cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of blood pressure and R-R variability: insights from ganglion blockade in humans

Spontaneous blood pressure (BP) and R-R variability are used frequently as 'windows' into cardiovascular control mechanisms. However, the origin of these rhythmic fluctuations is not completely understood. In this study, with ganglion blockade, we evaluated the role of autonomic neural activity versus other 'non-neural' factors in the origin of BP and R-R variability in humans. Beat-to-beat BP, R-R interval and respiratory excursions were recorded in ten healthy subjects (aged 30 +/- 6 years) before and after ganglion blockade with trimethaphan. The spectral power of these variables was calculated in the very low (0.0078-0.05 Hz), low (0.05-0.15 Hz) and high (0.15-0.35 Hz) frequency ranges. The relationship between systolic BP and R-R variability was examined by cross-spectral analysis. After blockade, R-R variability was virtually abolished at all frequencies; however, respiration and high frequency BP variability remained unchanged. Very low and low frequency BP variability was reduced substantially by 84 and 69 %, respectively, but still persisted. Transfer function gain between systolic BP and R-R interval variability decreased by 92 and 88 % at low and high frequencies, respectively, while the phase changed from negative to positive values at the high frequencies. These data suggest that under supine resting conditions with spontaneous breathing: (1) R-R variability at all measured frequencies is predominantly controlled by autonomic neural activity; (2) BP variability at high frequencies (> 0.15 Hz) is mediated largely, if not exclusively, by mechanical effects of respiration on intrathoracic pressure and/or cardiac filling; (3) BP variability at very low and low frequencies (< 0.15 Hz) is probably mediated by both sympathetic nerve activity and intrinsic vasomotor rhythmicity; and (4) the dynamic relationship between BP and R-R variability as quantified by transfer function analysis is determined predominantly by autonomic neural activity rather than other, non-neural factors.
The statistical magnetic signature of magnetospheric substorms

Daily magnetograms from a midlatitude network of geomagnetic observatories were used in the analysis of approximately 1800 substorm events, and the characteristic magnetic signatures of magnetospheric substorms both on the ground and in space were determined. Auroral electrojet (AE) indices and individual magnetograms at different local times in the auroral zone and at midlatitudes were analyzed with reference to onsets, and superposed epoch averages of individual magnetograms and AE indices confirm the local time magnetic substorm signatures. Superposed epoch averages of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) associated with the onsets demonstrates both a distinct southward component prior to the onsets and a dependence of the substorm amplitude on the integrated preceding southward IMF flux. Superposed epoch averages of the tail lobe magnetic field magnitude and vector components are discussed.
The peak load problem with storage technology

Abstract Separating the load into storable and non-storable components, this paper examines the pricing and welfare implications of storage in a utility supply system. The introduction of storage can lead to a firm or a shifting peak condition. For the shifting peak, the application of storage to a uniform subload produces a welfare gain, but one that is realized by the users of the non-storable rather than the storable component of output. A reduction in storage cost always produces a welfare gain; the utility's supply capacity will increase or decrease, depending on the relative slopes of the peak and off-peak inverse demand relations.
6α-Ethyl-Chenodeoxycholic Acid (6-ECDCA), a Potent and Selective FXR Agonist Endowed with Anticholestatic Activity

A series of 6α-alkyl-substituted analogues of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) were synthesized and evaluated as potential farnesoid X receptor (FXR) ligands. Among them, 6α-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid (6-ECDCA) was shown to be a very potent and selective FXR agonist (EC50 = 99 nM) and to be endowed with anticholeretic activity in an in vivo rat model of cholestasis.
Endoscopic components separation for abdominal compartment syndrome

Abstract Background Sustained intraabdominal pressures of 14 to 20 mm Hg have significant pathophysiological consequences, but there is currently no satisfactory low-morbidity procedure appropriate for intervention early in the disease process of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). The anatomical principles of abdominal wall components separation were used to develop a percutaneous procedure that increased abdominal capacity and decreased abdominal pressure. Methods Using a porcine model, we determined abdominal capacity changes by helium insufflation. Corn oil was then used to create an episode of sustained intraabdominal hypertension and changes in intraabdominal pressure and intestinal mucosal oxygenation were determined. Results Endoscopic abdominal wall components separation (EACS) increased abdominal capacity by 1 L (from 0.89 ± 0.39 L to 1.95 ± 0.48 L; P P 2 was increased by 61% (18.8 ± 11.4 to 30.3 ± 11.7; P = 0.012) Conclusions A minimally invasive procedure (EACS) is feasible and has demonstrated effectiveness in a porcine model of ACS.
A twin analysis of dietary intake: evidence for a need to control for possible environmental differences in MZ and DZ twins.

In the NHLI Twin Study MZ twins are shown to “get together” substantially more often than DZ twins. With this result as an indicator of differences in shared environment, the assumption of equal shared environmental variation for MZ and DZ twins is assessed using nutritional data calculated from a food frequency questionnaire. Six nutrients show significant genetic variance for the total sample. However, when stratified on the basis of how frequently twins see each other, none of the nutrients shows significant genetic variance for both strata. A similar pattern is seen for several individual items from the questionnaire. In addition, four of the nutrients show significant correlation between the absolute difference in the nutrient intake of MZ twin pairs and how often they “get together.” These data appear to show that unequal environmental effects may lead to falsely high estimates of genetic variance for nutrient intake.
Thresholds and Multiple Stable States in Coral Reef Community Dynamics

Multiple stable states occur when more than one type of community can stably persist in a single environmental regime. Simple theoretical analyses predict multiple stable states for (1) single species dynamics via the Allee effect, (2) two-species competitive interactions characterized by unstable coexistence, (3) some predator-prey interactions, and (4) some systems combining predation and competition. Potential examples of transitions between stable states on reefs include the failure of Diadema antillarum and Acropora cervicornis to recover following catastrophic mortality, and the replacement of microalgal turf by unpalatable macroalgae after rapid increase in the amount of substratum available for colonization by algae. Subtidal marine ecosystems in general, and reefs in particular, have several attributes which favor the existence of multiple stable states. Studies of transitions between states often need to rely upon poorly controlled, unreplicated natural “experiments,” as transitions typically require pulses of disturbance over very large spatial scales. The stability of a state must often be inferred from analyses of the dynamics of participants at that state, as generation times and the potential for further extrinsic disturbance preclude the use of persistence as an indicator of stability. The potential for multiple stable states strongly influences our interpretation of variability in space and time and our ability to predict reef responses to natural and man-made environmental change.
Correlation of paired liver biopsies in morbidly obese patients with suspected nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

In the absence of surrogate markers, the evaluation of suspected nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly dependent on histological examination. The extent of sampling variability affecting the reliability of a single liver biopsy in patients with suspected NAFLD is poorly characterized. This prospective study aimed to correlate precise histological findings in paired biopsies—right and left lobe—in the diagnosis of NAFLD in morbidly obese subjects undergoing bariatric surgery employing both Brunt and Matteoni classifications and the NAFLD Activity Score (NAS). We also aimed to determine whether the composite histopathological findings of the two biopsies would improve diagnostic accuracy. Consecutive subjects had an intraoperative biopsy from both right and left lobes, evaluated and scored in a blinded manner. Intraobserver agreement was also assessed. Kappa coefficients of agreement were calculated. Forty-one subjects had acceptable biopsies. Agreement for steatosis was excellent and moderate for fibrosis. Concordance was only fair for most features of necroinflammation. Intraobserver agreement was only moderate for lobular inflammation. Excellent agreement was seen for the diagnosis of NASH using Brunt criteria and good agreement when using Matteoni and NAS scoring systems. Composite biopsy data particularly improved identification of hepatocyte ballooning. The diagnostic accuracy also improved substantially when composite features were compared with single-sided biopsy features, especially for the Matteoni and NAS scoring systems. In conclusion, significant sampling variability occurs in NAFLD, particularly for features of necroinflammation. This should be factored into the design of clinical trials and studies of the natural history of the disease. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;44:874–880.)
Structural characterization of endo-glycanase-generated oligoglycosyl side chains of rhamnogalacturonan I.

Abstract Rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) has been isolated from the walls of suspension-cultured sycamore cells ( Acer pseudoplatanus ), and additional structural features of the polysaccharide were elucidated. Treatment of RG-I with a purified endo-(1 → 5)-α- l -arabinanase released a series of arabinose-containing oligosaccharides with degrees of polymerization (dp's) between 2 and 20. These oligosaccharides were shown, by glycosyl-linkage composition analysis, to contain terminal, 5-, and (3 → 5)-linked Ara f residues. These results provide evidence that a branched arabinan is attached to the backbone of RG-I. RG-I was freed of 95% of its arabinosyl residues by treating the polysaccharide with a combination of endo-(1 → 5)-α- l -arabinanase and α- l -arabinosidase. No galacturonic acid was released by these enzymes, which is evidence that the arabinosyl-containing portions of the side chains do not contain galactosyluronic acid residues. The galactose-containing portions of the side chains of RG-I were not fragmented by an endo-(1 → 4)-β- d -galactanase. However, approximately 85% of the galactose and small amounts of galacturonic acid were released by digestion of arabinose-depleted RG-I with a combination of endo- and exo-β- d -galactanases. The galacturonic acid may have been released by small amounts of an exo-α-galactosyluronidase contaminating the galactanases. Treatment of RG-I with this mixture of endo- and exo-glycanases resulted in a relatively size-homogeneous, almost side chain-free backbone composed of the O -acetylated diglycosyl repeating unit → 4)-α- d -Gal p A-(1 → 2)-α- l -Rha p . A combination of 1 H NMR spectroscopy and periodate oxidation established that the backbone repeating unit contained a single O -acetyl substituent on C-2 or C-3 of each galactosyluronic acid residue.
Masseteric silent periods electrically evoked in normal subjects and patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction

The mean latency and duration of electromyographic silent periods were compared in normal subjects and patients with symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. The silent periods were evoked in the masseter muscle by electrical stimulation of the mental nerve area and recorded at 100% and 50% of maximum masseter EMG activity. Two silent periods were typically observed. The mean latency of the early silent period as well as the mean duration of both the early and late silent periods were shorter at 100% than at 50% of the maximal voluntary activity. In comparing the two groups, the mean latencies were shorter and the mean durations were longer for both silent periods in the TMJ group compared with the normal group. The prolonged silent periods in the TMJ group do not appear to be caused by a difference in stimulus intensity or level of voluntary activity in the masseter muscle. These results permit the speculation that the mechanism of the prolonged silent period in the TMJ patients might be central rather than peripheral.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis: technological promise and ethical perils

Objective To describe the ethical issues inherent to the current and foreseeable uses of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Design Review of ethical principles and their application to PGD. Setting Academic medical center. Patient(s) None. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) A discussion of the current ethical perils surrounding the use of PGD, and a prediction of future ethical quandaries that will arise from the use of this technology. Result(s) Although PGD may be used to predict and prevent disease, it may also be used to determine nondisease traits. The ever-expanding ability of genetics to determine qualities of the preimplantation embryo continues to open up new ethical questions relating to the use of PGD for preimplantation diagnosis. Conclusion(s) Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is a powerful technique with many positive applications. As with all such new technologies, care should be taken to ponder the ethical implications of its use before routinely accepting PGD as a tool in the reproductive armamentarium.
Risser sign inter-rater and intra-rater agreement : is the Risser sign reliable?

Background Studies directly evaluating the reliability of the Risser sign are few in number, possess small sample sizes, and offer conflicting results. This study establishes the reliability of the Risser sign on a large sample size in an effort to provide clarification on the subject.
Hilbert-space formulation of Feshbach-Fano methods for atomic and molecular photoionization: Optimal choice of zeroth-order states in shape-resonance channels☆

Abstract An explicit Hilbert-space formulation is provided of Feshbach-Fano methods for ionization continua employing a novel zeroth-order state particularly well suited to shape-resonance profiles. The resulting photoionization cross sections are of Lorentzian form, with shifts and widths that are generally slowly varying functions of the energy. Fano q and ϱ parameters are avoided entirely in the development. Applications to a model problem having broad and narrow shape resonances indicate that precise crosssectional values can be obtained in this way from Stieltjes calculations employing L2 pseudo spectra that have energy spacings considerably greater than the resonance width. The advantages of the zeroth-order state introduced here in applications to molecular ionization continua are also indicated.
DNA binding by an imidazole-sensing CooA variant is dependent on the heme redox state

CooA is a transcription factor from Rhodospirillum rubrum that is regulated by the binding of the small molecule effector, CO, to a heme moiety in the protein. The heme in CooA is axially ligated by two endogenous donors in the Fe(III) and Fe(II) states of the protein, and CO binding to the Fe(II) state results in replacement of the distal ligand. Reduction of the heme in the absence of CO results in a ligand switch on the proximal side, in which a cysteine thiolate in the Fe(III) state is replaced by a histidine in the Fe(II) state. Recently, a variant, termed RW CooA, was designed to respond to a new effector; Fe(II) RW CooA shows high specificity and induced DNA-binding activity in the presence of imidazole. Spectroscopic characterization of the imidazole adducts of RW CooA revealed that, unlike CO, imidazole binds to both Fe(III) RW CooA and Fe(II) RW CooA. The spectral characteristics are consistent with normal function of the redox-mediated ligand switch; Fe(III)–imidazole RW CooA bears a thiolate ligand and Fe(II)–imidazole RW CooA bears a neutral donor ligand. Since the effector binds to both redox states, RW CooA was used to probe the role of the redox-mediated ligand switch in the CooA activation mechanism. Functional studies of Fe(III)–imidazole and Fe(II)–imidazole ligated RW CooA demonstrate that only the Fe(II)–imidazole form is active for DNA binding. Thus, the ligand switch is essential for the activating conformational change and may prevent aberrant activation of CooA by other neutral diatomic molecules.
Auditory neurophonic responses to amplitude-modulated tones: transfer functions and forward masking.

Abstract Two auditory neurophonic responses— one recorded from the scalp (frequency following response or FFR) and one from the auditory nerve (auditory nerve neurophonic or ANN) — were obtained following stimulation of the cat cochlea with amplitude-modulated (AM) high-frequency tones. The carrier frequencies varied between 2 and 30 kHz. The modulation frequencies varied between 400 and 3000 Hz. The AM responses were compared with pure-tone neurophonic responses. The AM response waveforms were found to have a similar spectral composition, similar rates of adaptation, and similar rates of recovery from forward masking as the comparable pure-tone responses. As with the pure-tone neurophonics, an unmodulated masking stimulus can produce prolonged depression of the probe response. The amount and duration of this depression is dependent upon the level and frequency of the masker. The frequency dependence of the depression is demonstrated by forward masked tuning curves which indicate that the AM responses arise from fiber populations which have restricted characteristic frequency distributions centered on the carrier frequency. Response amplitude as a function of stimulus level ( I / O ) functions, response amplitude as a function of carrier frequency (carrier transfer functions or CTF) and response amplitude as a function of modulation frequency (modulation transfer functions or MTF) were also measured. It was found that the I / O functions were saturating monotonic functions of stimulus intensity. CTFs were flat for carrier frequencies from 6 to 30 kHz. and MTFs were flat for modulation frequencies from 100 to 1500 Hz. These results are compared with similar data for single units and compound action potentials.
Physical aging of thin 6FDA-based polyimide membranes containing carboxyl acid groups. Part I. Transport properties

Abstract The change in refractive index with time for thin films (∼350 nm) formed from glassy 6FDA-based polyimides was monitored by ellipsometry to quantitatively track the physical aging process. The refractive index increased linearly, attributed to the densification of the glassy polyimide, with respect to aging time, on a logarithmic scale; this result is consistent with the decrease in gas permeability during physical aging reported in part I of this series. An excellent correlation was formed between the volumetric aging rate r, computed from the refractive index change by the Lorentz–Lorenz equation, and the permeability reduction rate, − ( ∂ log P / ∂ log t ) ; this relationship depends on the type of gas but appears to be the same for all polymer structures examined. The change in fractional free volume was examined from the refractive index data using parameters determined by group contribution methods. The free volume versus aging time results are well-described by the self-retarding relaxation model of Struik; however, this model does not explain the strong effect of thickness on aging rate. The change in free volume correlates well with the change in gas permeability of these thin films.
Generation and analysis of dominant negative mutants of neuronal nitric oxide synthase. • 231

Since the functional form of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) exists as a homodimer, nNOS protein mutations disrupting homodimer formation may serve as dominant negative mutations. To test this hypothesis two sets of expression plasmids were designed and constructed. The first set expressed the heme and reductase domains of rat nNOS either singly or as a fusion protein separated by a short hydrophilic linker peptide. The second set expressed the rat nNOS heme domain and the reductase domains of adrenodoxin reductase, oxido reductase, and the reductase domain from cytochrome P450 BM-3. Again the two domains were linked via a short hydrophilic linker peptide. All the constructs were tested for their ability to metabolize L-arginine (the substrate of NOS) after their transient transfection into COS-7 cells. All the constructs had activities of <8% of the wild-type nNOS protein similarly expressed in COS-7 cells. The dominant negative effect of the constructs was then determined by their ability to reduce wild-type nNOS activity when transfected into a COS-7 stable cell line expressing rat nNOS. Results obtained demonstrated that all the constructs significantly reduced the activity of the wild type nNOS. The nNOS heme-reductase fusion was then used to transiently transfect rat PC12 cells to determine if this construct could exhibit a dominant negative effect on nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced PC12 cell differentiation. Transfection with this construct reduced NGF-induced neurite outgrowth (a measure of PC12 cell differentiation) from 63.0% ± 9.6% to 28.7%±6.5%. These constructs demonstrate the utility of producing dominant negative mutants of NOS isoforms and should prove to be valuable in analyzing the role of nNOS in biological systems.
The production of several items in a single facility with linearly changing demand rates

In this paper we extend the ELSP model to allow for linearly changing demand rates over a fixed planning horizon. This extension of the ELSP research provides a model that can be used in coordinating the production and marketing planning activities in a firm. The model allows the user to evaluate the impact of changes in product demand on production costs and customer service. We solve the model using a standard nonlinear programming package (MINOS) and show through examples based on actual production data how the model can be used to support coordinated production and marketing planning.
Infrared multiphoton dissociation and electron-induced dissociation as alternative MS/MS strategies for metabolite identification.

A major challenge encountered in mass spectrometric metabolite analysis is the identification and structural characterization of metabolites. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry is a valuable technique for metabolite structural determination because it provides accurate masses and allows for multiple MS/MS fragmentation strategies, including infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) and electron-induced dissociation (EID). Collision activated dissociation (CAD) is currently the most commonly used MS/MS technique for metabolite structural characterization. In contrast, IRMPD and EID have had very limited, if any, application for metabolite characterization. Here, we explore IRMPD and EID of phosphate-containing metabolites and compare the resulting fragmentation patterns to those of CAD. Our results show that CAD, IRMPD, and EID provide complementary structural information for phosphate-containing metabolites. Overall, CAD provided the most extensive fragmentation for smaller (<600 ...
Association between coverage of maternal and child health interventions, and under-5 mortality: a repeated cross-sectional analysis of 35 sub-Saharan African countries

Background : Infant and child mortality rates are among the most important indicators of child health, nutrition, implementation of key survival interventions, and the overall social and economic development of a population. In this paper, we investigate the role of coverage of maternal and child health (MNCH) interventions in contributing to declines in child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Design : Data are from 81 Demographic and Health Surveys from 35 sub-Saharan African countries. Using ecological time-series and child-level regression models, we estimated the effect of MNCH interventions (summarized by the percent composite coverage index, or CCI) on child mortality with in the first 5 years of life net of temporal trends and covariates at the household, maternal, and child levels. Results : At the ecologic level, a unit increase in standardized CCI was associated with a reduction in under-5 child mortality rate (U5MR) of 29.0 per 1,000 (95% CI: −43.2, −14.7) after adjustment for survey period effects and country-level per capita gross domestic product (pcGDP). At the child level, a unit increase in standardized CCI was associated with an odds ratio of 0.86 for child mortality (95% CI: 0.82–0.90) after adjustment for survey period effect, country-level pcGDP, and a set of household-, maternal-, and child-level covariates. Conclusions : MNCH interventions are important in reducing U5MR, while the effects of economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa remain weak and inconsistent. Improved coverage of proven life-saving interventions will likely contribute to further reductions in U5MR in sub-Saharan Africa. Keywords : Africa; child mortality; child health; maternal and child health interventions; low-income countries; trends; socioeconomic factors (Published: 3 September 2014) Citation : Glob Health Action 2014, 7 : 24765 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/gha.v7.24765
CD25 + T cells and regulation of allergen-induced responses

CD4 T helper 2 (Th2) cells, with the characteristic interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 cytokine secretion profile, play an important role in the initiation and perpetuation of allergic airways disease. It is clear from recent studies that CD4+ T cells with distinct cytokine-producing abilities have regulatory functions that limit allergic inflammation. Studies of allergic airway inflammation in mice have identified different types of T regulatory cells (Tregs) that control the disease phenotype. The cytokines associated with the Treg phenotype in mice include both soluble and cell membrane-bound transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and IL-10. Both contact-dependent mechanisms involving membrane-bound TGF-beta and contact-independent mechanisms involving soluble TGF-beta and IL-10 have been invoked to describe the function of these Tregs. In humans, studies of milk allergy show an association between circulating CD4+CD25+ Tregs and tolerance to the causative allergen, beta-lactoglobulin. The identification of Tregs as suppressors of allergic disease may promote the development of new therapeutic strategies.
High Bit Rate Experiments Over ACTS

This paper describes two high data rate experiments chat are being developed for the gigabit NASA Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS). The first is a telescience experiment that remotely acquires image data at the Keck telescope from the Caltech campus. The second is a distributed global climate application that is run between two supercomputer centers interconnected by ACTS. The implementation approach for each is described along with the expected results. Also. the ACTS high data rate (HDR) ground station is also described in detail.
Modeling Spatial and Temporal Variability of Residential Air Exchange Rates for the Near-Road Exposures and Effects of Urban Air Pollutants Study (NEXUS)

Air pollution health studies often use outdoor concentrations as exposure surrogates. Failure to account for variability of residential infiltration of outdoor pollutants can induce exposure errors and lead to bias and incorrect confidence intervals in health effect estimates. The residential air exchange rate (AER), which is the rate of exchange of indoor air with outdoor air, is an important determinant for house-to-house (spatial) and temporal variations of air pollution infiltration. Our goal was to evaluate and apply mechanistic models to predict AERs for 213 homes in the Near-Road Exposures and Effects of Urban Air Pollutants Study (NEXUS), a cohort study of traffic-related air pollution exposures and respiratory effects in asthmatic children living near major roads in Detroit, Michigan. We used a previously developed model (LBL), which predicts AER from meteorology and questionnaire data on building characteristics related to air leakage, and an extended version of this model (LBLX) that includes natural ventilation from open windows. As a critical and novel aspect of our AER modeling approach, we performed a cross validation, which included both parameter estimation (i.e., model calibration) and model evaluation, based on daily AER measurements from a subset of 24 study homes on five consecutive days during two seasons. The measured AER varied between 0.09 and 3.48 h−1 with a median of 0.64 h−1. For the individual model-predicted and measured AER, the median absolute difference was 29% (0.19 h‑1) for both the LBL and LBLX models. The LBL and LBLX models predicted 59% and 61% of the variance in the AER, respectively. Daily AER predictions for all 213 homes during the three year study (2010–2012) showed considerable house-to-house variations from building leakage differences, and temporal variations from outdoor temperature and wind speed fluctuations. Using this novel approach, NEXUS will be one of the first epidemiology studies to apply calibrated and home-specific AER models, and to include the spatial and temporal variations of AER for over 200 individual homes across multiple years into an exposure assessment in support of improving risk estimates.
Stepping-stone gene flow in the solitary coral Balanophyllia elegans: equilibrium and nonequilibrium at different spatial scales

Limited dispersal should result in genetic differences between populations proportional to geographic distances of separation. This association between gene flow and distance can be disrupted by (1) continuing genetic exchange among distant populations, (2) historical changes in gene flow, and (3) physical barriers or corridors to dispersal. The movements of larvae are thought to determine dispersal capability in benthic marine invertebrates. The solitary scleractinian Balanophyllia elegans Verrill possesses crawling larvae capable of only limited dispersal. Paradoxically, however, inferred levels of gene flow between pairs of localities spread over much of the 4000 km range of B. elegans exhibited a weaker relationship with geographical separation than that expected for a linear array of populations in which all genetic exchange takes place between adjacent populations. In this paper, I examined the pattern of gene flow (inferred from the frequencies of eight polymorphic allozyme loci) in B. elegans at a smaller (1 to 50 km) spatial scale to determine (1) whether gene flow at this spatial scale conformed to the expectations of the stepping-stone model, and (2) whether continuing long-distance gene flow or historical changes in gene flow were responsible for the weak relationship between gene flow and distance observed previously at the rangewide spatial scale. Between May and August 1992, I collected 75 adults from each of 18 localities along the coast of Sonoma County, California, USA. These populations of B. elegans were significantly subdivided both among localities separated by 1 to 50 km (F LT =0.053, Se=0.0075) and among patches separated by 4 to 8 m (F PL=0.026, SE=0.0023). The observed slope and correlation (r 2=0.54) between inferred levels of gene flow and the geographic distance at the 1 to 50 km spatial scale conformed to equilibrium expectations (obtained by simulation) for a linear stepping-stone model, although those from the rangewide spatial scale did not. This implies that the mechanisms conferring patterns of inferred genetic differentiation between localities in B. elegans differ fundamentally with spatial scale. At a scale of 1 to 50 km, continuing gene flow and drift have equilibrated and the process of isolation-bydistance may facilitate local adaptive change. At a broader spatial scale, historical changes in gene flow, perhaps affected by late Pleistocene climatic fluctuations, disrupt the equilibration of gene flow and genetic drift, so that genetic differentiation may not increase continuously with separation between populations.
ALPHA ACTIVATION OF CALCIUM AND ITS POSSIBLE USE FOR ANALYSIS.

This method is based upon the measurement of 3.95-hr43Sc which is formed during α-activation from40Ca, the most abundant (96.8%) isotope of calcium. The excitation function for the40Ca(α, p)43Sc reaction was determined and the maximum yield of43Sc (about 107 cpm per mg of calcium for a 1-hr irradiation at a beam current of 1 μA) was obtained at an irradiation energy of 14 MeV. The interference free sensitivity of the method at this energy was found to be 8.5·10−12 g, for a 1-hr irradiation at a beam current of 10 μA. The elements most likely to interfere with the determination are potassium and scandium. The extent of this interference was investigated as a function of irradiation energy and methods to eliminate or subtract the activity formed from these elements are discussed. An attempt was made to determine non-destructively the calcium content of very pure silicon and aluminium and upper limits for the concentration of calcium in these samples were set at 0.27 ppb and 6.9 ppb, respectively. Magnesium, thulium oxide and yttrium oxide samples of known calcium content were also analysed.
Modification of the Bankart reconstruction with a suture anchor: Report of a new technique

We assessed the effectiveness of a new suture anchor that has been designed to anchor sutures into a blind, straight hole drilled in bone. The strength of fixation in glenoid bone is 67 N for the No. 0 anchor and suture, and 82 N for the No. 2 device with suture. During 1988 and 1989, 32 patients underwent a modified Bankart reconstruction for recurrent anterior glenohumeral in stability at two centers as part of a prospective study of this modified technique. There were no complications as a result of the technique. The four surgeons involved agreed that the suture anchor simplified the procedure. Seventeen patients have been reviewed, with more than 1 year followup. Ninety-four percent had good to excellent results according to the Bankart rating scale. There was one recurrent dislocation in a football player.
Drug-induced psychosis in Parkinson disease: phenomenology and correlations among psychosis rating instruments.

Objectives To describe further the phenomenology of drug-induced psychosis (DIP) in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and assess which items on two common psychosis rating instruments-the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI)-are the best measure of DIP by comparing them with the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGIS). Methods Baseline data from two placebo-controlled, double-blind studies of olanzapine in PD patients with DIP were collected and analyzed. Results A total of 157 of 160 patients had hallucinations, with visual hallucinations being the most common (97% of subjects), followed by auditory (48%), tactile (23%), and olfactory (16%). Seventy-six percent of subjects experienced delusions, and all types of delusions occurred with relatively equal frequency. The CGIS correlated with suspiciousness, hallucinatory behavior, unusual thought content, and hostility on the BPRS; and delusions, hallucinations, agitation, aberrant motor behavior, and sleep on the NPI. Conclusion Nonvisual hallucinations and delusions may occur more frequently in DIP than previously thought. These symptoms, plus agitation and hostility, may ultimately be the best measure of DIP in patients with PD.
A deathly odor suggests a new sustainable tool for controlling a costly invasive species

Here we confirm a long-standing anecdotal observation; the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) actively avoids the odor emitted by decaying conspecifics. We extracted the semiochemical mixture produced by the putrefying carcasses of sea lampreys via Soxhlet extraction in ethanol and exposed groups of 10 migratory-phase lampreys to either the putrefaction extract (N = 8) or an ethanol control (N = 8) in a laboratory raceway. Sea lampreys rapidly avoided the putrefaction odor while exhibiting no response to the ethanol control. This response was elicited with a diluted mixture (1:373 000) and was maintained for 40 min (the duration of exposure), after which the lampreys quickly returned to their nominal distribution. The ease with which this odor is obtained, and the rapid and consistent behavioral response, suggests the substance will prove useful as a repellent in the sea lamprey control program carried out in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Resume : Nous confirmons ici une observation anecdotique de longue date, voulant que la grande lamproie marine (Petro- myzon marinus) evite de maniere active l'odeur emise par les cadavres en decomposition des lamproies de meme espece. Nous avons extrait le melange semiochimique produit par des carcasses en putrefaction de grandes lamproies marines par extraction Soxhlet en ethanol; nous avons ensuite expose des groupes de 10 lamproies en phase migratrice a soit l'extrait de putrefaction (N = 8), soit a un temoin d'ethanol (N = 8) dans un canal de nage en laboratoire. Les grandes lamproies mari- nes evitent rapidement l'odeur de putrefaction, alors qu'elles n'ont aucune reaction au temoin d'ethanol. Cette reaction est provoquee par un melange dilue (1:373 000) et se maintient pendant 40 min (duree de l'exposition), apres quoi les lamproies retrouvent rapidement leur repartition normale. La facilite avec laquelle on peut obtenir cette odeur et la reaction comporte- mentale constante qu'elle provoque font croire que cette substance s'averera utile comme repulsif dans le programme de lutte contre la grande lamproie marine en cours dans les Grands Lacs laurentiens. (Traduit par la Redaction)
Engaging Men in Clinical Practice: A Solution-Focused and Strengths-Based Model:

Men growing into adulthood are inundated with cultural messages about what it is to be a man in American society. This cultural message recreates the “code of masculinity” for each man within various ethnic, racial, cultural, socioeconomic, and sexual orientation contexts. Working within the code of masculinity as a cultural practice and building on the strengths inherent within a culture by means of a solution-focused practice is the focus of this article.
A behavioral procedure for increasing compliance with self-exercise regimens in severely burn-injured patients

Abstract Severe burn victims must begin an aggressive physical therapy regimen very early in treatment, including frequent self-initiated stretching and exercise, in order to limit disabling contractures and loss of flexibility. However, complying with a prescribed self-exercise program is difficult for the patient due to the severe pain that is experienced. This study added to a conventional physical rehabilitation program a behavioral contingency involving a daily physical requirement, which, when met, allowed the patient to postpone the structured, staff-directed physical therapy program in favor of a more flexible self-directed one. Using single-case designs the behavioral intervention was compared to the conventional, physical therapy program for 3 adult male patients. The dependent variable was range of motion of severely burned joint areas. Baseline data were marked by deteriorating trends, but with the behavioral program the trends reversed as patients achieved their goals and continued to improve prior to discharge. Follow-up data on 2 patients showed maintenance of gains and continued improvement. These results indicate that suitable reinforcement, contingent on meeting a daily physical requirement, enhances patient compliance with self-exercise regimens even when severe pain is a factor. Avoidance learning is discussed concerning its role in noncompliance and its utilization for treatment in this study.
Severe Anemia Caused by Human Parvovirus in a Leukemia Patient on Maintenance Chemotherapy

A 6-year-old boy on maintenance chemotherapy for acute lymphocytic leukemia developed severe hypoplastic anemia during chemotherapy previously well tolerated. The hypoplastic episode persisted for approximately 30 days. Human parvovirus (B19), the etiologic agent of aplastic crisis in persons with underlying hemolytic syndromes, was detected in the patient's serum 25-30 days after onset of hemoglobin decrease, and B19 IgM seroconversion occurred 1 week later. The patient's hypoplastic anemia was presumably caused by prolonged B19 infection resulting from a blunted immune response. An immune response to the B19 infection and resolution of the illness were temporally associated with brief cessation of chemotherapy.
Cutting edge: Tapasin is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum by dynamic clustering and exclusion from endoplasmic reticulum exit sites

Tapasin retains empty or suboptimally loaded MHC class I molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, the molecular mechanism of this process and how tapasin itself is retained in the ER are unknown. These questions were addressed by tagging tapasin with the cyan fluorescent protein or yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and probing the distribution and mobility of the tagged proteins. YFP-tapasin molecules were functional and could be isolated in association with TAP, as reported for native tapasin. YFP-tapasin was excluded from ER exit sites even after accumulation of secretory cargo due to disrupted anterograde traffic. Almost all tapasin molecules were clustered, and these clusters diffused freely in the ER. Tapasin oligomers appear to be retained by the failure of the export machinery to recognize them as cargo.
Stability of the contractile assembly and Ca2+-activated tension in adenovirus infected adult cardiac myocytes

Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer into adult cardiac myocytes in primary culture is a potentially useful method to study the structure and function of the contractile apparatus. However, the consequences of adenovirus infection on the highly differentiated state of the cultured myocyte have not been determined. We report here a detailed analysis of myofilament structure and function over time in primary culture and after adenovirus infection. Adult rat ventricular myocytes in primary culture were infected with a recombinant adenovirus vector expressing either the LacZ or alkaline phosphatase reporter gene. Control and infected myocytes were collected at days 0-7 post-isolation/infection, and myofilament isoform expression was determined by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Laser scanning densitometry showed that the alpha- to beta-myosin heavy chain ratio, the stoichiometry of the myosin light chains and the expression of the adult troponin T isoform did not change over time in culture or with adenovirus treatment. Importantly, examination of Ca2+-activated tension in single myocytes showed no change in the shape or position of the tension-pCa relationship in the control and adenovirus infected myocytes during primary culture. These results indicate that the structure and function of adult cardiac myocytes are stable in short term primary culture and are not affected by adenovirus infection per se, and therefore provide the foundation for the use of adenovirus-mediated myofilament gene transfer to study contractile apparatus structure and function in adult cardiac myocytes.
1H‐NMR studies of nonionic surfactant adsorption onto colloidal particles

Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to study the adsorption of a hexadecyl-terminated poly(oxyethylene) surfactant (nominal molecular weight of 1120 g/mol) onto hydrophobic polystyrene latex particles. The adsorption process affects the NMR response of the surfactant; various surfactant populations are represented by different features in the NMR spectra. An analytical method that utilizes surfactant systems with and without polystyrene latex particles was employed to determine the capability of NMR to observe adsorbed surfactant close to the particle surface. At the initial stages of surfactant adsorption, the oxyethylene chain interacts with the particle surface in a pancake-like conformation. At higher surfactant concentrations, surfactant molecules are bound to the particle surface and also exist as micelles or are free in solution; approximately one-third of the bound, 20-unit oxyethylene chains are near the surface and are not detected by NMR. Using a theoretical monomer density profile, laser light-scattering measurements, and the NMR results, an effective NMR detection limit of 1 nm from the particle surface has been calculated. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Immunohistochemistry of Biomarkers

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has an essential role in the diagnostic evaluation of cancers, most commonly to help identify and subclassify tumors, but its utility in assessing biomarkers that are predictive of benefit or lack of benefit from specific chemotherapies is becoming increasingly important. When IHC is used for predictive marker testing, the assessment of the extent of protein expression may be even more important than the presence or absence of expression, but many variables affect the quantitative measurement of protein expression in routinely processed tissues, and these can have profound influences on the test results. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been a critical tool for pathologists for more than 20 years and is still used most frequently to determine cell lineage and tumor type. Because of its far greater specificity, IHC has essentially replaced most traditional histochemical stains once used for this purpose. IHC is also used to identify specific cellular constituents (e.g., basal and myoepithelial cells), which may help to determine the presence of malignancy and/or invasion and to diagnose infectious diseases, but its role in predictive marker testing to select or exclude patients for specific therapies is growing rapidly in frequency and importance. Until recently, only a few predictive markers were routinely assessed in all patients, but an increasing number are becoming a regular part of clinical management. Such tissue-based biomarkers, many assessed solely by IHC, may predict responsiveness (or lack of response) to specific drugs or to entire classes of chemotherapeutic agents; however, along with the discovery of new biomarkers and their clinical significance, we are increasingly recognizing problems related to variability in laboratory assessment.
Methodology and system architecture for automated detection of epileptic seizures in the neonatal EEG

The automated detection of electrographic seizures in the neonatal EEG is a difficult, unsolved problem because of the variety of seizure patterns and the large number of seizure-like artifacts and non-seizure rhythmic EEG events. In this paper we present an architecture and methodology for such a detection system designed around a combination of signal processing, pattern recognition, heuristic rules, and neural networks. We believe that this hybrid approach offers the best chance for reliable automated detection of neonatal seizures.