cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavioral and neurotransmitter changes in the urease-infused rat: a model of congenital hyperammonemia.

ABSTRACT. Rats implanted with subcutaneous or intraperitoneal osmotic minipumps infusing 0.8–1.25IU urease/ kg/h develop sustained hyperammonemia (range 137–497 µM, controls 88 ± 51 µM ± SD) for 5–7 days. Glutamine levels are also significantly elevated in plasma (677 ±166 versus 428 ± 122 µM) and cerebral cortex (13.2 ± 9.8 versus 4.7 ± 2.8 nmol/mg tissue). Neurobehavioral abnormalities include decreased food intake and increased stereotypic activity. Increased serotonin turnover was suggested by elevated levels of tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in cerebral cortex, brain stem, and cerebellum of urease-infused compared to sham-operated animals. There were no changes in norepinephrine or r aminobutyric acid, and there was no correlation between the degree of hyperammonemia or glutaminemia and brain levels of tryptophan or biogenic amines. Animals receiving a tryptophan- deficient diet had significantly lower levels of tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in brain regions compared to animals receiving a normal tryptophan intake, under both control and hyperammonemic conditions. Despite the prevention of increased serotonin flux in hyperammonemic animals receiving a tryptophan-deficient diet, food intake and weight declined and there was increased stereotypic behavior.
Direct determination of molecular haplotypes by chromosome microdissection

Direct observation of haplotypes is still technically challenging. Here we report a method for the determination of haplotypes through chromosome microdissection. We determined human long-range chromosomal haplotypes with more than 98.85% accuracy at 24,245 genome-wide heterozygous single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci.
Activating PI3-Kinase to Dampen Inflammation

Diterpene derivatives of the natural product acanthoic acid have potent anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. In this issue of Chemistry & Biolgy, Traves and colleagues report that the primary molecular mechanism of action of diterpenes structurally related to acanthoic acid is the direct activation of PI3-kinase signaling in macrophages, which in turn inhibits NF-κB activation and suppresses proinflammatory gene expression.
Hamiltonicity in 3-connected claw-free graphs

Kuipers and Veldman conjectured that any 3-connected claw-free graph with order v and minimum degree δ ≥ (v+6)/10 is Hamiltonian for v sufficiently large. In this paper, we prove that if H is a 3-connected claw-free graph with sufficiently large order v, and if δ (H) ≥ (v + 5)/10, then either H is Hamiltonian, or δ(H) = (v+5)/10 and the Ryjacek's closure cl(H) of H is the line graph of a graph obtained from the Petersen graph P10 by adding (v - 15)/10 pendant edges at each vertex of P10.
Punctuated sand transport in the lowermost Mississippi River

[1] Measurements of sand flux and water flow in the Mississippi River are presented for a portion of the system 35–50 km upstream from the head of its subaerial delta. These data are used to provide insight into how nonuniform flow conditions, present in the lower reaches of large alluvial rivers, affect the timing and magnitude of sand transport near the river outlet. Field surveys during both low and high water discharge include (1) sequential digital bathymetric maps defining mobile river bottom topography which were used to estimate bed material flux, (2) multiple water velocity profiles, and (3) multiple suspended sediment profiles collected using a point-integrated sampler. These data show that total sand transport increases by two orders of magnitude over the measured range in water discharge (11,300 to 38,400 m3 s−1). During low water discharge no sand is measured in suspension, and sand discharge via bed form migration is minimal. During high water discharge 54% of the sand discharge is measured in suspension while 46% of the sand discharge is part of bed form migration. The component of boundary shear stress associated with moving this sediment is estimated using a set of established sediment transport algorithms, and values for the total boundary shear stress are predicted by fitting logarithmic velocity functions to the measured profiles. The estimates of boundary shear stress, using measurements of suspended sand transport, bed form transport, and downstream oriented velocity profiles are internally consistent; moreover, the analyses show that boundary shear stress increases by nearly 10-fold over the measured water discharge range. We show how this increase in shear stress is consistent with backwater flow arising where the river approaches its outlet. The hydrodynamic properties of backwater flow affect the timing and magnitude of sand flux and produce punctuated sand transport through the lowermost Mississippi River. Our field data are used to evaluate the influence of this sand transport style on development of the mixed bedrock alluvial channel for the lowermost Mississippi River.
Solid immersion lens

The diffraction-limited spot size in optical imaging, recording and lithography can be decreased by use of the solid immersion lens (SIL). The simplest form of the SIL utilizes a hemispherical lens with the rays of a focused beam entering along its radii to form a spot at the flat surface of the hemisphere. The spot size is decreased from that in free space by a factor 1/n, where n is the refractive index. If an object to be imaged is placed close enough to the SIL, this reduced spot size is obtained at the disk. In this case the effective numerical aperture of the lens can be greater than one. Applications of the SIL to microscopy, lithography, and optical storage are discussed.
Nitric oxide in cyclosporine A-induced hypertension: role of protein kinase C.

Chronic treatment with cyclosporine A (CsA), an immunosuppressive agent, causes hypertension. The effect of CsA on vascular responses was determined in Sprague-Dawley rats and isolated rat aortic rings. Male rats weighing 250 to 300 g were given either CsA (25 mg/kg/day) in olive oil or vehicle by intraperitoneal injection for 7 days. Cyclosporine A administration produced a 42% increase (P < .001) in mean arterial pressure (MAP), which reached a plateau after 3 days. Conversely, the level of both nitrate/nitrite (NO2/NO3), metabolites of nitric oxide (NO), and 3′, 5′ cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which mediates NO action, decreased by 50% (P < .001) and 35% (P < .001), respectively, in the urine. Thoracic aortic rings from rats treated with CsA, and precontracted with endothelin (10−9 mol/L), showed a 35% increase (P < .001) in tension, whereas acetylcholine-induced (Ach; 10−9 mol/L) endothelium-dependent relaxation was inhibited 65% (P < .001) compared with untreated rats. This response was similar to that of aortic rings, denuded of endothelium, from untreated rats in which Ach-induced relaxation was completely abolished (P < .001). Ach-induced formation of both NO2/NO3 and cGMP by both denuded and CsA-treated aortic rings was inhibited 95% (P < .001) and 65% P < .001), respectively, compared with intact aortic rings. The effects of CsA were reversed both in vivo and in vitro by pretreatment with l-arginine (L-Arg; 10 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally), the precursor of NO. There were no changes in MAP and tension in rats treated with L-Arg alone. In addition, in the aorta of rats that were treated intraperitoneally with CsA for 7 days, CsA significantly activated protein kinase C (PKC) translocation and decreased NO2/NO3 production. This suggest that PKC mediates, in part, CsA-induced hypertension. In summary, CsA activates PKC, which inhibits endothelial NO formation, with resulting increases in MAP and tension, and this inhibition can be overcome by L-Arg administration.
Magnesium transport in normal and uremic patients.

The kinetics of radiomagnesium exchange in normal and uremic subjects was studied by administering high specific activity 28Mg intravenously and utilizing conventional and analog and digital computer techniques of data analysis. In normal subjects, the extracellular magnesium (0.35 mEq/kg) exchanged with 2 tissue magnesium pools having sizes of 2.05 and 0.27 mEq/kg and bidirectional flux rates of 0.13 and 0.55 mEq/kg/hr, respectively. A third tissue magnesium pool of indeterminate size with an influx rate of 0.029 mEq/kg/hr and a negligibly small fractional efflux rate was also present. Urinary excretion of 28Mg averaged 10.4% dose/72 hr in the normal subjects and their urine specific activities were maintained at levels which were 23–40% higher than those of the plasma. In uremic patients with hypermagnesemia, the extracellular magnesium was increased to 0.79 mEq/kg. The fractional coefficients for influx into the 2 bidirectionally exchangeable tissue magnesium pools and the unidirectionally exchangeable...
Clinical Implications of Unexpandable Lung Due to Pleural Disease

Unexpandable lung due to pleural disease may manifest itself as a hydropneumothorax after pleural drainage procedure or as an inability to completely drain a pleural effusion due to chest pain. The condition is a mechanical complication of a variety of pleural disorders. Of these, malignant lung entrapment and inflammatory lung entrapment are considered complications of active pleural disease, and management is primarily dependent on the nature of the active process. Trapped lung is a sequela of remote inflammation of the pleural space. Trapped lung is usually asymptomatic but may be the cause of dyspnea in some patients. The only available treatment of symptomatic trapped lung is surgical decortication. Surgical decortication should only be considered after other causes of dyspnea have been excluded.
Laser Doppler flowmetry: a clinical test of pulpal vitality.

Abstract Problem. A rapid, accurate, noninvasive method of determining pulpal blood flow would be helpful in determining pulpal vitality. Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine if laser Doppler flowmetry can measure induced changes in pulpal blood flow. Study design. Two percent lidocaine with epinephrine 1:100,000 was infiltrated into the labial vestibule to anesthetize five anterior teeth in healthy human volunteers. Stents were placed on the teeth to stabilize the laser Doppler probes. Measurements of pulpal blood flow were made along with electrocardiograms to record the cardiac cycle. Results. Laser Doppler flowmetry demonstrated pulpal blood flow and pulse amplitude decreases under test conditions. These decreases were most significant at 10 minutes after the injection of anesthetic with vasoconstrictor. Conclusions. Laser Doppler flowmetry was able to measure pulpal blood flow and record changes in blood flow that occurred when epinephrine was used with infiltration anesthesia. The pulse width and the mean flow were dramatically affected as was synchronization with the cardiac cycle.
N-version programming in WCET analysis: revisiting a discredited idea

Worst-case execution time (WCET) analysis is safe in theory, but it may not truly be safe in practice. Even if a particular analysis algorithm is sound, its implementation may contain bugs that result in unsafe WCET estimation. This potential for error is serious, given that the usual purpose of WCET analysis is to verify the correctness of hard real-time systems--software on which entire missions and even human lives may depend.A possible solution lies in N-version programming, where N teams of developers work independently on N unique but equivalent implementations. Although this fault-tolerance technique has been criticized for its statistical assumptions and high cost, it may be perfectly suited to address the inherent risks in implementing WCET analysis tools. This paper argues that N-version programming still has merit and cites an example of how the technique improved the quality of two WCET analysis tools at relatively low cost.
A monolithic analog subsystem for high-accuracy A/D conversion

An IC which facilitates a two-chip measurement system by performing all of the analog functions of a .01% A/D conversion will be discussed. Features include single-supply operation, low power, internal reference and CMOS/TTL compatibility.
Co-integrated money in the production function–evidence and implications

The notion of money as a factor of production has been debated both theoretically and empirically by a number of researchers in the past four decades. However, the empirical support for money as an input along with labour and capital has been mixed and thus, the issue appears to be unsettled. Recent developments in econometrics regarding co-integration and error correction provide a rich environment in which the role of money in the production function can be reexamined. In a co-integrated space, this article presents empirical evidence indicating that different definitions of money (simple sum or the divisia M2) play an input role in the Cobb–Douglas production function.
The battle behind the scenes

Like Stuart Lynn, I had been a department editor for CACM before becoming its EIC. In fact, the "Computer Systems" department was initiated by Kelly Gotlieb during his editorship. He sent me a letter enclosing a submitted paper that he thought should be published in CACM; however, it fit no existing department. It would appear in the September 1965 issue: Reilly and Federighi's "On Reversible Subroutines and Computers that Run Backwards." A subsequent contribution, of considerably more lasting significance, was published in that same issue: E.W. Dijkstra's "Solution of a Problem in Concurrent Program Control." Indeed, the paper initiated a whole new subdiscipline in the computer operating systems area. Eventually, "Computer Systems" became the department for software/hardware systems papers such as those that now appear in Transactions on Computer Systems (TOCS).
Mexico's investment collapse: debt or oil?

Abstract This paper tests three explanations for Mexico's investment collapse in the early 1980s: the oil price decline, the termination of capital inflows, and debt-overhang/uncertainty effects, using previously ignored investment data on private sector industries. The data consistently point to the importance of the rise in the relative price of investment goods, driven in large part by falling world oil prices, but the data also allow a role for the termination of capital inflows. However, after controlling for these effects, the paper finds little evidence for debt overhang effects, heightened uncertainty, or other commonly cited explanations in the literature. (JEL F34).
Shot-Noise in Resistive-Diode Mixers and the Attenuator Noise Model

The representation of a pumped exponential diode, operating as a mixer, by an equivalent Iossy network, is reexamined. It is shown that the model is correct provided the network has ports for all sideband frequencies at which (real) power flow can occur between the diode and its embedding. The temperature of the equivalent network is eta/2 times the physical temperature of the diode. The model is valid only if the series resistance and nonlinear capacitance of the diode are negligible. Expressions are derived for the input and output noise temperature and the noise-temperature ratio of ideal mixers. Some common beliefs concerning noise-figure and noise-temperature ratio are shown to be incorrect.
An Electrophysiologic Study of Swallowing-lnduced Tachycardia

Electrophysiologic studies were performed on a 73-year-old man with swallowing-induced supraventricular tachycardia, in order to define the characteristics of this unique dysrhythmia in this patient Swallowing reliably provoked an automatic atrial focus type of atrial tachycardia, which usually changed into an atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia when a critical delay in atrioventricular nodal conduction (atrio-His interval ≥ 340 msec) was achieved. The atrioventricular nodal reentrant form of tachycardia did not occur spontaneously. The ease of induction and the duration of the episodes of supraventricular tachycardia were facilitated with the intravenous administration of atropine and ouabain and were decreased with administration of procainamide hydrochloride.
Depression of Tc caused by Nd+3 pair-breaking in NdBa2Cu3Ox

Abstract The (Rare-earth) Ba 2 Cu 3 O x materials are high-temperature superconductors, regardless of moment J of the rare-earth ion, provided it is in the +3 valence state. Doping of the Ba-site of NdBa 2 Cu 3 O x with J=0 La +3 has only a minor effect on the superconductivity, while J = 9 2 Nd +3 on the Ba-site breaks pairs and destroys superconductivity. The facts that (i) Nd +3 between the cuprate planes has almost no effect and (ii) Nd +3 between a plane and a chain destroys superconductivity indicate that the superconductivity originates in the chain layers.
An ESR study of solute motion in liquid microphase: confirmation of a model for electrochemical reactions in frozen solution

Influence de la temperature sur les spectres RPE d'un marqueur de spin (TEMPO) dans une solution de DMSO afin de montrer l'existence ou non d'une microphase liquide
Effect of surface crystallographic orientation upon specific adsorption of azide at silver electrodes as examined by potential-difference infrared spectroscopy

The specific adsorption of azide anions on the three low-index faces of silver, having (111), (100), and (110) orientations, has been studied by means of potential-difference infrared spectroscopy using an FTIR spectrometer in order to examine the influence of surface crystallography upon the adsorbate binding. Bipolar infrared spectra were obtained in the 2050–2100 cm−1 region, with a negative-going (i.e., decreased transmittance) feature, va (sur), at 2075–2100 cm−1 due to the asymmetric N-N-N vibration for adsorbed azide, and its positive-going band partner, va (sol), at 2048 cm−1 arising from the corresponding loss of an equal amount of solution azide in the thin-layer cavity brought about by the positive alteration in electrode potential. Information on the adsorbate structure was obtained from the relative intensities, Isur and Isol, as well as frequencies, of va(sur) and va(sol). For the Ag (111) and (100) faces, Isur⪡Isol small azide surface concentrations (Γ ⩽ 4×10−10 mol cm−2), whereas Isur≈ Isol at higher coverages. These findings are interpreted in terms of the surface infrared selection rule as indicting a prominence of “flat” and “vertical” orientations, respectively, of adsorbed azide under these conditions; the presence of the latter, end-on bonded, form is also consistent with the observed va(sur) frequencies. In contrast, for the Ag (110) face, Isur⪡Isol over the entire accessible coverage range (up to Γ ≈ 1×10−9 mol cm−2, indicating that a flat azide orientation is especially favored at this surface. This is attributed to the adsorption of the linear N3− ions along the atomic-scale “furrows” which characterize the (110) face. Polycrystalline silver exhibited spectral behavior that is in some respects intermediate between that observed for the low-index single-crystal faces. Comparisons are also made between the surface infrared results and corresponding capacitance-potential data.
Hormonal and intrauterine contraception for women aged 40 years and older

The use of the levonorgestrel intrauterine device effectively treats heavy menstrual bleeding even when associated with adenomyosis or leiomyomas and is as effective as endometrial ablation in reducing heavy menstrual bleeding. This informational editorial answers the questions: Is contraception needed for women aged 40 years and older who do not desire to be pregnant? What are women aged 40 years and older using for contraception? Is contraceptive use in women aged 40 years or older riskier? What are the noncontraceptive benefits of contraception for women of this age group? Can women safely use contraception until the age of menopause? How should clinicians counsel this cohort of women about contraceptive use?
Mineralocorticoid Receptors in Vascular Disease: Connecting Molecular Pathways to Clinical Implications

The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), a steroid-hormone-activated transcription factor, plays a substantial role in cardiovascular diseases. MR antagonists (MRAs) have long been appreciated as effective treatments for heart failure and hypertension; however, recent research suggests that additional patient populations may also benefit from MRA therapy. Experimental evidence demonstrates that in addition to its classic role in the regulating sodium handling in the kidney, functional MR is expressed in the blood vessels and contributes to hypertension, vascular inflammation and remodeling, and atherogenesis. MR activation drives pathological phenotypes in smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and inflammatory cells, whereas MRAs inhibit these effects. Collectively, these studies demonstrate a new role for extrarenal MR in cardiovascular disease. This review summarizes these new lines of evidence and how they contribute to the mechanisms of atherosclerosis, pulmonary and systemic hypertension, and vein graft failure, and describes new patient populations that may benefit from MRA therapy.
Performance Enhancements and Validations of the UC-Berkeley Ocean-Wave Energy Extractor

This paper evaluates two aspects of enhancements made to the UC-Berkeley ocean-wave energy extraction device first presented in [1]. First, the differences in hydrodynamic performance between flat- and hemispherical bottom floaters were investigated theoretically using UC Berkeley 2-D viscous-flow solver: FSRVM [2]. The predicted enhancement was compared with experimental results, demonstrating that an increase in motion of over 50% was realizable. Second, important modifications to the design, fabrication, and material of the rotor and stator of the permanent magnet linear generator (PMLG) were made with the aim of increasing both power output and mechanical-to-electrical conversion efficiency, ηel. Increased power extraction and efficiency were achieved, doubling what had been previously reported. The non-linear relationship between the generator damping and the magnet-coil gap width was also investigated to verify that the conditions for optimum power extraction presented in [1] were achievable with the PMLG. Experimental results, obtained from testing the coupled floater and PMLG system in the UC-Berkeley wave tank, revealed that measured capture widths were more than double those from the previous design. These results further confirmed that matching of the generator and floater damping significantly increased the global efficiency of the extraction process.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Human Na+/H+ Exchanger Genes: Identification of Polymorphisms by Radiation Hybrid Mapping and Analysis of Linkage in End-Stage Renal Disease

The Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) are membrane-bound transporters that catalyze the electro-neutral movement of extracellular Na+ for intracellular H+. NHE genes play a critical role in pH homeostasis and cellular volume regulation and can be considered candidate genes for essential hypertension and renal disease. This study was performed to determine whether the NHE genes contributed to genetic susceptibility in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). To date, 5 isoforms of NHE have been cloned in mammals (NHE1 to NHE5). The complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences of NHE1 to NHE3 and NHE5 are known in humans. Because the chromosomal structure of the NHE genes is unknown, we used cDNA sequences to design polymerase chain reaction primers for use in radiation hybrid mapping. Radiation hybrid mapping of NHE genes identified nearby polymorphic markers for NHE1 to NHE3 (NHE1: D1S197, D1S2677; NHE2: D2S373, D2S1789; and NHE3: D5S678, D5S2005). We used these markers, and other previously identified polymorphic markers for NHE5, in linkage and association analyses of ESRD. The NHE1 to NHE3 and NHE5 loci did not demonstrate evidence for linkage to ESRD. However, NHE5 showed significant evidence for association (P</=1.0x10(-4)). The strongest evidence for association was observed with allele 6 of NHE5 (P</=0.001 to 0. 01). Allele 6 appeared to have a renoprotective effect, with a frequency of 0.15 in the control population and 0.06 to 0.09 in patients with ESRD. The combined approach of designing primers from cDNA and radiation hybrid mapping has proven successful in identifying polymorphisms for human genes of which only cDNA sequences were previously available. The NHE primers and associated polymorphic loci identified in this study can be used in genomic, linkage, and association analysis of NHE genes in future genetic studies of hypertension and renal failure. Given the allelic association, further evaluation of the role of NHE5 in ESRD susceptibility appears warranted.
Mr. Quine on meaning, naming, and purporting to name

MR. QUINE says that "there is a gulf between meaning and naming,"' but not between the analytic and the synthetic. The assertion of this conjunction is, in view of his own philosophy of meaning and reference, a mistake. He will have to choose exclusively just one of these incompatible conjuncts, or reject both, or deny the gulf for both pairs. Before we begin the demonstration of this, the sense in which Quine may be arguing a different thesis should be noticed, and disposed of. He may be saying that there is no gulf in either case, not even between naming and meaning. His point might then be that, since names and naming can be eliminated in favor of the "reference" of bound variables, there is, strictly, no naming at all, to be distinguished from anything. We are left with only reference and its "studied ambiguity" (FLPV, p. 6), and with meaning. In this light, the gulf is between reference and meaning. Says Quine: "When the cleavage between meaning and reference is properly heeded, the problems . . . become separated into two provinces . . . fundamentally distinct . .
Immune Complex Glomerulonephritis in Patients with Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) may have a pathogenic role in several forms of immune complex glomerulonephritis (ICGN), including cryoglobulinemic membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and membranous nephropathy. HCV infection may also be related indirectly (e.g. secondary to HCV-related liver disease) or coincidentally to glomerulonephritis. These include cases of fibrillary/immunotactoid glomerulopathy, MPGN arising in allografts, allograft glomerulopathy, rapidly progressive glomerulo-nephritis, focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis, and ICGN arising in individuals co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This review summarizes the clinical and pathologic features of HCV-associated glomerular disease, particularly immune complex glomerulonephritis, and discusses possible pathogenic mechanisms.
Daclizumab induction, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids as an immunosuppression regimen for primary kidney transplant recipients.

Background. Recent reports have demonstrated the efficacy of interleukin-2-receptor blockers in lowering the incidence of early acute rejection in cyclosporine-treated kidney recipients when compared to patients not induced with an antibody product. The addition of daclizumab to a tacrolimus-mycophenolate mofetil-based immunosuppressive protocol was tested to evaluate whether there might be an additional reduction of the risk of rejection after renal transplantation. Methods. Since March 1998, we studied the effect of daclizumab in a nonrandomized, prospective study of 233 sequential recipients of first renal transplant. They were retrospective compared with a control group of 225 renal transplant recipients receiving a 10-day course of OKT3 induction, and tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and methylprednisolone maintenance. The study group received the same immunosuppressive regimen with the addition of daclizumab at 1 mg/kg for five doses over 10 weeks in the place of OKT3 therapy. There was at least 1HLA DR antigen compatibility match present between all donors and recipients. Patients were followed for 1 year after renal transplantation for the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection, patient and graft survival, and adverse events. Results. At 12 months, patient and graft survival for the daclizumab was 98 and 96 vs. 96 and 94% for the OKT3 group, respectively, and were not statistically different. Acute rejection rates (<6 months) were lower in the daclizumab group as compared with the OKT3 group, i.e., 5 (2.1%) vs. 16 (7.1%) (P=0.011) respectively. The incidence of infection requiring hospitalization appeared to be lower with daclizumab (7.3 vs. 16%, P<0.0036) with a similar trend with cyclomegalovirus infection, i.e., 1.6 vs. 4%, respectively (P=0.14). Conclusions. The combination of daclizumab, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids is safe and effective for kidney transplant recipients in lowering the incidence of early acute rejection and without any increase in morbidity when compared to our previous protocol, which may have an eventual impact in long-term graft survival.
A Ru catalyzed divergence: oxidative cyclization vs cycloisomerization of bis-homopropargylic alcohols.

During the course of investigating the development of catalytic reactions involving ruthenium vinylidene intermediates, a novel divergence of reactivity was discovered. The oxidative cyclization of bis-homopropargylic alcohols with Ru(+2) complexes as catalysts and N-hydroxysuccinimide as oxidant, which requires formation of a ruthenium vinylidene intermediate, is complicated by the simple electrophilically initiated direct attack of the hydroxyl group on a π-complex of the alkyne and ruthenium. A catalytic system composed of CpRu[(p-CH3O6H4)3P]2Cl and excess (p-CH3O−C6H4)3P directs the reaction toward the oxidative cyclization to form δ-lactones in good yields. Significantly, a simple switch of catalyst to CpRu[(p-FC6H4)3P]2Cl redirects the reaction to a cycloisomerization to form dihydropyrans in good yields. The synthetic utility of the oxidative cyclization is illustrated by the synthesis of oviposition attractant pheromone of the mosquito Culex pipens. The utility of the cycloisomerization to dihydro...
Locomotor problems in infantile facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Retrospective study of 9 patients.

A retrospective study of 9 patients with infantile facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy defines orthopedic deformities and progression. Patients presented in the early months of life with facial diplegia. Sensorineural hearing loss occurred in 8 out of 9 with a mean onset at 5 (2–9) years. Walking began at the normal time, but worsened progressively, which was due mainly to gluteus maximus muscle weakness. Scapular winging, extreme lumbar lordosis, and foot drop were characteristic. The majority of patients (in this and other series) lose walking ability in the second decade. Efforts to control lumbar lordosis by bracing while the patients were still walking were ineffective. Control of lumbar lordosis after the patients are wheelchair-dependent is important.
Sample introduction and separation in capillary electrophoresis, and combination with mass spectrometric detection.

Abstract Capillary-electrophoresis methods are attracting interest owing to the ability to yield rapid high-resolution separations, but many aspects, such as sample injection, separation conditions and detection, need further development. Effects related to sample injection and buffer composition have been investigated. Automated methods for electromigration injection of nl-size sample volumes are shown to give a precision of approximately ±1%. Problems encountered with manual injection procedures have been examined by an electric field reversal technique. The effect of buffer pH on capillary zone-electrophoresis (CZE) separations can be attributed to changes in electro-osmotic flow velocities and to changes in the isoelectric points of analytes. The interfacing of capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometry is described and demonstrated for a range of conditions, with a quaternary phosphonium salt mixture. Separations obtained by CZE and capillary isotachophoresis are compared and the relative advantages of the two techniques discussed.
Conditions for structural optimality

Abstract Typical difficulties encountered in the formulation of problems of optimal structural design and the inadequacy of widely used empirical optimality criteria are illustrated by examples. For the optimal design of a statically determinate or indeterminate truss of given layout, a method is presented by which necessary and sufficient conditions for global optimality may be derived when an upper bound is prescribed for the compliance of the truss under one or several sets of loads and a lower bound is prescribed for the cross sectional area of each bar. The extension of the method to other structures and constraints is briefly discussed with reference to the literature, and the general form of the resulting optimality conditions is given.
Proximate sensing using georeferenced community contributed photo collections

Volunteered geographic information such as that available in blogs, wikis, social networking sites, and community contributed photo collections is enabling new applications. This work investigates the use of georeferenced images from a popular photo sharing site for proximate sensing. In particular, we use computer vision and machine learning techniques to perform land cover classification based on the content of the georeferenced images. We evaluate the results using a ground truth dataset from the National Land Cover Database. We demonstrate that our approach can achieve upwards of 75% classification accuracy in a completely automated fashion.
Paclitaxel as neoadjuvant therapy for high grade angiosarcoma of the spleen: a brief report and literature review.

Introduction: Splenic angiosarcoma is a rare tumor with only a few cases reported in the literature. Surgical resection offers the best chance of cure for this aggressive neoplasm but is often precluded by infiltration of the tumor to surrounding critical structures. We report a case of a locally advanced angiosarcoma rendered operable by treatment with Paclitaxel monotherapy. Case presentation: A 69 year old female presented with a high grade splenic angiosarcoma, considered inoperable due to the extent of local spread. She received three cycles of single agent Paclitaxel and underwent a successful resection of the tumor. Conclusion: Chemotherapy options for splenic angiosarcoma are not well studied. Paclitaxel as monotherapy is a useful therapeutic option in down staging tumors, facilitating surgical resection and merits further study in clinical trials.
Placenta accreta, increta, and percreta.

Abstract Placenta accreta is an abnormal adherence of the placenta to the uterine wall that can lead to significant maternal morbidity and mortality. The incidence of placenta accreta has increased 13-fold since the early 1900s and directly correlates with the increasing cesarean delivery rate. The prenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta by ultrasound along with risk factors including placenta previa and prior cesarean delivery can aid in delivery planning and improved outcomes. Referral to a tertiary care center and the use of a multidisciplinary care team is recommended.
Factors associated with low bone mineral density in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Osteoporosis associated with cystic fibrosis is becoming more important as the life expectancy of patients continues to improve. This study was done to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in CF patients and to identify risk factors. We reviewed the medical charts of 103 adults and adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis who had undergone a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan to measure the bone mineral content of the lumbar spine (L1–L4). Disease severity was assessed by lung function and body mass index (BMI) was calculated from weight and height at the time of the DEXA. None of the patients were being treated for low BMD. Random blood samples were analyzed for biochemical markers. The relationship between all these variables and BMD measurements was analyzed. Of 103 patients, ten (9.7 %) patients (9 males, 1 female) were diagnosed with osteoporosis. An additional 36 (35 %) patients (26 males, 10 females) were identified as having osteopenia. BMI, gender, weight, lung functions (FVC, FEV1, and FEF 25–75), and alkaline phosphatase, and 25-OH vitamin D levels were significantly correlated with Z-scores (p < 0.05). Stepwise linear regression revealed that a low Z-score was best predicted with low FEV1, male gender, low weight, and low 25-OH vitamin D levels (p < 0.05) for each variable. Osteopenia and osteoporosis are common in adults with CF, especially in male patients and in patients with low lung function, body weight, and 25-OH vitamin D levels.
Stochastic syntax-directed translations in syntactic pattern processing

Abstract Stochastic context-free grammars are used in syntactic pattern processing to model sources of noise, ambiguity in pattern classes, and other random phenomena. Stochastic syntax-directed translation schemata take these concepts one step further by describing both the syntactic structure and the probabilities of grammar-based mappings between context-free languages.
A comparison of the leadership behaviors of instructional designers in higher education and industry

Instructional developers in industry and in higher education fill a number of leadership roles. Leadership is defined as the process of influencing the activities of an individual or group in an effort to accomplish situational goals. Though little research has been done, the literature suggests that the leadership behaviors of developers in higher education and in industry are quite different. Leadership behaviors of developers in these two settings were explored in terms of task and relationship behavior. The results indicate that differences in leadership may in fact exist, although not to the extent indicated in the literature.
Control of extracellular dopamine at dendrite and axon terminals

Midbrain dopamine neurons release dopamine from both axons and dendrites. The mechanism underlying release at these different sites has been proposed to differ. This study used electrochemical and electrophysiological methods to compare the time course and calcium dependence of somatodendritic dopamine release in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) to that of axonal dopamine release in the dorsal striatum. The amount of dopamine released in the striatum was approximately 20-fold greater than in cell body regions of the VTA or SNc. However, the calcium dependence and time to peak of the dopamine transients were similar. These results illustrate an unexpected overall similarity in the mechanisms of dopamine release in the striatum and cell body regions. To examine how diffusion regulates the time course of dopamine following release, dextran was added to the extracellular solution to slow diffusion. In the VTA, dextran slowed the rate of rise and fall of the extracellular dopamine transient as measured by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry yet did not alter the kinetics of the dopamine-dependent IPSC. Dextran failed to significantly alter the time course of the rise and fall of the dopamine transient in the striatum, suggesting a more influential role for reuptake in the striatum. The conclusion is that the time course of dopamine within the extracellular space of the VTA is dependent on both diffusion and reuptake, whereas the activation of D(2) receptors on dopamine neurons is primarily limited by reuptake.
Paraganglioma, neuroblastoma, and a SDHB mutation: Resolution of a 30-year-old mystery.

Familial paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma (PGL/PCC) is genetically heterogenous with mutations in three of the four subunits of the heterotetrameric mitochondrial complex II enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) being causally responsible for the majority of cases. In addition to PGL/PCC an array of non-paraganglial tumors have been described in affected individuals. We present a 30-year follow-up on the family of a deceased patient who synchronously developed malignant neuroblastoma (NBL), PCC, and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Other family members with late onset disease have come to our attention, and molecular study revealed a mutation in the SDHB gene. Despite the embryologic relationship, NBL has been seen in only two previous patients with familial PGL/PCC, both with deletions of the SDHB gene. Review of the literature suggests the lack of a reported association between NBL and familial PGL/PCC may be an ascertainment bias. We further suggest that study of the SDH genes in NBL survivors who develop secondary solid tumors, particularly RCC, may correct this bias, and provide for more effective and comprehensive tumor screening in this patient population. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Conformal symmetry of classical electromagnetic zero-point radiation

The two-point correlation functions of classical electromagnetic zero-point radiation fields are evaluated in four-vector notation. The manifestly Lorentz-covariant expressions are then shown to be invariant under scale transformations and under the conformal transformations of Bateman and Cunningham. As a preliminary to the electromagnetic work, analogous results are obtained for a scalar Gaussian random classical field with a Lorentz-invariant spectrum.
The rotational spectrum and structure of NH3–HCN

The microwave spectrum of H3N–HCN has been measured using the molecular beam electric resonance technique. A symmetric top spectrum is observed and the following spectroscopic constants were obtained::[RW2:B0(MHz):3016.756 1(24)]
Sketch Transit Modeling Based on 2000 Census Data

Transit planners need cost-effective ways to evaluate a wide range of alternatives relatively quickly to identify potential transit systems that are likely to offer the greatest benefits for a given cost. A sketch transit planning model is described for the Washington, D.C., region that is based on the metropolitan planning organization's travel demand model structure and model networks but is estimated from more recent 2000 census data, better matches suburban transit ridership, is sensitive to land use effects, and is less costly to use. Similar transit sketch models could be developed and applied in other regions.
Neural Circuits Involved in the Control of LHRH Secretion: A Model for Entrous Cycle Regulation

Summary These studies have identified a core of hypothalamic neuronal systems in the regulation of episodic basal and preovulatory LH release during the estrous cycle. Steroid concentrating neurons under the direction of ovarian steroid milieu promote LHRH accumulation and either independently or in association with the opioid peptide neurons modulate the episodic LHRH discharge. The sequence of neural events that occur preceding the preovulatory LH surge on the afternoon of proestrus are described. Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that a transient curtailment in the inhibitory influence of hypothalamic opioid peptides in the morning of proestrus, sets in motion a chain of temporally-related events starting with augmentation of adrenergic tone, leading to accumulation of neuropeptide Y and LHRH in the median eminence and culminating in episodic LHRH and LH hypersecretion in the afternoon of proestrus.
Insights from Phosphorylation Profiling of an Autoregulated Two-Component System

Connecting biophysical and biochemical parameters determined in vitro to understanding and predicting physiological behavior is an important challenge. Bacterial two-component systems have long served as models for investigating fundamental properties of signal transduction. While understanding regulatory mechanisms has benefited greatly from mathematic modeling, a major obstacle to this approach is the lack of quantitative analyses of two-component systems in their native environments, particularly in vivo parameters for histidine kinase and phosphatase activities. Measurement of cellular phosphorylation levels combined with mathematic modeling has enabled a phosphorylation profiling approach to investigate whether protein expression levels of the archetype PhoB/PhoR two-component system are optimized to the phosphorylation output profile and how the positive autoregulatory scheme enables wild-type cells to achieve optimal expression levels of PhoB/PhoR in dynamic environments. The PhoB/PhoR system responds to phosphate (Pi) limitation, and different Pi conditions were discovered to have conflicting requirements for optimal protein expression levels. Experimental evidence established that wild-type cells achieve different optimal expression levels via autoregulation under respective Pi conditions. The fitness optimum balances costs of protein production with benefits, which are correlated with the phosphorylation output. Laboratory evolution experiments revealed that cells with different non-optimal levels of PhoB/PhoR all rapidly evolve toward optimal expression levels by acquisition of diverse mutations, demonstrating strong selective pressure for evolutionary tuning of protein expression levels. However, positive autoregulation comes at the cost of delaying the output response. Analysis of promoter architecture and mathematic modeling suggests that a PhoB repressor site within the phoBR promoter provides negative feedback that enables acceleration of the response, counterbalancing the delay imposed by positive autoregulation. Thus system architecture appears to be exquisitely evolved to provide protein activities, levels and timing of expression integrated for optimal response output under dynamic and diverse conditions.
Age dependent changes in retention in rats I

Abstract These experiments examined the retention of newly acquired responses in 70-day-, 1-year-, and 2-year-old (Fischer 344) rats. In the first experiment, the rats were trained in a one-trial inhibitory (passive) avoidance task and retention performance was tested after training-test intervals ranging from 2 hrs to 6 weeks. When tested 2 hrs after training, 2-year-old rats performed significantly better than did 70-day-old rats. However, at longer intervals, the decline in retention performance (i.e., rate of forgetting) varied directly with age. Two-year-old rats exhibited more rapid loss of the avoidance response than did 70-day-old rats. One-year-old rats exhibited intermediate rates of forgetting. A second experiment examined retention performance tested 1, 7, or 21 days after training in a discriminated avoidance task. In this task as well, the rate of decline in retention performance varied directly with age. Thus, these findings suggest that aged Fischer 344 rats forget recently acquired inform...
Molecular genetic profiling of Gleason grade 4/5 prostate cancers compared to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Purpose: Because Gleason grade 4/5 cancer is the primary cause of failure to cure prostate cancer, we examined the molecular profiles of this high grade cancer in search of potentially new therapeutic interventions as well as better serum markers than prostate specific antigen.Materials and Methods: We compared the gene expressions in fresh frozen tissues from 9 men with Gleason grade 4/5 cancer to 8 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy. Labeled complementary RNA from each of the 17 tissues was applied to HuGeneFL probe arrays representing approximately 6,800 genes (Affymetrix, Inc., Santa Clara, California). After removing all genes undetectable in BPH and grade 4/5 cancers, and transforming the data into a parametric distribution, we chose only those up and down-regulated genes with a p difference in fluorescence between grade 4/5 cancer and BPH of p <0.0005. This value reduced the data set to 40 up-regulated and 111 down-regulated genes. We then elim...
Convective Boiling in Narrow Concentric Annuli

An experimental apparatus was used to simulate the annulus formed by a single tube passing through a tube support plate (TSP) in the steam generator of a PWR nuclear power plant. It was found that the extent of thin film evaporation, compared to nucleate boiling, is larger for smaller annuli, with a transition at 0.203 mm gap width to a local dryout/rewet condition. A model was developed that predicts an increasing extent of surface dryout/rewet prior to critical heat flux (CHF). A CHF correlation was developed by modification of a pool boiling CHF correlation, and the Chen (1966) correlation was modified to allow prediction of the two-phase heat transfer coefficient