cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
1,4-Butanediol--a substrate for rat liver and horse liver alcohol dehydrogenases.

1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BD) is oxidized, with the concomitant reduction of NAD, by a rat liver 100,000 g supernatant and by horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase. The apparent Km for this reaction in the rat liver system is 0·61 mM as compared with an apparent Km for ethanol of 1·3 mM in the same system. Pyrazole, an inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, competitively blocks the oxidation of 1,4-BD by the rat liver supernatant. Administration in vivo of pyrazole to the rat prevents the appearance of γ-hydroxybutyrate, a 1,4-BD metabolite, in the blood and also prevents the neuropharmacological effects of 1,4-BD. In contrast, pyrazole prolongs the neuropharmacological effects of the related compound, γ-butyrolactone. 1,4-BD, as a normal component of the “diol lipids” of rat liver, might represent a physiological substrate for alcohol dehydrogenase. It is speculated that ethanol might competitively block 1,4-BD metabolism with accumulation in the liver of unesterified 1,4-BD and 1,4-BD esterified in the diol lipids.
Natural Reseeding by Forage Legumes following Wheat in Western North Dakota

Legume pasture is rotated with wheat (Triticum spp.) to enhance grain production sustainability. The legume species maintain or enhance wheat yield and regenerate from the soil seed bank. Our objectives were to determine: (i) grain yield when wheat followed legume forages and (ii) if legume species regenerated naturally following wheat in western North Dakota. Ten to 30 legume species were established in field experiments in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Legumes that regenerated or persisted in the second year were terminated chemically before seeding wheat in the third year. Plots were fallowed in the second year where legumes failed to regenerate or persist. Grain yield ranged from 1290 to 4100 kg ha -1 across the 3 yr when wheat followed yellow-flowered sweetdover (Melilotus officinalis Lam.) and was equal or enhanced compared with fallowed plots where legumes did not reseed in 2 yr (P < 0.05). Grain yield never was enhanced and sometimes was reduced when wheat followed other legume forages compared with fallowed plots. Legume seedlings regenerated following wheat in birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus conticulatus L.) plots in all 3 yr, and forage production exceeded 3 Mg ha -1 in 2 yr. Other legume species failed to regenerate or produced less forage than birdsfoot trefoil in at least 1 yr. Birdsfoot trefoil has potential as a regenerating pasture species, but strategies are needed to enhance grain yield in legume-wheat rotations.
SU-E-T-74: Effect of Energy and Field Size On Angular Dependence of a 2D Diode Array

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of energy and field size on directional response (angular dependence) of 2D diode array detector, Sun Nuclear MapCHECK 2. Methods: The MapCHECK 2 with MapPHAN‐MC2 (a solid water block with water equivalent buildup of 5.0 cm above and below the detector plane) was irradiated using the Varian TrueBEAM STx for six different energies (6MV, 6MV‐FFF (Flattening Filter Free), 8MV, 10MV, 10MV‐FFF, and 15MV) and three field sizes (3cm×3cm, 5cm×5cm, and 10cm×10cm) for every 10 degree. The angular dependence was investigated by comparing these dose measurements with the corresponding dose calculations by the Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS). A mean dose difference ((Measurement‐Plan)/Planx100%) at the comparison points (5 points (1cm×1cm) around the isocenter for 3cm×3cm; 13 points (2cm×2cm) for 5cm×5cm and 10cm×10cm fields) was computed. In addition, dependence of calibration on field size was investigated by calibrating MapCHECK 2 with the standard calibration field of 10cm×10cm and a small field size of 3cm×3cm. Results: The angular dependence was substantial at 90+/−20° and 270+/−20° (mostly >5% for all energies except 15MV). The maximum differences decreased substantially with increasing energies (e.g., for 3cm×3cm at 270°, 53.3+/−3.1% (6MV‐FFF), 37.8+/−2.3% (6MV), 23.2+/−2.0% (8MV), 19.2+/−2.0% (10MV‐FFF), 9.7+/−2.3% (10MV), −0.1+/−2.0% (15MV)). The FFF beams showed higher angular dependence than conventional beams (∼10%). The standard calibration using 10cm×10cm field underestimated dose for the 3cm×3cm field by ∼2%. The calibration dependence on field size was approximately 1% smaller using FFF beams. The 15MV beam relatively did not show any substantial angular response. This is probably due to low response of diode to high energy scattered radiation. Conclusion: The MapCHECK QA for IMAT (RapidArc or VMAT) with beam incident angles around 90° and 270° should be carefully examined because of the directional response and underdosing of diode for small beam segments.
Effect of flow rate on taste intensity responses in humans

Abstract The effect of flow rate on magnitude estimations of sodium chloride and sucrose was studied, using a specially constructed tongue chamber. Magnitude estimations of taste intensity were obtained for 1.0 M solutions of each compound flowing over the lateral surface of the tongue at rates of 2, 5, and 8 cc/sec. Taste intensity significantly increased as a function of flow rate. Possible mechanisms of this effect were discussed. It was concluded that flow rate is an important variable to control and study in taste research.
Some problems encountered in the development of a virtual reality system for evaluating human performance during emergency power-off aircraft landings

A flight simulator was developed for studying the behavior of pilots in power-off aircraft landing situations. The simulation environment includes a 5-meter hemispherical dome in which the authors have installed a cockpit from a Cessna aircraft. The dome manufacturers provided their version of OPEN GL 1.1. The graphics rendering software has undergone constant modification because of computer and projection hardware changes and a lack of knowledge and understanding of the manufacturer's undocumented version of OPEN GL. The development team was led to believe that real time rendering of photographic quality images from 3D models was possible using the existing hardware and software. This was not true even for very simple environments. Flat surfaces must undergo major tessellation to project correctly on a hemispherical dome. The number of polygons to be rendered is increased by orders of magnitude. The tessellation also reverses some depth relationships, which causes parts of objects to disappear and reappear during the simulation. In addition, aliasing artifacts are severe because of the limited resolution and lack of antialiasing capabilities of the hardware. The authors document their experiences and their solutions to some of the rendering problems encountered.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Quantitative cerebral blood flow and metabolism determination in the first 48 hours after severe head injury with a new dynamic spect device

Objective To determine cerebral blood flow (CBF) and metabolism in the acute phase after severe head injury by a new dynamic SPECT device using133Xenon and to evaluate a possible role of CBF and metabolism in the determination of prognosis.
Oligosaccharides as new diagnostic biomarkers for mucopolysaccharidosis

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of lysosomal storage disorders with deficiencies in lysosomal hydrolases that are needed for degradation of glycosylaminoglycans (GAG). So far, eleven enzyme defects that cause seven different types of MPS have been identified. Currently, urinary GAG are often used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of MPS or for monitoring its treatment, with limited specificity and sensitivity. In this study, we describe a characteristic group of urinary oligosaccharides found in patients with various types of MPS, such as mono-antennary monosialo oligosaccharide and bi-antennary disialo oligosaccharide as well as certain galactosylated oligosaccharides. We found that these oligosaccharides can be used as first tier diagnostic screening in urine for a majority of the known MPS subtypes, including MPS I, II, III, IVA, and VI. In addition, we were able to detect the same set of oligosaccharides in plasma and cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from a patient with MPS I. These abnormal oligosaccharides were also found in the urine from galactosialidosis, sialidosis and GM1-gangliosidosis. It was reported previously that lysosomal hydrolases are involved in GAG degradation, such as N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS), forms a lysosomal multi-enzyme complex with neuraminidiase, galactosidase and cathepsin A. Thus the elevation of these sialylated and galactosylated oligosaccharides in MPS patients may reflect the disruption of supramolecular organization of the lysosomal multienzyme complex. Therefore, these new biomarkers may reveal new mechanistic aspects of pathogenesis among MPS. Further studies are warranted to evaluate these oligosaccharides as biomarkers for monitoring disease progression and enzyme replacement treatment.
Genocide as Representative Anecdote: Crack Cocaine, the CIA, and the Nation of Islam in Gary Webb's “Dark Alliance”

In 1996, a journalist at the San Jose Mercury News wrote a series of articles claiming CIA complicity in the circulation of crack cocaine among African Americans in South Central Los Angeles. I argue that this series functioned within the representative anecdote genocide that has long resonated with the experiences of many Black Americans and supported the rhetorical strategies of groups like the Nation of Islam. By interrogating the Nation of Islam's deployment of the so-called “Dark Alliance” narrative, I highlight how the threat of erasure functions as a central, if flawed, rhetorical tool in the constitution of a people.
Prevention of Aminoglycoside-induced Hearing Loss

This review discusses the current problem of ototoxicity associated with the worldwide use of aminoglycoside antibiotics. Pathology and pathophysiology of cochlear and vestibular damage have long been recognized as a preferential destruction of hair cells beginning in the cochlea with the outer hair cells of the lower turns. This is accompanied by high frequency hearing loss progressing to lower frequencies during and even after treatment with these drugs. A novel hypothesis of the underlying biochemical mechanism is based on the formation of free radicals by an aminoglycoside-iron complex. A protective treatment against aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss by co-administration of iron chelators has been successfully documented in guinea pig. This pharmacological intervention does not change serum levels of aminoglycosides nor their antibacterial efficacy. Since iron chelators are established therapeutic drugs, the proposed treatment should lend itself to clinical application. Aminoglycosides, long established for their high efficacy and low cost, may thus continue to play an important role in combating infectious diseases.
On the Use of Marginal Statistics of Subband Images

A commonly used representation of a visual pattern is the set of marginal probability distributions of the output of a bank of filters (Gaussian, Laplacian, Gabor etc...). This representation has been used effectively for a variety of vision tasks including texture classification, texture synthesis, object detection and image retrieval. This paper examines the ability of this representation to discriminate between an arbitrary pair of visual stimuli. Examples of patterns are derived that provably possess the same marginal statistical properties, yet are "visually distinct." These results suggest the need for either employing a large and diverse filter bank or incorporating joint statistics in order to represent a large class of visual patterns.
U.S. ‐Japan alliance for 21st century hegemony

Asian‐Pacific dynamism and turmoil have pushed the Clinton administration toward a renewed attention to the alliance with Japan. With Tokyo's assistance, Washington is modernizing the military and political structures that have made the Pacific the “American Lake,” and the U.S. the dominant power in Asia for the past half century. William Perry, U.S. Secretary of Defense (War) described the Clinton‐Hashimoto summit in April 1996 as, “the most significant summit since the end of the Cold War.” The elected leaders of the Asia‐Pacific region's two most powerful economies and militaries agreed to modernize their 45‐year old military alliance to ensure their regional hegemony well into the 21st century.
Laser Instabilities and Chaos in Inhomogeneously Broadened Dense Media

Abstract We study numerically the effects of local-field corrections originating from near dipole—dipole interactions on the dynamics of a single mode, inhomogeneously broadened laser. Our analysis is based on a set of generalized Maxwell–Bloch equations in which the inhomogeneous nature of gain broadening is accounted for by introducing two new dynamical variables and a single parameter that governs the extent of inhomogeneous broadening. Our results show that local-field effects occurring in a dense gain medium reduce the range of continuous wave operation and lead to instabilities and chaos at much lower pumping levels.
UAV Cooperative Decision and Control: Challenges and Practical Approaches (Shima, T. and Rasmussen, S.; 2008) [Bookshelf]

This book presents a unified approach to the management of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in military scenarios. This book does an excellent job in introducing the reader to the issues of interest as well as a representative sample of cooperative control techniques employed.
Segmental differences in the stability of the trp-repressor peptide backbone.

Exchange lifetimes of amide protons intrp-repressor with and without the corepressor,l-tryptophan, were studied by heteronuclear 2D NMR spectroscopy. The amide proton exchange times revealed pronounced differences in the stability of different regions of thetrp-repressor. The dimeric core of the molecule is relatively compact and homogeneous in terms of the measured parameters in both apo- and holorepressors. On the other hand the DNA-binding region appears less stable and more susceptible to the exchange of its backbone protons with the solvent. The NMR findings reported here are consistent with and amplify information on the stability of thetrp-repressor obtained by other methods.
Theoretical model for high-power annular continuous wave laser beams on uncoated optical components--transient temperature distribution

In this paper we address the transient temperature distribution and subsequent optical distortion resulting from an annular high power continuous wave laser beam on to coated, non-cooled optical components. The transient temperature distribution is described using The Reverse Thermal Wave Transform. The optical components are uncooled and subject to thermal shock. The standard equations are used for evaluating thermal shock as a function of time, coating expansion coefficient, and material for both substrate and coatings.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Fall and winter movements and activity level of the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus, in a tidal creek

Fall and winter movements and activity levels of Fundulus heteroclitus, the mummichog, were monitored in a Delaware tidal creek from September, 1973 to January, 1974. Fish either moved upstream into less saline waters or remained on station. As photoperiod decreased, activity levels at high salinity stations (17–29 o/oo) decreased, while activity levels at low salinity stations (1–21 o/oo) remained relatively high.
Tenderness and Sodium Content of Pectoralis superficialis from Broilers Chilled in Potassium or Sodium Chloride Ice Slush

Cooked light meat (Pectoralis superficialis) from broiler carcasses chilled (4 hr, with agitation) in 5% (w/w) sodium chloride (NaCl), 5% (w/w) potassium chloride (KCl), or ice slush was evaluated for moisture content, tenderness (shear force), chloride ion (Cl) concentration, and sodium ion (Na) concentration. Water uptake of the carcasses during chilling was determined. Chilling in either salt solution increased cooked meat moisture, increased chloride ion concentration, and decreased shear force values. Sodium level and water uptake were increased by NaCl brine ice-slush chilling. Samples chilled in NaCl had higher chloride concentrations and lower shear force than samples chilled in KCl.
Development of in vivo bioequivalence methodology for dermatologic corticosteroids based on pharmacodynamic modeling.

Background: Dermatologic corticosteroid products produce skin blanching that is related to clinical potency and dose. (For application of the vasoconstrictor assay to bioavailability and bioequivalence assessment, dose is defined in terms of duration of treatment exposure [dose duration], so the terms dose and dose duration have been used interchangeably). The vasoconstrictor assay is the method of choice to assess dermatologic corticosteroid products bioequivalence if dose-response is validated. This article examines dose-response validation to meet objectives of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bioequivalence guidance for dermatologic corticosteroid products. Methods: An exploratory dose-response study was conducted to determine applicability of the empirical maximum effect (E max ) model to the individual subject and population dose-response relationships of six dermatologic corticosteroid product creams that varied from the most to the least potent classes. Products were applied to the skin of 10 healthy subjects in each of two dosing periods for dose durations of 0.5, 1, 2, and 6 hours. Skin blanching was measured by reflectance colorimeter through 24 hours after application. Area under the effect curve (AUEC) was determined for each dose duration. An E max model was fitted to the AUEC versus dose duration data. A similar analysis was conducted for a bioequivalence study on two formulations of a dermatologic corticosteroid product in 40 healthy subjects. Results: In the exploratory study, the number of individual subject data sets for which the E max model provided an acceptable fit generally increased with the potency of the dermatologic corticosteroid product. On the basis of population modeling, dose-response data of all products, except the lowest potency cream, were adequately described by the E max model. Values for population ED 50 (the dose duration required to achieve 50% of the fitted AUEC max value) decreased with increase in dermatologic corticosteroid product potency. Conclusions: Acceptable model fits to all individual subject dose-response data were not achieved for any dermatologic corticosteroid product. However, population dose-responses were adequately described by the E max model. On the basis of these data, the optimal dose duration used for comparison of multisource dermatologic corticosteroid products is recommended to be equal to the ED 50 based on population modeling of pilot dose-response study data.
Scaling Models for Legislative Roll-Call Analysis

Guttman scaling has become the usual scaling approach in political science, but a different scaling model-the "proximity model"-is sometimes more appropriate. The inadvertent use of an inappropriate scaling model can lead to faulty inferences from the data, as the main example of this paper will demonstrate. The proximity model and the general model specification problem have wide application, but the present discussion of them will be set within the framework of legislative roll-call analysis. As the richness of legislative roll-call data is now being tapped more fully, it becomes essential to recognize the utility of the proximity model. The alternative scaling approaches will be compared in the following pages, with the suggestion that the two models may differ in their relative applicability in different historical periods. After considering why the Guttman model has been very successful in analyzing congressional roll calls of the 1950s and 1960s, voting on the Compromise of 1850 will be examined as an historical instance of the proximity model. The concluding section will discuss some general problems of model specification and will speculate about the differential utility of these models for understanding American politics in the 1970s.
Supersonic neutral winds and neutral streams in the thermosphere-ionosphere-plasmasphere system

[1] Model studies were conducted to determine the conditions that might give rise to supersonic neutral winds in the high-latitude thermosphere and that can produce neutral streams in the polar wind and plasmasphere. For the supersonic neutral wind study, we used a time-dependent, three-dimensional, global thermosphere-ionosphere model. Simulations were conducted for different seasonal conditions, solar activity levels, cross-polar-cap potentials, and convection pattern shapes. Supersonic neutral winds were found to occur at altitudes above 200 km for cross-polar-cap potentials greater than about 150 kV, although most of the supersonic winds occurred between 300 and 600 km. The Mach number of the neutral winds was typically less than 1.5, and the supersonic winds were generated within 3 h after enhanced plasma convection. These winds were primarily located in the midnight-dawn sector of the polar cap, and their dusk-to-dawn extent was of the order of 150 km. Also, during enhanced convection, the ion outflow in the polar wind increases because of the elevated plasma temperatures, and this leads to enhanced ion-neutral charge exchange reactions, and hence, to the production of neutral streams in the polar wind (Neutral Polar Wind). Likewise, on closed magnetic field lines, the upflowing ionospheric ions can charge exchange with the background neutrals, and this produces neutral streams in the plasmasphere (Neutral Plasmasphere Wind). Coupled models of the ionosphere-polar wind-exosphere and ionosphere-plasmasphere-exosphere were used to elucidate the basic characteristics of these neutral streams. An important result is that the neutral O streams typically do not have sufficient energy to escape in both the polar wind and plasmasphere, and they rain down on the global thermosphere (Neutral Rain). The downward streaming neutral O atoms pass through the exobase at 500–600 km and provide a source of momentum and energy for the thermosphere. The results presented here correspond to a focused modeling study that was presented at the Ionospheric Effects Symposium (May 2008).
Sequential logic of polarity determination during the haploid-to-diploid transition in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In many organisms, the geometry of encounter of haploid germ cells is arbitrary. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the resulting zygotes have been seen to bud asymmetrically in several directions as they produce diploid progeny. What mechanisms account for the choice of direction, and do the mechanisms directing polarity change over time? Distinct subgroups of cortical “landmark” proteins guide budding by haploid versus diploid cells, both of which require the Bud1/Rsr1 GTPase to link landmarks to actin. We observed that as mating pairs of haploid cells form zygotes, bud site specification progresses through three phases. The first phase follows disassembly and limited scattering of proteins that concentrated at the zone of cell contact, followed by their reassembly to produce a large medial bud. Bud1 is not required for medial placement of the initial bud. The second phase produces a contiguous bud(s) and depends on axial landmarks. As the titer of the Axl1 landmark diminishes, the third phase ultimately redirects budding toward terminal sites and is promoted by bipolar landmarks. Thus, following the initial random encounter that specifies medial budding, sequential spatial choices are orchestrated by the titer of a single cortical determinant that determines whether successive buds will be contiguous to their predecessors.
Approximation methods to evaluate the effect of axial dispersion in isothermal flow reactors

Two quasi-analytical methods are given for the approximate solution of the nonlinear differential equation governing the effect of longitudinal dispersion on the concentration profile in an isothermal flow reactor with reaction orders other than zero or first. The first method converts the nonlinear differential equation and its boundary conditions into a nonlinear integral equation which is solved by iteration, while the second method generates approximate solutions by considering axial dispersion as a perturbation on the reaction kinetics. By using the perturbation method a dimensionless group has been generated that is characteristic of the interaction between axial diffusion and reaction kinetics. It is also demonstrated that an axial dispersion coefficient characteristic of Taylor diffusion can be applied in the presence of a reaction of any order and that the effect of depletion of concentration by chemical reaction is to aid in the reduction of radial concentration gradients. Deux methodes quasi-analytiques sont donnees pour la solution approchee de l'equation differentielle non-lineaire relative a la dispersion longitudinale du profil des concentrations pour les reactions autres que celles du premier degre dans un reacteur a ecoulement isothermique. La premiere methode consiste dans la conversion de l'equation differentielle non-lineaire et de ses conditions limites en une equation integrate non-lineaire qui est resolue par iteration. La seconde methode consiste a creer des solutions approximatives en considerant la dispersion axiale comme perturbation de la cinetique de la reaction. En utilisant cette methode de perturbation un groupe sans dimensions, caracteristique de l'interaction entre la diffusion axiale et la cinetique de la reaction, a ete genere. II est aussi demontre qu'un coefficient de dispersion axiale, caracteeristique de la diffusion Taylor, peut-ětre applique en presence d'une reaction de tout degre et que l'effet d'amoindrir la concentration par reaction chimique est d'attenuer les gradients de concentration radiale.
IGF2/H19 hypomethylation is tissue, cell, and CpG site dependent and not correlated with body asymmetry in adolescents with Silver-Russell syndrome

Background Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is characterized by severe intrauterine and postnatal growth failure and frequent body asymmetry. Half of the patients with SRS carry a DNA hypomethylation of the imprinting center region 1 (ICR1) of the insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2)/H19 locus, and the clinical phenotype is most severe in these patients. We aimed to elucidate the epigenetic basis of asymmetry in SRS and the cellular consequences of the ICR1 hypomethylation.
Topical Menthol, Ice, Peripheral Blood Flow, and Perceived Discomfort

Context: Injury management commonly includes decreasing arterial blood flow to the affected site in an attempt to reduce microvascular blood flow and edema and limit the induction of inflammation. Applied separately, ice and menthol gel decrease arterial blood flow, but the combined effects of ice and menthol gel on arterial blood flow are unknown. Objectives: To compare radial artery blood flow, arterial diameter, and perceived discomfort before and after the application of 1 of 4 treatment conditions. Design: Experimental crossover design. Setting: Clinical laboratory. Participants or Other Participants: Ten healthy men, 9 healthy women (mean age ¼ 25.68 years, mean height ¼ 1.73 m, mean weight ¼ 76.73 kg). Intervention(s): Four treatment conditions were randomly applied for 20 minutes to the right forearm of participants on 4 different days separated by at least 24 hours: (1) 3.5 mL menthol gel, (2) 0.5 kg of crushed ice, (3) 3.5 mL of menthol gel and 0.5 kg of crushed ice, or (4) no treatment (control). Main Outcome Measure(s): Using high-resolution ultrasound, we measured right radial artery diameter (cm) and blood flow (mL/min) every 5 minutes for 20 minutes after the treatment was applied. Discomfort with the treatment was documented using a 1-to-10 intensity scale. Results: Radial artery blood flow decreased (P , .05) from baseline in the ice (� 20% to � 24%), menthol (� 17% to � 24%), and ice and menthol (� 36% to � 39%) treatments but not in the control (3% to 9%) at 5, 10, and 15 minutes. At 20 minutes after baseline, only the ice (� 27%) and combined ice and menthol (� 38%) treatments exhibited reductions in blood flow (P , .05). Discomfort was less with menthol than with the ice treatment at 5, 10, and 20 minutes after application (P , .05). Arterial diameter and heart rate did not change. Conclusions: The application of 3.5 mL of menthol was similar to the application of 0.5 kg of crushed ice in reducing peripheral blood flood. Combining crushed ice with menthol appeared to have an additive effect on reducing blood flow.
Ascending elevator accidents: give the miner a brake

Over a five-year period in the USA, there were at least 18 documented cases of ascending elevators striking the overhead structure. In some cases, the accidents resulted in serious injuries or fatalities. These accidents occurred on counter-weighted elevators as a result of electrical, mechanical, and structural failures. Elevator cars are fitted with safeties that grip the guide rails and stop a falling car; however, these devices do not provide protection in the upward direction. Rules and regulations applying to elevator safety have come under review in response to these accidents. Some governing authorities have already revised their regulations to require ascending car overspeed protection. Basic elevator design, hazards, regulations, and emergency braking systems designed to provide ascending car overspeed protection are discussed. A case-study report on a pneumatic rope brake system installed and tested on a mine elevator is also discussed. >
Bacterial enzymes that can deglycate glucose- and fructose-modified lysine.

Deglycating enzymes, i.e. enzymes that reverse the initial stage of the Maillard reaction between glucose and primary amines, are known to occur in mammalian, fungal and other eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. In this issue of Biochemical Journal, Wiame et al. now report the existence of bacterial enzymes and an operon that control the metabolism and deglycation of glucoselysine 6-phosphate, i.e. the phosphorylated condensation product of fructose and ϵ-aminolysine. The discovery has broad implications for bacterial metabolism and possibly for the repair of protein damage by fructose.
Aqueous-Based Polymeric Dispersion: Face- Centered Cubic Design for the Development of Atenolol Gastrointestinal Therapeutic System

The main objective of the study was to use the statistical response surface methodology to evaluate the effect of formulation variables and their interaction on drug release in atenolol gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) development coated with cellulose acetate (CA) pseudolatex system. A three-factor, three-level, face-centered design was employed to evaluate the quadratic response surface, and to achieve the desired response in atenolol delivery. Coating was achieved by spraying plasticized CA pseudolatex on atenolol bilayered tablets in a Uni-Glatt fluidized-bed coater. The independent variables were orifice size (X1), percent coating weight gain (X2) and Carbopol 934P (X3). The response variable (Y1) was time for 50% (t50%) drug dissolution with a constraint on cumulative percent released in 24 hr (Y2). The polynomial equation obtained was Y1 = 61.88 - 3779.8X1 + 1.89X2 - 3.95X3 - 266.87 X1X2 - 1675X1X3 + 0.07X2X3 + 215123X1(2) + 0.06X2(2) + 0.10X3(2). Contour and response plots were used to relate the independent and dependent variables. The optimization procedure predicted a t50% of 10.83 hr with 92% atenolol release in 24 hr when orifice size (X1), percent coating weight gain (X2), and Carbopol 934P (X3) were 0.014 in., 13%, and 20 mg, respectively. Preparation and testing of optimized formulation showed a good correlation between the predicted and observed values.
Cannabinoid CB1 antagonists and dopamine antagonists produce different effects on a task involving response allocation and effort-related choice in food-seeking behavior.

Rationale Cannabinoid CB1 antagonists/inverse agonists suppress food-motivated behaviors and are being evaluated as potential appetite suppressants. It has been suggested that the effects of CB1 antagonism on food motivation could be related to actions on mesolimbic dopamine (DA). If this were true, then the effects of interference with cannabinoid CB1 transmission should closely resemble the effects of interference with DA transmission.
Effect of continuous quality improvement analysis on the delivery of primary percutaneous revascularization for acute myocardial infarction: a community hospital experience.

As time to reperfusion correlates with outcomes, a door-to-balloon time of 90 ± 30 min for primary percutaneous coronary revascularization (PCI) for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction has been recently established as a guideline by the ACC/AHA. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of a continuous quality assurance program designed to expedite primary angioplasty at a community hospital. A database of all primary PCI procedures was created in 1998. Two groups of consecutive patients treated with primary PCI were studied. Group 1 represented patients in the time period between 1 June 1998 to 1 November 1998 and group 2 represented patients in the period between 1 January 2000 and 16 June 2000. Continuous quality assurance analysis was performed. Modifications to the primary angioplasty program were initiated in the latter group. Time intervals to certain treatment landmarks were compared between the groups. Significant decreases in the time intervals from emergency room registration to initial electrocardiogram (8.4 ± 8.2 vs. 3.7 ± 19.5 min; P < 0.001), presentation to the catheterization laboratory to arterial access (13.5 ± 12.9 vs. 11.6 ± 5.8 min; P < 0.001), and emergency room registration to initial angioplasty balloon inflation (132.0 ± 69.2 vs. 112 ± 72.0 min; P < 0.001) were achieved. For the subgroup of patients presenting with diagnostic ST elevation myocardial infarction, a large decrease in the door-to-balloon time interval between group 1 and group 2 was demonstrated (114.15 ± 9.67 vs. 87.92 ± 10.93 min; P = NS), resulting in compliance with ACC/AHA guidelines. Continuous quality improvement analysis can expedite care for patients treated by primary PCI in the community hospital setting. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2005;64:428–433. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cellular Automaton Modeling of Alloy Solidification Using Local Anisotropy Rules

The evolution of dendritic morphology is simulated for a binary alloy using a two-dimensional cellular automaton growth algorithm. Solute diffusion is modeled with an alternate-direction implicit finite difference technique. Interface curvature and kinetic anisotropy are implemented through configurational terms which are incorporated into the growth potential used by the automaton. The weighting of the anisotropy term is explored and shown to be essential for overcoming grid-induced anisotropy, permitting more realistic development of dendritic morphologies. Dendritic structures are generated for both uniform and directional cooling conditions.
Oral rapid loading of valproic acid—An alternative to the usual saturation scheme?

Valproic acid (VPA) is considered to be a drug of first choice for the therapy of generalized and focal epilepsies. Due to its broad field of application and its good compatibility, VPA is one of the most frequently prescribed antiepileptic drugs (AED) worldwide. Previous studies have examined the safety and tolerability of rapid intravenous-loaded VPA in the treatment of epilepsy and status epilepticus, but rapid oral loading has not been evaluated in paediatrics systematically in the past. The standard titration scheme takes 10-14 days, some physicians prefer a slower titration of up to 4 weeks. At many institutes, especially children are treated as inpatients until the desired dosage is reached. This causes high costs to the health system and is very inconvenient for the families affected. We have developed a new loading scheme to achieve a therapeutic serum level on the third day of treatment, in order to minimize the time between the beginning of the therapy and reaching the therapeutic serum level. This is the first attempt at doing this with VPA for children with epilepsy.
Supply networks and complex adaptive systems: Control versus emergence

In much of the current literature on supply chain management, supply networks are recognized as a system. In this paper, we take this observation to the next level by arguing the need to recognize supply networks as a complex adaptive system (CAS). We propose that many supply networks emerge rather than result from purposeful design by a singular entity. Most supply chain management literature emphasizes negative feedback for purposes of control; however, the emergent patterns in a supply network can much better be managed through positive feedback, which allows for autonomous action. Imposing too much control detracts from innovation and flexibility; conversely, allowing too much emergence can undermine managerial predictability and work routines. Therefore, when managing supply networks, managers must appropriately balance how much to control and how much to let emerge. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Neuroendocrine Tumors (Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine Carcinoma) Presenting at Extra-appendiceal Sites in Childhood and Adolescence

Abstract Objective.—Epithelial neuroendocrine neoplasms arising outside the appendix are extremely rare in the pediatric population. We reviewed the clinicopathologic characteristics of 13 carcinoid tumors and neuroendocrine carcinomas presenting at extra-appendiceal sites to better characterize this rare set of neoplasms in childhood. Design.—The pathology archives of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Children's Hospital were searched for cases of carcinoid tumor and neuroendocrine carcinoma arising at extra-appendiceal sites in children. Hematoxylin-eosin–stained sections and, when available, immunohistochemistry, electron photomicrographs and gross photographs were reviewed. The tumors were classified as either carcinoid tumor or neuroendocrine carcinoma based upon histopathologic features. Demographic information was obtained from review of the surgical pathology reports, autopsy reports, and clinical charts. Patients.—The study population included 8 males and 5 females, ranging in age from 8 to ...
Ultraporous β-tricalcium phosphate alone or combined with bone marrow aspirate for benign cavitary lesions: comparison in a prospective randomized clinical trial.

Background: Ultraporous β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) synthetic graft material (Vitoss; Orthovita) persists for a year or longer in some cases. In this study, we prospectively examined healing of cavitary defects filled with TCP versus TCP and bone marrow aspirate (TCP/BM) with the hypothesis that bone-marrow aspirate speeds incorporation of bone graft substitute. Methods: Fifty-five patients with a benign bone lesion undergoing surgical curettage were randomized to receive TCP (N = 26; mean duration of follow-up [and standard deviation], 20.2 ± 7.2 months) or TCP/BM (N = 29; mean duration of follow-up, 18.0 ± 7.7 months). There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to demographic or defect parameters. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were done at 1.5, three, six, twelve, eighteen, and twenty-four months, and computed tomography [CT] scans were performed at twelve months. An independent radiographic review was done to evaluate six parameters. Results: There was a significant (p < 0.001) increase in trabeculation through the defect and graft resorption with decreases in the persistence of the graft in both soft tissue and the defect as well as a decreased radiolucent rim around the graft over time. No significant differences were observed between the TCP and TCP/BM groups in terms of any radiographic parameter. No complications related to the graft material or BM were identified. Conclusions: While significant improvements in radiographic parameters were observed in both TCP groups over two years of follow-up, the addition of BM was not found to provide any significant benefit. Results should not be extrapolated to other bone graft substitutes used for this purpose. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
19F nuclear magnetic resonance measurement of the distance between the E-site GTP and the high-affinity Mg2+ in tubulin.

The distance separating the divalent metal ion high-affinity binding site and the exchangeable nucleotide binding site on tubulin was evaluated by using high-resolution /sup 19/F NMR. The /sup 31/P and /sup 19/F NMR spectra of guanosine 5'-(..gamma..-fluorotriphosphate) (GTP(..gamma..F)) were studied. Both the fluorine and the ..gamma..-phosphate were split into a doublet with a coupling constant of 936 Hz. Tubulin purified according to the method of Weisenberg was incubated with 1 mM Mn/sup 2 +/. After one cycle of assembly, Mn/sup 2 +/ only partially, i.e., 60% at the high-affinity binding site. After colchicine treatment of tubulin to stabilize it, GTP(..gamma..F) was added, and the 254-MHz fluorine-19 relaxation rates were measured within the first 4 h. Longitudinal and transversal relaxation rates were determined at two concentrations of GTP(..gamma..F) and variable concentrations of colchicine-tubulin-Mn(II) (paramagnetic complex) or the ternary complex with magnesium diamagnetic complex). The analysis of the relaxation data indicates that the rate of exchange of GTP(..gamma..F) from the exchangeable nucleotide site has a lower limit of 8.7 x 10/sup 4/ s/sup -1/ and the metal and exchangeable nucleotide binding sites are separated by an upper distance between 6 and 8 A. These data confirm that the high-affinity divalent cation sitemore » is situated in the same locus as that of the exchangeable nucleotide, forming a metal-nucleotide complex.« less
Equality, Responsibility, and Culture: A Comment on Alan Patten’s Equal Recognition

Alan Patten presents his account of minority rights as broadly continuous with Ronald Dworkin’s theory of equality of resources. This paper challenges this claim. I argue that, contra Patten, Dworkin’s theory does not provide a basis to offer accommodations or minority rights, as a matter of justice, to some citizens who find themselves at a relative disadvantage in pursuing their plans of life after voluntarily changing their cultural or religious commitments.
Treading on antiquity: anglo-american missionaries and the religious landscape of nineteenth-century coptic egypt

ABSTRACTAnglo-American missionaries traveled to Egypt in the nineteenth century in the hopes of revitalizing the Christian minority living under the Ottomans. They quickly realized that the Coptic Church, whose antiquity carried back to the first century, did not welcome or desire assistance from the Protestants. The missionaries were part of a larger colonial movement in the Middle East that drew them into direct contact with a material culture different from their own. The materiality of the Coptic Church, with its icons, Coptic manuscripts, monuments, and valued monastic hierarchy of saints, provided the rhetorical base for missionaries to articulate the deficiencies of the Copts in favor of the enlightened teachings of the Protestants. A complex layer of iconic images of the desolate desert, the lifeless tomb, and fanatics in the monasteries helped substantiate the colonial claim that Coptic Christianity was a ruined monument, akin to the ruined temples of antiquity. Travelogs and narratives of Anglo-...
Compositional Analysis and High Resolution Imaging of Grain Boundaries in Pr-DOPED ZnO Ceramics

An electron microscopy investigation has been conducted in ZnO:Pr:Co varistor structures prepared by a new in-diffusion method. It has been shown that some boundaries host intergranular precipitates of a Pr x O y -based phase. All observations lead to the conclusion that grain boundaries exhibit Pr segregation, while Co is homogeneously distributed in the ZnO matrix. No continuous intermediate layer is present at the ZnO/ZnO boundary nor at the Pr 2 O 3 /ZnO interfaces. This is consistent with a barrier model based solely on a space charge depletion region(s).
Note on Attitudes Toward the United Nations: An Experiment in Attitude Change

fringe areas) appears to be about 4 to 1, and even here an explanation is in order. The economic difficulties, the parental dissatisfactions, etc., which rise up to plague the marriages of youthful persons are matters which do not handicap persons marrying after they have attained their legal majority and begin their economic independence. Parents are known to exert their legal rights to break up the marriages of under-age youth. If assistance were given quite generally, in place of interference, the results found here might be different. This factor seems to matter more in upper-occupational groups, and this may well be the reason in some "happiness" studies for the association found between age at marriage and the happiness rating of the marriage. Most important of all it should be realized that "forced" marriages, or marriages whose sole purpose is to establish paternity, are concentrated in the younger ages. To expect marriages begun under such circumstances to show even an average success is not reasonable. When, therefore, we make allowance for this factor the meaning of the divorce ratios shown in the age at marriage tables is greatly modified. Hence, if we are thinking of marriages of youthful persons which receive parental approval and such help as is ordinarily extended to newly-weds, and which are freely entered into, it appears that youthful marriages may be more hazardous but that the dangers are much less than these figures roughly indicate. The tide of youthful marriages since the close of World War II might change in time the attitudes of adults regarding such marriages. It is certain that the alteration in the pattern of age at marriage in the United States has been too small to account in any important way for the consistent rise in the divorce rate over the past 50 years. Of itself, age at marriage does not appear to be a major point of difficulty in family life.
Analysis of HIV voluntary counseling and testing in Xinyang city during 2008-2011

Objective To analyze Voluntary Counsel and Testing Service in xinyang district in 2008-2011, and provide basis for prevention and control measure of AIDS. Methods The demographic and behavioral data of VCT clients were collected and their risk behaviors and results of HIV tests were statistically analyzed. Results The 21855 counseling person-time received the HIV antibody test, the positive detection rate is 1.17 %. The positive rate of counseling people between the high-risk population was higher than that non-high-risk population(P0.05). Heterosexual sex in different years, the composition of the HIV antibody was statistically significant(P0.05). Conclusion Strengthen publicity and training of VCT services. Particularly for prostitution, high-risk groups such as MSM, interventions have been carried out, should be read in conjunction with HIV testing and counseling cards and brochures issued through outreach services, to further promote the VCT work in the in-depth development of the high-risk groups.
Flaws in the Reform of "Too Big to Fail" in U.S.: Critical Analysis of Orderly Liquidation System in Dodd——Frank Act

The Failure of financial institutions of systemic importance will cause the system-wide debacle.But the application of Too-Big-to-Fail policy to prevent the problem may also provide an implied government guarantee which generates moral hazard in financial institutions and make them overtake risky business.Orderly Liquidation System in Dodd-Frank Act tries to solve this dilemma but fails to address the problems successfully due to some flaws in its core regimes.