cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Induction of CYP2E1 activity in liver transplant patients as measured by chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation.

Alterations in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and urinary and biliary excretion have been documented at various times after organ transplantation.1 Drug metabolism in liver transplant patients is of particular concern because the liver is primarily responsible for the biotransformation of most xenobiotics. The procedure of transplanting a complete or partial liver from a donor to the recipient involves a number of steps that ultimately affect drug metabolism. The process of preservation, reperfusion injury, inflammatory changes associated with the surgical procedure, technical complications involving the flow of blood and bile, and the immunologic response of the recipient all produce complex effects that primarily or secondarily alter drug disposition. The cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) are primarily responsible for the biotransformation of drugs, and more than 30 different human isoforms exist. The CYP isozyme 2E1 (CYP2E1) is responsible for the bioactivation of many suspect carcinogenic compounds including N-nitrosodimethylamine, aniline, chlorinated and fluorinated hydrocarbons, benzene, and N-alkylformides.2–5 CYP2E1 is also important in the metabolism of alcohol and pharmacologic agents such as acetaminophen (INN, paracetamol) and isoniazid.6–7 Because the catalytic activity of CYP2E1 may be an important modulator of the toxicity or carcinogenicity of these compounds, non-invasive methods to estimate the in vivo activity of this enzyme in humans have been proposed.8–9 Chlorzoxazone is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant that primarily undergoes hydroxylation to form 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone. This oxidative reaction has been shown in vitro to be catalyzed by CYP2E1.10 Although CYP1A1 may also be involved in the 6-hydroxylation of the drug, many factors support chlorzoxazone as a probe of CYP2E1 activity.11 The use of chlorzoxazone as a phenotypic probe has been applied in various populations.12 Previous work in our group had indicated that CYP2E1 activity, as measured by the 6-hydroxylation of chlorzoxazone, was reduced in the presence of moderate to severe liver disease.13 Whether these same changes would be observed in patients whose liver had received the preservation and surgical challenge of the liver transplant operation was unknown. The initial hypothesis related to the CYP enzymes and liver transplantation was that all of the isozymes would initially have depressed function caused by ischemic and inflammatory changes, but that a differential recovery of CYP function should be observed. This study was undertaken to examine whether changes occur in the phenotypic expression of CYP2E1 after liver transplantation as measured by the in vivo probe chlorzoxazone and to examine the time course of normalization if changes did occur.
Polarizable Continuum Reaction-Field Solvation Models Affording Smooth Potential Energy Surfaces

Apparent surface charge, reaction-field solvation models often employ overlapping atomic spheres to represent the solute/continuum boundary. Discretization of the solute cavity surface, however, results in a boundary-element method that fails to afford a continuous potential energy surface for the solute. Several proposed remedies for this problem, based upon switching functions for the surface grid points and originally introduced for the conductor-like screening model (COSMO), are generalized here to an entire class of polarizable continuum models (PCMs). Gaussian blurring of the apparent surface charges proves to be crucial in order to avoid singularities in the reaction-field matrix and spurious oscillations in the energy gradient. The resulting “smooth PCMs” accelerate convergence of geometry optimizations and eliminate spurious peaks in vibrational spectra that are calculated by finite difference of analytic energy gradients.
Imaging of eyelid lymphatic drainage.

Purpose Traditional descriptions of lymphatic drainage show eyelids emptying into the submandibular or preauricular basin. However recent studies based on in vivo lymphatic imaging show a possible predilection for the preauricular basin. We describe lymphoscintigraphy and report findings in patients with eyelid malignancies undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB).
Behavioral and corticosterone effects in conditioned taste aversion following hippocampal lesions

Abstract Hippocampal-lesioned rats engaged in more drinking bouts during the retention of a conditioned taste aversion, but failed to show the elevation of plasma cortocosterone levels seen in the neocortical-lesioned and unoperated control animals, thus showing a disassociation of behavioral and hormonal responses to the retention situation. The presence or absence of anomalous sympathetic innervation in the hippocampal-lesioned rats was demonstrated to be without any behavioral significance.
Integrated headgear for the Future Force Warrior and beyond (Invited Paper)

The ground soldier of the future will benefit from current developments in electronics, lightweight ballistic materials, and importantly, displays and sensors. The Army's Future Force Warrior program is taking advantage of initiatives in both government and industry labs as well as human factors information to demonstrate the advantages they can provide. This paper will discuss the Integrated Headgear System, a synthesis of protection and information for the infantry soldier.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Childhood obesity and anesthetic morbidity.

Summary Background: Obesity is present in a significant proportion of children presenting for anesthesia. Although it is perceived that obese adults have more frequent complications, the incidence of complications in obese children is unknown. Because of anticipated difficulties with mask ventilation, anesthesia is most frequently induced intravenously in obese adults, whereas inhalation induction is usually preferred in uncooperative children with few visible veins. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare anesthetic related complications in obese children undergoing dental surgery with a similar group of nonobese individuals. Methods: The charts of 1133 American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status I and II children less than 12 years old who underwent general anesthesia for dental outpatient procedures in 2003 were retrospectively examined for patient height, weight, preoperative evaluation, anesthetic course and postoperative course. Body mass index was calculated and compared with international normative data to identify those children who were obese. Method of induction and perioperative complications were noted. Results: A total of 100 obese and 1033 nonobese children were identified. Demographically the two groups were comparable. Inhalation induction was used in the vast majority of obese (99%) and nonobese (99.7%) patients. Overall complication rate was low. Minor respiratory complications were more frequently noted in the obese group. These consisted primarily of a higher incidence of intraoperative oxygen desaturation (2% vs 0.19%) and higher requirements for unexpected overnight hospitalization (2% vs 0.19%). The only complication related directly to inhalation induction was noted in a nonobese child who vomited and aspirated on induction. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a small increase in minor respiratory complications in obese children who underwent anesthesia. Inhalation induction was not associated with an increase in adverse events in this population.
Global South to the Rescue: Emerging Humanitarian Superpowers and Globalizing Rescue Industries

The introductory essay offers a brief overview of current trends in critical globalization studies and international relations scholarship that shed light on three intersections: between imperialism and humanitarianism, between neoliberal globalization and “rescue industry” transnationalism, and between patterns of geopolitical hegemony and trajectories of peacekeeping internationalism. These research agendas have been generative and politically useful, but have tended to neglect the forms of humanitarian and peacekeeping agency emanating from the global south. In order to address this gap, this introduction lays out a new research agenda that combines interdisciplinary methods from global studies, gender and race studies, critical security studies, police and military sociology, Third World diplomatic history, and international relations. This introduction also theoretically situates the other contributions and case studies gathered here, providing a framework of analysis that groups them into three clus...
Hierarchical decomposition heuristic for scheduling: Coordinated reasoning for decentralized and distributed decision-making problems

Abstract This paper presents a new technique for decomposing and rationalizing large decision-making problems into a common and consistent framework. We call this the hierarchical decomposition heuristic (HDH) which focuses on obtaining “globally feasible” solutions to the overall problem, i.e., solutions which are feasible for all decision-making elements in a system. The HDH is primarily intended to be applied as a standalone tool for managing a decentralized and distributed system when only globally consistent solutions are necessary or as a lower bound to a maximization problem within a global optimization strategy such as Lagrangean decomposition. An industrial scale scheduling example is presented that demonstrates the abilities of the HDH as an iterative and integrated methodology in addition to three small motivating examples. Also illustrated is the HDH's ability to support several types of coordinated and collaborative interactions.
Precise determination of lithium isotopic composition in low concentration natural samples

An improved procedure for lithium isotope analysis using Li3PO4 as the ion source has been investigated for application to geological samples. The 7Li/6Li ratio is measured using double rhenium filament thermal ionization mass spectrometry in which isotopic fractionation is minimized at high temperatures. The method produces a stable, high intensity Li+ ion beam that allows measurement of nanogram quantities of lithium. This results in a reduction in sample size of up to 1000 times relative to that required for the established Li2BO2+ method while maintaining a comparable precision of better than 1‰ (1σ). Replicate analyses of the NBS L-SVEC Li2CO3 standard yielded a mean value of 12.1047 ± 0.0043 (n = 21), which is close to the reported absolute value of 12.02 ± 0.03. Intercalibration with a wide range of geological samples shows excellent agreement between the Li3PO4 and Li2BO2+ techniques. Replicate analyses of seawater and a fresh submarine basalt display high precision results that agree with previous measurements. Taking advantage of the high ionization efficiency of the phosphate ion source, we have made the first measurements of the lithium concentration (by isotope dilution) and isotopic composition of calcareous foraminiferal tests and other marine carbonates. Preliminary results indicate that substantial lithium exchange occurs between carbonate sediments and their interstitial waters. In addition, a possible link between lithium paleoceanography and paleoclimate during the last 1000 ky may be derived from planktonic foraminiferal tests. This highly sensitive technique can be applied in the examination of low lithium reservoirs and thereby provide insight into some fundamental aspects of lithium geochemistry.
Dynamic soil-structure interaction: Centrifugal modeling

Abstract In this paper, the dynamic response of soil-structure interacting systems is studied using the centrifugal modeling technique. The experimental results are compared with theoretical results anticipated by well established theories.
Environmental control of morphine tolerance in the hamster

Tolerance to morphine-induced hypoactivity in hamsters was investigated under conditions designed to test a Pavlovian conditioning model of morphine tolerance. One group of animals received i.p. injections of morphine (50 mg/kg) in the test environment and saline in the home cage; a second group received saline in the test environment and morphine in the home cage; a third group received saline in both environments. A subsequent morphine challenge in the test environment gave evidence of both associative and nonassociative tolerance. Associative tolerance was detectable 1 week later during a second morphine challenge. Compensatory hyperactivity, however, was not observed during a saline challenge in the presence of morphine-associated cues. Following the acquisition of tolerance, nonreinforced exposure to morphine-associated cues produced an attenuation of morphine tolerance (i.e., extinction of tolerance). The results are interpreted as providing partial support for the Pavlovian model and are discussed in terms of alternative associative models of tolerance.
President's page: convocation address: the art of medicine.

It’s a great honor and a privilege to serve as President of the American College of Cardiology—and I’m delighted to have this chance to extend a warm welcome to our new Fellows. I also want to welcome your family and friends. They’re proud of you, and they share your joy on this special
Hemodialysis for the Treatment of Pulmonary Hemorrhage From Dabigatran Overdose

Dabigatran is an oral direct thrombin inhibitor indicated for thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Since its approval in the United States in 2010, dabigatran-associated hemorrhages have garnered much attention because bleeding rates were higher than initially expected. Additionally, reversing anticoagulation remains challenging. Traditional modes of reversing warfarin-associated coagulopathies are ineffective in reversing anticoagulation from dabigatran. Although hemodialysis is proposed as a method to accelerate dabigatran elimination, evidence supporting its clinical utility remains unproved. We report the case of an 80-year-old man who presented with worsening hemoptysis in the setting of unintentional ingestion of excess dabigatran. Despite transfusion of 2 units of fresh frozen plasma, he continued to bleed, although his international normalized ratio improved from 8.8 to 7.2. He underwent hemodialysis, and serum dabigatran concentration decreased from 1,100 to 18 ng/mL over 4 hours, with an initial extraction ratio of 0.97 and blood clearance of 291 mL/min. Although his serum dabigatran concentration rebounded to 100 ng/mL 20 minutes after the cessation of dialysis, his bleeding stopped and he improved clinically. Hemorrhage in the setting of dabigatran anticoagulation remains a therapeutic predicament. Hemodialysis may play an adjunct role in accelerating the elimination of dabigatran in bleeding patients.
A controlled trial of colchicine to reduce the elastase load in the lungs of ex-cigarette smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Current data suggest that emphysema in smokers is caused at least in part by the unrestrained action of neutrophil elastase on pulmonary tissues. Since colchicine reduces the secretion of enzymes from stimulated neutrophils, we designed a clinical trial to determine if colchicine could reduce the elastase load in the lungs or several putative indicators of elastin destruction. We carried out a prospective, double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Outpatients seeking treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at the University of Texas Health Center at Tyler who met specific criteria were recruited into the study. A group of 46 cigarette smokers between 45 and 75 yr of age with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were studied. Colchicine or placebo was given orally in disguised capsules, 0.6 mg three times per day. Volunteers were placed on a baseline bronchodilator regimen of Theodur orally and albuterol by inhalation. Blood, urine, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids were obtained after 1 wk of stabilization. The patients were then randomized and treated for 14 days with colchicine, and the measurements were repeated. Modifications in plasma elastin peptides and neutrophil elastase-generated fibrinopeptide A, urinary desmosines, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid neutrophils or neutrophil elastase were the indicators of success or failure of the treatment. Pre- and posttreatment measurements in each patient and the difference between colchicine-treated and placebo-treated groups were compared. There were no statistically significant differences in either of the two types of analyses in any of the variables. We conclude that variables related to elastase load in the lungs were not modified by colchicine treatment. If a drug can be identified that is successful in modifying one of these variables, it would then have to be tested in a large-scale clinical trial in which the rate of decline in the FEV1.0 or mortality would be measured. The data presented here may provide useful information about the variability of key measurements of elastase load in the lungs and the breakdown of elastin and may aid investigators in designing similar trials in the future.
Reiterative use of the notch signal during zebrafish intrahepatic biliary development

The Notch signaling pathway regulates specification of zebrafish liver progenitor cells towards a biliary cell fate. Here, using staged administration of a pharmacological inhibitor of Notch receptor processing, we show that activation of the Notch pathway is also important for growth and expansion of the intrahepatic biliary network in zebrafish larvae. Biliary expansion is accompanied by extensive cell proliferation and active remodeling of the nascent ductal network, as revealed by time lapse imaging of living zebrafish larvae that express a Notch responsive fluorescent reporter transgene. Together, these data support a model in which the Notch signal functions reiteratively during biliary development; first to specific biliary cells and then to direct remodeling of the nascent biliary network. As the Notch pathway plays a comparable role during mammalian biliary development, including humans, these studies also indicate broad conservation of the molecular mechanisms directing biliary development in vertebrates.
Subsurface imaging using the spectral polarization difference technique and NIR illumination

A subsurface imaging system is utilized to test the ability of the spectral polarization difference imaging technique for deep subsurface imaging in tissues. The illumination of the system is derived from compact class III lasers in the red and NIR spectral region and, alternatively, from a white light source and selection of the appropriate illumination wavelength using band-pass optical filters. The experimental results demonstrate detection and imaging of a high-scattering object located up to 1.5 cm underneath the surface of a host chicken tissue.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(urethane‐sulfone)s

Eight poly(urethane-sulfone)s were synthesized from two sulfone-containing diols, 1,3-bis(3-hydroxypropylsulfonyl)propane (Diol-333) and 1,4-bis(3-hydroxypropylsulfonyl)butane (Diol-343), and three diisocyanates, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI), 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), and tolylene diisocyanate (TDI, 2,4- 80%; 2,6-20%). As a comparison, eight polyurethanes were also synthesized from two alkanediols, 1,9-nonanediol and 1,10-decanediol, and three diisocyanates. Diol-333 and Diol-343 were prepared by the addition of 1,3-propanedithiol or 1,4-butanedithiol to allyl alcohol and subsequent oxidation of the resulting sulfide-containing diols. The homopoly(urethanesulfone)s from HMDI and MDI are semicrystalline, and are soluble in m-cresol and hot DMF, DMAC, and DMSO. The copoly(urethane-sulfone)s from a 1/1 molar ratio mixture of Diol-333 and Diol-343 with HMDI or MDI have lower crystallinity and better solubility than the corresponding homopoly(urethane-sulfone)s. The poly(urethane-sulfone)s from TDI are amorphous, and are readily soluble in m-cresol, DMF, DMAC, and DMSO at room temperature. Differential scanning calorimetry data showed that poly(urethane-sulfone)s have higher glass transition temperatures and melting points than the corresponding polyurethanes without sulfone groups. The rise in glass transition temperature is 20–25°C while the rise in melting temperature is 46–71°C. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effects of weathered fuel oil on solute leakage, respiration and plasmolysis in excised root sections of Spartina alterniflora Loisel. and Limonium carolinianum (Walt.) Britt.

Abstract This research examined the tolerance of two salt marsh plant species, Spartina alterniflora Loisel. and Limonium carolinianum (Walt.) Britt., to petroleum. Experiments were conducted on plasmalemma permeability, aerobic respiration and plasmolysis in excised root sections. Histochemical studies of fixed and fresh material were made using light microscopy. The results indicated that weathered No. 2 fuel oil increased solute leakage from root sections of Spartina and Limonium in a dose-dependent manner but greater leakage occurred from Spartina than from Limonium roots. Plasmolysis experiments indicated that the primary cause of solute leakage from Spartina root sections was not due to cell lysis up to 5 hr after treatment. Plasmolysis experiments with Limonium were inconclusive because the root tissues did not tolerate this assay procedure. Aerobic respiration was also inhibited by weathered fuel oil to a greater extent in Spartina than in Limonium root sections. Differences in secondary growth and suberization appeared to account for the differential responses of the two species.
REACTIONS BETWEEN AMINO ACIDS AND ORGANIC ACIDS: REACTION OF TRYPTOPHAN AND ALPHA‐KETOGLUTARIC ACID

This study involved an investigation of the discoloration found to be caused by the interaction between α-ketoglutaric acid and tryptophan. Many products were formed by this interaction, but only the five compounds in the highest concentration were isolated: three were blue, one green and one a brown-yellow. Unfortunately, due to instability, these compounds were not identified However, the concentration of both cu-ketoglutaric acid and tryptophan, utilized during the reaction, were analyzed The results indicated that the ratio of α-ketoglutaric acid to tryptophan utilized was approximately 3:1. From these results along with various identification procedures (paper chromatography, UV-Vis, and IR spectroscopy, and organic synthesis) a pathway is postulated for the formation of the colored compounds in this interaction.
Predictive Medicine. XIII. Tolerance Testing

: The prime purpose of tolerance testing is to elicit an exaggerated response to a particular stimulus, as when glucose loading is used to determine the glucose tolerance pattern. Examples are presented to show the relationship of age to alveolar bone loss in terms of glucose tolerance tests (glucose stress), and of age to blood glucose concentration (no glucose stress). The amplitudes of fluctuation in clinical and biochemical signs are compared in healthy versus sick subjects. In a predictive medicine system, the aim is to ascertain a predisposition to, or early evidence of pathosis. Therefore, data obtained under ordinary circumstances (no stress) serve adequately if it is recognized that physiologic values and normal values are not synonymous and that subtle changes may be predictive.
“Warm Rain” in the Tropics: Seasonal and Regional Distributions Based on 9 yr of TRMM Data

Abstract How much precipitation is contributed by warm rain systems over the tropics? What is the typical size, intensity, and echo top of warm rain events observed by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar over different regions of the tropics? What proportion of warm raining areas is actually attached to the edges of cold systems? Are there mesoscale warm raining systems, and if so, where and when do they occur? To answer these questions, a 9-yr TRMM precipitation feature database is used in this study. First, warm rain features in 20°S–20°N are selected by specifying precipitation features 1) with minimum infrared brightness temperature > 0°C, 2) with TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR) echo top below freezing level, or 3) without any ice-scattering signature in the microwave observations, respectively. Then, the geographical, seasonal, and diurnal variations of the rain volume inside warm rain features defined in these three ways are presented. The characteristics of warm rain fe...
Modulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b activity in breast cancer cells by mutation of tyrosines within the transactivation domain.

The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins are latent transcription factors activated by a variety of cytokines and growth factors. Activation leads to phosphorylation on a conserved tyrosine residue. Although phosphorylation of STAT5b on Y699 is required for activation, it was previously shown that in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-overexpressing cell lines, three tyrosines (Y725, Y740, and Y743) in the STAT5b transactivation domain are also phosphorylated upon epidermal growth factor stimulation. The significance of these additional tyrosine phosphorylation sites was analyzed in the context of the human breast cancer cell line SKBr3, which overexpresses the EGFR and c-Src. When compared with wild-type STAT5b, mutation of Y725 decreased basal and epidermal growth factor-induced DNA synthesis. In contrast, mutation of Y740 and/or Y743 enhanced basal STAT5b Y699 phosphorylation, basal transcriptional activity, and basal DNA synthesis compared with wtSTAT5b. This indicates...
Sexual activity predicts continued pessary use

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to determine which clinical variables predict continued pessary use. Study design After IRB approval, charts of consecutive women at Loyola Women's Pelvic Medicine Center who bought a pessary from August 2000 to December 2002 were reviewed. Demographic information, length of pessary use, and reason for pessary discontinuation were recorded. Current pessary "users" were compared with "nonusers" (women who stopped wearing the pessary during the study period). Results Of the 136 study women, 82 (60%) were "users," and 54 (40%) were "nonusers." Women who were sexually active were more likely to continue pessary use (β=2.204, P =.021). This was true regardless of indication for pessary placement. Women with prolapse were more likely than women with incontinence to continue with long-term pessary use (β=2.031, P =.049). No other demographic characteristics predicted continued pessary use. Conclusion Long-term pessary use is acceptable to sexually active women. Women being treated for pelvic organ prolapse are more likely to continue pessary use than women being treated for urinary incontinence. Additionally, the majority of women (60%) who accept a pessary for prolapse or urinary incontinence continue this treatment.
Development and characterization of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the raccoon tick (Ixodes texanus)

Fourteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for the raccoon tick (Ixodes texanus). Three multiplexed panels comprising the loci were developed and 50 ticks collected from two infected raccoons (Procyon lotor) were genotyped. The number of alleles per locus ranged from five to 22, and single locus heterozygosities ranged from 0.46 to 0.94. Future research will further our understanding of I. texanus biology and help in elucidating the effects of life-history variation on parasite population genetic structure, using I. texanus as a model organism.
Early light and dark adaptation in frog on-off retinal ganglion cells.

Abstract Transienton-off cells in the frog eyecup preparation were studied. Short test flashes were presented at various times with respect to a ten second adapting flash. The total number of impulses in the response was least when the test flash was near the onset or offset of the adapting flash as a result of “post-excitation inhibition”—the decrease or inhibition of a response whenever it closely follows another response. Some modification of existing models foron-off cells is required to explain this inhibition. Post-excitation inhibition also provides a possible model for psychophysical effects.
Variations of the thermospheric nitric oxide mass mixing ratio as a function of Kp, altitude, and magnetic local time

In this letter, data from the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) and the Particle Environment Monitor on the Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite are presented. Five years of data from each instrument have been used to create high-latitude maps of Nitric Oxide (NO) mass mixing ratio and electron impact and bremsstrahlung ionization rates as a function of altitude and Kp. We show that enhancements in NO at 100 km are coupled to the auroral oval and to increases in the local ionization rate, with both the peak in the ionization rate and NO mass mixing ratio occuring in the dawn magnetic local time sector between 60° and 70° magnetic latitude. Below this altitude, the NO is shown to be enhanced at lower latitudes and sunward of the dawn-dusk meridian, most likely due to solar illumination. Above 100 km, the NO density enhancement stays in approximately the same MLT sector, while the peak ionization rate expands in MLT towards the night side. This is attributed to a build up of NO created by particle precipitation during the night, which is corotated towards the dawn region.
Ultrasound appearance of myositis ossificans

Ultrasonic evaluation of a soft tissue mass of the thigh was performed and suggested the diagnosis of myositis ossificans. Correlation with routine radiographic studies is made, as well as with the follow-up radiographic examination.
The sum of induced and real motion is not a straight path.

The apparent motion path of a stimulus undergoing simultaneous real motion and orthogonal induced motion (1M) was measured by having subjects draw the perceived path. The average path was not a straight line, but was curved away from the direction of inducer motion. This result is consistent with a previous finding that 1M magnitude increases with stimulus duration, and with a theory that attributes 1Mto the suppression of reflexive eye movements. Implications are discussed for research in which the apparent slope of the motion path of a stimulus undergoing simultaneous 1M and real motion is used as a measure of 1M.
Speaking arenas of ancient Mesopotamia

(1970). Speaking arenas of ancient Mesopotamia. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 56, No. 4, pp. 398-405.
Early experience with the Palmaz expandable intraluminal stent in iliac artery stenosis.

Since 1987, we have used the Palmaz expandable intraluminal stent in 22 selected cases of iliac artery stenosis in 14 men and six women with a mean age of 63 years for claudication (9), graft salvage (5), rest pain (4), and tissue loss (2). Morphologic criteria included severe percutaneous balloon angioplasty-induced dissection (6), long or multiple stenoses or occlusions (5), post-percutaneous balloon angioplasty elastic recoil (4), location of stenosis (4), and restenosis following percutaneous balloon angioplasty (3). Twenty-two limbs were treated with 61 stents. The mean pressure gradient across the lesion fell from 31±15 to 1.1±2.4 mmHg after stenting. The mean ankle/brachial systolic pressure index improved from 0.59±0.31 to 0.83±0.25 after stenting. The mean follow-up is 11.4 months, with a mean ankle/brachial index at their most recent follow-up of 0.88±0.19. Symptomatically, 11 extremities are normal and five limbs are improved. Three patients have died and two have required bypass grafts for iliac occlusive disease. In this early experience, the Palmaz intraluminal stent appears to be valuable for the management of post-percutaneous balloon angioplasty restenosis, elastic recoil, and percutaneous balloon angioplasty-induced dissection, although it is not without complications.
Professions and Universities

behavioral sciences at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, and chairman of Cleveland's Mayor's Commission on the Crisis in Welfare. Dr. Stein, president of the Council on Social Work Education as well as of the International Association of Schools of Social Work, and, from July, 196k, to July, 1968, dean of the School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, originally delivered this paper before the Colloquium of The Paul Baerwald School of Social Work held April 16-19, 1967, at Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
The Class D β-lactamase family: residues governing the maintenance and diversity of function

Class D β-lactamases, a major source of bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotic therapies, represent a distinct subset of the β-lactamase superfamily. They share a serine hydrolase mechanism with Classes A/C vs. Class B. Further understanding of their sequence–structure–function relationships would benefit efforts to design a new generation of antibiotics as well as to predict evolutionary mechanisms in response to such therapies. Here we describe analyses based on our high-resolution multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree of ∼80 Class D β-lactamases that leverage several 3D structures of these enzymes. We observe several sequence clusters on the phylogenetic tree, some that are species specific while others include several species from α-, β- and γ-proteobacteria. Residues characteristic of a specific cluster were identified and shown to be located just outside the active site, possibly modulating the function of the catalytic residues to facilitate reactions with specific types of β-lactams. Most significant was the discovery of a likely disulfide bond in a large group composed of α-, β- and γ-proteobacteria that would contribute to enzyme stability and hence bacterial viability under antibiotic assault. A network of co-evolving residues was identified which suggested the importance of maintaining a surface for binding a highly conserved Phe69.
A “Season of Light” in Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine: Observations on Recent Developments

These initial discoveries, and subsequent modifi cations and refi nements of the technology, clearly address the issue of "self versus nonself" in regenerative medicine. The ability to take skin cells (or other differentiated cells) from the pa- tient and induce them to pluripotency makes it possible to prevent immune rejection of the regenerated tissue. And the in vitro generation of differentiated cells or tissues carrying the genome of the patient will facilitate individualized medi- cine, perhaps initially through screening for drug compati- bility and effi cacy and eventually through more specialized therapies. While perhaps very close to clinical translation for some aspects of individualized medicine, there remains much to be learned before iPS cells can be safely used to regenerate damaged or diseased tissues. The issue of cancer potential, for example, is far from completely resolved. The risk of cancer and other pathologies will require more extensive monitoring of human iPS cells compared to ES cells as well as long-term studies of animals with iPS cell-regenerated tissue. These studies will be done predominantly with mice but must also include animals with longer life spans and spe- cies representing different evolutionary clades. Nonhuman primates, in particular, can contribute signifi cantly to regen- erative medicine with iPS cells.
An alternative to minimax for designing binary decision rules

The minimax approach to designing decision rules when modeling uncertainty exists is somewhat conservative in that only the most undesirable possible conditions are taken into account. Consequently, the performance under other conditions may sometimes be poor. The segment method was introduced in the context of optimal control as an alternative to the minimax approach. The segment method takes into account the system performance over the entire range of model parameter values. In this paper the basic concept of the segment method is reviewed. The method is then applied to the design of binary decision rules under various conditions of uncertainty including unknown mean or variance for Gaussian statistics. It is shown that the segment method often results in system performance which is more attractive than the performance from the minimax design for the same problem.
On Pole Assignment and Optimal Control Theory

A pole assignment algorithm was recently developed by considering the sensitivity of closed loop eigenvalues to each gain element. The theory is extended here to incorporate the Linear Quadratic Regulator formulation so that the closed loop system satisfies optimality as well as eigenvalue constraints. The approach is to compute the sensitivity of the Hamiltonian matrix to changes in the state weighting matrix, in contrast to the sensitivity of the closed loop system in the pole placement problem. Examples from a six degree-of-freedom lumped-mass model and an Euler-Bernoulli pinned beam system are investigated to demonstrate the procedure. It is shown that the resulting closed loop system behavior sufficiently approximates the desired response.
Pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma as the initial presentation of human immunodeficiency virus infection

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) usually presents in HIV-infected patients with cutaneous lesions that may advance to extensive visceral disease. There have been only a few documented cases in which the initial presentation of Kaposi's sarcoma involved the bronchopulmonary system. We describe a newly diagnosed patient who presented with pulmonary KS as his initial presentation of the disease. Our report is intended to increase clinicians’ awareness that pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma should be considered in HIV-infected patients who present with respiratory symptoms, even if they do not manifest the typical mucocutaneous manifestations of KS or have low CD4 counts. Early diagnosis and therapy are essential in improving outcomes as this condition carries a high mortality.
Plasma linoleic acid partially mediates the association of bipolar disorder on self-reported mental health scales

We have shown that bipolar individuals have reduced quality diets, including lower intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). We have also reported reduced plasma levels of the n-6 PUFA, linoleic acid (LA), and the n-3 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in bipolar subjects. In the current analysis we hypothesized that LA and EPA plasma levels would mediate lower self-reported mental health and life functioning scores in bipolar subjects. In a cross-sectional study, we collected a 7-day diet record in bipolar (n = 56) and control subjects (n = 46) followed by a fasted blood draw. We used structured equation modeling path analysis to test for mediating effects of dietary intake and plasma levels of LA and EPA on self-reported mental health questionnaire scores, including the Life Functioning Questionnaire (LFQ), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9), and the Short Form Health Survey (SF12), extracting the mental health component summary score (SF12-MH). We adjusted for age, gender, psychiatric medication use, body mass index (BMI), and total caloric intake as covariates with bipolar disorder as the primary predictor. We found a significant path association from bipolar disorder to lower plasma LA levels (p = 0.03) and significant paths from plasma LA to PHQ9 (p = 0.05), LFQ (p = 0.01) and SF12-MH (p = 0.05) scores, such that lower plasma LA predicted worse outcomes. We found no significant paths from plasma EPA levels to any of the outcome measures. These findings suggest that plasma LA levels partially mediate the effect of bipolar disorder on self-reported measures of mental health and life functioning.
Science and mathematics instruction in a reform-based teacher preparation program

This study examined the science and mathematics instruction of teachers who were initially prepared by the Collaboratives for Excellence in Teacher Preparation program (CETP). The focus of this study was on examining the extent to which science and mathematics teachers used more reform-oriented instructional practices in their classes when they entered the teaching profession. Data were gathered from twelve different CETP projects across the United States. A quasi-experimental design was used where science and mathematics teachers who were initially prepared by the CETP program were followed into the field and compared to teachers who were not prepared by the CETP program. The results indicate that the teachers prepared by the CETP program used slightly more reform-oriented instructional practices than teachers who were not prepared by the CETP program, although both mathematics and science teachers reported low levels of reform-oriented instruction. Implications of results for large-scale reform of science and mathematics teacher preparation are discussed.
High-resolution co-registered intravascular imaging with integrated high frequency ultrasound and OCT probe

An integrated ultrasound (US) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe and system for intravascular imaging has been built. The hybrid dual-function probe is based on a 50 MHz focused ring ultrasound transducer, which has a centric hole for mounting OCT probe. Both focused acoustic and light beams are steered by a 45° mirror for imaging a cross section of vessel. The coaxial probe design enables co-registered imaging of US and OCT simultaneously. Moreover, lateral resolution of US is greatly improved due to focused acoustic beam. Mirror effects on the two-way propagation of acoustic wave were investigated and in vitro imaging of a normal rabbit aorta has been carried out. The combined US-OCT system demonstrated high resolution in visualizing superficial arterial structures while retaining deep penetration of ultrasonic imaging.
Positioning of Separated Conjoined Twins With Scoliosis/Lordosis

Infantile scoliosis has a potential for progression. This paper discusses the use of a soft material to correct scoliosis in a medically stable, at-risk infant. It illustrates that early intervention is desirable in preventing the progression of the lateral curve of the trunk. It also illustrates that the three-point positioning principle can be effective with soft materials with an infant. Foam rubber blocks were used to apply pressure at three strategic points, the shoulder, the hip, and the convex curve on an infant's trunk. At the age of 7 months the infant was able to move herself into a normal position with good head and body alignment.
What Stakeholder Needs Tell Us about Enabling Adaptive Capacity: The Intersection of Context and Information Provision across Regions in the United States

In recent years increasing attention has been focused on understanding the different resources that can support decision makers at all levels in responding to climate variability and change. This article focuses on the role that access to information and other potential constraints may play in the context of water decision making across three U.S. regions (the Intermountain West, the Great Lakes, and the Carolinas). The authors report on the degree to which climate-related needs or constraints pertinent to water resources are regionally specific. They also find that stakeholder-identified constraints or needs extended beyond the need for data/information to enabling factors such as governance arrangements and how to improve collaboration and communication. As climate information networks expand and emphasis is placed on encouraging adaptation more broadly, these constraints have implications not only for how information dissemination efforts are organized but for how those efforts need to be informed by the larger regional context in a resource-limited and fragmented landscape.
The human dimensions of urban greenways: planning for recreation and related experiences

In this paper, we summarize findings from a series of interrelated studies that examine an urban greenway, the 150 mile Chicago River corridor in Chicago, USA, from multiple perspectives, stakeholder viewpoints, and methodological techniques. Six interdependent “human dimensions” of greenways are identified in the studies: cleanliness, naturalness, aesthetics, safety, access, and appropriateness of development. Together, these dimensions form a core set of concerns relating to how people perceive and use the greenway for recreation and related experiences. While these dimensions show good consistency across our studies and are supported by the literature in the field, the quantitative and qualitative methods used also uncovered a rich variation in how the dimensions are construed by different stakeholder groups and along different reaches of the corridor. Using local demonstration projects from along the corridor, we illustrate how principles inherent in each dimension can be applied to improve the success of greenways through design, management, or programming. We conclude by discussing the applicability of these dimensions and methods of study to understand other urban and non-urban greenways, and suggest how the findings from such studies can be used to inform greenways planning, policy, and management. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Methods for ablating neurons

This past year, laser ablation has been applied to investigations of neuromuscular connectivity in Drosophila, neuronal function in nematode, and mammalian central nervous system development. Ablation by targeted gene expression has been refined and applied to questions of neural development. Chromophore-assisted laser inactivation has been used to demonstrate distinct functions for two proteins during grasshopper neural development.
PLEIOTROPIC EFFECTS OF CRYPTOCHROMES 1 AND 2 ON FREE-RUNNING AND LIGHT-ENTRAINED MURINE CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS

Cryptochromes function in both light entrainment of circadian rhythms and in a peripheral circadian clock mechanism in Drosophila . Mice have two closely related cryptochrome genes ( mCry1 and mCry2 ). To further understand the roles of mammalian cryptochromes, we bred mice to carry all possible combinations of wild-type and cryptochrome knockout alleles, and tested these mice for free-running and entrained circadian rhythmicity. We find that a single wild-type copy of mCry1 , but not mCry2 , is sufficient for free running circadian rhythmicity; however, these mice show markedly variable free-running periods. Two wild-type copies of either mCry1 or mCry2 are sufficient to establish a stable free-running clock. A subset of mCry1 − / mCry − ; mCry2 − / mCry2 − mice have a diurnal activity preference, suggesting that cryptochromes function in light-dependent behavioral masking. We also analyzed mice lacking both cryptochromes and carrying the homozygous rd retinal degeneration mutation. These mice have marke...
Patterns of Initial Transitional Cell Recurrence in Patients After Cystectomy

Purpose: We characterized initial relapse patterns in patients who underwent cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder at our institution.Materials and Methods: Between June 1995 and December 2001 a total of 417 patients underwent radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma. Of the 399 patients treated with orthotopic diversion or incontinent cutaneous diversion, recurrent TCC developed in 86 (21.6%). We retrospectively examined this population to determine if any perioperative variables influenced the first site of disease recurrence.Results: Of the 86 patients in whom metastatic disease developed after cystectomy, the mean followup was 22.1 months. Mean time to disease recurrence was 15.1 months. Recurrence was most commonly initially in the pelvis (30.2%). Other common sites of first recurrence included the viscera (26.7%), the retroperitoneum (16.3%) and the skeletal system (16.3%). The site of first recurrence did not correlate significantly with gender, age, diversion type, pa...