cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Venous thrombosis and carcinoma of the lung: case report and literature review.

A case report of recurrent, migratory thrombophlebitis associated with lung cancer is presented. A detailed review of the pathophysiology of recurrent thrombophlebitis with lung cancer is done. The clinical implications and the need for an aggressive search for a primary lung tumor in patients presenting with this complication are stressed.
Burkitt Lymphoma of the Heart Echocardiographically Documented Improvement With Chemotherapy

The incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma has increased over the past 10 years, particularly in association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Burkitt lymphoma is a highly aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma that involves the heart in up to a third of cases. This case describes an HIV-positive patient with cardiac involvement of Burkitt lymphoma who presented with atrial flutter and heart failure with pulmonary edema. Transthoracic echocardiography showed extensive heterogeneous lymphomatous infiltration of the heart (including the right atrium), with associated wall motion abnormalities. Within a day of starting chemotherapy, the patient had converted to normal sinus rhythm. His heart failure rapidly improved, and a repeat echocardiogram performed on day 5 of chemotherapy showed a significant reduction in myocardial tumor burden and improved cardiac function. This case demonstrates how echocardiography plays a significant role in diagnosis, management, and follow-up of lymphoma (in this case Burk...
Barriers to progress--the impact of tolerability problems.

Side-effects of antipsychotic treatment are important factors in patients' compliance with treatment regimens. Of particular relevance to compliance are extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), sedation, weight gain and sexual dysfunction. The new, atypical antipsychotics offer several tolerability benefits over conventional neuroleptics, particularly with respect to EPS. However, differences in their receptor binding characteristics result in different side-effect profiles. All novel antipsychotics have a high 5-HT 2 to D 2 receptor binding ratio, which is postulated to he important for a low liability for EPS. Ziprasidone, a new antipsychotic in the late stages of clinical development, has a low affinity for some receptor types, activation of which has been linked with adverse events such as sedation, postural hypotension, weight gain and cognitive impairment; for example, ziprasidone has minimal activity at muscarinic (M 1 ), histaminergic (H 1 ) and α 1 -adrenergic receptors. In short- and long-term clinical trials, ziprasidone had a low liability for side-effects typically associated with poor compliance, such as EPS, weight gain and sexual dysfunction. The tolerability profiles of the new antipsychotics represent a major improvement over the older neuroleptics. The more favourable the benefit/risk ratios of these new drugs throughout all phases of treatment, the greater the likelihood that patients will have better outcomes.
Effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy on the Doppler Tei index.

Background The Tei index is an indicator of systolic and diastolic myocardial performance. We evaluated the Tei index in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Methods Forty-two patients were studied before CRT and 1 day and 6 months after CRT, comparing responders with nonresponders. Results The Tei index decreased 1 day after CRT (left ventricle [LV]: P 001, right ventricle [RV]: P = .01) and remained lower at follow-up (LV and RV: P 001 vs baseline). Responders had a higher LV Tei index at baseline ( P = .003) and achieved a sustained improvement in Tei index at follow-up (LV: P 001, RV: P = .002) in contrast with nonresponders (LV and RV: not significant). Baseline LV Tei index and change in LV Tei index were both correlated with LV end-systolic volume reduction after CRT ( r = 0.52, P 001, r = 0.43, P = .006). Conclusion The baseline LV Tei index was significantly higher in responders and exhibited an acute and sustained improvement after CRT. The baseline RV Tei index was similar in responders and nonresponders but improved significantly only in responders.
The effect of sulfur on biological control of the grape leafhopper, Erythroneura elegantula , by the egg parasitoid Anagrus erythroneurae

We examined the toxicity of a fungicide, sulfur, to the egg parasitoid Anagrus erythroneurae (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) Trjapitsyn and Chiapini and the vineyard leafhopper pest Erythroneura elegantula Osborn (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) and tested whether or not the use of sulfur in the field affects biological control of E. elegantula. Using field cage bioassays, we demonstrated that sulfur is toxic to adult A. erythroneurae parasitoids, but not toxic to adult E. elegantula leafhoppers. We nonetheless found in a field experiment that sulfur produced no changes in rates of parasitism or E. elegantula egg density, and generated only a very small increase in the density of E. elegantula nymphs. These results suggest that sulfur, although toxic to A. erythroneurae, is not highly disruptive of E. elegantula biological control in vineyards. Our results suggest that simple bioassays of acute toxicity may not accurately predict the impact of agricultural chemicals on biological control.
Genome-Wide Mapping of Furfural Tolerance Genes in Escherichia coli

Advances in genomics have improved the ability to map complex genotype-to-phenotype relationships, like those required for engineering chemical tolerance. Here, we have applied the multiSCale Analysis of Library Enrichments (SCALEs; Lynch et al. (2007) Nat. Method.) approach to map, in parallel, the effect of increased dosage for >105 different fragments of the Escherichia coli genome onto furfural tolerance (furfural is a key toxin of lignocellulosic hydrolysate). Only 268 of >4,000 E. coli genes (∼6%) were enriched after growth selections in the presence of furfural. Several of the enriched genes were cloned and tested individually for their effect on furfural tolerance. Overexpression of thyA, lpcA, or groESL individually increased growth in the presence of furfural. Overexpression of lpcA, but not groESL or thyA, resulted in increased furfural reduction rate, a previously identified mechanism underlying furfural tolerance. We additionally show that plasmid-based expression of functional LpcA or GroESL is required to confer furfural tolerance. This study identifies new furfural tolerant genes, which can be applied in future strain design efforts focused on the production of fuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic hydrolysate.
Targeting vascular endothelial growth factor and angiogenesis for the treatment of colorectal cancer

Angiogenesis, the development and proliferation of new blood vessels, is critical for the growth of tumors. The process of new blood vessel formation is under complex control from a variety of pro- and anti-angiogenesis factors. By identifying and understanding these factors, new therapies have been developed to inhibit tumor growth and survival by blocking tumor-related angiogenesis. Recent success with the monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; bevacizumab) in a large, randomized, phase III study has provided a critical proof of principle for this therapeutic area. This review will outline the biology of angiogenesis in colorectal cancer and discuss the current status of angiogenesis inhibition in its treatment.
Metastatic spine disease in the elderly: diagnostic and management considerations

Metastatic spine disease is becoming a more frequent problem in cancer patients as advancements in treatment for primary tumors prolong patient survival. Elderly patients over 60 years of age make up the majority of these cases, with the incidence of metastatic disease several folds higher in the elderly than in any other age group. These patients are also the most challenging group to treat, given higher rates of comorbidities and decreased tolerance to medical, surgical and radiation therapies. Advancements in therapeutic strategies, including minimally invasive surgeries and stereotactic radiosurgery, have provided increasingly attractive treatment options for elderly patients owing to their decreased procedure-associated morbidity. This article will discuss efficacy and limitations of conventional, as well as more recent, treatment modalities with an emphasis on their role in the management of elderly patients.
Effect of trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidin) cyclohexyl]-benzeneacetamide (U-50, 488H) a kappa opioid receptor agonist, on intake of food in food-deprived and non-deprived spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats

The effect of U-50,488H, a selective kappa opioid receptor agonist on the intake of food in food-deprived and non-deprived spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats was determined. In food deprived Wistar-Kyoto rats, intraperitoneal administration of U-50,488H, produced a bell-shaped curve on the intake of food, consistent with earlier reports in the literature. Thus, at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg there was a significant increase in the intake of food and at 10 mg/kg it caused a decrease in the intake of food, at 2, 4 and 6 hr after the treatment with drug. The amount of food consumed at each dose and the time interval was greater in hypertensive rats than in Wistar-Kyoto rats. Similar effects were produced when the animals were not deprived of food. The basal intake of food in the two strains of rats did not differ. The results indicate a greater sensitivity of spontaneously hypertensive rats to kappa opioid receptor agonists and further the previous observations that compared to Wistar-Kyoto rats, the hypertensive rats have a greater density of central kappa opioid receptors.
A comparison of the conversion of 1-amino-2-ethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid stereoisomers to 1-butene by pea epicotyls and by a cell-free system.

The characteristics of the conversion of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) to ethylene by pea (Pisum sativum L.) epicotyls and by pea epicotyl enzyme are compared. Of the four stereoisomers of 1-amino-2-ethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (AEC), only (1R,2S)-AEC is preferentially converted to 1-butene in pea epicotyls. This conversion is inhibited by ACC, indicating that butene production from (1R,2S)-AEC and ethylene production from ACC are catalyzed by the same enzyme. Furthermore, pea epicotyls efficiently convert ACC to ethylene with a low Km (66 μM) for ACC and do not convert 4-methylthio-2-oxo-butanoic acid (KMB) to ethylene, thus demonstrating high specificity for its substrate. In contrast, the reported pea epicotyl enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of ACC to ethylene had a high Km (389 mM) for ACC and readily converted KMB to ethylene. We show, moreover, that the pea enzyme catalyzes the conversion of AEC isomers to butene without stereodiscrimination. Because of its lack of stereospecificity, its low affinity for ACC and its utilization of KMB as a substrate, we conclude that the reported pea enzyme system is not related to the in-vivo ethylene-forming enzyme.
Metabolism of phenolic- and tyrosyl-ring labeled L-thyroxine in human beings and rats.

ABSTRACT The metabolism of L-thyroxine (T4) labeled with radioiodine in the phenolic (T4-3′,5′-131I) and tyrosyl (T4-3,5-125I) rings was studied simultaneously both in human subjects and groups of rats. A similar study was carried out using T4 labeled uniformly with 14C in the tyrosyl ring (T4-tyr-14C) in one group of rats. No significant differences in the plasma fractional disappearance rate, total distribution volume, or in the metabolic clearance rate were observed between the 2 radioiodinated T4 preparations in either the human subjects or rats. The daily and cumulative urinary excretion of radioiodine derived from either ring was the same in the human subjects whereas the urinary excretion rate of phenolic ring iodine slightly exceeded the tyrosyl ring iodine in the rat. Since, in the same rats, no corresponding decrease in the fecal excretion of phenolic ring iodine or any systematic differences in plasma values between the 2 isotopes occurred, the small increase in urinary phenolic iodine was attr...
Nearly incompressible fluids: Hydrodynamics and large scale inhomogeneity

A system of hydrodynamic equations in the presence of large-scale inhomogeneities for a high plasma beta solar wind is derived. The theory is derived under the assumption of low turbulent Mach number and is developed for the flows where the usual incompressible description is not satisfactory and a full compressible treatment is too complex for any analytical studies. When the effects of compressibility are incorporated only weakly, a new description, referred to as "nearly incompressible hydrodynamics," is obtained. The nearly incompressible theory, was originally applied to homogeneous flows. However, large-scale gradients in density, pressure, temperature, etc., are typical in the solar wind and it was unclear how inhomogeneities would affect the usual incompressible and nearly incompressible descriptions. In the homogeneous case, the lowest order expansion of the fully compressible equations leads to the usual incompressible equations, followed at higher orders by the nearly incompressible equations, as introduced by Zank and Matthaeus. With this work we show that the inclusion of large-scale inhomogeneities (in this case time-independent and radially symmetric background solar wind) modifies the leading-order incompressible description of solar wind flow. We find, for example, that the divergence of velocity fluctuations is nonsolenoidal and that density fluctuations can be described to leading order as a passive scalar. Locally (for small lengthscales), this system of equations converges to the usual incompressible equations and we therefore use the term "locally incompressible" to describe the equations. This term should be distinguished from the term "nearly incompressible," which is reserved for higher-order corrections. Furthermore, we find that density fluctuations scale with Mach number linearly, in contrast to the original homogeneous nearly incompressible theory, in which density fluctuations scale with the square of Mach number. Inhomogeneous nearly incompressible equations for higher order fluctuation components are derived and it is shown that they converge to the usual homogeneous nearly incompressible equations in the limit of no large-scale background. We use a time and length scale separation procedure to obtain wave equations for the acoustic pressure and velocity perturbations propagating on fast-time-short-wavelength scales. On these scales, the pseudosound relation, used to relate density and pressure fluctuations, is also obtained. In both cases, the speed of propagation (sound speed) depends on background variables and therefore varies spatially. For slow-time scales, a simple pseudosound relation cannot be obtained and density and pressure fluctuations are implicitly related through a relation which can be solved only numerically. Subject to some simplifications, a generalized inhomogeneous pseudosound relation is derived. With this paper, we extend the theory of nearly incompressible hydrodynamics to flows, including the solar wind, which include large-scale inhomogeneities (in this case radially symmetric and in equilibrium).
Blaming the Victim in the Case of Rape

At the heart of “A Theory of Blame” is the Path Model of Blame, a map of the four or five information-processing steps that Malle, Guglielmo, and Monroe (this issue) propose are necessary and suffi...
The challenge in translating basic research discoveries to treatment of Huntington disease

Huntington disease is a rare neurodegenerative disease resulting from insertion and/or expansion of a polyglutamine repeats close to the N-terminal of the huntingtin protein. Although unequivocal genetic tests have been available for about 20 years, current pharmacological treatments do not prevent or slow down disease progression. Recent basic research identified potential novel drug targets for the treatment of Huntington disease. However, there are clear challenges in translating these discoveries into treatment strategies for these patients. The following is a brief discussion of these challenges using our recent experience as an example.
Tunable morphologies from charged block copolymers

The bulk morphologies formed by a new class of charged block copolymers, 75 vol % fluorinated polyisoprene (FPI) – 25 vol% sulfonated polystyrene (PSS) with 50% sulfonation, are characterized, and the fundamental underlying forces that promote the self-assembly processes are elucidated. The results show how the bulk morphologies are substantially different from their uncharged diblock counterparts (PS-PI) and also how morphology can be tuned with volume fraction of the charged block and the casting solvent. A physical understanding based on the underlying strong electrostatic interactions between the charged block and counterions is obtained using Monte Carlo (MC) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. The 75/25 FPI-PSS shows hexagonal morphologies with the minority blocks (PSS) forming the continuous phase due to charge percolation and the FPI blocks arranged in hexagonal cylinders. Some long-range order can be sustained even if lipophobicity is increased (addition of water), albeit with lower dimensional structures. However, thermal annealing provides sufficient energy to disrupt the percolated charges and promotes aggregation of ionic sites which leads to a disordered system. Diverse and atypical morphologies are readily accessible by simply changing the number distribution of the charges on the PSS block.
Serial Measurements of the Rapid-Shallow-Breathing Index as a Predictor of Weaning Outcome in Elderly Medical Patients

Study objectives To determine the usefulness of serial measurements of the rapid-shallow-breathing index (f/Vt) as a predictor for successfully weaning elderly medical patients from mechanical ventilator support using a threshold value (≤130) derived specifically for this population. Design Prospective observational study using parameters suggested from retrospective analysis. Setting Medical ICUs of a university-affiliated private teaching hospital. Patients Using data obtained from a retrospective analysis of 10 medical patients ≥;70 years old who had failed weaning, 49 additional medical patients older than 70 years were studied prospectively. Interventions Standard weaning parameters were determined using a hand-held spirometer. Respiratory rate (f, breaths/min) and tidal volume (Vt, liters) were measured at the beginning of a spontaneous breathing trial and hourly thereafter for up to 5 h using the same hand-held spirometer. Measurements and results Retrospective analysis showed that the published threshold value for f/Vt (≤105) had poor predictability for weaning success when measured at the beginning of the weaning trial. In the 9 of 10 patients who failed to wean in the retrospective review, the f/Vt increased to Conclusions Serial measurements of the rapid-shallow-breathing index in medical elderly patients during a period of spontaneous breathing can accurately predict the ability to be successfully weaned from mechanical ventilator support.
Implications of pseudospin symmetry on relativistic magnetic properties and Gamow-Teller transitions in nuclei

Recently it has been shown that pseudospin symmetry has its origins in a relativistic symmetry of the Dirac Hamiltonian. Using this symmetry we relate single-nucleon relativistic magnetic moments of states in a pseudospin doublet to the relativistic magnetic dipole transitions between the states in the doublet, and we relate single-nucleon relativistic Gamow-Teller transitions within states in the doublet. We apply these relationships to the Gamow-Teller transitions from {sup 39}Ca to its mirror nucleus {sup 39}K. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Investigation of copper–saccharide complexation reactions using potentiometry and electrospray mass spectrometry

The associations between cupric ions and oligosaccharides of cellulose, chitin and chitosan were investigated using potentiometry and electrospray mass spectrometry. The goal of these studies was to understand the degree to which electrospray mass spectra reflect the solution chemistry of copper–oligosaccharide complexes. To this end, electrospray mass spectrometric data were compared with potentiometric studies. The potentiometric data revealed no copper binding for mono- and tetrasaccharides of cellulose and chitin, while the mass spectrometric data suggested the presence of distinct copper complexes, these attributed to charge attachment during desorption from the highly charged electrospray droplets. Difference in the distribution of tetrasaccharide–copper complexes for cellulose and chitin was attributed to possible differences in droplet solution conformations of these saccharides. For mono-, di- and tetrasaccharides of chitosan the potentiometric data showed strong copper complexation. For the tetrasaccharide the major species expected at pH 7 is a neutral copper complex. This neutral copper–tetrasaccharide complex was observed in the protonated form at relatively low abundances under high-voltage conditions in the electrospray interface. In this complex, Cu(II) is co-ordinated to the C(1)-alkoxide, the four amine nitrogens of chitosan tetrasaccharide and an anion. The ability of electrospray mass spectrometry to probe the immediate environment of the complex provides a clearer picture of the complex as it exists in solution, the associated counter-ions and possible differences in conformation. However, electrospray mass spectrometric data best reflect chemistries in highly charged droplets rather than systems at equilibrium, highlighting the significance of supporting techniques to fully understand a chemical system. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Belief, faith, and acceptance

Belief is a central focus of inquiry in the philosophy of religion and indeed in the field of religion itself. No one conception of belief is central in all these cases, and sometimes the term ‘belief’ is used where ‘faith’ or ‘acceptance’ would better express what is intended. This paper sketches the major concepts in the philosophy of religion that are expressed by these three terms. In doing so, it distinguishes propositional belief (belief that) from both objectual belief (believing something to have a property) and, more importantly, belief in (a trusting attitude that is illustrated by at least many paradigm cases of belief in God). Faith is shown to have a similar complexity, and even propositional faith divides into importantly different categories. Acceptance differs from both belief and faith in that at least one kind of acceptance is behavioral in a way neither of the other two elements is. Acceptance of a proposition, it is argued, does not entail believing it, nor does believing entail acceptance in any distinctive sense of the latter term. In characterizing these three notions (and related ones), the paper provides some basic materials important both for understanding a person’s religious position and for appraising its rationality. The nature of religious faith and some of the conditions for its rationality, including some deriving from elements of an ethics of belief, are explored in some detail.
Dihydrocapsaicin treatment depletes peptidergic nerve fibers of substance P and alters mast cell density in the respiratory tract of neonatal sheep

In the present study we administered dihydrocapsaicin (DHC) to neonatal lambs to deplete C-fibers of neuropeptides. We measured the density of substance P (SP)-fibers in nasal septum to assess the effectiveness of the treatment at 3, 9, and 21 days. The numbers of mast cells in the upper and lower respiratory tract were determined at the same time points and histamine content was determined from lung tissue. DHC treatment depleted SP-fibers for up to the 21 day time point. This depletion was estimated as 85% in comparison with controls. In vehicle-treated lambs, the density of SP-fibers decreased progressively with age, but not to the degree of DHC-treated lambs whose SP-fibers were depleted from the initial 3-day measurement. In both, vehicle- and DHC-treated lambs, numbers of mast cells increased progressively with time; however, the density of mast cells was augmented in the entire respiratory tract of DHC-treated animals. Apparently, DHC treatment exerts a single and initial effect in increasing mast cells whereas time maintains a continuous influence; both factors exert their influence independently. Despite large numbers of mast cells in DHC-treated animals, histamine content in the lung had similar levels as controls. Our study provides fundamental data for a better understanding of conditions that may influence defense mechanisms dependent on the mast cell-nerve axis in the respiratory tract.
Urban-rural contrasts in mixing height and cloudiness over Nashville in 1999

[1] Strong contrasts in daytime mixing height (boundary layer [BL] height or zi) between urban and rural areas were observed during the 1999 Nashville Summer Intensive field campaign of the Southern Oxidants Study. On occasion, the urban mixing height was as much as 45% (700 m) higher than that over the rural areas. The difference was quite persistent, showing strongly in statistical comparisons, with a mean difference over all hours available for comparison of 160 m. Clouds had higher bases and were more common over the urban area as well. In this paper, measurements from wind profiling radars, lidars, and aircraft are used to characterize mixing height and clouds. The urban–rural contrasts have important implications for regional air quality. The mixing height is a first-order control on pollutant concentrations. The urban–rural contrast also results in the venting of urban pollutants, affecting the local concentrations and the regional background. Clouds affect air quality by changing the radiative input for photochemistry and through changes in mixing and venting.
Tracheal Transplantation: Superior and Inferior Thyroid Artery Perfusion Territory†‡

Objective: To determine the perfusion territories of the superior and inferior thyroid arteries in humans. Tracheal transplantation is a potential option for management of long-segment tracheal stenosis. However, the maximum length of vascularized trachea that can be reliably transplanted has not been established. Study Design: The tracheal vascular territory of individual superior and inferior thyroid arteries was determined separately in 10 humans postmortem. Methods: India ink was infused unilaterally under controlled pressure into the superior (n = 5) and inferior (n = 5) thyroid arteries of cadaveric tracheas. Tracheas were sectioned longitudinally and the caudalmost extent of mucosal dye staining was determined via microscopic assessment. Results: The tracheal perfusion territory of the superior thyroid artery was two to five rings (1.7 ± 0.5 cm) and the inferior thyroid artery, nine to 13 rings (6.5 ± 1.1 cm). In both cases, the tracheal mucosa on the contralateral side was stained to the same caudal level. Conclusions: The inferior thyroid artery was shown to perfuse the trachea maximally to the 13th ring (8.1 cm). As such, the unilateral inferior thyroid artery would serve as a suitable vascular component for long-segment tracheal transplantation in humans.
Time course of changes in fatty acid composition of gills and liver from rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) during thermal acclimation

Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), acclimated to 5°C or 20°C, were reacclimated to water of the opposite temperature. The time course of alterations in fatty acid composition of microsomes from gills and liver was monitored over a 28-day period. Two to six days were required for maximum changes in fatty acid levels with acclimation to 20°C, whereas 10—17 days were required in the opposite direction. Fatty acids from gill microsomes had lower U/S (ratio of unsaturates to saturates) and UI (unsaturation index) and a shorter average chain length than liver microsomes; these differences were preserved with acclimation. In both tissues the U/S, UI, and chain length increased with cold adaptation and decreased with warm adaptation. In gill microsomes, changes in UI and U/S were due primarily to altered levels of saturated fatty acids and 20:4 (n-6) and 20:5 (n-3). The latter two acids, products of the Δ5 desaturation step in PUFA biosynthesis, also contributed to the changes in unsaturation indexes were initially mediated by large but transient changes in levels of saturates and monoenes, whereas changes in polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-6 and n-3 families were delayed 3—6 days. Thus, changes in fatty acid composition that accompany acclimation to a different temperature can be resolved into those metabolic reactions (e.g., Δ5 desaturation) that are of major importance and, in the liver, into temporally more than one mechanism (e.g., altering monoenes and PUFA at different times).
InAsSb Strained-Layer Superlattices: A New Class Of Far Infrared Materials

The physical properties of InAsSb strained-layer superlattices are reviewed. After a brief description of the band structure and superlattice growth and characterization, we present infrared absorption results and demonstrate the first device made from these materials, a p-n junction photodiode. From these studies, we find that these new materials can be designed to absorb out into the far infrared, well beyond the bandgap of any bulk III-V material. The prototype, non-optimized photodiode displayed a detectivity at 7 pm that is within one order of magnitude of the detectivity of the best HgCdTe detectors at that wavelength.
Extracellular Regulation of Myostatin: A Molecular Rheostat for Muscle Mass

Myostatin (MSTN) is a transforming growth factor-s family member that plays a critical role in regulating skeletal muscle mass. Genetic studies in multiple species have demonstrated that mutations in the Mstn gene lead to dramatic and widespread increases in muscle mass as a result of a combination of increased fiber numbers and increased fiber sizes. MSTN inhibitors have also been shown to cause significant increases in muscle growth when administered to adult mice. As a result, there has been an extensive effort to understand the mechanisms underlying MSTN regulation and activity with the goal of developing the most effective strategies for targeting this signaling pathway for clinical applications. Here, I review the current state of knowledge regarding the regulation of MSTN extracellularly by binding proteins and discuss the implications of these findings both with respect to the fundamental physiological role that MSTN plays in regulating tissue homeostasis and with respect to the development of therapeutic agents to combat muscle loss.
Spacecraft Potential Control by the Plasma Source Instrument on the POLAR Satellite

This increasingly recognized that the low-energy core plasma is a critically important part of magnetospheric plasma transport, yet this plasma cannot be accurately measured from spacecraft at potentials much different from that of the ambient plasma. In low-density regions such as the polar cap and lobes, spacecraft charge positively, excluding core ions from the spacecraft and accelerating core electrons so much that their velocities cannot be measured with any accuracy. In regions of high electron pressure and temperature, spacecraft charge negatively, excluding the ambient core electrons and accelerating the core ions so much that their velocity cannot be accurately measured. Plasma contactors have been used on a number of spacecraft operating in low-plasma-density regions to prevent charging of spacecraft to high potentials, particularly when exposed to high fluxes of energetic particles. This concern has prompted extensive studies by NASA for use of plasma contractors on the international space station where solar arrays may significantly affect the spacecraft potential.
Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I treatment for 1 week improves metabolic control in type 2 diabetes by ameliorating hepatic and muscle insulin resistance.

The administration of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I (rhIGF-I) reduces hyperglycemia and insulin requirements in subjects with severe insulin resistance syndromes and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the mechanisms responsible for the improved metabolic control are incompletely understood. One proposed mechanism is that rhIGF-I therapy in T2DM may bypass early defects in insulin action (i.e. signal transduction), leading to improved hepatic and/or peripheral insulin sensitivity. To test this hypothesis, we used the euglycemic insulin clamp to measure the response to 7 days of rhIGF-I therapy (80 μg/kg, sc, twice daily) in eight poorly controlled T2DM subjects. rhIGF-I significantly improved fasting (203 ± 12 vs. 134 ± 14 mg/dL; P < 0.01) and day-long (0800–1700 h; 234 ± 11 vs. 153 ± 10 mg/dL; P < 0.01) plasma glucose levels. Basal endogenous glucose production decreased from 3.2 ± 0.2 to 2.7 ± 0.2 mg/kg lean body mass· min (P < 0.03) despite a concomitant decline ...
A Methodology for Identifying Environmentally Conscious Guidelines for Product Design

A reverse engineering methodology is presented for identifying environmentally conscious design guidelines for use in the conceptual stages of product design. Environmentally conscious principles and guidelines help designers improve environmental impacts of products by making better decisions during conceptual design stages when data for life cycle analysis (LCA) are sometimes scarce. The difficulty in using the current knowledge base of guidelines is that it is not exhaustive and conflicts are not well understood. In response, the authors propose a general method for expanding the current set of guidelines and for understanding potential environmental tradeoffs. The method helps designers extract environmentally conscious design guidelines from a set of functionally related products by combining reverse engineering with LCA. The guidelines and LCA results can then be used to inform subsequent design cycles without repeating the process. Although in environmentally conscious design, reverse engineering is commonly applied to studies of disassembly and recyclability, the methodology and case study herein show how reverse engineering can be applied to the utilization stage of a product’s life cycle as well. The method is applied to an example of electric kettles to demonstrate its utility for uncovering new design guidelines.
Microbial adherence on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) surfaces

Infection remains a major complication following the use of implanted biomaterials. Often these infections are caused by low-virulence organisms or by a mixture of organisms (polymicrobial). In this study two methods were used to quantitate the bacteria which had adhered to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) samples. The bacteria were eluted from the sample using an ultrasonic cleaner. The number eluted was then counted by colony counts, which determines viable organisms and by particle counting which counts both viable and nonviable organisms. A known adherent strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis and a strain of Proteus mirabilis were used. In general the adherence of S. epidermidis was greater than that of Proteus. When the two organisms were used together, there was an alteration in the adherence pattern which generally increased the adherence of Proteus and had no effect or decreased the adherence of S. epidermidis. The use of both quantitation techniques provided important information on the adherence of organisms to PMMA to which gentamicin had been added. It was evident that organisms did adhere to the PMMA plus gentamicin samples but were not viable when eluted. The amount of adherence to PMMA plus gentamicin was similar to that of PMMA alone at 30 min but was markedly decreased at 24 h. There was a considerable dead biofilm mass on the PMMA plus gentamicin samples which might be a significant promoter of late infections by providing a surface attractive to other strains of bacteria.
The Prognostic Utility of Echo-Estimated Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Pressure-Volume Relationship in Stable Coronary Artery Disease: The Heart and Soul Study.

Background While changes in the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure–volume relationship (LV-EDPVR) can be estimated using echocardiography, their prognostic utility in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) is unknown. Methods Using echo-estimated LV end-diastolic volume index and diastolic function category, the relative position of the LV-EDPVR was defined in 901 participants with stable CAD as: (1) left-shifted, (2) right-shifted, or (3) intermediate. We then evaluated the association of LV-EDPVR position relative to the intermediate category with time to hospitalization for heart failure (HF) or cardiovascular (CV) death using Cox proportional hazards models. Results During 7.0 ± 3.1 years of follow-up, there were 207 admissions for HF or CV deaths. Both leftward and rightward shifts of LV-EDPVR were associated with a significantly higher risk of HF or CV death (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.15–2.62 and HR 6.75, 95% CI 4.02–11.31, respectively). In multivariable-adjusted models, these associations were attenuated but remained significant (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.08–2.55 for left-shifted and HR 4.19, 95% CI 2.32–7.55 for right-shifted). The association of LV-EDPVR with HF or CV death was no longer significant after inclusion of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level as a covariate. Conclusions In stable CAD, echo-estimated leftward and rightward shifts in the LV-EDPVR are associated with HF and CV death. The loss of these associations after adjustment for N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level suggests that echo-estimated LV-EDPVR captures changes in LV filling pressure at any given LV end-diastolic volume.
Spatio–Temporal Dynamics of Gastrointestinal Helminths Infecting Four Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) Stocks in Northern Lakes Michigan and Huron, U.S.A.

abstract: This study was undertaken to identify the community composition, structure, and dynamics of helminths infecting the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) collected from 4 sites in northern lakes Huron (Cheboygan and De Tour Village) and Michigan (Big Bay de Noc and Naubinway) from fall 2003 through summer 2006. A total of 21,203 helminths was retrieved from the GITs of 1,284 lake whitefish. Approximately 42% (SE = 1.4%) of the examined lake whitefish were infected with at least 1 helminth species in their GIT, with a mean intensity of 39.4 worms/fish (SE = 0.3) and a mean abundance of 16.4 worms/fish (SE = 0.1). Collected helminths appeared to be generalists and consisted of 2 phyla (Acanthocephala and Cestoda) and 5 species (Acanthocephalus dirus, Neoechinorhynchus tumidus, Echinorhynchus salmonis, Cyathocephalus truncatus, and Bothriocephalus sp.). Lake whitefish from Lake Huron on average had greater infection prevalences, abundances, and intensities t...
SPATIAL, TEMPORAL, AND SEMANTIC MODELS FOR AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE GENERATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR GESTURE GENERATION

Software to generate animations of American Sign Language (ASL) has important accessibility benefits for the significant number of deaf adults with low levels of written language literacy. We have implemented a prototype software system to generate an important subset of ASL phenomena called "classifier predicates," complex and spatially descriptive types of sentences. The output of this prototype system has been evaluated by native ASL signers. Our generator includes several novel models of 3D space, spatial semantics, and temporal coordination motivated by linguistic properties of ASL. These classifier predicates have several similarities to iconic gestures that often co-occur with spoken language; these two phenomena will be compared. This article explores implications of the design of our system for research in multimodal gesture generation systems. A conceptual model of multimodal communication signals is introduced to show how computational linguistic research on ASL relates to the field of multimodal natural language processing.
Expert system supporting system administrators managing in a distributed, heterogeneous environment

The paper discusses an expert system providing a solution to the complex problem of system administration. It operates in a distributed system management environment that monitors hosts across a network, detects complex problem conditions, and takes automated, unattended actions to resolve common problems. The system was specifically developed to support system administrators managing distributed multi-vendor heterogeneous networks in financial services in Russia. The system intelligence is based on client daemon processes on all hosts of the network that independently can gather system data into a local database and analyze the data using a built-in, rule-based expert system. The system can manage problem events and actions using a sophisticated alert handler and action manager; it distinguishes itself by its scalability and ability to be easily customized by the primary users in order to meet their specific site requirements.
Thermodynamic Parameters of Specific and Nonspecific Protein-DNA Binding

Abstract Proteins that bind preferentially to specific recognition sites on DNA also bind more weakly to nonspecific DNA. We have studied both specific and non-specific binding of the EcoRI and BamHI restriction endonucleases, and determined enthalpic and entropic contributions to binding free energy (ΔG°bind) using both the van't Hoff method and isothermal titration calorimetry. Specific binding is characterized by a strongly negative ΔC°p and can be either enthalpy-driven or entropy-driven, depending on temperature. Nonspecific binding has ΔC°p ≈ 0 and is enthalpy-driven. A strongly negative ΔC°p is the ‚thermodynamic signature’ of site-specific binding, because it reflects the characteristics of a tight complementary recognition interface: the burial of previously hydrated nonpolar surface and restriction of configurational-vibrational freedoms of protein, DNA, and water molecules trapped at the protein-DNA interface. These factors are absent in nonspecific complexes. We probed the contributions to ΔC°...
Modeling temporal dependence of spherically invariant random vectors with triplet markov chains

Our paper deals with multivariate hidden Markov chains (MHMC) with a view towards segmentation. We propose a new model in which temporal dependencies are modelled using copulas and sensor dependencies are represented by spherically invariant random vector (SIRV). Copulas are very useful and flexible tools, which have been little applied in signal processing problems until now. In particular, for some desirable marginal distributions it is possible to obtain different kind of dependencies. Using some recent results on triplet Markov chains, the new model extends the case of MHMC when the observations are SIRV and independent conditionally on the states. We propose algorithms for computing efficiently the posterior probabilities of the involved triplet Markov chain, in order to propose rapid segmentation and estimation procedures
The optimal configuration and workload allocation problem in flexible manufacturing systems

In this article we consider the problem of determining the minimum cost configuration (number of machines and pallets) for a flexible manufacturing system with the constraint of meeting a prespecified throughput, while simultaneously allocating the total workload among the machines (or groups of machines). Our procedure allows consideration of upper and lower bounds on the workload at each machine group. These bounds arise as a consequence of precedence constraints among the various operations and/or limitations on the number or combinations of operations that can be assigned to a machine because of constraints on tool slots or the space required to store assembly components. Earlier work on problems of this nature assumes that the workload allocation is given. For the single-machine-type problem we develop an efficient implicit enumeration procedure that uses fathoming rules to eliminate dominated configurations, and we present computational results. We discuss how this procedure can be used as a building block in solving the problem with multiple machine types.
Validity argument for assessing L2 pragmatics in interaction using mixed methods

This study investigates the validity of assessing L2 pragmatics in interaction using mixed methods, focusing on the evaluation inference. Open role-plays that are meaningful and relevant to the sta...
A Novel Force Control Traverse for Simulating UAV Flight In A Wind Tunnel

Wind tunnel testing methods often infer aerodynamic performance via quasi-steady predictions, driving a wind tunnel model through predetermined trajectories, or quasisteady integration of the applied aerodynamic forces and moments. This paper focuses on a new testing approach that allows the simulation and study of the true longitudinal dynamics of a wind tunnel model. The system design allows an experimentalist to carry heavy models with all of the needed sensors for evaluating true unsteady aerodynamic ∞ight qualities. Controlling the forces and moments applied to the model allows the experimentalist to remove efiects such as gravity and traverse friction. Using feedback on the applied force and moments, the dynamic characteristics of the model can be actively modifled to alter dynamic characteristics such as the system’s natural frequency, damping, c.g. location, and/or efiective model inertia. All dynamic efiects can be set arbitrarily but must be within traverse limits. The model does not have to be balanced because the control system actively restricts motion to be within the longitudinal plane. An example experimental simulation ∞ight is shown using a NACA 4415 wing section with a servo motor in torque mode to simulate the efiect of a conventional tail surface.
Electron Microscopy Study of Reaction Sintered HLW Glass

Reaction sintering under pressure can be used to vitrify radioactive waste. We used defense waste simulate with high concentrations of refractory oxide ZrO2 (∼36 wt%). Silicate glasses with 30 to 50 wt% of waste loading were prepared by hot isostatic pressing (800 °C, 28 MPa). Amorphous silica (50 to 70 wt%) was added to calcined waste simulants. The reaction sintered final products were characterized by scanning and analytical electron microscopy. Our results showed that a continuous glass phase formed. Waste components such as Na2O, CaO, MnO2, Fe2O3, and Al2O3 dissolved in the glass phase. ZrO2 dissolved as well but reached its solubility limit. Nanometer size crystals of baddeleyite (ZrO2) suggest that their presence is a result of super-saturation of the glass phase rather than incomplete dissolution. The sodium concentration increases in the early stages of reaction sintering and decreases towards the end and so does solubility of ZrO2 and other oxides. The microstructure of reaction sintered glasses is determined by a) the concentrations of refractory oxides, b) the concentration of reaction sintering agents, c) the particle size of glass formers, and d) sintering conditions, e.g., temperature and time. Evidence is provided by respective analytical data and micrographs.
Burst noise and 1/f noise in quartz crystals and oscillators

Two methods of measuring the burst frequency noise and phase noise of crystals are described and their relative advantages compared. Observations of the frequency changes and phase noise of crystals and crystal oscillators are reported, including comparison of burst frequency noise at the fundamental and overtones simultaneously. Efforts to find correlations between burst frequency noise and other crystal parameters are reported. The previously reported relationship between the spectral density of frequency fluctuations at 1 Hz offset and 1/Q/sup 4/ is examined in light of the observed burst frequency noise. >