cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-Voltage Stabilization by Means of the Corona Discharge between Coaxial Cylinders

The corona discharge between coaxial cylinders affords a practical means for stabilizing high voltages in a manner analogous to the stabilization of low voltages by the familiar glow-tube regulator. The corona regulator is particularly suitable for stabilizing voltages above several hundred volts at currents below one milliampere. It is accordingly well adapted for controlling the beam-focusing and accelerating potentials of cathode-ray beam devices such as oscilloscope, iconoscope, and kinescope tubes, of electron diffraction cameras, and for stabilizing Geiger tube voltage sources. Some of the theoretical aspects of the corona-discharge region as related to voltage stabilization are reviewed. Circuit design relationships are considered in detail and are developed to an extent sufficient for adapting particular corona regulator tube characteristics to specific performance requirements. Examples of constructional features and performance characteristics of typical high-voltage regulating tubes are presented.
Hemiplegic cerebral palsy: role of repeat botulinum toxin A injections as an adjunct to occupational therapy.

Hemiplegic cerebral palsy: role of repeat botulinum toxin A injections as an adjunct to occupational therapy
An Investigation of the Relationship Between Polymer Structure and Mechanical Properties: Part I: Relationship Between Structure, Mechanical Properties, and Birefringence

Much progress in the understanding of the mechanical properties of high polymeric substances has been made in the past few years. The theory of the mechanical properties of rubberlike systems has been developed by Guth, James, Gee, Treloar, and others; those of fiberlike materials have been studied by Mark, Harris, Eyring, Halsey, and others; and, also, a theory for the double refraction of these materials has been developed by Kuhn and Treloar. In this paper some of these developments are critically reviewed and correlated. The general problems involved in specifying the viscoelastic properties of a polymer are considered and the role of the prevailing theories within this framework is discussed.The application of the technique of simultaneous measurement of stress and birefringence for time-dependent behavior of these systems is considered. It is shown that through its use the mechanical behavior of complex systems may be resolved into more fundamental contributions. The method is applied in an experime...
Separation of the acid precursors of cholesterol by column chromatography

Abstract A chromatographic procedure using a silica gel column is described for the separation of the proposed acid precursors of cholesterol; namely, β,β-dimethylacrylic acid, β-hydroxyisovaleric acid, β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaric acid, β-methylglutaconic acid, and acetic acid. The method is very useful for the isotropic tracer study of the biosynthesis of cholesterol.
Horseshoe adrenal gland in association with asplenia: presentation of six new cases and review of the literature.

Background: Asplenia syndrome is a form of heterotaxy characterized by bilateral right- sidedness. Congenital fusion of the adrenal glands (''horseshoe adrenal gland'') is a less common feature of asplenia syndrome, most instances of which have been found at autop- sy. Purpose: To present clinical and imaging features of infants diag- nosed with asplenia syndrome and horseshoe adrenal gland. Materials and methods: Six infants with asplenia syndrome were identified as having a horseshoe adrenal gland. Medical records and imaging studies were reviewed to determine clinical presentation, associated anomalies, and outcome. The literature was re- viewed for prior reports of horse- shoe adrenal gland. Results: Horseshoe adrenal gland was iden- tified in five infants by sonography and one by CT, the latter confirmed by autopsy. In all cases, the horse- shoe adrenal gland was pre-aortic. Besides features of asplenia syn- drome, one infant also had associ- ated vertebral anomalies and bilateral renal agenesis. Including the current cases, of 65 reported cases of horseshoe adrenal gland 34 (52%) were associated with asplenia, 24 (37%) with neural tube defects, 19 (29%) with renal anomalies, and 2 (3%) with Cornelia de Lange syn- drome. Horseshoe adrenal gland has not been reported with polysplenia syndrome. Conclusions: Horseshoe adrenal gland is a less common manifestation of asplenia that may be demonstrated by imaging. Horseshoe adrenal gland may be a differentiating feature between asplenia and polysplenia.
Evaluating the Wealth-Creating Potentialof Business Plans

This research tests a novel, theoretically-based approach for evaluating and predicting business plan performance. Using hidden, but known historical cases, it successfully classified 31 out of 31 venture capital funded ventures into 3 levels of performance. These levels of performance were less than 20% ROI, between 20% and 35% ROI and greater than 35% ROI. Moreover, the results accounted for 74% of the variance above the expected ROI to investors based on the original business plan estimates. This research is important to entrepreneurs, public policy analysts and investors because it may increase the success rate of estimating commercialization efforts.
Temporal Change Analysis for Improved Tumor Detection in Dedicated CT Breast Imaging Using Affine and Free-Form Deformation

Preliminary evidence has suggested that computerized tomographic (CT) imaging of the breast using a cone-beam, flat-panel detector system dedicated solely to breast imaging has potential for improving detection and diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer. Hypothetically, a powerful mechanism for assisting in early stage breast cancer detection from annual screening breast CT studies would be to examine temporal changes in the breast from year-to-year. We hypothesize that 3D image registration could be used to automatically register breast CT volumes scanned at different times (e.g., yearly screening exams). This would allow radiologists to quickly visualize small changes in the breast that have developed during the period since the last screening CT scan, and use this information to improve the diagnostic accuracy of early-stage breast cancer detection. To test our hypothesis, fresh mastectomy specimens were imaged with a flat-panel CT system at different time points, after moving the specimen to emulate the re-positioning motion of the breast between yearly screening exams. Synthetic tumors were then digitally inserted into the second CT scan at a clinically realistic location (to emulate tumor growth from year-to-year). An affine and a spline-based 3D image registration algorithm was implemented and applied to the CT reconstructions of the specimens acquired at different times. Subtraction of registered image volumes was then performed to better analyze temporal change. Results from this study suggests that temporal change analysis in 3D breast CT can potentially be a powerful tool in improving the visualization of small lesion growth.
N-Dithiasuccinoyl (Dts)-glycine: A novel oxidation reagent for the formation of intramolecular disulfide bridges under mild conditions

Specific intramolecular cyclization to form disulfide bridges in peptides represents a major challenge to the synthetic art. The N-dithiasuccinoyl (Dts) function was originally proposed as an amino protecting group, removable under mild conditions by thiolysis [Barany, G. and Merrifield, R.B., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 99 (1977) 7363; 102 (1980) 3084]. We demonstrate here that this chemistry can be ‘inverted’, i.e., Dts-amines can be used as mild oxidation reagents that promote formation of intramolecular disulfide bridges. With oxytocin and deamino-oxytocin as models, and with Dts-glycine as the oxidant, we have shown the efficacy of this method under a variety of conditions: both components in solution; dithiol-peptide on a polymeric support and Dts-glycine in solution; and soluble dithiol-peptide with Dts-glycyl-resin. Kinetics have been determined under a range of conditions in mixtures of acetonitrile-phosphate buffer. The logarithm of the reaction rate (based on a simplified first-order assumption) varies linearly with pH; the slope of these correlations is 0.68±0.02. Under suboptimal conditions, by-products have been observed that include parallel and antiparallel dimers as well as trisulfide analogues. Optimized conditions give good yields and purities of the desired disulfides. Particular advantages of this approach include the lack of reactivity of Dts-glycine with all non-sulfhydryl side-chain functionalities found in peptides, and the fact that Dts-mediated oxidation is irreversible.
Risk Sensitivity and Terrorism

One enduring question about terrorism is why individuals choose to join terrorist groups. Past studies have shown that terrorists are not always poor, and they can in fact come from more privileged groups in society. Risk sensitivity and prospect theory are approaches that can help explain some of the anomalies. They suggest that two types of group are likely to supply members for terrorist organizations in disproportionate numbers. One group consists of those who face a loss of status or position due to ongoing changes in society. A second group consists of those who have an opportunity to gain a major advance in status or position. Both groups are thus more likely or more willing to take risks such as joining dissident terrorists – either to maintain their position or to improve it. An analysis of the situation of Palestinian nationalists, nationalists in Northern Ireland and the Tamils in Sri Lanka provides support for the idea that sensitivity to risk can be an important factor in explaining the willingness of individuals to join terrorist groups.
SUGAR-AMINO ACID COMPLEXES IN PARENTERAL ALIMENTATION

Protein hydrolysate based parenteral alimentation solutions contain approximately equal quantities of peptides and amino acids. Peptide utilization in young infants alimented with such solutions varies according to the batch of hydrolysate used. With some batches infants fail to tolerate infusion of full strength solution (2.5% Amigen-25% glucose) exhibiting dehydration, with excretion of a hyperosmolar urine containing reducing substances other than glucose. Chromatograms of urinary amino acids from these infants show a number of ninhydrin positive peaks not found in urine of other infants parenterally alimented. Compounds isolated from urine were shown to be specific sugar-amino acid complexes formed during heat sterilization of the 5% Amigen-5% glucose used as the base solution in our hospital. Cold sterilization of 5%Amigen-5% glucose solutions eliminated these compounds. The quantity of such compounds varied from batch to batch, increased with storage time, and was roughly proportional to the quantity of yellow-orange color. During parenteral alimentation, they appear to be completely excreted in urine, leading to the osmotic effect noted.
Out of control: What can we learn from the end of Massachusetts rent control?

Abstract This paper uses the sudden end of rent control in Massachusetts in 1995 to estimate the effects of rent control. I examine Boston MSA data from the American Housing Survey years 1985–1998 to determine how rent control affected the quantity, price and quality of rental housing. My results suggest rent control had little effect on the construction of new housing but did encourage owners to shift units away from rental status and reduced rents substantially. Rent control also led to deterioration in the quality of rental units, but these effects appear to have been concentrated in smaller items of physical damage. I also examine specifications that allow rent control to affect rent levels both directly through controlled status and indirectly through spillover effects from nearby rent controlled units. These estimates imply that rent control may have small effects on the price of the non-controlled rental housing stock.
Functional Tissue Engineering

-Softcover reprint of a successful hardcover reference (370 copies sold) -Price to be accessible to the rapidly increasing population of students and investigators in the field of tissue engineering -Chapters written by well-known researchers discuss issues in functional tissue engineering as well as provide guidelines and a summary of the current state of technology
Control of arginine biosynthesis in strains of Escherichia coli not repressible by arginine.

The efficiency of control of arginine biosynthesis has been compared in three strains of Escherichia coli : strain W, in which the enzymes of this pathway are repressible by arginine; strain B, in which these enzymes are not repressible by arginine and are maintained at a low level; and a mutant of B, strain B4S-7, in which these enzymes are not repressible by arginine but are maintained at a high level. The control was measured by observing the incorporation of a limited supply of 14 C-arginine, in competition with endogenous arginine, under steadystate conditions in a chemostat. It was found that the ability of arginine to repress enzyme synthesis is not essential for controlling arginine synthesis, but the level of the enzymes is critical. Arginine synthesis was controlled well only in the strains in which the level of the enzymes was kept low. Repression, which appears to control enzyme levels in most strains, thus plays an important role not only in the economy of protein formation but also in the control of metabolite biosynthesis. E. coli B has an alternative mechanism for limiting enzyme levels, and its presence may provide an explanation for the natural selection of such a non-repressible strain. Evidence is presented that feedback inhibition in the arginine pathway acts on the first specifie enzymatic step leading to arginine formation, the conversion of glutamate to N -acetylglutamate.
Reversed-Phase Cleanup and High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Analysis of Abscisic Acid in Cercospora rosicola, Liquid Culture Media

Abstract A high performance liquid chromatographic method is described for measuring abscisic acid produced by the mold Cercospora rosicola Passerini in liquid culture media. The acidified liquid medium was passed through a Cis reversed-phase cartridge, impurities and ABA were eluted separately, and the ABA fraction was chromatographed on a reversed-phase column. Detection was by UV absorbance at 268 nm. No significant difference was found between ABA recoveries obtained by solvent partition and reversed-phase cartridge cleanup.
Validity of specific subscales of the positive and negative symptom scales in older schizophrenia outpatients

We investigated the construct validity of subscales of the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) along with other measures of psychopathology in 109 schizophrenia outpatients aged 45-84 years. Scores on subscales of the SAPS, SANS and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and on the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) were subjected to a principal components analysis and orthogonal rotation followed by an extension analysis. In both analyses, three of four SAPS subscales had their highest loading on the positive symptom factor and four of five SANS subscales had their highest factor loading on the negative symptom factor. The SAPS bizarre behavior subscale, however, had a much higher loading on the depressive symptom factor than on the positive symptom factor, and the SANS avolition-apathy subscale had moderate loadings on both the negative symptom factor and the depressive symptom factor. The use of SAPS and SANS subscales to represent two constructs was largely (but not entirely) validated among middle-aged and elderly schizophrenia outpatients. The SAPS bizarre behavior subscale and, to a lesser extent, the SANS avolition-apathy subscale appear to represent in this older population a separate construct which may be related to depressive symptoms.
Analytical theory of prepulsed electron beam propagating through a drift tube

Summary form only given, as follows. A self-consistent nonlinear theory of the current and energy modulation in a prepulsed electron-beam train propagating through a grounded drift tube is developed. The theory is based on the assumption that the beam current is highly modulated before it enters the tube. A closed integrodifferential equation for the beam current is obtained, assuming that the beam current is a function of time t and propagation distance z. Properties of the current and energy modulation are investigated from this integrodifferential equation for a broad range of system parameters. Magnitudes of the energy and current modulation are determined in terms of the strength and frequency of initial current modulation, geometric configuration, beam intensity and kinetic energy of the beam. Linearization of this integrodifferential equation gives a simple wave equation, which exhibits propagation of forward and backward space-charge waves. Spatial periodic length of the space-charge waves is proportional to the beam velocity and inversely proportional to the square-root of beam intensity. Simple analytical expression of current modulation is described in terms of a sum of the forward and backward space charge waves.
Removal of insoluble slimes from potash ore by air-sparged hydrocyclone flotation

Abstract The presence of insoluble mineral components, typically clay minerals, in potash ores has always been a problem to the potash industry, particularly in the processing of low grade sylvinite ores. The insoluble slimes must be removed prior to potash flotation because of their high affinity for amine collectors used in the subsequent flotation of sylvite. In this regard, air-sparged hydrocyclone (ASH) flotation was examined as a process alternative for the removal of such insoluble slimes from potash ores. The effects of reagent concentration and ASH operating variables on the recovery of insolubles were studied for a typical plant feed from the Saskatchewan potash field. Results indicate that, for single stage ASH flotation, over 70% of the insolubles could be floated from a potash feed containing about 7% insolubles with salt recoveries in the underflow product exceeding 92%. These results with a 2-inch air sparged hydrocyclone suggest that high specific capacity ASH flotation, 100 times the specific capacity of conventional flotation, is a viable process alternative for the removal of insoluble slimes from potash ores.
Confirming and disconfirming American myth: Stories within the suggestion box

Suggestion boxes, a form of upward organizational communication, have received little attention in academic and business literature. Thus, this study offers a preliminary examination of suggestion box communication. It briefly discusses how stories told about the suggestion box relate its effectiveness to American myth enactment. Then it offers a case study that, via rhetorical analysis, shows how American myth underlies suggestion box suggestor‐respondent dialogue. Examining suggestion box mythology may provide clues as to the perceived effectiveness of this organizational communication medium.
Structural and mechanistic insights into microtubule end-binding proteins.

Recent experiments reconstituting microtubule plus end tracking activity coupled with structural determination of microtubule plus end domains and plus end complexes are revealing the hierarchy, regulatory features, and potential mechanisms of plus end tracking proteins. Primary plus end tracking proteins include EB1 and XMAP215, while a host of secondary, EB1-dependent plus end proteins have been identified and characterized, including CLIP-170 and SKIP-motif proteins. Single molecule in vitro reconstitution assays show that XMAP215 is a processive polymerases that drives tubulin polymerization. Analysis of the EB1–microtubule interaction indicates EB1 actively promotes A-form microtubule lattice growth and rapidly exchanges with subsecond dwell times.
Mixing scripted interaction with task-oriented language processing in a conversational interface

Natural conversational interaction with computers will require systems that can successfully process unconstrained spoken input. Within the domain of its competency, such a system must be able to process an utterance in a “deep” fashion, extracting the detailed information necessary to carry out a useful task. When users stray outside the supported domain, the system must still be able to respond to a “broad” range of plausible inputs to maintain basic conversational competency. This paper reports on an effort to combine simple pattern matching techniques which can provide broad coverage with deep processing based on robust natural language template matching.
A New Generation of Ultrafast X-Ray Sources

I will describe new accelerator-based ultrafast x-ray sources, including those based at synchrotrons and free electron lasers, their capabilities, and the science that is being undertaken at these sources.
The Relative-Gains Problem for International Cooperation

Modern realism claims that the fear that others will enjoy relatively greater benefits frequently impedes international cooperation. Recent articles in this Review by Duncan Snidal and Robert Powell modeled conditions under which the impact of relative gains varied. Joseph Grieco criticizes Snidal's model as based on assumptions that allow him to avoid, rather than confront, the realist arguments. He also argues that Powell's model, while constructive, ignores important additional sources of sensitivity to relative gains. In response, Powell discusses the value of alternative assumptions about preferences and constraints in international relations. Snidal defends his analysis and presents an additional proof to support the independence of his central result—the diminishing impact of relative gains with increasing numbers of states—from assumptions of concern to Grieco. Both responders emphasize their work as contributing to a contextually rich theory of international politics that builds on elements of both realism and neo-liberalism.
Renormalizability of Gauge Theories with Spontaneously Broken Discrete Symmetries

It is shown that a large class of global symmetries, including the physically interesting discrete symmetries, may be broken spontaneously in gauge theories without destroying renormalizability.
Effects of diet, pregnancy, and lactation on enzyme activities and gluconeogenesis in ruminant liver

Changes of activities of liver enzymes and of metabolism during pregnancy and lactation have been documented in studies with rodents. Therefore, a study of activities of ruminant liver enzymes and metabolism was undertaken. Several changes of activities of enzymes involved in lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis were observed. However, magnitudes of enzyme change were less than expected from major changes in liver function that accompany lactation. Also, a number of enzymatic changes expected from rodent data were absent. Effects of breed and diet on enzyme activities in cow livers were minimal or absent. Changes in rates of glucose metabolism from lactation were greater than implied by enzyme adaptations. Analysis of kinetic data according to Michaelis-Menten kinetics indicated that apparent maximal velocities of conversion of lactate and propionate to glucose by liver slices from cattle ranged from 10 to 30 mumoles/(g.h) and apparent coefficients were 1.8 to 2.0- mM. Rates of gluconeogenesis with lactate plus propionate were not additive at saturating concentrations. The background data on enzymatic activities, glucose metabolism, lipogenesis, and gluconeogenesis in ruminant liver indicate that sophisticated studies with isolated hepatocytes from ruminants will be required to clarify metabolic adaptations, metabolic patterns, and regulatory mechanism in this tissue.
An in-depth map of polyadenylation sites in cancer

We present a comprehensive map of over 1 million polyadenylation sites and quantify their usage in major cancers and tumor cell lines using direct RNA sequencing. We built the Expression and Polyadenylation Database to enable the visualization of the polyadenylation maps in various cancers and to facilitate the discovery of novel genes and gene isoforms that are potentially important to tumorigenesis. Analyses of polyadenylation sites indicate that a large fraction (∼30%) of mRNAs contain alternative polyadenylation sites in their 3′ untranslated regions, independent of the cell type. The shortest 3′ untranslated region isoforms are preferentially upregulated in cancer tissues, genome-wide. Candidate targets of alternative polyadenylation-mediated upregulation of short isoforms include POLR2K, and signaling cascades of cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix contact, particularly involving regulators of Rho GTPases. Polyadenylation maps also helped to improve 3′ untranslated region annotations and identify candidate regulatory marks such as sequence motifs, H3K36Me3 and Pabpc1 that are isoform dependent and occur in a position-specific manner. In summary, these results highlight the need to go beyond monitoring only the cumulative transcript levels for a gene, to separately analysing the expression of its RNA isoforms.
CONTEXTUAL CONTROL OF EQUIVALENCE‐BASED TRANSFORMATION OF FUNCTIONS

The transformation of functions refers to the untrained acquisition of stimulus functions among members of stimulus equivalence classes or relational frames. Although it is widely assumed that contextual control over the transformation of fuctions must exist, this has not yet been conclusively demonstrated in laboratory studies. Four experiments are reported in which (a) stimulus equivalence classes were established, (b) a conditional stimulus function was trained for one member of each of the classes, and (c) multiple-exemplar procedures were used to train and test for contextual control over the transformation of the stimulus function within the classes and to assess whether it generalized to new equivalence classes. Although a significant amount of training was required, the procedures ultimately resulted in the contextual control of function transformation for 9 of 10 participants and generalized contextual control for 4 of 5 participants.
Improved Internet Access: Guidance from Research on Indexing and Classification

Compte-rendu de la conference annuelle de l'Universite de Long Island consacree a l'amelioration de l'acces a Internet. Il a ete discute notamment de l'indexation et du catalogage des sites web
An illuminated cannula for viscodelamination.

• A fiberoptic illuminated infusion cannula for posterior segment surgery allows the introduction of viscoelastic substances under preretinal membranes in diabetics, defining the vascular epicenters and making scissors delamination easier and safer. This technique has been most helpful in diabetics who have an attached posterior hyaloid. It appears to reduce the incidence of posterior breaks. We have used this instrument successfully in 12 patients with diabetes who have severe fibrovascular proliferation with or without retinal detachment.
On the Use of Random Set Theory to Bracket the Results of Monte Carlo Simulations

Based on Random Set Theory, procedures are presented for bracketing the results of Monte Carlo simulations in two notable cases: (i) the calculation of the entire distribution of the dependent variable; (ii) the calculation of the CDF of a particular value of the dependent variable (e.g. reliability analyses). The presented procedures are not intrusive in that they can be equally applied when the functional relationship between the dependent variable and independent variables is known analytically and when it is a complex computer model (black box). Also, the proposed procedures can handle probabilistic (with any type of input joint PDF), interval-valued, set-valued, and random set-valued input information, as well as any combination thereof. When exact or outer bounds on the function image can be calculated, the bounds on the CDF of the dependent variable guarantee 100% confidence, and allow for an explicit and exact evaluation of the error involved in the calculation of the CDF. These bounds are often enough to make decisions, and require a minimal amount of functional evaluations. A procedure for effectively approximating the CDF of the dependent variable is also proposed. An example shows that, compared to Monte Carlo simulations, the number of functional evaluations is reduced by orders of magnitude and that the convergence rate increases tenfold.
Cellular fluorescence capacity as an endpoint in algal toxicity testing

Abstract The use of a cellular fluorescence capacity (CFC) index as a toxicity end point for the alga, Selenastrum capricornutum was examined. The index is calculated from algal fluorescence before (F) and after (Fd) the addition of the herbicide 3(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea (DCMU) and is expressed as a proportion [ ( F d − F ) F d ]. CFC was compared to algal growth response in 96-hours in bioassays with copper, zinc, pentachlorophenol, a complex mixture obtained from a sewage treatment works effluent, and four sediment pore water samples. Although not always as sensitive as the 96-hour growth response, CFC was usually more sensitive than the 24-hour growth response and was able to detect the toxicity of copper to the alga species as early as 5 hours. CFC was a useful endpoint in toxicity determinations and demonstrated potential as a rapid short term screening response for toxicity.
Cellular phone and Internet-based individual intervention on blood pressure and obesity in obese patients with hypertension

Abstract Purpose The present study evaluated whether an intervention using a short message service (SMS) by cellular phone and Internet would improve blood pressure, weight control, and serum lipids of obese patients with hypertension during 8 weeks. Methods This is a quasi-experimental design with pre- and follow-up tests. Participants were recruited from the family medicine outpatient department of tertiary care hospital located in an urban city of South Korea. Twenty-eight patients were assigned to an intervention group and 21 to a control group. The goal of intervention was to bring blood pressure, body weight, and serum lipids levels close to normal ranges. Patients in the intervention group were requested to record their blood pressure and body weight in a weekly web based diary through the Internet or by cellular phones. The researchers sent optimal recommendations as an intervention to each patient, by both cellular phone and Internet weekly. The intervention was applied for 8 weeks. Results Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) significantly decreased by 9.1 and 7.2mmHg respectively at 8 weeks from the baseline in the intervention group ( p p p p p Conclusion During 8 weeks using this web-based intervention by way of cellular phone and Internet SMS improved blood pressure, body weight, waist circumference, and HDL-C in patients with obese hypertension.
Characterization and regulation of upstream transcripts of the murine proopiomelanocortin gene.

Abstract Upstream transcription start sites in the murine POMC gene were detected at −48, −113, and −134 by primer extension analysis of RNA derived from a murine pituitary (AtT20) cell line. By RNase protection assay, dexamethasone treatment of AtT20 cells was found to reduce levels of transcripts initiated from the major-transcription start site, but had a less prominent effect on levels of transcripts initiated upstream. Conversely, treatment with 8-bromo-cAMP was found to induce levels of POMC gene transcripts from the major start site and from upstream start sites at −113 and −134, but reduced transcript levels initiated at a start site at −48. Treatment with the phorbol ester PDBU had no significant effects on levels of transcripts originating from any of the transcription start sites. Chronic treatments with these agents did not alter the proportion of upstream transcripts to the total level of POMC mRNA.
An acousto-optical spectrometer with a visible laser diode source

An acousto-optical spectrometer has been constructed using a visible laser diode light source. The advantages of a visible laser diode in this application over the more prevalent infrared laser diodes are discussed. These include increased Bragg cell bandwidth and diffraction efficiency, and easier instrumental alignment, the latter allowing the attainment of much lower scattered light levels.
Cold effect on oxygen uptake, perceived exertion, and spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract Objective: To determine the effect of a cold bath (24°C) on oxygen consumption and perceived exertion during ambulation and on spasticity in individuals with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis. Design: A repeated-measures design with random assignment of experimental and control conditions. Setting: Outpatient physical therapy department associated with an academic institution. Patients: Fourteen individuals with clinically definite multiple sclerosis exhibiting spasticity and capable of ambulating at 0.7m/sec on a motorized treadmill without handrail support. Measurement: Assessment of oxygen uptake, heart rate, and perceived exertion occurred during two 10-minute walks interspersed with a 30-minute rest on 2 separate days. Measurement of spasticity occurred three times during each session. Results: Oxygen consumption and perceived exertion were unchanged. Spasticity was higher immediately ( p Conclusions: Increase in spasticity was statistically significant, but unlikely to be of any clinical importance. Contrary to our hypothesis, a cold bath (24°C) for 20 minutes did not reduce oxygen consumption or rating of perceived exertion during ambulation.
QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF SURGICALLY INDUCED MITRAL REGURGITATION USING RADIONUCLIDE VENTRICULOGRAPHY AND FIRST PASS RADIONUCLIDE ANGIOGRAPHY

Radionuclide ventriculography has been used in humans to evaluate valvular incompetency. The stroke volume ratio, derived from the radionuclide ventriculogram, is used to quantify the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR). Previous studies conducted in humans have shown that left to right stroke volume ratio increases as the severity of MR increases. In this study, we evaluated radionuclide ventriculography as a noninvasive method to detect MR in dogs with surgically created mitral insufficiency. Six male and three female adult, conditioned mongrel dogs were used. Scintigraphic studies were performed prior to and 4 weeks after surgically created MR. Because of the overlap of the left and right ventricles when viewed from a left lateral position, we combined data from a first-pass radionuclide angiocardiogram with the radionuclide ventriculogram to obtain a corrected stroke volume ratio. Blood flow transit parameters were also derived from the first-pass radionuclide angiocardiogram. Standard left ventricular functional indices were also measured from the radionuclide ventriculogram. On the left lateral view of the heart, 25 to 30% of the right ventricular volume overlaps the left ventricle. After correcting for the overlap, the stroke volume ratio of normal dogs was 1.17±0.178 (mean±SD), which increased to 2.06±0.41 (mean±SD) (p<.001) 4 weeks after creation of MR. The was no significant change in left ventricular ejection fraction or peak rate of ejection following MR. The transit times of blood through the left ventricle were measured from the first-pass radionuclide angiocardiogram and were expressed as half-time clearance, peak clearance rate, and time to peak clearance rate. The baseline half-time clearance was 2.07±0.71 s (mean±SD), which increased to 6.70±4.89 s (mean±SD) (p=.02) after creation of MR. The baseline peak clearance rate was 49.75±8.96 cts/s (mean±SD), which decreased to 23.12±6.84 cts/s (mean±SD) (p<.001) after creation of MR. Stroke volume ratios significantly increased following creation of MR. Blood flow transit through the left ventricle slowed following creation of MR. The variability of these parameters were small in the baseline studies, suggesting these techniques may be clinically useful to gauge the severity of MR in dogs.
FXR protects lung from lipopolysaccharide-induced acute injury.

Acute lung injury and its more severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome, are characterized by an acute inflammatory response in the airspaces and lung parenchyma. The nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is expressed in pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Here, we report a protective role of FXR in a lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse model of acute lung injury. Upon intratracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide, FXR−/− mice showed higher lung endothelial permeability, released more bronchoalveolar lavage cells to the alveoli, and developed acute pneumonia. Cell adhesion molecules were expressed at higher levels in FXR−/− mice as compared with control mice. Furthermore, lung regeneration was much slower in FXR−/− mice. In vitro experiments showed that FXR activation blocked TNFα-induced expression of P-selectin but stimulated proliferation of lung microvascular endothelial cells through up-regulation of Foxm1b. In addition, expression of a constitutively active FXR repressed the expression of proinflammatory genes and improved lung permeability and lung regeneration in FXR−/− mice. This study demonstrates a critical role of FXR in suppressing the inflammatory response in lung and promoting lung repair after injury.
Investigation of solubilization and digestion methods for microsomal membrane proteome analysis using data‐independent LC‐MSE

To evaluate the implementation of various denaturants and their efficacy in bottom-up membrane proteomic methods using LC-MS analysis, microsomes isolated from tomato roots were treated with MS-compatible surfactants (RapiGest SF Surfactant from Waters and PPS Silent Surfactant from Protein Discovery), a chaotropic reagent (guanidine hydrochloride), and an organic solvent (methanol). Peptides were analyzed in triplicate sample and technical replicates by data-independent LC-MS(E) analysis. Overall, 2333 unique peptides matching to 662 unique proteins were detected with the order of denaturant method efficacy being RapiGest SF Surfactant, PPS Silent Surfactant, guanidine hydrochloride, and methanol. Using bioinformatic analysis, 103 proteins were determined to be integral membrane proteins. When normalizing the data as a percentage of the overall number of peptides and proteins identified for each method, the order for integral membrane protein identification efficacy was methanol, guanidine hydrochloride, RapiGest SF Surfactant, and PPS Silent Surfactant. Interestingly, only 8% of the proteins were identified in all four methods with the silent surfactants having the greatest overlap at 17%. GRAVY analysis at the protein and peptide level indicated that methanol and guanidine hydrochloride promoted detection of hydrophobic proteins and peptides, respectively; however, trypsin activity in the presence of each denaturant was determined as a major factor contributing to peptide identification by LC-MS(E) . These results reveal the complementary nature of each denaturant method, which can be used in an integrated approach to provide a more effective bottom-up analysis of membrane proteomes than can be achieved using only a single denaturant.
Reaction of hydroxyl radical with aromatic hydrocarbons in nonaqueous solutions: A laser flash photolysis study in acetonitrile.

Laser flash photolysis (LFP) of acetonitrile solutions of N-hydroxypyridin-2-thione in the presence of trans-stilbene generates a transient absorbance at 392 nm, attributed to the addition of hydroxyl radical to stilbene. The observed transient absorbance was used in competitive LFP experiments to determine relative rates of reaction for hydroxyl radical with a range of aromatic hydrocarbons in acetonitrile. Structure−reactivity relationships for the reaction of hydroxyl radical with arenes are derived. With these aromatic hydrocarbons, we observe a good correlation between the rates of hydroxyl-radical reaction and the ionization potential of the arene. Kinetic isotope effects are consistent with hydroxyl-radical addition being the dominant reaction pathway with the arene.
Do infants with major congenital anomalies have an excess of macrosomia

Background: Infants that develop congenital anomalies may also have an excess prevalence of macrosomia (birth weight ≥4,000 g). This may indicate that abnormalities of glycemic control play a role in the etiology of birth defects. This study was undertaken to determine whether all infants with congenital anomalies have an excess of macrosomia and whether it is confined to specific types of anomalies. Methods: A case-control study was conducted, comparing the birth weights of 8,226 infants with congenital anomalies ascertained by the Texas Birth Defects Monitoring Division with those of 965,965 infants without birth defects. Odds ratios were calculated to determine the association between birth weight and congenital anomalies, for 45 specific defects, and for all these defects combined. Results: For all 45 defects combined, a significant association occurred only in the highest birth weight category. Infants with congenital anomalies were more likely than infants without birth defects to have a birth weight ≥4,500 g (OR = 1.65; 95% Cl = 1.39-1.96). Infants born with ventricular septal defects, atrial septal defects, ventricular hypertrophy, or anomalies of the great vessels were 1.5-2.5 times more likely to weigh ≥4,000 g than were infants without birth defects. Based on small numbers, a stronger excess of macrosomia was observed for infants with encephalocele, holoprosencephaly, anomalies of the corpus callosum, preaxial polydactyly, and omphalocele. Conclusions: Our data suggest that infants with specific congenital anomalies are more likely to be macrosomic than are infants without an anomaly. If these findings are confirmed, associations between macrosomia and specific types of birth defects may help to identify birth defects that are caused by alterations in glycemic control.
Starting a Flood to Stop a Fire? Some Moral Constraints on Solar Radiation Management

Solar radiation management (SRM), a form of climate engineering, would offset the effects of increased greenhouse gas concentrations by reducing the amount of sunlight absorbed by the Earth. To encourage support for SRM research, advocates argue that SRM may someday be needed to reduce the risks from climate change. This paper examines the implications of two moral constraints—the Doctrine of Doing and Allowing, and the Doctrine of Double Effect—on this argument for SRM and SRM research. The Doctrine of Doing and Allowing, and perhaps the Doctrine of Double Effect, shows that the argument is weaker than it appears.
Determination of the Relationship Between Gastric Wall Thickness and Body Mass Index with Endoscopic Ultrasound

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between gastric wall thickness and BMI. Bariatric surgery patients undergoing a pre-operative screening EGD and patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasound for non-gastric pathology were prospectively enrolled in the study. Patients underwent endoscopic ultrasound evaluation with measurements of gastric wall thickness at six areas of the stomach. The primary outcome was the correlation of BMI and mean gastric wall thickness. Twenty-four patients were enrolled in the study. Eight patients were excluded due to endoscopic abnormalities of the stomach (five) or intolerance to the procedure (three). Ten patients with a normal BMI and six obese patients were included in the analysis. BMI in the non-obese group was 23.8 ± 2.5 kg/m2 compared to 54.7 ± 14.6 kg/m2 in the obese population. The average gastric wall thickness amongst all subjects was 3.27 ± 0.42 mm. Mean gastric thickness in the non-obese group was 3.25 ± 0.45 mm compared to 3.30 ± 0.39 mm in the obese group (p = 0.41). When both groups were combined, there did not appear to be a linear relationship between mean thickness and BMI (R 2 = 0.005). There was no linear relationship between gastric wall thickness and waist circumference (R 2 = 0.02). There was no significant correlation between gastric wall thickness and BMI. Mean gastric wall thickness of endoscopically normal stomachs was in the range of 3–4 mm.
Cultural difference in image searching

Previous studies suggested that people from Eastern and Western cultural origins tagged digital images in different ways due to cultural difference in attentional patterns [2]. This study was conducted to examine whether Easterners and Westerners also exhibited dif-ferent behavioral patterns when searching for digital images. European Americans (EA) and Chinese were asked to general search keywords and to draw ideal target images for image searching tasks. Consistent with previous studies, results showed that Chinese were more likely to generate search keywords describing the overall properties of the target images than EA. When drawing ideal target images, EA assigned more space to the main objects than Chinese. The findings provided significant implications for designing cultural-sensitive tools to facilitate image search.
Noise evaluation of a digital neutron imaging device

Abstract To assess the applicability of neutron radiography technology, it is important to compare the performance characteristics of different neutron detection systems and their implementations. Although widely used in X-ray imaging, performance evaluation measures, such as the noise power spectrum (NPS) and the detective quantum efficiency (DQE), have not been readily applied to neutron radiography. This paper introduces the concepts of NPS and DQE and presents an adopted procedure for the calculation of NPS and DQE, using an in-house developed digital neutron radiography device as an example. This low-cost radiography apparatus has remarkable features such as using an off-the-shelf digital camera modified by open-source code and a front surface aluminized mirror made of 6 Li-doped glass. The results show that a high spatial resolution does not necessarily translate to better detectability of faint details and noise evaluation has to be taken into account. In order to improve the poor DQE of the evaluated system, it is suggested to reduce the fast neutron content and increase the light collection efficiency. Such improvements would bring the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) much closer to the input quantum noise, which would consequently increase DQE.
Where Smokers Rule

How were complex carbon compounds formed in the earliest stages of the development of life on Earth? In his Perspective, Crabtree discusses results reported by Huber and W&aumlchtersh&aumluser (p. 245) in the same issue showing that nickel-iron sulfides can act as catalysts for the formation of complex organic compounds. This chemistry can take place at "black smokers," the deep hydrothermal vents that discharge sulfide compounds under the ocean. Such vents may therefore represent one location on early Earth where prebiotic chemistry could have taken place.