cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of corticosterone on chick embryonic retinal cells in culture

Corticosterone has been shown to affect several patterns of glial cell and neuronal development. We have previously reported that exogenously administered corticosterone preferentially accumulated into the retinas of 8-day-old chick embryos. Moreover, we observed that it affects muscarinic cholinergic binding. Thus, we investigated the effect of different concentrations of corticosterone on retinal cells in culture. Retinas were dissected from 8-day-old embryos, dissociated and cells plated on salt-precipitated collagen. At day 5, cultures were treated with corticosterone (from 10(-9) M to 10(-7) M) for 24 h. Controls received either Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) plus 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) or DMEM only. Results show that the main effect of the hormone was inhibition of neuronal process outgrowth. Also cell aggregation, flat cell proliferation and confluency are altered in hormone-treated cultures. All these effects are reversible and can be attributed to hormone effect and not to serum deprivation.
Functional replacements for sugars in foods

Abstract During the last decade, the number of alternative sweeteners available to the food manufacturer has expanded to include more high-potency sweeteners whose only function is to sweeten. However, the replacement of sweetening alone is inadequate in foods such as bakery products, confections and frozen desserts, in which sugar has a variety of functions.
Neural systems for executive and emotional processing are modulated by symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in Iraq War veterans

The symptom-provocation paradigms generally used in neuroimaging studies of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have placed high demands on emotion processing but lacked cognitive processing, thereby limiting the ability to assess alterations in neural systems that subserve executive functions and their interactions with emotion processing. Thirty-nine veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while exposed to emotional combat-related and neutral civilian scenes interleaved with an executive processing task. Contrast activation maps were regressed against PTSD symptoms as measured by the Davidson Trauma Scale. Activation for emotional compared with neutral stimuli was highly positively correlated with level of PTSD symptoms in ventral frontolimbic regions, notably the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, and ventral anterior cingulate gyrus. Conversely, activation for the executive task was negatively correlated with PTSD symptoms in the dorsal executive network, notably the middle frontal gyrus, dorsal anterior cingulate gyrus, and inferior parietal lobule. Thus, there is a strong link between the subjectively assessed behavioral phenomenology of PTSD and objective neurobiological markers. These findings extend the largely symptom provocation-based functional neuroanatomy to provide evidence that interrelated executive and emotional processing systems of the brain are differentially affected by PTSD symptomatology in recently deployed war veterans.
THE PART PLAYED BY CALCIUM IN DETERMINING THE RESPONSE TO STIMULATION OF SYMPATHETIC POSTGANGLIONIC FIBRES

The inhibition of the pendular movements in a loop of rabbit ileum caused by stimulating the periarterial nerves in the mesentery depends on the calcium concentration in the bathing fluid. The inhibition is small when the concentration is low, and increases as the concentration rises. In the lower ranges of calcium concentration there is rarely any change in the response to noradrenaline, so that the increase in inhibition is due to an increase in the amount of noradrenaline released. The effect of calcium is antagonized by magnesium. In the presence of hyoscine, nicotine inhibits the ileum, and this inhibition also depends on the concentration of calcium. Acetylcholine can sometimes be shown to cause inhibition, and again this inhibition depends on the concentration of calcium. These and other experiments show a close similarity between the release of catechol amines from the adrenal medulla by acetylcholine and the release of noradrenaline from the postganglionic fibre by stimulation or by nicotine. In both instances the calcium concentration plays a decisive part.
Receptors Specific for Amadori-Modified Glycated Albumin on Murine Endothelial Cells

Albumin modified by Amadori glucose adducts has been shown to modulate endothelial and glomerular mesangial cell biology. Recognizing that circulating proteins may trigger cellular events through ligand binding, we examined murine aortic endothelial cells for the expression of a receptor system that recognizes fructosyllysine epitopes in glycated albumin. Endothelial cells contain membrane-associated polypeptides that bind Amadori-modified glycated albumin and exhibit traditional receptor characteristics of dose-responsivity, saturability and ligand specificity. Nonglycated albumin does not compete for binding to the receptor, and the interaction of glycated albumin with its receptor is blocked by a monoclonal antibody that selectively reacts with the Amadori adduct in glycated albumin. The findings suggest that a ligand-receptor system specific to Amadori glucose adducts mediates the biologic effects of glycated albumin.
Rectal barium in pelvic MR imaging: Initial results

Pelvic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is limited by lack of an effective bowel contrast agent. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of rectally administered barium sulfate as a contrast agent in pelvic MR imaging. Thirty-two patients were studied retrospectively to evaluate anatomic definition of the rectosigmoid colon. A commercially available barium sulfate suspension was administered rectally in 19 patients. Thirteen patients were imaged without barium. In the latter patients, anatomic definition of the rectum and sigmoid colon was poor to fair with all pulse sequences. Delineation of the rectum and sigmoid colon improved in patients who received rectal barium, owing to distention and marking of the bowel by the predominantly low-signal-intensity barium. Barium is a safe, inexpensive negative contrast agent for bowel that may improve pelvic MR imaging.
A conservative nodal variational multiscale method for Lagrangian shock hydrodynamics

Abstract A new method based on a continuous, piece-wise linear approximation of the equations for Lagrangian shock hydrodynamics is presented. Numerical instabilities are controlled by a stabilizing operator derived using the paradigm of the variational multiscale analysis. Encouraging numerical comparisons with existing methods in the case of quadrilateral and hexahedral elements indicate that the proposed method is capable of preventing hourglass patterns in the solution, while maintaining accuracy in regions of smooth flow. The proposed approach satisfies Galilean invariance properties and hinges upon the interpretation of the Lagrangian shock hydrodynamics equations as a system of nonlinear wave equations. A specific implementation in terms of a predictor/multi-corrector version of the mid-point time integrator guarantees global conservation of mass, momentum, and total energy for each iterate. Stability and formal order of accuracy are investigated applying the von Neumann analysis to the linearized shock hydrodynamics equations in one dimension. This approach yields tight bounds for stable time-step estimation, formal second-order accuracy of the method in time and space, and valuable indications on the choice of the most appropriate values for the stabilization parameters present in the formulation.
Free pluriharmonic majorants and commutant lifting

In this paper we initiate the study of sub-pluriharmonic curves and free pluriharmonic majorants on the noncommutative open ball [B(H)n]1:={(X1,…,Xn)∈B(H)n:‖X1X1∗+⋯+XnXn∗‖1/2<1}, where B(H) is the algebra of all bounded linear operators on a Hilbert space H. Several classical results from complex analysis have analogues in this noncommutative multivariable setting. We present basic properties for sub-pluriharmonic curves, characterize the class of sub-pluriharmonic curves that admit free pluriharmonic majorants and find, in this case, the least free pluriharmonic majorants. We show that, for any free holomorphic function Θ on [B(H)n]1, the map φ:[0,1)→C∗(R1,…,Rn),φ(r):=Θ(rR1,…,rRn)∗Θ(rR1,…,rRn), is a sub-pluriharmonic curve in the Cuntz–Toeplitz algebra generated by the right creation operators R1,…,Rn on the full Fock space with n generators. We prove that Θ is in the noncommutative Hardy space Hball2 if and only if φ has a free pluriharmonic majorant. In this case, we find Herglotz–Riesz and Poisson type representations for the least pluriharmonic majorant of φ. Moreover, we obtain a characterization of the unit ball of Hball2 and provide a parametrization and concrete representations for all free pluriharmonic majorants of φ, when Θ is in the unit ball of Hball2. In the second part of this paper, we introduce a generalized noncommutative commutant lifting (GNCL) problem which extends, to our noncommutative multivariable setting, several lifting problems including the classical Sz.-Nagy–Foias commutant lifting problem and the extensions obtained by Treil–Volberg, Foias–Frazho–Kaashoek, and Biswas–Foias–Frazho, as well as their multivariable noncommutative versions. We solve the GNCL problem and, using the results regarding sub-pluriharmonic curves and free pluriharmonic majorants on noncommutative balls, we provide a complete description of all solutions. In particular, we obtain a concrete Schur type description of all solutions in the noncommutative commutant lifting theorem.
A band-structure model of strained quantum-well wurtzite semiconductors

We present a theoretical model for calculating the band structures of strained quantum-well wurtzite semiconductors. The theory is based on the Hamiltonian for wurtzite semiconductors and includes the strain effects on the shifts of the band edges. We show new results that include the matrix elements of the Hamiltonian using the finite-difference method for the calculations of the valence electronic band structures of quantum-well wurtzite semiconductors based on the effective-mass theory.
Backbone dynamics and thermodynamics of Borrelia outer surface protein A.

Abstract Nuclear spin relaxation experiments performed at 298 K, 308 K and 318 K are used to characterize the intramolecular dynamics and thermodynamics of outer surface protein A (OspA), a key protein in the life-cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi , the causative agent of Lyme disease. It has recently been demonstrated that OspA specifically binds to the gut of the intermediate tick host ( Ixodes scapularis ), and that this interaction is mediated, at least in part, by residues in the C-terminal domain of OspA that are largely inaccessible to solvent in all X-ray structures of this protein. Our analysis of 15 N relaxation parameters in OspA shows that the putative-binding region contains and is surrounded by flexible residues, which could facilitate accessibility to solvent and ligands. In addition, residues with similar activation energies are clustered in a manner that suggests locally collective motions. We have used molecular modeling to show that these collective motions are consistent with a hinge-bending mechanism that exposes residues implicated in binding. Characteristic temperatures describing the energy landscape of the OspA backbone are derived from the temperature dependence of the N–H bond vector order parameters, and a comparison is made between the N and C-terminal globular domains and the unusual single-layer β-sheet connecting them. The average characteristic temperatures in the three regions indicate that, with an increase in temperature, a larger increase in accessible conformational states occurs for N–H bond vectors in the single-layer central β-sheet than for bond vectors in the globular N and C-terminal domains. These conformational states are accessible without disruption of hydrogen bonds, providing a conformational entropic gain, upon increase in temperature, without a significant enthalpic penalty. This increase in heat capacity may help to explain the unexpected thermal stability of the unusual single-layer β-sheet.
Antibiotic resistance-the problem intensifies.

Abstract While previously recognized antibiotic-resistant bacteria continue to increase in frequency and numbers globally, new resistance problems have recently emerged which further complicate and impede treatment of critical infectious diseases. Vancomycin resistance among Staphylococcus aureus , extended spectrum β-lactamases among gram-negative pathogens, and fluoroquinolone resistance among already multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Neisseria gonorrheae are adding to the toll of resistance on patients suffering with infectious diseases.
REGULATION OF ANTIBODY FORMATION BY SERUM ANTIBODY : II. REMOVAL OF SPECIFIC ANTIBODY BY MEANS OF EXCHANGE TRANSFUSION

Rabbits were immunized to two antigens and 18–55 days later exchange transfusion was performed using blood of rabbits immunized to one antigen only. By this means, serum antibody levels to one antigen were reduced 50–84% while maintaining serum antibody levels to the second antigen. After exchange, serum antibody levels of the removed antibody rose rapidly for 24–48 hr and then more slowly, reaching peak titers an average of 8 days later. The peak titer was 48–222% higher than the preexchange titer. The specificity of this rebound excluded as a cause nonspecific changes in Ig levels. Passive administration of antibody to a third antigen 4–7 days before the exchange indicated that re-equilibration of preformed antibody was not a major factor in the rebound. A change in the ratio of IgM to IgG antibodies as a cause of an increased neutralization titer in the postexchange sera was also excluded. It was therefore suggested that a change in the rate of antibody formation had occurred, although other changes in the quality of serum antibody were not excluded.
Conduite à contre-courant et crues rapides, le conflit du quotidien et de l'exceptionnel

La specificite des facteurs de crues rapides reside dans les echelles spatiales et temporelles et la gamme d'intensites mobilisees. Ainsi dans le cas des crues rapides, les processus hydrologiques se produisent aux memes echelles spatiales et temporelles que les precipitations intenses qui les generent.
Transport of U(VI) through sediments amended with phosphate to induce in situ uranium immobilization.

Phosphate amendments can be added to U(VI)-contaminated subsurface environments to promote in situ remediation. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of phosphate addition on the transport of U(VI) through contaminated sediments. In batch experiments using sediments (<2 mm size fraction) from a site in Rifle, Colorado, U(VI) only weakly adsorbed due to the dominance of the aqueous speciation by Ca–U(VI)-carbonate complexes. Column experiments with these sediments were performed with flow rates that correspond to a groundwater velocity of 1.1 m/day. In the absence of phosphate, the sediments took up 1.68–1.98 μg U/g of sediments when the synthetic groundwater influent contained 4 μM U(VI). When U(VI)-free influents were then introduced with and without phosphate, substantially more uranium was retained within the column when phosphate was present in the influent. Sequential extractions of sediments from the columns revealed that uranium was uniformly distributed along the length of the columns and was primarily in forms that could be extracted by ion exchange and contact with a weak acid. Laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIFS) analysis along with sequential extraction results suggest adsorption as the dominant uranium uptake mechanism. The response of dissolved uranium concentrations to stopped-flow events and the comparison of experimental data with simulations from a simple reactive transport model indicated that uranium adsorption to and desorption from the sediments was not always at local equilibrium.
Wear your hat: representational resistance in safer sex discourse.

Through an analysis of four posters used by the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, this article asks how representation can effectively promote safer sex practices. The images under investigation have different targeted groups-one is aimed at African-American men, one at Latinas, and two at gay men. Using a framework that connects definitions of sex in the respective communities with differences surrounding gender, race, and class, the imagery is unpacked in order to expose the effects of safer sex representation. This essay then arguea that the degree to which ingrained definitions of sex are challenged constitutes a determining factor in the success or failure of safer sex representations.
Signature of a Primitive Genetic Code in Ancient Protein Lineages

The genetic code is the syntactic foundation underlying the structure and function of every protein in the history of the biological world. Its highly ordered degenerate complexity suggests an incremental evolution, the result of a combination of selective, mechanistic, and random processes. These evolutionary processes are still poorly understood and remain an open question in the study of early life on Earth. We perform a compositional analysis of ribosomal proteins and ATPase subunits in bacterial and archaeal lineages, using conserved positions that came and remained under purifying selection before and up to the most recent common ancestor. An observable shift in amino acid usage at these conserved positions likely provides an untapped window into the history of protein sequence space, allowing events of genetic code expansion to be identified. We identify Cys, Glu, Phe, Ile, Lys, Val, Trp, and Tyr as recent additions to the genetic code, with Asn, Gln, Gly, and Leu among the more ancient. Our observations are consistent with a scenario in which genetic code expansion primarily favored amino acids that promoted an increase in polypeptide size and functionality. We propose that this expansion would have been critical in the takeover of many RNA-mediated processes, as well as the addition of novel biological functions inaccessible to an RNA-based physiology, such as crossing lipid membranes. Thus, expansion of the genetic code likely set the stage for the transition from RNA-based to protein-based life.
Protein oxidation in the brain in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract In this study we used immunohistochemistry and two-dimensional fingerprinting of oxidatively modified proteins (two-dimensional Oxyblot) together to investigate protein carbonyl formation in the Alzheimer's disease brain. Increased protein oxidation was detected in sections from the hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus, superior and middle temporal gyri of six Alzheimer's disease and six age-matched control human subjects, but not in the cerebellum. In two brain regions severely affected by Alzheimer's disease pathology, prominent protein carbonyl immunoreactivity was localized in the cytoplasm of neurons without visual pathomorphological changes and degenerating neurons, suggesting that intracellular proteins might be significantly affected by oxidative modifications. Following two-dimensional electrophoresis the positions of some individual proteins were identified using specific antibodies, and immunoblot analysis for protein carbonyls was performed. These studies demonstrated the presence of protein carbonyl immunoreactivity in β-tubulin, β-actin and creatine kinase BB in Alzheimer's disease and control brain extracts. Protein carbonyls were undetectable in spots matching glial fibrillary acidic protein and tau isoforms. Specific protein carbonyl levels in β-actin and creatine kinase BB were significantly higher in Alzheimer's disease than in control brain extract. β-Tubulin did not demonstrate a significant increase in specific protein carbonyl content in Alzheimer's disease brains. We suggest that oxidative stress-induced injury may involve the selective modification of different intracellular proteins, including key enzymes and structural proteins, which precedes and may lead to the neurofibrillary degeneration of neurons in the Alzheimer's disease brain.
On becoming a social justice practitioner

Summary Working toward social justice has always been a part of the social work profession. However, many social workers experience difficulty incorporating social change activities within their professional practice. Practitioners must both learn to practice social change while students and be supported in such activities in their professional practice. An example of a resource within a social work program that explicitly ties practice and social justice is described. Suggestions for integrating justice into practice are included.
Is Depression an Inflammatory Disorder

Studies consistently report that groups of individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) demonstrate increased levels of a variety of peripheral inflammatory biomarkers when compared with groups of nondepressed individuals. These findings are often interpreted as meaning that MDD, even in medically healthy individuals, may be an inflammatory condition. In this article, we examine evidence for and against this idea by looking more closely into what the actual patterns of inflammatory findings indicate in terms of the relationship between MDD and the immune system. Data are presented in support of the idea that inflammation only contributes to depression in a subset of patients versus the possibility that the depressogenic effect of inflammatory activation is more widespread and varies depending on the degree of vulnerability any given individual evinces in interconnected physiologic systems known to be implicated in the etiology of MDD. Finally, the treatment implications of these various possibilities are discussed.
Assessing the psycho-social impact of computers, brain research, and behaviorism: The von Neumann effect

The writings of the developers of the high-speed digital computer during the 1940s suggest that technical knowledge of computers and the human brain produces dissonances with current acculturation, triggering a conversion process leading to the conclusion that the brain is a computer. If so, this “von Neumann effect” is likely to have far-reaching consequences for high-technology societies by fostering behavioristic worldviews premised upon determinism rather than free will. A survey of 1585 university students verified that the von Neumann effect is surfacing in the general population and is associated with determinism. Cultural factors related to the effect were examined.
Application of negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry to the structure elucidation of perfluorochemicals and related compounds

Abstract The negative chemical ionization mass spectra of representative perfluorinated alkanes, cycloalkanes, ethers and tertiary amines have been examined, using Ar at about 0.5 torr as the reagent gas. The compounds chosen are typical of those under study as components of fluorochemical emulsion blood substitutes. Many such PFC's, particularly those with cyclic or branched structures, give intense molecular ions; most give simple spectra with a few major fragment ions at high mass, in marked contrast to the EI spectra which are dominated by m/e 69 (CF 3 +) and 131 (C 3 F 5 +) of no value for structure elucidation. NCI-GC/MS is more sensitive than conventional EI-GC/MS and promises to be more generally useful for structure determination. Specific examples from the various classes will be presented, and their NCI and EI mass spectra compared.
The role of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in cervical lymph node metastases from an unknown primary tumor

BACKGROUND The authors performed a comprehensive review of the efficacy of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the detection of primary tumors in patients with cervical metastases from unknown primary tumors. METHODS Sixteen studies (involving a total of 302 patients) published between 1994 and 2003 were reviewed. These studies evaluated the role of FDG-PET in the detection of unknown primary tumors after conventional workup. In all studies, conventional workup included either panendoscopy or computed tomographic/magnetic resonance imaging, and in 10 of 16 studies, both of these diagnostic techniques were performed before diagnosis. RESULTS The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates of FDG-PET in detecting unknown primary tumors were 88.3%, 74.9%, and 78.8%, respectively. Furthermore, FDG-PET detected 24.5% of tumors that were not apparent after conventional workup. FDG-PET imaging also led to the detection of previously unrecognized metastases in 27.1% of patients (regional, 15.9%; distant, 11.2%). FDG-PET had notably low specificity and a high false-positive rate (39.3%) in the tonsils. In contrast, the false-positive rates for FDG-PET of the base of tongue and hypopharynx were only 21.4% and 8.3%, respectively. FDG-PET exhibited decreased sensitivity to tumors in the base of tongue (81.5%). The sensitivity of this technique at other sites was 90.5%. CONCLUSIONS FDG-PET detected primary tumors that went undetected by other modalities in approximately 25% of cases and was sensitive in the detection of previously unrecognized regional or distant metastases in 27% of cases. FDG-PET had low specificity for tonsillar tumors and low sensitivity for base-of-tongue malignancies. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Access to Care After Massachusetts’ Health Care Reform: A Safety Net Hospital Patient Survey

BACKGROUND Massachusetts’ health care reform substantially decreased the percentage of uninsured residents. However, less is known about how reform affected access to care, especially according to insurance type.
Massive spontaneous epidural hematoma in a high-level swimmer: a case report.

A twenty-two-year-old Olympic-caliber collegiate swimmer presented to the emergency department with complaints of progressive weakness in both lower extremities. Two days earlier, the patient had noted sharp pain in the neck and the middle part of the back on waking; however, he was able to complete his morning swimming practice. He could not recall a traumatic event, but he had participated in a rigorous swim practice the day before. One day before presentation, the pain completely resolved. However, on the day of presentation, the patient had awoken from a nap with searing interscapular back pain and decreased strength in the legs. He reported no bladder or bowel difficulties at that time. He was unable to stand and was immediately taken to the emergency department. The medical history was unremarkable for any previous spine trauma. The surgical history was noncontributory, and the patient reported no previous bleeding dyscrasias. He was not taking any medications, and he reported no history of illicit drug use. Manual motor testing revealed normal strength throughout both upper extremities. The patient had strong biceps, triceps, and brachioradialis reflexes and had no difficulty with rapid fine alternating motions. He had a negative Hoffman reflex, a negative inverted radial reflex, and no upper motor neuron findings in the upper extremities. In the lower extremities, however, the patient had no strength in the iliopsoas, quadriceps, hamstrings, tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, or gastrocnemius/soleus muscles. The patient had absent patellar and Achilles tendon reflexes bilaterally, and he had no rectal tone. He had no sensation to light touch, pain, or temperature from the nipple line down to the toes. Blood tests were unremarkable, with a hematocrit of 42.4%, an international normalized ratio of 1.1, a prothrombin time of 13.8 seconds, a partial thromboplastin time of 26.3 seconds, a C-reactive protein level …
Monitoring retinal morphologic and functional changes in mice following optic nerve crush.

Purpose We characterized the morphologic and functional changes in optic nerve crushed mice and evaluated electroretinogram (ERG) responses as tools to monitor retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction. Methods We performed optic nerve crush (ONC) unilaterally in adult BALB/cJ mice. The neuronal loss in the RGC layer (GCL) and superior colliculus (SC) was determined by Nissl staining. Retinal thickness was assessed by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging. Retinal function was determined by pattern ERG and full-field flash ERG. Responses of pattern ERG, positive scotopic threshold response (pSTR), scotopic oscillatory potentials (OPs), and photopic negative response (PhNR) were analyzed. Results The ONC induced progressive neuronal loss in GCL and contralateral SC starting from 7 and 28 days following ONC, respectively. A linear correlation was observed between combined thickness of nerve fiber layer (NFL), GCL, and inner plexiform layer (IPL) imaged by SD-OCT and cell numbers in GCL. Only half of the normal BALB/cJ mice exhibited pattern ERG response, which was smaller and later compared to C57BL/6J mice. The ONC reduced pattern ERG and pSTR, but the reduction of pattern ERG was earlier than pSTR, preceding the anatomical cell loss in the GCL. The PhNR and scotopic OPs were not affected by ONC. Conclusions The SD-OCT and ERG can be used to monitor noninvasively retinal morphologic and functional changes induced by ONC. Pattern ERG and pSTR are able to detect early RGC dysfunction, but pattern ERG exhibits higher sensitivity. Our results support the use of these tools in studies using the mouse ONC model.
A nonlinear spring model of hydraulic actuator for passive controller design in bilateral tele-operation

In this paper, the expressions that define compressibility of hydraulic medium are used to develop a nonlinear spring-like model for a hydraulic actuator. Using this model, an energy based controller for passive bilateral tele-operation of hydraulic actuator is designed. The control problem is posed to achieve power amplification from the master to the slave. The unknown external forces on the slave system are assumed to be constant and are estimated using techniques from direct adaptive control. Efficacy of the controller is evaluated by implementing it on a single degree-of-freedom setup. Experimental results demonstrate good co-ordination characteristics both in free space and when encountering a hard surface.
Numerical Integration of the Barotropic Vorticity Equation

A method is given for the numerical solution of the barotropic vorticity equation over a limited area of the earth's surface. The lack of a natural boundary calls for an investigation of the appropriate boundary conditions. These are determined by a heuristic argument and are shown to be sufficient in a special case. Approximate conditions necessary to insure the mathematical stability of the difference equation are derived. The results of a series of four 24-hour forecasts computed from actual data at the 500 mb level are presented, together with an interpretation and analysis. An attempt is made to determine the causes of the forecast errors. These are ascribed partly to the use of too large a space increment and partly to the effects of baroclinicity. The role of the latter is investigated in some detail by means of a simple baroclinic model. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1950.tb00336.x
S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)glutathione: a reactive S-linked metabolite of methyl isocyanate.

S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)glutathione, a chemically-reactive glutathione conjugate, has been isolated from the bile of rats administered methyl isocyanate and characterized, as its N-benzyloxycarbonyl dimethylester derivative, by tandem mass spectrometry. The ability of this glutathione adduct to donate an N-methylcarbamoyl moiety to the free -SH group of cysteine was evaluated in vitro with the aid of a highly specific thermospray LCMS assay procedure. The glutathione adduct reacted readily with cysteine in buffered aqueous media (pH 7.4, 37°C) and after 2 hr, 42.5 % of the substrate existed in the form of S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)cysteine. The reverse reaction, i.e. between the cysteine adduct and free glutathione, also took place readily under these conditions. It is concluded that conjugation of methyl isocyanate with glutathione in vivo affords a reactive S-linked product which displays the potential to carbamoylate nucleophilic amino acids. The various systemic toxicities associated with exposure of animals or humans to methyl isocyanate could therefore be due to release of the isocyanate from its glutathione conjugate, which thus may serve as a vehicle for the transport of methyl isocyanate in vivo.
Efficacy and mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicines for treating asthma and allergy

Background Although corticosteroids and β 2 -agonists are effective in managing asthma symptoms, a curative therapy for asthma is lacking. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), used in Asia for centuries, is beginning to play a role in Western health care as a complementary and alternative medicine modality. There is increasing scientific evidence supporting the use of TCM for asthma treatment. Objective This review article discusses promising TCM interventions for asthma and explores their possible mechanisms of action. Methods We first reviewed 5 clinical studies of antiasthma TCM herbal remedies published between 2005 and 2007. We then summarized possible mechanisms underlying their effects on the basis of data in the original articles, published abstracts, and available databases. Possible mechanisms include anti-inflammation, inhibition of airway smooth muscle contraction, and immunomodulation. Research on TCM herbal therapy for food allergy is rare, and we therefore focused on the effect and mechanism of action of food allergy herbal formula-2 on a murine model of peanut allergy and preliminary clinical study results. Conclusion Evidence from clinical studies supports beneficial effects of TCM herbal therapy on asthma. A number of mechanisms may be responsible for efficacy of these agents. Strong preclinical study data suggest the potential efficacy of food allergy herbal formula-2 for food allergy.
Failures in implant dentistry.

Implants This article describes the many failures and complications that can occur when using implants to support restorations. Most of these failures can be prevented with proper patient selection and treatment planning. Implant failures can be largely classified into four main categories: 1) loss of integration, 2) positional failures 3) soft tissue defects, and 4) biomechanical failures. Each of these will be discussed with examples to illustrate the problem.
Hypothalamic regulation of gonadotropin release in female Japanese quail.

The control mechanisms of the hypothalamo-hypophysio-ovarian axis were investigated in breeding Japanese quail by means of electrolytic or radiofrequency lesions in various regions of the hypothalamus. Depending on the site of damage to the hypothalamus, two forms of ovarian dysfunction were observed. Lesions in anterior regions of the infundibular nuclear complex or in the anterior division of the median eminence resulted in regression of the ovary and oviduct; all follicles of the ovaries of these birds measured less than 3 mm in diameter. These conditions are interpreted as indicative of cessation of the release of folliclestimulating hormone from the adenohypophysis. Lesions in medial, ventral and posterior regions of the infundibular nuclear complex or in the preoptic region of the hypothalamus resulted in cessation of ovulation, but did not cause complete regression of the ovary and oviduct. In these birds the ovaries and oviducts were reduced somewhat in weight, but the ovarian follicles remained large and laden with yolk. This condition is thought to result from the cessation of the release of luteinizing hormone from the adenohypophysis.
Two-photon Absorption and Photon-number Squeezing with CdSe Nanocrystals

We have demonstrated the reduction of photon-number fluctuations below the shot-noise level (photon-number squeezing) by two-photon absorption in an inorganic semiconductor material consisting of a thin film of TOPO-decorated CdSe nanocrystals embedded in a PMMA polymer host. The photon-number squeezing was measured at 800 nm, where the linear absorption of the material was negligible. The amount of photon-number squeezing from the CdSe system was ∼5% for a moderate value of nonlinear transmission. This observation was possible due to the large nonlinear absorption exhibited by the system of CdSe NCs embedded in PMMA and also due to the reduced linear scattering losses in thin films. The CdSe squeezing data are compared to results previously obtained for the first time in a nonlinear optical polymeric material. The achievement of photon-number squeezing in these novel materials gives the opportunity for future application in the improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio in optical communications.
Altered glutathione status in atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) tissues exposed to lead

Abstract Metals which induce the synthesis of metallothioneins, such as cadmium and mercury, also elevate glutathione (GSH) concentrations in fish tissues.1,2 To determine whether metals which do not stimulate metallothionein synthesis increase GSH levels, the GSH status of Atlantic croaker tissues was examined after oral administration of lead. Lead significantly increased GSH levels in the intestine and liver, but not in kidney or brain tissues. Lead was not bound to GSH and the increase in GSH did not appear to be linked to lead accumulation in these tissues. Investigations of hepatic GSH synthesis and turnover in vitro using a radiolabelled amino acid precursor, C14 glycine, showed that the elevation of GSH was due to an increase in GSH synthesis rather than decreased utilization of GSH. These studies suggest that the interactions between GSH and lead are indirect and involve a stimulatory effect of the metal on the activity of the enzymes for GSH synthesis.
A diversity of Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus spp. in a Public Transportation System.

Objectives Our goal was to determine the diversity and abundance of Staphylococcus bacteria on different components of a public transportation system in a mid-sized US city (Portland, Oregon) and to examine the level of drug resistance in these bacteria.
Course and Chronicity of Unipolar Major Depressive Disorder: Commentary on Joiner

Joiner (this issue) outlines an organizational framework of dysfunctional psychological processes observed in unipolar major depressive disorder (MDD) patients, which he hypothesizes makes substantial contributions to the chronicity of this common and disabling disorder. Rather than concentrating on the clinical characteristics, past history, biological markers, or genetic variables as risk factors for chronicity, Joiner references the scarring effects of repeated episodes and a set of destructive interpersonal processes present in depressed patients that he feels promotes depressive chronicity. This extends observations reported in prior studies on psychosocial disability in depression, which have concentrated primarily on such issues as employment status, estimates of well-being, and so on, whereas Joiner emphasizes psychological disability and disrupted interpersonal relationships. This commentary introduces a new dimension of chronicity of unipolar MDD that involves the long-term, chronic manifestation of depressive symptomatology, in addition to the frequent major depressive episode relapse. Further, the long-term symptomatic structure of unipolar MDD is described as a dimensional continuum of symptom severity and illness activity and then highlighted as to the relevance of both of these newer concepts to Joiner's proposals. A number of interesting research questions are outlined in by Joiner that need empirical validation but, if answered, could make a contribution to the understanding and reduction of depression chronicity.
Investigation of Nanomechanical Properties of the Interphase in a Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composite Using Nanoindentation

Glass fiber reinforced polymer composites are widely used as structural materials. These two-component materials can be tailored to suit a large variety of applications. A better understanding of the properties of the fiber-matrix ‘‘interphase’’ can facilitate optimum design of the composite structure. The interphase is a microscopic region around the fiber and hence nano-scale investigation using nano-indentation techniques is appropriate to determine mechanical property variations within this region. In this study the atomic force microscope adapted with a commercial nanoindenter has been used to determine the variation of the elastic modulus across the interphase for different silane coated glass fiber reinforced polyester matrix composites. A comparative study of the elastic modulus variation in the various interphases is reported. The results are discussed in the light of the current limitations of the instrumentation and analysis.@DOI: 10.1115/1.1543966#
On a Formula Relating Volumes of Medial Sections of Simplices

Talata’s medial sections of simplices can be classified into families according to how many vertices of the simplex lie on one side of the hyperplane determining the section. Defining a (k,l)-medial section to be one in which k vertices lie on one side and l=d+1−k on the other, we show that for any d-simplex the ratio of the sum of the squared volumes of the (k,l)-medial sections to the sum of the squared volumes of the (κ,λ)-medial sections is independent of the geometry of the simplex, depending only on d, k, and κ. We give a formula for the ratio.
Abstract C16: Targeting AR in castration-resistant prostate cancer: Development of ARN-509 and second-generation antiandrogen resistance models

Abstract The androgen receptor (AR) plays a central role in the development and progression of prostate cancer. Recent studies demonstrate that AR remains essential in the majority of castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) after classical androgen ablation therapies have failed. The clinical efficacies of MDV3100 and abiraterone acetate, both of which target the AR pathway in the castrate resistant setting, support these findings. ARN-509 is a 2nd generation competitive AR antagonist that, unlike bicalutamide, maintains full antagonist activity in preclinical CRPC models. ARN-509 does not robustly induce AR nuclear localization or DNA binding. However, ARN-509 displays maximal efficacy in the LNCaP/AR xenograft model of CRPC at lower dose and steady state plasma concentrations compared to MDV3100, suggesting potential for higher therapeutic index and ability to deliver the maximally efficacious dose in man. To date, ARN-509 has shown promising antitumor activity in mCRPC patients enrolled in a Phase 1 study. Given that approximately 50% of CRPC patients have suboptimal response to MDV3100 and abiraterone acetate as well as the observation that resistance eventually develops in patients who initially respond to therapy, we sought to determine whether AR remains a viable therapeutic target in the MDV3100 and ARN-509 resistant setting. To this end, we generated several MDV3100 and ARN-509 resistant derivatives of the LNCaP and LNCaP/AR cell lines. While work is underway to determine the molecular mechanisms of resistance, a subset of cell lines does not require androgens for growth in vitro. These androgen independent derivatives express AR at levels comparable to LNCaP/AR (approximately 3X LNCaP) or 2-3 fold LNCaP-AR. When representative lines are injected into castrated mice, they demonstrate a decreased latency of tumor formation compared to the parental cell line both in the presence and absence of ARN-509. Importantly, in all lines tested, small interfering RNA mediated reduction in AR levels dramatically impaired the ability of the androgen independent resistant cell lines to proliferate in the absence of androgens. These data support the hypothesis that AR remains a viable therapeutic target for second generation anti-androgen resistant prostate cancer and is the first step toward establishing a platform to screen for next generation anti-androgens. Citation Format: James D. Joseph, Anna Aparicio, Josh Kaufman, Jackie Julien, Celine Bonnefous, Nicholas D. Smith, Peter Rix, Michael E. Jung, Charles L. Sawyers, Richard A. Heyman, Jeffrey H. Hager, Nicola J. Clegg, John Sensintaffar, Nhin Lu, Kate Grillot, Eric Bischoff, Gang Shao, Jing Qian, Beatrice Darimont. Targeting AR in castration-resistant prostate cancer: Development of ARN-509 and second-generation antiandrogen resistance models [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr C16.
An Examination of Ethnic Incongruence in School-Based Psychological Services and Diversity-Training Experiences among School Psychologists.

The current study examined the prevalence of ethnic incongruence in three school psychological services: assessment, consultation, and counseling; the prevalence of diversity training among school psychologists; and practitioners' attitudes about their training experiences. A mail survey was sent to a random sample of 500 school psychologists drawn from the 1999 membership roster of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Ethnic incongruence, defined as ethnic differences between a professional and a client, was commonly reported for assessment, consultation, and counseling cases. Diversity training was reported by 90.7% of participating school psychologists in the form of graduate coursework, internship experiences, or continuing education. Though most respondents rated their training experiences positively, improvements were suggested. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 42: 419–432, 2005.
Civic Elites and Corporate Delocalization: An Alternative Explanation for Declining Civic Engagement

This article presents an alternative to Robert Putnam's explanation for the decline of social capital in America. The author suggests that the complex impacts of economic transformations—in particu...
Interpersonal Behavior Constructs: A Revised Approach to Defining Dyadic Interaction Styles:

Methods for analyzing mother-child interactions which have been used in clinical and research studies over a 10-yr. period have been revised in the interests of greater economy and more precise cli...
Oxidation Mechanisms for Ethyl Chloride and Ethyl Bromide under Atmospheric Conditions

The Cl-atom initiated oxidation of ethyl chloride and ethyl bromide has been investigated as a function of temperature (220−298 K) in an environmental chamber equipped with an FTIR spectrometer. In the absence of NOx, reaction with O2 (CH3CHClO + O2 → CH3C(O)Cl + HO2, reaction 9) and decompositon via HCl-elimination (CH3CHClO → CH3CO + HCl, reaction 8a) are shown to be competing fates of the CH3CHClO radical generated in the ethyl chloride system, with k9/k8a = 3.2 × 10-24 exp(2240/T) cm3 molecule-1. The CH3CHClO radical is also shown to be subject to a chemical activation effect; when produced in the exothermic reaction of CH3CHClO2 with NO, about 50% of the nascent CH3CHClO radicals decompose promptly via HCl elimination, before collisional deactivation can occur. The reaction of Cl with ethyl bromide occurs 70−80% via abstraction from the −CH2Br group and 20−30% via abstraction from the −CH3 group. The observation of ethene in this system indicates that the BrCH2CH2 radical (generated via abstraction f...