cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytidine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic CMP) formation in mammalian tissues.

Mammalian tissues possess the capacity to synthesize cytidine 39,59-monopHosphate (cyclic CMP) via the enzymatic conversion of cytidine 59-triphosphate to cyclic CMP by cytidylate cyclase. Cyclic CMP formation occurs best in the presence of manganese or iron, at neutral pH, at 37 degrees C, in the absence of detergents, and with whole tissue homogenate fractions. Thus, mammalian tissues are capable of synthesizing not only cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, but also cyclic CMP.
The inhibition of phagolysosomal biogenesis is fundamental to tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is currently the most devastating human bacterial disease, causing nearly 3 million deaths annually. A central tenet of tuberculosis is the ability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to prevent phagolysosomal biogenesis through inhibiting Rab conversion and ablating PI3P generation on phagosomes. A deeper understanding of these processes will assist in the identification of the host and mycobacterial effectors involved and provide targets for therapeutic strategies against tuberculosis.
Analysis of High-Frequency Modulation Response of Strongly Injection-Locked Cascaded Semiconductor Ring Lasers

A novel scheme for modulation bandwidth enhancement and tailoring is presented. This scheme involves a distributed Bragg reflector master laser monolithically integrated with two cascaded strongly injection-locked whistle-geometry semiconductor microring lasers. Enhanced high-speed performance of the novel scheme is confirmed through numerical modeling.
Variations between biomer lots. 2: The effect of differences between lots on in vitro enzymatic and oxidative degradation of a commercial polyurethane

In vitro degradation of two lots of Biomer, a commercial poly(ether urethane urea), has been investigated in order to understand possible mechanisms for in vivo degradation. Two lots of Biomer, BSUA001 and BSP067, were used in the study. Lot BSUA001 contained a poly(diisopropylaminoethyl-methacrylate), an ultraviolet-stabilizing additive. This additive was absent in lot BSP067. Samples of each lot were exposed to two hydrolytic enzymes, papain and leucine aminopeptidase, and to hydrogen peroxide for 24 h. The extent of degradation was assessed using high-pressure gel permeation chromatography and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Statistically significant changes in the molecular-weight distribution occurred in lot BSP067 for all three treatments. Only the hydrogen peroxide treatment resulted in statistically significant changes in the molecular weight of lot BSUA001. XPS data for samples of lot BSUA001 that had been treated with hydrogen peroxide revealed the formation of nitroso groups and protonated amines at the surface. The data suggest that surface chemistry is important for enzyme catalyzed degradation, while permeability is important for degradation by hydrogen peroxide.
Numerical assessment of multifrequency microwave radiometry for sensing malignant breast cancer tumors

A numerical study of microwave radiometry for malignant breast cancer tumors is presented. The numerical results show that the brightness temperature of malignant tumors exhibits a resonant behavior versus the frequency. The brightness magnitude decreases with the tumor burial depth, however, the resonance frequencies depend only on the tumor's size and material and are independent of the burial depth. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 36: 394–398, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10774
Viewing scheduling as an opportunistic problem-solving process

In a search for more efficient yet effective ways of solving combinatorially complex problems such as jobshop scheduling, we move towards opportunistic approaches that attempt to exploit the structure of a given problem. Rather than adhere to a single problem-solving plan, such approaches are characterized by almost continual surveillance of the current problem-solving state to possibly modify plans so that activity is consistently directed toward those actions that currently seem most promising. Opportunistic behavior may occur in problem decomposition down to selective application of scheduling heuristics. We developed and performed limited testing of a scheduling system, called OPIS 0, that exhibits such behavior to some extent. The results are encouraging when compared to ISIS and a dispatching system. It is believed that such opportunistic views of scheduling would lead to systems that allow more flexibility in terms of designing scheduling procedures and supporting the scheduling function.
A Reply to Jepsen, N., K. Aarestrup and S.J. Cooke. Tagging Fish in the Field: Ethical and Procedural Considerations. A Comment to the Recent Paper of D. Mulcahy; Legal, Ethical and Procedural Bases for the Use of Aseptic Techniques to Implant Electronic Devices, (Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 4:211–219)

Citation: Mulcahy DM. 2014. A reply to Jepsen, N., K. Aarestrup and S.J. Cooke. Tagging fish in the field: ethical and procedural considerations. A comment to the recent paper of D. Mulcahy; Legal, ethical and procedural bases for the use of aseptic techniques to implant electronic devices, ( Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 4: 211–219). Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 5(2):445–449; e1944-687X. doi: 10.3996/052014-JFWM-040
Myosin light chain 3 synthesis during chick pectoralis muscle development in ovo

The level of myosin light chain 3 (LC3) in vertebrate skeletal muscle is developmentally regulated in a tissue-specific manner. We have used the RNA-cDNA hybridization assay to quantitate LC3 mRNA levels at various stages of chick pectoralis muscle development in ovo. The LC3 mRNA was found significantly in breast muscle only on Day 16 in ovo and later, the level of mRNA ranging from about 30 to 32% of that present in adult tissue. These values are in good agreement with the corresponding levels of LC3 in embryonic muscle. These results do not support the earlier reports that the protein and mRNA for LC3 accumulate in a noncoordinate manner in embryonic pectoralis muscle and they suggest that LC3 synthesis in ovo is regulated primarily at the transcriptional level.
The Application of Epidemiologic Methods to the Assessment of Cardiology Outcomes

While the options available for treatment of congenital heart disease continues to expand, rigorous evaluation of outcome has not always accompanied the introduction of new therapeutic modalities. For example, transcatheter implantation of the Rashkind double-umbrella occluder for persistent patent ductus arteriosus had not previously been compared to conventional surgery in a rigorous fashion. Consequently, a 14-center retrospective study compared outcomes of 631 prognostically similar patients treated concurrently with these two modalities. Particular efforts were made to reduce the bias and confounding that often plague nonrandomized comparisons. The study's design is described in detail as an example of the use of epidemiologic methods to enhance the rigor of observational studies of outcomes of cardiology interventions.
RATIONAL DESIGN OF ALLOSTERIC RIBOZYMES

Abstract Background: Efficient operation of cellular processes relies on the strict control that each cell exerts over its metabolic pathways. Some protein enzymes are subject to allosteric regulation, in which binding sites located apart from the enzyme's active site can specifically recognize effector molecules and alter the catalytic rate of the enzyme via conformational changes. Although RNA also performs chemical reactions, no ribozymes are known to operate as true allosteric enzymes in biological systems. It has recently been established that small-molecule receptors can readily be made of RNA, as demonstrated by the in vitro selection of various RNA aptamers that can specifically bind corresponding ligand molecules. We set out to examine whether the catalytic activity of an existing ribozyme could be brought under the control of an effector molecule by designing conjoined aptamer-ribozyme complexes. Results: By joining an ATP-binding RNA to a self-cleaving ribozyme, we have created the first example of an allosteric ribozyme that has a catalytic rate that can be controlled by ATP. A 180-fold reduction in rate is observed upon addition of either adenosine or ATP, but no inhibition is detected in the presence of dATP or other nucleoside triphosphates. Mutations in the aptamer domain that are expected to eliminate ATP binding or that increase the distance between aptamer and ribozyme domains result in a loss of ATP-specific allosteric control. Using a similar design approach, allosteric hammerhead ribozymes that are activated in the presence of ATP were created and another ribozyme that can be controlled by theophylline was created. Conclusions: The catalytic features of these conjoined aptamer-ribozyme constructs demonstrate that catalytic RNAs can also be subject to allosteric regulation — a key feature of certain protein enzymes. Moreover, by using simple rational design strategies, it is now possible to engineer new catalytic polynucleotides which have rates that can be tightly and specifically controlled by small effector molecules.
Quantifying load imbalance: A practical implementation for data collection in low power lossy networks

In many-to-one or many-to-few traffic scenarios, It is inevitable that `hot spots? will occur where traffic from a number of sources gets accumulated. While these hot spots can not be avoided, they can be mitigated by means of distributing the traffic across forwarders with load balancing techniques. In this paper, we define a load imbalance metric, which is applicable to any tree/hierarchy based data collection and/or dissemination.We show how current load balancing techniques existing in wireless sensor networks literature can not be applied to large scale Low Power Lossy Networks (LLNs) and the Internet of Things (IoT). We thus propose a greedy algorithm, that requires only partial topology knowledge, and works with the IETF standardized Routing Protocol for LLNs (RPL), without adding extra control overhead. By not requiring full topology information or all link states, this approach can work in highly varying link condition and large scale deployments. We also provide worst case run-time complexity of our heuristic and simulation results on realistic topology and traffic profiles to establish the validity of our approach.
Intensity of thermal radiation of metal spectra in flame emission spectrometry

Abstract A unified and well-referenced approach to the derivation of the total intensity of spectral lines of atoms excited by flame in thermal equilibrium is given. Expressions for the total intensity for atoms at low and high concentrations are given. The influence of self-absorption and self-reversal on the spectral line contour and on analytical curves is discussed. Application of the derived equations to emitting atoms in arcs and to molecules in flames is also considered.
Pressor effects of dorsal raphe stimulation and intrahypothalamic application of serotonin in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Abstract Electrical stimulation of the dorsal raphe nucleus or direct microinjection of serotonin into the preoptic region of the anterior hypothalamus produces a transient rise in arterial blood pressure in both spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) controls. SHRs are more responsive to raphe stimulation but are somewhat less responsive to serotonin injections when compared to WKYs. The serotonin antagonist metergoline blocks the pressor response to serotonin in both strains. These results suggest that the central serotonin neuronal system plays a similar, but not identical, role in blood pressure modulation in hypertensive and normotensive rats.
Population Synthesis of Radio and γ-Ray Millisecond Pulsars from the Galactic Disk

We present results of a population synthesis of millisecond pulsars from the Galactic disk. Excluding globular clusters, we model the spatial distribution of millisecond pulsars by assuming their birth in the Galactic disk with a random kick velocity and evolve them to the present within the Galactic potential. We assume that normal and millisecond pulsars are standard candles described with a common radio luminosity model that invokes a new relationship between radio core and cone emission suggested by recent studies. In modeling the radio emission beams, we explore the relativistic effects of time delay, aberration, and sweep-back of the open field lines. While these effects are essential to understanding pulse profiles, the phase-averaged flux is adequately described without a relativistic model. We use a polar cap acceleration model for the ?-ray emission. We present the preliminary results of our recent study and the implications for observing millisecond pulsars with GLAST and AGILE.
Examination of the pathways in the soft X-ray (530.8 eV) induced fragmentation of O2 by electron-ion coincidence measurements

Abstract Monochromatic synchrotron radiation is used to excite the K-shell electrons of oxygen at the π*-resonance. Electronic decay and the concomitant fragmentation are examined using coincident electron energy analysis and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. By the means, the production of specific ionic products, observed in time-of-flight mass spectra, are correlated to specific electronic decay channels, identified in the electron energy spectra. It thereby is possible to relate the dissociation products, their kinetic energies, and their electronic configurations to the electronic configuration of the parent molecular ion produced by electronic decay of the core-hole excited state. Such data provide information regarding the energies of electronic states and the stability and potential energy surfaces of singly and multiply charged molecular ions.
Potential Vorticity Modeling of the ITCZ and the Hadley Circulation

Abstract A simple zonally symmetric balanced model of the Hadley circulation is presented. The model is based on potential vorticity arguments and consists of a predictive equation for the potential pseudodensity and an invertibility principle to diagnose the associated balanced wind and mass fields. When the theory is formulated in the potential latitude coordinate, the meridional advection is implicit in the coordinate transformation, which makes the prediction equation for potential pseudodensity analytically solvable. For convective heating patterns that simulate the ITCZ, the model produces upper and lower tropospheric potential vorticity anomalies of opposite sign. The associated winds are easterly at low levels and westerly aloft, except between the equator and the ITCZ, where there are low-level westerlies and upper-level easterlies. Since the potential vorticity anomalies develop within a background state that has potential vorticity increasing to the north, reversed poleward gradients of potenti...
Diffusion of an impurity in the hard sphere fluid

Abstract The self-diffusion coefficient ( D ) of a hard sphere of variable size and mass, moving in a solvent of hard spheres of fixed size and mass, is calculated in a version of the ring approximation (RA). It is found that (a) the ring contribution to D vanishes for particles smaller or less massive than the solvent, (b) D reaches a finite limit, which varies with solvent density, as the tagged particle is made infinitely massive at fixed radius, and (c) D becomes infinite, and then negative, as the tagged particle radius is increased. The size and mass dependence of D in the RA is used as the basis of a criticism of the RA itself. It is argued that the repeated ring approximation is needed to provide a good theory for large, massive particles, and also, that “back-scattering” must be added to the RRA for pure fluids at high density.
Note on suitable solvent systems usable in the liquid scintillation counting of animal tissue.

Animal tissues were dissolved, using hyamine base as the solvent, by several different techniques. Tissues exposed to ultrasonic excitation or homogenization upon application of heat dissolved sooner than untreated tissue. Addition of a known amount of carbon-14 standard to the tissue samples and counting of the samples by liquid scintillation techniques indicated that the methods employed for tissue solution yield satisfactory solutions for routine liquid scintillation analysis of carbon-14 in animal tissue.
Prediction of marital roles from normal and pathological dimensions of personality: 16 PF and MMPI.

Summary.-By means of stepwise multiple regression, 12 factors of the Marriage Role Questionnaire were regressed on factors of the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaise and 25 scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. The regressions were run with the predictor instruments separately and combined. Individually, the MMPI proved superior to the 16 PF in predicting to the factors of the Marriage Role Qaestionnaire. However, in six cases out of the 12 predictability improved substantially when both instruments were utilized together. Some of the substantive results of this investigation match findings from previous research. Several studies have related the "normal" personality factors of the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16 PF) to stability/instability of marriage (Cattell & Nesselroade, 1967), and more specifically, to the varying roles in marriage as defined by Tharp's ( 1963) marriage-role expectations and enactments questionnaire, now called the Marriage Role Questionnaire (Barton & Cattell, 1972a, 1972b, 1973; Barton, Kawash, & Cattell, 1972). The present study extends the predictors to 25 variables derived from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI; Dahlstrom, Welsh, & Dahlstrom, 1972; Dahlscrom, Welsh, & Dahlstrom, 1975 ) . Considerable evidence has been presented in prior studies to indicate that personality or temperament factors are related to both perceived roles and reported rnarriage-role enactments. Since the substantive results are described in the above publications, and the main purpose of the present investigation is to ascertain if similar relations hold for the MMPI, these prior results are not summarized here. In sum, the major purpose is to compare the predictive efficiency of the MMPI wirh that of the 16 PF. A second lesser but still important purpose is to match the results here with those of previous research on marital satisfaction.
The unscented Kalman filter and particle filter methods for nonlinear structural system identification with non-collocated heterogeneous sensing†

The use of heterogeneous, non-collocated measurements for nonlinear structural system identification is explored herein. In particular, this paper considers the example of sensor heterogeneity arising from the fact that both acceleration and displacement are measured at various locations of the structural system. The availability of non-collocated data might often arise in the identification of systems where the displacement data may be provided through global positioning systems (GPS). The well-known extended Kalman filter (EKF) is often used to deal with nonlinear system identification. However, as suggested in (J. Eng. Mech. 1999; 125(2):133–142), the EKF is not effective in the case of highly nonlinear problems. Instead, two techniques are examined herein, the unscented Kalman filter method (UKF), proposed by Julier and Uhlman, and the particle filter method, also known as sequential Monte Carlo method (SMC). The two methods are compared and their efficiency is evaluated through the example of a three degree-of-freedom system, involving a Bouc–Wen hysteretic component, where the availability of displacement and acceleration measurements for different DOFs is assumed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The dangers of creating false classifications due to noise in electronic nose and similar multivariate analyses

Abstract Randomly generated data with the error limits of 1–10% along with experimental data was employed to demonstrate the dangers of over-fitting data which creates artificial differentiation. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal components analysis (PCA), and discriminant function analysis (DFA) were employed for the data analysis. In cases, where the ratio of samples to variables (features) falls below six, single class systems containing only random noise and random groupings can be misclassified into more than a single group when the discriminate techniques are employed. The smaller the group size, the more erroneous classifications are made. Larger sample sizes minimize the random noise and allow the true differences to show. A minimum number of variable (features) should be employed with developing classification models to avoid over-fitting data. The ratio of data points to variables should be at least six to avoid over-fitting classification errors with validation of the model using data points not used in generating the model.
Comparison of Artery Organ Culture and Co-culture Models for Studying Endothelial Cell Migration and Its Effect on Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration

Arterial restenosis associated with intimal hyperplasia is the major cause of long-term failure of vascular interventions. Endothelium injury and the proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells (SMC) are key events in the development of intimal hyperplasia. The objectives of this study were to develop an ex vivo artery injury model for studying endothelial cell (EC) migration and to compare it with an in vitro co-culture arterial wall injury model in terms of the effect of flow on EC migration and its effect on SMC migration and proliferation. Our results demonstrated that shear flow improves reendothelialization in the injured area by promoting EC migration. The migration distance of ECs is much smaller in the arteries than in an in vitro cell culture model (3.57 ± 1.29 mm vs. 5.2 ± 1.4 cm, p < 0.001). SMC proliferation was significantly less in the EC intact and reendothelialization areas than in the EC denuded areas indicating that reendothelialization suppresses SMC proliferation. Our models provide a new approach to study techniques to enhance endothelium healing.
A new method for in-place testing of tandem HEPA filter installations

A new in-place high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter testing procedure has been developed, based on the use of an intracavity laser particle spectrometer for ultrasensitive detection of cha...
On model coefficient estimation using Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations: A potential problem and the solution

Abstract Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation is increasingly being considered as the tool of choice for model coefficient estimation. In almost all published papers, we use marginal posterior distributions for model coefficients to derive their point estimates, often the marginal means or medians. This note discusses a potential problem of using marginal posterior distribution for deriving point estimates. The problem arises when multiple model coefficients are correlated and the marginal distribution mean or median for each coefficient may not coincide with the respective coefficient value associated with the joint distribution mode. Furthermore, marginal distributions often overestimate model coefficients’ uncertainty. Consequently, we may obtain sub-optimal model coefficient estimates for subsequent inference. This note illustrates this problem through two examples and discusses a likely solution to the problem.
Denaturation of mouse satellite and ribosomal DNA during hydroxyapatite thermal chromatography of chromatin

Mouse DNA and chromatin were melted on hydroxyapatite and the denaturation profiles of ribosomal and satellite DNAs were followed by hybridization with their complementary RNAs. Neither ribosomal nor bulk DNA had significantly different melting profiles in chromatin as compared to DNA. However, most of satellite DNA eluted at higher temperature from chromatin than from purified DNA. One explanation for the higher melting temperature of mouse satellite DNA in chromatin suggests that the complex between this particular DNA component and at least some proteins in chromatin is more stable than the average DNA-protein interaction.
Simulation: The New Teaching Tool

Throughout the past decade, emergency medicine educators have watched, perhaps with some apprehension, information essential to the practice of our specialty grow exponentially in breadth and depth. New developments are rapidly layered on top of an already thick strata of knowledge: new laboratory and imaging tests that must be interpreted and incorporated into increasingly complex decisionmaking; new drugs with indications, interactions, and toxicities; new procedural skills; more guidelines and protocols; mandated programs in professionalism and other competencies; and complicated, everexpanding systems, from computerized hospitals to evolving government agencies. The educator’s task is to ensure that resident physicians acquire most of the new and existing knowledge, skills, and attitudes of emergency medicine in the restricted duration of a residency. And that has become an insurmountable challenge. Residents learn primarily from the apprenticeship model of treating patients under supervision, from reading, and from didactic programs consisting mostly of lectures. Patient contact is now somewhat limited by work hour rules. Reading provides necessary foundational knowledge, but it does not always translate into clinical skills and judgment. The duration of emergency medicine residency training has not been (and perhaps cannot be) extended beyond 3 or 4 years, unchanged from when residencies began. It does not seem practical to divide our burgeoning knowledge base into manageable portions through specialization. Consequently, either educators must find more efficient and effective training methods or residents must acquire more of their knowledge and skills after graduation. The traditional lecture is a favorite educational tool because an instructor can convey a concentrated parcel of information to a large audience in a short time. Unfortunately, if it is not repeated, used promptly, or somehow processed, most of the information is forgotten. Is there a better way? In this issue of Annals, Binstadt et al offer simulation as an answer to the educator’s dilemma. Although the authors haven’t completely abandoned the traditional lecture and group discussion methods of teaching, they have transformed a substantial amount of their didactic program by integrating a form of experiential learning—simulations—into modular sessions throughout the
The effect of small values of Z = ν/ω on the complex refractive index in the magneto-ionic theory

Abstract The effect of small values of Z = ν/ω on the general complex refractive index n = μ − iχ, which includes the magnetic field, is discussed by using McLaurin's expansion. It is shown that the refractive index μ varies only as Z2 while the absorption coefficient χ varies as Z. For the particular case of no magnetic field the results are identical with the ones derived previously.
Monitoring and evaluating civil structures using measured vibration

The need for a rapid assessment of the state of critical and conventional civil structures, such as bridges, control centers, airports, and hospitals, among many, has been amply demonstrated during recent natural disasters. Research is underway at Stanford University to develop a state-of-the-art automated damage monitoring system for long term and extreme event monitoring based on both ambient and forced response measurements. Such research requires a multi-disciplinary approach harnessing the talents and expertise of civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering to arrive at a novel hardware and software solution. Recent advances in silicon micro-machining and microprocessor design allow for the economical integration of sensing, processing, and communication components. Coupling these technological advances with parameter identification algorithms allows for the realization of extreme event damage monitoring systems for civil structures. This paper addresses the first steps toward the development of a near real-time damage diagnostic and monitoring system based on structural response to extreme events. Specifically, micro-electro-mechanical- structures (MEMS) and microcontroller embedded systems (MES) are demonstrated to be an effective platform for the measurement and analysis of civil structures. Experimental laboratory tests with small scale model specimens and a preliminary sensor module are used to evaluate hardware and obtain structural response data from input accelerograms. A multi-step analysis procedure employing ordinary least squares (OLS), extended Kalman filtering (EKF), and a substructuring approach is conducted to extract system characteristics of the model. Results from experimental tests and system identification (SI) procedures as well as fundamental system design issues are presented.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Political Science on the Cusp: Recovering a Discipline's Past

As Thomas Kuhn noted, it is almost inevitable that scientific practitioners read the history of their field backward and perceive earlier stages as, at best, prototypical of the present. This is the manner in which political scientists, and even historians, have imaged the relationship between the debates about science and democracy that took place during the 1920s and 1950s. Despite the importance of Charles Merriam's role in the history of American political science, his work was not the discursive axis of the paradigmatic disciplinary shift that took place in the first quarter of the 20th century. It was the arguments of G. E. G. Catlin and W. Y. Elliott that most distinctly represented the transformation in both the theory of democracy and the image of science, and that, for the next two generations, set the terms of the debate about these issues as well as about the relationship between the mainstream discipline and the subfield of political theory. And, despite the theoretical and ideological differences between Catlin and Elliott, their exchange points to the intensely practical concerns that originally informed the controversy about the scientific study of politics.
Academic self-concept and its relationship to achievement in a sample of junior high school students

This study examined the relationship of academic self-concept to achievement for a sample of junior high school students. Academic self-concept was found to correlate significantly more strongly with achievement than general self-concept, motivation, and class- room behavior, but not with locus of control. The results of a multiple regression analysis, however, indicated that academic self-concept was approximately twice as powerful a predictor of achievement as locus of control. These results are discussed in light of their implications for educational assessment.
X—Epistemology past and Present

I draw attention to certain differences between how seventeenth-century philosophers thought about knowledge and how contemporary philosophers think about it. These differences do not strike me as particularly subtle; they are gross enough that we might wonder about the extent to which seventeenthth-century philosophers and modern philosophers are interested in the same thing. We might also wonder about the extent to which it is helpful to apply the same label—say, ‘epistemology’—to both sets of interests. I think, for example, one might reasonably raise the question, Is there any epistemology, in our sense of the term, in Spinoza or Leibniz?
Testosterone level and the effect of levodopa and agonists in early Parkinson disease: results from the INSPECT cohort

To determine if testosterone levels are influenced by dopaminergic therapy in Parkinson disease (PD) patients. Testosterone level has been reported to be low in patients with PD and other neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we sought to determine whether dopaminergic therapy (i.e. levodopa and dopamine agonist) influenced testosterone levels. We used a cohort of consecutive male patients from the INSPECT trial--a multi-center, prospective, study that primarily investigated the effects of short-term treatment with pramipexole or levodopa on [123I] B-CIT SPECT imaging in early PD. Testosterone levels were drawn on consenting male subjects with early PD who enrolled in the INSPECT trial at three study visits (baseline, 12 weeks post-treatment, and 8–12 weeks post-washout). Subjects were randomized to: no treatment, pramipexole (up to 3 mg) or levodopa (up to 600 mg). Testosterone levels were obtained twice (prior to 10 AM) and averaged for each of three study visits. Thirty two male patients participated in this sub-study and there were no significant differences in disease characteristics in the 3 groups at baseline. Twenty-nine patients completed the follow-up visits and were suitable for analysis. There were statistically significant differences in the change in free testosterone level, increased in both the levodopa group and pramipexole group but decreased in the untreated group at 12-weeks post-treatment. There were no significant differences in the changes of UPDRS total or motor scores, although there was a strong trend toward improvement in motor scores. The testosterone level persisted in its increase only in the pramipexole group at the end of the washout period. These preliminary data support the premise that dopaminergic medications do not reduce testosterone levels in early PD patients.
Outcomes of sublobar resection versus lobectomy for stage I non-small cell lung cancer: a 13-year analysis.

Background The appropriate use of sublobar resection versus lobectomy for stage I non–small cell lung cancer continues to be debated. A long-term analysis of the outcomes of these resections for stage I non–small cell lung cancer in a high-volume tertiary referral university hospital center was performed. Methods The outcomes of all stage I non–small cell lung cancer patients (n = 784) undergoing resection were analyzed from our lung cancer registry from 1990 to 2003. Lobectomy was the standard of care for patients with adequate cardiopulmonary reserve. Sublobar resection was reserved for patients with cardiopulmonary impairment prohibiting lobectomy. Predictors of overall survival and disease-free survival were evaluated. Statistical analyses included Kaplan–Meier estimates of survival, log-rank tests of survival differences, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Results Lobectomy was used for 577 patients and sublobar resection for 207 patients. The median age was 70 years (range, 31 to 107 years). The median follow-up of patients remaining alive was 31 months. Compared with lobectomy, sublobar resection had no significant impact on disease-free survival, with a hazard ratio of 1.20 (95% confidence interval, 0.90 to 1.61; p = 0.24). Sublobar resection had a statistically significant association with overall survival when compared with lobectomy, with an increased hazard ratio of 1.39 (95% confidence interval, 1.11 to 1.75; p = 0.004). Twenty-eight percent of lobectomy patients experienced disease recurrence in that time compared with 29% of the sublobar patients. Seventy-two percent of the recurrences in the lobectomy cohort were distant metastasis versus 52% of the sublobar group recurrences ( p = 0.0204). Conclusions Although sublobar resection is thought to be associated with increased incidence of local recurrence when compared with lobectomy, we found no difference in disease-free survival between the two types of resection for stage IA patients but slightly worse disease-free survival for stage IB.
Mechanisms of RIG-I-like Receptor Activation and Manipulation by Viral Pathogens

RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) play important roles in the host defense to numerous viral pathogens. Since they were discovered, much light has been shed on the molecular details of how these cytoplasmic viral RNA receptors sense viral infection and orchestrate antiviral innate immunity. Intriguingly, in addition to viral RNA binding, a series of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) is required for the rapid activation of RLRs and, inversely, for the prevention of aberrant innate immune signaling. Recent discoveries have shown that viruses manipulate the PTMs of RLRs to escape innate immune detection. This article highlights some of these recent findings in this fast-evolving field.
Early detection of breast cancer: Mammography

Detection of early breast cancer utilizing mammography can be accomplished through more frequent and earlier use of the test as well as exploring techniques to improve sensitivity and specificity. Efforts at educating primary care physicians about the role of mammography as well as training technologists and radiologists in performing optimum examinations and correctly interpreting them is of prime importance.
Atrial natriuretic peptide-like immunoreactivity in neurons and astrocytes of human cerebellum and inferior olivary complex.

SUMMARY Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has previously been localized in areas of mammalian brain associated with olfaction, cardiovascular function, and fluid/electrolyte homeostasis. Despite the presence of several types of natriuretic peptide receptors in mammalian cerebellum, neither intrinsic nor extrinsic sources of the natriuretic peptides have been described. In this report we describe the immunohistochemical localization of both intrinsic and extrinsic sources for ANP in human cerebellum. ANP-like immunoreactivity (ANP-LIR) was observed in climbing fibers in the cerebellar molecular layer that probably originated from isolated immunopositive neurons of the inferior olivary complex. Intrinsic sources of ANP-LIR included small subpopulations of protoplasmic and fibrous astrocytes and Bergmann glia, as well as Golgi and Lugaro neurons of the granule cell layer. These results suggest that, in addition to its presumptive roles in local vasoregulation, ANP may serve as a modulator of the activity of Purkinje neurons. (J Histochem Cytochem 49:1453‐1467, 2001)
Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Thyroid Gland

The neuroendocrine lesions of the thyroid are few in number and include C-cell lesions (C-cell hyperplasia and medullary carcinoma), mixed C-cell and follicular-derived tumors, paraganglioma, intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma, and metastasis to the thyroid from neuroendocrine carcinoma arising elsewhere. However, some follicular-derived lesions of the thyroid can show trabecular and nesting growth patterns characteristic of neuroendocrine tumors. These lesions should also be included in the differential diagnosis of primary and secondary neuroendocrine tumors of the thyroid.
INCITEMENTS TO DISCOURSE: Illicit Drugs, Harm Reduction, and the Production of Ethnographic Subjects

This essay traces a brief genealogy of state-funded drug ethnography and its relationship to public health projects such as HIV prevention. Ethnographic research on drug use was a critical part of making invisible practices visible in ways that rendered them amenable to intervention. The essay goes on to describe how harm-reduction norms were promulgated through the bottom-up tactics of health-oriented social movements, and simultaneously administered through an institutionalized and even standardized set of beliefs issuing from the highest reaches of the public health apparatus. Harm reduction is a pragmatic movement to change the personal practices of drug users through “modest interventions” aimed at reducing the risk of HIV transmission though contaminated injection equipment. The essay draws on ethnographic research with injection drug users to discuss how drug researchers represent the social norms associated with harm reduction. We demonstrate how injection drug users take on the language and ethical stances of those who study them, in an effort to construct themselves as ethical subjects. The construction and elaboration of a harm-reduction model in and through grassroots mobilization and public health research is an example of the governance of populations through epidemiological constructions of risk transformed into ethical–behavioral injunctions. Their work has changed the nature of ethnographic encounters between drug researchers and injection drug users (IDUs), who are subject to the incitement to discourse constructed by harm-reduction norms and practices as they participate in ethnographic research.
Bone Tumors and Tumorlike Conditions: Analysis with Conventional Radiography

The approach to the radiographic diagnosis of bone tumors consists of analyzing the lesion in an organized fashion, with attention to the specific radiographic features of tumor location, margins, and zone of transition; periosteal reaction; mineralization; size and number of lesions; and presence of a soft-tissue component. Patient age is also an important clinical factor in the diagnosis of bone tumors, because various lesions have predilections for specific age groups.
Human orientation and movement control in weightless and artificial gravity environments

Our goal is to summarize what has been learned from studies of human movement and orienta- tion control in weightless conditions. An understanding of the physics of weightlessness is essential to appreciate the dramatic consequences of the absence of continuous contact forces on orientation and posture. Eye, head, arm, leg, and whole body movements are discussed, but only experiments whose results seem relatively incontro- vertible are included. Emphasis is placed on distinguish- ing between virtually immediate adaptive compensations to weightlessness and those with longer time courses. The limitations and difficulties of performing experi- ments in weightless conditions are highlighted. We stress that when astronauts and cosmonauts return from ex- tended space flight they do so with both physical "plant" and neural "controller" structurally and functionally al- tered. Recent developments in adapting humans to artifi- cial gravity conditions are discussed as a way of main- taining sensory-motor and structural integrity in extend- ed missions involving transitions between different force environments.
A Survey of Expert Opinion Regarding Rotator Cuff Repair

Many patients with rotator cuff tears have questions for their surgeons regarding the surgical procedure, perioperative management, restrictions, therapy, and ability to work after a rotator cuff repair. The purpose of our study was to determine common clinical practices among experts regarding rotator cuff repair and to assist them in counseling patients. We surveyed 372 members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and the Association of Clinical Elbow and Shoulder Surgeons (ACESS); 111 members (29.8%) completed all or part of the survey, and 92.8% of the respondents answered every question. A consensus response (>50% agreement) was achieved on 49% (24 of 49) of the questions. Variability in responses likely reflects the fact that clinical practices have evolved over time based on clinical experience.
The Interpretationism of Alfred Schutz or How Woodcutting Can Have Referential and Non-referential Meaning

Without explicit connection with 19th C. traditional or with 20th C. “new hermeneutics” of Heidegger et al., Schutz nevertheless emphasizes interpretation. Electronic searching of the oeuvre in English shows that he recognizes interpretation of texts and then also a distinction holding beyond language of what can be called “referential” and “non-referential” meaning, but does not consider all experience interpretive and is hence not an extreme interpretationist.
Farm Size, Rural Community Income, and Consumer Welfare

Decline in the number of farms and the resulting increase in average farm size has been a persistent feature of the change occurring in American agriculture throughout the last three decades. Different farm-size assumptions are examined and their effect on certain key farm and nonfarm variables estimated. None of the alternatives analyzed provides benefits for all groups considered, and policies which may favor any one of these scenarios involve trade-offs between the variables discussed.
Clinical, cognitive, and social characteristics of a sample of neuroleptic-naive persons with schizotypal personality disorder

Introduction Schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) shares with schizophrenia many biological features, yet little is known about the clinical characteristics of persons diagnosed with this disorder. This report describes the clinical, cognitive and socio-occupational characteristics of a community sample of subjects diagnosed with SPD.
Association of age, health literacy, and medication management strategies with cardiovascular medication adherence.

Abstract Objective To examine patients’ use of medication management strategies (e.g., reminders, pill boxes), and to determine how their use influences the relationship between patient characteristics and medication adherence. Methods Retrospective and cross-sectional study of 434 patients with coronary heart disease, examining both refill adherence and self-reported adherence. Results The most common strategy for managing refills was seeing a near empty pill bottle (89.9%), and for managing daily medications, it was associating medications with daily events (80.4%). Age Conclusion Age Practice implications The strategies which patients report using to assist with managing medication refills and daily medication use may be ineffective.
The Role of the International Ground Water Modeling Center (IGWMC) in Groundwater Modeling

The protection of groundwater resources has become a top priority for natural resource management around the world. In anticipation of the increased importance of protecting groundwater resources, the International Ground Water Modeling Center (IGWMC) was established in 1978 at the Holcomb Research Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, to advance and improve the use of groundwater modeling by regulatory and management agencies in developing effective groundwater management procedures.
Analysis of sitting forces on stationary chairs for daily activities

AbstractNo literature related to the study of sitting forces on chairs sat on by people who weighed over 136 kg was found. The Business Institutional Furniture Manufactures Association needs force data for development of performance test standards to test chairs for users who weigh up to 181 kg. 20 participants who weighed from 136 to 186 kg completed 6 tasks on an instrumented chair in the sequence of sitting down, remaining seated and rising. Effects of sitting motion, armrest use and seat cushion thickness on vertical sitting forces and centre-of-force were investigated. Results indicated hard sitting down yielded the highest sitting force of 213% in terms of participants’ body weights. Armrest use affected sitting forces of normal sitting down, but not of rising and hard sitting down. Cushion thickness affected sitting forces of normal and hard sitting down and shifting, but not of rising, static seating or stretching backward situations.Practitioner Summary: Results of the sitting force and centre-of...
The relation of illness perceptions to stress, depression, and fatigue in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Objective: Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is the most prevalent adult leukaemia and is incurable. The course and treatment of CLL is unique and characterised by repeated cycles of treatment, stable disease and relapse. Utilising a Self-Regulatory Model framework, we examined the relationship between patients’ illness perceptions and cancer-specific stress, depressive symptoms and fatigue. Our aim was to test illness perceptions as predictors of these outcomes when variance due to disease and treatment variables was controlled.Design: Data were collected on 147 patients with relapsed/refractory CLL as they entered a phase II clinical trial of an investigational medication at a university affiliated, National Cancer Institute designated comprehensive cancer center.Main outcome measures: Cancer-specific stress, depressive symptoms and fatigue interference.Result:. Hierarchical multiple regression was used. Consequences and emotional representation were related to all outcomes (ps < .01). Illness concern...