cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early mobilization following carpal tunnel release: a prospective randomized study

A prospective randomized study was undertaken of 50 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome to determine the value of splintage of the wrist following open carpal tunnel release. Patients were randomized to either be splinted for 2 weeks following surgery or to begin range-of-motion exercises on the first post-operative day. Subjects were evaluated at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery by motor and sensory testing, physical examination, and a questionnaire. Variables assessed included date of return to activities of daily living, dates of return to work at light duty and at full duty, pain level, grip strength, key pinch strength, and occurrence of complications. Patients who were splinted had significant delays in return to activities of daily living, return to work at light and full duty, and in recovery of grip and key pinch strength. Patients with splinted wrists experienced increased pain and scar tenderness in the first month after surgery; otherwise there was no difference between the groups in the incidence of complications. We conclude that splinting the wrist following open release of the flexor retinaculum is largely detrimental, although it may have a role in preventing the rare but significant complications of bowstringing of the tendons or entrapment of the median nerve in scar tissue. We recommend a home physiotherapy programme in which the wrist and fingers are exercised separately to avoid simultaneous finger and wrist flexion, which is the position most prone to cause bowstringing.
Effect of ultrafilterable fragments from chondroitinase and protease-treated aggrecan on calcium phosphate precipitation in liposomal suspensions.

A liposome-centered endogenous precipitation method was used to investigate the effect of ultrafilterable fragments from the enzymatic digestion of rat chondrosarcoma aggrecan on the formation of insoluble calcium phosphate salts in buffered solutions at pH 7.4 and 22°C. Unlike the intact aggrecan and its major chondroitin sulfate and core protein components, disaccharide units from chondroitinase degradation of the aggrecan and small (<3kg/mol molecular weight) fragments from protease digestion of the core structure were found to be only weakly inhibitory toward mineral formation. Corresponding reductions in Ca2+-binding indicate that these fragments were unable to adsorb to active sites on the apatite surface for long enough periods to significantly hinder crystal growth. The data suggest that controlled enzymatic breakdown of aggrecan may be one possible mechanism by which the calcification of growth plate cartilage is allowed to advance in vivo.
Dynamic Modeling of a Wind-Driven Tumbleweed Rover Including Atmospheric Effects

A tumbleweed rover is a spherical wind-driven rover designed to explore places of geological interest on the Martian surface. Dynamic models developed for an individual rover are used to create numerical simulations for a rover traversing through flat terrain, a channel, and a crater. The simulations show that the rover’s motion is dependent on the terrain type and initial and atmospheric conditions. The results confirm that the wind force both pushes and hinders the rover’s motion while sliding, rolling, and bouncing. The rover periodically transitions between these modes of movement when contact is initiated against sloped portions of terrain. Combinations of rolling and bouncing may be a more effective means of transport for a rover traveling through a channel when compared to rolling alone. The aerodynamic effects of drag and the Magnus force are contributing factors to the possible capture of the rover by a crater.
An Intense, Quasi-Steady Thunderstorm over Mountainous Terrain. Part III: Doppler Radar Observations of the Turbulent Structure

Abstract The evolution of the turbulent structure of an intense, quasi-steady thunderstorm is examined using Doppler radar estimates of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rates (ϵ) and radial shears of raw radial velocity (ΔVr/ΔR). A comparison of turbulent patterns with mean storm airflow is made. Observations taken during the quasi-steady mature stage reveal that turbulent intensity and activity peaked at mid to upper storm levels. The primary storm updraft was nearly turbulence-free at low levels, but exhibited increasingly turbulent activity at higher levels indicating a transition from quasi-laminar flow to bubble-like flow. Comparison of ϵ and ΔVr/ΔR patterns with environmental parameters such as equivalent potential temperature and momentum suggests that buoyancy and wind shear acted together to generate turbulent eddies, some greater than 500 m in size, at middle storm levels. At mid to upper storm levels, patterns of ϵ and ΔVr/ΔR exhibited considerable spatial and temporal variability, and maxi...
Factor Mobility and Income Redistribution in a Federation

Abstract Jurisdictions in a federation redistribute income by taxing capital and providing transfers to labor. Capital and labor move to earn higher returns net of taxes or gross of transfer benefits between jurisdictions. In determining its redistributive policy, the government for each jurisdiction thus takes into account the effects of its policy on the movement of factors from and to the jurisdiction. Hence, the extent of redistribution depends on the mobility of factors. The mobility of capital or labor leads to less redistribution than under autarky. However, mobility of both capital and labor may lead to more redistribution than if only capital moves. As a consequence, increased mobility of factors is not necessarily harmful to redistribution.
Stimulus duration effects on secondary reinforcement

Delay of primary reinforcement in training and stimulus duration in extinction were manipulated with kindergarten children as Ss on a push-button task. Each S was exposed to two different potential secondary reinforcers (PSr’s) (red and orange lights) for two different stimulus durations (10 sec. and 1 sec.) in training, and one PSr duration combination (either red-1 sec., red-10 sec., orange-1 sec., or orange-10 sec.) in extinction. The PSr duration in extinction could be the same or different from any PSr-duration combination experienced in training. Control groups received the same schedule of 1 and 10 sec. trials in training, but the PSr was a white light for both durations. Ss responded at a higher rate with a 10-sec. stimulus following a response in extinction than with a 1-sec. stimulus. There were no significant differences between experimental and control groups. Results were interpreted in the light of magnitude of reinforcement, and the discrimination hypothesis.
Sequence organization of the β-globin mRNA precursor

Abstract The sequence organization of the beta-globin mRNA precursor has been determined directly by analyzing the resistant fragments from the RNase A digestion of the precursor RNA-globin cDNA hybrid. Three fragments are obtained which proves that the beta-globin mRNA sequence in its precursor is split into three discontinuous segments. The two intervening sequences in the beta-globin gene are therefore transcribed and removed during mRNA maturation.
Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma, type II (monomorphic variant).

![Figure][1] A 70-year-old Hispanic woman with history of coronary arterial disease presented with dull abdominal pain and weight loss for ∼2 weeks. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed a large mass occupying the proximal jejunum. The patient had no history of celiac disease
Hydrogen isotope fractionation during lipid biosynthesis by Haloarcula marismortui

Abstract We studied the controls on the fractionation of hydrogen isotopes during lipid biosynthesis by Haloarcula marismortui, a halophilic archaea, in pure culture experiments by varying organic substrate, the hydrogen isotope composition (D/H) of water, temperature, and salinity. Cultures were grown on three substrates: succinate, pyruvate and glycerol with known hydrogen isotope compositions, and in water with different hydrogen isotopic compositions. All culture series grown on a particular substrate show strong correlations between δDarchaeol and δDwater. However, correlations are distinctly different for cultures grown on different substrates. Our results indicate that the metabolic pathway of substrate exerts a fundamental influence on the δD value of lipids, likely by influencing the D/H composition of NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), the reducing agent that contributes hydrogen to carbon atoms during lipid biosynthesis. Temperature and salinity have smaller, but similar effects on δDlipid, primarily due to the way temperature and salinity influence growth rate, as well as temperature effects on the activity of enzymes.
Sex-dependent expression of seven housekeeping genes in rat liver.

Background and Aim: Sexual differences in the transcript levels of various genes including the hepatic isoforms of cytochrome P450 have been extensively studied. Expression of these sexual dimorphic genes have been quantified by Northern blotting, nuclear run on assays and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods using numerous housekeeping genes to normalize results. Earlier reports apparently assumed that these internal controls were sex-independent. We have studied sex differences in the expression levels of seven different commonly used housekeeping genes. Method: We have used quantitative and semiquantitative RT-PCR to monitor the levels of hepatic mRNAs in intact and hypophysectomized male and female rats. Results: We have observed sex-dependent expression of the commonly used housekeeping genes tubulin, cyclophilin, tyrosine aminotransferase, β-actin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, 18S and one unconventional housekeeping gene, that is, hypoxia inducing factor-1α, in the livers of intact male and female rats. With the exception of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and 18S which were female-predominant (P < 0.01), the five other genes were found to be expressed at significantly (P < 0.01) higher concentrations in the livers of intact male rats. Similar to findings in which hypophysectomy eliminates sexual dimorphisms in cytochromes P450 expression, of the five housekeeping genes examined, cylophilin, tyrosine aminotransferase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, β-actin, and 18S, all lost their sex-dependent expression following pituitary ablation. Conclusion: Our data suggest that expression levels of these commonly measured housekeeping genes (structural and metabolic) are not constant, but rather are directly or indirectly regulated by sex-dependent hormones, compromising their application as normalizing controls.
Cardiac simulation on multi-GPU platform

The cardiac bidomain model is a popular approach to study electrical behavior of tissues and simulate interactions between the cells by solving partial differential equations. The iterative and data parallel model is an ideal match for the parallel architecture of Graphic Processing Units (GPUs). In this study, we evaluate the effectiveness of architecture-specific optimizations and fine grained parallelization strategies, completely port the model to GPU, and evaluate the performance of single-GPU and multi-GPU implementations. Simulating one action potential duration (350 msec real time) for a 256×256×256 tissue takes 453 hours on a high-end general purpose processor, while it takes 664 seconds on a four-GPU based system including the communication and data transfer overhead. This drastic improvement (a factor of 2460×) will allow clinicians to extend the time-scale of simulations from milliseconds to seconds and minutes; and evaluate hypotheses in a shorter amount of time that was not feasible previously.
Calcium channel antagonists: Clinical uses—Past, present and future

The calcium channel antagonists are a mature group of drugs directed at cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, angina, peripheral vascular disorders and some arrhythmic conditions. Their sites and mechanisms of actions have been well explored over the past two decades and their interactions at the alpha(1) subunit of L-type channels (Ca(V)1.1-1.4) have made them valuable molecular tools for channel classification and localization. With the realization that other members of the voltage-gated calcium channel family exist--Ca(V)2.1-2.3 and Ca(V)3.1-3.3--considerable effort has been directed to drug discovery at these channel types where therapeutic prospects exist for a variety of disorders including pain, epilepsy, affective disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. In contrast to the situation with the L-type channel antagonists success in developing small molecule antagonists of therapeutic utility for these other channel types has thus far been lacking. The reasons for this are explored and potential new directions are indicated including male fertility, bone growth, immune disorders, cancer and schistosomiasis.
To Get to the Future, You Have to Start in the Present

Discusses William G. Spady’s article on the need to educate students for the Information Age, and contrasts this with James L. Morrison’s account of his personal experiences in implementing Spady’s recommendations. Concludes that faculty need to be trained in the skills required in the Information Age, in order to support and facilitate the change in the learning environment.
GABA receptor subunit composition relative to insecticide potency and selectivity.

Abstract Three observations on the 4-[3H]propyl-4′-ethynylbicycloorthobenzoate ([3H]EBOB) binding site in the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor indicate the specific target for insecticide action in human brain and a possible mechanism for selectivity. First, from published data, α-endosulfan, lindane and fipronil compete for the [3H]EBOB binding site with affinities of 0.3–7 nM in both human recombinant homooligomeric β3 receptors and housefly head membranes. Second, from structure-activity studies, including new data, GABAergic insecticide binding potency on the pentameric receptor formed from the β3 subunit correlates well with that on the housefly receptor (r=0.88, n=20). This conserved inhibitor specificity is consistent with known sequence homologies in the housefly GABA receptor and the human GABAA receptor β3 subunit. Third, as mostly new findings, various combinations of α1, α6, and γ2 subunits coexpressed with a β1 or β3 subunit confer differential insecticide binding sensitivity, particularly to fipronil, indicating that subunit composition is a major factor in insecticide selectivity.
A scanning electron microscopic investigation of the outer surfaces of Gorgoderina attenuata

Abstract The external surface of Gorgoderina attenuata is characterized by ridges that encircle the worm at regular intervals. On the ridges are protuberances that give a beaded appearance to the tegumental surface. Ridges running perpendicular to the encircling bands are apparent close to both suckers. The raised protuberances of the tegumental areas may serve to increase the absorptive surface. A pit-like cavity was observed on the dorsal surface of the oral sucker. In addition numerous raised structures which appear to be of two types were present on the surface of the oral sucker. One type resembles a depression with a small knob barely visible in the center and the second type consists of button-like patches of tissue. From their structure and location these are tentatively identified as sensory organs.
A Balance-of-Plant Vanadium Redox Battery System Model

The vanadium redox flow battery (VRB) is well suited for renewable energy applications. It has many attributes, which make it an excellent choice for bulk power applications. However, as with all energy storage systems, the energy storage device must consider the balance of plant in computing performance efficiencies. This paper studies VRB use within a microgrid system from a practical perspective. A reduced order circuit model of the VRB is introduced that includes the losses from the balance of system including system and environmental controls. Experimental field data are collected to estimate the key parameters of the VRB system. The proposed models include the circulation pumps and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system that regulates the environment of the VRB enclosure. In this paper, the VRB model is extended to include the energy storage system environmental controls to provide a model that provides a more realistic efficiency profile.
Application of a Single-Plasmid Vector for Mutagenesis and High-Level Expression of Thioredoxin Reductase and Its Use to Examine Flavin Cofactor Incorporation

Thioredoxin reductase fromEscherichia coliis a dimeric enzyme containing one FAD and one redox-active disulfide per monomer and catalyzes the transfer of electrons from NADPH to thioredoxin, which subsequently performs several important cellular functions. To overcome problems with site-directed mutagenesis and low expression, the thioredoxin reductase gene was adapted for use in the plasmid vector pSL350 (Brosius, J.,Methods Enzymol.216, 469–483, 1992), which is designed both for protein expression and for production of single-stranded template DNA for mutagenesis, and examined expression of wild-type thioredoxin reductase under different growth conditions. In the absence of IPTG inducer, expression of thioredoxin reductase in saturated cultures accounts for 19% of the soluble protein, and with 1 mmIPTG expression increases to 61%. Some of the thioredoxin reductase is expressed as apoenzyme with the amount of apoenzyme increasing at higher IPTG concentrations, accounting for as high as 68% of the total thioredoxin reductase expressed. The apoenzyme in cell extracts is activated rapidly by addition of FAD, indicating correct folding of the enzyme in the absence of cofactor. Purification of wild-type thioredoxin reductase from the new system yielded 189 mg of enzyme from a 300-ml uninduced culture. The new plasmid was also used to generate an N155Y mutant which is purified and partially characterized.
A study of the adaptability of isopropyl myristate for use as a vehicle for parenteral injections.

Studies of isopropyl myristate show that it has a very low degree of irritability and exhibits no sensitizing propensities in animals following topical and parenteral administration. It is nontoxic to animals, and well tolerated following injections of moderate amounts. Its mixture with aluminum monostearate in 2 per cent solution of the latter compound retains effective therapeutic concentrations of penicillin (procaine enicillin) for periods up to forty-eight hours after intramuscular injection in rabkts. In experiments on ovariectomized rats it compared favorably with sesame oil as a repository vehicle for estrogens.
Does cognitive-behavioural therapy promote meaning making? A preliminary test in the context of geriatric depression

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychological conditions are commonly precipitated by stressful events (Kendler, Karkowski, & Prescott, 1999). There is increasing consensus that meaning making (i.e., “the restoration of meaning in the context of highly stressful situations;” Park, 2010, p. 257) can represent a central aspect of coping and adjustment in these contexts. From a meaning making perspective, challenges emerge if the reality of a stressor cannot be adaptively assimilated into global meaning (e.g., preexisting beliefs/values, goals) and/or the person cannot accommodate aspects of their global system to situationally construct meaning out of the experience. These violations of meaning can be quite distressing and lead to strained efforts to reconcile one’s appraisal of the stressor and global meaning, which may manifest as MDD or other mental health problems that prompt individuals to seek psychotherapy (Kendler, Karkowski, & Prescott, 1999; Park 2010). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has received considerable support as an effective approach for treating geriatric depression (Scogin, Welsh, Hanson, Stump, & Coates, 2005). A primary feature of CBT involves cognitive restructuring or the attempt to challenge and modify maladaptive thoughts and meaning structures (e.g., core beliefs). Although CBT is effective at alleviating MDD, questions remain as to whether it similarly promotes meaning making. Drawing on Holland, Currier, Coleman, & Neimeyer’s (2010) Integration of Stressful Life Experiences Scale (ISLES), this study explored whether a CBT intervention with demonstrated efficacy for addressing geriatric depression (Marquett et al., in press) also enhanced clients’ meaning made of stress. Demographic factors were examined as potential moderators of these changes.
Large‐Z and ‐N dependence of atomic energies from renormalization of the large‐dimension limit

By combining Hartree–Fock results for nonrelativistic ground-state energies of N-electron atoms with analytic expressions for the large-dimension limit, we have obtained a simple renormalization procedure. For neutral atoms, this yields energies typically threefold more accurate than the Hartree–Fock approximation. Here, we examine the dependence on Z and N of the renormalized energies E(N, Z) for atoms and cations over the range Z, N = 2 290. We find that this gives for large Z = N an expansion of the same form as the Thomas–Fermi statistical model, E Z7/2(C0 + C1Z−1/3 + C2Z−2/3 + C3Z−3/3 + ), with similar values of the coefficients for the three leading terms. Use of the renormalized large-D limit enables us to derive three further terms. This provides an analogous expansion for the correlation energy of the form δE δZ4/3(δC3 + δC5Z−2/3 + δC6Z−3/3 + ); comparison with accurate values of δE available for the range Z ⩽ 36 indicates the mean error is only about 10%. Oscillatory terms in E and δE are also evaluated. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Aerobic Fermentation of Whey by a Nitrogen-fixing Strain of Aerobacter aerogenes

DURING the course of investigations on the utilization of cheese whey by micro-organisms, a strain of Aerobacter aerogenes was found capable of growing in whey and increasing the total protein of the whey without requiring the addition of a fixed form of nitrogen. Various attempts to convert cheese whey into useful substances by microbiological means have been covered in the review by Wix and Woodbine1. Cheese whey is a waste product with a high potential energy source in the form of lactose which has been studied in this laboratory as a substrate for members of the genus Azotobacter 2. This was concerned with increasing the protein content of whey by the production of bacterial cell material. Azotobacter will not use lactose. Since we found that hydrolysis of the lactose must be followed by the removal of salts and other toxic ingredients in order to support growth of Azotobacter, attention was directed to other microorganisms. An economic advantage of the genus Azotobacter is its nitrogen-fixing ability. Hence, interest was turned to a nitrogen-fixing strain of Aerobacter aerogenes which was recently discovered in this laboratory3. Pirt4 has shown that the efficiency of conversion of substrate carbon to cell carbon and carbon dioxide by Aerobacter is directly proportional to the degree of oxygenation of the culture. This indicated that fermentation of whey could be accomplished under aerobic conditions.
A new technique to measure the spectral properties of conifer needles

Careful measurements of the spectral properties of individual leaves are required to understand interactions of radiation with vegetation and to use effectively the data from future sensors with increasingly finer spectral resolution. Instruments capable of measuring the optical properties of leaves typically have integrating spheres with sample parts at least 10 mm in diameter. However, the leaves of many grasses and conifers are too small to cover completely the sample port. We describe a technique that enables the measurements of reflectance and transmittance of narrow leaves or needles with spectroradiometers equipped with a light source and integrating sphere. Measurement procedures and formulae for optical property calculations are presented. A test of the techniques resulted in absolute reflectance differences of 3 % or less when comparing optical properties measured for whole leaves and narrow strips cut from the leaves. Thus, these techniques can accurately estimate the spectral properties of small leaves.
Obesity and dyslipidemia in behaviorally HIV-infected young women: Adolescent Trials Network study 021.

Background. The goal of this study was to determine the nature and prevalence of abnormalities in lipids, glucose metabolism, and body composition in behaviorally human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)―infected young women and the relationship of these abnormalities to different classes of antiretroviral therapy regimens. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional, multicenter study involving 173 behaviorally HIV-infected women aged 14-24 years and 61 HIV-seronegative control subjects. HIV-infected women were categorized as follows: antiretroviral therapy naive (n = 85), receiving a regimen containing a nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI; n = 33), receiving a regimen containing a protease inhibitor (PI; n = 36), or receiving a regimen not containing an NNRTI or a PI (n = 19). Measurements included fasting lipid levels, glucose and insulin levels before and 2 hours after an oral glucose challenge, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, anthropometry, fat distribution (measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), and antiretroviral therapy and medical histories. Race-adjusted results were compared across groups and within HIV-infected groups. Results. The median age of participants was 20 years. Of HIV-infected subjects, 77% were African American, 35% smoked cigarettes, and 32% reported exercising regularly. More than 40% had a body mass index ≥25. Triglycerides; total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and non-HDL cholesterol; and hsCRP levels differed significantly among groups, with higher levels being most common among those receiving antiretroviral therapy. Indices of glucose metabolism did not differ among groups. In general, cholesterol levels, hsCRP levels, and indices of glucose metabolism worsened as body mass index increased. Conclusions. Obesity, dyslipidemia, and inflammation were prominent among HIV-infected adolescent women and, coupled with other risk factors, may accelerate the lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease and other adverse events. These results underscore the need for a multifaceted approach to addressing risk reduction in this population.
Symmetry in discrete mechanics

Discrete mechanics, which is motivated by modern digital computer capability, is a form of mechanics in which the basic concepts are defined in terms of differences and sums, while the basic dynamical equations are difference equations. The sophisticated limit concepts of the calculus are thereby replaced by the power to do arithmetic at high speeds. In this paper, it is shown that the physical laws of various forms of discrete mechanics are invariant with respect to the coordinate system used.
Radiographic evaluation of acute tracheal obstruction in chalasia

This report describes the clinical and radiographic features of three patients with achalasia who developed acute upper airway obstruction secondary to dilatation of the esophagus. Computed tomography was especially useful in confirming the diagnoses in two cases. Standard radiographs of the cervical area demonstrated obstruction of the larynx in the third case. In all cases, relief of respiratory distress was achieved by decompression of the esophagus.
Supersaturation and Time Dependence of Ice Nucleation from the Vapor on Single Crystal Substrates

Abstract Nucleation of individual ice crystals on large (3.0 mm) cleaved crystals of solution-grown silver iodide and covellite is investigated by microscopy. The environmental vapor pressure is controlled by saturating two air streams by passage through ice labyrinths at different temperatures and mixing them in known proportion. This enables the vapor pressure to be changed over a period of about 10 s. Ice crystals do not usually appear immediately when a supersaturation is imposed. Nucleation, defined as the appearance of crystals of 1 µm radius, is delayed between zero and 70 s near water saturation and between 20 and 400 s at a few percent ice supersaturation, the longer times occurring at higher temperature. This time decreases only marginally when the crystal is exposed to a period of higher supersaturation which ends a few seconds prior to the time crystals would appear at this higher value. The number of crystals per unit area increases with ice supersaturation at a given temperature; for CuS at ...
On the mass of Saturn's rings

This paper presents a statistical estimate of the mass of Saturn's rings, determined to be (6.2 plus or minus 2.4) x 10 to the -6th masses of Saturn. This value was obtained by fitting a gravitational model of the Saturn system which included rings, satellites, and the planet to the observed secular apsidal and nodal rates of the inner satellites. The apsidal commensurability of particles in the rings of Titan was shown to produce no significant effect on the structure of the rings.
Head-Shake distributions during self-maintained dependence on morphine, methadone, and l-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) in the rat

Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were prepared with chronic cortical and muscle electrodes and i.v. cannulas, made tolerant to and physically dependent on morphine, and trained to lever press for i.v. morphine self-injections to maintain dependence. Methadone or l-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) was then substituted for morphine in some of these rats. During self-maintained dependence on either morphine or methadone, head shakes appeared and increased in frequency before lever pressing for selfinjections. In contrast, there were fewer head shakes during LAAM dependence, which were evenly distributed over the entire duration of the interinjection interval. These findings suggest a relationship between head-shake distributions, drug-seeking behavior, and the pharmacodynamics of these three narcotics.
The effect of probenecid on spontaneous motor activity in rats.

Abstract Probenecid (200 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally (i.p.), a dose routinely used in the measurement of cerebral monoamine turnover, produces marked decreases in the spontaneous motor activity in rats. The onset of the response is observed in less than 5 minutes and persists for 130–140 minutes. The sedation is apparently dose-related. These results suggest that probenecid may influence other central processes in addition to the acid transport system of the choroid plexus; therefore, the validity of probenecid as a tool for estimation of cerebral amine turnover is questioned.
Calorie Restriction Reduces Oxidative Stress by SIRT3-Mediated SOD2 Activation

A major cause of aging and numerous diseases is thought to be cumulative oxidative stress, resulting from the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during respiration. Calorie restriction (CR), the most robust intervention to extend life span and ameliorate various diseases in mammals, reduces oxidative stress and damage. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here, we show that the protective effects of CR on oxidative stress and damage are diminished in mice lacking SIRT3, a mitochondrial deacetylase. SIRT3 reduces cellular ROS levels dependent on superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), a major mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme. SIRT3 deacetylates two critical lysine residues on SOD2 and promotes its antioxidative activity. Importantly, the ability of SOD2 to reduce cellular ROS and promote oxidative stress resistance is greatly enhanced by SIRT3. Our studies identify a defense program that CR provokes to reduce oxidative stress and suggest approaches to combat aging and oxidative stress-related diseases.
Single-Incision Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding is Effective and Safe: 756 Cases in an Academic Medical Center

Background Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is safe and effective. This less invasive option involving fewer incisions and umbilical approaches is coined as single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS). Over the last 3 years, we performed 46 % of our LAGBs as SILS with excellent results.
Real-Time Electrical Impedance Variations in Women With and Without Breast Cancer

The chaotic vascular network surrounding malignant tumors leads to pulsatile blood flow patterns that differ from those in benign regions of the breast. This study aimed to determine if high-speed electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is able to detect conductivity changes associated with cyclic blood-volume changes and to gauge the potential of using these signatures to differentiate malignant from benign regions within the breast. EIT imaging of pulsating latex membranes submerged in saline baths provided initial validation of its use for tracking temporally varying conductivities. Nineteen women (10 with cancer, nine without) were imaged with EIT over the course of several heartbeats in synchrony with pulse-oximetry acquisition. Eight parameters ( $r_{s}$ , $\phi(r_{t,\max})$ , $r_{t,\max}$ , $P_{\rm low:full}$ , $P_{\rm high:full}$ , $P_{\rm low:high}$ ) relating the conductivity images and pulse-oximeter signatures were extracted and used as a means of comparing malignant and benign regions of the breast. Significant differences $({ p} between malignant and benign regions of interest were noted in seven of the eight parameters. The maximum correlation between conductivity and pulse-oximeter signals, $r_{t,\max}$ , was observed to be the optimal discriminating parameter with a receiver operating characteristic area under the curve of 0.8 and a specificity of 81% at a sensitivity of 77%. Assessing the dynamic conductivity of breast may provide additional clinical utility to that of standard imaging modalities, but further investigation is necessary to better understand the biophysical mechanisms leading to the observed conductivity changes.
Becoming a Teacher Educator: A Self-Study of the Use of Inquiry in a Mathematics Methods Course

This article details the self-study of a beginning teacher educator in her first experience in teaching a mathematics methods course. The transition from teacher to teacher educator is explored through the experience of a course focused on inquiry. Inquiry is embedded within the course from two perspectives: mathematical inquiry and teaching as inquiry. The framework of teaching as inquiry is an important part of both the self-study and the mathematics methods course. Implications of the transition from teacher to teacher educator as well as the role of inquiry in mathematics teacher education are discussed.
Objective Intraoperative Assessment of AV Fistula Creation by Surgical Residents Does not Correlate with Subjective Technical Skills Evaluation

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of surgical resident technical skills has been historically performed by subjective faculty evaluations (SFE) that are provided to the resident in a delayed fashion. In an effort to improve the accuracy and the feedback of technical skills, we instituted an objective intra-operative skills assessment (OISA) for arteriovenous fistula creation (AVF). The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of SFE assessments to the OISA.
Gα12 Stimulates c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinase through the Small G Proteins Ras and Rac

The pertussis toxin (PTX) insensitive heterotrimeric G protein G12 has been implicated in mitogenesis and transformation, but its direct effectors remain unknown. To define potential signaling pathways utilized by G12, we expressed an activated mutant of its alpha subunit, Galpha12(Q229L), in HEK293 cells and examined its effects on Ras and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Transient expression of activated Galpha12 increased the percentage of Ras in the active, GTP-bound state, stimulated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activity, and enhanced the transcriptional activity of c-Jun. Dominant negative Ras (N17Ras) inhibited Galpha12-mediated JNK activation in NIH3T3 cells but failed to do so in HEK293 cells. In contrast, dominant negative Rac (N17Rac1) inhibited JNK activation by Galpha12 in HEK293 cells as well as three other cell lines. In 1321N1 cells, where thrombin stimulates G12-dependent mitogenesis, coexpression of N17Rac1 or a dominant negative mutant of MEKK1 (MEKKDelta(K432M)) inhibits c-Jun/AP-1 sensitive reporter gene expression stimulated by thrombin or Galpha12. These data demonstrate that the alpha subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein G12, like tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors, activates Ras and recruits a signal transduction pathway involving the small GTP-binding protein Rac that leads to JNK activation.
A collection of cortical crescents: asymmetric protein localization in CNS precursor cells.

The central question of developmental biology is how one cell divides to produce two different daughter cells. Nowhere is this issue more relevant than in the central nervous system (CNS), where a small number of precursors gives rise to an immense number of phenotypically distinct neurons and gila. In insects, CNS precursors (called neuroblasts) divide like stem cells, repeatedly budding off smaller progeny that each give rise to a pair of neurons or gila. In this manner, a small number of neuroblasts can generate a large number of distinctive neurons. In vertebrates, it has been assumed that CNS precursors also have a stem cell division pattern, but until recently, remarkably little was known about how, or even if, CNS precursors divide asymmetrically to produce a new precursor and a sibling with a more restricted fate. Here we use the term "asymmetric division" to describe any cell division in which the progeny have different fates, even if the division is physically equal. Different sibling cell fates can be due to intrinsic or extrinsic cues (Horvitz and Herskowitz, 1992). Extrinsic cues are well known to affect sibling cell fate during neurogenesis (e.g., Greenwald et al., 1983; Kuwada and Goodman, 1985; Hartenstein and Posakony, 1990; Parks and Muskavitch, 1993), but less is known about how intrinsic cues might produce asymmetric divisions, particularly during neurogenesis (reviewed in Posakony, 1994; Jan and Jan, 1995). In this review, we discuss recent reports of asymmetric protein localization in Drosophila and vertebrate CNS precursors and their role in establishing sibling cell fates. The Drosophila proteins PROSPERO (PROS) and NUMB are localized to the basal cortex of CNS precursors at mitosis (Rhyu et al., 1994; Hirata et al., 1995; Knoblich et al., 1995; Spana and Doe, 1995; Spana et al., 1995), and both are necessary for the correct development of the b~.sal daughter cell (Uemura et al., 1989; Doe et al., 1991; Vaessin et al., 1991; Spana et al., 1995). In the mammalian cerebral cortex, Dil labeling has provided the first direct evidence for asymmetric cell division of CNS precursors, and Notch1 immunoreactivity is localized to the basal side of these precursors (Chenn and McConnell, 1995). These results show that there is a mechanism for establishing intrinsic molecular differences between CNS precursors and their progeny, and identify a few key regulatory proteins involved in the initial generation of cell diversity in the CNS.
The Calculus of M-Estimation

Since the seminal papers by Huber in the 1960s, M-estimation methods (also known as estimating equation methods) have been increasingly important for asymptotic analysis and approximate inference. This article illustrates the breadth and generality of the M-estimation approach, thereby facilitating its use inpractice and in the classroom as a unifying approach to the study of large-sample inference.
The Influence of Profession and Therapy Type on the Treatment of Sexual Dysfunctions

Sexual dysfunctions are serious mental health issues that affect an estimated 1 in 3 Americans, yet many people with sexual dysfunctions do not seek treatment. Health services research on variables related to access, barriers, costs, and outcomes of treatment may help improve the quality of care. The current research is a retrospective analysis of administrative data from CIGNA that explores whether the type of profession (i.e., psychologist, social worker, marriage and family therapist, or professional counselor) or therapy modality (i.e., individual, conjoint, or mixed-mode, a combination of individual and conjoint therapy) influence the outcomes of mental health treatment. Participants included 230 men and 189 women between the ages of 18 to 101 years from all regions of the United States who received treatment for sexual disorders from 2001 to 2006. Results indicate that outcomes are similar across the different license types. Results also suggest that mixed-mode therapy has lower dropout rates and lo...
Kinetic and Docking Studies of the Interaction of Quinones with the Quinone Reductase Active Site

NAD(P)H/quinone acceptor oxidoreductase type 1 (QR1) protects cells from cytotoxic and neoplastic effects of quinones though two-electron reduction. Kinetic experiments, docking, and binding affinity calculations were performed on a series of structurally varied quinone substrates. A good correlation between calculated and measured binding affinities from kinetic determinations was obtained. The experimental and theoretical studies independently support a model in which quinones (with one to three fused aromatic rings) bind in the QR1 active site utilizing a π-stacking interaction with the isoalloxazine ring of the FAD cofactor.
Earlier school start times as a risk factor for poor school performance: An examination of public elementary schools in the commonwealth of Kentucky.

Adequate sleep is essential for child learning. However, school systems may inadvertently be promoting sleep deprivation through early school start times. The current study examines the potential implications of early school start times for standardized test scores in public elementary schools in Kentucky. Associations between early school start time and poorer school performance were observed primarily for schools serving few students who qualify for free or reduced-cost lunches. Associations were controlled for teacher–student ratio, racial composition, and whether the school was in the Appalachian region. Findings support the growing body of research showing that early school start times may influence student learning but offer some of the first evidence that this influence may occur for elementary school children and depend on school characteristics.
Effects of continuous positive airway pressure on cardiac output and plasma norepinephrine in sedated pigs

Abstract Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) increases cardiac output (CO) in congestive heart failure (CHF). In six sedated pigs that were normovolemic (NV) and hypervolemic (HV), and seven previously instrumented pigs with pacing-induced CHF, we tested the hypothesis that this is associated with decreased total body sympathetic nerve activity (SNA). Hemodynamic variables and plasma norepinephrine level measurements were measured at baseline, CPAP 5 and 10 cm H 2 O, and recovery. Arterial OZ saturation was maintained at greater than or equal to 90% and Pco 2 did not change. For NV baseline plasma norepinephrine level (PNE) was 97 ± 61 pg/mL, CO 2.4 ± .5 L/min, and pulmonary wedge pressure (Pw) 10.1 ± 2.4 mmHg and did not change with CPAP. HV and CHF were associated with increased baseline Pw (18–21 mmHg). Baseline CO was increased with HV and unchanged with CHF. Baseline PNE was increased 4 to 5-fold with both HV and CHF. CO increased at CPAP 5 compared with baseline with both HV and CHF. However, PNE decreased with CPAP in HV, and increased with CPAP in CHF. Increased CO was always associated with decreased systemic vascular resistance. We conclude the following: (1) increased CO with CPAP can be associated with either increasing or decreasing SNA; (2) CPAP can produce increases in CO when the heart is distended whether baseline LV function is relatively normal (HV) or depressed (CHF); and (3) there are probably a number of different mechanism increasing CO with CPAP and these may vary from condition to condition.
Viscoelastic Analysis of Concentric Cylinders for Composite Materials and Seals

A viscoelastic analysis for concentric cylinders is performed for the case where an external axial load is applied. The results are applicable to glass-to-metal seals and as a representation for unidirectional composites. The analysis is for a general temperature and load history, and includes the important phenomenon of structural relaxation. A sample calculation is presented to illustrate the method.
Integrating novel class detection with classification for concept-drifting data streams

In a typical data stream classification task, it is assumed that the total number of classes are fixed. This assumption may not be valid in a real streaming environment, where new classes may evolve. Traditional data stream classification techniques are not capable of recognizing novel class instances until the appearance of the novel class is manually identified, and labeled instances of that class are presented to the learning algorithm for training. The problem becomes more challenging in the presence of concept-drift, when the underlying data distribution changes over time. We propose a novel and efficient technique that can automatically detect the emergence of a novel class in the presence of concept-drift by quantifying cohesion among unlabeled test instances, and separation of the test instances from training instances. Our approach is non-parametric, meaning, it does not assume any underlying distributions of data. Comparison with the state-of-the-art stream classification techniques prove the superiority of our approach.
The Effect of Export Cultivations in Nineteenth-century Java

When in 1913 Count van Hogendorp edited the letters and papers of his ancestor Willem, who had served in Java as one of the secretaries of the Commissioner General Du Bus from 1825 to 1829, he characterized the early nineteenth century in Java as a time of ‘systems.’ His use of this word was not meant to be complimentary. Ancestor Willem had taken great pride in being the inspirational genius behind one such ‘system’; one, incidentally, which was not adopted.The characterization of the time seems to me particularly relevant as an opening wedge into the contents and theme of this paper, for all 'systems' relative to nineteenth-century Java had at their core the stimulation of export commodities derived from the agricultural process. A system, as I use the term here and as it was used by nineteenth-century policy planners, was an orderly andlogical arrangement of thoughts and objects into a complex .whole according to some scheme which drew its inspiration from fundamental economic and social principles. Such systems for Java were devised bypersons in positions of high authority either in Europe or in Java on the basis of what they had seen or heard about Java. Invariably the purpose of the system was to make the island of Java profitable to its European‘possessor’; the prevailing colonial theory holding that through treatyand conquest the European power had gained sovereign rights over the land and its people and should make use of them in accordance with its best judgment. Such judgment was embodied in a ‘system’ which hopefully provided benefits for both the possessor and the possessed.