cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Demonstration of functional coupling between dopamine synthesis and its packaging into synaptic vesicles

We have previously shown that the membrane-associated form of the GABA-synthesizing enzyme, glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD65), is activated by synaptic vesicle proton gradient-mediated protein phosphorylation. We now report that the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine (DA) biosynthesis, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), is regulated similarly to GAD65. The membrane-associated form of TH (MTH) was activated by conditions favoring protein phosphorylation (e.g. ATP) and was inhibited by phosphatase (e.g. calf intestine phosphatase). Furthermore, the ATP-mediated activation of MTH was abolished by conditions that disrupted the proton gradient of synaptic vesicles, e.g. the presence of carbonyl cyanide m-chorophenylhydrazone, gramicidin, or the V-type ATPase inhibitor (bafilomycin), but not the P-type ATPase inhibitor (vanadate). Moreover, DA newly synthesized from tyrosine by MTH and membrane-associated aromatic amino acid decarboxylase was taken up preferentially rather than pre-existing DA. Therefore, the previously proposed model showing close coupling between GABA synthesis and GABA packaging into synaptic vesicles by vesicular GABA transporters is also applicable to the DA system. Hence, it is concluded that there is a general coupling mechanism between neurotransmitter synthesis and packaging of transmitter into synaptic vesicles.
The influence of experimentally induced hepatotoxicity on the pressor responses to vasoactive substances in beagle dogs.

Abstract This investigation was undertaken to study the influence of chemically induced hepatotoxicity in beagles upon the pressor responses to angiotensin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Dogs were administered either CCl 4 (2.0 ml/kg for 2 days) or ethionine (25 or 50 mg/kg for 18–20 days). Hepatotoxicity was confirmed by elevation of SGOT, alkaline phosphatase, and/or plasma half-life of indocyanine green. The animals were then anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium, and the pressor responses to graded doses of angiotensin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine were determined and compared to responses obtained in normal anesthetized animals. Ethionine treatment resulted in a reduction of systolic pressor responses to angiotensin of about 35%. Diastolic pressor responses were decreased approximately 25%. The systolic pressor responses to norepinephrine were reduced by approximately 25%, while the diastolic pressor responses were not significantly altered. Ethionine treatment only slightly depressed the pressor responses to epinephrine. CCl 4 treatment potentiated the pressor effects of the vasopressor agents. Histomorphologic data confirmed the clinical findings of hepatotoxicity.
Early lactation responses of dairy cows administered bovine somatotropin and fed diets high in energy and protein.

Abstract Early lactation dairy cows (n=36) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to evaluate responses to rbST when cows were fed a control diet or one simultaneously elevated in dietary energy (fat) and CP (primarily rumen undegradable) between 25 and 150 d postpartum. Supplemental dietary fat and undegradable intake protein had no effect on milk yield with or without rbST. Cows fed the higher density diet returned to a positive energy balance approximately 3 wk earlier than those fed the control diet when both received rbST. Change in BW was unaffected by treatments. Body condition scores at the end of the treatment period and reproductive performance were lower in cows administered rbST. Somatotropin significantly increased 3.5% FCM and milk fat yield and tended to increase milk fat percentage when combined with the high nutrient density diet. However, the high density diet significantly depressed both yield and percentage milk protein, which likely was related to the added fat. Intakes of DM, energy, and protein were not altered by rbST or the feeding of a high density diet. Somatotropin, but not diet, significantly improved all measures of efficiency. Feeding more nutrient dense diets to rbST-treated cows in negative energy balance did not affect adipose tissue responsiveness to β-adrenergic agonist. The current NRC nutrient recommendations for high producing cows appear adequate for cows administered rbST.
The localization of GABAA receptors in mice with mutations affecting the structure and connectivity of the cerebellum.

Abstract The distribution of cerebellar [3H]muscimol binding sites was studied autoradiographically in normal C57BL/6J mice and in the weaver, reeler, Purkinje cell degeneration and staggerer mutant mice. In the normal 79-day-old mouse cerebellum, the highest concentration of [3H]muscimol binding sites was observed in the granule cell layer. A much lower grain density was present over the Purkinje cell and molecular layers and negligible numbers of binding sites were seen over the deep cerebellar nuclei and white matter. A significant decrease in [3H]muscimol labeling was observed over the cerebellar cortex of the 81–86-day-old weaver mutant; this was most pronounced in the vermis where granule cell loss was the greatest. Over the hemispheres, where fewer granule cells degenerate, a higher density of binding sites remained. In the 27–29-day-old reeler cerebellum, where Purkinje cells are malpositioned, no labeling was seen over the deep Purkinje cell masses. In the quasi-normal superficial cortex, labeling density over the surviving granule cell layer was only slightly decreased. In the 54–57-day-old Purkinje cell degeneration mutant, where essentially all Purkinje cells have disappeared by day 45, a 29% decrease in grain density over the granule cell layer was observed, while labeling was still present in the molecular layer. Virtually no [3H]muscimol labeling was detected over any part of the cerebellar cortex of the 25–27-day-old staggerer mutant (which lacks parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses), although clusters of surviving granule cells were present in significant numbers in the lateral aspects of the cortex. Our autoradiographic data indicate that GABAA receptors are associated with granule cells in both the molecular and granule cell layers. Furthermore, our results raise the possibility that the maintenance of receptor levels may be dependent upon synaptic contacts between the granule cell and its main postsynaptic target, the Purkinje cell.
The “Environmental Justice” Frame: A Conceptual Discussion and an Application

Drawing on a social constructionist perspective, this paper: (1) identifies some of the most salient dimensions of the “environmental justice” frame as it has emerged from local community struggles over toxic contamination in the United States; and (2) provides an empirical illustration of the emergence and application of this concept in a particular contaminated community, the Carver Terrace neighborhood of Texarkana, Texas. Carver Terrace, an African-American community consisting mostly of homeowners, recently organized to win a federal buyout and relocation after being declared a Superfund site in 1984. Using case study evidence, the paper argues that the residents' ability to mobilize for social change was intimately linked to their adoption of an “environmental justice” frame. The intent of the conceptual discussion of environmental justice and the case study is to clarify the meaning of a term used with increasing frequency and some ambiguity in both popular and academic discourses. This paper documents the process by which the environmental justice frame is constructed in an interplay between the local community and national levels of the antitoxics movement.
The reasons for replacement and the age of failed restorations in general dental practice

A cross-sectional survey among practitioners in Sweden treating adult patients was initiated to record the reasons for replacement of composite, amalgam, and glass ionomer restorations and to compare the findings with those obtained about 16 years ago. The age of the failed restorations was also recorded. The clinical diagnosis of secondary caries was the main reason for the replacement of all three types of restorations. The diagnosis was significantly higher for amalgam restorations than for composite and glass ionomer restorations. No statistically significant differences could be found in the diagnosis of secondary caries between composite and glass ionomer restorations. Major changes in the reasons for replacement of composite restorations were noted by comparing the present results with those from 16 years ago. A notable difference was seen with regard to a decrease in the relative frequency of replacements due to composite degradation/wear and an increase in the replacements due to bulk and marginal fractures. The reasons for replacement of amalgam restorations had remained much the same over the 16 years. The report that half the glass ionomer restorations replaced had the diagnosis secondary caries was by far the most surprising result. The age of the failed restorations were reported for a limited number of restorations. The median age was about 6 years for composite, almost 9 years for amalgam, and just more than 3 years for glass ionomer restorations.
Deformational models of rifting and folding on Venus

Features of presumed tectonic origin on Venus are reviewed, and lithospheric strength envelopes are derived based on laboratory measurements of the deformational properties of crustal and subcrustal rocks, extrapolated to conditions appropriate to Venus. Models for rifting and folding are developed that use this lithospheric structure and take into account both brittle and ductile yielding as well as finite elastic strength. For both rifting and folding, structures with characteristic widths and spacings are predicted whose size depends on the thickness of the lithosphere, density contrast, and elastic properties of the layer. Finally, the model predictions are compared with the widths and spacings of observed tectonic features, and it is concluded that they are consistent with a relatively strong mantle layer separated from a thin brittle surface layer by a ductile lower crust. These results allow constraints to be placed on the crustal thickness and thermal gradient on Venus.
Managing Arrhythmias before and after Aortic Valve Surgery in Children

The proximity of the coronary arteries and the bundle of His to the aortic valve may contribute to the pathogenesis of arrhythmias in patients with aortic valve disease. Severe aortic valve disease may also adversely alter left ventricular hemodynamics (end-diastolic dimensions and wall stress) and thus create a substrate for ventricular arrhythmias before any intervention is performed. The severity of these arrhythmias depends on the severity of the underlying substrate (or the specific problem, such as aortic stenosis or aortic regurgitation), the age at which the aortic valve intervention was performed, the type of intervention (i.e. transcatheter aortic valve interventions or open aortic valve replacement or repair), and the reversibility of the altered hemodynamics after surgery. Both bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias are known complications of aortic valve interventions. Although data are scant, this review summarizes the incidence of arrhythmias before and after aortic valve interventions from a pediatric perspective.
In Vivo Determination Of Attenuation Coefficients For Radiation Therapy

In order to accurately calculate dose distributions for patients in radiation therapy, it is necessary to define and consider in the calculations any inhanogeneities present in the irradiated volume. This study evaluates the mathematical foundations of a new method to determine the local densities (attenuation coefficients or electron concentrations). This method is based on measurements of the way in which the body section transmits high energy photons for a number of angular projections and a mathematical transform to reconstruct the point-for-point density. Several such reconstruction methods have been presented in the literature. This work deals with the application of these techniques to the radiotherapy problem by investigating which transform is most suitable and what the requirements are on the measurement technique. Four algorithms for reconstructing the attenuation coefficients within the body have been compared: 1. the convolution method; 2. the use of a simple numerical solution of the Radon transform; 3. the use of the fast Fourier algorithm to implement the Fourier transform reconstruction method; 4. the iterative Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (ART). The comparison has been based on the precision of the reconstruction method when applied to computer simulated transmission data. The problem of statistical fluctuations in the transmitted signal has been considered as has the problem of scattered radiation reaching the detector. Patient dose has been evaluated and the number of transmission measurements needed for a particular resolution has been determined. The results show that the first three methods give reconstructions that are quite similar in terms of their faithfulness of reproducing a known distribution of attenuation coefficients. The ART method did not perform as well as the others. Among methods (1), (2) and (3), the fast Fourier transform technique proved to be some 15 times more efficient in terms of computation time. Our findings also indicate that, for the radiotherapy problem, a total of about 25 projections are sufficient for obtaining an acceptable resolution.© (1975) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Chemical analysis in the submillimetre spectral region with a compact solid state system.

A new analytical system that uses the rotational signatures of gas phase molecules is described and demonstrated. It uses a solid state source to probe molecular systems in the millimetre and submillimetre wave range, the only region of the electromagnetic spectrum not yet used extensively for analytical purposes. It employs the FAst Scan Submillimetre Spectroscopy Technique (FASSST), which leads to an especially simple system architecture. Among the attributes of the system are generality, sensitivity, ‘absolute’ specificity, small size, simplicity, and the potential for very low cost. Applications to problems of analytical interest are also discussed.
Analytical chemistry and the ‘big’ scientific instrumentation revolution

Summary By a close examination of changes in analytical chemistry between the years 1920 and 1950, I document the case that natural science has undergone and continues to undergo a major revolution. The central feature of this transformation is the rise in importance of scientific instrumentation. Prior to 1920, analytical chemists determined the chemical constitution of some unknown by treating it with a series of known compounds and observing the kind of reactions it underwent. After 1950, analytical chemists determined the chemical constitution of an unknown by using a variety of instruments which allow one to discriminate chemicals in terms of their physical properties. This transformation involved changes in the practice of analytical chemistry. It involved the development of a new family of scientific instrument-making companies, and a new level of capital expenditure necessary to do analytical chemistry. It involved the development of new means to disseminate information about scientific instrument...
Augmenting real-world objects: a paper-based audio notebook

The Audio Notebook allows a user to capture and access an audio recording of a lecture or meeting in conjunction with notes written on paper. The audio recording is synchronized with the user’s handwritten notes and page turns. As a user flips through physical pages of notes, the audio scans to the start of each page. Audio is also accessed by pointing with a pen to a location in the notes or using an audio scrollbar. A small observational study of users in real settings was performed. The prototype did not interfere with the user’s normal interactions yet gave reassurance that key ideas could be accessed later. In future work, automatic segmentation of the recorded speech using acoustic cues will be combined with user activity to structure the audio.
Redefining the clinical relationship in the era of incentives.

Nearly two decades have passed since publication of Emanuel and Emanuel's (1992) now often-cited article “Four Models of the Physician–Patient Relationship”. Coinciding with the emergence of manage...
Pretreatment serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and breast cancer prognostic characteristics: a case-control and a case-series study.

Background Results from epidemiologic studies on the relationship between vitamin D and breast cancer risk are inconclusive. It is possible that vitamin D may be effective in reducing risk only of specific subtypes due to disease heterogeneity.
Bone scanning in the diagnosis of acute osteomyelitis

Fifty-nine patients with suspected osteomyelitis were referred to the Nuclear Medicine Service for bone scanning during a twelve month period. The bone scan correctly identified abnormal sites in 18 of 19 patients with osteomyelitis (sensitivity of 95%) while the radiograph detected only 6 of 19 (sensitivity of 32%). In this clinical setting, the bone scans and radiographs had specificities of 92% and 89% respectively. Technetium-99m phosphate radiopharmaceuticals are superior to the previously used isotopes of fluorine and strontium in that they are readily available, can be imaged with conventional instruments, and allow high quality scans to be completed within 4 h. Routine bone scanning should be performed in patients presenting with suspected osteomyelitis and normal radiographs. The scan can be helpful in confirming or excluding the clinical suspicion and can lead to a more rapid institution of appropriate treatment.
Off-Grid Solar for Rural Development

The World Bank estimates that over two billion people on the planet live their daily lives without access to basic, reliable electric services. Rural populations in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and island nations need clean water, health services, communications, and light at night. Small, simple, solar electric systems are part of the solution—increasing the quality of life, often at a cost that is less than what is presently being spent for kerosene, dry-cell batteries, and the recharging of automotive batteries that must be lugged to the nearest town on a weekly basis (see Figure 1).
Use of 18O3-clodronate as an internal standard for the quantitative analysis of clodronate in human plasma by gas chromatography/electron ionisation mass spectrometry

A sensitive and specific method for the quantitative determination of clodronate in human plasma is presented. The drug was extracted from plasma by anion-exchange chromatography and derivatised to the tetra-tert-butyldimethylsilyl derivative. 1 8 O 3 -Clodronate was prepared from unlabeled clodronate and used as an internal standard. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) under electron ionisation conditions was used for quantitative measurement of the drug, using m/z 643.16 and 651.17 for target and internal standard, respectively. Calibration graphs were linear within the range of 10-1280 ng/mL plasma. Intra-day precision was 1.8% (10 ng/mL), 0.5% (40 ng/ mL), 1.0% (120 ng/mL), 0.5% (200 ng/mL), 0.5% (400 ng/mL) and 2.7% (800 ng/mL) and inter-day variability was found to be 0.7% (10 ng/mL), 1.6% (40 ng/mL), 1.3% (120 ng/mL), 2.3% (200 ng/mL), 2.5% (400 ng/mL) and 1.2% (800 ng/mL). Intra-day accuracy showed deviations of 0.8% (10 ng/mL), 0.8% (40 ng/mL), 0.9% (120 ng/mL), 0.9% (200 ng/mL), 1.9% (400 ng/mL) and 0.3% (800 ng/mL) and intra-day accuracy was of -1.4% (10 ng/mL), 0.0% (40 ng/mL), -0.7% (120 ng/mL), -0.4% (200 ng/ mL), -1.2% (400 ng/mL) and -3.3% (800 ng/mL). The stable isotope labeled standard was found to be stable under analysis conditions.
Sulfur Dioxide Emissions and Market Effects under the Clean Air Act Acid Rain Program.

ABSTRACT The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA90) established a national program to control sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from electricity generation. CAAA90's market-based approach includes trading and banking of Soumissions allowances. We analyzed data describing electric utility SO2 emissions in 1995, the first year of the program's Phase I, and market effects over the 1990-1995 period. Fuel switching and flue-gas desulfurization were the dominant means used in 1995 by targeted generators to reduce emissions to 51% of 1990 levels. Flue-gas desulfur-ization costs, emissions allowance prices, low-sulfur coal prices, and average sulfur contents of coals shipped to electric utilities declined over the 1990-1995 period. Projections indicate that 13-15 million allowances will have been banked during the program's Phase I, which ends in 1999, a quantity expected to last through the first decade of the program's stricter Phase II controls. In 1995, both allowance prices and SO2 emissions were below pre-C...
Induction of dependence on ethanol by free-choice drinking in alcohol-preferring rats.

Abstract Studies were performed to examine whether chronic, voluntary consumption of ethanol by the selectively-bred, alcohol-preferring P-rats produces physical dependence. Body weight reduction, food restriction and flavoring the 10% ethanol solution increased ethanol consumption from 7 to 14 g ethanol/kg body weight/day when water was freely available. Under similar conditions, consumption by selectively-bred, alcohol-nonpreferring NP-rats increased from 1 to 12 g/kg/day. Removal of ethanol after eight weeks induced physical signs of withdrawal in both lines of animals. In two subsequent studies, P-rats were given food, water and unflavored 10% ethanol ad lib for 15 and 20 weeks; ethanol consumption was 7.2 and 5.6 g/kg/day, respectively. Upon removal of ethanol, manifestations of withdrawal, scored blind in one experiment, developed in 85% of the animals and persisted for 72 hours. Importantly, none in the control groups of P and NP rats given water only exhibited these signs. The ethanol withdrawn groups were hyperactive in both the open-field and the head-poke apparatus. These results indicate that sufficient ethanol was voluntarily consumed by the selectively-bred alcohol-preferring P-rats under free-feeding conditions to produce physical dependence.
The inhibition of photochemical smog VII. Inhibition by diethylhydroxylamine at atmospheric concentrations

Laboratory prepared mixtures of hydrocarbon and NO in O2 or air were irradiated in a cylindrical Pyrex reaction vessel using fluorescent lights, in 12-1 Pyrex bulbs using summer mid-day sunlight, or in 40 ft.3 Tedlar bags using summer mid-day sunlight. The effect of added diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA) was tested by measuring the change in the removal rate of hydrocarbon and NO, by the onset of O3 production, the maximum O3 concentrations reached and the time at the maximum. The initial concentrations of the reactants were varied from hydrocarbon levels (expressed as equivalent C2H4 concentrations based on HO radical reactivity) of 0.42–10 ppm and NO concentrations of 0.12–2.0 ppm. The results show the following: 1. (1) In fresh reaction vessels, the addition of DEHA at an initial concentration ≈25% that of a reactive hydrocarbon markedly reduces the photooxidation rate of hydrocarbon-NO mixtures in O2 at conditions corresponding to those in polluted urban atmospheres. The inhibition effect is not much influenced by the presence of SO2, the concentration of NO or the concentration of hydrocarbon, as long as the DEHA to hydrocarbon concentration ratio is held fixed. 2. (2) At DEHA to reactive hydrocarbon concentration ratios less than ≈10%, the inhibition vanishes, and can even be replaced by enhancement of the photooxidation rate in the presence of DEHA. This is attributed to the fact that at low [DEHA]/[hydrocarbon], the inhibition effect is so small that it is offset by the oxidation of DEHA to CH3CHO (+ C2H5NO2) which adds to the hydrocarbon loading and can enhance photochemical smog formation. 3. (3) In highly seasoned vessels, the inhibiting effect of DEHA seen in fresh vessels (either Pyrex or Tedlar) vanishes and can even shift to enhancement of the oxidation. This occurs because aerosol produced in early runs coats the vessel walls and then either degasses to increase the hydrocarbon loading or adsorbs DEHA to reduce the DEHA concentration, or both. 4. (4) For atmospheric conditions, results in 12-1 Pyrex vessels indicate that the introduction of DEHA at ≈40% of the effective C2H4 concentration (based on HO radical reactivity) can delay the onset of O3 production from 112h on the absence of DEHA to > 6 h in the presence of DEHA. Thus even under the most severe urban atmospheric hydrocarbon loadings, initial DEHA concentrations < 0.3 ppm should be adequate to markedly inhibit the onset of photochemical smog. For most days, even in Los Angeles, initial DEHA values < 0.15 ppm should be adequate; and in most cities for most conditions initial DEHA concentrations < 0.1 ppm should be adequate.
Comparing Equal-Tail Probability and Unbiased Confidence Intervals for the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient

The conventional confidence interval for the intraclass correlation coefficient assumes equal-tail probabilities. In general, the equal-tail probability interval is biased and other interval procedures should be considered. Unbiased confidence intervals for the intraclass correlation coefficient are readily available. The equal-tail probability and unbiased intervals have exact coverage as they are constructed using the pivotal quantity method. In this article, confidence intervals for the intraclass correlation coefficient are built using balanced and unbalanced one-way random effects models. The expected length of confidence intervals serves as a tool to compare the two procedures. The unbiased confidence interval outperforms the equal-tail probability interval if the intraclass correlation coefficient is small and the equal-tail probability interval outperforms the unbiased interval if the intraclass correlation coefficient is large.
The spread of odontogenic infections to the orbit: Diagnosis and management

Four cases of orbital cellulitis following the extraction of maxillary molars are presented. The time interval between dental extraction and development of orbital symptoms ranged from two hours to 13 days. All patients presented with fever, elevated leukocyte counts, and radiologic evidence of acute ipsilateral paranasal sinus infection. In addition, one patient presented with meningitis. Predisposing factors in three patients included nephrotic syndrome with chronic antral inflammation, pregnancy with upper respiratory tract infection, and heroin addiction. Sequelae included empyema and death, severe loss of vision, and blindness with ptosis and exotropia. One patient recovered completely. The anatomic pathways by which dental infection can spread to the orbit are discussed, and general therapeutic considerations are emphasized.
Pigeons, Humans, and the Monty Hall Dilemma:

The Monty Hall Dilemma is a probability puzzle that is notorious for eliciting suboptimal decisions from humans. A participant is given a choice from among three doors, one of which conceals a valuable prize. After an initial selection, one of the remaining, nonwinning doors is opened, and the participant is given a chance to switch to the other unopened door. The probability of winning is higher if the participant switches. Pigeons maximize their wins by switching on virtually all trials of a Monty Hall Dilemma analogue, whereas humans utilize a suboptimal strategy involving probability matching. Possible reasons for the difference between these two species’ performance are considered.
Storm Water Low-Impact Development, Conventional Structural, and Manufactured Treatment Strategies for Parking Lot Runoff: Performance Evaluations Under Varied Mass Loading Conditions

Eleven storm water treatment strategies were evaluated for water quality performance and storm volume reduction during rainfall-runoff events between September 2004 and August 2005. Evaluated treatment strategies included structural best management practices (BMPs) (swales, retention ponds), low-impact development (LID) designs (treatment wetland, filtration and infiltration designs), and manufactured BMPs (filtration, infiltration, and hydrodynamic separators). Contaminant event mean concentration, performance efficiency, and mass-based first flush were evaluated for storms with varying rainfall-runoff characteristics. Previous research demonstrated that treatment performance of storm water control measures varies widely in response to site-specific contaminant loading functions. For that reason, the devices were tested in parallel, with a single influent source providing uniform loading to all devices. Treatment strategies were uniformly sized to target a rainfall-runoff depth equivalent to 90% of the a...
Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction following liver transplantation. Screening by bedside manometry and definitive manometric evaluation.

Although sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) has been extensively studied in the nontransplant setting, the diagnostic criteria after liver transplantation are not well defined and have been based on clinical features without manometric documentation. The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to determine the manometric patterns associated with SOD following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and (2) to define the usefulness of bedside T-tube manometry as a screening tool for SOD. ERCP with simultaneous manometry of the sphincter of Oddi (SO) was performed in five patients following OLT with choledochocholedochostomy (CDCD) between 1990 and 1992. The diagnosis of SOD was suspected based on persistently elevated liver function tests, distal common bile duct dilatation in the absence of strictures, and an elevated resting bile duct pressure as measured by bedside T-tube manometry. Two different manometric patterns of SOD were observed. The first pattern (N=4) consisted of elevated SO basal pressures, infrequent simultaneous phasic activity, and an abnormal response to cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-OP). The second pattern (N=1) consisted of low basal pressures and absent phasic activity. Four patients were successfully treated with papillotomy and stenting, while the fifth patient required conversion to a choledochojejunostomy because of a concomitant anastomotic stricture. The abnormal SO manometric profiles in patients suspected of having SOD after OLT were different from those observed in the nontransplant setting. Bedside T-tube manometry allowed measurement of the resting bile duct pressure and may be a useful screening tool for SOD.
Whole-body autoradiographic localization of [3H]phencyclidine and its metabolites in mice.

Abstract When evaluated by whole-body autoradiography (WBAR) and quantitative densitometry, [ 3 H]phencyclidine (PCP) equivalents were found to be removed rapidly from blood, after a single iv dose in mice, and avidly taken up as early as 1 min after dosage by glandular tissues including thyroid, salivary glands, pancreas, pituitary and, most prominently, by stomach mucosa. Stomach: blood [ 3 H]PCP concentration ratios showed that rapid secretion of [ 3 H]PCP from mucosa to the stomach contents occurred within 2 min after dosing. During early intervals, chromatographic analysis of tissue sections demonstrated that PCP was present in brain, liver, and gut primarily in its unaltered chemical form. Mice killed at 60 and 120 min showed persistently high levels of [ 3 H]PCP equivalents within the stomach and intestines, these levels being the highest of all other tissues densitometrically measured. The early time course and magnitude of [ 3 H]PCP uptake by stomach glandular mucosa strongly suggests that cycling of PCP occurs principally through gastroenteric recirculation. Very striking was the high concentration of [ 3 H]PCP radioactivity observed within the adrenal as early as 5 min. The concentration of [ 3 H]PCP equivalents in pituitary, choroid plexus, cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus was highest at 1–20 min following injection. Application of high-resolution quantitative WBAR was found to be a useful tool in the study of the biodistribution of labeled PCP, especially during very early post-treatment time points where alternative tissue counting techniques would not be feasible.
Beam Transport Calculation for K-500 Cyclotron Operation at Michigan State University

The design of the beam transport and analysis system for the experimental facility using the K-500 superconducting cyclotron at M.S.U. and which is currently being assembled is described.
Origin of Reproducibility in the Responses of Retinal Rods to Single Photons

The single photon responses of retinal rod cells are remarkably reproducible, allowing the number and timing of photon absorptions to be encoded accurately. This reproducibility is surprising because the elementary response arises from a single rhodopsin molecule, and typically signals from single molecules display large intertrial variations. We have investigated the mechanisms that make the rod's elementary response reproducible. Our experiments indicate that reproducibility cannot be explained by saturation within the transduction cascade, by Ca2+ feedback, or by feedback control of rhodopsin shutoff by any known element of the cascade. We suggest instead that deactivation through a series of previously unidentified transitions allows the catalytic activity of a single rhodopsin molecule to decay with low variability. Two observations are consistent with this view. First, the time course of rhodopsin's catalytic activity could not be accounted for by the time required for the known steps in rhodopsin deactivation-phosphorylation and arrestin binding. Second, the variability of the elementary response increased when phosphorylation was made rate-limiting for rhodopsin shutoff.
SR protein and snRNP requirements for assembly of the Rous sarcoma virus negative regulator of splicing complex in vitro.

Abstract Retroviruses use unspliced RNA as mRNA for expression of virion structural proteins and as genomic RNA; the full-length RNA often constitutes the majority of the viral RNA in an infected cell. Maintenance of this large pool of unspliced RNA is crucial since even a modest increase in splicing efficiency can lead to impaired replication. In Rous sarcoma virus, the negative regulator of splicing (NRS) was identified as a cis element that negatively impacts splicing of viral RNA. Components of the splicing apparatus appear to be involved in splicing inhibition since binding of a number of splicing factors (snRNPs and SR proteins) and assembly of a large complex (NRS-C) in nuclear extracts correlate with NRS-mediated splicing inhibition. In determining the requirements for NRS complex assembly, we show that NRS-C assembly can be reconstituted by addition of total SR proteins to an S100 extract that lacks these factors. Of the purified SR proteins tested, SF2/ASF was functional in NRS-C assembly, whereas SC35 and SRp40 were not. The participation of snRNPs in NRS-C assembly was addressed by selectively depleting individual snRNPs with oligonucleotides and RNase H or by sequestering critical snRNA domains with 2′- O -methyl RNA oligonucleotides. The results indicate that in addition to U11 snRNP, U1 snRNP and SR proteins, but not U2 snRNP, are involved in NRS-C assembly.
Contribution of Neuroimaging to the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia

The aim of this study was to review, summarize and analyze recent findings relevant to the contribution of neuroimaging to the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD). Computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide accurate demonstration of the location and rate of progression of atrophic changes affecting the brain in AD and the different types of vascular lesions observed in mixed dementias and in pure VaD. Quantification of cortical thickness allows early diagnosis and rate of progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia. White matter involvement can also be quantified with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional methods including fMRI, functional connectivity, and MR spectroscopy (MRS). Isotope-based techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) allow measurement of regional cerebral glucose metabolism using 18 F-2-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG). Cerebral blood flow can be measured using PET with H 2 15 O or with single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) with technetium ( 99m Tc-HMPAO) or, more recently, arterial spin label (ASL) imaging. There are isotope markers for amyloid-beta ( 11 O-PIB, 18 F-florbetapir), tau ( 18 FDDNP) and activated microglia ( 11 C-PK11195). Neuroimaging markers are particularly useful at the early symptomatic and preclinical asymptomatic phases of AD, as well as serving as endpoints in clinical trials.
Intensity, Visibility, Direction and Scope*

I want to sketch a line of reasoning about politics, a way of looking at politics. Every point of view must stand on its own legs; it is not something that can be proved. An analysis is a way of looking at something, a way of seeing something we could not see before we made it. We adopt a point of view because it is suggestive and persuasive in its own inner logic.More specifically, I want to examine politics as a strategic concept. The concept of political strategy is itself a point of view loaded with implications for the study of politics.Strategy is the heart of politics, as it is of war.What are the implications of the concept? Any strategy of politics assumes that there is something that we can do about politics, that we have choices, and that what we think and do and want makes a difference. It assumes that we have something to talk about and that what we think and say and do is likely to have consequences. Without these conditions there can be no political strategy.
Science and product.

Much of what needs to be changed in U.S. industry involves close ties to manufacturing, design for manufacturability, a rapid design cycle, and up-to-date technical knowledge on the part of the engineers themselves. Being up-to-date requires conscious company effort. Traveling to meetings, reading the technical literature, and being a part of the engineering community are necessities if we are to compete with others who make these efforts and are thus better able to incorporate technical change rapidly into their own products. Outside the product improvement cycle, a research (as opposed to development) organization in industry must have close ties to development and manufacturing in order to succeed. With these close ties, researchers can understand the progress of the cycle and can introduce new steps at the appropriate time and in an acceptable form. A research organization that surmounts the internal barriers and becomes an accepted contributor to the development and manufacturing process can, because of its greater technical depth, its scientific knowledge, and its close ties with the university world, become a forceful initiator of progress. It is more difficult, in our opinion, to make these contributions from a university base and from government laboratories as they are now constituted. Much has been said by industry and government leaders about reforming the educational system and strengthening the national science base—things that help build a strong foundation. A strong science base supplies a vast storehouse of new ideas, and a good educational system provides engineers and manufacturing workers with knowledge; but strength here cannot make up for inadequacies in the functioning of the development and manufacturing cycle. The United States must learn to succeed, not only in the ladder type of innovation in which a wholly new idea from science creates a wholly new product (the science-dominated process at which we have succeeded in the past), but also in the rapid, cyclical, engineer-dominated process of incremental product improvement. Neither process is a substitute for the other; we need both.
Social Inclusion and the Value of Marriage Equality in Massachusetts and the Netherlands

Much of the debate about marriage rights for same-sex couples has focused on material and legal benefits. However, some of the primary benefits of marriage equality for same-sex couples and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people might be psychological. The two studies presented draw on qualitative data from 19 same-sex couples in the Netherlands and 556 people married to same-sex partners in Massachusetts (United States). The right to marry and exercising the right to marry were associated with greater feelings of social inclusion among people in same-sex couples. The Massachusetts data find that White, male, high-income respondents reported greater feelings of inclusion than other groups. Individuals with more accepting families and people with more wedding guests reported more feelings of social inclusion. On a policy level, the social inclusion effect suggests marriage may have significant psychological benefits for same-sex couples.
DNA marker technology: a revolution in animal genetics

Abstract The development of DNA-based markers has had a revolutionary impact on gene mapping and, more generally, on all of animal and plant genetics. With DNA-based markers, it is theoretically possible to exploit the entire diversity in DNA sequence that exists in any cross. For this reason, high resolution genetic maps are being developed at an unprecedented speed. The most commonly used DNA-based markers include those based on a cloned and (usually) sequenced DNA fragment and other, more random, assays for genetic polymorphism that can be grouped under the heading of fingerprint markers. The advantages and disadvantages of the various marker types are discussed, along with their application to the reference chicken genetic linkage maps and to the search for quantitative trait loci (QTL). The prospects for the use of DNA-based markers in marker-assisted selection are considered, along with likely future trends in poultry gene mapping. Further development of both physical and linkage genome maps of the chicken will allow animal scientists to more efficiently detect and characterize QTL and will provide them access to the wealth of genetic information that is being generated about the human genome and the genomes of model species, such as the mouse and Drosophila.
Minimal complexity low-latency architectures for Viterbi decoders

For Viterbi decoders, high throughput rate is achieved by applying look-ahead techniques in the add-compare-select unit, which is the system speed bottleneck. Look-ahead techniques combine multiple binary trellis steps into one equivalent complex trellis step in time sequence, which is referred to as the branch metrics precomputation (BMP) unit. The complexity and latency of BMP increase exponentially and linearly with respect to the look-ahead levels, respectively. For a Viterbi decoder with constraint length K and M-step look-ahead, 2M+K-1 branch metrics need to be computed and compared. In this paper, the computational redundancy in existing branch metric computation approaches is first recognized, and a general mathematical model for describing the approach space is built, based on which a new approach with minimal complexity and latency is proposed. The proof of its optimality is also given. This highly efficient approach leads to a novel overall optimal architecture for M that is any multiple of K. The results show that the proposed approaches can reduce the complexity by up to 45.65% and the latency by up to 72.50%. In addition, the proposed architecture can also be applied when M is any value while achieving the minimal complexity.
Law enforcement and higher education: Is there an impasse?

Only 1 percent of local law enforcement agencies require a four-year degree; and 75 percent have no formal policy linking education with promotion. We argue that a four-year degree standard has not been adopted because police organizations and police work have not changed in ways that require it. We also question assumptions that higher education is essential to police professionalism, and that a four-year degree improves performance. Further, we assert that police training and education are similar enterprises and that a fuller integration is needed. We conclude with recommendations to increase cooperation between criminal justice faculty and police administrators.
Incorporating uncertainty and prior information into stable isotope mixing models

Stable isotopes are a powerful tool for ecologists, often used to assess contributions of different sources to a mixture (e.g. prey to a consumer). Mixing models use stable isotope data to estimate the contribution of sources to a mixture. Uncertainty associated with mixing models is often substantial, but has not yet been fully incorporated in models. We developed a Bayesian-mixing model that estimates probability distributions of source contributions to a mixture while explicitly accounting for uncertainty associated with multiple sources, fractionation and isotope signatures. This model also allows for optional incorporation of informative prior information in analyses. We demonstrate our model using a predator–prey case study. Accounting for uncertainty in mixing model inputs can change the variability, magnitude and rank order of estimates of prey (source) contributions to the predator (mixture). Isotope mixing models need to fully account for uncertainty in order to accurately estimate source contributions.
Utilitarianism in Infinite Worlds

Recently in the philosophical literature there has been some effort made to understand the proper application of the theory of utilitarianism to worlds in which there are infinitely many bearers of utility. Here, we point out that one of the best, most inclusive principles proposed to date contradicts fundamental utilitarian ideas, such as the idea that adding more utility makes a better world.
Analysis of throughput for multilayer infrared meanderline waveplates

A meanderline wave retarder is a unique type of frequency-selective-surface (FSS) that enables a change in the state of optical polarization. The principles of operation are very similar to a typical crystalline waveplate, such that the artificially structured meanderline array has both 'slow' and 'fast' axes that provide a phase offset between two orthogonal wave components. In this paper, we study the behavior and response of multilayered meanderline quarter-wave retarders designed for operation at 10.6 mum wavelength (28.28 THz). It will be shown that meanderline quarter-wave plates with more than a single layer exhibit improved transmission throughput at infrared frequencies due to impedance matching, similar to a multilayer optical film coating. Numerical data, both from simulations and measurements, are presented to validate this claim.