cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vitro metabolic studies on propyl p-nitrophenyl ether☆

1. 1. This study was conducted to examine how the metabolic rates at the three sites on propyl p-nitrophenyl ether (PNPE) varied with respect to each other under various experimental conditions. The hepatic microsomal system of the rat and guinea pig showed differences in some respects. 2. 2. The rates of metabolism at the three sites varied independently of each other after pretreatment of the rat or the guinea pig with phenobarbital or 3-methyl-cholanthrene. Moreover, the major metabolite in these two species was different after enzyme induction, although (ω-2)-alcohol was the major metabolite in both species before induction. 3. 3. Substitution of hydrogen atoms with deuterium atoms at each of the metabolic sites resulted in selective inhibition of metabolism at the particular site. A general trend for a slightly increased formation of other metabolites was observed to compensate for the decreased formation of the major metabolite in both animal systems. Implications of these findings with regard to the number of enzymes involved in the metabolism of PNPE is discussed.
PIP2 controls voltage-sensor movement and pore opening of Kv channels through the S4-S5 linker.

Voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels couple the movement of a voltage sensor to the channel gate(s) via a helical intracellular region, the S4–S5 linker. A number of studies link voltage sensitivity to interactions of S4 charges with membrane phospholipids in the outer leaflet of the bilayer. Although the phospholipid phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) in the inner membrane leaflet has emerged as a universal activator of ion channels, no such role has been established for mammalian Kv channels. Here we show that PIP2 depletion induced two kinetically distinct effects on Kv channels: an increase in voltage sensitivity and a concomitant decrease in current amplitude. These effects are reversible, exhibiting distinct molecular determinants and sensitivities to PIP2. Gating current measurements revealed that PIP2 constrains the movement of the sensor through interactions with the S4–S5 linker. Thus, PIP2 controls both the movement of the voltage sensor and the stability of the open pore through interactions with the linker that connects them.
System For Automated Real-Time Generation Of Higher Order Energy Subtraction Images In Digital Fluoroscopy

When energy subtraction methods are employed in digital radiography it is necessary to combine the initial images in a weighted fashion. This paper discusses the instrumentation developed to automatically generate up to quadratic order combinations of x-ray images at realtime video rates in energy subtraction digital fluorography. Although the energy mode used is three-beam K-edge subtraction, the same instrumentation can also be used for dual beam imaging. The method is implemented by first acquiring logarithmically amplified digital fluorographic images of a calibration phantom with each of three spectrally different x-ray beams. The distribution of iodinated contrast material in the phantom is presumed known and the phantom thicknesses cover the range expected to be encountered clinically. Next, individual pixel values from the images are automatically fed to a PDP 11/10 computer where the weighting coefficients are calculated by least squares. The optimum coefficients are next loaded from the computer into a hardware multiplier network capable of combination of 256 x 256 pixel images at realtime video rates. Once loaded with the fitted coefficients the network is then calibrated and ready to generate energy sub-traction images of arbitrary objects. The complexity of the image combination may range from linear to full quadratic combination of differences of the three initial images. The emphasis of this paper is a discussion of the closed form iodine specific fit used to determine the coefficients and the instrumentation aspects of the system: design of the computer interface and design and operation of the multiplier network. Sample experimental results are presented.
Neural network-based sharpening of Landsat thermal-band images

Image sharpening based on neural network (NN) approximation techniques is applied to increase the spatial resolution of Landsat thematic mapper (TM) thermal-infrared (T-IR) data. Sharpening is derived from a learned input-output mapping of image edge contrast patterns between T-IR and higher resolution reflective TM bands. This method is similar to a reported adaptive least squares (LS) method used to estimate TM T-IR data at a higher resolution. However, there are two major differences: use of NN approximation instead of LS estimation, and application of a reported multiresolution technique to combine spatial information adaptively from the original image and its high spatial resolution estimate. With training pair examples from reduced spatial resolution data, a multilayer feedforward NN is trained to approximate T-IR data samples from a small neighborhood of samples from three other TM bands. Output of the trained NN for full-resolution input data is an estimate of T-IR image at full resolution. One advantage of this method is that the NN approximator can be trained from a subset of image scene samples and yet be applied to the entire scene. Preliminary examples illustrate sharpening at four times higher resolution. The accuracy of the technique was evaluated with a simulated lower spatial resolution image that included blurring introduced by the TM sensor's PSF. Although results are promising, further evaluation with simulated lower resolution IR data is needed.
Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α-(trifluoromethyl )benzylamine via cinchonidine derived base-catalyzed biomimetic 1,3-proton shift reaction

Abstract Here we describe catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α-(trifluoromethyl)benzylamine ( 1 ) via biomimetic transamination using chiral base. Imine 4 was isomerized to Schiff base 5 using 50 mol.% of cinchonidine derivatives as a catalyst in chloroform, methanol or acetonitrile. In the case of cinchonidine 6 as a catalyst, the reaction conducted in chloroform allowed for 79% conversion of the starting imine 4 in 52 days. The product imine 5 was obtained of ( R ) absolute configuration in 35% ee as individual compound without any byproducts. The catalyst 6 can be recovered (>95%) by adding n -hexane to the reaction mixture followed by a simple filtration.
Diarrheal Illness among Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program Participants in Miami, Florida: Implications for Nutrition Education

Abstract Objective To assess risk factors for diarrheal illness among clients of a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinic in Miami, FL. Design A cross-sectional survey with questions about demographics, food safety practices, and diarrheal illness. Setting WIC clinic operated by the Miami-Dade County Health Department in Florida. WIC is a national program for nutritionally at-risk, low-income young children and pregnant or postpartum women. Participants WIC female clients at least 18 years of age who are able to read and speak English (n = 299). Main Outcome Measure Diarrheal illness, defined as having at least 3 loose stools for 2 or more consecutive days during the previous 30 days. Analysis Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses. Results Food safety behaviors significantly associated with diarrheal illness included not washing hands before preparing meals ( P = .048) and baby bottles ( P = .045) or after changing diapers ( P = .009) and not washing all items that touched raw meat before preparing the next food item ( P = .023). In general, pregnant women reported less frequent hand washing and had a lower food safety score than nonpregnant women ( P = .002). Conclusions and Implications These findings suggest that interventions to improve food handling practices such as proper hand washing are needed for WIC clients, particularly pregnant women.
Axial electromyogram and intervertebral length gauge responses during lordosis behavior in rats

Abstract Electromyogram activity from transversospinalis (TS) and lateral longissimus (LL) muscle was recorded concomitant with resistance changes of an intervertebral length gauge during manually elicited lordosis performance. Subjects were estrogen-treated ovariectomized rats. The EMG activity was evoked by manual stimulation of the cutaneous fields contacted by the male rat during mounting. During bilateral palpation of flanks at 2 s , time-locked bursts of EMG activity or more generalized EMG activation was recorded. The EMG response was accompanied by continuous and cumulative length gauge shortening, reflecting progressive rump elevation. The earliest recorded length gauge response had a latency of 10 ms from the first flank stimulus in a sequence of repetitive palpations. Perineal pressure recruited motor units in both the TS and LL which fired at high frequency. The latencies of EMG responses from the TS tended to be briefer than those from the LL; 24 35 TS responses were within 50 ms of the onset of perineal pressure. During some lordoses, the EMG response in both muscles was substantially briefer than the duration of the pressure stimulus and of the length gauge response. Activation of axial muscles during postural adjustments, standing, turning, and other behaviors is also reported. These data represent the first analysis of axial EMG and vertebral length gauge recordings during an endocrine-dependent mammalian behavior.
Temporal correlation of succinylcholine-induced fasciculations to loss of twitch response at different stimulating frequencies

Abstract Study Objective: The present study was undertaken to determine the time courses of succinylcholine-induced fasciculations and adductor pollicis single-twitch responses at two stimulating frequencies. Design: A prospective, randomized study. Setting: The main operating room of a university teaching hospital. Patients: Forty-four patients undergoing general anesthesia and requiring tracheal intubation. Interventions: In 22 patients, anesthesia was induced with thiopental sodium, fentanyl, and midazolam and maintained with 70% nitrous oxide in oxygen prior to the administration of succinylcholine 1 mg/kg. In another 22 patients, end-tidal isoflurane 0.75% to 1 % was included in the induction regimen. Patients in each group were randomly assigned to receive ulnar nerve stimulation at either 0.1 Hz or 1.0 Hz. Measurements and Main Results: The times at which fasciculations were first noticed and no longer visible and the times to 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, and 100% twitch depression were recorded. These times were compared for the two rates of neurostimulation. With single-twitch nerve stimulation at 1.0 Hz, 100% twitch depression occurred 6 ± 16 seconds following the end of fasciculations, while at a stimulating frequency of 0.1 Hz, it occurred 52 ± 32 seconds later ( p p Conclusions: The data reveal that cessation of fasciculations may be an inaccurate clinical sign of the readiness for intubation and confirm that standardized methods of neurostimulation are necessary in the pharmacodynamic evaluation of neuromuscular blocking drugs. In settings where profound neuromuscular relaxation is not required, waiting at least 30 seconds beyond the disappearance of fasciculations should provide good incubating conditions.
Uranium removal and microbial community in a H2-based membrane biofilm reactor.

Abstract We evaluated a hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) for its capacity to reduce and remove hexavalent uranium [U(VI)] from water. After a startup period that allowed slow-growing U(VI) reducers to form biofilms, the MBfR successfully achieved and maintained 94–95% U(VI) removal over 8 months when the U surface loading was 6–11 e− mEq/m2-day. The MBfR biofilm was capable of self-recovery after a disturbance due to oxygen exposure. Nanocrystalline UO2 aggregates and amorphous U precipitates were associated with vegetative cells and apparently mature spores that accumulated in the biofilm matrix. Despite inoculation with a concentrated suspension of Desulfovibrio vulgaris, this bacterium was not present in the U(VI)-reducing biofilm. Instead, the most abundant group in the biofilm community contained U(VI) reducers in the Rhodocyclaceae family when U(VI) was the only electron acceptor. When sulfate was present, the community dramatically shifted to the Clostridiaceae family, which included spores that were potentially involved in U(VI) reduction.
Effect of salinity on the plasma membrane ATPase from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) leaves

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine if salt-induced changes in the plasma-membrane H + -ATPase could account for decreased shoot growth in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv Heinz 1350. The plasma membrane was isolated from mature and young leaves of untreated (control) and salt-stressed leaves using the aqueous polymer two-phase technique. Analysis of ATP hydrolytic activity showed that salt stress reduced the V max of H + -ATPase specific activity in mature leaves but had no effect in young, growing leaves. These findings are consistent with measurements of adenine nucleotide levels. We observed a large decrease in adenylate energy charge (AEC) in mature leaves following salt stress. AEC in young leaves remained unaffected. In addition, a dramatic increase in K , the adenylate kinase mass action ratio, from 0.18 to 1.53 was measured in mature leaves following salt stress. These results indicate that salt stress did not reduce growth of young, growing leaves by decreasing H + -ATPase activity and support our earlier hypothesis that salt stress affects mature leaves and, as a consequence, their ability to supply essential metabolites for growing regions of both shoot and roots.
Mississippi Computational Web Portal

This paper describes design and implementation of an open, extensible object-oriented framework that allows the integration of new and legacy components into a single user-friendly Grid computing environment. Thus we extend the researcher's desktop by providing seamless access to remote resources (that is, hardware, software, and data), and thereby simplifying currently difficult to comprehend and changing interfaces and emerging protocols. The user, through the familiar Web browser interface, is able to compose complex computational tasks represented as a collection of middle-tier objects serving as proxies for services rendered by the back-end. The proxies through a Grid resource broker use the Grid services, as defined by the Global Grid Forum, to access remote computational resources. The middle-tier objects are persistent, and therefore once configured, simulation can be reused, shared between users, or undergo transition into operational or educational use. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prospective evaluation of endoluminal venous stents in the treatment of the May-Thurner syndrome.

The May–Thurner syndrome is an acquired stenosis of the left common iliac vein causing pain, edema, or deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The patency and behavior of endoluminal venous stents for this condition was evaluated in this study. Patients with the May–Thurner lesion treated with endoluminal stenting from 1997 to 2000 were evaluated according to an institutional review board–approved protocol. Wallstents (n = 14) or Smart stents (n = 1) were placed into the left common iliac. Patency was evaluated with duplex ultrasonography using a 5 mHz linear array probe (HP 4500) at 6-month intervals. Our results showed that treatment of the May–Thurner syndrome with endoluminal stenting is associated with low morbidity and high patency rates. Longitudinal evaluation of this group of patients is ongoing to confirm these findings.
Electromagnetically-coupled plane waves in linear multiferroics

This paper presents the analytical development of a wave equation for real, rapidly altering fields in linear, electromagnetically-coupled materials. Giving consideration to phenomenology, crystal color symmetry and the laws of Ampere and Faraday, the analysis is applied to an orthorhombic single-crystal, linear ferroelectromagnet. The results of the analysis are discussed with an emphasis on the influence of the magnetoelectric coupling coefficient on the velocity expression obtained for electromagnetic plane waves. The implications of the expressions to modulated optical properties and the use of electromagnetically-coupled materials are discussed.
A chloroplast cytoplasmic shuttle and the reduction of extraplastid NAD.

Abstract A triosephosphate-phosphoglyceric acid shuttle system that transfers photosynthetically generated reducing power from intact chloroplasts to the surrounding medium is described. The reduction of exogenously added NAD by isolated intact chloroplasts was found to be light and PGA dependent.
Inclusion Means Everyone! The Role of the Early Childhood Educator when Including Young Children with Autism in the Classroom

The impact of the emphasis on inclusion in special education has resulted in a higher frequency of young children with autism being included in early childhood programs with typically developing peers. Many early childhood educators have risen to face the challenge, and this has resulted in enhanced learning for young children with autism in the regular classroom. This article focuses on the multiple roles of early childhood educators as they work with the diverse needs of young children with autism in their classrooms.
Placenta ingestion enhances analgesia produced by vaginal/cervical stimulation in rats

Ingestion of placenta has previously been shown to enhance opiate-mediated analgesia (measured as tail-flick latency) induced either by morphine injection or by footshock. The present study was designed to test whether placenta ingestion would enhance the partly opiate-mediated analgesia produced by vaginal/cervical stimulation. Nulliparous Sprague-Dawley rats were tested for analgesia, using tail-flick latency, during and after vaginal/cervical stimulation; the tests for vaginal/cervical stimulation-induced analgesia were administered both before and after the rats ate placenta or ground beef. Placenta ingestion, but not beef ingestion, significantly heightened vaginal/cervical stimulation-induced analgesia. A subsequent morphine injection provided evidence that, as in a previous report, placenta ingestion, but not beef ingestion, enhanced morphine-induced analgesia.
Examining the Structure and Dynamics of Kinship Care Groups

ABSTRACT In the fall of 2006, a self-administered Internet survey was made available to all kinship care group facilitators listed in the 2006 New York State Office for the Aging's directory for kinship care providers. The survey sought facilitators' views on the purpose and structural aspects of the groups and to understand whether and how mutual aid processes were occurring. A purposive sample of 16 participants (53% response rate) completed the online quantitative survey that included space for qualitative comments. Findings revealed that 75% of participants facilitated a kinship care group in the past 5 years, and they believed their group purposes primarily included support and growth. Additionally, participants reported that all mutual aid principles occurred in their groups, with the supportive mutual aid interventions occurring more frequently than the challenging ones. Finally, themes from open-ended responses included 1) an enhanced sense of solidarity developed among group members, 2) the impor...
Introduction: Why a Symposium on Continental Shelves and Slopes?: ABSTRACT

Criticism of two kinds often is leveled at research symposia held in conjunction with annual meetings--lack of timeliness and lack of substance. Our premise in organizing this Research Symposium has been that its topic should be of current interest and be concerned with fundamental geologic problems; likewise, new data should be presented and interpreted. An informal summary of fourteen alternative topics for this Research Symposium was circulated among a large number of geologists with a representative range of practical to theoretical interests. The topic being discussed was favored by the majority in a ratio of two to one. Every effort has been made to locate and invite the participation of all those workers who currently are investigating facets of these problems. All of the speakers are from the various oceanographic institutes. The absence of representatives from the petroleum industry as participants in this Symposium is not due to any lack of invitations. Off-shore petroleum exploration is one of the most important and competitive spheres of petroleum exploration today. The importance of such marine exploration promises to become even greater in the future. The major part of this exploration will be confined to continental shelves and slopes. Likewise, the major part of land-based petroleum exploration occurs within sediments that were deposited in so-called shelf or slope environments. Any better understanding of the entire geologic framework of continental shelves and slopes will assist materially in petroleum exploration. End_of_Article - Last_Page 350------------
Negativity effects in impression formation: The role of unit formation and schematic expectations

Abstract The research explored the adequacy of a schematic model of social perception (Reeder & Brewer, 1979) as an explanation of the negativity effect in impression formation. The model holds that when the target of an impression is an individual or a meaningful group, observers will view the target's behavior as an integrated whole (an assumption of unit formation). Observers then rely on a set of schematic expectations that link dispositions with relevant behaviors. These expectations dictate that negative information will receive greater weight in the impression than positive information. In the first study, we asked observers to form an impression of an individual, a meaningful group (two friends), or an aggregate (two unrelated persons). Supporting the schematic model, impressions of both the individual and the meaningful group, but not the aggregate, followed the negativity pattern. A second study directly examined observers' behavioral expectations for the three different types of impression targets. These expectations were consistent with the hypothesized unit formation and schematic assumptions thought to underlie the negativity effect in the individual and meaningful group conditions.
The Portfolio Benefits of Free Riding in Military Alliances

When the collective effort of a military alliance has the characteristics of a public good, the total effort may be suboptimal because of free riding, causing losses in the allocative efficiency of the alliance. However, the same low correlation of ally effort that indicates the presence of free riding also produces portfolio efficiency benefits in the form of a gain in military returns and a lower risk than the constituent allies would experience on their own. A measure of these portfolio gains is suggested and applied to NATO and the Warsaw Pact fbr the period 1963-1988, and both are compared to the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance for the period 1879-1914. NATO and the Entente exhibited larger portfolio gains than their adversarial alliances. The public or collective good model suggests that alliances may produce a suboptimal effort. Yet these efficiency losses may be offset by consequences of the very conditions that lead to public good suboptimality. Free riding on the alliance implies a low positive (or even negative) correlation of the military efforts of allies, and this in turn reduces the overall risk of the alliance effort and hence the risk associated with each country's share of the benefit from that effort. Alliances are like diversified investment portfolios, providing each member with a better combination of risk and return than they would be able to achieve by themselves. When allies free ride on each other they actually lower the overall risk of the alliance, offsetting part of the public good losses entailed by free riding. Previous work on modelling alliances as analogous to investment portfolios specified and measured proxies for the risk and return of individual countries, and the absolute benefits to the representative ally of sharing purely private military effort with other countries, using the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente as examples (Conybeare, 1992). The present effort extends this work both theoretically and empirically. The theory of alliance portfolios is broadened to include the conjecture that alliances may provide full or partial public goods, suggesting that free riding losses may be at least partly recouped through portfolio benefits. Empirically, the application of the portfolio model is applied to two more alliances (NATO and the Warsaw Pact, between 1963 and 1988), a new measure of alliance return is offered (weighting a country's military
A new base-catalyzed cleavage reaction for the preparation of protected peptides

Abstract A new base-catalyzed elimination reaction employing the hindered, non-nucleophilic bases tetramethylguanidine or 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5.4.0.]undec-7-ene has been developed for the removal of protected peptides from a 2-[4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl-acetoxy]propionyl-resin. The proposed reaction mechanism involved cleavage of the ester bond between the peptide and resin via a base-catalyzed elimination. The protected peptide-resin cleavage reaction is mild, rapid and proceeds in good yield with a very simple work- up procedure. Four protected peptide-resins varying in size from seven to sixteen residues were prepared using the 2-[4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl-acetoxy]- propionyl-resin and then cleaved in the protected form to demonstrate the utility of the new cleavage technique. The protected peptide cleavage products can be used in the preparation of larger peptides by fragment condensation.
Probabilistic diagnosis for sparsely interconnected systems

In this paper, we present a system level fault diagnosis algorithm for identifying faulty and fault-free units in sparsely interconnected systems. The algorithm is partially based on a comparison approach where identical test vectors are applied to all units and their outputs are compared among themselves. Typical comparison diagnosis schemes based on majority voting or voting with threshold=1 are shown to be inappropriate for diagnosing those systems implemented on a single chip or wafer. Unlike other schemes, our scheme can adjust algorithm parameters depending on unit yield, degree of connectivity, and the probability that common mode failures will occur. Further improvements in fault coverage are made by disseminating test results to neighbors. The fault coverage of our diagnosis algorithm is remarkably high, and diagnosis decisions are made in a distributed fashion.
1H and 13C NMR assignments and molecular modelling of a minor groove DNA-binding peptide from the HMG-I protein

The HMG-I subfamily of high mobility group (HMG) chromatin proteins consists of DNA-binding proteins that preferentially bind to stretches of A·T-rich sequence both in vitro and in vivo. Recently, members of the HMG-I family have been suggested to bind in vitro to the narrow minor groove of A·T-DNA by means of an 11 amino acid peptide binding domain (BD) which, because of its predicted structure, is called the‘A·T-hook motif [Reeves, R. & Nissen, M. (1990) J. Biol. Chem.265, 8573–8582], and would appear to be crescent-shaped. A BD peptide with 13 amino-acid residues was synthesized and examined by proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The peptide contains four proline residues, and on the basis of NOES and 13C chemical shifts was found to exist in an all-trans conformation. Molecular modelling based on this result provides evidence for a dynamic equilibrium between turn-like conformations in solution, the most populated of which is likely to be an S-shaped conformer, on the basis of amide exchange data. © Munksgaard 1995.
Contribution of increased cerebral blood volume to posttraumatic intracranial hypertension.

Cerebrovascular dysfunction following traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be the critical mediator of excess morbidity and mortality after TBI. Despite aggressive therapy, death is often due to refractory intracranial hypertension (IH). Cerebral cortical reflectance photoplethysmoghraphy and radioactively labeled red blood cells were employed to study cerebral blood volume (CBV) changes associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) after TBI in miniature swine. An early elevation in ICP immediately after TBI (t=0) was accompanied by a large increase in CBV compared to pre-TBI levels (19.2±4.9 vs 8.9±2.7 mL/lOOg tissue, p<0.05). Decreased CBV corresponded to lower ICP within 1 hour, followed by a slow rise that paralleled the increase in ICP. CBV (16.1+3.3 vs 8.9±2.7, p<0.05) and ICP (23±2.2 vs 9±0.6, p <0.05) were higher at 6 hours than at baseline. Based on compartmental analysis, the data indicate that ICP changes immediately after TBI and within 6 hours are predominantly due to increased CBV.
Generalized Imitation as a Function of Discrimination Difficulty and Choice.

Abstract To determine the effect of discrimination difficulty and methods of assessment on generalized imitation, four girls (ages 5 yr and 5 months to 5 yr and 7 months) were reinforced for imitating 12 responses and were not reinforced for imitating 12 other responses. The nonreinforced responses were selected to be either topographically similar or dissimilar to the reinforced responses. The responses were modeled singly in a random order, as in other studies of generalized imitation. In addition, the responses were modeled in pairs so the child could choose a response to imitate. Nondifferential imitation occurred only on the single-presentation trials. The children imitated discriminatively on the choice trials even though they continued to imitate the same nonreinforced responses on the single-presentation trials. Similarly, when the reinforcement contingencies were reversed by reinforcing the previously nonreinforced imitations, only the behavior on the choice trials was affected. The results suggest that generalized imitation may be a function of the methods used and is not necessarily related to a failure to discriminate response contingencies.
Neurotransmitter control of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid functions in rats

Abstract The possible roles of monoamine neurotransmitters in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis were examined in the rat. Rats were treated acutely and repeatedly with drugs which are presumed to alter neutransmitter functional activity. These drugs include neurotransmitter precursors (tryptophan and L-DOPA), synthesis inhibitors (p-chlorophenylamine and α-methyltyrosine), uptake inhibitors (desipramine and zimelidine) and lithium carbonate. The hormone levels measured were hypothalamic TRH and SLI content and serum TSH, T4 and T3. We conclude that augmented serotogenic or dopaminergic activity may inhibit TRH release, but that release from these inhibitors is not sufficient to stimulate TRH release. Resease of TRH seems to be mediated by norepinephrine. Lithium treatment results in increased hypothalamic TRH.
Welfare reform: A commentary

Aid to the Families of Dependent Children (AFDC) has been successful in most cases. Welfare reform should focus on aiding children by identifying and helping dysfunctional, welfare dependent parents when possible and relieving them of parenting responsibilities with adoption of their children when they neglect and abuse their children and are unable or unwilling to become competent parents. AFDC is illsuited to be an employment or an antipoverty program.
Estimation of attenuation maps from scatter and photopeak window single photon-emission computed tomographic images of technetium 99m-labeled sestamibi☆☆☆

Background In single photon-emission computed tomographic imaging of the chest, nonuniform attenuation correction requires use of a patient-specific attenuation map. The aim of this study was to determine whether an estimate of the regions of the lungs and nonpulmonary tissues of the chest could be obtained by segmenting the photopeak and Compton scatter window images in a phantom and in patients to estimate patient-specific attenuation maps.
Quantifying the oldest tidal record: The 3.2 Ga Moodies Group, Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa

The 3.2 Ga Moodies Group in the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa, contains the oldest preserved record of tides. The tidal record is preserved in a tidal sand-wave deposit in the lower Moodies Group as bundles of sandstone foresets separated by mudstone drapes. Detailed analysis of rhythmic foreset bundles permits quantification of the tidal record and reveals a hierarchy of diurnal, fortnightly, and monthly tidal periodicities. Thick-thin pairs of foreset bundles reflect deposition from semidiurnal dominant and subordinate flood-tidal currents, respectively. Cyclic variations in foreset bundle thicknesses record longer period changes in strength of the dominant semidiurnal tidal currents consistent with neap-spring-neap tidal cyclicity. Alternating thicker and thinner neap-spring-neap cycles are comparable to anomalistic, perigean-apogean tidal signatures. This quantitative record of tides in the middle Archean Moodies Group represents, by 2.2 b.y., the oldest such documentation. Tidal cyclicity recognized in the Moodies sand-wave deposit is comparable to that recorded in modern tidal settings and identified in the Carboniferous rock record and is most compatible with a lunar orbital shape similar to that existing today.
Does motilin regulate canine interdigestive gastric motility

Our objective was to determine whether motilin increases the frequency of cyclic interdigestive motor activity in the canine proximal stomach. In 4 conscious dogs with autotransplanted proximal gastric pouches and gastrointestinal electrodes, intravenous infusions or motilin (0.6 μg/kg body wt/hr) increased the frequency of the interdigestive cycles by 30% both in the pouch and in the main gastrointestinal tract. However, the 3-min interval between the end of a cycle in the pouch and the end of a cycle in the duodenum was unchanged by motilin. In control experiments, without motilin infusion, the concentration of endogenous motilin in the plasma during the intense contractile phase of the cycles (overall mean, 385 pg/ml) was greater in each dog (P<0.01) than the concentration during the quiescent phase (overall mean, 256 pg/ml). The concentration of plasma motilin was also greater in the contractile phase (mean, 717 pg/ml) than in the quiescent phase (mean, 587 pg/ml) during exogenous infusions of motilin in two of three dogs (P<0.01). We concluded that motilin increased the frequency of cyclic interdigestive motor activity in the canine proximal stomach and that the increase was not dependent on intact proximal gastric extrinsic innervation.
How should data structures and algorithms be taught

Data Structures and Algorithms is clearly a very important topic and course in the Computer Science curriculum. It has been taught at several levels by a number of approaches. Should the approach be mathematical, theoretical and abstract or very concrete and "hands on"? Whichever method is used, the ultimate goal is the same: enhancing student comprehension. The panelists discuss three distinct and well-defined approaches.
A Phase II First-Line Study of Gemcitabine, Carboplatin, and Bevacizumab in Advanced Stage Nonsquamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: Bevacizumab improves responses and progression-free survival when added to first-line paclitaxel/carboplatin or cisplatin/gemcitabine for patients with advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer. This study was designed to evaluate toxicities and efficacy of gemcitabine/carboplatin/bevacizumab. Methods: Patients with untreated advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer, with no evidence of brain metastases and not on anticoagulation were eligible. Patients received gemcitabine 1000 mg/m 2 on days 1 and 8; carboplatin area under the curve 5 day 1; and bevacizumab 15 mg/kg day 1 every 3 weeks for up to six cycles. Bevacizumab was then continued every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results: From July 2006 to December 2008, 48 patients were enrolled: 23 (48%) men, 25 (52%) women, and 19 (40%) never smokers. One patient never received therapy and is not included in the analysis. Median cycle number was 8 (1–42) with 37 patients (78.7%) completing ≥4 cycles of three drugs. Dose reductions occurred in 34 (72.3%) patients. Grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (47%/15%), thrombocytopenia (11%/15%), anemia (6%/0%), dyspnea (6%/2%), bacterial pneumonia (4%/0%), and hypertension (4%/2%). No neutropenic fevers occurred. One patient died of hemoptysis. Grade 3 bleeding occurred in three other patients. There were seven (14.9%) partial responses. Median time to first event (progression/death/toxicity requiring discontinuation) was 6.4 months (95% confidence interval: 4.8–7.9 months). The median overall survival (OS) was 12.8 months (95% confidence interval: 10.0–16.5). The OS is 57% at 1 year and 10% at 2 years. Conclusions: Although perhaps skewed by a high proportion of nonsmokers and women, treatment with gemcitabine/carboplatin/bevacizumab has an acceptable toxicity profile with promising median OS despite a low response rate.
Modeling aqueous perchlorate chemistries with applications to Mars

Abstract NASA’s Phoenix lander identified perchlorate and carbonate salts on Mars. Perchlorates are rare on Earth, and carbonates have largely been ignored on Mars following the discovery by NASA’s Mars Exploration Rovers of acidic precipitated minerals such as jarosite. In light of the Phoenix results, we updated the aqueous thermodynamic model FREZCHEM to include perchlorate chemistry. FREZCHEM models the Na–K–Mg–Ca–Fe(II)–Fe(III)–Al–H–Cl–Br–SO4–NO3–OH–HCO3–CO3–CO2–O2–CH4–Si–H2O system, with 95 solid phases. We added six perchlorate salts: NaClO4·H2O, NaClO4·2H2O, KClO4, Mg(ClO4)2·6H2O, Mg(ClO4)2·8H2O, and Ca(ClO4)2·6H2O. Modeled eutectic temperatures for Na, Mg, and Ca perchlorates ranged from 199 K (−74 °C) to 239 K (−34 °C) in agreement with experimental data. We applied FREZCHEM to the average solution chemistry measured by the Wet Chemistry Laboratory (WCL) experiment at the Phoenix site when soil was added to water. FREZCHEM was used to estimate SO 4 2 - and alkalinity concentrations that were missing from the WCL data. The amount of SO 4 2 - is low compared to estimates from elemental abundance made by other studies on Mars. In the charge-balanced solution, the dominant cations were Mg2+ and Na+ and the dominant anions were ClO 4 - , SO 4 2 - , and alkalinity. The abundance of calcite measured at the Phoenix site has been used to infer that the soil may have been subject to liquid water in the past, albeit not necessarily locally; so we used FREZCHEM to evaporate (at 280.65 K) and freeze (from 280.65 to 213.15 K) the WCL-measured solution to provide insight into salts that may have been in the soil. Salts that precipitated under both evaporation and freezing were calcite, hydromagnesite, gypsum, KClO4, and Mg(ClO4)2·8H2O. Epsomite (MgSO4·7H2O) and NaClO4·H2O were favored by evaporation at temperatures >0 °C, while meridianite (MgSO4·11H2O), MgCl2·12H2O, and NaClO4·2H2O were favored at subzero temperatures. Incongruent melting of such highly hydrated salts could be responsible for vug formation elsewhere on Mars. All K+ precipitated as insoluble KClO4 during both evaporation and freezing simulations, accounting for 15.8% of the total perchlorates. During evaporation, 35.8% of perchlorates precipitated with Na+ and 48.4% with Mg2+. During freezing, 58.4% precipitated with Na+ and 24.8% with Mg2+. Given its low eutectic temperature, the existence of Mg(ClO4)2 in either case allows for the possibility of liquid brines on Mars today. FREZCHEM also showed that Ca(ClO4)2 would likely not have precipitated at the Phoenix landing site due to the strong competing sinks for Ca as calcite and gypsum. Overall, these results help constrain the salt mineralogy of the soil. Differences between evaporites and cryogenites suggest ways to discriminate between evaporation and freezing during salt formation. Future efforts, such as sample return or in situ X-ray diffraction, may make such a determination possible.
Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetic Utility of the Chloroplast rpl16 Intron in Chusquea and the Bambusoideae (Poaceae)

Phylogenetic relationships within Chusquea, a diverse genus of neotropical woody bamboos, and among selected members of the Bambusoideae were explored using rpl16 intron sequence data from the chloroplast genome. Mechanisms of mutation, including slipped-strand mispairing, secondary structure, minute inversions, and base substitutions, were examined within the rpl16 intron, and their effects on sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis were investigated. Thirty-five bamboo sequences were generated and two separate matrices were analyzed using maximum parsimony. In the first, 23 sequences from Chusquea, 1 of Neurolepis, and 3 outgroups were included. Neurolepis was supported as sister to Chusquea, Chusquea was strongly supported as a monophyletic lineage, and three species of Chusquea subg. Rettbergia were resolved as the most basal clade within the genus. In the second analysis, 15 sequences, 14 from across the subfamily and 1 outgroup, were included. A Bambusoideae clade was recovered with the Olyreae/Parianeae (herbaceous bamboos) and the Bambuseae (woody bamboos) each supported as monophyletic. Two clades corresponding to temperate and tropical woody bamboos were derived within the Bambuseae and the tropical taxa were further split into New World and Old World clades. The rpl16 intron in bamboos was found to be susceptible to frequent length mutations of multiple origins, nonindependent character evolution, and regions of high mutability, all of which created difficulties in alignment and phylogenetic analysis; nonetheless the rpl16 intron is phylogenetically informative at the inter- and intrageneric levels in bamboos.
Implementing the new oral anticoagulants into the hospital formulary

The new oral anticoagulants may prove to be one of most significant innovations in clinical practice in the past 60 years. Apixaban and rivaroxaban are direct inhibitors of Factor Xa, while dabigatran inhibits Factor IIa. The predictable pharmacological profile of these new agents allows physicians to prescribe these drugs without the need for routine coagulation monitoring, which is the mainstay of warfarin therapy. In addition, these new agents have not been shown to have any food interactions and minimal drug–drug interactions, interactions are limited to the p-glycoprotein (p-Gp) transporter or cytochrome P450 (CYP450) system, each drug is unique in its drug interaction profile, as will be discussed below. These unique pharmacokinetics profiles may usher in for clinicians a new era of managing thromboembolic disorders. In this article, the pharmacology of these new oral anticoagulants will be reviewed along with the major clinical trials evaluating the use of these agents for thromboembolic prophylaxis in patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplastic surgery, the treatment of venous thromboembolic disorders and stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. Am. J. Hematol. 87:S127–S132, 2012. V C 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Magnetic properties of Fe microstructures with focused ion beam-fabricated nano-constrictions

Studies of the magnetic properties of Fe microfabricated wires with a mechanically stable 40 to 120 nm-wide constriction produced with focused ion beam are reported. The 2 to 20 /spl mu/m-wide wires are fabricated by photolithography from 3 nm and 25 nm-thick epitaxial [110] bcc Fe films. This fabrication method appears to preserve the magnetic properties of the constriction. The structures are studied by MFM and by magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) measurements. The ratio of the wire linewidth to its thickness determines the demagnetization factor and, therefore, influences the coercivity of the wire. Both a step in the width of the wire and a nano-constriction in the middle of the wire are found to be domain wall (DW) pinning centers.
Film Review: Alive Inside

Alive Inside is a documentary film promoting the use of music, specifically the creation of playlists of preferred music on a digital media player such as an iPod, among elders living in long-term care. In the United States, 5.4 million individuals are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and researchers anticipate that number to increase 30 % by 2025. Viewers of Alive Inside can empathically climb inside the experience of an elder living with memory loss who is hearing his or her favorite song and feel overwhelmed with joy, sadness, memory, and sensation. In this way, music awakens the most profound sense of connection to ourselves and to one another. As dance/movement therapists, we know that rhythm unites, creating a sense of solidarity. The film tackles the question, “can a pair of headphones change the lives of millions of Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia?” It also highlights an opportunity to address scope of practice and professionalization along the arts and health continuum from arts and health practitioners to creative arts therapists.
The obesity hypoventilation syndrome

The obesity hypoventilation syndrome, which is defined as a combination of obesity and chronic hypoventilation, utimately results in pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale, and probable early mortality. Since the classical description of this syndrome nearly fifty years ago, research has led to a better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in this disease process, and to the development of effective treatment options. However, recent data indicate the obesity hypoventilation syndrome is under-recognized, and under-treated. Because obesity has become a national epidemic, it is critical that physicians are able to recognize and treat obesity-associated diseases. This article reviews current definitions of the obesity hypoventilation syndrome, clinical presentation and diagnosis, present understanding of the pathophysiology, and treatment options.
Ecological and nutritional studies on Dinobryon Ehrenb.: Seasonal periodicity and the phosphate toxicity problem

Although field studies show inverse correlations between concentrations of dissolved phosphate and abundances of Dinobryon, phosphorus is not toxic even at high concentrations. Species abundance in water of low phosphate concentration may be traced instead to effective mechanisms for phosphate uptake which allow the cells to thrive at low ambient levels of PO.+-P. Half-saturation constants of less than 0.5 ,LLM P04-I? can be demonstratcd both in laboratory cultures and in situ in lakes. Ambient concentrations of potassium ion can be toxic to a variety of species of Dinobrzpn and thus can limit both their geographical and seasonal occurrcncc. Ammonium serves as a better nitrogen source than does nitrate, an observation supported by both field and laboratory data. At least one species, Dinobqon sertularia, is physiologically limited to water temperatures below 20°C.
A new paradigm for simulating pulse-like ruptures: the pulse energy equation

We investigate the chaotic behaviour of slip pulses that propagate in a spring block slider model with velocity weakening friction by numerically solving a computationally intensive set of n coupled non-linear equations, where n is the number of blocks. We observe that the system evolves into a spatially heterogeneous pre-stress after the occurrence of a sufficient number of events. We observe that, although the spatiotemporal evolution of the amplitude of a slip pulse in a single event is surprisingly complex, the geometric description of the pulses is simple and self-similar with respect to the size of the pulse. This observation allows us to write an energy balance equation that describes the evolution of the pulse as it propagates through the known pre-stress. The equation predicts the evolution of individual ruptures and reduces the computational time dramatically. The long-time solution of the equation reveals its multiscale nature and its potential to match many of the long-time statistics of the original system, but with a much shorter computational time.