α1 to the apical (fiber side) and α3 to the basal (aqueous humor side) membranes. Lateral to the polarized central zone, was the germinative zone of cells, best characterized by perinuclear vimentin basket-like structures and the loss of polarized Na, K-ATPase catalytic subunit isoforms. Lateral to the germinative zone were the cells of the transition zone (meridinal rows) where expression of the lens specific proteins β-crystallin, γ-crystallin, filensin and aquaporin 0 as well as the lens fiber-, adipocyte- and brain glia-specific Na, K-ATPase catalytic subunit, α2 are expressed. The cultured cells propagated in medium supplemented with 10% serum bore no resemblance to any of the cells of the bovine lens epithelium whole-mounts. The cells propagated in the medium supplemented with the lower bovine serum levels resembled the differentiating fibers of the transition zone of the bovine lens epithelium whole-mounts as well as superficial cortical fibers. Conclusions. Since the low-serum lens epithelial cell cultures bear a remarkable resemblance to early differentiating fibers, they are reasonable models for the study of early fiber differentiation or prevention of differentiation. The culture conditions employed do not yield the polarized cells of the central zone. Nor has the function of these polarized cells in lens fluid, nutrient and ion homeostasis been determined.
Production of Cellulase from Kraft Paper Mill Sludge by Trichoderma Reesei Rut C-30

Paper mill sludge is a solid waste material generated from pulping and papermaking operations. Because of high glucan content and its well-dispersed structure, paper mill sludges are well suited for bioconversion into value-added products. It also has high ash content originated from inorganic additives used in papermaking, which causes hindrance to bioconversion. In this study, paper mill sludges from Kraft process were de-ashed by a centrifugal cleaner and successive treatment by sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide, and used as a substrate for cellulase production. The treated sludge was the only carbon source for cellulase production, and predominantly inorganic nutrients were used as the nitrogen source for this bioprocess. The cellulase enzyme produced from the de-ashed sludge exhibited cellulase activity of 8 filter paper unit (FPU)/mL, close to that obtainable from pure cellulosic substrates. The yield of cellulase enzyme was 307 FPU/g glucan of de-ashed sludge. Specific activity was 8.0 FPU/mg protein. In activity tests conducted against the corn stover and α-cellulose, the xylanse activity was found to be higher than that of a commercial cellulase. Relatively high xylan content in the sludge appears to have induced high xylanase production. Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) was performed using partially de-ashed sludge as the feedstock for ethanol production using Sacharomyces cerevisiae and the cellulase produced in-house from the sludge. With 6% (w/v) glucan feed, ethanol yield of 72% of theoretical maximum and 24.4 g/L ethanol concentration were achieved. These results were identical to those of the SSF using commercial cellulases.
ARUPS observation of a strong surface state on Rh(001)

Slab calculations of the surface electronic structure of Rh(001) predict surface states. However, they disagree on their relative strengths and, in particular, whether the surface states near the point are located above or below the Fermi level. This has ramifications as regards the value of the surface charge density in relation to the magnitude of the work function values. We present angle-resolved photoemission evidence for a strong narrow spectral peak located just below EF about the point which is independent of photon energy, indicative of an occupied surface state, in agreement with one of the calculations.
Cyclin B1 Transcript Quantitation Over the Maternal to Zygotic Transition in Both In Vivo- and In Vitro-Derived 4-Cell Porcine Embryos

Using reverse transcription-competitive polymerase chain reaction (RT-cPCR), the quantity of cyclin B1 transcript present over the maternal to zygotic transition was determined for both in vivo- and in vitro-derived 4-cell porcine embryos. After poly(A) RNA isolation, RT-cPCR was performed on single embryos using an introduced, truncated cyclin B1 DNA competitor. Visualization of embryonic cyclin B1 cDNA and competitor for each reaction allowed a ratio to be formed for use in transcript quantity calculations when compared to cPCR standards. Analysis of in vivo- and in vitro-derived control embryos revealed a decline in cyclin B1 transcripts from 5 to 33 h post-4-cell cleavage (P4CC). The quantity of cyclin B1 for the in vivo-derived embryos at 5 and 33 h P4CC was 11.26 and 4.54 attomol/embryo, respectively (P < 0.03), while the in vitro-derived embryos had 20.18 and 7.52 attomol/embryo, respectively (P < 0.03). Treatment with alpha-amanitin from 5, 10, 18, or 25 h P4CC to 33 h P4CC resulted in cyclin B1 quantities that did not differ from those in the 33-h control embryos, irrespective of time spent in the inhibitor. These findings suggest that maternal cyclin B1 transcript degradation occurred over the 4-cell stage with no detectable embryonic cyclin B1 transcripts produced.
Elective postoperative radiotherapy after incomplete resection of colorectal cancer

It is known that patients with incompletely resected epithelial cancers are at high risk of local recurrence. A prospective study to determine whether elective postoperative radiotherapy can decrease the incidence of local recurrence and thus improve survival of those patients with an incompletely resected tumor was made of 125 irradiated patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer (B2 C1, C2) 78 patients had rectosigmoid tumors and 47 had colonic cancers. Complete resection (R0) was performed in 94 patients (75 per cent). Thirteen (10 per cent) had microscopic (R1) and 18 (14 per cent) had gross residual disease (R2). Local control and survival (average follow-up, 38 months) of patients with microscopic residual cancer (R1) were 84 per cent (11/13) and 77 per cent (10/13) respectively. These results were identical to those obtained in patients without residual disease (R0). Patients with gross residual disease (R2) had a local control of 50 per cent (9/18) and a survival of 39 per cent (7/18). Radiation complication occurred in seven of 125 patients (6 per cent). One patient died, of radiation enteritis. One patient required a nephrostomy. The remaining five patients were treated conservatively. Elective postoperative radiotherapy given to patients who had incomplete resection of a colorectal cancer prevented local recurrence in the majority and may have increased survival.
Tyrosyl rotamer interconversion rates and the fluorescence decays of N-acetyltyrosinamide and short tyrosyl peptides.

It has long been recognized that the fluorescence lifetimes of amino acid residues such as tyrosine and tryptophan depend on the rotameric configuration of the aromatic side chain, but estimates of the rate of interchange of rotameric states have varied widely. We report measurements of the rotameric populations and interchange rates for tyrosine in N-acetyltyrosinamide (NATyrA), the tripeptide Tyr-Gly-Gly (YGG), and the pentapeptide Leu-enkephalin (YGGFL). The fluorescence lifetimes were analyzed to determine the rotameric interchange rates in the context of a model incorporating exchange among three rotameric states. Maximum entropy method analysis verified the presence of three fluorescence decay components for YGGFL and two for YGG and NATyrA. Rotameric exchange between the gauche(−) and trans states occurred on the nanosecond time scale, whereas exchange with the gauche(+) state occurred on a longer time scale. Good agreement was obtained with rotameric populations and exchange rates from molecular d...
Ethane spectrum between 1940 and 2152 cm−1: Ground state parameters

Abstract The absorption spectrum of ethane was recorded between 1940 and 2152 cm−1 at a resolution of 0.025 cm−1. Ground state parameters were determined from the principal band in this region, ν9 + ν12(Eu): B0 = 0.6630353 cm−1, D0J = 1.0406 × 10−6 cm−1, D0JK = 2.575 × 10−6 cm−1 (standard errors are 7, 8, and 13, respectively, in the last digits quoted). The quoted values are from the analyses of 269 ground state combination differences, the standard deviation of the least-squares analysis was 0.0032 cm−1.
Research guides as library instruction tools

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine how guidelines for information literacy and library instruction can be incorporated into online research guides and provide examples from guides that have done this.Design/methodology/approach – Online research guides in forestry were identified and examined using the ACRL's “Information literacy competency standards for higher education” and guidelines for library instruction set forth in LaGuardia and Oka's Becoming a Library Teacher.Findings – While some research guides simply provide unannotated links to online resources, others seek to engage the user by incorporating features that correspond directly to elements of a library instruction session.Originality/value – The study presents practical ways in which online research guides can serve as library instruction tools.
Pregnancy and parenthood in radiation oncology, views and experiences survey (PROVES): Results of a blinded prospective trainee parenting and career development assessment

Purpose Medical training spans nearly a decade, during which many physicians traditionally begin families. Although childrearing responsibilities are shared by men and women in the modern era, differences in time allocated to child care by sex and its potential impact on residency experience merit discussion. Methods and Materials An anonymous, voluntary, 102-item survey was distributed to 540 current radiation oncology residents and 2014 graduates that asked about marital and parental status, pregnancy during residency, publication productivity, career aspirations, and experiences working with pregnant co-residents. Respondents with children were asked about childcare arrangements, and women who were pregnant during residency were asked about radiation safety, maternity leave, and breastfeeding experiences. Results A total of 190 respondents completed the survey, 107 men (56.3%) and 84 women (43.7%). Ninety-seven respondents (51.1%) were parents, and 84 (44.2%) reported a pregnancy during residency. Respondents with children more often were male (65% vs 47.3%; P =.014), in a higher level of training (79.3% vs 54.8% were PGY4 or higher; P =.001), were older (median age of 32, interquartile range [IQR]:31-35] vs age 30 [IQR: 29-33]; P P =.033), were married (99% vs 43%, respectively; P P P Conclusions Pregnancy and parenthood are common during residency. Female residents are frequently responsible for more childcare duties than males but have similar research productivity and career aspirations. Further investigation is critical to elucidate gender disparities in parenthood and career development.
Biochemical characterization of neonatal cardiomyocyte development in normotensive and hypertensive rats.

Final cellular replication and functional maturation of the mammalian ventricular myocyte (cardiomyocyte) is known to occur during the first 2 post-natal weeks in rodents, yet the exact temporal sequence of events remains to be clearly established. When a genetic predisposition toward ventricular hypertrophy also manifests its influence during this time period, possible growth aberrations may occur. Using the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) as an animal model, we have determined that biochemical and morphological indices of cardiomyocyte replicative deficits occur during the first 5 to 8 post-natal days relative to the normotensive control strain, Wistar Kyoto (WKY). Reduced ventricular nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) content and disproportionate RNA- and protein-DNA ratios were found in the neonatal SHR. Incorporation of tritiated thymidine into acid precipitable DNA during the first 5 postnatal days was also reduced in the SHR. Morphological evidence of reduced thymidine incorporation was determined autoradiographically at the cellular and nuclear level using isolated cells and nuclei, respectively. The results of our study indicate that SHR cardiomyocyte hyperplasia is reduced during the first 5 to 8 post-natal days when the last “window” of ventricular myocyte cellular replication occurs. Therefore, the maturing ventricle of the neonatal SHR contains fewer cardiomyocytes than its normotensive control and these cells appear to enter a hypertrophic growth phase at an accelerated rate.
Suprathreshold contrast sensitivity in experimentally strabismic monkeys

Abstract Human strabismic amblyopes show deficits in spatial vision that can be revealed in a variety of visual tasks. In particular, they show a reduced sensitivity to contrast for a wide range of spatial frequencies. The ability of Strabismic amblyopes to process contrast information at levels well above detection threshold is less well understood and somewhat controversial. In the course of investigating the neural basis of strabismic amblyopia we studied contrast processing both at and above detection threshold in experimentally Strabismic monkeys (Macaca nemestrina). First we trained them to perform a contrastdetection task and measured their contrast sensitivity for a wide range of spatial frequencies. Then we trained them todiscriminate between two gratings that were identical except for their contrast. We show that these monkeys exhibit deficits in both tasks. The deficits in the contrast discrimination task cannot be solely attributed to their deficit at threshold.
Towards a three-dimensional analysis of polarization profiles in electret materials with thermal methods

For initial simulations, we assumed a pyroelectric distribution g(x,z) with a “soft bi-morph” shape in the z direction and a sudden transition from g ≠ 0 for X &#60; 0 to g = 0 for X > 0 (Fig. 2a). This distribution was substituted into (2) and the pyroelectric current I(X,ω) was calculated. Preliminary results show good agreement of the reconstructed profile (Fig. 2b) with the original distribution. Most importantly, the new approach reduces the smoothing in the lateral direction observed for n = 0 (Fig. 2c). The present approach deals with a two-dimensional pyroelectric distribution only. However, extension to three dimensions is straightforward, although some numerical optimizations will need to be made to keep the computational speed within practical limits for the increased number of neighbors.
Hyperbolic discounting of delayed social interaction

The temporal discounting literature has demonstrated that the loss in value for delayed outcomes is most accurately modeled using a hyperbolic discounting equation. The hyperbolic-shaped function not only describes the shape of discounting for monetary outcomes, but also for other tangibles, such as alcohol, candy, CDs, erotica, cigarettes, cocaine, books, and DVDs. Furthermore, this hyperbolic shape has important theoretical implications. Despite the broad list of outcomes that are hyperbolically discounted, one class of outcomes has only recently received attention: social interactions. For the present study, we used standard binary-choice discounting procedures to explore the function that most accurately describes the change in value of delayed social interactions. The results from the present study suggest that, for 93 participants, the same equations (exponential, hyperbolic, and hyperboloid) used to describe the discounting of nonsocial commodities also describe the relation between delay and the value of social interaction. Similar to previous findings for nonsocial outcomes, the hyperbolic-shaped models provide a fit to the data superior to that of the exponential model.
Studies on the conversion of multiple forms of tyrosine aminotransferase in rat liver

Abstract Studies from several laboratories have demonstrated the existence of at least three separable forms of the hepatic enzyme, tyrosine aminotransferase. The significance of these separable forms of the enzyme isolated in vitro for the nature and regulation of the enzyme in vivo has been the subject of some controversy. The studies reported in this paper demonstrate the existence of a heat-labile, pH- and temperature-dependent, nondialyzable component associated predominantly with the lysosomal and mitochondrial fraction of rat liver which catalyzes the conversion of form II to forms III and IV of the enzyme. The activity of this conversion factor is not significantly affected by F − , molybdate ions, or two inhibitors of proteases. On the other hand, the cyanate ion completely inhibits the conversion of form II to forms III and IV of tyrosine aminotransferase, as do iodoacetate and oxidized glutathione. p -Chloromercuribenzoate also markedly inhibits the conversion. Kinetic studies suggest that the shift from one form to another follows the pathway: II to III to IV. Titration of the available sulfhydryl groups of the three forms of the enzyme demonstrates that form II possesses between 16 and 17 titratable SH groups per mole, while forms III and IV possess 15 and 13 or 14, respectively. The possible catalytic mechanism by which the conversion of the multiple forms of tyrosine aminotransferase is accomplished is discussed.
Relationship between bisphosphonate concentration and osteoclast activity and viability.

Difluoromethylidene bisphosphonate (F2MBP) is one of the many bisphosphonates known to inhibit bone resorption in vitro and in vivo. We have developed an analytical method, employing anion exchange and postcolumn indirect fluorescence detection, by which F2MBP can be quantified in bone samples. The objective of this study was to relate the concentration of F2MBP in embryonic bones treated in organ culture to the physiological effects of the compound, such as bone resorption (i.e., the amount of 45Ca released into the medium from prelabeled bones) and viability of the osteoclast population (i.e., the incidence of abnormal osteoclasts). Osteoclasts in bones treated with F2MBP exhibited morphological features of apoptosis, such as nuclear fragmentation. Both the number and percentage of these abnormal cells increased with dose of F2MBP and duration of incubation. The decrease in normal osteoclasts was correlated with the decreased amount of 45Ca released into the medium. Bones treated with F2MBP for only the first 5 min of the 48-h incubation period had similar numbers of abnormal osteoclasts and amounts of 45Ca released, as had bones incubated with F2MBP continuously for 48 h. The uptake of F2MBP into the bone was rapid. Bones treated with F2MBP for 6 h were similar to bones treated with F2MBP for the entire 48-h incubation period, both in F2MBP concentration and the 45Ca release ratios. These relationships between concentrations of F2MBP within bone and osteoclast activity and viability implicate apoptosis in the mechanism by which this bisphosphonate inhibits bone resorption.
Serum cholesterol efflux potential is an independent predictor of coronary artery atherosclerosis.

Abstract The efflux of cholesterol from cells and its incorporation into HDL is believed to be the initial step in reverse cholesterol transport. This report addresses the question of whether there is a relationship between the ability of serum to promote efflux of cholesterol from cells in culture and the severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis (CAA). Surgically postmenopausal cynomolgus monkeys ( n =142) were treated for 2-years with conjugated equine estrogens (CEE), CEE plus medroxyprogesterone acetate, or two different doses of tibolone, a synthetic steroid. CAA was determined at necropsy, and the cholesterol efflux potential of serum from each animal was determined using 3 H-cholesterol-labeled Fu5AH cells and human skin fibroblasts in culture. A significant negative correlation was seen between CAA and cholesterol efflux from Fu5AH cells ( r =−0.44, P ≤0.0001), but not skin fibroblasts. Although there was a wide range of plasma HDL cholesterol concentrations in these animals (10–81 mg/dl), using multiple regression analysis, LDL+VLDL cholesterol and the serum cholesterol efflux potential were the only significant independent predictors of CAA, explaining 41.6 and 10.7% of the variability ( P
APPLICATION OF VESYS3AM IN CHARACTERIZATION OF PERMANENT DEFORMATION

The mechanistic system rutting model VESYS3AM was used to predict the rutting performance of three full-scale accelerated pavement test pads. Since the VESYS3AM system rutting model is not formulated to calculate layer rutting, a method was devised to extract the information by manipulating the layer input rutting parameters. Two MDDs were installed into each MLS test pad to determine layer deformation under a uniformly applied set of loads. For simplicity, all comparisons were made for a two-layer system; that is, an AC layer and a subsystem. The layer deformations from the MDDs were used to calibrate the VESYS3AM model parameters α and µ. The study represents a laboratory and Field determination of material properties, which could be used to model rutting if they were reproduced in other pavements. The predictions from the VESYS3AM system model matched field rutting performance data. Also, the layer rutting contributions were computed, and these compared favorably to MDD measurements.
Mg2+/Mn2+-Dependent Phosphatase 1A Is Involved in Regulating Pregnane X Receptor–Mediated Cytochrome p450 3A4 Gene Expression

Variations in the expression of human pregnane X receptor (hPXR)-mediated cytochrome p450 3A4 (CYP3A4) in liver can alter therapeutic response to a variety of drugs and may lead to potential adverse drug interactions. We sought to determine whether Mg(2+)/Mn(2+)-dependent phosphatase 1A (PPM1A) regulates hPXR-mediated CYP3A4 expression. PPM1A was found to be coimmunoprecipitated with hPXR. Genetic or pharmacologic activation of PPM1A led to a significant increase in hPXR transactivation of CYP3A4 promoter activity. In contrast, knockdown of endogenous PPM1A not only attenuated hPXR transactivation, but also increased proliferation of HepG2 human liver carcinoma cells, suggesting that PPM1A expression levels regulate hPXR, and that PPM1A expression is regulated in a proliferation-dependent manner. Indeed, PPM1A expression and hPXR transactivation were found to be significantly reduced in subconfluent HepG2 cells compared with confluent HepG2 cells, suggesting that both PPM1A expression and hPXR-mediated CYP3A4 expression may be downregulated in proliferating livers. Elevated PPM1A levels led to attenuation of hPXR inhibition by tumor necrosis factor-α and cyclin-dependent kinase-2, which are known to be upregulated and essential during liver regeneration. In mouse regenerating livers, similar to subconfluent HepG2 cells, expression of both PPM1A and the mouse PXR target gene cyp3a11 was found to be downregulated. Our results show that PPM1A can positively regulate PXR activity by counteracting PXR inhibitory signaling pathways that play a major role in liver regeneration. These results implicate a novel role for PPM1A in regulating hPXR-mediated CYP3A4 expression in hepatocytes and may explain a mechanism for CYP3A repression in regenerating livers.
Serological identification of sperm antigens specified by lethalt-alleles in the mouse

Cytotoxic antisera were prepared by immunizing wild-type recipient mice with sperm from donors carrying different recessive lethal alleles at theT locus (T/t 0,T/t w 1 ,T/t w 5 , andT/t w 32 ). After removal of sperm autoantibody by absorption with sperm of recipient type, each antiserum reacted only with sperm from males whose genotype contained at least one of the immunizing alleles. Cytotoxicity was high against sperm populations in which both immunizing alleles were represented and was lower when only one was present. Thus, each allele at theT locus which has so far been tested serologically is recognizable as a discrete antigen on the surface of sperm.
Effect of autologous tumor extracts on cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Autologous crude saline extracts of human tumors were incubated with cultures of autologous human lymphocytes, and the degree of stimulation of the lymphocytes was quantitated by tritiated thymidine uptake. While no degree of stimulation was seen in 44 patients, a suggestive elevation was seen in 5 patients and a definite elevation (T:C ratio > 2) in 7 patients. These 7 patients all had tumors with a relatively favorable prognosis, including one patient with malignant melanoma who was undergoing spontaneous regression. It is suggested that the determination of lymphocyte hypersensitivity to autologous tumors may have ultimate prognostic significance.
Precision gamma-ray spectroscopy on the decay of 168Tm

Abstract Precision gamma-ray energy and intensity measurements have been made on the decay of 87 d 168 Tm. The uncertainty in energy of the more prominent gamma rays ranged from 20 to 40 eV, and the uncertainty in the relative intensity varied from 1 to 5%. The available conversion electron intensity data were used with the data here to calculate internal conversion coefficients. A decay scheme consistent with these results is presented, and several ambiguities of the previous 168 Tm decay schemes have been resolved. The E2 branching ratios from the gamma vibrational band to the ground state band were calculated and, when compared to band-mixing theory, gave the following values for the vibration-rotation coupling parameter z 2 : 0.0278 ± 0.0055, 0.0284±0.0091, 0.0283±0.0056, 0.0314±0.0025 and 0.0329±0.0015. A weighted average of the values is 0.0320±0.0013.
Recent observations reflecting increases in mortality from asthma.

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Whatever happened to the General Surgery graduating class of 2001

Abstract Purpose Nationally ∼20% of all categorical General Surgery (GS) residents do not complete their GS training. We ranked 57 applicants in the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) in 1996 and matched our final eighth candidate with slot 22. Although clinically stellar, 4 of these 8 residents (50%) opted to switch to different medical specialties. We pondered if other programs had difficulties with the 1996 applicant pool and hypothesized that perhaps higher ranked applicants have greater attrition rates. Methods Programs in which our ranked applicants matched were contacted and asked for feedback on trainee performance, research time, attrition, and future plans. Results Four applicants did not match in GS. Fifty-three surgical interns (46 men, 7 women) in 1996 are now 23 chief residents, 18 senior residents (16 did research time, 1 did an intensive care unit fellowship, and 1 required a year of remediation), and 12 non-GS trainees (orthopedic surgery = 3, anesthesiology = 3, ENT = 1, family medicine = 1, internal medicine = 1, radiology = 1, pathology = 1, and Ph.D. researcher = 1). Clinical performance was similar for both GS trainees and those who dropped out. Residents dropped out after the PG-1 year (n = 7), PGY-2 (n = 3), and 1 each after PGY-3 and PGY-4. Higher ranked applicants were no more likely to drop out than were lower ranked applicants. Conclusions Of Mayo Clinic-Rochester-ranked GS categorical applicants in 1996, 23% dropped out of GS. Eleven of 12 dropouts selected a different field of medicine to finish their training. Attrition remains common and problematic both nationally and in individual programs.
The need for a more predictive understanding of hydrologic connectivity

Why do we continue to underestimate or overlook the key role of hydrologic connectivity in structuring ecosystems and determining ecological patterns in the landscape? All too often this property is acknowledged in hindsight, as new environmental problems emerge on regional and global scales. The ecological effects of many hydrologic alterations exhibit a time lag and manifest themselves at geographic locations far from the source of disturbance. Examples range from decreases in silicon delivered to coastal ecosystems by heavily dammed rivers (which may be an exacerbating factor in the process of coastal euthrophication: Turner et al., 1998) to emergent patterns in the global distribution and ecological effects of harmful and persistent organic compounds within aquatic-based food chains (Colburn and Thayer, 2000). ‘Hydrologic connectivity’ is used here in a global ecological context to refer to the water-mediated transfer of matter, energy and/or organisms within or between elements of the hydrologic cycle (Pringle, 2001). Although this property is essential to maintaining the ecological integrity of ecosystems, it also serves to perpetuate the flow of human-derived nutrients, toxic wastes and exotic species. Dams, flow regulation, water diversion, and groundwater extraction are just a few of the many human activities that alter hydrologic connectivity. Environmental consequences range from obvious direct effects, such as the obstruction of fish migration by dams, to more elusive alterations in biogeochemical cycling such as methylmercury mobilization in reservoirs behind dams. A major challenge in human-dominated landscapes is to manage hydrologic connectivity to minimize harmful effects. Yet, this property is often ignored until environmental issues become major crises, in part because of lack of data on how hydrology fits into the greater landscape. It has not been until the last decade that we have even begun operating on the premise that groundwaters and surface waters are interconnected as a single resource (e.g. Winter et al., 1998). Also, human alterations have altered hydrologic connectivity before we have been able to understand completely how this property affects
Optimal Shortest Path and Minimum-Link Path Queries between Two Convex Polygons inside a Simple Polygonal Obstacle

We present efficient algorithms for shortest-path and minimum-link-path queries between two convex polygons inside a simple polygon P, which acts as an obstacle to be avoided. Let n be the number of vertices of P, and h the total number of vertices of the query polygons. We show that shortest-path queries can be performed optimally in time O(logh + logn) (plus O(k) time for reporting the k edges of the path) using a data structure with O(n) space and preprocessing time, and that minimum-link-path queries can be performed in optimal time O(logh + logn) (plus O(k) to report the k links), with O(n3) space and preprocessing time. We also extend our results to the dynamic case, and give a unified data structure that supports both queries for convex polygons in the same region of a connected planar subdivision . The update operations consist of insertions and deletions of edges and vertices. Let n be the current number of vertices in . The data structure uses O(n) space, supports updates in O(log2 n) time, and performs shortest-path and minimum-link-path queries in times O(log h+ log2n) (plus O(k) to report the k edges of the path) and O(log h + k log2 n), respectively. Performing shortest-path queries is a variation of the well-studied separation problem, which has not been efficiently solved before in the presence of obstacles. Also, it was not previously known how to perform minimum-link-path queries in a dynamic environment, even for two-point queries.
Black–White Disparity in Disability Among U.S. Older Adults: Age, Period, and Cohort Trends

Objectives. This study delineates acti vities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) black–white disparity trends by age, period, and cohort (APC) and explores sociodemographic contributors of cohortbased disparity trends. Method. W e utilized multiple cross-sectional waves of National Health Interview Survey data (1982–2009) to describe APC trends of ADL and IADL disparities using a cross-classified random effect model. Further, we decomposed the cohort-based disparity trends using Fairlie’s decomposition method for nonlinear outcomes. Results. The crosso ver ADL and IADL disparities (whites > blacks) occurring at age 75 increased with age and reached a plateau at age of 80, whereas period-based ADL and IADL disparities remained constant for the past 3 decades. The cohort disparity trends for both disabilities showed a decline with each successive cohort except for ADL disparity among women. Discussion. W e examined the role of aging on racial disparity in disability and found support for the racial crossover effect. Further, the racial disparity in disability will disappear should the observed pattern of declining cohort-based ADL and IADL disparities persist. Although education, income, and marital status are important sociodemographic contributors to cohort disparity trends, future studies should investigate individual behavioral health determinants and cohortspecific characteristics that explain the cohort-based racial difference in ADL and IADL disabilities.