cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biological profile of the metabolites and potential metabolites of the anticonvulsant remacemide.

Abstract Remacemide hydrochloride ((±)-2-amino-N-(1-methyl-1,2-diphenylethyl)-acetamide hydrochloride or FPL 12924AA) is a novel compound undergoing clinical trials for patients with generalized tonic/clonic and complex partial epilepsy. Remacemide exhibits efficacy against maximal electroconvulsive shock (MES) in rodents and seizures elicited by N- methyl - d , l -aspartate (NMDLA) in mice. Using rat synaptic membrane fractions, remacemide was shown to possess relatively weak noncompetitive binding to the ionic channel site of the NMDA ( N- methyl- d -aspartic acid ) receptor complex. With the hypothesis that activity against NMDLA-elicited seizures might be reflected by transformation to a more active metabolic species, the aim of the present study was to evaluate potential pharmacological effects of the 9 identified metabolites of remacemide which were all found in human and dog urine. Moreover, specific entities were recognized in plasma (including the rat's), as well as dog and rat cerebrospinal fluid. Five putative metabolites were also examined. A major route of metabolic transformation of remacemide in rats yields the formation of a pharmacologically active more potent desglycine derivative, namely FPL 12495 (±). Potency over the parent compound is revealed in the MES test in mice and rats, the NMDA-induced convulsions/ mortality test in mice, and especially involving in vitro displacement of MK801 binding to the channel subsite of the NMDA receptor. The S isomer (FPL 12859) of this desglycinate is even more potent, while the R isomer is less potent than the corresponding racemate. Unlike the non-competitive NMDA antagonist, MK801, these desglycinates did not prevent kindled seizures. Three other identified metabolites show efficacy in the mouse and rat in vivo tests, namely the N-hydroxy-desglycinate (FPL 15053) and the p-hydroxy-desglycinates (FPL 14331 and FPL 14465). FPL 15053 exhibited modest activity in all tests. The only in vivo activity exhibited by the 2 p-hydroxy-desglycinates was evidenced in the MES test following i.p. and i.v. dosing. However, FPL 14331 was active in the MK801 binding assay. An oxoacetate metabolite, FPL 15455, failed to demonstrate any biological activity. Of potential metabolites tested 2 β-Miydroxy-desglycinates (FPL 14991 and FPL 14981) displayed modest activity in the MES test, however, only FPL 14981 prevented NMDLA-induced convulsions/mortality in mice and was 2-fold more active regarding MK801 binding. The hydroxy-methyl derivative of remacemide (FPL 13592) and its desglycinate (FPL 15112) prevented MES-induced convulsions only after i.v. administration; only the desglycine derivative displaced MK801 binding. FPL 14467 (p-dihydroxy-desglycine) was inactive in vivo and weak in the MK801 binding assay. The discrepancy between in vivo/in vitro activities for many of the compounds is presumably due to pharmacokinetic factors.
The rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap: modifications, complications, and sexual function.

BACKGROUND. Vaginal, perineal, and pelvic floor reconstruction is being performed with increasing frequency in conjunction with radical pelvic surgery. Although the vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap is ideally suited to such procedures, little information exists regarding risks or complications associated with it. METHODS. A chart review of all patients who underwent this procedure at two institutions was performed, and the results were compared with existing series. Surviving patients were asked to describe their satisfaction with the procedure and their sexual function. RESULTS. Between 1990 and 1997, 22 patients underwent placement of a rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for vaginal/pelvic floor reconstruction, 21 (95.5%) at the time of pelvic exenteration. Attachment of the graft was complete in 20 patients (90.9 %) and partial in 1 (4.5%), and 1 patient experienced complete loss that resulted in total vaginal stenosis. Four patients (18.2%) developed mild vaginal stenosis that was corrected with dilators. Donor site complications included wound separation (above the fascia) in three patients and one delayed abdominal closure. There were no cases of bowel obstruction, dehiscence, hernia, or death. The only statistically significant identifiable risk factors for graft necrosis included prior abdominal surgery and operative time. Thirteen of 22 (59.1%) of the patients are cancer free (median progression free interval, 42.2 months), 11 (84.6 %) of whom reported having had vaginal intercourse since surgery. CONCLUSIONS. The rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap can be safely used with excellent results and acceptable morbidity, and in this series it restored sexual function in the majority of cancer survivors. Because previous abdominal surgery (transverse incisions or colostomy) may compromise blood supply to the flap, alternative sites should be considered in such cases.
Lab-on-Chip Flow Injection Analysis System without an External Pump and Valves and Integrated with an In Line Electrochemical Detector

Surface energy in small droplets can be used to drive samples through microchannels. When a sample fluid is spontaneously driven through a solution filled microchannel with liquid droplets on its entry (sample) and exit (reservoir) ports, it is termed as a passive pumping device. A passive pump driven microfluidic system integrated with microfabricated planar electrodes or electrode arrays (e.g., interdigitated electrode arrays or microband electrode arrays) can be considered as a manifold for flow injection analysis without an external pump and injector valve. Factors affecting the passive pump driven flow rate in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)−glass hybrid microfluidic system, including the volume, viscosity, and surface tension of the sample solution and the tilt of the microfluidic channel, are analyzed. By placing 2 μL of hexacyanoferrate (II) solutions at the entry port of the device, peak shaped transients were recorded. The peak heights showed linear dependence on the sample concentrations between ...
Scintigraphic and electrocardiographic evidence of silent coronary artery disease in asymptomatic hypertension: A case-control study

Abstract Objectives. This study was conducted to determine the incidence of physiologically significant coronary artery disease in a group of asymptomatic high risk men with essential hypertension and to assess the validity of noninvasive tests in a subset of these patients undergoing coronary arteriography. Methods. Two hundred twenty-six asymptomatic men (mean age 61 ± 8 years) with essential hypertension and no clinical evidence of coronary artery disease but with at least one additional coronary risk factor were studied prospectively. Fifty age- and risk factor-matched normotensive subjects were evaluated as a control group. After a minimum of 4 days without medication, subject9s underwent stress thallium-201 scintigraphy, exercise and 48-h ambulatory electrocardiography, and echocardiography. Coronary angiography was performed in a subset of 34 (40%) of 84 patients with one or more positive test results. Results. A positive thallium-201 scintigram (18% vs. 6%; odds ratio 3.4, confidence interval 0.91 to 10.8, p = 0.056), exercise electrocardiograms (ECGs) (37% vs. 13%; odds ratio 4.1, confidence interval 1.5 to 11.2, p Conclusions. These findings suggests that physiologically significant coronary artery disease occurs more frequently in asymptomatic hypertensive men than in comparable normotensive control subjects. In the subgroup undergoing coronary arteriography, reversible scintigraphic defects were both sensitive and specific for diagnosing epicardial coronary artery disease, but exercise and ambulatory ECGs appeared to yield frequent false positive results, especially when left ventricular hypertrophy was present. These results indicate that patients with “silent” coronary artery disease can be identified among high risk hypertensive patients, but the appropriate application of such screening in clinical practice remains to be determined.
Studies on the determination of polyunsaturated fatty acids in blood.

Abstract Studies are reported which were aimed toward the development of methods for the determination of linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acids in small volumes of blood plasma. Replicate analyses of samples of several species yielded a satisfactory degree of precision, but the concentrations calculated from the data were in error because of the interference of more unsaturated acids also present. A procedure is described for obtaining a relative estimate of these more unsaturated forms. The determination of absolute quantities of polyunsaturated acids must await the establishment of the necessary spectrophotometric constants for all the acids.
Collagenase activity in homogenates of the involuting rat uterus.

Collagenase activity can be detected in the 6000 × g pellets of homogenates of the involuting uterus of the rat; it digests the collagen present in the homogenates. This enzyme appears to be identical to the collagenase obtained from cultures of uterine tissue. The enzyme is optimally active at pH 7.5, requires Ca2+ (0.01 M) for activity and is inhibited by EDTA and other chelating agents. EDTA inhibition cannot be reversed by adding excess Ca2+ or other divalent cations. The activity is inhibited by the tissue supernatant and by rat serum in 1:100 dilution. The enzyme is insensitive to 1 mM cysteine but is inhibited by other reducing agents such as 1 mM mercaptoethanol. The enzyme does not digest the peptide phenylazobenzyloxycarbonyl-Pro-Leu-Gly- Pro-d-Arg which is used for the assay of bacterial collagenase. The enzyme attacks insoluble collagen at 30°C but does not release digestion products unless the temperature is raised to 37°C. The digestion products at 37°C are smaller than 100 000 daltons and about one-third is diffusible.
Conditional inactivation of MRG15 gene function limits survival during larval and adult stages of Drosophila melanogaster

The mammalian MRG15 gene encodes a chromodomain protein predicted to bind to chromatin via methylated histone tails. Human MORF4 encodes a related but truncated protein that is capable of promoting cellular senescence in a subset of human tumor cell lines. Drosophila contains a single homolog of human MRG15, called DmMRG15. Null mutation of MRG15 is embryonic-lethal in mice and Drosophila, making the study of MRG15 requirements in adults difficult. In these studies the DmMRG15 gene was over-expressed in Drosophila, during developmental stages and in adults, using a doxycycline-regulated system (Tet-on). In addition an inverted-repeated construct was designed to inactivate DmMRG15 via the RNAi pathway, and RNAi constructs were expressed using both the Tet-on system and Geneswitch system. The DmMRG15 protein was readily expressed in adult flies in a doxycycline-dependent manner. A truncated form of DmMRG15 (called DmMT1) was designed to mimic the structure of human MORF4, and expression of this mutant protein or the inverted-repeat constructs inhibited fertility in females. Conditional expression of the DmMRG15 inverted-repeat constructs during larval development or in adults caused reductions in survival. These experiments indicate that Drosophila DmMRG15 gene function is required for female fertility, larval survival and adult life span, and provide reagents that should be useful for further dissecting the role of DmMRG15 in cell proliferation and aging.
Orexin receptor antagonists: a review of promising compounds patented since 2006.

Importance of the field: The orexin neuropeptide system plays a central role in maintaining arousal and wakefulness. It has been demonstrated that small molecule antagonists to the orexin receptors promote sleep in preclinical species and in patients with insomnia.Areas covered in this review: This review provides a summary of published patent applications claiming novel orexin antagonists from 2006 to mid-2009, covering both selective and dual orexin receptor antagonists.What the reader will gain: Readers will gain an overview of orexin biology focusing on genetic and pharmacological validation of this target for treating sleep disorders. Additionally, this review discusses the importance of receptor subtype selectivity and the potential role of subtype selective and dual orexin antagonists in treating psychiatric illnesses beyond insomnia. This review identifies companies that are significant contributors to the patent literature claiming novel orexin receptor antagonists.Take home message: The study of...
Human bone marrow stem cell-encapsulating calcium phosphate scaffolds for bone repair

Due to its injectability and excellent osteoconductivity, calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is highly promising for orthopedic applications. However, a literature search revealed no report on human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (hBMSC) encapsulation in CPC for bone tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to encapsulate hBMSCs in alginate hydrogel beads and then incorporate them into CPC, CPC–chitosan and CPC–chitosan–fiber scaffolds. Chitosan and degradable fibers were used to mechanically reinforce the scaffolds. After 21 days, that the percentage of live cells and the cell density of hBMSCs inside CPC-based constructs matched those in alginate without CPC, indicating that the CPC setting reaction did not harm the hBMSCs. Alkaline phosphate activity increased by 8-fold after 14 days. Mineral staining, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed that apatitic mineral was deposited by the cells. The amount of hBMSC-synthesized mineral in CPC–chitosan–fiber matched that in CPC without chitosan and fibers. Hence, adding chitosan and fibers, which reinforced the CPC, did not compromise hBMSC osteodifferentiation and mineral synthesis. In conclusion, hBMSCs were encapsulated in CPC and CPC–chitosan–fiber scaffolds for the first time. The encapsulated cells remained viable, osteodifferentiated and synthesized bone minerals. These self-setting, hBMSC-encapsulating CPC-based constructs may be promising for bone tissue engineering applications.
Auger electron emitters: Insights gained from in vitro experiments

This paper outlines the evolution of the current rationale for research into the biological effects of tissue-incorporated Auger electron emitters. The first section is a brief review of the research conducted by several groups in the last fifteen years. The second section describes the in vitro model used in our studies, dosimetric calculations, experimental techniques and recent findings. The third section focuses on the use of Auger electron emitters as in vitro microprobes for the investigation of the radiosensitivity of distinct subcellular components. Examination of the biological effects of the Auger electron emitter125I located in different cellular compartments of a single cell line (V79 hamster lung fibroblast) verifies that DNA is the critical cell structure for radiation damage and that the sensitive sites are of nanometer dimensions. The data from incorporation of several Auger electron emitters at the same location within DNA suggest that there are no saturation effects from the decay of these isotopes (i.e. all the emitted energy is biologically effective) and provide some insight into which of the numerous physical mechanisms accompanying the Auger decay are most important in causing cell damage. Finally the implications of Auger electron emission for radiotherapy and radiation protection in diagnostic nuclear medicine are detailed and further research possibilities are suggested.
Analysis of Multiwavelength Observations of Optical Scintillation

Results are presented from an experimental study of the effects of wavelength, range, and thermal turbulence intensity on the laser scintillation magnitude, represented by the log-intensity standard deviation, σ. During the first phase of the study, intensity fluctuations at 0.6328 μm were measured over a near-ground horizontal path for six ranges out to 7.6 km. Similar measurements were made during the second phase at four ranges out to 2.5 km for three wavelengths: 0.4880 μm, 0.6328 μm, and 1.064 μm. A 5-mm diam receiver aperture was used in all cases. During both phases, concurrent measurements of the refractive-index-structure function Cn were obtained. It was observed that the measured scintillation (σm) at 0.6328 μm reached a mean maximum of 1.05 when the theoretical Tatarski value (σt) was 2.5 and then decreased at larger σt to a value about 0.5, where the scintillation showed evidence of leveling off. The mean maximum scintillation at 0.4880 μm is 1.09, and at 1.064 μm it is 0.82; the ratios of the maxima are well approximated by the minus seven-twelfths power of the wavelength. At large σt values, the scintillation depends only slightly on wavelength.
Clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors and health-related quality of life among US adults.

Abstract Objective To assess the association of clusters of multiple cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among US adults aged 18 years or older in 2003. Methods Data from the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed. The four HRQOL questions developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were used. The CVD risk factors included diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, and current smoking. Results The adjusted odds ratios of having four or more CVD risk factors were 14.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.4–16.0) for poor or fair health, 6.4 (95% CI 5.6–7.3) for 14 or more physically unhealthy days, 4.8 (95% CI 4.2–5.6) for 14 or more mentally unhealthy days, and 8.0 (95% CI6.8–9.3) for 14 or more impaired activity days compared to having none of the five risk factors. A greater number of CVD risk factors was significantly associated with an increasing likelihood of having poor or fair health ( P 1 P 2 P 1 P 2 P 1 P 2 = 0.02), and 14 or more impaired activity days ( P 1 P 2 Conclusions A greater number of multiple CVD risk factors may be associated with more detrimental impairment of HRQOL. Preventing or reducing the clustering of multiple CVD risk factors to improve HRQOL is needed among adults.
Incorporating a biopsy needle as an electrode in transrectal electrical impedance imaging

Previous studies have shown that prostate cancer may be detected by a combined transrectal ultrasound and electrical impedance tomography imaging system. However, the sensitivity of the imaging system is limited due to very little current established in the far field distant from the probe surface. Consequently, biopsy needles are introduced to the imaging system to provide current paths in the distal regions. This study demonstrates that image sensitivity can be improved by incorporating the needle electrodes. A phantom experiment is presented to show that contrast to the background is enhanced by 17.4% when imaging with needle electrodes. Simulated reconstructions and some preliminary clinical data also suggest the sensitivity improvement. In summary, TREIT with needle electrodes in the tissue may have great potential in future clinical prostate cancer detection.
Conventionalism as an Adequate Basis for Policy-Relevant IR Theory:

This article considers three factual observations about the history of the study of International Relations and examines how well several different metatheories of IR can account for them. The three facts are, first, that there has been persisting disagreement between supporters of contending theoretical approaches; second, that there have been occasional cases in which opposing scholars have converged on certain conclusions; and third, that the field of IR was intended by its founders to have some bearing on policy and some capacity to help change the world. The article contrasts several well-known philosophical principles on which metatheories have been based. The article concludes that all three challenges can be met by only one such metatheory, which I term `causal conventionalism', based in part on principles developed a century ago by Pierre Duhem.
In vivo voltammetry with electrodes that discriminate between dopamine and ascorbate.

Abstract Untreated carbon-fiber voltammetric electrodes have been employed as chemical sensors of easily oxidized compounds in the brain of rats anesthetized with chloral hydrate. These electrodes can be used to distinguish dopamine from ascorbate and dihydroxyphenylacetate by the shape of the voltammograms. The electrodes are shown to provide a reproducible response to different neuronal stimuli. The rapid release of dopamine in the caudate nucleus can be measured following a local application of potassium chloride. Intraperitoneal injections of amphetamine also induce an of easily oxidized compoundsl however, the voltammetry suggests that ascorbic acid, rather than dopamine, is the primary substance detected. Measurements in the cortex or in the caudate nucleus of animals lesioned by prior injection of 6-hydroxydopamine show that a substance with voltammetric properties identical to those of ascorbic acid also increases in concentration in these areas a resultof amphetamine administration.
On Fates Comparable to Death

Earlier models for the evaluation of assuming and shedding risks of death are extended to the case of possibly extreme disability over a lifetime. Earlier micromort values are supplemented with microdisability values to enable individuals to make consistent decisions in hazardous situations.
Twenty years of liver transplantation for budd-chiari syndrome : A national registry analysis

Several treatment options exist for the management of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), yet the relative role and timing of liver transplantation (LT) remain poorly defined. Small case series published to date have not been able to delineate the impact of comorbidities and thromboembolic complications of BCS on survival after LT. To better understand the outcomes after LT for BCS, we analyzed 510 liver transplants performed for this disease in the United States between 1987 and 2006. Risk factors predicting graft loss or patient death included increased recipient age, hyperbilirubinemia, elevated creatinine, life support or hospitalization at the time of transplantation, prior transplantation, prior abdominal surgery, increased donor age, and prolonged cold ischemic time (CIT). Prior transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was not associated with worse outcomes. Transplantation in the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) era was associated with significantly lower risk of graft loss (hazard ratio [HR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.86; P = 0.012) and death (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.29-0.93; P = 0.027). Similarly, MELD era was associated with significantly lower risk of early graft loss (odds ratio [OR], 0.35; 95% CI, 0.16-0.79, P = 0.012) and early death (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.14-0.95; P = 0.040). However, patients with BCS transplanted in the MELD era were less likely to have life support, hospitalization, prior transplants, and prolonged cold ischemia times. In conclusion, outcomes of LT for BCS are excellent, with further improvements since 2002 associated with a selection shift imposed by MELD-based organ allocation.
On the abstract Cauchy problem

Conditions are found under which the abstract Cauchy problem u′(t) = Au(t), u(0) = u0 has a unique solution for each u0 in a dense subspace of a Banach space X. These conditions are shown to be best possible. In the Hilbert space case, conditions are found under which there is a unique weak solution for each u0in D(A). Corresponding results are obtained for the inhomogeneous problem. Application is made to some simple hyperbolic systems with multiple characteristics.
Influence of foliar application of simazine, igran, and GS-14254 on delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase of pea seedlings

Abstract Foliar application of simazine (2-chloro-4,6-bis-ethylamino- s -triazine), igran (2-methylmercapto-4-ethylamino-6-isobutyl-amino- s -triazine), and GS-14254 (2-methoxy-4-isopropylamino-6-butylamino- s -triazine) on 3-week-old pea seedlings caused an increase in the activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of porphyrins, heme compounds, and chlorophyll.
Pharmaceutical applications of calorimetric measurements in the new millennium

An overview of the current pharmaceutical applications of calorimetric measurements is discussed with an emphasis on providing references supporting various techniques. Areas where recent reviews of the techniques are available will be noted. In the context of the outlined current utilities, future areas of advancement will be discussed.
X-ray microprobe of optical strong-field processes

Abstract A time-resolved X-ray microprobe to study optical strong-field processes has been developed. Individual atoms or molecules located within the strong-field environment created by a focused ultrafast laser are probed by undulator-produced X-ray pulses to achieve spatial, temporal, spectral and polarization selectivity. Approximately 10 6 monochromatic X-rays per 100-ps pulse are focused into a ∼10 μm spot to selectively probe atoms in focal volumes where intensities up to 10 15 W/cm 2 can be present. In this paper, we describe the time-resolved X-ray microprobe and provide some illustrative examples from our work studying strong-field phenomena such as laser-modified absorption spectra, Coulomb explosion, transient laser-produced plasmas and molecular alignment.
Effect of glial-ependymal scar and Teflon arrest on the regenerative capacity of goldfish spinal cord

Abstract The regenerative capacity of the goldfish spinal cord is not affected by connective tissue or parenchymal scars in the normal course of regeneration. The present experiments were undertaken to study the effects of both mechanical arrest and a glialependymal scar blockade on the regenerative capacity of the spinal cord. Spinal cords of fifty goldfish were transected and Teflon was placed between the severed stumps. Fourteen, 30, 60, or 90 days later, the Teflon was removed and regeneration assessed up to 6 months postoperatively. Regeneration of the spinal cord was severely retarded after 14 days of Teflon arrest and did not occur after 30 or more days of arrest. After abortive regeneration, nerve fibers were found to terminate at a glial-ependymal scar. To ascertain if the loss in regenerative capacity was due to the glial-ependymal scar or Teflon arrest, the spinal cord was cut and Teflon inserted for 30 days. The Teflon was then removed and the cord transected one segment rostral to the former mechanical block. Thirty days later the axons had regenerated through the isolated spinal cord segment and past the glial-ependymal scar. Therefore, the inability of the axons to regenerate after Teflon removal was due to the inability of the neurons to resume growth and not to any mechanical effects of the scar.
Polyimidizations from acylated diamines and dianhydrides

Abstract Imide ring formation upon heat treatment of diacylated diamines and dianhydrides was shown to be highly efficient. Evidence to support this conclusion was obtained from thermal gravimetric analyses, differential scanning calorimetry and infra-red spectroscopy. Equimolar mixtures of diacylated diamines and dianhydrides form eutectic mixtures, which quantitatively eliminate the corresponding acid to form imides. Besides the possibility of polyimidization, the reaction of acylated amino end-groups with anhydride end-groups was demonstrated to be useful for chain extension by post-heating a lower-molecular-weight polyimide based on pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and 4,4′-aminodiphenyl ether (ODA). Advantages gained by this technique are narrower molecular-weight distributions and higher-solids poly(amic acid) solutions with lower solution viscosities, which allow more facile fabrication into useful articles.
The asymmetric effects of exchange rate fluctuations : theory and evidence from developing countries

The paper examines the asymmetric effects of exchange rate fluctuations on real output and price in developing countries. The theoretical model decomposes movements in the exchange rate into anticipated and unanticipated components. Unanticipated currency fluctuations determine aggregate demand through exports, imports, and the demand for domestic currency, and determine aggregate supply through the cost of imported intermediate goods. The evidence indicates that the supply channel leads to output contraction and price inflation in the face of unanticipated currency depreciation. In contrast, the reduction in net exports determines output contraction without reducing price inflation in the face of unanticipated currency appreciation.
Glenoid morphology after reaming in computer-simulated total shoulder arthroplasty.

Background The relationships between reaming parameters for glenoid-implant surface area and bone loss in total shoulder arthroplasty have not been well established. The hypotheses of this study are: (1) for large version corrections, a large reaming depth of 5 mm is not sufficient to obtain complete glenoid implant contact; (2) glenoid bone is removed in a linear proportion with reaming depth; and (3) initial reamer placement has no effect on glenoid bone removal. Methods Ten computer models from computed tomography scans of patients with advanced osteoarthritis were created for computer-simulated reaming as performed during total shoulder arthroplasty. Reaming variables studied included reaming depth, reamer placement, and version correction. The resulting reamed glenoid surface area available for implantation and bone volume removed were calculated for each permutation. Results Reamed surface area significantly increased with larger depths of reaming ( P P r 2 = 0.999). With off-center reamer placement, volume removed when deviating in the posterior direction was significantly greater than when deviating in the anterior, superior, or inferior direction ( P Conclusion Performing smaller version corrections allows for greater attainable implant-bone surface contact because increasing reaming depth results in small increases in conforming surface area but large losses in glenoid bone stock. Bone volume removed was most sensitive to off-center position errors in the posterior direction.
Helical ribonucleoproteins of influenza virus: An electron microscopic analysis

Abstract The morphology of the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) of A/WSN/33 and A/USSR/90/77 strains of influenza virus was studied by electron microscopy. The virions were partially disrupted with 0.2% Triton, negatively stained with 2% sodium phosphotungstate, and examined in the electron microscope. Twenty-five to fifty percent of the virions extruded large helical structures. The helices were also discerned in spontaneously lysed virions and in thin sections of fixed particles. The morphology of the helix showed no detectable change after treatment with ribonuclease but was totally destroyed by proteinase K. The studies established helices as the native RNP structures of influenza virus, perhaps significant in the organization of the viral genome.
Acute behavioral tolerance to nicotine in the conditioned taste aversion paradigm

Acute behavioral tolerance to nicotine is a well-established phenomenon in animals, although previous drug discrimination studies have suggested that subpopulations of rats may exist that fail to exhibit acute tolerance to nicotine. The present study sought to determine whether these findings might extend to the conditioned taste aversion (CTA) paradigm. In experiment 1, rats were administered 0.8 mg/kg s.c. nicotine or vehicle before a pairing session with saccharin, and then administered either 0.4 mg/kg nicotine or vehicle immediately afterward. Rats treated with vehicle pre-session and then nicotine post-session developed a significant CTA to nicotine, whereas rats treated with 0.8 mg/kg nicotine s.c. pre-session failed to develop a CTA to nicotine. In experiment 2, rats were identified as exhibiting or failing to exhibit acute tolerance to nicotine in a drug discrimination paradigm. Rats that produced acute nicotine tolerance failed to develop a CTA after 24 h, but did so after 48 h, while rats that did not produce nicotine tolerance exhibited CTA after 24 h, but not after 48 h. These findings indicate that acute behavioral tolerance to nicotine extends to its aversion effects. Drug Dev Res 68:522–528, 2007. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reconsidering the Organizational Identification Questionnaire

This study investigates the internal dimensions of the Organizational Identification Questionnaire (OIQ). Results of factorial analytic tests of cross-sectional and longitudinal data indicate that the OIQ is unidimensional across organizations and time, but that only 12 of 25 items contribute meaningfully to the scale. Furthermore, these 12 items essentially constitute an affective measure of organizational commitment, not organizational identification as theorized. A discussion of these results examines the implications of these findings toward the future use of the OIQ scale.
Microwave Radiation from the Sun and Moon

G. C. Southworth1 has reported the measurement of microwave radiation from the sun with a conventional superheterodyne receiver and a large parabolic antenna. This note is to report similar measurements made with a microwave radiometer, which was designed primarily for the measurement of the atmospheric absorption of water vapor by observing the thermal radiation emitted by the atmosphere.2
Some approaches to studying deformation of flexible shells

Some approaches to solving nonlinear boundary-value problems of the theory of flexible shells described by ordinary and partial differential equations are presented. One-dimensional problems for a system of anisotropic shells of rotation in the subcritical and supercritical regions of deformation, as well as two-dimensional problems for shells of canonical and noncanonical forms, are considered. The solution of nonlinear problems is performed on the basis of numerical and numerical-analytic methods with the use of discrete orthogonalization and Fourier discrete series.
Determination of MK-383, a non-peptide fibrinogen receptor antagonist, in human plasma and urine by radioimmunoassay.

Abstract MK-383 is a novel, non-peptide fibrinogen receptor antagonist. A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay has been developed for the determination of this drug candidate in plasma and urine. The immunogen was prepared by coupling to albumin via the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester from which the radioligand was also prepared by reaction with [I 125 ]iodotyrosine. The method was specific and no immunoreactive material other than the parent drug was detectable in plasma and urine from dosed volunteers. This direct assay, using 5 μl of plasma or 0.5 μl of urine, is sensitive to 1 and 10 ng ml −1 , respectively, without matrix interference and has sufficient sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision for the analysis of clinical samples.
Reports of police calls for service as a risk indicator for intimate partner violence.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of asking female emergency department (ED) patients about police calls for service as a possible indicator of intimate partner violence (IPV). Methods: Trained research assistants screened female, adult, English-speaking patients presenting to an urban university ED 7am to midnight, 7 days per week during the 2006–2007 academic year. Patients were asked two commonly used IPV screening questions regarding past-year experience with physical violence or threat by an intimate partner and whether or not the police had been called due to a fight between themselves and a male partner. Results: Of the 4,984 patients screened, 3.9% screened positive for an IPV-related police call in the past 12 months; more than one-third (37.8%) of those screened negative for IPV on the traditional screening questions. The question about an IPV-related police call for service identified an additional 74 cases of possible IPV, representing 1.5% of the overall sample or a 30.8% increase over those identified with the traditional IPV screening questions. Conclusions: Adding an additional question regarding police calls to standard IPV screening could alert healthcare providers to possible IPV risk.
Therapeutic Communities: AIDS/HIV Risk and Harm Reduction

The limited survey data available suggest that therapeutic communities have increasingly organized themselves to develop HIV prevention programs and to integrate HIV-infected and AIDS clients into the treatment community while providing specialized program as necessary. Nonetheless, there remains a need for a comprehensive survey of the response of therapeutic communities to AIDS and the risk of HIV infection. There is need as well for studies that can build on findings linking retention in the therapeutic community to strategies that focus on clients' motivation or readiness for treatment. In addition, therapeutic community programs can ally with outreach programs both to provide priority admission to seropositive clients, women with children, adolescents, and criminal justice clients, and to provide harm reduction services to those unwilling to enter treatment while also taking incremental steps to engage those clients in ever increasing behavior change initiatives.
Clinical practice. Mitral regurgitation due to degenerative mitral-valve disease.

A 44-year-old man presents with dyspnea and new atrial fibrillation. He received a diagnosis of mild mitral regurgitation at 28 years of age but has not seen a physician in many years. Physical examination reveals a holosystolic murmur and a soft S3. Repeat echocardiography shows a flail posterior leaflet and moderately severe mitral regurgitation. How should this case be managed?
Manhattan Madness: The Social Movement of Mental Illness

(1963). Manhattan Madness: The Social Movement of Mental Illness. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 4, No. 3, pp. 261-272.
The maximum watts factor as a measure of detrusor contractility independent of outlet resistance

The maximum watts factor (WFmax) is often used to characterize detrusor contractility. It was recently shown that the WFmax may increase in some patients with chronic outlet obstruction. It is, however, unclear whether this increase reflects a dependence of the WFmax on the degree of outlet obstruction or whether it represents a true increase in detrusor contractility secondary to chronic outlet obstruction. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate this issue using a canine model of acute outlet obstruction. Urodynamic studies were performed on adult canines with surgically exposed lower urinary tracts. Pressure transducers were used to measure the intravesical and the distal urethral pressures, whereas an ultrasonic flow meter was used to obtain a simultaneous measure of the urinary flow rate. Detrusor contractions were induced by electrically stimulating the pelvic nerves bilaterally. Varying degrees of outlet obstruction were created using an inflatable sphincter cuff secured around the bladder outlet. The WFmax, the detrusor pressure at voiding terminus (Pdet.clos), and the passive urethral resistance (R) were computed from measured pressure-flow rate data at each degree of outlet obstruction. The WFmax was not significantly correlated to either the sphincter cuff volume (r = 0.025, p = 0.871), the Pdet.clos (r = 0.286, p = 0.073) or the R (r = 0.110, p = 0.509). The WFmax was not significantly different among mild, moderate, and severe degrees of outlet obstruction (p = 0.176). Our results suggest that the WFmax is independent of the degree of acute outlet obstruction (defined in terms of the sphincter cuff volume, Pdet.clos and R). This validates the current practice of using the WFmax to evaluate detrusor function in patients with voiding dysfunction regardless of outlet resistance. Further, since the WFmax is independent of outlet obstruction acutely, it is reasonable that it would also be independent of outlet obstruction under chronic conditions. Our results, therefore, also imply that the increase in the WFmax with chronic outlet obstruction may represent a true increase in detrusor contractility and not a WFmax dependence on outlet resistance.
Computational Modeling of Translucent Concrete Panels

AbstractThe last decade has witnessed a heightened interest in making buildings more sustainable, which has been fueled largely by the increase in energy costs and advancements in manufacturing technology. Lighting consumes a substantial amount of this energy, making it necessary to look for alternative technology that depends more on natural lighting. This study investigated a novel building envelope material that consists of optical fibers embedded in concrete. The fibers are used to channel solar radiation into the building to reduce the dependence on artificial lighting especially during peak time. This paper presents a geometrical ray-tracing algorithm to simulate light transmission properties of the proposed translucent concrete panel. It was concluded that a tilt angle of 30° for the panel transmits the maximum amount of light among all the tilt angles considered. Using this tilt angle, the rate at which sunlight radiation is absorbed by the panel was calculated, and a preliminary study was conduct...
A protein kinase inhibitor, H-7, inhibits the development of tolerance to opioid antinociception

Abstract To investigate the effect of a protein kinase inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7), on the development of tolerance to antinociception induced by morphine (μ-opioid receptor agonist) and butorphanol (μ/δ/κ-mixed opioid receptor agonist), rats were infused i.c.v. with morphine, butorphanol and H-7 through osmotic minipumps for 3 days. Concomitant infusion of H-7 dose dependently inhibited the development of tolerance to i.c.v. morphine- and butorphanol-induced anticiception. These result suggest that protein kinases may play an important role in the development of opioid tolerance.
Tensile deformation and failure of amyloid and amyloid-like protein fibrils

Here we report a series of full atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of six amyloid or amyloid-like protein fibrils in order to systematically understand the effect of different secondary structure motifs on the mechanical tensile and failure response of cross-β protein fibrils. We find a similar failure behavior across the six structures; an initial failure event occurs at small strains involving cooperative rupture of a group of hydrogen bonds, followed by a slow one-by-one hydrogen bond rupture process as the remaining β-sheets peel off with very low applied stress. We also find that the ultimate tensile strength of the protein fibrils investigated scales directly with the number of hydrogen bonds per unit area which break in the initial rupture event. Our results provide insights into structure-property relationships in protein fibrils important for disease and engineering applications and lay the groundwork for the development of materials selection criteria for the design of de novo amyloid-based functional biomaterials.
Surface laser light scattering studies of the air/poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone)‐water solution interface

An experimental study of poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) (PVP) in water solution has been carried out by using the surface laser light scattering (SLLS) technique. The concentration dependence data of the peak frequency and linewidth are obtained from the SLLS spectra of the PVP/water solutions with two PVP molecular weights over a wide concentration range varying from the dilute to semidilute regime. The equilibrium surface tension of the solution is also measured as a function of polymer concentration and molecular weight. In the dilute solution, the peak frequency and surface tension show only a small decrease with increasing concentration. However, in the semidilute concentration regime, the surface tension and the frequency shift decrease rapidly with increasing concentration, accompanied by the dramatic increase in the spectral linewidth. The surface tension, SLLS spectral peak frequency and linewidth show an important molecular weight dependence. Over the entire concentration range investigated, the SL...
Age-related changes in body temperature responses to morphine in rats.

Abstract Body temperature responses to morphine were studied in rats of thr three age groups: young (3–5 months old), mature (10–12 months old), and senescent (26–28 months old). A low dose of morphine (5 mg/kg s.c.) produced hyperthermia in all three age groups, but the senescent rats displayed the greates increase in body temperature. In contrast, the senescent rats displayed the least hypothermic response to a high dose of morphine (25 mg/kg s.c.). The age-related differences in response to morphine were specific since all age groups responded similarly to ethanol (1.5 g/kg i.p.). In response to thermic stress, senescent rats developed exaggerated hyperthermia during heat stress and hypothermia during cold stress, indicating no peripheral impairment of ability to conserve or dissipate heat. Age-related differences in response to morphine appear to result from alterations in central thermoregulatory mechanisms.
The effect of pre-oxidation on NDMA formation and the influence of pH

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen, is a disinfection by-product that has been detected in chloraminated drinking water systems. Pre-oxidation of the NDMA precursors prior to chloramination can be a viable approach for water utilities to control the NDMA levels. This study examined the effects of (i) commonly used oxidants (i.e., chlorine, chlorine dioxide and ozone) in water treatment, (ii) oxidant concentration and contact time (CT), and (iii) pre-oxidation pH on the formation of NDMA from subsequent chloramination. Fifteen model precursors with NDMA molar yields ranging from approximately 0.1%-90% were examined. Pre-chlorination reduced NDMA formation from most precursors by 10%-50% except quaternary amine polymers (i.e., PolyDADMAC, PolyACRYL, PolyAMINE). Pre-oxidation with chlorine dioxide and ozone achieved the same or higher deactivation of NDMA precursors (e.g., ranitidine) while increasing NDMA formation for some other precursors (e.g., daminozid). The increases with chlorine dioxide exposure were attributed to the release of oxidation products with dimethylamine (DMA) moiety, which may form more NDMA upon chloramination than the unoxidizied parent compound. On the other hand, chlorine dioxide was effective, if a precursors NDMA yield were higher than DMA. The ozone-triggered increases could be related to direct NDMA formation from DMA which are released by ozonation of amines with DMA moiety, amides or hydrazines. However, hydroxyl radicals formed from the decomposition of ozone would be also involved in decomposition of formed NDMA, reducing the overall NDMA levels at longer contact times. pH conditions influenced significantly the effectiveness of deactivation of precursors depending on the type of precursor and oxidant used.
Visual attention techniques in the graphical user interface

This paper presents an experiment in using visual techniques, called 'masks,' to direct a user's attention within a computer graphical user interface. Bleaching, darkening, and a solid- color pattern overlay (screening) are used to de-emphasize background material, causing the target to visually 'pop-out' at the user. The tradeoff between effectively directing the user's attention and ensuring the readability of the background material is explored. Experimental results indicate that there is a wide range of darkening and screening levels that can create a pop-out effect without degrading the readability of the masked area.