cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the Burden of Hyperphagia in Prader-Willi Syndrome Using Quality-Adjusted Life-years.

Abstract Background Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare disease associated with cognitive impairment, hypotonia, hyperphagia (an insatiable hunger), and obesity. Therapies that target hyperphagia are in development, but understanding the value of these therapies to inform patient-focused drug development (PFDD) requires valid data on disease burden. We estimated disease burden by measuring and comparing quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for 3 PWS health states relevant to current PFDD initiatives. Methods Time trade-off (TTO) and a visual analog scale (VAS) were used to elicit PWS caregivers’ values for 3 fixed health states for a standardized patient described with (1) untreated PWS, (2) PWS with controlled obesity, and (3) PWS with controlled obesity and hyperphagia. We excluded participants who left at least 1 TTO or VAS question blank or incomplete (noncompleters) and respondents who reported the same answer for all TTO scenarios (nontraders). The remaining group of respondents (traders) were used for all primary analyses. We assessed validity and bias of QALY estimates by comparing differences in health state valuations, treatment priorities, and characteristics among respondents who did and did not complete the TTO. Results A total of 458 respondents completed the survey, including 226 traders, 93 nontraders, and 139 noncompleters. Traders valued untreated PWS at 0.69 QALYs, PWS with controlled obesity at 0.79 QALYs, and controlled hyperphagia/obesity at 0.91 QALY (P Conclusions This study found that avoiding hyperphagia decreases the burden of PWS and that these results are robust, even once imposing strict inclusion criteria. Use of fixed health states to estimate QALYs addresses many of the complexities of measuring disease burden in rare and pediatric conditions, indicating the potential value of this approach to inform premarket decision makers in identifying outcome importance.
La abundancia de proteínas en la Amazonía: Una respuesta a Gross

Un examen critico de la hipotesis de Gross de que todas las poblaciones amazonicas originales estaban limitadas a niveles bajos por la falta de recursos proteicos adecuados concluye que (1) la evidencia, ya sea lejos o en contra de la hipotesis, todavia es escasa; (2) el papel de la proteina vegetal en las dietas aborigenes necesita mucha mas atencion y, en ultima instancia, puede acabar con la hipotesis de limitacion de proteinas; (3) es probable que tambien se haya subestimado la abundancia de proteina animal en el bosque tropical; (4) la abundancia de personas en la Amazonia anterior al contacto tambien puede haber sido subestimada.
Cluster-expansion procedures for the correlated charge form factor

A factor-cluster or Van Kampen-type expansion is proposed for the evaluation of expectation values with respect to Jastrow wave functions, with special attention to the correlated form factor for elastic electron scattering from light nuclei. The advantages of this expansion over other means (familiar iwamoto-Yamada-type expansion, single- or multiple-pair approximation) for evaluating the Jastrow form factor are displayed.
Response to Dr Stephen Cooper's ‘On the use of metaphor to understand, explain, or rationalize redundant genes in yeast’

Earlier use of a metaphor in explaining genetic redundancy in a news article has triggered a commentary and a competing metaphor by Dr Stephen Cooper, who went on to conclude that genetic redundancies are relatively unimportant for microorganisms. We argue here that the new metaphor is flawed and that genetic redundancies are integral to buffering all organisms against environmental and genetic damage.
One more no-arbitrage parametric t of volatility smile

During last 15 years various parameterizations of the implied volatility (IV) surface were proposed in the literature to address few goals: a) given market data on some options build a no-arbitrage local volatility (Dupire’s) surface to further exploit it for calibration of a local stochastic volatility model; b) obtain volatilities for pricing OTC options and other derivatives with strikes and maturities other than that oered by option exchanges; c) produce a volatility forecast over future periods of time, which is helpful in Value-at-Risk models, computing forward IVs and exposures, etc., d) assess an adequacy of an option pricing model based on the shape of the IV surface. Among various existing parameterizations SVI model of Gatheral is the most elaborated one which takes into account a correct asymptotic behavior at wings, and respects noarbitrage conditions as well as no-arbitrage interpolation and extrapolation. In this paper we propose another class of parameterizations that deliver same functionality but sometimes with a better quality of t.
Methods for the isolation and characterization of constituents of natural products: VII. Purification of alcohol ester, amide, and thioester derivatives of pyruvic acid 2, 6-dinitrophenylhydrazone with an anion exchange resin

Abstract A quantitative ion-exchange procedure is described for purification of alcohol ester, amide and thioester derivatives of pyruvic acid 2,6-dinitrophenylhydrazone. The derivatives are exchanged (or absorbed) on an anion-exchanger in the acetate form and desorbed with acetic acid solution after removal of contaminating lipid (butterfat). Fatty acids which may contaminate the derivatives are removed on an acidic alumina column.
Boredom and Marriage in George Eliot's MIDDLEMARCH

Critics of George Eliot's Middlemarch often make the point that marriage restricts the female character's freedom. Lee Maynard argues that beauty leads to marriage and that marriage leads to boredo...
Asset Securitisation as a Risk Management and Funding Tool: What Does it Hold in Store for SMES?

The following chapter critically surveys the attendant benefits and drawbacks of asset securitisation on both financial institutions and firms. It also elicits salient lessons to be learned about the securitisation of SME-related obligations from a cursory review of SME securitisation in Germany as a foray of asset securitisation in a bank-centred financial system paired with a strong presence of SMEs in industrial production.
A generalized adsorption-phase transition model to describe adsorption rates in flexible metal organic framework RPM3-Zn

Flexible gate-opening metal organic frameworks (GO-MOFs) expand or contract to minimize the overall free energy of the system upon accommodation of an adsorbate. The thermodynamics of the GO process are well described by a number of models, but the kinetics of the process are relatively unexplored. A flexible GO-MOF, RPM3-Zn, exhibits a significant induction period for opening by N2 and Ar at low temperatures, both above and below the GO pressure. A similar induction period is not observed for H2 or O2 at comparable pressures and temperatures, suggesting the rate of opening is strongly influenced by the gas-surface interaction rather than an external stress. The induction period leads to severe mass transfer limitations for adsorption and over-prediction of the gate-opening pressure. After review of a number of existing adsorption rate models, we find that none adequately describe the experimental rate data and similar timescales for diffusion and opening invalidate prior reaction-diffusion models. Statistically, the rate data are best described by a compressed exponential function. The resulting fitted parameters exceed the expectations for adsorption but fall within those expected for phase transition. By treating adsorption as a phase transition, we generalize the Avrami theory of phase transition kinetics to describe adsorption in both rigid and flexible hosts. The generalized theory is consistent with observed experimental trends relating to induction period, temperature, pressure, and gas-substrate interaction.
Scattering from a small sphere near a surface

We examine four theories that predict the scattered radiation from a system composed of a small sphere and a plane and show that in the far field the scattering amplitude components predicted by these theories are essentially the same. We express the scattering intensities in Mueller matrix representation and examine the far-field Mueller matrix as a function of various parameters.
Unusual Conformational Effect in α-Aminoorganostannanes

Dynamic NMR analysis of conformationally mobile and rigid 2-tributylstannyl-N-methylpiperidines revealed an unexpected conformational effect that is manifested in a small energy difference between conformers in which the tin is equatorial and axial. The major reason appears to be a distortion of the conformer in which the C-2−Sn bond is synclinal to the nitrogen lone pair.
Discussion of “Definition of Wind Profiles in ASCE 7” by Yin Zhou and Ahsan Kareem

Zhou and Kareem’s critical review of models used in the ASCE 7-98 standard for mean wind speed, turbulence intensity, and gust speed profiles ‘‘suggests notable inconsistencies’’ among the definitions associated with those models. We point out in this discussion a further inconsistency that, in our opinion, is sufficiently serious to warrant a major change in future versions of the ASCE 7 standard. This inconsistency is due primarily to the assumption that the power law describes the entire atmospheric boundary layer, from the ground surface up to the ‘‘gradient height.’’ The gust speed profile is expressed in ASCE 7-98 by Eq.~7! as
New developments in high-throughput resequencing and variation detection using high density microarrays.

We developed a high-throughput method for resequencing for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery using high-density microarrays. Over the two-year course of this study a number of improvements in sample preparation methods, hybridization assay, array handling, and analysis method were developed and implemented. DNA from 40 unrelated individuals of three different ethnic origins was amplified, labeled, and hybridized to arrays designed with probes representing genomic, coding, and regulatory regions. Protocol improvements including the use of long PCR and semi-automation reduced labeling and fragmentation costs by 33%. Automation improvements include the development of a scanner autoloader for arrays, a faster array wash station, and a linked laboratory tracking and data management system. Validation of a smaller feature size, 20 x 24 microns, allowed the simultaneous screening of 30-kb sense and 30-kb antisense DNA on each microarray, increasing throughput to 1.4 Mb per day per two laboratory personnel. More than 15,000 SNPs were identified in 8.3 Mb of the human genome using high-density resequencing and variation detection arrays (microarrays).
Application of controller partitioning optimization procedure to integrated flight/propulsion control design for a STOVL aircraft

A parameter optimization framework has earlier been developed to solve the problem of partitioning a centralized controller into a decentralized, hierarchical structure suitable for integrated flight/propulsion control implementation. This paper presents results from the application of the controller partitioning optimization procedure to IFPC design for a Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft in transition flight. The controller partitioning problem and the parameter optimization algorithm are briefly described. Insight is provided into choosing various 'user' selected parameters in the optimization cost function such that the resulting optimized subcontrollers will meet the characteristics of the centralized controller that are crucial to achieving the desired closed-loop performance and robustness, while maintaining the desired subcontroller structure constraints that are crucial for IFPC implementation. The optimization procedure is shown to improve upon the initial partitioned subcontrollers and lead to performance comparable to that achieved with the centralized controller. This application also provides insight into the issues that should be addressed at the centralized control design level in order to obtain implementable partitioned subcontrollers.
Effect of undercooling temperature on the solidification kinetics and morphology of Y-Ba-Cu-O during melt texturing

Abstract The phase content of a series of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ (123) bars was determined as a function of the holding time during the post-melting solidification process at different undercooling temperatures. Quantitative XRD analysis of these samples shows that 123 recrystallization occurs in three distinct stages after cooling from the melting temperature. The first stage is an incubation period during which no 123 forms, followed by a rapid liquid-assisted reaction stage, then finally a slow solid-state sintering stage. Nucleation of 123 from the partial melt which contains 211+BaCuO 2 + liquid is a low-probability process which results in only a limited number of nuclei forming during the texturing process. The undercooling temperature is a critical parameter which controls the final morphology of 123 in the case of non-directional solidification. Large amounts of undercooling results in a microstructure characterized by randomly-oriented dendritic needles or plates, while a low degree of undercooling yields large, blocky domains of oriented 123.
Vitamin E co-treatment reduces Aroclor 1254-induced impairment of reproductive neuroendocrine function in Atlantic croaker

We have shown previously that exposure of Atlantic croaker to a PCB mixture (Aroclor 1254) results in impaired reproductive neuroendocrine function. In addition, we have identified hypothalamic tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), the rate-limiting enzyme in serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) synthesis, as a target of PCB neuroendocrine toxicity. In order to further elucidate the mechanisms of PCB neurotoxicity, the present study investigated whether PCB-induced decrease in hypothalamic TPH activity resulted from degradation of the enzyme protein. Fish were exposed to Aroclor 1254 in the diet (0.1 mg/100 g body weight (BW)/day) for 30 days. The PCB exposure elicited a significant decrease in hypothalamic TPH protein content, which could be at least partially responsible for the reduced TPH activity. To test whether a similar PCB exposure could cause oxidative damage in croaker hypothalamic tissues, we examined the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) protein adducts as a marker of lipid peroxidation (LPO). The same dose of PCB increased the MDA-protein adduct formation in the hypothalamus. In a separate experiment, the role of vitamin E, an antioxidant, to prevent or decrease the effect of PCB on hypothalamic TPH activity and gonadal growth was examined. The vitamin E co-treatments (1 and 10 mg/100 g BW/day) with PCB significantly reduced the effects of PCB on TPH activity and gonadal growth. These results suggest possible involvement of oxidative processes in PCB neurotoxicity.
Depressed and Anxious COPD Patients: Predictors of Psychotherapy Engagement from a Clinical Trial

This study examined patient-level factors associated with engagement in mental health treatment in a sample of medically ill patients with clinically significant symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. A total of 248 patients was enlisted from a randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression and anxiety in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Logistic regression analysis was used to predict mental health engagement, defined as attending at least one intervention session. Results indicated that patient-perceived mastery over COPD was negatively related to mental health engagement. Further, mastery was the only significant predictor of mental health engagement after controlling for patient demographic characteristics, severity of COPD, depression, and anxiety. To improve engagement for medically ill patients with comorbid mental health difficulties, clinicians should explore patients’ attitudes about their mental health within the context of their perceived ability to cope with their medical disease.
UDP-glucose: Flavonoid O-glucosyltransferase from strawberry fruit

Abstract An enzyme catalysing the glucosylation of quercetin at the 7-hydroxyl group using uridine diphosphate- d -glucose (UDPGlc) as the glucosyl donor was partially purified ca 100-fold from ripening strawberry ( Fragaria ananassa Duch. cv Tillikum) fruit. The apparent K m values for UDPGlc and quercetin were 0.14 and 0.04 mM, respectively. The optimum pH of this glucosylation reaction was 7.5. Enzymatic activity was slightly stimulated by Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ , but was completely inhibited by Cu 2+ and p -chloromercuribenzenesulphonic acid (PCMBS). A M r of ca 55 000 was determined by gel filtration. The substrate specificity was broad. Flavonoids glucosylated included flavonols, flavonones and a flavone, but the highest activity was observed with the isoflavone, biochanin A.
W ∞ and the Racah-Wigner algebra

Abstract We examine the structure of a recently constructed W∞ algebra, an extension of the Virasoro algebra that describes an infinite number of fields with all conformal spins 2,3,…, with central terms for all spins. By examining its underlying SL(2, R ) structure, we are able to exhibit its relation to the algebras of SL(2, R ) tensor operators. Based upon this relationship, we generalise W∞ to a one-parameter family of inequivalent Lie algebras W∞(μ), which for general μ requires the introduction of formally negative spins. Furthermore, we display a realisation of the W∞(μ) commutation relations in terms of an underlying associative product, which we denote with a lone star. This product structure shares many formal features with the Racah-Wigner algebra in angular-momentum theory. We also discuss the relation between W∞ and the symplectic algebra on a cone, which can be viewed as a co-adjoint orbit of SL(2, R ).
Cutaneous Tissue Repair Following CO2 Laser Irradiation

Abstract We studied the mechanism of repair following exposure of normal skin to the CO 2 laser in a focused mode. Exposed areas were biopsied at 0, 24, 48 h; 1, 2 weeks; 1, 212 months (pulse width varying from 0.1 to 1.0 s) after irradiation. The initial pattern was a V-shaped zone of cauterized collagen with a central crevice, the depth of which correlated with the total energy applied. The epidermal changes consisted of transepidermal cauterization and basal vacuolar changes lateral to the site of impact. Over a period of 1 week, the wound crevice decreased in depth and width and the central margins of the zone of cauterized collagen approximated. The cauterized collagen was extruded and was noted in the epidermal crust; minimal granulation tissue was present. Biopsies at later time periods showed formation of granulation tissue and retention of small amounts of necrotic collagen; the process of collagen extrusion was largely prevented by suturing. These observations show that dermal contraction and necrotic collagen extrusion are important components of initial tissue repair following limited dermal destruction produced by CO 2 irradiation.
Inhibition of Neural and Neuroendocrine Activity by α-Interferon: Neuroendocrine, Electrophysiological, and Biochemical Studies in the Rat

In our earlier studies we have demonstrated that recombinant human interferon-alpha 2A (rHu-IFN-alpha 2A) inhibits hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) secretion following both peripheral and central administration. Furthermore, this effect is antagonized by mu-opioid receptor antagonists, suggesting transduction by this subtype of opioid receptors. In the present studies, we demonstrate that this effect is also observed with the hybrid recombinant preparation, rHu-IFN-alpha A/D, and a leucocyte-derived rat IFN-alpha preparation. The inhibitory effects on HPA activity were observed after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of rHu-IFN-alpha 2A (10(3) U), rHu-IFN-alpha A/D (10(4) U), and of Rat-IFN-alpha (1 and 10 U). Similar effects were observed with intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of all three IFN-alpha preparations. No increases in plasma concentrations of corticosterone were observed with doses of rHu-IFN-alpha A/D up to 10(6) U (i.p.) or 7 x 10(5) U (i.c.v.), but increases were found following i.c.v. administration of high doses of Rat-IFN-alpha (10(3) and 5 x 10(3) U). The inhibitory effects of all of the IFN-alpha preparations tested were antagonized by naloxone, but the stimulatory effects of 5 x 10(3) U Rat-IFN-alpha were not. Injections of rHu-IFN-alpha 2A (10(4) U i.p.) to urethane-anesthetized rats decreased the electrical activity of the majority of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus neurons tested, including putative corticotropin-releasing factor-secreting neurons antidromically identified as projecting to the median eminence. These electrophysiological data suggest that the decreases in HPA activity evoked by IFN-alpha are mediated by a rapid inhibitory effect at the level of the corticotropin-releasing factor-secreting neurons. The sensitivity of many central nervous system effects of IFN-alpha to mu-receptor antagonists strongly suggests that the cytokine serves as an endogenous opioid agonist arising from the immune system. In support of this hypothesis we have shown that SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, differentiated with retinoic acid treatment to express predominantly mu-receptors, are sensitive to rHu-IFN-alpha 2A in vitro. This sensitivity took the form of a dose-dependent inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. The data yielded an IC50 (95% confidence intervals) value of 7.93 (5.70-11.04) nM for this effect. Neither undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells nor NG108-15 mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid cells (expressing delta-receptors) were affected by rHu-IFN-alpha 2A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Food-associated cues alter forebrain functional connectivity as assessed with immediate early gene and proenkephalin expression

Cues predictive of food availability are powerful modulators of appetite as well as food-seeking and ingestive behaviors. The neurobiological underpinnings of these conditioned responses are not well understood. Monitoring regional immediate early gene expression is a method used to assess alterations in neuronal metabolism resulting from upstream intracellular and extracellular signaling. Furthermore, assessing the expression of multiple immediate early genes offers a window onto the possible sequelae of exposure to food cues, since the function of each gene differs. We used immediate early gene and proenkephalin expression as a means of assessing food cue-elicited regional activation and alterations in functional connectivity within the forebrain. Contextual cues associated with palatable food elicited conditioned motor activation and corticosterone release in rats. This motivational state was associated with increased transcription of the activity-regulated genes homer1a, arc, zif268, ngfi-b and c-fos in corticolimbic, thalamic and hypothalamic areas and of proenkephalin within striatal regions. Furthermore, the functional connectivity elicited by food cues, as assessed by an inter-regional multigene-expression correlation method, differed substantially from that elicited by neutral cues. Specifically, food cues increased cortical engagement of the striatum, and within the nucleus accumbens, shifted correlations away from the shell towards the core. Exposure to the food-associated context also induced correlated gene expression between corticostriatal networks and the basolateral amygdala, an area critical for learning and responding to the incentive value of sensory stimuli. This increased corticostriatal-amygdalar functional connectivity was absent in the control group exposed to innocuous cues. The results implicate correlated activity between the cortex and the striatum, especially the nucleus accumbens core and the basolateral amygdala, in the generation of a conditioned motivated state that may promote excessive food intake. The upregulation of a number of genes in unique patterns within corticostriatal, thalamic, and hypothalamic networks suggests that food cues are capable of powerfully altering neuronal processing in areas mediating the integration of emotion, cognition, arousal, and the regulation of energy balance. As many of these genes play a role in plasticity, their upregulation within these circuits may also indicate the neuroanatomic and transcriptional correlates of extinction learning.
Adjustment Disorder Related to Bereavement

Abstract Adjustment disorder related to bereavement (ADRB) is a condition that may develop after a loss, does not resolve over time, and requires clinician intervention. This article investigates the personal factors that influence response to loss and explores the relationship between coping mechanisms and the development of ADRB. Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment options are discussed for use in primary care.
Upregulation of eIF5B controls cell-cycle arrest and specific developmental stages.

Proliferation arrest and distinct developmental stages alter and decrease general translation yet maintain ongoing translation. The factors that support translation in these conditions remain to be characterized. We investigated an altered translation factor in three cell states considered to have reduced general translation: immature Xenopus laevis oocytes, mouse ES cells, and the transition state of proliferating mammalian cells to quiescence (G0) upon growth-factor deprivation. Our data reveal a transient increase of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5B (eIF5B), the eukaryotic ortholog of bacterial initiation factor IF2, in these conditions. eIF5B promotes 60S ribosome subunit joining and pre-40S subunit proofreading. eIF5B has also been shown to promote the translation of viral and stress-related mRNAs and can contribute indirectly to supporting or stabilizing initiator methionyl tRNA (tRNA-Meti) association with the ribosome. We find that eIF5B is a limiting factor for translation in these three conditions. The increased eIF5B levels lead to increased eIF5B complexes with tRNA-Meti upon serum starvation of THP1 mammalian cells. In addition, increased phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α, the translation factor that recruits initiator tRNA-Meti for general translation, is observed in these conditions. Importantly, we find that eIF5B is an antagonist of G0 and G0-like states, as eIF5B depletion reduces maturation of G0-like, immature oocytes and hastens early G0 arrest in serum-starved THP1 cells. Consistently, eIF5B overexpression promotes maturation of G0-like immature oocytes and causes cell death, an alternative to G0, in serum-starved THP1 cells. These data reveal a critical role for a translation factor that regulates specific cell-cycle transition and developmental stages.
ECOLOGY AND POPULATION DYNAMICS OF SCLEROCACTUS MESAE-VERDAE (BOISSEV. & C. DAVIDSON) L.D. BENSON

The population dynamics of Sclerocactus mesae-verdae were documented annually in 3 plots over 20 years in southwestern Colorado. Demographic studies of this duration are rare but they are necessary to gain a more accurate estimate of population trends in long-lived desert species. Sclerocactus mesae-verdae was federally listed as threatened in 1979; this study was initiated in 1986 with the objective of determining whether Colorado populations were growing, declining, or stable. Data collected yearly around 1 May included diameter, vigor, and flower/fruit counts for 1629 stems belonging to 659 plants. We used regression analysis to estimate the mean, variance, and average popula- tion growth rate for each plot. Observations made throughout the study suggested that the cactus responded strongly to climatic variables, especially precipitation and temperature, and that 2 of the 3 subject populations were subject to periodic devastation by a longhorn beetle (Moneilema semipunctatum). These observations led us to attempt to correlate signifi- cant mortality (beetle-caused) or recruitment events to climate variables. We found that the cactus populations appear to be roughly stable to increasing slightly, possibly due to several wet springs and warmer-than-average winter temperatures since 1992. However, the warming trend also favors beetle predation, which overall presents a concern for the species' long-term survival. We conclude that 20 years may not be long enough to clarify large-scale climate influences on the persistence of long-lived desert species.
Role of Amino-Terminal Domain in the Assembly Mechanism of Kainate-Subtype Glutamate Receptor Ion Channels

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) mediate the majority of excitatory neurotransmission in the vertebrate central nervous system. These ligand-gated ion channels can be broadly classified into three subtypes: AMPA, kainate and NMDA, which assemble as subtype-selective tetrameric receptors. Kainate-subtype iGluRs (KAR) are composed of five different subunits (GluK1-GluK5), of which the “low-affinity” GluK1-3 subunits can form functional homomeric receptors, while the “high-affinity” GluK4 and GluK5 form functional channels only when coexpressed with GluK1-3 subunits. Heteromer formation is known to be primarily mediated by the extracellular amino-terminal domains (ATD), which as isolated domains preferentially assemble into heterodimers. We have earlier shown that the assembly of GluK2/GluK5 heteromeric receptors is facilitated by the higher affinity of ATD heterodimer formation than the respective homdimers. In the present work we are extending these studies to include GluK1, GluK3 and GluK4 to completely elucidate the relative affinities of homo- and heteromeric assemblies of KAR subtypes by analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) studies. Our initial AUC experiments revealed significant differences in dissociation constants for GluK1 and GluK5 homo- and heterocomplexes, which are consistent with the preferential formation of GluK5 heterodimers with GluK1. To get further insights into the plausible molecular determinants responsible for differences in oligomerzation affinities, we intend to determine three-dimensional crystal structures of homo- and heterodimer complexes of various KAR ATD subunits, of which crystals for GluK1 have been obtained recently. These studies are anticipated to provide molecular insights into the assembly mechanism of kainate receptors with the future goal of understanding the functional importance of heteromer formation in glutamate receptor ion channels.
Prospective analysis of complications 30 days after outpatient upper endoscopy

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare complication rates reported by patients 30 days after outpatient upper endoscopy with those discussed at our monthly morbidity and mortality conference. We also intended to establish which complications were reported most frequently 30 days after upper endoscopy, and which patients or procedures involved the highest risk. METHODS: Trained interviewers performed standardized telephone interviews on consecutive outpatients undergoing upper endoscopy over a 1-yr period. Patients were queried regarding potential events related to their upper endoscopy in the 30 days subsequent, including symptoms, emergency room (ER) and/or physician visits, and hospitalizations. The indications, findings, and therapies were reviewed from endoscopic reports. RESULTS: A total of 473 patients were contacted 30 days after outpatient upper endoscopy and agreed to participate in our study. The most common complications reported by patients at 30 days were sore throat (9.5%) and abdominal discomfort (5.3%). Twelve patients (2.5%) required an ER/physician visit and five patients (1.1%) required hospitalization. The minority of both ER/physician visits (16.7%) and hospitalizations (40%) were discussed at our monthly morbidity and mortality conferences. CONCLUSIONS: More complications were reported by patients 30 days after outpatient upper endoscopy than were discussed at our monthly morbidity and mortality conferences. The most frequent complications reported by patients were sore throat and abdominal pain. The minority of ER/physician visits and hospitalizations were discussed at our morbidity and mortality conferences.
Influence of repeated deprivation upon starvation-induced hypovolemia and plasma aldosterone concentration in rats

Rats exposed to repeated periods of food deprivation during development revealed significant inhibition of starvation-induced hypovolemia as adults. Same age littermates food deprived once as adults indicated severe hypovolemia. Plasma aldosterone (but not angiotensin II) was significantly elevated in the repeatedly fasted group as compared with the control and the singly deprived groups. It is concluded that the repeated application of food deprivation during development results in physiological compensation in the form of increased aldosterone release if starvation is encountered in adulthood. These increments in plasma aldosterone promote greater sodium retention thus lessening the compromising of blood volume necessary to maintain normal plasma osmolality given the lack of dietary sodium.
Failure-time distribution of electronic components

A study was conducted with the objective of upgrading the level of reliability prediction of military electronic equipment manufactured at AC Spark Plug. The results of that study are presented. Military Handbook 217 had been used to predict the reliability of this equipment. The approach assumed an exponential distribution (i.e. constant failure rate). The study indicated that this approach was not representative of the field reliability achieved by this electronic equipment, and that a constantly decreasing failure rate more accurately described the failure distribution. A combination of Military Handbook 217 procedures and Weibull distribution techniques was found to more closely approximate field reliability. The methodology used for prediction the reliability of the electronic equipment exhibiting a constantly decreasing failure rate, is also detailed. >
The effect of liver denervation on hepatic hemodynamics during hypovolemic shock in swine.

This study tested the hypothesis that the denervated liver is more susceptible to hypovolemic shock than the normal liver. Fourteen swine, seven nondenervated and seven after liver denervation, were studied during hypovolemic shock to 50% of baseline blood pressure. Hepatic artery and portal vein flows were measured using transonic flow probes, and cardiac output and central venous pressure were measured using Swan-Ganz catheters. Hepatic artery flow fell equivalently in the two groups, from 132 ± 71 to 94 ± 17 ml/min in the nondenervated group compared with 149 ± 56 to 91 ± 55 ml/min in the denervated group. In contrast, portal flow in the denervated group (276 ± 71 to 119 ± 53 ml/min) fell significantly (p < 0.001) more than in the nondenervated group (289 ± 135 to 194 ± 70 ml/min). The 58% reduction from baseline in portal flow in the denervated group compared with the 30% reduction in the nondenervated group suggests that the normal compensatory mechanism to maintain portal flow during hypovolemic shock is neurally mediated. It can be hypothesized that sensory afferent fibers might initiate a feedback to splanchnic vasodilatation in response to reduced portal flow. This study supports the hypothesis that the denervated liver is more susceptible to hypovolemic shock. (HEPATOLOGY 1992;15:130–133).
Creating macroscopic atomic Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen states from Bose-Einstein condensates.

We present a scheme for creating quantum entangled atomic states through the coherent spin-exchange collision of a spinor Bose-Einstein condensate. The state generated possesses macroscopic Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen correlation and the fluctuation in one of its quasispin components vanishes. We show that an elongated condensate with large aspect ratio is most suitable for creating such a state.
Adherence: Magnets, super glue and...patients?

Your moment has finally arrived! Alex Trebek stands before you and the Double Jeopardy Round has just begun. The category on the board is titled “Things that…” Alex reads the answer: “magnets, super glue, and patients.” You shout out “What are Things that adhere?!” and win the Double Jeopardy round by a landslide. Then you wake up… You remember that you are not on the set of Jeopardy and that, by and large, patients don’t adhere. Bummer. But, at least you know magnets and super glue generally don’t disappoint…
Empirical exploration for a product data management (PDA) system at a major telecommunications firm

Product data management (PDM) is an essential tool that assists engineers and others manage both engineering data and the product development process. This study aims to evaluate the advantages and justify the implementation a PDM system at the broadband wireless group (BWG) of a major telecommunications firm located in Pittsburgh, PA. Examines results of previous PDM implementations and obtains primary data via a department staff survey regarding time spent searching for product or part information, product development cycle time, and information exchange or sharing. Illustrates that PDM implementations have led to significant improvement in all facets of product design, documentation, introduction, manufacturing, and support. These improvements will result in an increase in design reuse and a decrease in product development costs and the number of engineering changes.
Multiple reflections within neutron optical devices

Abstract Various types of totally reflecting neutron guides are used as neutron optical elements in which thermal or cold neutrons are conducted by multiple reflections. Losses in transmission caused by imperfect reflection from the surfaces of these guides compound geometrically with the number of reflections. The acceptance technique used for determining analytic expressions for the transmission of these devices can also give the average number of reflections as a function of critical angle or wavelength. This has been performed for the straight conducting guide viewing a finite source, the converging guide and the curved guide.
Alcohol use disorders and current pharmacological therapies: the role of GABA A receptors

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are defined as alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence, which create large problems both for society and for the drinkers themselves. To date, no therapeutic can effectively solve these problems. Understanding the underlying mechanisms leading to AUD is critically important for developing effective and safe pharmacological therapies. Benzodiazepines (BZs) are used to reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. However, frequent use of BZs causes cross-tolerance, dependence, and cross-addiction to alcohol. The FDA-approved naltrexone and acamprosate have shown mixed results in clinical trials. Naltrexone is effective to treat alcohol dependence (decreased length and frequency of drinking bouts), but its severe side effects, including withdrawal symptoms, are difficult to overcome. Acamprosate showed efficacy for treating alcohol dependence in European trials, but two large US trials have failed to confirm the efficacy. Another FDA-approved medication, disulfiram, does not diminish craving, and it causes a peripheral neuropathy. Kudzu is the only natural medication mentioned by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, but its mechanisms of action are not yet established. It has been recently shown that dihydromyricetin, a flavonoid purified from Hovenia, has unique effects on GABAA receptors and blocks ethanol intoxication and withdrawal in alcoholic animal models. In this article, we review the role of GABAA receptors in the treatment of AUD and currently available and potentially novel pharmacological agents.
Facies Distribution of Trace Fossils in Jurassic-Cretaceous Transgressive Sequence, North-Central New Mexico: ABSTRACT

In the southeastern part of the San Juan basin (north-central New Mexico), the upper Morrison, Dakota, and lower Mancos stratigraphic interval represents a transgressive nonmarine to marine, sedimentary sequence. Trace fossils, although quite End_Page 804------------------------------ sparse in the nonmarine sediments of the upper Morrison, are common in the marginal-marine deposits of the lower Dakota and are extremely abundant and taxonomically diverse in the nearshore-marine lithofacies of the upper Dakota and lower Mancos. The distribution of most trace fossils reflects strong control by substrate and environmental facies; however, several taxonomic and ethological variants of a few ichnogenera demonstrate a lack of such control. The "Jackpile Sandstone" of the upper part of the Morrison Formation contains only a few trace-fossil structures; many of these can be ascribed to the ichnogenus Planolites, the only trace-fossil type present in all stratigraphic units investigated in this study. The paludal and strand-line deposits of the lower Dakota contain abundant Skolithos and Planolites, and Ophiomorpha, which displays transition in form to a small variety of Thalassinoides, "Reed(?) molds" also are common in the lower Dakota sandstones. Shallow-water marine sandstones of the upper Dakota are intertongued with the lower Mancos shales and are characterized by an abundance of trace fossils. Well-developed Ophiomorpha and Teichichnus structures show transition in form to a small variety of Thalassinoides and are probably ecovariant forms made by the same organism. Additional ichnogenera studied include large polygonal Thalassinoides, Asterosoma, Arenicolites, Zoophycos, Chondrites, Crossopodia, Gyrochorte, Pelecypodichnus, Planolites, and Skolithos. The presence of Zoophycos is of particular interest because of its usual association with deep-water deposits. The large Thalassinoides and Asterosoma structures appear to be restricted to the deeper water sandstone deposits of the upper Dakota. End_of_Article - Last_Page 805------------
Dexamethasone and tonsillectomy bleeding: a meta-analysis.

Objective. To use meta-analytic techniques to examine the effect of dexamethasone on the risk of postoperative bleeding following tonsillectomy.Data Sources. PubMed and Embase databases accessed on...
Central adrenergic receptor changes in the inherited noradrenergic hyperinnervated mutant mouse tottering

Abstract Adrenergic receptor binding characteristics were analyzed in the mutant mouse tottering ( tg/tg ), a single gene locus autosomal recessive mutation causing hyperinnervation by locus coeruleus neurons of their target regions, which results in epilepsy, Instead of the expected down-regulation of receptors due to the hyperinnervation, both [ 3 H]prazosin ( α 1 -receptor and [ 125 I]iodopindolol (β-receptor) binding were normal in the tg/tg hippocampus, spinal cord and slightly increased in the cerebellum. This lack of postsynaptic receptor modulation in the target cells, combined with increased levels of norepinephrine due to the aberrant axon growth, may be critical factors in the expression of the abnormal spike-wave absence seizures in the tg/tg mouse.
Ortho and Para-Armalcolite Samples in Apollo 17

Two paragenetically contrasting forms of armalcolite are present in basalts from the Apollo 17 Taurus-Littrow landing site. These armalcolites differ in optical properties, in crystal habit and in their distribution between coarse and fine grained rocks. It is proposed to call the two armalcolite forms ortho-armalcolite and para-armalcolite. Texural relationships and the evidence of experimental melting show that ortho-armalcolite is always the first crystalline phase to appear from unusually titanium rich magmas. The origin of para-armalcolite is not yet fully understood.
1.3.2 Tailoring Systems Engineering Processes in a Conceptual Design Environment: a case study at NASA Marshall Spaceflight Center's ACO

This paper provides an overview of Systems Engineering as it is applied in a conceptual design space systems department at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall Spaceflight Center (MSFC) Advanced Concepts Office (ACO). Engineering work performed in the NASA MFSC's ACO is targeted toward the Exploratory Research and Concepts Development life cycle stages, as defined in the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) System Engineering Handbook. This paper addresses three ACO Systems Engineering tools that correspond to three INCOSE Technical Processes: Stakeholder Requirements Definition, Requirements Analysis, and Integration, as well as one Project Process Risk Management. These processes are used to facilitate, streamline, and manage systems engineering processes tailored for the earliest two life cycle stages, which is the environment in which ACO engineers work. The role of systems engineers and systems engineering as performed in ACO is explored in this paper. The need for tailoring Systems Engineering processes, tools, and products in the ever-changing engineering services ACO provides to its customers is addressed.
Maintenance of certification 2.0--strong start, continued evolution.

Despite ongoing controversy over the maintenance of certification program, there's growing evidence that it can improve physician performance and patient outcomes. The 2015 MOC standards aim to adapt the program to changing educational and practice environments.
On the existence and uniqueness of connecting orbits

THE QUESTION of existence and uniqueness of orbits connecting two critical points of a vector field arises in ordinary and partial differential equations ([ 11, [2], [5]). Using monotonicity and stable manifold theory, we prove an n-dimensional result which is the same as that of Conlon [2] except we replace his C2 vector field with a C’ vector field and we weaken his positivity assumption on the off-diagonal terms of the Jacobian of the vector field. Conlon’s result is a generalization of a 2-dimensional result of Conley and Smoller [l].
Discovery of novel 2,3 -diarylfuro [2,3 -b]pyridin -4 -amines as potent and selective inhibitors of Lck : Synthesis, SAR, and pharmacokinetic properties

2,3-Diarylfuro[2,3-b]pyridine-4-amines are a novel class of potent and selective inhibitors of Lck. The discovery, synthesis, and structure activity relationships of this series of inhibitors are reported. The most promising compounds were also profiled to deduce their pharmacokinetic properties.
The zeros of a quadratic form at square-free points

Abstract Let F ( x 1 , … , x n ) be a nonsingular indefinite quadratic form, n = 3 or 4. For n = 4 , suppose the determinant of F is a square. Results are obtained on the number of solutions of F ( x 1 , … , x n ) = 0 with x 1 , … , x n square-free, in a large box of side P. It is convenient to count solutions with weights. Let R ( F , w ) = ∑ F ( x ) = 0 μ 2 ( x ) w ( x P ) , where w is infinitely differentiable with compact support and vanishes if any x i = 0 , while μ 2 ( x ) = μ 2 ( | x 1 | ) ⋯ μ 2 ( | x n | ) . It is assumed that F is robust in the sense that det M 1 ⋯ det M n ≠ 0 , where M i is the matrix obtained by deleting row i and column i from the matrix M of F. In the case n = 3 , there is the further hypothesis that − det M 1 , − det M 2 , − det M 3 are not squares. It is shown that R ( F , w ) is asymptotic to e n σ ∞ ( F , w ) ρ ∗ ( F ) P n − 2 log P , where e n = 1 for n = 4 , e n = 1 2 for n = 3 . Here σ ∞ ( F , w ) and ρ ∗ ( F ) are respectively the singular integral and the singular series associated to the problem. The method is adapted from the approach of Heath-Brown to the corresponding problem with x 1 , … , x n unrestricted integer variables.