cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Biochemistry of Human Disease course for undergraduate and graduate students

Abstract This paper describes the experience of members of a medical school faculty who have been offering for more than 10 years a two-course series in the biochemistry of human disease to undergraduate students majoring in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry. Each of the two 3-credit courses meets twice a week for 90 min per session. The courses are divided into five three-week blocs (total number of sessions per bloc, six), each of which is taught by a different instructor. The sixth and last class in each of the blocs is devoted to an exam; there is no cumulative final exam. The topics that are covered include the following: diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, Alzheimer's disease, trophoblastic diseases of pregnancy, molecular and cellular mechanisms of cancer (including chemical carcinogenesis), disorders of calcium metabolism, biochemical and nutritional causes of anemia, collagen diseases, and gene replacement therapy. The various teaching formats and kinds of reading assignments that are used are discussed, as are the reactions of selected faculty who have participated in these courses. The positive experience we have had with a bloc approach to topics-based, multi-instructor courses in human disease should encourage basic science faculty at other medical schools in the US and elsewhere to become involved in teaching specialized, advanced courses to undergraduate, pre-professional students.
Anabolic effects of parathyroid hormone on cortical bone in ovariectomized rats

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine whether PTH has anabolic effects on cortical bone in ovariectomized (OVX) rats similar to those previously observed in cancellous bone. Groups of OVX rats were untreated for the first 4 weeks postovariectomy followed by treatment for 5-, 10-, or 15-week periods with vehicle, estrogen, the bisphosphonate risedronate (NE-58095), PTH, PTH + estrogen or PTH + NE-58095. A group of sham-operated control rats was treated with vehicle alone. Cross sections of the tibial diaphysis immediately proximal to the tibiofibular junction were subjected to quantitative bone histomorphometry. In comparison to vehicle-treated control rats, the following structural changes were detected in cortical bone of OVX rats after 15 weeks of vehicle treatment: increased cortical bone tissue area, increased cortical bone area, and a trend for increased bone marrow area. Indices of periosteal bone formation were increased in vehicle-treated OVX rats at 5 weeks, but declined to control levels at the later time points. In addition, vehicle-treated OVX rats exhibited a nonsignificant trend for increased endocortical bone formation relative to vehicle-treated control rats throughout most of the study. Estrogen, but not NE-58095, prevented most of the changes in cortical bone structure associated with ovariectomy. In comparison to vehicle treatment of OVX rats, estrogen decreased both periosteal and endocortical bone formation whereas NE-58095 decreased endocortical, but not periosteal, bone formation. Treatment of OVX rats with PTH alone increased cortical bone area and width as well as decreased bone marrow area compared to vehicle-treated OVX rats. The PTH-induced increase in cortical bone mass was associated with a marked increase in periosteal and endocortical bone formation at 5 weeks of treatment. Afterwards, cortical bone formation in PTH-treated OVX rats declined toward the levels of vehicle-treated control and OVX rats. Concurrent treatment of OVX rats with PTH + estrogen or PTH + NE-58095 blunted somewhat the stimulatory effect of PTH on cortical bone formation, but presumably inhibited endocortical bone resorption as well. As a result, the increase in cortical bone area induced by the concurrent treatments was nearly identical to that of PTH alone. The data indicate that PTH, in contrast to estrogen and NE-58095, stimulates cortical bone formation and augments cortical bone mass in the tibial diaphysis of OVX rats. In this animal model, our findings do not support the contention that PTH augments cancellous bone at the expense of cortical bone in the estrogen-deplete skeleton.
Epidemiology, trends, and morbidities of obesity and the metabolic syndrome.

Obesity has been described as an epidemic because of the rapid increase in the number of overweight and obese individuals over the past 20 yr. This increasing prevalence of obesity is a worldwide phenomenon affecting both children and adults. The metabolic syndrome is a constellation of central adiposity, impaired fasting glucose, elevated blood pressure, and dyslipidemia (high triglyceride and low HDL cholesterol). When three of these five criteria are present, the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes is increased 1.5-to 2-fold. As body weight, expressed as the BMI, rises, there are a number of other diseases that are associated with it. First, life spain is shortened and the risk of sudden death increases. Second, the risk of diabetes, gall bladder disease, hypertension, heart disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and certain forms of cancer also increase.
Ab initio study of selective fluorescence quenching of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The mechanism of selective fluorescence quenching of alternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by nitromethane has been investigated using ab initio calculations. Initial studies using 10 archetypal configurationsof pyrene (an alternant PAH) and nitromethane established trends in the attractive and repulsive interactions between the two molecules. In general, the computed energy of interaction in the ground and excited states correlated with the orientation of the dipole moment of nitromethane with respect to the electrostatic potential of pyrene. In addition, many local minima were found on the potential energy surface; hence, two representative configurations (one attractive and one repulsive) were explored in detail. Calculations of the interaction of pyrene and fluoranthene (a nonalternant isomer of pyrene) with nitromethane were also conducted as a function of intermolecular separation distance. Two main routes were found for deactivation of the excited-state PAHs by nitromethane: direct energy transfer to the quencher or formation of a fluorophore-quencher ion pair. In studies of their various excited states, pyrene showed an energetically feasible path to an ion pair, whereas fluoranthene did not. In addition, simulation of PAH-solvent complexes showed that neither isomer formed energetically reasonable ion pairs with acetonitrile. Therefore, the selectivity of nitromethane for pyrene appears to be based on the relative ease with which these molecules form an ion pair and then undergo back electron transfer to regenerate the ground state.
Growth hormone, somatomedin and cartilage sulfation in failure of catch-up growth after propylthiouracil-induced hypothyroidism in the rat.

Male Long-Evans rats 36 to 39 days of age were fed a diet containing 0.1% propylthiouracil (PTU) for 17 to 20 days followed by the resumption of normal diet. Growth rates of body weight and tail length decreased during PTU treatment and increased during recovery; yet only slight catch-up (compensatory) growth occurred in either body weight or tail length. Although serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations (radioimmunoassay) decreased significantly during PTU treatment, they returned to normal by recovery day 14. Pituitary immunoassayable growth hormone (GH) content and concentration dropped during PTU-feeding. By recovery day 14 there was significant, but incomplete, repletion of the gland. Serum GH during ether anesthesia was increased significantly during PTU treatment; it remained elevated (NS) and showed greater variability during recovery than in controls. Bioassayable serum somatomedin (Sm) activity decreased during PTU treatment in one of two experiments but returned to a normal level by ...
Regulation of MYC expression and differential JQ1 sensitivity in cancer cells.

High level MYC expression is associated with almost all human cancers. JQ1, a chemical compound that inhibits MYC expression is therapeutically effective in preclinical animal models in midline carcinoma, and Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL). Here we show that JQ1 does not inhibit MYC expression to a similar extent in all tumor cells. The BL cells showed a ∼90% decrease in MYC transcription upon treatment with JQ1, however, no corresponding reduction was seen in several non-BL cells. Molecularly, these differences appear due to requirements of Brd4, the most active version of the Positive Transcription Elongation Factor B (P-TEFb) within the Super Elongation Complex (SEC), and transcription factors such as Gdown1, and MED26 and also other unknown cell specific factors. Our study demonstrates that the regulation of high levels of MYC expression in different cancer cells is driven by unique regulatory mechanisms and that such exclusive regulatory signatures in each cancer cells could be employed for targeted therapeutics.
Coe1 in Beta vulgaris L. Has a Tnp2-Domain DNA Transposase Gene within Putative LTRs and Other Retroelement-Like Features

We describe discovery in Beta vulgaris L. of Coe1, a DNA transposase gene within putative long terminal repeats (LTRs), and other retrotransposon-like features including both a retroviral-like hypothetical gene and an Rvt2-domain reverse transcriptase pseudogene. The central DNA transposase gene encodes, in eight exons, a predicted 160-KDa protein producing BLAST alignments with En/Spm-type transposons. Except for a stop signal, another ORF encodes a Ty1-copia-like reverse transcriptase with amino acid sequence domain YVDDIIL. Outside apparent LTRs, an 8-mer nucleotide sequence motif CACTATAA, near or within inverted repeat sequences, is hypothetical extreme termini. A genome scan of Arabidopsis thaliana found another example of a Tnp2-domain transposase gene within an apparent LTR-retrotransposon on chromosome 4.
Expansion: Dermatologic surgery enters the 21st century

Abstract Dermatology is now unquestionably both a medical and surgical discipline. 1 The development of dermatologic surgery during the 1970s and 1980s has been spectacular. The recent disciplines of dermatologic plastic surgery 2 and dermatologic cosmetic surgery bespeak the diversity of newly acquired surgical skills. The guiding light of dermatologie surgery during this period has been The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). It was created in the early 1970s to disseminate surgical skills. The Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology became the official publication for the ASDS and The International Society for Dermatologic Surgery. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has responded admirably to this surgical inclination. Its national meeting program, once bereft of surgery, now has more than one third of the curriculum surgically oriented. 3 The ASDS and AAD include in their programs advanced surgical courses featuring chemical peeling, blepharoplasty, rhytidectomy, liposuction, skin grafts and flaps, and other reconstructive procedures.
Differences in Nucleotide Metabolism and Mechanical Recovery after Cardioplegic Arrest of the Heart at Different Age

Number of metabolic processes in the heart such as calcium handling or nucleotide metabolism, are known to be modified during ageing.1–3 Although several studies have evaluated the effect of differences in nucleotide metabolism of on the recovery of the heart after normothermic ischemia, little is known about its relationship with cardiac function after cardioplegic arrest and hypothermic ischemia, mimicking preservation for cardiac transplantation. In this study, we evaluated the association between concentration of purine nucleotides and functional recovery of the rat heart at different ages, after cardioplegic arrest and hypothermic ischemia.
Sodium dodecyl sulfate Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as a method for studying the stability of subtilisin

A simple method has been developed to study the stability of subtilisin. Protein incubated at various temperatures in the presence of proteinase inhibitor was subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and showed a transition from the intact state to the unfolded state between 55 degrees C and 65 degrees C. Additionally, autolysis was also observed above 65 degrees C. In the absence of inhibitor, similar results were obtained below 55 degrees C; however, above 65 degrees C no protein of any size was observed due to extensive autolysis. These results demonstrate that SDS-PAGE can trap subtilisin in the state in which the protein existed prior to the analysis. It can be used to identify the different forms, including autolysis products, of the protein generated by heat denaturation. This method was used to study SDS-induced unfolding of aprA-subtilisin. When the protein was incubated with 0.25% SDS at different NaCl concentrations, a gradual increase in unfolding was observed with increasing NaCl concentration. This change paralleled a decrease in the critical micelle concentration of SDS, indicating that the rate of unfolding of aprA-subtilisin increases with increasing SDS micelle concentration. No detectable unfolding was observed below the critical micelle concentration.
Natural Convection as a Heat Engine: A Theory for CAPE

On many planets there is a continuous heat supply to the surface and a continuous emission of infrared radiation to space by the atmosphere. Since the heat source is located at higher pressure than the heat sink, the system is capable of doing mechanical work. Atmospheric convection is a natural heat engine that might operate in this system. Based on the heat engine framework, a simple theory is presented for atmospheric convection that predicts the buoyancy, the vertical velocity, and the fractional area covered by either dry or moist convection in a state of statistical equilibrium. During one cycle of the convective heat engine, heat is taken from the surface layer (the hot source) and a portion of it is rejected to the free troposphere (the cold sink) from where it is radiated to space. The balance is transformed into mechanical work. The mechanical work is expended in the maintenance of the convective motions against mechanical dissipation. Ultimately, the energy dissipated by mechanical friction is transformed into heat. Then, a fraction of the dissipated energy is radiated to space while the remaining portion is recycled by the convecting air parcels. Increases in the fraction of energy dissipated at warmer temperature, at the expense of decreases in the fraction of energy dissipated at colder temperatures, lead to increases in the apparent efficiency of the convective heat engine. The volume integral of the work produced by the convective heat engine gives a measure of the statistical equilibrium amount of convective available potential energy (CAPE) that must be present in the planet's atmosphere so that the convective motions can be maintained against viscous dissipation. This integral is a fundamental global number qualifying the state of the planet in statistical equilibrium conditions. For the earth's present climate, the heat engine framework predicts a CAPE value of the order of 1000 J kg^−1 for the tropical atmosphere. This value is in agreement with observations. It also follows from our results that the total amount of CAPE present in a convecting atmosphere should increase with increases in the global surface temperature (or the atmosphere's opacity to infrared radiation).
Noninterruption of warfarin therapy is safe and does not compromise outcome in patients undergoing endovenous laser therapy (EVLT).

Objective: To assess the need for cessation of oral anticoagulation with warfarin for patients undergoing endovenous laser therapy (EVLT). Methods: Between September 2004 and July 2010, 518 patients underwent 770 EVLT procedures on the lower extremity, at our institution. Of these patients, 5 underwent a total of 12 separate lower extremity EVLT procedures for the treatment of symptomatic reflux without interruption of warfarin therapy. Results: No bleeding complications were observed during the procedure or in early follow-up. None of the patients developed a deep venous thrombosis. Complete ablation of the target vessel was observed in all patients on follow-up Duplex ultrasounds at 1 and 8 weeks postintervention. Conclusion: Endovenous laser therapy can be safely performed and does not compromise target vessel ablation in patients receiving oral anticoagulation warfarin therapy. Warfarin therapy should not be routinely interrupted in patients undergoing this procedure.
Increasing Teachers' Confidence and Pedagogical Content Knowledge Through a Workshop and Follow-Up Program on Climate Change

ABSTRACT An Earth science professional-development program for in-service middle- and high-school teachers increased participants' content knowledge about weather, climate, and climate change in addition to increasing their confidence in their assessment and teaching skills. The curriculum and funding gave them time, funding, and the help of content and pedagogic experts to build and test new lesson plans on these topics. During the summer workshop, the teachers participated in field trips, hands-on laboratory experiences, and cooperative inquiry projects. They studied weather and mechanisms that determine climate during the first week. The second week focused on geologic time and changes in the Earth system that drive climate changes on long timescales. The major topic for the third week was anthropogenic climate change. During the workshop, the teachers designed lesson plans for multiday units on workshop topics. The teachers took a content pretest at the start of the summer workshop and a post-test at ...
Randomized trial of salbutamol via metered‐dose inhaler with spacer versus nebulizer for acute wheezing in children less than 2 years of age

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of salbutamol delivered via a metered-dose inhaler with a spacer and facial mask (MDI-S) vs. a nebulizer (NEB) for the treatment of acute exacerbations of wheezing in children. In a single-blind, prospective, randomized clinical trial, 123 outpatients (1-24 months of age), presenting with "moderate to severe" wheezing, were seen in the emergency department. Children were randomly assigned to one of two salbutamol treatment groups. In the first hour, the MDI-S group received 2 puffs (100 microg/puff) every 10 min for 5 doses, and the NEB group received 0.25 mg/kg every 13 min for 3 doses. If the clinical score was >5 at the end of the first hour, the patients received another hour of the same treatment and also betamethasone (0.5 mg/kg intramuscular). On enrollment and after the first and the second hour of treatment each child had a validated clinical score assigned by a blinded investigator. There were no differences at the time of admission to the emergency department between groups in clinical score or demographic data. Success (clinical score 0.05). We conclude that in this study population, children less than 2 years of age with moderate-severe exacerbations of wheezing responded faster to salbutamol delivered by MDI with a spacer and facial mask than to salbutamol delivered by nebulizer.
Photoinduced DNA cleavage by cyclopentadienyl metal complexes conjugated to DNA recognition elements.

DNA recognition elements have been attached to CpW(CO)3CH3 and CpW(CO)3Ph, which produce methyl and phenyl radicals that cleave DNA upon photolysis. The inclusion of binding moieties in 3 increases the efficiency but not the selectivity of strand scission over that seen in the simple unfunctionalized complex, while 11 cleaves preferentially at T sites within AT-rich tracts.
A Hamiltonian with periodic orbits having several delays

Abstract In 1974 Kaplan and Yorke introduced a certain delay equation with an arbitrary number of delays, x ′ ( t ) = - f ( x ( t - 1 ) ) - f ( x ( t - 2 ) ) - ⋯ - f ( x ( t - n ) ) , conjecturing that it has periodic solutions when f is an odd homeomorphism of the reals which is differentiable at the origin and infinity. By coupling the delay equation to a vector field on R n + 1 they were able to prove, when certain conditions on the derivative of f at 0 and ∞ are satisfied, one delay and two delay versions. We find that the closed orbits of the coupled vector field occur at the points of intersection of two hyperplane fields which are invariant under the flow and invariant under deformation to a linear vector field. By analyzing properties of the linear vector field we are able to give an elementary construction of [ n + 1 2 ] periodic solutions to the general delay equation when conditions naturally extending those of Kaplan and Yorke are satisfied.
Dynamic symmetry-breaking in a simple quantum model of magneto-electric rectification, optical magnetization, and harmonic generation

The state mixings necessary to mediate three new optical nonlinearities are shown to arise simultaneously and automatically in a 2-level atom with an l = 0 ground state and an l = 1 excited state that undergoes a sequence of electric and magnetic dipole-allowed transitions. The treatment is based on an extension of dressed state theory that includes quantized electric and magnetic field interactions. Magneto-electric rectification, transverse magnetization, and second-harmonic generation are shown to constitute a family of nonlinear effects that can take place regardless of whether inversion is a symmetry of the initial unperturbed system or not. Interactions driven jointly by the optical electric and magnetic fields produce dynamic symmetry-breaking that accounts for the frequency, the intensity dependence, and the polarization of induced magnetization in prior experiments. This strong field quantum model explains not only how a driven 2-level system may develop nonlinear dipole moments that are forbidden between or within its stationary states, but it also broadens the class of materials suitable for optical energy conversion applications and magnetic field generation with light so as to include all transparent dielectrics.
Retrospective evaluation of the effects of human disturbance and goldfish introduction on endangered Pahrump poolfish

Life history data for Pahrump poolfish (Empetrichthys latos latos) collected from 1937 to 1975 were organized and analyzed to improve our understanding of changes caused by human habitat disruption and introduced goldfish (Carassius auratus) at Manse Spring, Nevada. Pahrump poolfish twice demonstrated their ability to recover numerically from a population crash. The first crash followed a November 1961 introduction of a few goldfish and sub- sequent removal of vegetation by local ranch children intent on turning Manse Spring into a swimming hole. The sec- ond crash followed another major habitat disturbance resulting from an unsuccessful attempt to eradicate goldfish in July 1967. Each crash (1962-1963 and 1967-1968) reduced the poolfish population to fewer than 50 adults and was fol- lowed by a population recovery to more than 1000. Following the first habitat disruption, changes in poolfish population structure and poolfish diet were observed. These changes caused an increased mortality rate, resulting in disappearance or decline in relative abundance of larger poolfish size classes with a commensurate reduction in production of mature eggs by the population. We detected no additional changes in life history characteristics that could be associated with the second population crash and recovery. We concluded that removal of vegetation in the summer of 1962 and the more extreme habitat disruption and fish handling in June-July 1967 were human-induced pulse disturbances resulting in poolfish population crashes. We also concluded that the changes in poolfish life history characteristics resulted princi- pally from press disturbances attributable to goldfish.
The Use of Reverse-Phase Columns for Separation of Unsubstituted Carbohydrates

Abstract Reverse-phase chromatography can be used to separate unsubstituted oligosaccharides using water as the eluent. The retention time of the individual oligosaccharides was found to be dependent on the molecular weight of the oligosaccharide and the type and the anomeric configuration of the linkage. This technique can be used for characterizing polysaccharides based on identification of the oligosaccharide fractions obtained by partial acid hydrolysis or for the isolation and purification of oligosaccharides.
Comprehensive characterizations of contact, bulk and total resistance of strain-sensitive nanocomposite elastomer

Strain-sensitive, conductive nanocomposite elastomer is an emerging MEMS material. Here, we present comprehensive characterization of contact resistance between nanocomposite elastomers and metal electrodes for different contact areas, applied forces, and contact metals. Further, we report new findings regarding the strain dependence of bulk resistance. These lead to important guidelines for designing generic elastomeric force-sensing devices.
Quantum interference in the atomic fluorescence of entangled electron states

Abstract Two separated atoms, brought into a linear superposition of entangled excited states by optical excitation with correlated photons, manifest this entanglement by quantum interference in the fluorescent emission. The interference — a temporal beating at the Bohr frequency for transition between the excited states — appears only in the joint photon detection probability at two detectors, and not in the single-atom spontaneous emission at one detector. The properties of this quantum interference are very different from those previously predicted for an optically excited multi-atom system in that the beats (a) are insensitive to atomic motion, (b) permit macroscopic atomic separations, and (c) are engendered by photons whose spectral widths can be much smaller than the beat frequency.
Task-Specific Singing Dystonia: Vocal Instability That Technique Cannot Fix

Summary Objectives Singer's dystonia is a rare variation of focal laryngeal dystonia presenting only during specific tasks in the singing voice. It is underdiagnosed since it is commonly attributed to technique problems including increased muscle tension, register transition, or wobble. Singer's dystonia differs from technique-related issues in that it is task- and/or pitch-specific, reproducible and occurs independently from the previously mentioned technical issues.This case series compares and contrasts profiles of four patients with singer's dystonia to increase our knowledge of this disorder. Methods This retrospective case series includes a detailed case history, results of singing evaluations from individual voice teachers, review of singing voice samples by a singing voice specialist, evaluation by a laryngologist with endoscopy and laryngeal electromyography (LEMG), and spectral analysis of the voice samples by a speech-language pathologist. Results Results demonstrate the similarities and unique differences of individuals with singer's dystonia. Response to treatment and singing status varied from nearly complete relief of symptoms with botulinum toxin injections to minor relief of symptoms and discontinuation of singing. Conclusions The following are the conclusions from this case series: (1) singer's dystonia exists as a separate entity from technique issues, (2) singer's dystonia is consistent with other focal task–specific dystonias found in musicians, (3) correctly diagnosing singer's dystonia allows singer's access to medical treatment of dystonia and an opportunity to modify their singing repertoire to continue singing with the voice they have, and (4) diagnosis of singer's dystonia requires careful sequential multidisciplinary evaluation to isolate the instability and confirm dystonia by LEMG and spectral voice analysis.
Ultrafast Algorithms For Cloud Data Analysis

This paper describes a class of cloud detection algorithms that are well suited for implementations that provide ultrafast information about current cloud conditions. The algorithms can work on a variety of sensor data including data from satellites, radars and all-sky cameras. Using currently available VLSI technology, the algorithm implementations can generate information in less than five seconds after the sensor data are received.
Scripting Hate Crimes: Victim, Space and Perpetrator Defining Hate

Hate crime legislation is meant to address discrimination at a community level. The hate crime categorization involves the justice system and the media – who play a key role in the community's understanding of the act. In 2008 in Washington, DC, two separate attacks on gay men – one White, one African-American – were categorized differently. One was a hate crime; the other was not. This paper looks at the social scripts employed within the media and police statements that contextualize these events in terms of neighbourhood as well as the race, gender and sexuality of the victims and perpetrators.
Relative deprivation and referent cognitions

Abstract Determinants of relative deprivation were examined in a laboratory experiment. Discontent associated with relative deprivation was hypothesized to be a function of likelihood, or the perceived probability of actually obtaining a desired outcome under existing circumstances, and referent cognitions, which involve the subjunctive probability of obtaining that outcome under alternative (hypothetical) circumstances. Male and female undergraduates discovered that their alleged chances of receiving experimental credit were either poor (low likelihood) or good (high likelihood). They also learned that if a different procedure had been used, their chances of receiving credit would have been either poor (low referent) or good (high referent). Responses to a subsequent questionnaire indicated that whereas discontent did not differ by referent conditions under high likelihood, greater discontent was shown by low-likelihood/high-referent subjects than by low-likelihood/low-referent subjects. This low- versus high-referent difference under low likelihood was also found in two conceptual replications designed to eliminate any influence of social comparison. The relevance of this model to other findings and theoretical formulations is discussed.
Bone marrow alterations induced in mice with inhalation of chrysotile asbestos

The effect of chrysotile asbestos exposure on bone marrow and immune parameters was examined in mice at 2, 12, and 26 weeks following a 3-day inhalation exposure. Ultrastructural examination revealed that the fibers were deposited primarily at alveolar duct bifurcations within the centriacinar region of the lung. Histological pulmonary changes were minimal, but by 26 weeks early asbestosis characterized by clusters of macrophages and minimal fibrosis were present in the centriacinar region of the lung. Lymphoproliferative responses, antibody levels, and number of plaque forming cells were not significantly altered in exposed mice. Pulmonary macrophages, but not peritoneal macrophages, showed evidence of activation in the chrysotile-exposed mice at 26 weeks following exposure. The most striking change was the depression of the number of bone marrow pluripotent stem cells (CFU-S) and marrow granulocyte macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM) which were lower at all three postexposure examinations. It is felt that the depression of bone marrow progenitors in asbestos-exposed mice may have relevance to the leukopenia reported in workers with occupational history of asbestos exposure.
A naturalistic review of maintenance ECT at a university setting.

Summary This is a naturalistic review of maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) during the first 4 1/2 years of a university ECT service. A total of 56 patients, ages 30–84, received MECT. Patients could be classified under five different clinical groups: major depression; bipolar disorder; combined depression and axis 2 disorder; Parkinson's disease plus depression; and schizophrenia. Effectiveness in the different groups and issues related to partial improvement or treatment failure are discussed.
Radiolabeled blood cells: perspectives and directions.

Tennyson once said “Science moves but only slowly, crawling from point to point.” This is generally true, but progress in the field of radiolabeled cellular blood elements and their diagnostic applications, though only a dozen years old has continued to be rapid. Not only has the use of radiolabeled blood cells been explored in numerous experimental applications throughout the world but also radiolabeled autologous blood cells have found established routine applications (Thakur and Gottschalk, 1980; Thakur, 1985; Hardiman and Najean, 1984; Fueger, 1984; Britton et al., 1988; Freeman and Blaufox, 1984). The radiopharmaceuticals used in radiolabeling blood cells have entered into their third generation and the list continues to grow rapidly. Although “‘In-oxine, the so-called first generation agent remains most widely used, its weaknesses and disadvantages have become clearly apparent. Not only is “‘In a cyclotron produced radionuclide, requiring it to be ordered 2448 h ahead of its use, but “‘In-oxine is also nonspecific. This compels investigators to separate the required type of blood cells in vitro before incubating them with the radiopharmaceutical. The somewhat longer half life (t’,* = 2.8d) of the radionuclide adds to concern involving the radiation dose it delivers to certain critical organs. These problems have prompted investigators to search for better agents that may minimize or eliminate these drawbacks. Seemingly, irrespective of the type of agents developed, the emphasis has been on the use of 99mT~. The ease of its availability, together with its excellent physical characteristics have made this radionuclide so attractive that investigators are not deterred by the problems presented by its complex oxidation-reduction chemistry which results in the in viuo elution of tracer from labeled blood cells. For convenience of discussion, the agents have been divided into two groups, (a) in vitro agents and (b) in ho agents. The first group consists of agents that label blood cells in vitro, and the second encompasses those that label blood cells of choice in ho. It is not the purpose of this article to discuss each agent developed in recent years but to put into perspective the overall progress made in the field and the directions in which the field is headed.
Multiple Audience Rating Form Strategies for Student Evaluation of College Teaching.

Michael Scriven has suggested that student rating forms, for the purpose of evaluating college teaching, be designed for multiple audiences (instructor, administrator, student), and with a single global item for summative functions (determination of merit, retention, or promotion). This study reviewed approaches to rating form construction, e.g., factor analytic strategies of Marsh, and recommended the multiple audience design of Scriven. An empirical test of the representativeness of the single global item was reported from an analysis of 1,378 forms collected in a university department of education. The global item correlated most satisfactorily with other items, a computed total of items, items that represented underlying factors, and various triplets of items selected to represent all possible combinations of items. It was concluded that a multiple audience rating form showed distinct advantages in design and that the single global item most fairly and highly represented the overall teaching performance, as judged by students, for decisions about retention, promotion, and merit made by administrators.
Origin of staggered conformational preference in methanol

Building on recent work on ethane internal rotation, we present a Hartree−Fock analysis that determines the origin of the conformational preference in methanol. The conformational preference origin is not inferred from barrier studies but is analyzed directly, by determining conformations the molecule would assume when particular classes of interactions are missing. We find that it is the hyperconjugative, and not the steric, interactions that determine the equilibrium structure of methanol. Rehybridization effects and bond strength changes induced by skeletal relaxations accompanying internal rotation play a critical role in the torsional mechanism.
A bounding approach to multiarea probabilistic production costing

The expected production cost of a multiarea power system is estimated by constructing a sequence of upper and lower bounds. The approach uses a state space characterization of equipment availability and loads, combined with network optimization methods and standard load duration curve based production costing techniques. Convergence of the algorithms is proved. An illustrative application is presented. >
Enteral Nutrition Challenges in Home Case

Dietitians are now providing more in-home visits for patients receiving enteral nutrition. Some of the current and typical challenges are summarized in this case presentation of a 45-year-old man being cared for at home by his mother. This patient had brain injury after a stroke and had been at home on tube feeding for ≥10 years. The home care dietitian was able to acquire pharmacologic information and the tube feeding regimen from the family. However, laboratory values, recent weight, and documentation of the patient's progress were unavailable. Home care visits by the nursing agency were infrequent, and the patient saw the primary care physician only if there was a problem. The majority of information obtained by the dietitian was through physical assessment of nutritional status, talking with family members, and observation of care. This case dealt with multiple issues including chronic constipation, poor pharmacologic management, oral feeding by the family with risk of aspiration, fluid management, underfeeding and poor sanitation as a result of limited financial resources, and inability to assess accurately the patient's tolerance and response to changes in tube feeding. The dietitian was able to provide the home care agency and the family with some practical changes in the patient's regimen to improve his overall physical status. As is often the case, the home care agency allowed only one visit by the dietitian, so follow-up care was not available.
Effects of gas-adsorbate momentum transfer on the movement of a mobile adsorbed phase over a uniform surface

Etudes du degre d'influence des collisions gaz adsorbat, sur la diffusion superficielle d'une phase mobile adsorbee. Considerations, en particulier, sur l'influence des collisions entre les molecules gazeuses et les molecules adsorbees, mobiles, sur le transport gazeux dans les materiaux poreux
Aspects of retinotectal topography: Tectal magnification of specialized retinal areas and a possible center for binocular input

Retinotectal projection patterns range from approximately linear representations of visual field coordinates onto the midbrain roof to non-linear projections of visual space with areal magnifications. “Visual streaks” are magnified horizontal bands and reflect specializations of retinal fine structure, especially ganglion cell densities. Horizontal visual streaks are common in several vertebrate classes, including elasmobranchs and mammals. “Convexiclivate” foveae and their greatly expanded projections on the midbrain surface have been found in teleosts, reptiles, and birds. The nucleus corticalis of the teleostean midbrain contains neurons that can be activated by photic stimulation of both eyes, suggesting involvement in binocular vision.
Compensated compactness and the Heisenberg group

Jacobians of maps on the Heisenberg group are shown to map suitable group Sobolev spaces into the group Hardy space H1. From this result and a weak∗ convergence theorem for the Hardy space H1 of the Heisenberg group, a compensated compactness property for these Jacobians is obtained. 0. Introduction We investigate compensated compactness properties of Jacobians of maps on the Heisenberg group and we prove results analogous to those for the Jacobians of maps on R. Let H = C × R be the Lie group with multiplicative structure (z, t) · (z′, t′) = (z + z′, t+ t′ + 2 Im z · z′) where z = (z1, . . . , zn), z′ = (z′ 1, . . . , z′ n) and z · z′ = ∑n j=1 zj z ′ j . This is the n order Heisenberg group. It can be shown that the group operation is C∞ on the manifold C × R and hence H is a locally compact Lie group. Let (z1, . . . , zn, t) be coordinates on H. Write zj = xj + iyj and define the vector fields: Xj = ∂ ∂xj + 2yj ∂ ∂t Yj = ∂ ∂yj − 2xj ∂ ∂t T = ∂ ∂t . It turns out that the Xj , Yj and T form a basis for the left invariant vector fields on H . They satisfy the commutation relations [Xj , Yj ] = −4T, j = 1, . . . , n and all other ∗Work partially supported by the National Science Foundation. ∗∗Work partially supported by NSF grant DMS-9007491. Mathematics Subject Classification (1991): 42 Typeset by AMS-TEX 1 commutators vanish. The group H is equipped with a natural dilation structure r(z, t) = (rz, rt), r > 0, which is consistent with the group multiplication. The associated norm |(z, t)| = (|z|4 + t) is homogeneous of degree 1 with respect to this group of dilations. We denote by Br(u0) the Heisenberg group ball {u ∈ H : |u−1u0| 0 |(f ∗ φδ)(u)| where φδ(u) = δ−2n−2φ(δ−1u). If γ > 2n+2 2n+3 , the Hardy space H (H) = H is the set of all f such that f ∈ L(H). An alternative definition of H(H) can be given via the atomic decomposition. See [FOS] or [CW] for details. Given a C map F = (f1, . . . , fn) from H into R, define (0.3) Jac(F ) = det   L1f1 L1f2 . . . L1fn L2f1 L2f2 . . . L2fn .. .. .. Lnf1 Lnf2 . . . Lnfn   , where Lj is either Xj or Yj . We would like to show that Jac(F ) maps a product of suitable group Sobolev spaces into the spaces H(H) for 1 ≥ γ > 2n+2 2n+3 . The analogous result for the vector fields ∂ ∂xj , 1 ≤ j ≤ n on R n has been proved by P. L. Lions and Y. Meyer when γ = 1 and extended by [CLMS] for 1 ≥ γ > n n+1 . Note that the lower bound for γ in both cases is d d+1 , where d is the homogeneous dimension of the group. Our first result is Theorem 1. Let n ≥ 2 and for 1 ≤ j ≤ n, let 1 0 that depends only on n and on the pj’s such that for every map F = (f1, . . . fn) on H we have: (0.4) ‖ Jac(F )‖Hγ ≤ C n ∏
Elucidating Lipid Domains Function by Combinatorial Screening of Protein-Lipids Interactions

Cell membranes composed of thousands of lipid species, differing in their alkyl chains, headgroups and degree of saturation. Changes in lipid composition or even the absence of a single lipid have shown to lead to severe pathologies and death. The leading hypothesis which explains the role of lipids in membrane functionality is that the lipids segregate into distinct domains. These lipid domains can with high specificity incorporate or exclude proteins, hence inhibit or accelerate biological processes at the membrane surface. Knowledge of protein-domain interactions is essential to understand cell functionality, and yet today we cannot distinguish between the thousands of possible lipid domains, nor is there a method to determine with which domains a protein associates with.In this research I have developed a new methodology which determines in vitro the lipid composition a protein has a high affinity to. The method utilizes a liposome library composed of more than 250 liposomes, each made of a different lipid composition. The library has the largest and most diverse composition of lipid liposomes ever made. The affinity of proteins to each liposome is studied by advanced microfluidics and image processing, developed at Harvard. http://youtu.be/f7OvnE0g-Uo Using this method we characterize the binding specificity of toxins, peptides, trans-membrane domains and viral proteins to lipid domains.This work is supported by:Human Frontiers Science Program Fellowship Yad-Hanadiv Rothschild Fellowship.
Prioritize the carbon strategy.

The article discusses the need for a U.S. energy strategy to accompany the U.S. climate legislation. The focus of the article is the 2009 American Clean Energy and Security Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Topics include the need for prioritization in order to accomplish a U.S. energy overhaul, the need for revamping nuclear energy, and the successful testing of the climate bill's carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) provision.
Disparities in emergency department health care: systems and administration

Disparities are likely to present both in the emergency department and within the larger health care system; however, disparities must be recognized to be addressed. This article summarizes the proceedings from the AEM Consensus Conference 2003: Disparities in Emergency Health Care. The goals of the conference were to examine the presence, causes, and outcomes related to disparities of health care as they occur in emergency departments, and determine the degree to which external forces have an impact on our patients. Participants were asked to describe the means of defining, assessing, measuring, and investigating disparities that may occur in emergency care. The committee members who wrote this report were asked to examine the influence of health care systems and administration on disparities in health care, using the following series of questions to frame the discussion. 1) Are all disparities bad? 2) Are only the vulnerable served inadequately by our current health care system? 3) Are what appear to be inequities really systems incompetence? 4) We assume there should be no inequality in health care: does society also assume this? 5) What would be the systems costs of equality in health care?
Perceived quality of life of adults with developmental and other significant disabilities

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the perceived quality of life (PQOL) of adults with significant disabilities who were living in community settings. Methods: Six male and six female volunteers (mean age 48 years, standard deviation 14 years), half with developmental and half with acquired disabilities, were interviewed about their quality of life. The interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Text units were identified in the narrative data and were coded, sorted, and entered in an Index Tree. Data analysis utilized the Constant Comparison Technique with underlying themes emerging in 11 areas. Results: The highest PQOL was noted in Health and Housing; the lowest in Transportation/Physical Accessibility and Employment. Deficits in Transportation/Physical Accessibility compromised PQOL in other areas. In regards to employment, seasonal, part-time and occasional work were common, and assistive technology and computers were rarely used to enhance employment capabiliti...
Corporate political offices in a rent-seeking society

This paper explores the logic of a corporation's decision whether to create a political lobbying department or to hire fee-for-service lobbyists. it does so by adapting the rent-seeking model of interest group behavior (Tullock 1980; Rowley, Tollison & Tullock 1988; Hillman & Riley 1989) in a sequential game. After the corporation decides whether or not to create an internal political department, a public interest group determines whether it will challenge a government policy that benefits the corporation. In the final period, the corporation can continue to fund its in-house political staff or it can hire political influence from outside the firm. The analysis focuses on the logic of the interaction of the corporation and the public interest group. The analysis compares the results obtained by a subgame perfect equilibrium analysis and another game that allows the corporation to precommit itself to a long-term political department. A variety of comparative statics results are discussed.