cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Catastrophic Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Associated With Serotonin Syndrome

Objectives To report fulminant cases of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) in the setting of serotonin syndrome. Background RCVS is characterized by acute onset of severe headaches, with or without neurologic deficit, with evidence of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction. It is often benign, and prognosis is generally considered favorable. In the largest prospective study on RCVS, only 4% of patients were disabled from strokes and there were no fatalities. Methods We report a case series. Results We report 2 women with history of depression on selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors who presented with thunderclap headache and dizziness, respectively. Through the course of hospitalization, both patients developed rigidity, diaphoresis, fever, tachycardia with labile blood pressures and clonus on examination. Since there was a recent addition/increase in a known serotonergic agent, they met criteria for serotonin syndrome. Cerebrovascular imaging in both patients revealed severe multi-focal vessel narrowing. The first patient developed large bi-hemispheric ischemic infarcts and increased intra-cranial pressure that was refractory to management, and she eventually expired. The second patient developed bilateral parieto-occipital strokes and decerebrate posturing. Her course slowly stabilized, and she was eventually discharged with residual left-sided hemiparesis. Repeat cerebrovascular imaging 1 month later showed normal vessels. In both patients, intra-arterial nicardipine infusion improved angiographic appearance of stenoses, consistent with RCVS. Conclusions Both cases satisfied the Sternbach criteria for serotonin syndrome. Fatality in case 1 prevents demonstration of reversal of cerebral vasoconstriction, but improvement of arterial diameters with intra-arterial calcium channel blockers in both cases suggests that both had RCVS. Serotonergic agents are known triggers of RCVS, but the concurrent presence of serotonin syndrome likely precipitated the malignant course in our patients. Severe clinical and angiographic manifestations should be considered as part of the spectrum of RCVS.
A global view of the molecular oxygen night airglow

[1] The High-Resolution Doppler Imager on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite has observed the O2 atmospheric band nightglow at extremely high spatial resolution of 50 km in the horizontal over much of Earth's surface. These observations of the oxygen nightglow are shown to be a good surrogate for atomic oxygen outflow from the thermosphere and subsequent recombination in the upper mesosphere. The distribution of enhanced airglow and recombination verify the previous observations that bright regions of the nightglow are associated with descending motion, where the tides are transporting atomic oxygen out of the thermosphere, and regions of decreased airglow are associated with ascending tidal motion. The detailed observations of the global airglow at a scale of 100 km present a much more complex picture, however. The tidally enhanced regions are extremely structured, with strong longitudinal and latitudinal variability in brightness and associated atomic oxygen recombination. These structured regions are persistent on a timescale of a day or more, with certain regions of the globe exhibiting enhanced airglow much of the time. These regions are present over the entire night side of the globe but are strongly modulated by the ascending and descending tidal motions. A theoretical study of these enhancements suggests that they are caused by the upward propagation of gravity waves, which break in the high mesosphere and induce strong vertical motion in the atmosphere. It is interesting that the primary cause of the increased transport of atomic oxygen is vertical motion rather than the conventional enhanced turbulence explanation. These gravity waves are associated with wind shear and strong convective activity in the troposphere and often appear in certain preferred locations where convective activity is expected. These observations have important implications for the basic processes by which momentum and energy are deposited in the upper mesosphere. We suggest that the processes must be modeled as stochastic events that dance around the base of the thermosphere, generally in climatologically preferred regions, rather than the relatively uniform distribution of gravity wave forcings that is being used in general circulation models up to this time.
Nitrogen catabolite repression of DAL80 expression depends on the relative levels of Gat1p and Ure2p production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

GATA family activators (Gln3p and Gat1p) and repressors (Dal80p and Deh1p) regulate nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR)-sensitive transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiaepresumably via their competitive binding to the GATA sequences upstream of NCR-sensitive genes. Ure2p, which is not a GATA family member, inhibits Gln3p/Gat1p from functioning in the presence of good nitrogen sources. We show that NCR-sensitive DAL80 transcription can be influenced by the relative levels of GAT1 andURE2 expression. NCR, normally observed with ammonia or glutamine, is severely diminished when Gat1p is overproduced, and this inhibition is overcome by simultaneously increasing URE2expression. Further, overproduction of Ure2p nearly eliminates NCR-sensitive transcription under derepressive growth conditions,i.e. with proline as the sole nitrogen source. Enhanced green fluorescent protein-Gat1p is nuclear when Gat1p-dependent transcription is high and cytoplasmic when it is inhibited by overproduction of Ure2p.
The use of temperature programmed desorption to study the removal of oxygen from the YBa2Cu3O7 superconductor

Abstract An interesting property of the new YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 superconductor is that oxygen can be removed from this material at temperatures as low as 400°C. In this paper, temperature programmed desorption (TPD) is used to study the removal of oxygen as well as other impurities. During heating in flowing helium, 0.25 moles of O 2 per mole of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 desorb in a peak centered near 815 K. This peak is associated with the reduction of the sample to YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.5 ; the reduced material does not superconduct. In addition, YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 incorporates a considerable amount of H 2 O, CO 2 , and CO during exposure to air.
The effect of hypophysectomy, adrenalectomy and of ACTH administration on the phosphorus metabolism of rats.

Since phosphorus metabolism is intimately linked with both electrolyte and energy exchanges, it is logical to expect that the pituitary and adrenal gland hormones would affect it. Yet the literature indicates considerable confusion regarding such influence. This is due in part to failure to compare the effects on different organs and in part to an inability to determine the changes in movement, which account for the shifts in concentration. Following hypophysectomy according to Anderson and Oestler (1948, cats), Jones and Shinowara (1942, dogs) and Li, Geschwind and Evans (1949, rats) the serum inorganic phosphorus decreases. The only purified anterior pituitary hormone which has been demonstrated to influence the serum inorganic phosphorus is the growth hormone. Li, Geschwind and Evans (1949) have shown in rats that this hormone prevents the fall of inorganic phosphorus in serum after hypophysectomy and even elevates the phosphorus level above that of the controls.
Slow light propagation in trapped atomic quantum gases

We study semiclassical slow light propagation in trapped two-level atomic quantum gases. The temperature-dependent behaviors of both group velocity and transmissions are compared for low-temperature Bose, Fermi, and Boltzman gases within the local-density approximation for their spatial density profile.
479 IDENTIFICATION OF CALMODULIN IN HUMAN AMNION: ROLE IN PROSTAGLANDIN SYNTHESIS

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by human amnion increases with the onset of labor in women and may initiate myometrial contractions at term. Amnion PGE2 synthesis is Ca2+-dependent, but the intracellular mechanism of Ca2+ action is obscure. The possibility that the intracellular Ca2+ mediator, calmodulin, plays a role in PGE2 biosynthesis was explored. Calmodulin-like activity was identified in both the supernatant (cytosol) and pellet (microsomes) fractions of the 105,000×g amnion homogenate as assessed by their ability to stimulate the activity of cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE). The activity of cytosol protein was greater consistently than that of microsomal protein in paired samples. Removal of Ca2+ from the incubation medium by the Ca2+ chelator, EGTA, decreased cytosol protein-stimulated PDE activity to basal levels. Three structurally different calmodulin inhibitors, trifluoperazine (TFP), calmidazolium and W7 each inhibited cytosol protein-stimulated PDE activity. The 50% inhibitory concentrations were: calmidazolium (0.11uM), TFP (6.7uM) and W7 (24.0uM). Basal PGE2 output by dispersed amnion cells was inhibited also by calmidazolium and TFP (calmidazolium > TFP) but not by W7. The Ca2+ ionophore, A23187 (10uM), stimulated PGE2 output, and this was inhibited by TFP. It is concluded that human amnion contains calmodulin which may mediate, in part, Ca2+-dependent PGE2 biosynthesis. Supported by Canada MRC.
Visual Pigment Gene Structure and the Severity of Color Vision Defects

Rearrangements of the visual pigment genes are associated with defective color vision and with differences between types of red-green color blindness. Among individuals within the most common category of defective color vision, deuteranomaly, there is a large variation in the severity of color vision loss. An examination of specific photopigment gene sites responsible for tuning photopigment absorption spectra revealed differences that predict these variations in the color defect. The results indicate that the severity of the defect in deuteranomalous color vision depends on the degree of similarity among the residual photopigments that serve vision in the color-anomalous eye.
Developing a biosensor-labeled model tissue for in vivo studies of cellular and molecular mechanotransduction

This report describes the incorporation of fluorescent biosensors into a contractile tissue in C. elegans. To investigate molecular-level strain, we incorporated stFRET, a genetically encoded strain sensor, into the mechanosensitive protein filamin/FLN-1. Cells expressing FLN-1::stFRET exhibit a decrease in FRET efficiency when the tissue is stretched. Additionally, we labeled cell-cell junctions with innexin/INX-12::tdTomato which can be used to determine cell stretch and cell shape changes. Building on these sensors will allow multiscale in vivo studies of mechanotransduction at the cellular and molecular levels.
Ascarissuum actin: Properties and similarities to rabbit actin

Summary Actin has been purified from the muscle of the parasitic roundworm Ascaris suum . The homogeneity of the preparation was tested by ultracentrifugation and SDS electrophoresis. Amino acid analysis of the purified actin revealed striking similarities between the actins from roundworm and rabbit muscles. A composition coefficient of 0.988 was calculated from the amino acid compositions which predicts a sequence similarity of 93 ± 2%.
Mathematical Modeling of Driver Speed Control With Individual Differences

The quantitative prediction and understanding of a driver's speed control is an essential component in preventing speeding and designing of vehicle systems. Driver speed control is a complex behavior of longitudinal vehicle control consisting of speed perception, decision making, motor control, vehicle dynamics modeling, and individual driver differences. However, there are few existing models that can integrate all of these aspects in a cohesive manner. To address this problem, this paper introduces a mathematical model for a driver's speed control with analytical solutions based on human cognitive mechanisms in driving. This model includes an integrated queuing network-model human processor structure and the rule-based decision field theory. This new model consequently can predict several aspects of driver speed control behavior at the same time, such as driving speed, throttle/brake pedal angle, acceleration, and the frequency of speedometer inspection. A laboratory session involving a driving simulator is conducted to validate the current model. The model accounted for over 99% of the experimental speed of the average driver, and over 95% of the experimental speed for the majority of individual drivers.
Chronic intestinal ischemia: Diagnosis and therapy

Abstract Splanchnic arteriosclerosis is common among the elderly population, but intestinal angina is distinctly a rare entity. Extensive and efficient mesenteric collateral pathways make development of intestinal angina unlikely unless at least two major vessels exhibit hemodynamically important stenoses. Herein we describe the surgical management of 17 patients with chronic intestinal ischemia. The patients most commonly had postprandial pain and lost significant weight; angiography, including lateral aortography, confirmed the diagnosis. An average of 2.5 vessels in these 17 patients were arteriosclerotically involved. These 17 patients underwent 20 major splanchnic artery reconstructions altogether (average, 1.2 vessels per patients) for relief of symptomatic intestinal ischemia. Arterial reconstructions (16 bypass procedures and 4 endarterectomies) were undertaken with either autogenous saphenous vein (10 vessels) or Dacron prosthetics (6 vessels). Revascularizations involved the superior mesenteric artery (six patients), hepatic artery (three patients), splenic artery (seven patients), and inferior mesenteric artery (four patients). Five deaths occurred after operation, two early and three late, all from myocardial infarctions. All patients who survived have been relieved of their pain, and there has been no recurrence. The average length of follow-up has been 60.9 months and repeat angiography in six patients at intervals of up to 5 years has shown no evidence of revascularization occlusion. (J VASC SURG 1986;4:338-44.)
Regulation of inositol transport by glucose and protein kinase C in mesangial cells

Regulation of inositol transport by glucose and protein kinase C in mesangial cells. Since inositol (Ins) depletion appears to be an important mechanism of cell injury in diabetic glomerulopathy, we studied Ins transport in cultured rat mesangial cells during hyperglycemia. High glucose stimulated [ 3 H]-Ins uptake by 50 to 90% within 24 hours in a dose dependent manner. This effect was characterized by an increase in the V max of a Na + -dependent Ins transporter (10.3 ± 0.2 vs. 16.4 ± 0.4 pmol/mg/min, P M ) treatment inhibited the stimulatory effect of glucose on Ins transport. In conclusion, high glucose stimulates Na + -dependent Ins transport in mesangial cells by a mechanism mediated by PKC. This process may represent an important adaptive response of mesangial cells to hyperglycemia.
Elucidation of n-Butane Isomerization on Sulfated Zirconia Using Olefin Addition

Abstract Olefin formation appears to play a key role in n -butane isomerization on sulfated zirconia (SZ). In order to better understand the pathway of the reaction, 1-butene (1-C 4 = ) was added during reaction at low and at high reaction temperatures. Olefin addition, even at the lowest 1-C 4 = / n -C 4 ratio, decreased the activity of the catalyst at 250°C, did not eliminate the reaction induction period, and contributed to catalyst deactivation from the beginning of the reaction. However, it shifted the maximum activity to lower time-on-stream (TOS). Butene added for only 90 s at the beginning of the reaction deactivated the catalyst in a manner similar to that in the case where it was added continuously during all TOS. Isotopic transient kinetic analysis (ITKA) showed that although more intermediates were initially formed on the surface with olefin addition, this positive effect was quickly overwhelmed by the negative effect of olefin concentration on deactivation. The positive impact of butene on the reaction was able to be more clearly seen at a lower reaction temperature (150°C) when deactivation was not as severe. The positive impact was manifested by an increase in the 5-min TOS reaction rate. Olefin addition also did not eliminate the induction period for reaction at this temperature. Even for these reaction conditions, catalyst deactivation was significant after 30 min TOS due to coke/oligomer formation. The increase in the reaction rate with the addition of olefin was due to an increase in the concentration of surface intermediates; no effect was seen on the average surface residence time for reaction, suggesting that the additional sites created were identical to those formed in the absence of added olefin. Butene added for only 2 min at the beginning of the reaction increased the activity of the catalyst during the next 250 min of reaction time, long after the olefin feed was terminated. Each added 1-butene molecule, thus, contributed to greater n -butane isomerization for many reaction cycles (ca. 700) beyond its elimination from the reactant stream, suggesting that it may have been instrumental in the formation of the additional active sites observed.
Characterization of a receptor for human chorionic gonadotrophin in luteinized rat ovaries.

Abstract Radioiodine-labeled human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) binds in a highly specific manner to sedimentable components from luteinized ovaries of rats in which pseudopregnancy has been induced by treatment with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin and HCG, but not to similar fractions from parotid or adrenal glands. Of the other iodinated compounds tested (asialo HCG, oxidized HCG, the α and β subunits of HCG and bovine serum albumin) only asialo HCG was bound to a significant extent to subcellular fractions from ovarian homogenates. Binding [ 131 I]HCG to the crude 800× g pellet from ovarian homogenates was inhibited by non-labeled HCG. Ovine follicle stimulating hormone, human growth hormone, ovine prolactin, human thyroid stimulating hormone and the α and β subunits of HCG were virtually ineffective as competitors for HCG binding sites. The possibility that at least a portion of the binding to sedimentable components may be due to plasma membrane contamination of the fractions is not excluded. The amount of hormone bound to receptor increased with increasing duration of incubation, temperature of incubation, and hormone concentration. Kinetic studies indicated that the concentration of binding sites is approximately 2 · 10 −14 M and that the K d for the radioiodinated hormone was on the order of 10 −10 M. This simple, specific, high affinity binding system may provide a tool for investigating initial steps in the action of HCG.
Basic Appearance of Ultrasound Structures and Pitfalls

The role of ultrasound in musculoskeletal imaging is expanding as technology advances and clinicians become better educated about its clinical applications. The main use of musculoskeletal ultrasound to physiatrists is to examine the soft tissues of the body and to diagnose pathologic changes. Ultrasound can be used to assist clinicians in performing interventional procedures. However, to successfully integrate this technology into their clinical practices, physicians must be familiar with the normal and abnormal appearance of tissues. They also must recognize the clinically relevant limitations and pitfalls associated with the use of ultrasound.
Determination of optimal loading profiles in warm hydroforming of lightweight materials

Abstract In this study, a methodology is developed to determine proper profiles of the hydraulic pressure and the blank holder force under warm hydroforming conditions at different punch speeds. First, finite element models (2-D and 3-D) are developed and validated through comparisons with the experimental results from the literature. To determine the optimal hydraulic pressure and blank holder force profiles simultaneously, an adaptive FE analysis with fuzzy control algorithm was developed. Thinning, wrinkling, punch wall contact, die corner floating and conduction were used as criteria in the fuzzy control algorithm. The effects of the determined loading profiles are then presented in terms of thickness, strain and stress, and temperature distributions as well as success/failure of the forming process. The effect of punch speed was also investigated to reveal its impact on part formability. It was found that the optimal process conditions can be rapidly and accurately obtained with the developed adaptive FEA method coupled with fuzzy control algorithm.
Carbon dioxide reduction by early metal compounds: A propensity for oxygen atom transfer

Abstract While treatment of [(silox)2TaH2]2 (1, silox = tBu3SiO) with CO2 provided evidence for myriad hydride transfer products, related hydrides (silox)3TaH2 (15-Ta), (silox)3NbH (17), and [(silox)2WH]2 (20) afforded products of oxygen atom transfer (OAT) and CO reduction, such as (silox)3Ta(ƞ2-CH2O) (16-Ta from 15-Ta) and [(silox)2W]2(μ-H)(μ-O)(μ-CH) (14, from 20). Low valent early metal derivatives (silox)3Ta (7) and (silox)3NbPMe3 (7-NbPMe3) generated (silox)3TaO (8-Ta) and (silox)3NbO (8-Nb), respectively, under high CO2 concentrations. Under low CO2 conditions, the products were the oxos and those derived from CO: (silox)3TaCCO (9-Ta) and (silox)3TaCCTa(silox)3 (10-Ta); (silox)3NbCCO (9-Nb) and (silox)3NbCCNb(silox)3 (10-Nb). On all occasions with CO present, preparations of 10-Nb yielded varying amounts of a similarly insoluble material tentatively characterized as (silox)3NbCONb(silox)3 (18-Nb). Metric parameters of a crystal structure determination purported to be of 10-Nb resemble those of 18-Nb according to calculations, but the bulk sample suggests cocrystallization of 9-Nb and 18-Nb. Calculations of 10-Ta, 10-Nb, and 18-Nb, including thermodynamics of dicarbide binding and CO scission help to understand the system. Since OAT is the major path for CO2 activation, it is suggested that CO2 reduction is best conducted by the water–gas shift reaction to produce CO, followed by Fischer–Tropsch processes.
The 12- to 20-micron spectrum of Venus: Implications for temperature and cloud structure

The spectrum of Venus was measured between approximately 500 and 800 kaysers (12 to 20 microns) at a resolution of 3.12 kaysers from the NASA C141 G. P. Kuiper Airborne Observatory on 22 and 24 February 1977. The spectrum clearly shows the detailed structure of CO2 absorption in the vicinity of the nu-2 fundamental band at 667 kaysers. In addition, details of model fitting demonstrate the possibility for a cold and thin haze of sulfuric acid droplets along with an optically opaque cloud top near 250 K. Such clouds represent major differences from other H2SO4 main cloud deck models in the recent literature and may be indicative of changes in the vertical distribution of aerosols on a global scale. The temperatures retrieved for pressures at or below 10 mbar are largely independent of the cloud model assumed and they are some 16 to 20 K warmer than the 1972 NASA model. All retrieved temperatures lie within the range of Mariner 5 and Mariner 10 radio occultation inversion results.
Fiber-Optic Spectrometer to Monitor Intra-Operative Hemodynamics

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy enables noninvasive measurement of blood fraction content and hemoglobin oxygen saturation during surgery. We created a spectrometer and observed the hemodynamic dynamics during esophagectomy.
An Evaluation of High Velocity Wear

The Holloman High Speed Test Track (HHSTT) is a rocket-powered sled track facility used for testing a variety of hypervelocity aerospace applications at speeds approaching 3000 m/s. Research conducted at the HHSTT has to consider several features that result from the physics of high velocity. The feature of gouging has been noted to be a significant factor at speeds above 1.5 km/s. This characteristic has been studied in recent years by several authors including the senior author of this paper. Another feature that is always present is that of wear between the shoe and the rail resulting from their sporadic contact as the sled travels down the rail. This paper attempts to establish a proof concept that can eventually be extended into future understanding of wear at high velocities. The authors approached wear using two separate techniques. The first technique involves the use of equations that have been successfully used to represent wear at low speeds. This technique relies on the research of Lim and Ashby and the equations they developed to model the different modes of wear. Included in this technique is the use of Archard's wear equation. The second technique, completely independent of the first, relies on the physics of frictional movement displayed by a model produced using CTH, a hydrocode developed by Sandia National Laboratory for analyzing hypervelocity impact problems. This technique considers features that are potentially present in the overall phenomenon but are limited to the use of the code. The authors have found it necessary to make simplifying assumptions in both techniques, but the end result is a better appreciation of what is needed to put together a more accurate model of wear at high velocities.
Generation of prions in vitro and the protein-only hypothesis.

Prions are self-propagating proteinaceous infectious agents capable of transmitting disease in the absence of nucleic acids. The nature of the infectious agent in prion diseases has been at the center of passionate debate for the past 30 years. However, recent reports on the in vitro generation of prions have settled all doubts that the misfolded prion protein (PrPSc) is the key component in propagating infectivity. However, we still do not understand completely the mechanism of prion replication and whether or not other cellular factors besides PrPSc are required for infectivity. In this article, we discuss these recent reports under the context of the protein-only hypothesis and their implications.
Effects of varying exposure to another person with familiar or unfamiliar thought processes

From work on the positive effects of mere exposure it was hypothesized that persons who gave familiar associations to a set of common stimulus words would be better liked than persons who gave unfamiliar associations, and that longer exposure would enhance the evaluation of associations and target persons who were initially strange. Evidence in support of these hypotheses was gathered in a study in which 6 male and 36 female undergraduates viewed word associations by target persons who varied in whether their background was familiar or strange, whether their associations were high, moderate, or low in familiarity, and whether their thoughts were given a high, moderate, or low degree of exposure. The preference or familiar others is suggested as one factor in the more widely studied preference for similar others, and a method is outlined for disentangling the two.
Splenic Artery Aneurysm in the 1990s

Splenic artery aneurysms (SAA), although rare, are the most common visceral artery aneurysms and are known for their potential for rupture. Pregnancy and portal hypertension have been known as major risk factors. With improved methods of diagnosis and minimally invasive therapy, management and outcome of SAA may change significantly. The purpose of this study was to analyze our institutional experience with SAA during the past decade. Charts of all patients (six women, three men; mean age, 60.5 [range: 31 to 81] years) with diagnoses of SAA from 1988 to 1999 were reviewed. Associated conditions included essential hypertension (6), portal hypertension (3), diabetes (1), intracranial aneurysm (1), and polyarteritis nodosa (1). Six patients were asymptomatic, and three had ruptured SAA. Diagnosis was made by angiography (2), computed tomography (3), ultrasonography (3), and exploratory laparotomy (1). Six patients underwent surgery (five required splenectomy), one had embolization, and two had no intervention. Three postoperative deaths occurred-two (intracranial aneurysm, myocardial infarction) in the first month, one (sepsis) in the ninth month. An association of liver disease with SAA was confirmed; however, no association with pregnancy was noted. Surgical treatment followed traditional methods, and mortality correlated with presence of severe comorbidity.
Climate change adaptation cost in the US: what do we know?

Researchers and policy makers increasingly recognize the need to adapt to future changes in climate, given that past emissions of greenhouse gases have already committed the world to some level of climate change. However, the current understanding of the costs and benefits of adaptation measures is still fairly rudimentary, and far from comprehensive. An assessment is presented of the current state of knowledge on the magnitude of adaptation costs in the United States. While incomplete, the studies suggest that adaptation cost could be as high as tens or hundreds of billions of dollars per year by the middle of this century. Key studies are identified in each sector, and the cost estimates and approaches to cost estimation are surveyed. Methodological issues are highlighted in interpreting, comparing, and aggregating adaptation cost estimates. Policy recommendations are made along with appropriate steps to make future adaptation cost studies more comparable within and across sectors and more accessible an...
Creative, Intellectual, and Psychosocial Development through Mentorship: Relationships and Stages.

The intricate relationship of mentor and protege serves as personal guide for extraordinary creative development and self-actualization. This article presents a developmental theory of mentoring in which we propose that, while enhancing extraordinary creative and intellectual growth, mentoring also facilitates the task accomplishment uniquely characteristic of early life stages. We describe how different levels of mentors working with youthful proteges facilitate this critical developmental process and explore implications of this theory in bringing about a dynamic synergism between creativity, intellectual accomplishment, and individual independence and autonomy.
Basement membrane alterations in psoriasis are accompanied by epidermal overexpression of MMP-2 and its inhibitor TIMP-2

Psoriasis is most probably an inherited disease characterized by cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and an inflammatory process. The pathophysiology remains unknown, although an alteration in cell–cell and cell–matrix adhesion versus an autoimmune process has been proposed as the primary defect. Here, we show evidence of a new mechanism involving basement membrane alterations accompanied by keratinocyte overexpression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and tissue inhibitor of MMP-2 (TIMP-2) in both uninvolved and involved psoriatic skin. Immunocytochemistry with antibodies against collagen IV (α1, α2 chains) and laminins (α2, α5, β1, γ1 chains) revealed gaps, folding, and reduplication of the epidermo-dermal basement membrane. There was overexpression of MMP-2 in the cytoplasm of suprabasal keratinocytes. Gelatin zymography revealed pro-MMP-2 and its activated form, a-MMP-2, in both uninvolved and involved psoriatic skin, whereas pro-MMP-9 was only present in involved skin. TIMP-2 was expressed at the cell surface of psoriatic involved suprabasal keratinocytes whereas it was restricted to basal keratinocytes in uninvolved areas. Western blots showed a marked increase in a-MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in uninvolved and involved psoriatic skin although it was more pronounced in the latter. MT1-MP, known to activate pro-MMP-2, was increased in involved areas. In situ hybridization revealed strong signals of MMP-2 mRNA in both uninvolved and involved psoriatic epidermis. The overexpression of MMP-2 in uninvolved and involved psoriatic epidermis supports the concept that the primary alteration may reside in the keratinocyte. In addition, the presence of the activated form of MMP-2 could be responsible for cell-cell and cell-matrix changes noted in psoriatic epidermis.
More about the potato nematode, Heterodera rostochiensis Woll., in Peru

Thirteen resistant selections ofS. tuberosum hybrids bred in the U.S.A. and Europe and 44 diploid clones derived fromS. vernei, S. spegazzinii, S. neohawkesii, andS. sanctaerosae each with resistance to one or more pathotypes ofH. rostochiensis were tested for their resistance to three Peruvian populations of this nematode. Only one diploid clone ofS. sanctatrosae was found to be resistant to the three populations of nematodes, but several clones were resistant to one or another of the nematode populations. More clones were found to resist the nematode population collected near Cuzco than those populations collected near Huancayo or Otuzco. Morphometric measurements of body length, stylet length, and distance of median valve to excretory pore, of second stage larvae showed great variation and no clear difference among the three populations. The measurements obtained were closer to pathotype E from England than to any other recognized pathotypes.
Contribution of prostaglandins to the regulation of pulmonary vascular resistance in adult cats and dogs.

Abstract In order to determine the role of prostaglandins in the regulation of pulmonary vascular resistance, we investigated effects of prostaglandin cyclooxygenase inhibition by indomethacin (2 mg/kg), meclofenamate (2 mg/kg), and aspirin (40 mg/kg) upon canine and feline pulmonary vasoconstriction caused by two stimuli: acute hypoxia (6% 0 2 ) and exogenous PGF 2α . Measurements were made utilizing an open chest, pump-perfused, in situ lung preparation. Cat pulmonary vasculatures were more responsive to hypoxia and PGF 2α than were dog's. In dogs, indomethacin, meclofenamate, and aspirin all increased pulmonary vascular resistance and augmented pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses to hypoxia and PGF 2α .Neither indomethacin, meclofenamate, nor aspirin affected baseline pulmonary vascular resistance of cats. Aspirin and indomethacin augmented pulmonary vasoconstriction in the cat. Meclofenamate was without effect. Further, although aspirin and indomethacin strongly inhibited pulmonary vascular pressor responses to exogenous arachidonic acid, declofenamate decreased pulmonary responses to arachidonic acid very little. All three inhibitors nearly abolished systemic responses to arachidonic acid in the cat. Exogenous PGI 2 infusion decreased pulmonary vascular resistance in the cat. Prostaglandin cyclo-oxygenase activity produces a vasodilator influence, probably PGI 2 , in the canine pulmonary vasculature that may be significant in protecting the animal from pulmonary hypertension and its consequences. The role of the prostaglandin system in the feline pulmonary vasculature appears to be qualitatively similar, but quantitatively less, than in the dog.
Berry's phase and the symplectic character of quantum time evolution.

General time-dependent, bilinear classical Lagrangian mechanics can be interpreted as a charged particle interacting with a gauge scalar and vector potential. For an arbitrary discrete number of degrees of freedom, there are enough symplectic symmetries in classical mechanics to make this system canonically identical to the most general discrete spectrum quantum system. It follows that the general invariance group of the Schroedinger system of equations is the symplectic group Sp(2{ital N}), not U({ital N}). Several examples show the physical naturalness of the classical coordinates. In the adiabatic limit Berry's phase is identified as the cumulative change of the angle of action-angle coordinates of a normal mode. A generalization of Berry's phase, the time component of the adiabatic connection and its associated electric curvature, is shown to be on an equal footing with the usual Berry phase.
How teachers’ values affect their evaluation of children of immigrants: Findings from Islamic and public schools

Abstract This study examines the implications of how teachers’ views of immigrant parents predict their ratings of first-grade students’ academic competence and behavioral problems. Teachers rated 191 first-grade immigrant students attending Islamic and public schools in the Northeast United States. The results showed that when teachers perceived parents as having discrepant value differences, they rated students more negatively both in terms of academic competence and behavioral problems, even after controlling for student gender and ethnicity, parental education and parental school involvement. Surprisingly, teachers in Islamic and public schools did not differ in their perceived value differences with parents. The type of school students attend, however, moderated the effects of teachers’ perceived value differences on their academic ratings, but not on their behavioral ratings. While both Islamic and public school teachers rated students’ academic competence equally high when they perceived little or no value differences with parents, public school teachers held lower academic expectations than Islamic school teachers with increased value differences. These findings suggest a mechanism by which children from immigrant families enter a path of diminished expectations, albeit through slightly different levels in Islamic and public school settings.
Pyrolysis gas chromatographic studies on Egyptian archaeological specimens: Organic patinas on the “Three Princesses” gold vessels

Abstract In 1916 a tomb in Egypt of three foreign wives of Thutmosis III was discovered and looted by robbers. Soon after, objects including gold vessels purporting to be from the tomb, were offered to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In the mid-1970's the museum began a comprehensive study of this so-called “Three Princesses” Treasure. There soon was a growing realization that some of the gold was of modern origin. In a recent study using pyrolysis gas chromatography (Py-GC) we found that the organic patinas on all of the faked vessels gave virtually identical pyrograms; these in turn are very similar to pyrograms of standard mixtures of salts of long chain fatty acids. Further, the pyrograms of the patinas were identical to pyrograms of the organic contents from one of the jars from the same find. Py-GC made it possible to establish the identity of the patinas and the jar contents quickly. Further analysis by conventional methods was undertaken to identify the composition of this material.
Learning system to introduce GIS to civil engineers

A web-based e-learning system to facilitate the integration of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) into the Civil Engineering curriculum is described in this paper. The principal learning goal is to encourage students to apply and integrate foundational knowledge in the solution of "real world" comprehensive civil engineering problems. Sharable content objects, designed in accordance with the ADL/SCORM standards, contain basic knowledge components in the form of web-viewable hypermedia coupled with an assessable learning outcome thereby forming a learning object.
Allosteric communication in the dynein motor domain.

Dyneins power microtubule motility using ring-shaped, AAA-containing motor domains. Here, we report X-ray and electron microscopy (EM) structures of yeast dynein bound to different ATP analogs, which collectively provide insight into the roles of dynein’s two major ATPase sites, AAA1 and AAA3, in the conformational change mechanism. ATP binding to AAA1 triggers a cascade of conformational changes that propagate to all six AAA domains and cause a large movement of the “linker,” dynein’s mechanical element. In contrast to the role of AAA1 in driving motility, nucleotide transitions in AAA3 gate the transmission of conformational changes between AAA1 and the linker, suggesting that AAA3 acts as a regulatory switch. Further structural and mutational studies also uncover a role for the linker in regulating the catalytic cycle of AAA1. Together, these results reveal how dynein’s two major ATP-binding sites initiate and modulate conformational changes in the motor domain during motility.
Comparison of Diagnostic Techniques for Detecting Tomato Infectious Chlorosis Virus

ABSTRACT A polyclonal antiserum prepared against purified virions of tomato infectious chlorosis virus (TICV) was used to evaluate serological tests for its detection, to determine its distribution in infected plants, to study relationships among isolates of this virus, and to detect it in field samples. A cRNA probe representing TICV RNA 1 and RNA 2 was used in dot blot hybridization tests. A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was also developed for detection of TICV isolates. The comparative study of these four techniques indicated that RT-PCR was 100-fold more sensitive than enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot, and dot blot hybridization assays for TICV detection. TICV was detected in leaf, stem, flower, and root tissues of the infected tomato plants. However, the virus was not uniformly distributed throughout the infected tomato plants, and the highest viral concentration was observed in fully developed young tomato leaves at the onset of yellowing sympt...
Tissue reaction to fabrics coated with turbostratic carbon: subcutaneous versus vascular implants.

Abstract A technique allowing the deposition of an adherent thin film of turbostratic, high-density carbon on heat sensitive polymers was recently developed. The biological response to this biomaterial on yarns and fabrics of the type used in cardiovascular surgery has been studied. Polyester yarns, knitted Dacron® sheets and knitted uncrimped Dacron® vascular grafts were coated with a thin film (less than 1 μm) of turbostratic carbon using a physical vapour deposition process. Coated and control discs of knitted material, as well as coated and uncoated yarns, were implanted in pairs in the subcutaneous tissue of mice, using for each type of implant two cohorts of 12 animals, with observation periods of 4 and 8 wks respectively. Vascular grafts (8 cm long, 8 mm i.d.) coated with carbon on the luminal side only, were implanted for 12 wks in the infrarenal aortic position in six dogs, and compared to uncoated Dacron® grafts of the same dimensions inserted in the same location and for the same duration in the infrarenal aortic position in six control animals. With subcutaneous implants, there was no significant difference in the tissue reaction to either coated or uncoated patches. In contrast, the vascular grafts, all of which were patent upon retrieval, showed a much lower extent of thrombosis on the blood-exposure surface in the case of carbon-coated Dacron®, as compared to the luminal surface of control prostheses. The internal capsule (tissue formed between the polymer fabric and the blood interface) was thinner in carbon-coated grafts than in control grafts. No giant cells were observed on the Dacron® fibrils coated with turbostratic carbon, which in all cases remained firmly adherent to the polymeric substrate.
Analysis and simulation of hollow-fiber bioreactor dynamics

A flexible and economical computer simulation model for the process analysis, parameter prediction, and optimal design of hollow-fiber biochemical reactors (HFBRs) has been developed. The validity and predictive capability of the HFBR simulator was successfully tested with two independent laboratory case studies. Of particular interest are the transient transport and bioconversion mechanisms including the effect of radial mass convection on the substrate uptake in the lumen. The portable computer code is an efficient tool to aid in theoretical and experimental investigations. The underlying principles used for the model development are applicable to a broad family of (membrane) bioreactors.
Carcinoid heart disease with bilateral ventricular endocardial sclerosis

Abstract A case of carcinoid heart disease with prominent left heart involvement in addition to the usual right heart lesion is described. The foramen ovale was closed, and no communication could be demonstrated between the right and left sides of the heart. The clinical data lead to the diagnosis of tricuspid insufficiency, and also pulmonary valvular stenosis was suspected. Left ventricular failure accompanied by electrocardiographic and x-ray evidence of left ventricular involvement occurred early in the course of the illness and was thought to be related to pre-existing hypertensive heart disease rather than to the endocardial lesion of the left ventricle. A review of the current medical literature indicates that left ventricular sclerosis may not be as rare as previously believed. The theories of origin of the endocardial lesion are discussed.
Could the twin deficits jeopardize US hegemony

Abstract The American twin deficits are back. One obvious cost is a possible hard landing. A less obvious possibility is that imperial overstretch could eventually cost the US its global hegemony. This paper addresses many challenges to the twin deficits view that have been offered: the Starve the Beast rationale for the budget deficit, the straw-man question of whether the budget and current account deficits are always twins, the wishful thinking that the US has an investment boom, the correct point that private saving is low as well as public saving, the claim of a global savings glut, the observation that global financial markets are big, the hope that valuation effects or unmeasured services as world banker will allow Americans to continue the exorbitant privilege of consuming at others’ expense indefinitely, and the proposition that China will happily buy dollars indefinitely. When all novel viewpoints are considered, one is still left with the reality of an unsustainable path of high budget deficits, low national saving, and high current account deficits.
Molecular motors interacting with their own tracks

Dynamics of molecular motors that move along linear lattices and interact with them via reversible destruction of specific lattice bonds is investigated theoretically by analyzing exactly solvable discrete-state "burnt-bridge" models. Molecular motors are viewed as diffusing particles that can asymmetrically break or rebuild periodically distributed weak links when passing over them. Our explicit calculations of dynamic properties show that coupling the transport of the unbiased molecular motor with the bridge-burning mechanism leads to a directed motion that lowers fluctuations and produces a dynamic transition in the limit of low concentration of weak links. Interaction between the backward biased molecular motor and the bridge-burning mechanism yields a complex dynamic behavior. For the reversible dissociation the backward motion of the molecular motor is slowed down. There is a change in the direction of the molecular motor's motion for some range of parameters. The molecular motor also experiences nonmonotonic fluctuations due to the action of two opposing mechanisms: the reduced activity after the burned sites and locking of large fluctuations. Large spatial fluctuations are observed when two mechanisms are comparable. The properties of the molecular motor are different for the irreversible burning of bridges where the velocity and fluctuations are suppressed for some concentration range, and the dynamic transition is also observed. Dynamics of the system is discussed in terms of the effective driving forces and transitions between different diffusional regimes.
Intranasal corticosteroids: Do they improve ocular allergy?

Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) is a common allergic condition associated with high financial costs and decreased quality of life. Medical treatment options are extensive and include oral, ophthalmic, and intranasal agents. Intranasal corticosteroids (INS) have traditionally been used for chronic management of nasal symptoms, but have also demonstrated an impact on decreasing ocular symptoms of itching, tearing, and redness. Study design, including the method and timing of scoring ocular symptoms, is an important factor affecting whether changes in ocular symptoms are detected in INS clinical trials. INS are thought to exert their influence on the eye through the naso-ocular reflex, and to date their impact on ocular symptoms appears to be a class effect.