cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ohmic heating solenoid design utilizing forced cooled windings

This paper discusses the feasibility of using NbTi internally cooled cable superconductor (ICCS) in the ohmic heating central solenoid for the fusion engineering device (FED). The ICCS conductor provides cryostable operation with liberal stability margin. The forced cooled concept has a high winding current density which reduces the size and the cost of the device. The forced cooled concept requires complex helium manifolding, but a unique approach has been developed to solve the problem. The conductor design, the winding design and the performance analyses are described. The solenoid is designed to operate at 8-T peak field and provides 60 MAT. The operating current for the solenoid is 21.3 kA, which is 60% of the critical current at 8 T.
Mammals of the Sea in Science and Culture

Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals . William F. Perrin, Bernd Wursig, and J. G. M. Thewissen, Eds. Academic Press, San Diego, 2002. 1452 pp. $139.95, £90. ISBN 0-12-551340-2. Marine mammals-cetaceans, pinnipeds, sirens, sea otter, and polar bear-and their interactions with humans are covered in 283 entries, which range from "Abundance Estimation" to "White-Beaked Dolphin."
Temperature and density measurements of miniature microwave plasma discharges

Summary form only given. The microwave plasma source used in this investigation has a microstripline coupling structure with the discharge created inside 1 mm and 2 mm inner diameter quartz tubes. The microwave energy couples to the discharge via the stripline. The stripline has a characteristic impedance of 50 ohms and is connected to a 2.45 GHz microwave power supply operating at 1 Watt to 100 Watts. The discharge tube is orientated perpendicular to the stripline conductor. Two discharge tube placement designs were investigated: one with the tube placed between the microstripline and the ground plane and the other with the tube placed across a gap in the microstripline. Measurements of the gas temperature and electron temperature were performed with pressures ranging from 1 Torr to 1 atmosphere. Gas temperature analysis was performed using optical emission spectroscopy (OES) on various mixtures of argon and nitrogen feed gases. The strongest band of the second positive system of nitrogen was chosen to measure the temperature of the discharge. The investigation indicates that as the percentage of nitrogen gas increases in the argon-nitrogen discharges, the gas temperature decreases. Also, the increase of pressure increases the gas temperature. The plasma densities were also investigated using OES. The Stark broadening of hydrogen /spl beta/ and /spl delta/ lines were measured to determine the discharge densities. Typical results for hydrogen plasma density are 10/sup 13/ cm/sup -3/-10/sup 14/ cm/sup -3/ at pressures of 1-100 Torr. Langmuir probes with 100 micron diameter and 1 mm length were used to obtain the electron temperature and electron density. For argon discharges in 2 mm tube with 1 Torr pressure, the electron temperature and the electron density were measured around 1.4 eV and 10/sup 13/ cm/sup -3/, respectively.
Nonlinear network programming on vector supercomputers: A study on the CRAY X-MP

The parallelism built into vector supercomputers raises several challenging issues for designers of optimization algorithms. We survey recent trends in parallel computer systems and study the impact of vector computing on nonlinear network programming. We propose a general framework for migrating fortran optimization software to a vector computer, and apply it in the context of two nonlinear network codes: NLPNETG, based on the primal truncated Newton algorithm, and GNSD, based on the simplicial decomposition method. We include computational experiments on a CRAY X-MP/24 system that tested the nonlinear network codes and compared the results with those of MINOS, a general purpose optimizer. Our experience indicates that vectorized codes can achieve significant improvements in performance as much as 80% for primal truncated Newton, but achieve only modest improvements 15% for simplicial decomposition for other algorithms.
Autonomous Star Cataloging For Space Surveillance Missions

Autonomous stellar-reference attitude updates can be obtained by the use of an infrared sensor system's capability of generating dense and accurate infrared-star catalogs. Existing lists of stellar objects, such as the Two-Micron Sky Survey and the AFGL-Four-Color-Infrared Sky Survey, provide stellar densities of about 0.1 star/deg2 at galactic latitudes greater than 30 degrees with a star threshold spectral irradiance of approximately 7 x 10-16 W-cm-2-μm-1. This results in waiting times for new updates of up to 30 minutes in regions of the celestial sphere where the stellar density is low. IR.-CCD mosaic surveillance sensors can detect stellar sources with much lower thresholds and thus generate their own high-density star catalog. The accuracy of CCD-mosaics for a single star sighting is only 1/2 pixel in width, but this is improved by recurrent sightings of the same star and by blurred-image-centroiding algorithms. Precision centroiding is discussed in terms of primary functions and theoretical performance limits. Performance variations with algorithm complexity, blur circle size, and number of sightings are presented.
Calcium-dependent changes in properties of human prothrombin: A study using high-performance size-exclusion chromatography and gel-permeation chromatography☆

High-performance size-exclusion chromatography using a TSK 3000 SW column and aqueous gel filtration with Sephacryl S-200 SF have been used to characterize the effects of calcium ions on the hydrodynamic properties of human prothrombin and prethrombin 1. The results suggest that the effective hydrodynamic radius of prothrombin is less in the presence than in the absence of calcium ions. In addition, when using the TSK-3000 SW column, Ca2+-dependent formation of a hydrophobic site in the fragment 1 region of prothrombin results in an apparent further decrease in hydrodynamic radius.
The Relation of Parental Guilt Induction to Child Internalizing Problems When a Caregiver Has a History of Depression.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between parental guilt induction and child internalizing problems in families where a caregiver had experienced depression. A total of 107 families, including 146 children (age 9–15), participated. Child-reported parental guilt induction, as well as three more traditionally studied parenting behaviors (warmth/involvement, monitoring, and discipline), were assessed, as was parent-report of child internalizing problem behavior. Linear Mixed Models Analysis indicated parental guilt induction was positively related to child internalizing problems in the context of the remaining three parenting behaviors. Implications of the findings for prevention and intervention parenting programs are considered.
The effect of bilirubin on the function of hamster small intestine

Jaundice phototherapy is associated with a significant incidence of watery diarrhea. We have postulated that acute intestinal secretion, rather than malabsorption of dietary carbohydrate, is an effect of a photoproduct of bilirubin upon the intestinal mucosa. Because of major effect of phototherapy is the hepatic excretion of nonconjugated bilirubin, we investigated the effect of bilirubin on small intestinal function in the hamster in vivo. The entire small intestine was luminally perfused in vivo with solutions containing bilirubin (0.125 to 0.75 mmole/liter) and net water and sodium fluxes were measured. Control animals absorbed both water (J H2O(net) = 58.9 microliter/min/g) and sodium (J Na(net) = 4.55 microEq/min/g), but animals perfused with bilirubin (greater than or equal to 0.25 mmole/liter) exhibited secretion of water (J H2O(net) = -39.0--85.9) and sodium (J Na(net)=-9.91--18.24). The rate of water secretion was positively related to the concentration of bilirubin in the infusate (r=0.749; p less than 0.001). The concentration of bilirubin in ultrafiltrates of perfusate was likewise positively related to its concentration in the infusate (r = 0.844; p less than 0.001), indicating the potential importance of soluble forms of bilirubin in inducing secretion. Possible epithelial injury was studied by measuring the concentration of DNA in the perfusate and the activity of disaccharidases in postperfusion mucosa, and the possible role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate as a mediator of the secretory process was investigated by determining its concentration in postperfusion mucosa. Perfusion with 0.5 mM bilirubin, which produced significant secretion, did not cause loss of DNA (0.284 versus 0.244 mg/liter) or mucosal lactase activity (56 versus 53 units/g) or enhancement of cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentration (14.9 versus 14.12 pmoles/mg protein).
Neuromotor synapses in Escobar syndrome

The Escobar variant of multiple pterygium syndrome (OMIM #265000) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder associated with mutations in the γ-subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (CHRNG). CHRNG is expressed in fetal muscle during motor development and contributes to the formation of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Anomalies in NMJ structure and function have not been investigated in patients with Escobar syndrome. We report five patients identified as having Escobar syndrome, from four families. In three families, the same mutation (c.459dupA) was identified in CHRNG. A biopsy from brachioradialis muscle was collected from a patient from one of these families and analyzed for NMJ organization using fluorescence microscopy. Compared to spinalis muscle from control patients with idiopathic scoliosis or cerebral palsy (CP), the patient with Escobar syndrome had a significantly higher degree of acetylcholine receptor present outside acetylcholinesterase and significantly less acetylcholinesterase outside acetylcholine receptors. Given the role of the acetylcholine receptor γ-subunit in fetal neuromuscular signal transduction and in establishing the primary encounter of muscle and motor nerve terminal, the CHRNG mutations described in Escobar syndrome may cause a broader disruption of postsynaptic proteins and result in aberrant development of the NMJ due to impaired prenatal neuromuscular transmission and/or abnormal neuromuscular synaptogenesis.
The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission

The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission, launched in September 2011, successfully completed its Primary Science Mission in June 2012 and Extended Mission in December 2012. Competitively selected under a NASA Announcement of Opportunity in December 2007, GRAIL is a Discovery Program mission subject to a mandatory project cost cap. The purpose of the mission is to precisely map the gravitational field of the Moon to reveal its internal structure from crust to core, determine its thermal evolution, and extend this knowledge to other planets. The mission used twin spacecraft flying in tandem to provide the gravity map. The GRAIL Flight System, consisting of the spacecraft and payload, was developed based on significant heritage from previous missions such as an experimental U.S. Air Force satellite, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) mission, and the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission. The Mission Operations System (MOS) was based on high-heritage multimission operations developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Lockheed Martin. Both the Flight System and MOS were adapted to meet the unique challenges posed by the GRAIL mission design. This paper summarizes the implementation challenges and accomplishments of getting GRAIL ready for launch. It also discusses the in-flight challenges and experiences of operating two spacecraft, and mission results.
Heat kernel, eigenfunctions, and conditioned Brownian motion in planar domains

Abstract Some recent results concerning uniform convergence of the shape of the heat kernel to that of the first eigenfunction, and the lifetime of h processes, in bounded Lipschitz domains in R n, are extended to all planar domains of finite area.
Partial isolation and characterisation of Medicago sativa leaf proteases

Proteolysis of leaf proteins by endogenous leaf proteases between the time of harvest and the early stages of processing accounts for substantial losses (up to 40%) in recoverable protein from Medicago sativa [lucerne (alfalfa)] leaves. To study this problem, the proteolytic enzymes from M. sativa were partially purified by ammonium sulphate fractionation and gel filtration. Carboxypeptidase, aminopeptidase and total protease activities were measured. Addition of the herbicide simazine to leaf extract inhibited the aminopeptidase and total protease activity, but had no effect on the carboxypeptidase activity. The extent of proteolysis in leaf extracts was found to be dependent on pH, temperature and time of handling and it was concluded that these factors were the most effective means of controlling proteolytic activity.
Are Th17 cells an appropriate new target in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Th17 cells play crucial roles not only in host defense but also in many human autoimmune diseases and corresponding animal models. Although many of the fundamental principles regarding Th17 biology have been rapidly elucidated in mice, there remain numerous controversies regarding the differentiation, plasticity, and pathogenicity of human Th17 cells. In this review, we consider these open questions in comparison to what has already been clarified in mice, and discuss the potential impact of discoveries related to the Th17 pathway on the development of new therapeutic strategies in Th17 driven autoimmune diseases, specifically rheumatoid arthritis.
Biomimetic Syntheses of the Neurotrophic Natural Products Caryolanemagnolol and Clovanemagnolol

Separate short and modular syntheses of the isomeric natural products caryolanemagnolol and clovanemagnolol have been achieved starting from commercially available (−)-caryophyllene. The postulated biosynthetic pathways guided the syntheses of the neuroregenerative small molecules allowing their assembly in as few as two steps.
Osmia bees (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) can detect nectar-rewarding flowers using olfactory cues

Nectar-foraging bees frequently face the choice of which flowers to visit and which to avoid. One possible mechanism by which bees could discriminate between flowers before visiting them is by detecting nectar via its odours. To test this idea, we observed visits by solitary bees in the genus Osmia (Megachilidae) to flowers of Penstemon caesius (Scrophulariaceae) in the San Bernardino Mountains of southern California. We observed that free-foraging Osmia bees visited flowers containing nectar seven times more frequently than they visited nectar-depleted flowers. To test whether bees could detect the presence of nectar via odour cues, we compared floral preferences between trials where we blocked the olfactory capabilities of bees by coating their antennae with nontoxic silicone and where bees foraged with uncovered antennae. We randomly assigned the order of the silicone treatments and attempted to test 32 bees at P. caesius arrays containing nectar-depleted flowers, nectar-depleted flowers with added water and nectar-rewarding control flowers. Bees with uncovered antennae visited more than twice as many control flowers as they did either group of nectar-depleted flowers. In contrast, bees foraging with silicone-covered antennae visited all treatment flowers equally. Bees that completed both trials visited nectar-rewarding control flowers twice as frequently while foraging with uncovered antennae as they did while foraging with silicone-coated antennae. These results are consistent with the idea that solitary Osmia bees are capable of perceiving nectar volatiles to identify nectar-rewarding Penstemon flowers.
Effects of valgus tibial angulation on cartilage degeneration in the rabbit knee

Thirteen adult female rabbits underwent unilateral osteotomy of the proximal tibia. In nine animals, 30 degrees of valgus angulation was created; in four animals, osteotomy without angulation was performed. After a 12-week survival period, the knee joints were processed for histology by staining with hematoxylin and eosin and safranin O. Additionally, the chondroitin sulphate epitopes 3-B-3(-) and 7-D-4 were evaluated immunohistochemically as markers of osteoarthritis. Changes of the articular surface of the tibia were visualized by scanning electron microscopy. Light microscopic evaluation by the Mankin et al. scoring system revealed mild or moderate damage of the cartilage in the lateral compartment of angulated extremities when compared with the control side. Immunohistology with the monoclonal 3-B-3 and 7-D-4 antibodies showed no increased expression of these epitopes in the lateral compartments of the knee. Scanning electron microscopic evaluation of the tibial surfaces revealed slight surface damage localized to the central, weight-bearing portion of the lateral tibial plateau of angulated extremities. Angulation of 30 degrees led to only mild degenerative changes of the cartilage. These results indicate that, in the short term, cartilage has considerable capacity to withstand the effects caused by severe angulation of the limb.
Facilitating the Interpersonal Development of Young Handicapped Children

Although social development is a commonly cited educational goal, little systematic programming occurs for the development of social skills among the preschool handicapped, especially for the development of interpersonal skills. Insight into the reasons for this neglect leads to suggestions for correcting it.
Lipomas of the cauda equina and other fatty tumours related to neurospinal dysraphism

UMMARY In a study of 100 spinal cords from children with neurospinal dysraphism, fibro-fatty lesions were found in more than half. Lesions affecting the filum terminale were by far the most common. Six types of fibro-fatty mass were seen: (1) Fibrolipomas of the filum terminale; (2) Dural fibrolipomas; (3) Leptomyelolipomas; (4) Diastematomyelia-hamartomas; (5) Heterotopic tissues; (6) Implantation fat. Definitions and descriptions of these lesions are given, together with the surgical importance of their diagnosis. RESUME Au cours de l'examen de cent moelles epinieres provenant d'enfants ayant presente une malformation de l'axe neuro-spinal, des lesions fibro-graisseuses ont ete trouvees dans plus de la motie des cas. Les lesions frappant le filum terminal etaient de loin les plus frequentes. Six varietes de masses fibro-graisseuses ont ete observees: (1) des fibro-lipomes du filum terminal; (2) des fibro-lipomes duraux; (3) des lepto-myClolipomes; (4) des diastematomyelies-hamartomes; (5) des heterotopies; (6) des implantations graisseuses. Une definition et une description de ces lesions sont donnees, ainsi que la signification du diagnostic sur le plan chirurgical. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG In 100 Fallen wurde das Ruckenmark von Kindern mit neurospinaler Dysraphie unter-sucht, wobei fettig-fibrose Veranderungen in mehr als der Halfte gefunden wurden. Patho-logische Veranderungen am filum terminale waren mit Abstand am haufigsten. Sechs Typen fettig-fibraser Geschwalste wurden gesehen: (1) Fibrolipome des filum terminale; (2) Durale Fibrolipome; (3) Leptomyelolipome; (4) Diastematomyelia-Hamartome; (5) Heterotope; (6) Implantationsfett. Definitionen und Beschreibungen dieser Veranderungen werden zusammen mit der chirurgischen Bedeutung ihrer Diagnose gegeben. RESUMEN En un estudio de 100 medulas espinales afectos de disrafia neuroespinal, se encontraron lesiones fibroadiposas en mas de la mitad. Lesiones que afectaban el filum terminal eran con mucho las mas frecuentes. Se encontraron seis tipos de masa fibroadiposa: (1) Fibrolipomas del filum terminal; (2) Fibrolipomas durales; (3) Leptomielolipomas; (4) Diastematomielia-hamartomas; (5) Heterotopicos; (6) Grasa de implantacion. Se dan definiciones y descripciones de estas lesiones, asi como la importancia cirurgica desu diagnostico.
Acute effects of oral ethacrynic acid upon total blood volume

Abstract The acute effects of oral ethacrynic acid administration upon red cell mass and plasma volume are reported in 30 patients. A significant decrease in plasma volume has been observed and is in all probability secondary to the profound diuretic effect of the drug, unlike the transient effect of phlebotomy which is largely gone by one hour. The effect of ethacrynic acid in lowering the plasma volume persists for at least 2 to 3 hours. The therapeutic implications for the patient with pulmonary edema are readily evident.
Comparisons of cylindrical and rectangular media radiative transfer solutions using the S-N discrete ordinates method

The application of the S-N discrete ordinates method is compared for r-z and x-y problems with similar boundary conditions. The complexities of the r-z solution come from the additional angular derivative, which makes this into a virtual three-dimensional problem. Effects of spatial differencing schemes, phase functions, and grid spacing are considered and compared for these x-y and r-z problems.
Effect of substituents on the strength of hypervalent phosphorus-halogen bonds

The strengths of the F2ClP−Cl-, POCl3−Cl-, and PSCl3−Cl- bonds have been determined by measuring thresholds for collision-induced dissociation in a flowing afterglow-tandem mass spectrometer. The results are combined with previously determined values for the PF4-, PF3Cl-, POF4-, and PCl4- systems to determine the effect of adjacent ligands on hypervalent bond strengths. Although the addition of electronegative equatorial ligands strengthens bonding to axial halides, the effect is, in some cases, outweighed by the rearrangement energy of the dissociation products. Computational results indicate that the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ method gives particularly good agreement with experiment among the models used here; however, several less resource-intensive methods give acceptable agreement.
Who Counts? The Politics of Census-Taking in Contemporary America: A Review Essay

(2002). Who Counts? The Politics of Census-Taking in Contemporary America: A Review Essay. Historical Methods: A Journal of Quantitative and Interdisciplinary History: Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 43-46.
Correlations of cortical activation and behavior during the application of newly learned categories

Large individual differences are commonly observed during the early stages of category learning in both functional MRI (fMRI) activation maps and behavioral data. The current investigation characterizes this variability by correlating the volume of activation with behavioral performance. Healthy subjects were trained to classify patterns of random dots into categories. Training was carried out using a 4-choice categorization task with feedback. Functional MRI was performed prior to any training and then following each of 3 training sessions. The fMRI sessions involved the presentation of 3 separate paradigms which required the skill imparted by the training to determine whether two patterns of dots belonged to the same category. Contrasts between the 3 paradigms allowed the examination of the effects of training and of familiarity with the task. For fMRI performed with those materials used during training, increases in the volume of activation were observed initially. As behavioral performance continued to improve, reductions in activation were observed across regions involved in visuospatial processing and spatial attention. These reductions in activation were observed only for those materials used in training and only after high levels of performance were achieved. The magnitude of these reductions in activation correlated with each individual's own rate of learning. The present data support the observation that at least two stages of cortical activation underlie the use of newly learned categories. The first, recruitment of nearby tissue, is observed as initial increases in the volumes of activation. These initial stages of recruitment are followed by specialization across the same network which is observed as a reduction in activation with continued improvements in behavioral performance.
Segmentation of malignant gliomas through remote collaboration and statistical fusion.

Purpose: Malignant gliomas represent an aggressive class of central nervous system neoplasms. Correlation of interventional outcomes with tumor morphometry data necessitates 3D segmentation of tumors (typically based on magnetic resonance imaging). Expert delineation is the long-held gold standard for tumor segmentation, but is exceptionally resource intensive and subject to intrarater and inter-rater variability. Automated tumor segmentation algorithms have been demonstrated for a variety of imaging modalities and tumor phenotypes, but translation of these methods across clinical study designs is problematic given variation in image acquisition, tumor characteristics, segmentation objectives, and validation criteria. Herein, the authors demonstrate an alternative approach for high-throughput tumor segmentation using Internet-based, collaborative labeling. Methods: In a study of 85 human raters and 98 tumor patients, raters were recruited from a general university campus population (i.e., no specific medical knowledge), given minimal training, and provided web-based tools to label MRI images based on 2D cross sections. The labeling goal was characterized as to extract the enhanced tumor cores on T1-weighted MRI and the bright abnormality on T2-weighted MRI. An experienced rater manually constructed the ground truth volumes of a randomly sampled subcohort of 48 tumor subjects (for both T1w and T2w). Raters’ taskwise individual observations, as well as the volumewise truth estimates via statistical fusion method, were evaluated over the subjects having the ground truth. Results: Individual raters were able to reliably characterize (with >0.8 dice similarity coefficient, DSC) the gadolinium-enhancing cores and extent of the edematous areas only slightly more than half of the time. Yet, human raters were efficient in terms of providing these highly variable segmentations (less than 20 s per slice). When statistical fusion was used to combine the results of seven raters per slice for all slices in the datasets, the 3D agreement of the fused results with expertly delineated segmentations was on par with the inter-rater reliability observed between experienced raters using traditional 3D tools (approximately 0.85 DSC). The cumulative time spent per tumor patient with the collaborative approach was equivalent to that with an experienced rater, but the collaborative approach could be achieved with less training time, fewer resources, and efficient parallelization. Conclusions: Hence, collaborative labeling is a promising technique with potentially wide applicability to cost-effective manual labeling of medical images.
Association of L-type calcium channels with a vacuolar H(+)-ATPase G2 subunit.

Abstract The class C L-type calcium (Ca 2+ ) channels have been implicated in many important physiological processes. Here, we have identified a mouse vacuolar H + -ATPase (V-ATPase) G2 subunit protein that bound to the C-terminal domain of the pore-forming α 1C subunit using a yeast two-hybrid screen. Protein–protein interaction between the V-ATPase G subunit and the α 1C subunit was confirmed using in vitro GST pull-down assays and coimmunoprecipitation from intact cells. Moreover, treatment of cells expressing L-type Ca 2+ channels with a specific inhibitor of the V-ATPase blocked proper targeting of the channels to the plasma membrane.
Production of scopolamine and hyoscyamine by datura stramonium l. suspension cultures

The production of radioactive scopolamine and hyoscyamine in tissue suspension cultures of D. stramonium, D. tatula, and Nicotiana tabacum to which tropine and α−14C-tropic acid was administered is described. The highest yields of incorporation of radioactive tropic acid into scopolamine and hyoscyamine were obtained in 3-month old suspension cultures of D. stramonium and N. tabacum. Older cultures of D. stramonium appear to lose much of their ability to synthesize these two alkaloids. The amount of 14C-scopolamine produced exceeded the formation of 14C-hyoscyamine. Several other metabolic products of α-14C-tropic acid were also detected.
The gene fimU affects expression of Salmonella typhimurium type 1 fimbriae and is related to the Escherichia coli tRNA gene argU

The gene fimU, located on a recombinant plasmid carrying the Salmonella typhimurium type 1 fimbrial gene cluster is closely related to the Escherichia coli tRNA gene argU. The fimU gene complements an E. coli argU mutant that is a P2 lysogen, thereby allowing the phage P4 to grow in this strain but preventing the growth of phage lambda. In addition, fimU was shown to be involved in fimbrial expression since transformants of the E. coli argU mutant could produce fimbriae only in the presence of fimU but not in its absence, whereas in an E. coli argU+ strain fimbriation did not require the fimU gene.
The Role of Existing and Newer Calcium Channel Blockers in the Treatment of Hypertension

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs), which include both dihydropyridines such as nifedipine and amlodipine and non-dihydropyridines (verapamil and diltiazem), are among the most widely prescribed agents for the management of essential hypertension. Several large outcome risk trials and comprehensive meta-analyses have found that CCBs reduce the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with uncontrolled hypertension, including stroke. CCBs, however, appear less effective than angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and diuretics for preventing heart failure and myocardial infarction. CCBs are among the agents listed as potential first-line therapy, either alone or in combination with other agents in hypertension management guidelines. Furthermore, CCBs are suitable for add-on therapy in combination with diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin-II receptor blockers. CCBs may be partially suitable for patients with comorbid Raynaud's syndrome, isolated systolic hypertension (dihydropyridine), or angina pectoris (non-dihydropyridine). The newer inherently long-acting dihydropyridine agents (e.g., lacidipine, lercanidipine), which are not currently available in the United States, appear to have comparable efficacy to older agents of the dihydropyridine class but may have an improved tolerability profile, especially with regard to peripheral edema.
Phyletic groups on networks

Three additional phyletic group types, "periphyletic," "epiphyletic", and "anaphyletic" (in addition to Hennigian mono-, para-, and polyphyletic) are defined in terms of trees and phylogenetic networks (trees with directed reticulate edges) via a generalization of the algorithmic definitions of Farris. These designations concern groups defined as monophyletic on trees, but with additional gains or losses of members from network edges. These distinctions should be useful in discussion of systems with non-vertical inheritance such as recombination between viruses, horizontal exchange between bacteria, hybridization in plants and animals, as well as human linguistic evolution. Examples are illustrated with Indo-European language groups.
Fine mapping of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) glycoprotein C neutralizing epitopes by type-specific monoclonal antibodies and synthetic peptides

Bovine herpesvirus glycoprotein C (gC) functions as a major virus attachment protein. Here, two BHV-1 gC-specific epitopes that are specified by complement-dependent neutralizing MAbs are mapped. The BHV-1 gC-specific peptides and MAbs were used to specifically localize continuous epitopes by direct binding to the MAbs and by blocking the Mab reactivity (competitive ELISA) to authentic viral antigen. The results of competitive ELISA indicated that the complement-dependent neutralizing epitopes recognized by MAbs F2 and 24 were located between BHV-1 gC amino acids (aa) 47-69 and (aa) 109-119, respectively.
Direct stereochemical resolution of aspartame stereoisomers and their degradation products by high-performance liquid chromatography on a chiral crown ether based stationary phase

The direct stereochemical resolution of the four stereoisomers of aspartame (N-DL-alpha-aspartyl-DL-phenylalanine methyl ester) and their degradation products was achieved on a high-performance liquid chromatography chiral stationary phase based upon a chiral crown ether. The chromatographic conditions included a mobile phase composed of aqueous perchloric acid adjusted to a pH of 2.8 and modified with 1.5% of 2-propanol and a temperature gradient. The active L,L-isomer (sold under the brand name NutraSweet) was measured in a diet cola and coffee sweetened with NutraSweet. Degradation products of NutraSweet were also detected but no racemization of stereochemical contamination was observed.
The total costs of drug therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. We created a model to estimate the total medication costs of treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis with 6 second-line agents for the first 6 months of treatment. Methods. Drug costs were obtained from a survey of pharmacies; monitoring costs were calculated from utilization information obtained in a survey of rheumatologists; toxicity costs were obtained using decision trees to represent the evaluation and treatment of potential toxicities. Monitoring and toxicity costs were estimated using costs from the Boston University Medical Center or, for hospitalizations, using appropriate diagnosis-related group categories. The sum of the 3 components determined the total medication costs. Results. The least expensive medication was penicillamine, at $10.62/week, and the most expensive was injectable gold, at $30.89/week. In terms of monitoring costs, methotrexate had the highest costs associated with necessary laboratory tests and office visits. Hydroxychloroquine had the lowest monitoring costs for office visits, and oral gold had the lowest for laboratory costs. Hematologic toxicities were the largest component of toxicity costs for all 6 medications, and renal toxicities were costly for patients taking oral gold, penicillamine, and injectable gold. Total medication costs revealed oral gold as the least expensive medication and injectable gold as the most expensive. The combination of monitoring and toxicity costs accounted for more than 60% of the total costs for all medications except injectable gold. In all cases, the cost of treating toxicities was the smallest of the 3 components. Conclusion. When calculating the costs of drug therapy, it is important to consider not only the price of the drug, but also the costs of monitoring and treating the toxicities that might occur. Failure to do so will result in underestimating the true costs of treatment with these medications.
School-Related Factors Affecting High School Seniors' Methamphetamine Use.

Data from the 2005 Monitoring the Future survey were used to examine relationships between school-related factors and high school seniors' lifetime methamphetamine use. The study applied logistic regression techniques to evaluate effects of social bonding variables and social learning variables on likelihood of lifetime methamphetamine use. The results confirmed that likelihood of such use was higher when social bonding factors were weak and social learning factors were strong. Results also showed the social bonds' impact to be mediated by social learning factors. Policy implications are discussed briefly.
Defending Democracy: Reactions to Extremism in Interwar Europe

Defending Democracy: Reactions to Extremism in Interwar Europe. By Giovanni Capoccia. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005. 352p. $49.95.This study elaborates a central aspect of Juan Linz's (1978) Crisis, Breakdown, and Re-equilibration: a focus on choices made by democratic incumbents facing extremist challengers aiming to install nondemocratic rule. To put it in Linzian terms, Giovanni Capoccia seeks to develop Linz's “mentality” on that subject into a more systematic statement. Linz claimed that these leaders' choices are crucial, and he illustrated with examples; Capoccia rightly proposes that such a claim deserves monographic treatment in its own right. His effort is illuminating on several counts but falls short of full persuasiveness on others.
Pattern Identification Using Reconstructed Phase Space and Hidden Markov Model

In this paper we present a method for identification of temporal patterns that are predictive of events in a dynamic data system. The proposed new MRPS-HMM method applies a hybrid model using Reconstructed Phase Space (RPS) and stochastic state estimation via Hidden Markov Model (HMM) to search predictive patterns. This method constructs a multivariate phase space by embedding each data sequence with estimated time-delay and dimension. Multivariate sequences are categorized into three states: normal, patterns and events which are estimated by HMM. A penalized exponential loss function is used to estimates the optimal weights of each module of the classifier. We performed two experimental applications including a chaotic Rossler Map series and sludge volume bulking forecasting problem. Experiments results show that the new method significantly outperforms baseline methods.
Comparison of the specific resistances of cakes formed in filters and centrifuges

Resistances to the flow of fluids through porous beds were determined in a compression-permeability cell, a vacuum test filter, and an experimental centrifugal filter. The study was made on nearly incompressible beds composed of Lucite spheres having a given size distribution. The results show that liquid flow through the cakes in all three kinds of equipment can be described by a common basic equation, the terms of which are modified to reflect the type of operation. The centrifugal-drainage data confirm the form of the centrifugal-filtration equation. The specific resistances deduced from vacuum-filtration and centrifugal-drainage tests agree with permeability-cell alphas within 16% at the same Δ P and within 2 to 3% at the same porosity.
Heat transfer to flowing thermally softened polymers

Heat transfer to a flowing thermally softened polymer (polymethylmethacrylate) has been studied. Experimental temperature profiles were determined at various axial lengths. The data are both precise and reproducible. Sizeable viscous dissipation was found to occur. This effect was found to be greater for polymethylmethacrylate than a molten polymer (polyethylene). Cooling as well as heating data were found in this work. The experimentally determined data checked qualitatively with the data computed from a prior analytical solution of the equations of motion and energy.
Potent inhibition of thermal edema in rat by des-Tyr-dynorphin A

Abstract In an earlier study, dynorphin A(1–13) [Dyn A(1–13)] was shown to inhibit heat-induced edema in the anesthetized rat's paw but the potency of this action was low, with effective doses in the range of 3–4 mg/kg IV. In this study, Dyn A and related fragments were tested. Thermal edema was elicited in anesthetized male albino rats by immersion of the hindpaw in 58°C water for 1 min. The median effective dose (ED 50 and 95% confidence limits) in mg/kg IV for inhibition of edema were: Dyn A, Dyn A(2–17), and Dyn A(1–13), 1.7 (1.2–2.4), 0.15 (0.09–0.24), and 3.2 (1.9–5.5), respectively. The ED 50 values of [ d -Ala 2 ]Dyn A, [ d -Ala 2 ]Dyn A(2–17), and [ d -Ala 2 ]Dyn A(2–17)-amide were found to be 0.92 (0.40–2.10), 1.25 (0.60–2.63), and 0.65 (0.36–1.16) mg/kg IV, respectively. Dyn A(2–17), 0.5 mg/kg IV, also inhibited pulmonary edema produced by IV injection of epinephrine. The anti-edema action of Dyn A(2–17) was not blocked by naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist, or dependent on the hypotensive action of this peptide. It is postulated that the antiedema activity of Dyn A resides in the core fragment Dyn A(6–12). Two peptides, N -acetyl-Dyn A(6–12)-amide and N -acetyl-[ d -Leu 12 ]Dyn A(6–12)-amide, were synthesized and, when tested, were effective in reducing thermal edema with ED 50 values of 1.4 (0.6–3.7) and 2.2 (1.2–4.1) mg/kg IV, respectively.
The Gender of Latinidad: Latinas Speak About Hispanic Television

There is a lack of information on how Latinas consume popular culture in general and how they interact and respond to Spanish-language media in particular. Studies on representation and stereotyping in the Spanish-language media as well as audience research within the Latino community are recent phenomena in the Latino media scholarship. This article examines how a group of 27 immigrant and nonimmigrant Latinas from the city of Austin, Texas, evaluate and negotiate women’s representations in Univision and Telemundo, the two largest Hispanic networks in the United States. Women of diverse income levels participated in a series of 1 to 3 in-depth interviews between 1999 and 2002. The main focus of the study is on the respondents’ evaluations of gender, race and class representations in the talk shows El Show de Cristina and Laura en America. Interview transcripts reflected Latinas’ ambivalent and conflicted relationship with the television programs. Latinas felt attacked, insulted, offended and embarrassed ...
The Influence of Attitude on the Acceptance and Use of Information Systems

The nomological network of the technology acceptance model is expanded through the addition of affective and task-preparation variables as antecedents to traditional predictors of technology acceptance:output quality, result demonstrability, and ease of use. An empirical study involving a visual/simulation information system, set in the domain of retail merchandise planning, finds that negative affectivity NA is a consistent and strong negative antecedent to perceptions of output quality, result demonstrability, and ease of use. In contrast, positive affectivity PA is a significant and positive antecedent to ease of use, but not necessarily a significant antecedent to either output quality or result demonstrability. A new construct developed from the job characteristics literature-perceived task preparation-measured the subject's perceptions of the pre-system usage training, which included task design and modeling instruction, scenarios of activities within the prospective information system, discussions and review of the system documentation, and highly structured, pre-task system use activities. Perceived task preparation was found to be a significant and strong positive indicator of computer self-efficacy.
The Effect of Chlortetracycline, Erythromycin and Nitrofurans as Treatments for Experimental “Air Sac Disease”

Abstract AIR SAC DISEASE” characterized by pericarditis, perihepatitis and aerosaculitis is an important poultry disease. Gross (1955) was able to experimentally reproduce this condition by exposing chickens or turkeys to aerosols of pathogenic types of Escherichia coli after they were infected with certain respiratory disease agents. The pathogenic strains of E. coli can exist in the intestine for months without causing any signs of disease. The intestinal tract is therefore a possible reservoir of infection. Treatment of “air sac disease” is complicated by the complexity of the disease. Among the agents which are involved in the etiology are pleuropneumonia-like organisms (PPLO), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), Newcastle disease virus and E. coli. Among these agents only PPLO and E. coli are suspectible to antibiotics. The object of these experiments was to utilize chlortetracycline (CTC) erythromycin (erythromycin thiocyanate) furaltadone and furazolidone as treatments against the experimentally produced disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Chickens used…
Effect of activin A and inhibin A on expression of the inhibin/activin β-B-subunit and gonadotropin receptors in granulosa cells of the hen

Activin A has been shown to be abundant in the theca layer of the large pre-ovulatory follicles of the hen whereas inhibin A is produced in the granulosa layer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of activin A and inhibin A on granulosa cell expression of inhibin beta-B-subunit, FSH receptor (FSHR), and LH receptor (LHR). Granulosa cells were isolated from the F1, F3+F4, and small yellow follicles (SYF; 6-12 mm diameter) of laying hens and pooled according to size. The cells were dispersed and plated in the presence of 0, 10, or 50 ng/ml recombinant human activin A (n=5 replicate cultures). RNA was subsequently extracted from the cells and Northern blots performed. Cell proliferation was determined for all treatments. An identical set of experiments was performed in which the granulosa cells were treated with recombinant human inhibin A (n=4 replicate cultures). Treatment with activin A at 50 ng/ml significantly (p<0.05) increased expression of beta-B-subunit for granulosa cells from all follicles. This dose also significantly increased expression of FSHR in granulosa cells from all follicles (p<0.05) and increased expression of LHR in cells from F1 and F3+F4 follicles (p<0.01) with no significant effect on cells from the SYF. Overall, activin A treatment significantly (p<0.05) decreased cell proliferation at the 50 ng/ml dose. Inhibin A had no significant effect on expression of beta-B-subunit, FSHR or LHR at any dose. There was a moderate stimulatory effect of inhibin A on granulosa cell proliferation. These results suggest that activin A may have an important role in regulating granulosa cell responsiveness to gonadotropins while also modulating follicle development by attenuating cell proliferation.
Calcium channel blockers : Monotherapy and dual therapy considerations in the treatment of hypertension

The papers in this supplement speak to several of the issues pertinent to contemporary therapy with CCBs. The article by Dr Weir thoughtfully describes important pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of CCBs. In so doing he establishes the basis for combination CCB and ACE inhibitor therapy. Dr Frishman provides a scholarly description of the cardiovascular effects of CCBs and further elaborates on the distinctiveness of the various CCB subclasses. Finally, Dr Bakris et al. provides data from INVEST (INternational VErapamil-Trandolapril STudy), which shows the particular utility of a CCB and ACE inhibitor combination in bringing elderly hypertensive patients with CAD to goal BP when monotherapy
Fine-Needle Detection of Cytomegalovirus Parotitis in a Patient With Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Parotid enlargement is common in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1. We present a case of cytomegalovirus infection of the parotid gland in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This case is notable because fine-needle aspiration provided the diagnosis. We therefore present a quick and inexpensive method of detecting a potentially fatal infection that has previously been unrecognized by the medical community. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1994;120:414-416)