cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adrenal insufficiency: an uncommon cause of fatigue.

Background: Adrenal insufficiency is a rare condition that can cause common and nonspecific symptoms. One such symptom, reported by all patients with adrenal insufficiency, is fatigue. On the other hand, up to 20% of patients seeking care from primary care physicians will have fatigue as a complaint. Only a small percentage of patients are found to have underlying medical disease. Methods: A MEDLINE literature search was performed from 1966 to the present using the key words “fatigue,” “adrenal insufficiency,” and “polyglandular autoimmune endocrinopathy.” Major endocrinology textbooks were also referenced. In addition, references were obtained from bibliographies of available articles. Results and Conclusions: This article describes a patient with adrenal insufficiency and fatigue as the primary complaint. A brief discussion of fatigue and clues to organic causes follows, along with a more detailed discussion of adrenal insufficiency. Important medical history or signs and symptoms of organic disease suggest the need for screening tests and more detailed evaluation to uncover the uncommon medical causes of fatigue.
The Rutgers Law Library

Fiordalisi writes about the origin of the Rutgers Law Library in Newark and describes its current state in 1951 and its goals for the future.
A spectral finite element approach to modeling soft solids excited with high-frequency harmonic loads

Abstract An approach for efficient and accurate finite element analysis of harmonically excited soft solids using high-order spectral finite elements is presented and evaluated. The Helmholtz-type equations used to model such systems suffer from additional numerical error known as pollution when excitation frequency becomes high relative to stiffness (i.e. high wave number), which is the case, for example, for soft tissues subject to ultrasound excitations. The use of high-order polynomial elements allows for a reduction in this pollution error, but requires additional consideration to counteract Runge’s phenomenon and/or poor linear system conditioning, which has led to the use of spectral element approaches. This work examines in detail the computational benefits and practical applicability of high-order spectral elements for such problems. The spectral elements examined are tensor product elements (i.e. quad or brick elements) of high-order Lagrangian polynomials with non-uniformly distributed Gauss–Lobatto–Legendre nodal points. A shear plane wave example is presented to show the dependence of the accuracy and computational expense of high-order elements on wave number. Then, a convergence study for a viscoelastic acoustic-structure interaction finite element model of an actual ultrasound driven vibroacoustic experiment is shown. The number of degrees of freedom required for a given accuracy level was found to consistently decrease with increasing element order. However, the computationally optimal element order was found to strongly depend on the wave number.
Processor-time optimal parallel algorithms for digitized images on mesh-connected processor arrays

We present processor-time optimal parallel algorithms for several problems onn ×n digitized image arrays, on a mesh-connected array havingp processors and a memory of sizeO(n 2) words. The number of processorsp can vary over the range [1,n 3/2] while providing optimal speedup for these problems. The class of image problems considered here includes labeling the connected components of an image; computing the convex hull, the diameter, and a smallest enclosing box of each component; and computing all closest neighbors. Such problems arise in medium-level vision and require global operations on image pixels. To achieve optimal performance, several efficient data-movement and reduction techniques are developed for the proposed organization.
Polyarteritis Nodosa and Cutaneous Polyarteritis Nodosa

Cutaneous vasculitis can present with a variety of lesions and associated symptoms. It is important for the clinician to be able to recognize vasculitis lesions and know when to pursue further laboratory studies that will determine the extent of the disease process in a patient. This review compares and contrasts polyarteritis nodosa with its cutaneous counterpart. The diagnostic workup and management of these two entities as well as the overall approach to a patient with a possible vasculitic condition are emphasized.
The effect of bile salts on the experimental production of ulcers in the dog.

1. Intestinal loops of dogs were exposed to acid-pepsin solutions with and without bile salts at zero and 90 cm. H2O pressure, and at pH’s of approximately 1.2 and 3.7. 2. Bile salts markedly inhibited the digestive action of pepsin on intestinal mucosa at a pH of 1.25. 3. At a pH of 3.7 there was no damage to the mucosa regardless of hydrostatic pressure or the presence of bile salts.
The use of phenazocine (Prinadol) as an adjunct in paediatric anaesthesia.

Phenazocine is an effective agent for use in children. The dosage range varies between 0.01 and 0.02 mg./kg. A reasonable dosage of phenazocine may be calculated as being approximately 1/10 that of morphine and 1/100 that of meperidine. Phenazocine is an effective adjunct for use with nitrous oxide-oxygen anaesthesia, especially if the anaesthesiologist is skilled in assisted or controlled respiration techniques.
Improving efficacy of Box gravid traps for collecting Culex quinquefasciatus

In outdoor screen cages, one and two-choice assays were conducted with gravid Cx. quinquefasciatus to assess and improve the efficacy of the Box gravid trap. Subsequently, in a field trial, a modified Box gravid trap was compared with three other gravid traps: the CDC gravid trap, the CFG gravid trap, and a novel design of a sticky gravid trap. A major disadvantage of the Box gravid trap, a relatively low trapping efficacy, was overcome with a simple modification to the trap configuration. By replacing the solid lid of the collecting tray with mosquito netting, the air velocity through the trap inlet was doubled and the quality of the resting sites for caught females was improved. As a result, the modified Box gravid trap caught and retained twice as many Cx. quinquefasciatus as its predecessor in two-choice bioassays in the screened cages and proved as effective as the commercially available CDC gravid trap in the field, but without damaging the collected specimens. Captures with the Box and CDC gravid traps were significantly greater than those of either the Counter Flow Geometry gravid trap or a sticky gravid trap.
Domain Knowledge and Decision Time: A Framework for Soft Computing Applications

We analyze the issue of decision-making using Soft Computing (SC) models. We define a natural framework in the cross product of the decision's time horizon and the type of domain knowledge used by the SC models. Within this framework, we analyze the progression from simple lexicon to annotated lexicon, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. We compare this progression with the injection of domain knowledge in SC to perform tasks in the context of Prognostics & Health Management (PHM), such as anomaly detection and identification (unsupervised clustering), failure mode analysis (supervised learning), prognostics of remaining useful life (prediction), on-board fault accommodation (real-time control), and off board logistics actions (decision support). Finally, we analyze Evolutionary Fuzzy Systems (EFS) and determine their position and role in this framework.
Sex stereotypes and health care : the case of treatment for kidney failure

Differential health care is a potential source of differences in women's and men's health status. This paper discusses sex, race, and age differences in treatment for kidney failure. Women, blacks, and older persons are less likely to receive a kidney transplant (the optimal treatment for kidney failure) than are men, whites, and younger persons. Differences between women's and men's transplant rates have been increasing since 1978. Neither legitimate medical factors nor differential ability to pay explain these sex differences in treatment. Physicians appear to favor males when they select transplant candidates. One reason for this may be that physicians consider it more important to facilitate males' return to employment. Sex stereotypes may be an important influence on the allocation of scarce medical treatments, contributing to sex differences in health status.
Hypoxia actively represses transcription by inducing negative cofactor 2 (Dr1/DrAP1) and blocking preinitiation complex assembly.

Hypoxia is a growth inhibitory stress associated with multiple disease states. We find that hypoxic stress actively regulates transcription not only by activation of specific genes but also by selective repression. We reconstituted this bimodal response to hypoxia in vitro and determined a mechanism for hypoxia-mediated repression of transcription. Hypoxic cell extracts are competent for transcript elongation, but cannot assemble a functional preinitiation complex (PIC) at a subset of promoters. PIC assembly and RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain (CTD) phosphorylation were blocked by hypoxic induction and core promoter binding of negative cofactor 2 protein (NC2α/β, Dr1/DrAP1). Immunodepletion of NC2β/Dr1 protein complexes rescued hypoxic-repressed transcription without alteration of normoxic transcription. Physiological regulation of NC2 activity may represent an active means of conserving energy in response to hypoxic stress.
Novel communication architectures for wireless multimedia sensor networks

Wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs) are networks of interconnected devices that allow retrieving video and audio streams, still images, and scalar data from the environment. With the ability of providing enriched observation of the environment, WMSNs can enhance a wide range of applications such as environmental monitoring, industrial process control, traffic enforcement, and advanced health care delivery. Most of these applications require the sensor network paradigm to be re-thought in view of the need for mechanisms to deliver multimedia content with a pre-defined level of quality of service (QoS).
Activation of Ras overcomes B-cell tolerance to promote differentiation of autoreactive B cells and production of autoantibodies

Newly generated immature B cells are selected to enter the peripheral mature B-cell pool only if they do not bind (or bind limited amount of) self-antigen. We previously suggested that this selection relies on basal extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) activation mediated by tonic B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling and that this signal can be replaced by an active rat sarcoma (Ras), which are small GTPase proteins. In this study we compared the activity of Ras and Erk in nonautoreactive and autoreactive immature B cells and investigated whether activation of Ras can break tolerance. Our results demonstrate lower levels of active Erk and Ras in autoreactive immature B cells, although this is evident only when these cells display medium/high avidity for self-antigen. Basal activation of Erk in immature B cells is proportional to surface IgM and dependent on sarcoma family kinases, whereas it is independent of B-cell activating factor, IFN, and Toll-like receptor signaling. Ectopic expression of the constitutively active mutant Ras form N-RasD12 in autoreactive cells raises active Erk, halts receptor editing via PI3 kinase, and promotes differentiation via Erk, breaking central tolerance. Moreover, when B cells coexpress autoreactive and nonautoreactive BCRs, N-RasD12 leads also to a break in peripheral tolerance with the production of autoantibodies. Our findings indicate that in immature B cells, basal activation of Ras and Erk are controlled by tonic BCR signaling, and that positive changes in Ras activity can lead to a break in both central and peripheral B-cell tolerance.
An open‐label study of the safety and efficacy of limited application of fluticasone propionate ointment, 0.005%, in patients with atopic dermatitis of the face and intertriginous areas

Background The treatment options for facial and intertriginous skin are limited because these sites are more susceptible to corticosteroid-induced atrophy. The long-term management of these corticosteroid-sensitive sites requires the use of dosing regimens that are effective, but also safe. Methods The affected areas in 21 patients with atopic dermatitis were treated twice daily for 2 weeks, and then once daily for two consecutive days each week for eight more weeks. Results After 2 weeks, treatment success occurred in 95% of facial and intertriginous lesions and also in 95% of nonfacial, nonintertriginous lesions. During long-term therapy, treatment success was maintained in > 76% of facial and intertriginous lesions, and > 76% of other lesions. Recurrence rates were low, and skin atrophy and telangiectasia did not occur. Conclusions Patients with atopic dermatitis of facial and intertriginous areas were successfully treated with a limited application of fluticasone propionate ointment, 0.005%. The treatment resulted in rapid healing and provided efficacy with a low rate of recurrence and no evidence of skin atrophy or telangiectasia over 8 weeks.
Fruit characteristics of table fig (Ficus carica) cultivars in subtropical climate conditions of the Mediterranean region

Abstract Fig (Ficus carica) is one of the most important fruit species of Mediterranean countries. Turkey is one of top countries in the world for the production of various cultivars of fig. In this study, fruit quality characteristics of some fresh fig cultivars ('Bursa Siyahi’, ‘Yediveren’, ‘Sari Zeybek’, ‘Goklop’, ‘Morguz’, ‘Yesilguz') and 01‐IM‐02 genotype were determined in Kirikhan County, Hatay, Turkey, which has a Mediterranean climate. Several pomological characteristics of the genotype and cultivars were determined on 5‐year‐old trees during the 2001–03 growing season. Averaged over the 3 years, fruit weight was determined between 30.0 and 52.4 g; fruit width between 35.8 and 48.4 mm; fruit length between 36.2 and 48.3 mm; neck length between 3.1 and 7.2 mm; ostiole width between 0.8 and 2.4 mm; total soluble solid contents (TSS) between 22.7 and 27.2%; pH between 4.8 and 5.3; titratable acidity between 0.20 and 0.38%; and TSS/acidity between 75.4 and 139.0. Yield values ranged from 0.42 to 2.83...
Inequalities from Complex Analysis

Inequalities from Complex Analysis is a careful, friendly exposition of inequalities and positivity conditions for various mathematical objects arising in complex analysis. The author begins by defining the complex number field, and then discusses enough mathematical analysis to reach recently published research on positivity conditions for functions of several complex variables. The development culminates in complete proofs of a stabilization theorem relating two natural positivity conditions for real-valued polynomials of several complex variables. The reader will also encounter the Bergman kernel function, Fourier series, Hermitian linear algebra, the spectral theorem for compact Hermitian operators, plurisubharmonic functions, and some delightful inequalities. Numerous examples, exercises, and discussions of geometric reasoning appear along the way. Undergraduate mathematics majors who have seen elementary real analysis can easily read the first five chapters of this book, and second year graduate students in mathematics can read the entire text. Some physicists and engineers may also find the topics and discussions useful. The inequalities and positivity conditions herein form the foundation for a small but beautiful part of complex analysis. John P. D'Angelo was the 1999 winner of the Bergman Prize; he was cited for several important contributions to complex analysis, including his work on degenerate Levi forms and points of finite type, as well as work, some joint with David Catlin, on positivity conditions in complex analysis
Observation of direct multiquantum vibrational excitation in gas-surface scattering: NH3 on Au(111).

Vibrationally excited N${\mathrm{H}}_{3}$ molecules are observed in the scattering of N${\mathrm{H}}_{3}$ ($v=0$) from Au(111). We observe up to three quanta of vibrational excitation in the ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{2}$ "umbrella" vibrational mode of N${\mathrm{H}}_{3}$. The vibrational excitation probability scales linearly with the kinetic energy of the incident beam above a threshold energy corresponding to the quanta excited, and is independent of the surface temperature, ${T}_{s}$, over the range $300 \mathrm{K}\ensuremath{\le}{T}_{s}\ensuremath{\le}800 \mathrm{K}$. These results are discussed in terms of an electronically adiabatic collisional mechanism for vibrational excitation.
The case for dynamic difficulty adjustment in games

Conventional wisdom suggests that while players enjoy unpredictability or novelty during gameplay experiences, they will feel "cheated" if games are adjusted during or across play sessions. In order for adjustment to be effective, it must be performed without disrupting or degrading the core player experience. This paper examines basic design requirements for effective dynamic difficulty adjustment (DDA) given this constraint, presents an interactive DDA system (Hamlet), and offers preliminary evaluation results which challenge common assumptions about player enjoyment and adjustment dynamics.
N‐terminal methionine removal and methionine metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Methionine aminopeptidase (MetAP) catalyzes removal of the initiator methionine from nascent polypeptides. In eukaryotes, there are two forms of MetAP, type 1 and type 2, whose combined activities are essential, but whose relative intracellular roles are unclear. Methionine metabolism is an important aspect of cellular physiology, involved in oxidative stress, methylation, and cell cycle. Due to the potential of MetAP activity to provide a methionine salvage pathway, we evaluated the relationship between methionine metabolism and MetAP activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We provide the first demonstration that yeast MetAP1 plays a significant role in methionine metabolism, namely, preventing premature activation of MET genes through MetAP function in methionine salvage. Interestingly, in cells lacking MetAP1, excess methionine dramatically inhibits cell growth. Growth inhibition is independent of the ability of methionine to repress MET genes and does not result from inhibition of synthesis of another metabolite, rather it results from product inhibition of MetAP2. Inhibition by methionine is selective for MetAP2 over MetAP1. These results provide an explanation for the previously observed dominance of MetAP1 in terms of N-terminal processing and cell growth in yeast. Additionally, differential regulation of the two isoforms may be indicative of different intracellular roles for the two enzymes. J. Cell. Biochem. 89: 964–974, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Woody biomass production systems for Florida

Woody biomass production research in Florida has addressed genetic improvement, coppice productivity, clonal propagation, biomass properties, and economics of Eucalyptus and other species in short rotation, intensive culture systems. Improved E. grandis seedlings could more than double productivity, but exceptional clones offer more immediate potential in southern Florida. E. tereticornis and E. camaldulensis appear to have frost-resistance and good growth in central and southern Florida. For northern Florida, E. amplifolia has good frost-resilience and coppicing ability. Eucalyptus species are suitable for fermentation processes. Other promising species include Casuarina glauca and Taxodium distichum in southern Florida, and Sapium sebiferum state-wide. Break-even costs for biomass production systems with Eucalyptus range from approximately $2.00 to $4.00 GJ−1; short rotation culture appears feasible for slash pine in northern and central Florida but cannot yet be advised for sand pine.
Economic planning based on social preference functions

Abstract We argue that the most desirable social welfare functions for practical use (here sometimes called social preference functions) are those determined by Σ i log ( u i ( x )− α ) where u i ( x ) is the utility of alternative x to individual i and α is the minimum standard of living decided upon by the society.
XFace, an X tool for presenting multivariate data, and its use with software metrics

XFace is a tool for displaying on X devices multivariate data as graphical images called Flury-Riedwyl faces. The tool allows the user to map variables to facial features such as eye size, slant, and position; pupil size and position; eyebrow curvature, density, and position; hair color and line; mouth curvature and size; face line; and nose shape. Symmetric faces support up to 17 variables and asymmetric faces support up to 34 variables. The menu-driven tool was developed in C and uses X Windows with Athena Widgets for portability. The system was developed to display software metrics. A manager may map each module's metrics to a face so that a quick scan determines modules with characteristics that vary from the project norm and which may require attention. >
Complementation of anti-CEA and anti-TAG-72 monoclonal antibodies in reactivity to human gastric adenocarcinomas

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) B72.3 and MAb COL-4 are reactive with the high-molecular-weight (Mr greater than 10(6] tumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG)-72, and the Mr 180,000 carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), respectively. Antibody competition radioimmunoassays (RIAs) using 125I-MAb B72.3 or 125I-COL-4 have demonstrated that each MAb also recognizes a distinct antigenic determinant. Solid-phase RIAs using MAbs B72.3 and COL-4, however, demonstrated similar reactivity for each MAb with gastric carcinomas versus normal gastric mucosa. Tissue sections from all of 17 gastric adenocarcinomas also reacted with both MAb B72.3 and MAb COL-4 when immunoperoxidase techniques were used. Double-staining techniques using both MAbs on the same section were performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded gastric tissue sections using the combination of avidin-biotin peroxidase complex and avidin-biotin alkaline phosphatase complex immunohistochemical methods. The double-staining technique revealed that some carcinoma cells react with MAb B72.3, some react with MAb COL-4, and others react with both MAbs. This technique has demonstrated that more carcinoma cells can be detected by both MAbs as compared to the number of stomach carcinoma cells shown to be reactive with either one or the other MAb. These studies thus define the rationale for the use of combinations of MAbs which recognize different tumor-associated antigens as immunological adjuncts for detection and perhaps therapy of gastric carcinoma.
Room temperature synthesis of nanocrystalline NbC powder

Abstract Synthesis of nanocrystalline NbC was explored via mechanochemical processing. The reaction mixture comprised of NbCl 5 and CaC 2 . Fifteen minutes of high energy milling was sufficient to effectively transform the reaction mixture into nanocrystalline NbC. CaCl 2 and elemental C which is formed as by-product was successfully separated and leached out using centrifuge and distilled water.
Coring sampler for chemical analyses of soft sediments

A coring device, made from standard plumbing parts, is discussed. It is particularly useful for sampling and maintaining the depth profile of the soft sediments underlying relatively shallow waters. The device uses an easily detachable, inexpensive coring tube which can be destroyed in segmenting the sample. A special coring tube into which chemically sensitive probes can be inserted for analyses of depth profiles is described.
Increased intragallbladder pressure stimulates gallbladder eicosanoid release

Abstract The stimulus for increased gallbladder eicosanoid synthesis during cholecystitis is unknown. This study examines the hypothesis that increased intragallbladder pressure stimulates endogenous gallbladder eicosanoid release. Rabbit gallbladders were perfused in vitro at 1 ml/minute with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer and subjected to 0, 12 or 24 mm Hg of intraluminal gallbladder pressure. Release of 6-keto-PGF 1α , PGE 2 and thromboxane B 2 were measured in all groups after 15 and 30 and 60 minutes of perfusion by enzyme immunoassay and gallbladders were examined histologically. Increasing intraluminal gallbladder pressure concomitantly increased gallbladder 6-keto-PGF 1α release 2 fold or more at all time of perfusion and altered gallbladder mucosal architecture by increasing basolateral edema in the submucosal space. Infusion of indomethacin (10 μg/ml in the perfusion media) decreased 6-keto-PGF 1α release from the in vitro perfused gallbladders subjected to 24 mm Hg by 70%. Increased gallbladder eicosanoid release during early cholecystitis may in part be related to the physical force of increased gallbladder intraluminal pressure on the gallbladder mucosa.
Sub-protocol-evaluators for attribute grammars

This paper presents a new strategy for evaluating attribute grammars, sub-protocol attribute evaluation, and gives an algorithm for constructing sub-protocol-evaluators. Sub-protocol-evaluators can be built for any non-circular attribute grammar; this paper describes how to construct them for absolutely noncircular grammars [4]. Sub-protocol-evaluators are most easily understood as a simple optimization of another evaluator we call the protocol-evaluator. The protocol-evaluator has elements in common with the tree-walk evaluator of Kennedy-Warren [4] and with Nielson's direct evaluator [6]; it can be viewed as a refinement of each of these. Furthermore, the uniform AGs, proposed by Warren [9], and the ordered AGs, proposed by Kastens [3], are both subclasses of grammars for which especially efficient protocol-evaluators can be built.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Primary Envelopment: UL34 Protein Modification and the US3-UL34 Catalytic Relationship

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) US3 kinase is likely important for primary envelopment of progeny nucleocapsids since it localizes to the nuclear envelope of infected cells and largely determines the phosphorylation state and localization of the necessary primary envelopment factor, the UL34 protein. In HEp-2 cells, the production of infectious US3 null progeny is delayed and decreased relative to that of the parental strain, HSV-1(F). Furthermore, the US3 kinase affects the morphology of primary envelopment such that in its absence, UL34 protein-containing enveloped virions accumulate within membrane-bound vesicles. These vesicles are most often found along the interior periphery of the nucleus and may be derived from the inner nuclear membrane. Since the US3 and UL34 proteins comprise a kinase-substrate pair, a reasonable hypothesis is that the US3 kinase influences these replication parameters by direct phosphorylation of the UL34 protein. For this report, recombinant viruses were constructed to determine the significance of UL34 protein phosphorylation and US3 catalytic activity on UL34 protein localization, single-step growth, and envelopment morphology in both HEp-2 and Vero cells. The data presented suggest that the significance of UL34 phosphorylation is cell type dependent and that efficient viral morphogenesis requires US3-mediated phosphorylation of an infected cell protein other than UL34.
Defective modernization and health in Mexico

This paper uses data gathered in a semi-arid, mountain region of the border state of Sonora, Mexico to illustrate that modernization and the importation of urban ideas and values can influence health status in unexpected ways. It traces the historic process of modernization in a rural municipio, relating this to social promises and economic cycles in Mexico. Modernization is seen to encompass life standard improvements and access to medical care; extension of road and transportation systems; and the widespread availability of information and education, as well as lifestyle changes required to incorporate these 'urban' influences. Reviewing the link between climate and health in arid lands, the paper notes that such modernization can be a well-meaning intrusion upon a set of cultural and social practices which had proved adaptive in dealing with climatic extremes. Initial modernization produces impressive declines in mortality and morbidity, as illustrated in an analysis of mortality figures and causes in relation to age cohorts and decades for the years 1955-1984. However, reductions in epidermic-related infant mortality are shown to be offset by increases in deaths due to trauma, chronic conditions and endemic disease. An analysis of morbidity for the year 1983-84 indicates that continuing high rates of infectious disease are related to conditions which result from increasingly defective modernization. To maintain technology, including water, electrical, and sewage systems, continual capital expenditure on both the public and private level is required. The economic crisis in Mexico is reducing available funds at a time when the community has adjusted its traditional lifestyle to incorporate technological improvements. In light of this, it is likely that inroads against infectious disease will not just continue to be stalemated, but could actually be reversed. This finding has implications for towns and villages on both sides of the Mexican-American border.
Antidepressant therapy in 138 patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a five-year clinical experience.

SUMMARY Background: Antidepressant agents may have a therapeutic role in functional gastroenterologic disorders, but controlled investigations in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have not provided satisfactory practice recommendations. To help with future study design, we reviewed a five-year clinical experience with antidepressant agents in out-patients with IBS. Methods: Presenting features, treatment course, and clinical outcome were determined from a chart review of 138 patients attending a university-based gastroenterology practice. Results: Patients were treated with up to five antidepressants in separate, consecutive trials if a satisfactory end-point had not been reached. Tricyclic antidepressants were utilized 130 times, newer antidepressants 39 times, and anxiolytic-antidepressants 47 times. Improvement and complete remission in bowel symptoms occurred in 89% and 61% of patients, respectively, during antidepressant therapy. Median dosages being prescribed when remission occurred were less than those conventionally used in clinical psychiatry (50 mg/day for several tricyclic antidepressants). Age, gender, symptom duration, and presence of psychological symptoms did not discriminate those who remitted from those who did not, whereas a pain predominant symptom pattern was more commonly associated with symptom remission (P < 0.05 comparing symptom patterns). Symptom remission was more likely during the first antidepressant treatment than with subsequent trials in the group with continued symptoms (P = 0.01), but nearly half of the patients with side effects or no benefit from the first agent who went on to subsequent trials remitted during treatment with an alternative antidepressant. Conclusions: The design of this retrospective review is not capable of determining the efficacy of antidepressants for IBS. Our observations in conjunction with other available data suggest that future trials should employ low daily dosages, carefully assess pain response, include patients with and without active psychiatric symptoms, and utilize a second agent for subjects intolerant or unresponsive to the first.
Impact of Thermal Gradients on Wind Tunnel Force Measurements

NASA LaRC has initiated a program to find a more effective method for compensating for thermal gradients. The program (Thermally-Induced Gradient Effects Research, TIGER) places temperature sensors on the measurement balance to determine the appropriate thermal gradients and then factor out their effects. Part of the research, however, is to determine how many temperature sensors are necessary and in which locations. To help answer these questions, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) was developed to analyze data from the balance and determine the most important temperature sensors. This paper presents results from the GA as well as issues/problems that the GA output raises.
Molecular dynamics simulations in solvent of the glucocorticoid receptor protein in complex with a glucocorticoid response element DNA sequence.

Abstract We investigated protein/DNA interactions, using molecular dynamics simulations computed in solvent, between the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) DNA binding domain (DBD) amino acids and DNA of a glucocorticoid receptor response element (GRE). We compared findings obtained from a fully solvated 80 Angstrom water droplet GR DBD/GRE model with those from a 10 Angstrom water layer GR DBD/GRE model. Hydrogen bonding interactions were monitored. In addition, van der Waals and electrostatic interaction energies were calculated. Molecular dynamics simulations from both models yielded similar findings; amino acids of the GR DBD DNA recognition helix formed both direct and water mediated hydrogen bonds at cognate codon/anticodon nucleotide base sites within the GRE right major groove halfsite. Likewise GR DBD amino acids in a beta strand structure adjacent to the DNA recognition helix formed both direct and water mediated hydrogen bonds at cognate codon/anticodon nucleotide base and backbone sites. We also inv...
Ultrastructure of the human dermal microcirculation: the horizontal plexus of the papillary dermis.

Electron microscopy was used to define the ultrastructure of the various segments of the human cutaneous microcirculation in normal forearm skin. The organization of the vessels in the horizontal plexus of the papillary dermis was reconstructed from 1-μm plastic-embedded sections. Ultrathin sections were taken at 10- to 20-μm intervals over a distance of 450 μm. Arterioles were followed through the capillary bed to their venous connections. Terminal arterioles, arterial and venous capillaries and post-capillary venules were identified on the basis of size, cellular composition of their walls and their relationship to the other segments of the microvascular bed. The arterial segments were characterized by a homogeneous basement membrane and the venous segments by a multilaminated basement membrane. The elastic lamina in the arterioles was a discontinuous layer which gradually disappeared from the arteriolar wall to form an external sheath just before the arteriole connected with the arterial capillary segment. The vascular walls varied from 1 to 5 μm in all of the segments of the microvascular bed. Criteria are proposed for identifying the various segments of the microcirculation so that their roles in dermatoses and vascular malformations can he evaluated.
Systematics of Low Threshold Modulation Searches in DMS II

Abstract The Cryogenic Dark Matter Search experiment (CDMS II) used underground-based germanium and silicon detectors to search for the scattering of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs), which are among the leading candidates for the dark matter component of the universe. Using the ionization and athermal phonons measured in particle interactions, CDMS II was able to achieve excellent discrimination between the nuclear recoils expected for WIMP interactions and radioactively produced electron recoils. With the rise of interest in the low energy interactions of light mass WIMPs, the SuperCDMS collaboration has undertaken a search for an annually modulating signal at low thresholds in the CDMS II data. Previous results detailed the analysis of data from eight germanium detectors over the course of six runs, to thresholds of 5 keVnr (nuclear recoil equivalent energy). We will discuss the impact of systematics at these low thresholds and their implications for thresholds down to 2.27 keVnr.
Environmental Temperature and Dietary Lysine Effects on Free Amino Acids in Plasma

Abstract Broiler chicks were reared to 5 weeks of age in environmental chambers maintained at 7.2°C. and 32.2°C. with dewpoints of 0° and 10°C., respectively. In 2 trials chicks were fed commercial broiler diets and in 3 trials they were fed diets supplying 60, 100 and 130 percent of the dietary lysine requirement. Free amino acids in plasma were measured. Chicks at 7.2°C. had reduced concentrations of alanine, arginine and tyrosine but had increased levels of cystine, ornithine and lysine, when compared to the values for chicks at 32.2°C. The increased plasma lysine could result from its relative difficulty of catabolism in comparison with the other amino acids. It is suggested that the high level of plasma lysine in chicks kept at 7.2°C. results in an increased breakdown of arginine to ornithine.
Cyclin A regulates kinetochore microtubules to promote faithful chromosome segregation

The most conspicuous event in the cell cycle is the alignment of chromosomes in metaphase. Chromosome alignment fosters faithful segregation through the formation of bi-oriented attachments of kinetochores to spindle microtubules. Notably, numerous kinetochore-microtubule (k-MT) attachment errors are present in early mitosis (prometaphase), and the persistence of those errors is the leading cause of chromosome mis-segregation in aneuploid human tumour cells that continually mis-segregate whole chromosomes and display chromosomal instability. How robust error correction is achieved in prometaphase to ensure error-free mitosis remains unknown. Here we show that k-MT attachments in prometaphase cells are considerably less stable than in metaphase cells. The switch to more stable k-MT attachments in metaphase requires the proteasome-dependent destruction of cyclin A in prometaphase. Persistent cyclin A expression prevents k-MT stabilization even in cells with aligned chromosomes. By contrast, k-MTs are prematurely stabilized in cyclin-A-deficient cells. Consequently, cells lacking cyclin A display higher rates of chromosome mis-segregation. Thus, the stability of k-MT attachments increases decisively in a coordinated fashion among all chromosomes as cells transit from prometaphase to metaphase. Cyclin A creates a cellular environment that promotes microtubule detachment from kinetochores in prometaphase to ensure efficient error correction and faithful chromosome segregation.
The effect of additive noise on speech amplitude spectra: a quantitative analysis

This article analyzes the effect of additive noise on speech amplitude spectra, and introduces a method to estimate speech spectra from noisy observations. Estimated spectra are used to compute the Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients as a recognition front-end. Compared to linear spectral subtraction, this technique improves the performance of digit recognition in noise.
In Search of the Fountain of Youth

In Greek mythology, Klotho spins the thread of life. In human biology, Klotho protein was so named when researchers discovered that mutations that interrupt its normal function result in a shorter thread of life that is attributable to accelerated aging.1 From its initial discovery, the kidney and its role in phosphate and calcium handling have been at the epicenter of the Klotho story.
An outpatient multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation program was effective in disabling chronic lung disease

Source Citation Griffiths TL, Burr ML, Campbell IA, et al. Results at 1 year of outpatient multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2000 Jan 29;355:362-8. ...
Gastrointestinal lymphomas: Morphology, immunophenotype and molecular features

Primary gastrointestinal lymphoma comprises 10-15% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas and encompasses 30-40% of the total extranodal lymphomas. Approximately 60-75% of cases occur in the stomach, and then the small bowel, ileum, cecum, colon and rectum. Lymphoid neoplasms may consist of mature B, T and less commonly extranodal NK/T cells. Of these, the two most frequently encountered histologic subtypes are extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma), where Helicobacter pylori infection is implicated in a number of cases, and diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Several B cell lymphomas are associated with chromosomal aberrations. Enteropathy-associated T cell lymphoma, type I in particular, usually arises in a background of celiac disease. T cell gene rearrangement confirms clonality. NK/T cell neoplasms are invariably associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection and are often aggressive; thus, differentiation from a benign NK-cell enteropathy is paramount. Although incidence of other hematopoietic malignancies in the gastrointestinal tract such as plasma cell myeloma associated with amyloidosis, plasmablastic lymphoma, Hodgkin disease, histiocytic sarcoma and mast cell sarcoma is extremely rare, these entities have been documented, with the latter two demonstrating aggressive clinical behavior. Endoscopic ultrasonography is an important adjunct in disease staging and follow-up. Conservative antibiotic treatment of stage I MALT lymphomas with associated Helicobacter pylori infection achieves good clinical outcome with high remission rate. Chemotherapy, radiation and rarely surgery are reserved for advanced diseases or cases resistant to conservative therapy and those not associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.
Constrained sum and difference pattern synthesis for a circular array

A method is presented for synthesizing the constrained sum and difference pattern of a circular array used by a secondary surveillance radar. The technique, based on the sample matrix inversion (SMI) approach, is shown to be considerably more efficient than solving the problem by nonlinear, iterative optimization. It is applied to measured data from a 108-element circular L-band array.
Downstream Complications Following Urinary Diversion

Purpose: Surveillance following urinary diversion should be tailored to capture complications downstream from the initial reconstruction. Most analyses of the morbidity associated with urinary diversion are restricted to the index admission or the immediate postoperative period. We characterize the long-term medical and surgical complications and burden of health care use after urinary diversion.Materials and Methods: Using the 5% Medicare sample from 1998 to 2005 we identified individuals who underwent cutaneous and orthotopic continent urinary diversion, ileal conduit or other types of diversion including enterocystoplasty from physician claims for the index admission. We restricted our sample to subjects with claims 1 year before surgery and at least 2 years after the diversion. We included benign and malignant primary diagnoses, and evaluated the incidence of medical and surgical complications 2 and 5 years after surgery. We stratified complications by diversion type and compared long-term complicatio...
Nomadic radio: scaleable and contextual notification for wearable audio messaging

Mobile workers need seamless access to communication and information services on portable devices. However current solutions overwhelm users with intrusive and ambiguous notifications. In this paper, we describe scaleable auditory techniques and a contextual notification model for providing timely information, while minimizing interruptions. Users actions influence local adaptation in the model. These techniques are demonstrated in Nomadic Radio, an audio-only wearable computing platform.
Centerline registration of prone and supine CT colonography scans based on correlation optimized warping and anatomical landmarks

In this paper, we propose an automated method for colon registration from supine and prone scans. We formulate the colon registration problem as time series matching along the centerline of the colon. Four anatomical salient points on the colon are distinguished first. They can be viewed as landmarks along the central path of the colon. Then correlation optimized warping is applied to the segments defined by the anatomical landmarks to find better global registration based on local correlation of segments. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, we use polyp location as a measure for the registration error. We tested the algorithm on a CTC dataset of 12 patients with 14 polyps. Experimental results show that by using our method, the estimation error of polyp location could be reduced 60.4% (from 47.2mm to 18.7mm on average) compared to a dynamic warping algorithm.
Targeted and Microdose Chemical Applications

In cropping systems, the precise application of herbicides is important for efficacious weed control. By using plant recognition and precision application technology targeting individual plants, off-target movement can be eliminated and herbicide rates significantly reduced without sacrificing yields. Highly targeted applications of nonselective herbicides into a growing sensitive crop are novel operations, nonexistent before the development of plant-specific targeting. New application technologies are essential when spatial rather than chemical selectively is to be deployed. In many potential applications, the chemical delivery system becomes the spatial resolution and speed limiting factor in the system.
First Report on Tobacco mild green mosaic virus in Calibrachoa Plants (Calibrachoa × hybrida) in Mississippi

Six calibrachoa plants displaying reduced growth, general chlorosis, and blistering on the foliage were purchased from a retail store in Starkville, MS in 2007 and tested for possible virus infections. Transmission electron microscope observations of leaf-dip preparations revealed the presence of rigid rod virions reminiscent of tobamoviruses in all samples. The virus was easily mechanically transmissible and induced systemic mosaic/mottling/necrosis symptoms in inoculated Nicotiana benthamiana, N. tabacum cvs. Xanthi and Turkish, N. rustica, N. clevelandii, and N. glutinosa plants as well as in pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. Sweet banana). In double antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA tests, the virus reacted slightly with antibodies to Tobacco mosaic virus and Tomato mosaic virus (Agdia Inc, Elkhart, IN) indicating a serological relationship with these two viruses. Final identification of the virus was done by cloning and sequencing a 450-bp-long portion of the viral genome spanning the carboxy terminus of the v...
Stoichiometry of the Ribulose-1, 5-Bisphosphate Oxygenase Reaction

Fraction I protein from leaves of Spinacia oleracea was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity using ammonium sulphate fractionation, ion-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. The purified protein exhibited a 280 nm/260 nm ratio of 1-81 and a sedimentation coefficient of 20-6S. The stoichiometry of the ribulose-l,5-bisphosphate oxygenase reaction was determined for 02 consumption and phosphoglycolic and phosphoglyceric acid production. For every 0-87 ± 0-07 /?mol 02 consumed there were 0-83 ± 0-04 /?mol phosphoglycolic acid and 0-87 ± 0-13 /?mol phosphoglyceric acid produced. Hydroxylapatite column chromatography was found to be effective in the purification of glycolic acid oxidase.
Developments Toward a Micro Bistable Aerial Platform: Analysis of the Quadrantal Bistable Mechanism

The Bistable Aerial Platform (BAP) functions as a switch in that its platform can lock in two positions, up or down. The Quadrantal Bistable Mechanism (QBM), the principle component of the BAP, is described in detail. A second component of the device, the Helico-Kinematic Platform (HKP), is still under investigation. It is anticipated that the model of the QBM, described here, will be combined with the HKP model, when complete, to form a full model of the Bistable Aerial Platform.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Prenatal attachment and other correlates of postnatal maternal attachment to twins.

ABSTRACTPURPOSETo determine the relationship of prenatal attachment and other selected perinatal contextual variables (method of delivery, maternal self-reported health, depression, infant birthweight, need for neonatal intensive care unit [NICU] admission) to postnatal attachment in mothers of twin