cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COMPARISON OF MICROSCOPIC METHODS FOR DETECTING INFLAMMATION IN EXPRESSED PROSTATIC SECRETIONS

Purpose We evaluated microscopic methods of detecting inflammation in expressed prostatic secretions. Materials and Methods Methods of counting expressed prostatic secretion leukocytes were compared in 251 samples from 159 patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, including traditional wet mounts, hemocytometer derived concentrations and expressed prostatic secretion smears stained with Gram's method or DiffQuick stain (Dade International, Inc., Miami, Florida). Results Of 159 initial patient evaluations 84 (53%) showed inflammation by hemocytometer concentration at 500 leukocytes per mm. 3 or greater but only 37 (23%) were considered inflammation by the traditional wet mount method (p 3 or greater the hemocytometer still identified significantly more patients (41%) and specimens (48%) with inflammation than the wet mount. The hemocytometer method had a substantially lower interassay and intra-assay coefficient of variation than the wet mount method. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils and macrophages were the most common cells observed on stained smears, which detected inflammation in 147 specimens (59%) by DiffQuick but in only 98 (39%) by Gram's method. Conclusions Detecting inflammation in expressed prostatic secretions is method dependent. Significantly more cases of inflammation were detected by hemocytometer than by the traditional wet mount technique. Because the wet mount method also proved more variable than the hemocytometer and highly sensitive to volume, its use is not recommended. These findings support the adoption of hemocytometer and staining methods for accurate evaluation of expressed prostatic secretion inflammation in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Proton/hydroxyl transport in gastric and intestinal epithelia.

Proton transport across the plasma membrane of the gastrointestinal epithelium occurs by various pathways. There is the permeability of H+ across the lipid components of the membranes, probably of minor significance at physiological pH, but at the pH of the secretory surface of the parietal cell a factor that cannot be neglected. Transport of H+ dependent on the protein components of the plasma membrane involves various mechanisms. For example Na+ :H+ or Cl- :HCO-3 antiport (exchange) are generally electroneutral mechanisms (i.e., neither affected by potential gradients nor affecting membrane conductance) that are widely distributed throughout the body. Plasma membranes may contain proton or bicarbonate conductances (i.e., gradients of either ion may be determined by the potential across the membrane). This type of pathway is often of minor significance, hence the electrical component of hydrogen ion gradients across the plasma membrane can often be neglected. In the case of the gastric parietal cell, proton transport depends on the activity of a specific ATPase. This ATPase may be present elsewhere in the intestinal tract. This review will consider many of these proton pathways. In the case of brush border pathways, some of the data presented on Na+ :H+ antiport wil be derived from studies done on renal brush border rather than those of the small intestine, on the assumption that the properties of the antiporter are similar in the two tissues.
ELECTRON PARAMAGNETIC RESONANCE SIGNAL II IN SPINACH CHLOROPLASTS—I. HIGH RESOLUTION SPECTRA AND MORPHOLOGICAL LOCATION

—The electron paramagnetic resonance Signal II of spinach chloroplasts was recorded under high-resolution conditions. The signal is asymmetric, has five lines of unequal intensity and splitting, a derivative linewidth of 20.0 G, and a g-value of 2.0051. The latter value varies between 2.0045 and 2.0052 since other signals contribute to the center portion of the spectrum. Signal II is present in dark-adapted leaves and chloroplasts at a concentration of 50 per cent of the maximum light signal. It is not exhibited by stroma lamellae but is seen in grana thylakoid fractions. The maximum concentration of the material providing Signal II is found in a fraction (40 K) which has a very low Photosystem II activity. The unknown substance giving rise to Signal II may not be required for either Photosystem I or Photosystem II activity. Evidence presented here indicates that Signal II probably is not due to a free, mobile plastosemiquinone or a free, mobile plastochromanoxyl radical.
Chordate Metamorphosis: Ancient Control by Iodothyronines

A new study shows that iodothyronines induce metamorphosis in the cephalochordate amphioxus by binding to a receptor homologous to vertebrate thyroid hormone receptors. Iodothyronine-induced metamorphosis may be an ancestral feature of the chordates.
Hearth, Home, and Steering Wheel: Gender and Modernity in France after the Great War

(2004). Hearth, Home, and Steering Wheel: Gender and Modernity in France after the Great War. The Historian: Vol. 66, No. 2, pp. 233-253.
Alzheimer disease: are we intervening too late? Pro

The affirmative position is argued in response to the question of whether intervention in the disease course of Alzheimer disease (AD) occurs too late. AD is not a singular, homogeneous disease, but rather a final common pathway or end-point that can be arrived at through multiple routes. As part of the affirmative argument, there is a delineation of two long-term trajectories leading to AD: (1) normal elderly progression to AD, and (2) depressed elderly progression to AD. In documenting normal elderly devolution into AD, two “normal” elderly pre-AD or prodromal stages are discussed: age-associated memory impairment (AAMI) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Data are provided evidencing significantly high conversion rates from these pre-AD stages to actual AD. Using the same paradigmatic approach that is used in documenting normal elderly decline into AAMI and MCI with eventual conversion to AD; there is explication of depressed elderly conversion to AD. The long-term, multiphasic disease progression of major depression without dementia to depressive dementia to final conversion to AD is brought into focus as another example of why intervention must occur prior to actual conversion to AD. Depression is defined as a cognitive syndrome and risk factor for AD requiring aggressive targeted intervention. AD does not just come suddenly out of nowhere. First intervention must occur during the pre-AD phases in an attempt to prevent, delay, and interrupt long-term neurodegenerative processes involved in both normal elderly and depressed elderly conversion to AD. A primary strategy proposed is to delay onset of AD. Population statistics indicate that if AD is delayed by a modest 1 year, there would be 9.5 million fewer cases by 2050, resulting in significant reduction in burden of disease. Data show early intervention with cognitive stimulation (mental exercise), physical exercise, aggressive treatment of AD risk factors and excess disability, psychotherapy, and other nonpharmacological interventions in combination with each other and/or with medications can result in delay of onset of AD. First intervention at time of diagnosis of AD is too late, when by definition, final conversion to AD has already occurred. When we have knowledge to successfully intervene earlier, why would we not want to do so.
A learning approach to the two person decentralized team problem with incomplete information

A learning approach to the two person decentralized team problem with incomplete information and with a 2X2 payoff matrix is considered. It is shown that if the payoff matrix is unimodal, there exists a proper choice of parameters of the learning algorithm that will ensure asymptotically an expected payoff as close to maximum payoff as desired. It is shown that a team problem with multimodal payoff matrix gives rise to interesting class of open problems.
Ethical or practical: An empirical study of students' choices in simulated business scenarios

Graduate and undergraduate students were asked to evaluate the ethicality and practicality of the lead character in several case scenarios. Students' responses indicated they believed practicality was more important than ethicality. The majority of students were able to determine the correct ethicality of the cases presented to them. The authors conclude that more research is needed in the antecedents of a student's value system.
An application of geological survey and ceramic petrology to provenance studies of Guangala phase Ceramics of ancient Ecuador

The foundation of provenance studies of ceramics is the regional geology. Unfortunately, archaeologists often depend on regional geologic maps for comparative information. In many areas the scale of maps is too small to determine the lithological variation, which is necessary information for a robust provenance study of ceramic materials. Accurate determination requires geologic field mapping and analysis of the lithologies and clay-rich sediments present. In this provenance study of prehistoric ceramics from southwest Ecuador, we have established the lithological variation of both rocks and clay-rich sediments through geological survey. Petrographic analysis of geological samples and ancient ceramic materials determined the variation in both populations and established cases of significant correlation as well as noncorrelation between objects and local materials. Ceramic production at the Ecuadorian sites was complex and involved local production of domestic wares as well as importation of tempering materials and vessels and adoption of foreign decorative motifs. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Urine toxicology testing in chronic pain management.

AbstractTreatment guidelines for chronic noncancer pain recommend opioids for carefully selected, closely monitored patients. However, many primary care physicians have a limited understanding of urine toxicology testing, which is the standard for monitoring opioid therapy. This article describes the technical aspects of urine toxicology testing and provides recommendations for monitoring patients to maximize the safety of opioid therapy. Articles were identified in PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE (January 1980–November 2008) using the search term opioid in combination with the terms urine toxicology, compliance monitoring, abuse, and diversion. Articles characterizing the pharmacology of individual opioids and practice guidelines for the management of chronic pain were also identified. Articles selected for inclusion discussed technical aspects of urine toxicology testing, clinical aspects of monitoring, and issues related to abuse and diversion. Urine tests can detect prescribed and illicit substances that ...
International Space Station Alpha electric power system performance degradation

Performance of the International Space Station Alpha (ISSA) United States On-Orbit Segment (USOS) Electric Power System (EPS) will be degraded through the mission life of the station. The power generation photovoltaic array and thermal control radiator will be directly exposed to the natural environment and the environment induced after the station is built. These environmental effects result in lower array current and voltage output as well as lower radiator heat rejection capability. Aging is the major cause for the energy storage nickel-hydrogen (NiH2) battery performance degradation. Over time, there is an increase in the internal impedance, which results in a decreased efficiency as the battery ages. Design of the ISSA EPS takes into consideration the various equipment degradation modes, to make it compatible with the environments and to meet power, lifetime, and performance requirements.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Building Systems of Support for Classroom Teachers Working With English Language Learners

Increasing numbers of English learner (EL) students and corresponding pressures to mainstream them mean that districts around the country are facing new challenges as they adapt to meet the needs of these students. For general education teachers, the challenges stem from a role shift in which they are now primarily responsible for the instructional needs of the EL students in their classrooms. This qualitative case study examined the assistance and support general education teachers received to work with linguistically diverse students. This article addresses the ways these efforts can form a “system of support” for teachers. The analysis focuses on 4 districts that serve different populations and proportions of EL students. Through interviews, classroom observations, and document analyses, this article examines how these districts attempted to provide coherent, sustained support to classroom teachers at all levels and, in doing so, created systems of support.
A tribute to Zachary Fisk

Abstract We pay tribute to Zachary Fisk's contributions to materials physics on the occasion of his 60th birthday. His theme of “new physics through new materials” was made possible by a love of chemistry, a thorough grasp of physics, and a life-long association with the best researchers in the field.
An Emergency Response System for the International Community: Commentary on “The Politics of Rescue”

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the international system in place since the end of World War II has been struggling to find answers to new problems and questions of international responsibility. In his response to “The Politics of Rescue,” Winston argues that the real dilemma facing the international system is not a question of what form intervention will take, but rather a question of the existence of political will to act on the humanitarian impulse. While acknowledging the political ramifications of intervention, he argues that once a state can no longer care for its people, the responsibility falls to the international community, with the goal of intervention being the restoration of state capacity. Winston calls for the establishment of the international equivalent of a 911 emergency call number to provide an institutionalized response to such crises, with the risks and costs shared equally among the international community.
Steroid-induced psychiatric syndromes: A report of 14 cases and a review of the literature

Although it is well-established that psychiatric symptoms can develop in association with the administration of corticosteroids, the nature of this relationship is poorly understood. We reviewed 14 previously unreported cases of steroid-induced psychiatric syndromes, 79 cases from the literature and 29 studies of the clinical efficacy of steroids in various medical illnesses. Our findings indicate that severe psychiatric reactions occur in approximately 5% of steroid-treated patients, and that a large proportion of these patients have affective and/or psychotic symptoms. Psychiatric disturbances usually occur early in the course of steroid therapy. Female sex, systemic lupus erythematosus and high doses of prednisone may be risk factors for the development of a steroid-induced psychiatric syndrome. Treatment with steroid-taper, neuroleptics or electroconvulsive therapy is generally effective, although tricyclic antidepressants do not appear to be useful therapeutic agents. Most patients recover within several weeks of the onset of symptoms.
DUBIOUS AND DUBIOUSER: CONTINGENT VALUATION AND THE TIME OF DAY

We collect contingent valuation data from 524 student survey respondents over a 3-day, 72-hour period. Data analysis of a hypothetical campus referendum focuses on time-of-day effects on willingness to pay for a renewable energy project. We find that subjects responding to the survey during the night-time hours (i.e., between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.) do not display the law of demand, offering theoretically invalid responses to questions with important policy implications. Results from this research may have serious implications for the contingent valuation method (CVM). In short, just like your father said, nothing good happens after midnight when using the CVM. (JEL Q51)
Estimation of pr[X>Y] for gamma distributions

(1986). Estimation of pr[X>Y] for gamma distributions. Journal of Statistical Computation and Simulation: Vol. 26, No. 3-4, pp. 253-267.
Correlates of Smoking Cessation Among Filipino Immigrant Men

A survey on tobacco use among 318 Filipino immigrant men aged 40–75 years was conducted in Los Angeles, California. Those who reported more English language use with their family, friends and neighbors (OR = 1.31) and who lived in households with complete smoking prohibition (OR = 3.82) were more likely to be successful in quitting smoking. Those who endorsed more positive beliefs on physical and social consequences of smoking (OR = 0.69) and who had mostly smoking friends (OR = 0.37) were less likely to be successful in quitting smoking. Our findings suggest that prohibiting smoking in households, creating social networks of non-smokers, and education or counseling are important components of a smoking cessation intervention for Filipino immigrant men.
Motion Guides for Assisted Manipulation

This paper explores the use of passive guides to assist a human in manipulating heavy loads. A guide acts as a frictionless rail which confines the load to a one-dimensional curve in its configuration space. In this paper we formulate the problem of designing guides to effectively assist the human, and we apply the formulation to two types of materials handling tasks: pushing a heavy cart and single-arm reaching motions. Guides may be implemented by fixed rails or programmable constraint machines. Initial experiments with humans suggest the potential benefits of guided manipulation.
Dose-response relationship with venlafaxine

Considerations when selecting a first-line antidepressant agent include the potential for achieving greater response with increasing dosages, thereby allowing greater flexibility in dosing. The efficacy and dose-response of venlafaxine, a novel serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, was evaluated in two placebo-controlled studies. Both studies demonstrated that venlafaxine was efficacious (as determined by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and the Clinical Global Impressions scale scores), as well as safe and tolerable when administered either twice or three times daily in the treatment of outpatients who had major depression. In addition, evidence of a dose-response relationship was shown in both studies.
Investigating virus-glycan interactions using glycan microarrays

While all viruses must transit the plasma membrane of mammalian cells to initiate infection, we know little about the complex processes involved in viral attachment, which commonly involve recognition of glycans by viral proteins. Glycan microarrays derived from both synthetic glycans and natural glycans isolated through shotgun glycomics approaches provide novel platforms for interrogating diverse glycans as potential viral receptors. Recent studies with influenza and rotaviruses using such glycan microarrays provide examples of their utility in exploring the challenging questions raised in efforts to define the complex mechanistic protein-glycan interactions that regulate virus attachment to host cells.
Morphine potentiates neuropathogenesis of SIV infection in rhesus macaques

Despite the advent of antiretroviral therapy, complications of HIV-1 infection with concurrent drug abuse are an emerging problem. Opiates are well known to modulate immune responses by preventing the development of cell-mediated immune responses. Their effect on the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection however remains controversial. Using the simian immunodeficiency virus/macaque model of HIV pathogenesis, we sought to explore the impact of morphine on disease progression and pathogenesis. Sixteen rhesus macaques were divided into two groups; four were administered saline and 12 others morphine routinely. Both groups of animals were then inoculated with SIVmacR71/17E and followed longitudinally for disease pathogenesis. The morphine group (M+V) exhibited a trend towards higher mortality rates and retardation in weight gain compared to the virus-alone group. Interestingly, a subset of M+V animals succumbed to disease within weeks post-infection. These rapid progressors also exhibited a higher incidence of other end-organ pathologies. Despite the higher numbers of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the M+V group, CD4/CD8 ratios between the groups remained unchanged. Plasma and CSF viral load in the M+V group was at least a log higher than the control group. Similarly, there was a trend toward increased virus build-up in the brains of M+V animals compared with controls. A novel finding of this study was the increased influx of infected monocyte/macrophages in the brains of M+V animals.
Twenty-four hour exposure to prostaglandin downregulates prostanoid receptor binding but does not alter PGE2-mediated sensitization of rat sensory neurons

AbstractAlthough the tissue levels of prostaglandins are elevated for a relatively long period during injury or inflammation, few studies have been performed to assess the effects of prolonged prostaglandin exposure on receptor binding and activity in sensory neurons. Consequently, we examined wheth
A uniqueness theorem for nonlinear heat conduction in chemically reacting media

The uniqueness of solutions for the mixed problem in the nonlinear theory of heat conduction with chemical reactions is considered. The formulation of the theory led to a system of N + 1 nonlinear parabolic equations. Previously reported observations which examined the linearized equations and proved uniqueness for the mixed problem without requiring monotonicity conditions is generalized, and uniqueness is established under weaker conditions for the general nonlinear system. The method of energy intervals is adapted to show that if the specific heat, the reaction rate vector, the heat of reaction, and the heat flux have certain boundedness properties, then there is, at most, one solution for the mixed problem. (BLM)
Cooling capacity of Stirling cryocoolers — the split cycle and nonideal gas effects

Abstract The general expression for the cooling capacity of a Stirling cooler operating with a nonideal gas is derived. The result demonstrates that thermodynamic regions of negative Joule-Thomson coefficient should be avoided. It is also shown that heat transfer to the expansion space occurs during three of the four steps of the ideal Stirling cycle.
Tc-99m sestamibi defect magnitude predicts the amount of viable myocardium after coronary reperfusion despite the presence of severe residual stenosis

Abstract Background. Whether technetium-99m-labeled methoxyisobutyl isonitrile (Tc-99m sestamibi) imaging early after reperfusion can detect the amount of salvaged viable myocardium in the presence of a severe residual stenosis remains controversial. Methods and Results. Nine dogs underwent total left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion for 40 to 180 minutes followed by reperfusion through a flow-limiting stenosis. They were divided into 2 groups based on infarct size (group 1,
Liquid chromatography column design

Abstract A liquid chromatography column design protocol is described utilizing three data bases which are defined as performance criteria, instrument constraints and elective variables. The optimum column length, column radius and particle size of the packing to provide minimum analyses time can be calculated from the information contained in these three data bases. An explicit equation is also derived to permit the optimum particle diameter to be calculated. It is shown that if the inlet pressure is limited, small particles are only suitable for use in short columns for simple separations. Conversely, difficult separations can only be achieved with larger particles packed in long columns. In liquid chromatographic analyses, operating at 6000 p.s.i. as opposed to 4000 p.s.i. results in a proportional reduction in analysis time (about 30%). It follows that a maximum inlet pressure of 4000 p.s.i. appears to be quite adequate and is to be recommended for general liquid chromatographic analysis. The optimum k′ value of the first solute of the critical pair of a complex mixture can range between 2 and 6; furthermore the optimization procedure compensates for changes in diffusivity by corresponding changes in optimum particle diameter and optimum column length. Consequently the numerical value of solute diffusivity is not critical. The quality of the packing remains important even for fully optimized columns and consequently, the best packing procedures should always be employed.
Protection of the rat lung from the harmful effects of laser smoke.

Fourteen Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to CO2 laser exhaust that had first passed through smoke-evacuator filters. Six rats breathed laser vapors that were filtered through commercially available, standard production model smoke-evacuator systems. These animals demonstrated pulmonary lesions identical to but qualitatively less severe than those observed in animals breathing unfiltered vapor. Six additional rats were protected by the interposition of a cartridge filter plus an ultra-low penetration air filter, which trapped 0.1 micron particles; the microscopic sections of the lungs of these experimental rats and two control rats were similar in appearance, i.e., no pathological changes were observed.
Comparison of pyramidal image decomposition techniques for image representation and compression

In this paper, we review a number of pyramidal image decomposition techniques for image representation and compression. We argue that the design of an efficient pyramidal image decomposition procedure is directly related to the design of an optimal (non-linear in general) image predictor. However, determining such a predictor is not possible in general. To alleviate this problem, we propose four natural constraints, which uniquely identify the `optimal' predictor as being a morphological opening. This choice naturally leads to a morphological pyramidal image decomposition algorithm recently proposed by Heijmans and Toet. Experimental analysis, allows us to study six pyramidal image decomposition techniques, and demonstrate the superiority (in terms of compression performance and computational simplicity) of the Heijmans-Toet algorithm.
Comparable myelinated nerve pathology in feline and human diabetes mellitus

The occurrence of diabetic neuropathy in cats provides an opportunity to study the development and treatment of neurological complications not present in diabetic rodent models, where few pathological alterations are evident. The present study further defines pathological alterations in nerve biopsies from 12 cats with spontaneously occurring diabetes mellitus. Peroneal nerve biopsies displayed concurrent injury to both Schwann cells and axons of myelinated fibers that was remarkably similar to that present in human diabetic neuropathy. In addition to demyelination, remyelination (constituting 20-84% of the total myelinated fiber population) was indicated by fibers with inappropriately thin myelin sheaths. Unlike our previous investigations, striking axonal injury was apparent, and consisted of dystrophic accumulations of membranous debris or neurofilaments, as well as degenerative fiber loss resulting in a 50% decrease in myelinated fiber density. In spite of extensive fiber loss, regenerative clusters were apparent, suggesting that axonal regeneration was not completely frustrated. These data highlight the potential utility of feline diabetic neuropathy as a model that faithfully replicates the nerve injury in human diabetes mellitus.
Increased lymphangiogenesis in joints of mice with inflammatory arthritis.

Angiogenesis is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis, but little is known about the role of lymphangiogenesis in this setting. Here, we examined whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF) stimulates osteoclast precursors (OCPs) to produce the lymphatic growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), and induce lymphangiogenesis. We used TNF-transgenic (Tg) mice and mice with serum-induced arthritis. OCPs were purified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting of CD11b+/Gr-1-/lo blood or bone marrow cells and subjected to microarray analysis or were generated from spleen or joint cells and treated with TNF. Expression of VEGFs was analyzed and examined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Immunostaining and magnetic resonance imaging were used to quantify lymphatic vessels and volumes of synovium and draining lymph nodes. TNF stimulated VEGF-C expression by OCPs and increased nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) binding to an NF-κB sequence in the VEGF-C promoter. OCPs from joints of TNF-Tg mice express high levels of VEGF-C. Lymphatic vessel numbers and size were markedly increased in joint sections of TNF-Tg mice and mice with serum-induced arthritis. The severity of synovitis correlated with draining lymph node size. In summary, TNF induces OCPs to produce VEGF-C through NF-κB, leading to significantly increased lymphangiogenesis in joints of arthritic mice. The lymphatic system may play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis.
Exclusion, still not tracted

Karen Bennett has recently articulated and defended a “compatibilist” solution to the causal exclusion problem. Bennett’s solution works by rejecting the exclusion principle on the grounds that even though physical realizers are distinct from the mental states or properties that they realize, they necessarily co-occur such that they fail to satisfy standard accounts of causal over-determination. This is the case, Bennett argues, because the causal background conditions for core realizers being sufficient causes of their effects are identical to the “surround” conditions with which the core realizers are metaphysically sufficient the states or properties that they realize. Here we demonstrate that the background conditions for the causal sufficiency of core realizers for their effects are not identical to the core realizer’s surrounds, nor do backgrounds necessitate such surround conditions. If compatibilist solutions to exclusion can be defended, a different argument will be needed.
Spatial dispersion in polariton spectra of cadmium tungstate (CdWO4) single crystals

Abstract Polarized Raman and infrared reflection spectra of monoclinic CdWO 4 single crystals have been measured. The infrared spectra interpretation was aided by a Kramers-Kronig analysis. All 18 Raman active bands, and 14 out of 15 expected infrared active bands were assigned. The reflectance spectra reveal the dependence of the purely transverse optical ( TO ) polariton frequencies on the propagation direction in the crystal (spatial dispersion). The polariton longitudinal optical ( LO ) mode frequencies are unique. Thus, these frequencies are listed as the mode representatives.
AKT/eNOS signaling module functions as a potential feedback loop in the growth hormone signaling pathway

While evidence suggested that the activity states of Protein kinase B (AKT/PKB) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) play an important role in the progression of the Growth Hormone (GH) signal cascade, the implication of the activation of AKT/PKB and eNOS in terms of their function in the signaling pathway was not clear. Using a specific AKT/PKB inhibitor and a functional proteomic approach, we were able to detect the activities of multiple signal transduction pathway elements, the downstream targets of the AKT/PKB pathway and the modification of those responses by treatment with GH. Inhibiting the AKT/PKB activity reduced or eliminated the activation (phosphorylation) of eNOS. We demonstrated that the progression of the GH signal cascade is influenced by the activity status of AKT and eNOS, wherein the suppression of AKT activity appears to augment the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (Erk1/2) and to antagonize the deactivation (phosphorylation) of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDC2/Cdk1) induced by GH. Phosphorylation of GSK3a/b (glycogen synthase kinase 3), the downstream target of AKT/PKB, was inhibited by the AKT/PKB inhibitor. GH did not increase phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (RSK1) in normal cells but increases phosphorylation of RSK1 in cells pre-treated with the AKT and eNOS inhibitors. The MAP kinase and CDC2 kinase-dependent intracellular mechanisms are involved in or are the targets of the GH's action processes, and these activities are probably directly or indirectly modulated by AKT/PKB pathways. We propose that the AKT/PKB-eNOS module likely functions as a negative feedback mediator of GH actions.
Luminescent materials for displays: comments on evolution and present status

Abstract Inorganic luminescent materials prepared synthetically or as naturally-occurring minerals were the subject of investigation well before the invention of the cathode ray tube. Of the many new and improved materials subsequently developed for this application, a significant number have also been found to be of interest for use in gas panels and electroluminescent displays. Unfortunately, despite the advances in solid-state physics, the development of new phosphors still remains largely an empirical procedure. Although continuing improvements in phosphors can be expected for use in present types of displays, the exploitation of new methods for electronically controlling light emission may lead to new types of displays as well as interest in new classes of materials.
Prediction of unusual curled nitrogen oligomers

Abstract Density Functional Theory is used to predict the possibility of single chain nitrogen oligomers containing more than 10 nitrogen atoms. Calculation of the frequencies of the normal modes for various chain lengths show no imaginary frequencies indicating the structures are at a minimum on the potential energy surface. While shorter oligomers are shown to be near linear, longer polymer chains are predicted to have an unusual curled structure. It is predicted that the longer oligomers could be semiconductors. The calculations show that the decomposition reaction to n [N 2 ] is exothermic. Bond dissociation energies are calculated to assess the stability of the oligomers.
Unique and potent effects of acute ibogaine on zebrafish: the developing utility of novel aquatic models for hallucinogenic drug research.

Abstract An indole alkaloid, ibogaine is the principal psychoactive component of the iboga plant, used by indigenous peoples in West Africa for centuries. Modulating multiple neurotransmitter systems, the drug is a potent hallucinogen in humans, although its psychotropic effects remain poorly understood. Expanding the range of model species is an important strategy for translational neuroscience research. Here we exposed adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) to 10 and 20 mg/L of ibogaine, testing them in the novel tank, light–dark box, open field, mirror stimulation, social preference and shoaling tests. In the novel tank test, the zebrafish natural diving response (geotaxis) was reversed by ibogaine, inducing initial top swimming followed by bottom dwelling. Ibogaine also attenuated the innate preference for dark environments (scototaxis) in the light–dark box test. While it did not exert overt locomotor or thigmotaxic responses in the open field test, the drug altered spatiotemporal exploration of novel environment, inducing clear preference of some areas over others. Ibogaine also promoted ‘mirror’ exploration in the mirror stimulation test, disrupted group cohesion in the shoaling test, and evoked strong coloration responses due to melanophore aggregation, but did not alter brain c-fos expression or whole-body cortisol levels. Overall, our results support the complex pharmacological profile of ibogaine and its high sensitivity in zebrafish models, dose-dependently affecting multiple behavioral domains. While future investigations in zebrafish may help elucidate the mechanisms underlying these unique behavioral effects, our study strongly supports the developing utility of aquatic models in hallucinogenic drug research. High sensitivity of three-dimensional phenotyping approaches applied here to behavioral effects of ibogaine in zebrafish provides further evidence of how 3D reconstructions of zebrafish swimming paths may be useful for high-throughput pharmacological screening.
Health care reform and integrated care: a golden opportunity for preventive psychiatry.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes provisions to shift the U.S. health care system to address achieving wellness rather than just treating illness. The authors of this Open Forum describe opportunities created by the ACA for improving prevention of mental illnesses and promotion of mental health. Psychiatrists can play an important role in incorporating prevention strategies into integrated care initiatives and settings.
Object name Learning Provides On-the-Job Training for Attention

By the age of 3, children easily learn to name new objects, extending new names for unfamiliar objects by similarity in shape. Two experiments tested the proposal that experience in learning object names tunes children's attention to the properties relevant for nam- ing—in the present case, to the property of shape—and thus facilitates the learning of more object names. In Experiment 1, a 9-week longitu- dinal study, 17-month-old children who repeatedly played with and heard names for members of unfamiliar object categories well orga- nized by shape formed the generalization that only objects with simi- lar shapes have the same name. Trained children also showed a dramatic increase in acquisition of new object names outside of the laboratory during the course of the study. Experiment 2 replicated these findings and showed that they depended on children's learning both a coherent category structure and object names. Thus, children who learn spe- cific names for specific things in categories with a common organizing property—in this case, shape—also learn to attend to just the right property—in this case, shape—for learning more object names.
Tearing of circumferential cracks in pipes loaded by bending

The paper develops a theory of tearing for circumferential through-cracks in pipes. Resistance to tearing is postulated to be a consequence of invariance in shape at the tip of a growing crack.
Optimal Wireless Network Restoration under Jamming Attack

Built upon a shared wireless medium, wireless network is particularly vulnerable to jamming attacks. The ability to recover from attacks and maintain an acceptable level of service degradation is a crucial aspect in the design of a wireless network. This paper investigates the network restoration solutions via joint traffic rerouting and channel re-assignment. In particular, we consider two strategies, namely global restoration and local restoration, which can support a range of tradeoffs between the restoration latency and network throughput after restoration. To quantitatively evaluate the impact of jamming attacks during and after restoration, we define two performance degradation indices, transient disruption index (TDI) and throughput degradation index (THI). We formulate the optimal network restoration schemes under these two strategies as linear programming problems and perform extensive performance evaluations to study the impact of various jamming scenarios in a multi-hop multi-channel wireless network.
One hundred days or more bridged on a ventricular assist device and effects on outcomes following heart transplantation.

Background: Successful bridging to transplantation (BTT) with ventricular assist devices (VAD) is an alternative to mitigate the effects of endstage heart failure on organ function while awaiting a heart. The effects of long-term VAD BTTon patient outcomes following transplantation are poorly studied. Methods: A retrospective chart review identified 145 patients BTTwith a VAD between November of 1996 and June of 2005 at the Cleveland Clinic. Patients were divided into two groups and outcomes were compared: group 1 was supported for <100 days (median = 44 days) and group 2 was supported for 100 days (median = 161 days). Results: Patients in group 1 were less likely to be blood type O (33% vs 68%, p < 0.0001). BTT <100 days trended towards independently predicting improved survival by multivariate proportional hazards analysis (risk ratio = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.52—1.08, p = 0.12), largely due to reduced in-hospital mortality in this group (2% vs 11%, p = 0.055); however, no significantdifferencewithrespecttolong-termsurvivalwasobservedbyKaplan—Meieranalysis(p = 0.14).Furthermore,causesofdeathdiffered between groups: group 1 more commonly died of coronary artery vasculopathy (26% vs 0%, p = 0.022) and group 2 more commonly died of sepsis (60% vs 26%, p= 0.026). Ultimately, 21% of all group 2 patients died from sepsis (compared to 7% of group 1 patients, p = 0.018). Conclusions:This study suggests that prolonged BTTwith a VAD is a viable treatment strategy but may lead to significantly more post-transplant deaths from sepsis and higher in-hospital mortality. These data may inform management of this high-risk patient population. # 2008 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Pharmacology for renal calculi.

Stone disease is as old as recorded history but despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, it continues to cause significant morbidity. This review summarises the current pharmacologic management of urinary calculi based upon the stone type. All patients with stone disease are advised to increase fluid intake, limit dietary protein and limit sodium. Calcium oxalate stones can be managed on a selective or non-selective basis depending on the cause of the hypercalciuria or hyperoxaluria. Agents currently in use include sodium cellulose phosphate, thiazides, orthophosphates, oral calcium supplements, pyridoxine, cholestyramine, citrate, magnesium and allopurinol. Classically, struvite stones occur in the presence of urea splitting organisms and are composed of magnesium, ammonium phosphate and carbonate apatite. The goal of treatment is to make patients stone free as bacteria retained in stone fragments lead to stone growth. Urease inhibitors, aluminium hydroxide gel, hemiacidrin, and Suby G and M solution...
Judging Perceived and Traversed Distance in Virtual Environments

The ability to accurately estimate distance is an essential component of navigating large-scale spaces. Although the factors that influence distance estimation have been a topic of research in real-world environments for decades and are well known, research on distance estimation in virtual environments (VEs) has only just begun. Initial investigations of distance estimation in VEs suggest that observers are less accurate in estimating distance in VEs than in the real world (Lampton et al., 1995). Factors influencing distance estimates may be divided into those affecting perceived distance (visual cues only) and those affecting traversed distance to include visual, cognitive, and proprioceptive cues. To assess the contribution of the various distance cues in VEs, two experiments were conducted. The first required a static observer to estimate the distance to a cylinder placed at various points along a 130-foot hallway. This experiment examined the effects of floor texture, floor pattern, and object size on distance estimates in a VE. The second experiment required a moving observer to estimate route segment distances and total route distances along four routes, each totaling 1210 feet. This experiment assessed the effects of movement method, movement speed, compensatory cues, and wall texture density. Results indicate that observers underestimate distances both in VEs and in the real world, but the underestimates are more extreme in VEs. Texture did not reliably affect the distance estimates, providing no compensation for the gross underestimates of distance in VE. Traversing a distance improves the ability to estimate that distance, but more natural means of moving via a treadmill do not necessarily improve distance estimates over traditional methods of moving in VE (e.g., using a joystick). The addition of compensatory cues (tone every 10 feet traversed on alternate route segments) improves VE distance estimation to almost perfect performance.
Blogs as a means of preservation selection for the World Wide Web

Currently, there is not a strong system of selection in place when looking at preserving content on the Web. This study is an examination of the blogging community for the possibility of utilizing the decentralized and distributed nature of link selection that takes place within the community as a means of preservation selection. The purpose of this study is to compare the blog aggregators, Daypop, Blogdex, and BlogPulse, for their ability to collect content which is of archival quality. This study analyzes the content selected by these aggregators to determine if any content which is linked to most frequently for a given day is of archival quality. Archival quality is determined by comparing the content from the aggregator lists to criteria assembled for the study from a variety of archival policies and principles.
Parathyroid Imaging with Tc-99m Sestamibi Planar and SPECT Scintigraphy

Technetium-99m sestamibi planar and single-photon-emission computed tomographic scintigraphy is useful in the diagnosis of parathyroid gland disease. To understand the various patterns of parathyroid disease, it is important to understand parathyroid embryology and anatomy. The spectrum of parathyroid disease demonstrated with Tc-99m sestamibi scintigraphy includes eutopic disease, ectopic disease, solitary adenoma, double or multiple adenomas, cystic adenoma, lipoadenoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia, hyperfunctioning parathyroid transplant, entities with atypical washout, and nonparathyroid entities that take up Tc-99m sestamibi. The diagnosis of parathyroid tumors with Tc-99m sestamibi scintigraphy is based on the difference in clearance rates between the thyroid and diseased parathyroid glands, and any condition that interferes with radiotracer clearance will limit the effectiveness of the study. The technique is most clearly indicated for the preoperative evaluation of recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism, but it is increasingly being used before the initial surgical exploration as well. Subtraction Tc-99m sestamibi and iodine-123 scintigraphy may be helpful in difficult cases. Parathyroid hyperplasia, multisite parathyroid disease, and concomitant thyroid and parathyroid disease remain potential hurdles for this scintigraphic technique, and optimal handling of these problems still relies heavily on the skill and experience of the endocrine surgeon.