cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PHARMACOKINETICS, TOLERABILITY, AND FRUCTOSAMINE-LOWERING EFFECT OF A NOVEL, CONTROLLED-RELEASE FORMULATION OF α -LIPOIC ACID

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of a novel, controlled-release oral formulation of α-lipoic acid (LA) and to investigate whether sustaining the concentration of LA in plasma would have a beneficial effect on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods For the pharmacokinetic study, a single, 600-mg dose of either controlled-release LA (CRLA) or quick-release LA (QRLA) was administered orally to 12 normal human subjects. The plasma profile of LA was determined for 24 hours after administration of the dose, and pharmacokinetic analyses were performed. For the safety and tolerability study, 21 patients with type 2 diabetes were given 900 mg of CRLA daily for 6 weeks, followed by 1,200 mg of CRLA daily for an additional 6 weeks. Active treatment was followed by a 3-week washout period. Throughout the study, patients continued to take their prestudy antidiabetic medications, which included metformin (Glucophage), sulfonylureas (Amaryl, glyburide, and Glucotrol), acarbose (Precose), troglitazone (Rezulin), and insulin (either as monotherapy or in combination). CRLA was evaluated for safety and tolerability as well as for effects on glycemic control. Results The Tmax (time to maximal plasma concentration) of LA administered as CRLA was 1.25 hours and was approximately 2.5-fold longer in comparison with the Tmax for QRLA (Tmax = 0.5 hour; P Conclusion CRLA increased the plasma concentration of LA over time in healthy subjects, and CRLA was safe, well tolerated, and effective in reducing plasma fructosamine in patients with type 2 diabetes. (Endocr Pract. 2002;8:29-35)
PAH concentrations in lake sediment decline following ban on coal-tar-based pavement sealants in Austin, Texas.

Recent studies have concluded that coal-tar-based pavement sealants are a major source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban settings in large parts of the United States. In 2006, Austin, TX, became the first jurisdiction in the U.S. to ban the use of coal-tar sealants. We evaluated the effect of Austin’s ban by analyzing PAHs in sediment cores and bottom-sediment samples collected in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2012, and 2014 from Lady Bird Lake, the principal receiving water body for Austin urban runoff. The sum concentration of the 16 EPA Priority Pollutant PAHs (∑PAH16) in dated core intervals and surficial bottom-sediment samples collected from sites in the lower lake declined about 44% from 1998–2005 to 2006–2014 (means of 7980 and 4500 μg kg–1, respectively), and by 2012–2014, the decline was about 58% (mean of 3320 μg kg–1). Concentrations of ∑PAH16 in bottom sediment from two of three mid-lake sites decreased by about 71 and 35% from 2001 to 2014. Concentrations at a third site increased by a...
“Everybody knows this is nowhere”: Role conflict and the rock musician

(1971). “Everybody knows this is nowhere”: Role conflict and the rock musician. Popular Music and Society: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 20-32.
Potentiation of catecholamine inhibition of ganglionic transmission by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

The effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol upon exogenous catecholamine inhibition of synaptic transmission was evaluated in the rabbit superior cervical ganglion. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (7.5 and 15 μg/kg, i.v.) was without effect upon electrically evoked transmission, but potentiated norepinephrine-induced ganglionic inhibition. Epinephrine, but not dopamine, was similarly facilitated.
Phospholipid metabolism in polymorphonuclear leukocytes from rheumatoid arthritis patients: Effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and clotrimazole

Arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity were measured in the peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) from ten patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on treatment with various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIA). AA metabolism and PLA2 activity were measured both initially and after treatment with either placebo or Clotrimazole, a broad spectrum anti-mycotic agent, as a possible anti-rheumatic drug. AA metabolism was also measured in PMNL from ten patients with active RA untreated with any NSAIA and ten normal volunteers. Using 3H-AA prelabeled cells, we show that there was a significantly higher (P<0.025) production of 3H-LTB4 in response to stimulation with the calcium ionophore A23187 in untreated RA patients than in normal volunteers (mean ± S.D.:4.8 ± 1.6% and 3.1 ± 1.0%, respectively). The production of 3H-LTB4 by PMNL from patients on NSAIAs was less elevated (mean ± S.D.:4.1 ± 1.5%) and was not significantly different from normal controls. Concurrently we examined PLA2 activity in PMNL-sonicates from ten of our study patients using autoclaved [14C]oleate-labeled E. coli biomembranes as an exogenous substrate. Using linear regression analysis, we demonstrate a significant correlation between iv vitro PLA2 activity and the release of 3H-AA from the cellular phospholipids (deacylation) in response to A23187 stimulation (r = −0.526, P<0.025). We also demonstrate significant correlations between the overall clinical state of the RA patient, as evaluated by a modified rheumatoid activity index (MRAI), and both the release of 3H-AA from the cellular phospholipids and its production of total [3H]eicosanoids (r= −0.557, P<0.025 and r=0.644, P<0.005, respectively). This data suggests that: PLA2 activity may, in part, account for the higher generation of LTB4 by RA PMNL; NSAIAs may be capable of modulating this abnormality; and Clotrimazole may affect the clinical or laboratory data of RA patients already on treatment with NSAIA.
Regulator of G protein signaling 2 is a key modulator of airway hyperresponsiveness

Background Drugs targeting individual G protein–coupled receptors are used as asthma therapies, but this strategy is limited because of G protein–coupled receptor signal redundancy. Regulator of G protein signaling 2 (RGS2), an intracellular selective inhibitor of multiple bronchoconstrictor receptors, may play a central role in the pathophysiology and treatment of asthma. Objective We defined functions and mechanisms of RGS2 in regulating airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), the pathophysiologic hallmark of asthma. Methods Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to determine changes in RGS2 expression in ovalbumin-sensitized/-challenged mice. We also used immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR to compare RGS2 expression between human asthmatic and control subjects. The AHR of RGS2 knockout mice was assessed by using invasive tracheostomy and unrestrained plethysmography. Effects of loss of RGS2 on mouse airway smooth muscle (ASM) remodeling, contraction, intracellular Ca 2+ , and mitogenic signaling were determined in vivo and in vitro . Results RGS2 was highly expressed in human and murine bronchial epithelium and ASM and was markedly downregulated in lungs of ovalbumin-sensitized/-challenged mice. Lung tissues and blood monocytes from asthma patients expressed significantly lower RGS2 protein (lung) and mRNA (monocytes) than from nonasthma subjects. The extent of reduction of RGS2 on human monocytes correlated with increased AHR. RGS2 knockout caused spontaneous AHR in mice. Loss of RGS2 augmented Ca 2+ mobilization and contraction of ASM cells. Loss of RGS2 also increased ASM mass and stimulated ASM cell growth via extracellular signal-regulated kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathways. Conclusion We identified RGS2 as a potent modulator of AHR and a potential novel therapeutic target for asthma.
A 15 → 1 translocation in a patient mosaic for presence or absence of an isodic(15p)(q11)

We report a patient with a 15 leads to 1 translocation who was mosaic for presence or absence of an isodic(15p)(q11). Her phenotype is similar to that of patients with deletions of proximal 15q or isodic(15p). Several phenotypes, including the Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome, have been described with abnormalities of proximal 15q and have in common severe hypotonia, developmental delay, and lack of major congenital anomalies. Our patient is the first to be described with an isodic (15p)(q11) associated with a nonreciprocal translocation. We think her isodic(15p)(q11) arose as a result of a sister chromatid fusion rather than nonsister chromatid exchange as has been proposed in most other cases. Because of the various phenotypes described with proximal 15q abnormalities, we recommend caution in the assignment of specific phenotypes to small chromosome changes in this area.
Identification of novel microRNAs in post-transcriptional control of Nrf2 expression and redox homeostasis in neuronal, SH-SY5Y cells.

Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2/NFE2L2), a redox-sensitive transcription factor plays a critical role in adaptation to cellular stress and affords cellular defense by initiating transcription of antioxidative and detoxification genes. While a protein can be regulated at multiple levels, control of Nrf2 has been largely studied at post-translational regulation points by Keap1. Importantly, post-transcriptional/translational based regulation of Nrf2 is less understood and to date there are no reports on such mechanisms in neuronal systems. In this context, studies involving the role of microRNAs (miRs) which are normally considered as fine tuning regulators of protein production through translation repression and/or post-transcriptional alterations, are in place. In the current study, based on in-silico analysis followed by immunoblotting and real time analysis, we have identified and validated for the first time that human NFE2L2 could be targeted by miR153/miR27a/miR142-5p/miR144 in neuronal, SH-SY5Y cells. Co-transfection studies with individual miR mimics along with either WT 3′ UTR of human Nrf2 or mutated miRNA targeting seed sequence within Nrf2 3′ UTR, demonstrated that Nrf2 is a direct regulatory target of these miRs. In addition, ectopic expression of miR153/miR27a/miR142-5p/miR144 affected Nrf2 mRNA abundance and nucleo-cytoplasmic concentration of Nrf2 in a Keap1 independent manner resulting in inefficient transactivating ability of Nrf2. Furthermore, forced expression of miRs diminished GCLC and GSR expression resulting in alteration of Nrf2 dependent redox homeostasis. Finally, bioinformatics based miRNA-disease network analysis (MDN) along with extended computational network analysis of Nrf2 associated pathologic processes suggests that if in a particular cellular scenario where any of these miR153/miR27a/miR142-5p/miR144 either individually or as a group is altered, it could affect Nrf2 thus triggering and/or determining the fate of wide range of disease outcomes.
The control of wing kinematics by two steering muscles of the blowfly (Calliphora vicina)

We used a combination of high speed video and electrophysiological recordings to investigate the relationship between wing kinematics and the firing patterns of the first (b1) and second (b2) basalar muscles of tethered flying blowflies (Calliphora vicina). The b1 typically fires once during every wing stroke near the time of the dorsal stroke reversal. The b2 fires either intermittently or in bursts that may be elicited by a visual turning stimulus. Sustained activation of the b1 at rates near wing beat frequency appears necessary for the tonic maintenance of stroke amplitude. In addition, advances in the phase of b1 activation were correlated with both increased wing protraction during the down-stroke and increased stroke amplitude. Similar kinematic alterations were correlated with b2 spikes, and consequently, both muscles may function in the control of turns toward the contralateral side. The effects of the two muscles were evident within a single stroke period and decayed quickly. Kinematic changes correlated with b1 phase shifts were graded, suggesting a role in compensatory course stabilization. In contrast, b2 spikes were correlated with all-or-none changes in the wing stroke, a characteristic consistent with a role in mediating rapid turns towards or away from objects.
A high - resolution and high -speed 3D imaging system and its application on ATR

The paper presents an advanced 3D imaging system based on a combination of stereo vision and light projection methods.
Analytical placement of mixed-size circuits for better detailed-routability

We propose an analytical placer for generating placement results that can be detailed-routed faster and have fewer violation of design rules. By including a group of pin density constraints in its mathematical formulation, the placer manages to alleviate pin congestion when distributing cells. Moreover, for mixed-size circuits, we adopt a scaled smoothing method to minimize the possible negative influence of fixed macro blocks in placement. As a result, we have few cells overlapping with fixed blocks after global placement, implying that the global placement solution resembles a legal solution more and that legalization has less perturbance to the placement quality. Also, in the final placement result, fewer cells are around macro blocks, whose negative effect in the future routing stage can thus be reduced. Routing solutions obtained by a commercial router show that for most benchmark circuits, detailed routing solutions with fewer violations can be achieved on the placement results generated by our analytical placer.
Association behavior of pyrene compounds as models for asphaltenes

Asphaltene association in solution has been studied extensively using methods such as vaporpressure osmometry and neutron scattering. These methods give relative data on association as a function of solvent strength, temperature, and concentration, but interpretation of the results is hampered by the polyfunctional nature of asphaltenes and the distribution of molecular weight. In this work, we present data on association of representative model structures for asphaltenes, as measured using vapor-pressure osmometry in o-dichlorobenzene at 75-130 °C, and using smallangle neutron scattering in toluene. A series of compounds were synthesized based on the fourring aromatic compound pyrene. The synthetic compounds were designed to give interactions between aromatic rings, alkyl chains, and selected functional groups through aromatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and polar interactions. Even in this strong solvent, polar interactions between oxygen functional groups gave average molecular weights of up to twice the true value, indicating dimer formation. An alkyl pyrene compound, dipyrenyl decane, gave much less significant association. Pyrene itself exhibited little or no self-association.
Modeling and measurements of UV radiation in the atmosphere-ocean system: a review

Mo delingandMeasurementsofUVRadiationintheAtmosphere-OceanSystem:ReviewKnutStamnesDepartmentof PhysicsandEngineering PhStevensInstituteof TechnologyHob oken,NJ 07030, USAAbstract:Atutorial reviewisprovidedofUVradiation transp ortintheatmosphere-o ceansystem.Emphasisisplacedonthebasicphysicalprinciples involvedratherthanmathemati-cal/numerical asp ects.To illustrate the application of the theory the e ects of an ozone depletiononUVirradianceatthesurfacearediscussed.Acomparisonofmeasuredandpredictedp enetration into theo ceanundertheAntarcticozonehole isalso provided.1.Intro ductionThe bulk of the Earth's atmosphere (99% by mass) consists of molecular nitrogen and oxygen,whichareradiativelyinactivehomonuclear,diatomicmolecules.Traceamountsofpolyatomicmoleculesincludingozoneareresp onsibleforatmosphericabsorption.Inrecentyearslosshasbeentiedtothereleaseofman-madetracegases,mainlychlorouoro carb onsusedintherefrigerationindustryandasprop ellantsinspraycans.Sinceozoneprovidesane ectiveshieldagainstharmfulultravioletsolarradiation,athinningoftheozonelayerduetoreleaseofman-madetracegases(Solomon,1990;Andersonetal.,1991)couldhaveseriousbiologicalrami cations (Slap eret al., 1995; Zerefosand Bais, 1997).Ultraviolet andvisible solar radiation determinestheconcentrationofphotochemical lyactivesp eciesthroughthe pro cessofphotolysis,in whichmolecules are split upinto atoms andsmallermolecules.Ozoneis formedwhenanoxygenatom (O) andmolecule (O2)combinetoyieldO3.Chemicalreactionsandphotolysisareresp onsibleforthedestructionofatmosphericozone.The bulk content of the ozone gas residing in the stratosphere is determined by a balancebetweenpro ductionandloss pro cesses.Thisarticleprovidesabriefreviewofhowultravioletradiation interactswithmoleculesandsusp endedmatterintheatmosphereandocean.Itgivesabasicdescriptionofradiationtransp ortintheatmosphere-o ceansystem,andofhowUVp enetrationisa ectedbyozonelayer,andbsusp endedparticlesintheatmosphereo cean.Italsobrieydescrib essomebasicmeasurementsofUVlightlevels,andtheextenttowhichtheoretically predictedlevelsagreewith observations.2.Sun-EarthGeometrySince the Earth moves around the Sun in an elliptical orbit, the Earth-Sun distance,Rn,variesthroughout theyear,suchthaton danumberdn(0 for January1,364 for Decemb er,31)Rn=0(a+1cos2sin3cos24sin)1=2whereR0istheaverageEarth-Sundistance(seeforexample Madronich,1993).Theco ecientsa0{4aregiveninTable1,andn2d=365[radians].Rvariesbyab out3.4%fromits
Biotic and abiotic determinants of intermediate-consumer trophic diversity in the Florida everglades

Food-web structure can shape population dynamics and ecosystem functioning and stability. We investigated the structure of a food-web fragment consisting of dominant intermediate consumers (fishes and crayfishes) in the Florida Everglades, using stable isotope analysis to quantify trophic diversity along gradients of primary production (periphyton), disturbance (marsh drying) and intermediate-consumer density (a possible indicator of competition). We predicted that trophic diversity would increase with resource availability and decrease after disturbance, and that competition could result in greater trophic diversity by favouring resource partitioning. Total trophic diversity, measured by niche area, decreased with periphyton biomass and an ordination axis representing several bluegreen algae species. Consumers' basal resource diversity, estimated by δ 13 C values, was similarly related to algal community structure. The range of trophic levels (δ 15 N range) increased with time since the most recent drying and reflooding event, but decreased with intermediate- consumer density, and was positively related to the ordination axis reflecting increases in green algae and decreases in filamentous bluegreen algae. Our findings suggest that algal quality, independent of quantity, influences food-web structure and demonstrate an indirect role of nutrient enrichment mediated by its effects on periphyton palatability and biomass. These results reveal potential mechanisms for anthropogenic effects on Everglades communities.
Mechanisms of Action in the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder

Abstract Treatment outcome studies for social anxiety disorder have provided consistent evidence for the efficacy of two modalities of treatment: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy. Comparison-treatment studies, as well as a meta-analytic review of the treatment outcome literature suggest that, on average, these treatment modalities provide equivalent outcome.
In vitro characterization of polyesters of aconitic acid, glycerol, and cinnamic acid for bone tissue engineering:

In this study, a novel class of polyesters of glycerol, aconitic acid, and cinnamic acid were synthesized along with their hydroxyapatite (HA) composites, and studied for their potential application in bone defect repair. An osteogenic study was conducted with human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) to determine the osteoinductive ability of aconitic acid-glycerol (AG) polyesters, AG:HA (80:20), aconitic acid-glycerol-cinnamic acid (AGC) polyesters, and AGC:HA (80:20) to serve as bone scaffolds. The results indicate that AGC scaffolds have the highest mechanical strength in comparison to AG, AG:HA (80:20), and AGC:HA (80:20) scaffolds due to its low porosity. It was determined by cytotoxicity and osteogenesis experiments that hASCs cultured for 21 days on AG:HA (80:20) scaffolds in stromal medium exhibited a greater number of live cells than control PCL:HA composites. Moreover, hASCs cultured on foamed AG:HA (80:20) scaffolds resulted in the highest levels of mineralization, increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression, and the greatest osteocalcin (OCN) expression after 21 days. Overall, AG:HA (100:0 and 80:20) scaffolds had higher mechanical strength and cytocompatibility than the PCL:HA control. In vitro osteogenic study demonstrated that AG:HA (100:0 and 80:20) synthesized using sugarcane industry by-products hold potential as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.
Search for infrared absorption lines of atmospheric chlorine monoxide (ClO)

A search for features of the ClO (1-0) vibration-rotation band has been conducted based on a 5000 signal-to-rms noise ratio IR spectrum derived by coadding 39 high-quality 0.0053/cm resolution solar spectra recorded with the McMath Fourier transform spectrometer on Kitt Peak. Evidence for absorption has been found at the locations of several of the stronger ClO P-branch lines with minimal interference. Detailed results are presented for the P(8.5) and P(7.5) 2Pi3/2-2Pi3/2 lines of Cl-35O at 833.2974 and 834.6249/cm, respectively. If ClO is present in the stratosphere at the concentrations indicated by other methods, our analysis indicates that modest improvements in signal-to-noise ratio and spectral resolution would permit a definitive detection of ClO in IR ground-based spectra.
Two methods for preserving agricultural land at the urban fringe: Use-value assessment and transferable development rights☆

Abstract Two methods for preserving agricultural land are analyzed in this paper: Use-value assessment and transferable development rights. A detailed case study of use-value assessment under the California Land Conservation Act analyzes patterns of land enrollment, landowner perceptions of the program, and development expectations. In addition, an economic analysis compares program benefits to the possible gains from land sales. The results suggest that landowner enrollment at the urban fringe was limited by excessively high development expectations. In contrast to widespread adoption of use-value assessment, the use of transferable development rights for preservation of agricultural land is virtually untried, although the measure is currently receiving widespread attention. The underlying concept of transferable development rights and proposed methods of implementation are presented and major issues and problems associated with such a program are examined. It is concluded that some proponents of transferable development programs appear to be unduly optimistic in their evaluation of prospective outcomes.
Pink Color Development in Turkey Meat as Affected by Nicotinamide, Cooking Temperature, Chilling Rate, and Storage Time

Consumers associate pink color in cooked turkey with undercooking. «Pinking» has been attributed to several factors, but remains a problem in the poultry industry. Effects of temperature, chilling rate, and storage time were investigated relative to pink color intensity of turkey meat cooked in the presence of 2% nicotinamide. As final cook temperature increased, sensory pinkness increased as did CIE a * values. Slower chilling rate resuIted in higher CIE a * values and lower CIE b * values. Increased storage time generally increased CIE a * values and decreased b * values while CIE L * values were not affected
Data Modeling of Web Site Structure: An Oracle Prototype

Web page design is essentially an intuitive approach. However, as Web pages become more complex in their structure and content, it is not easy to create and maintain their layout structure consistently. This paper outlines an approach to create an entity-relationship data model of Web site and Web page constructs for storage in a relational database. The approach also outlines the generation of Web pages from database repository. The approach details are illustrated by a prototype in Oracle to show the efficacy of the concepts.
Partial diagonalization of absorptive part equations by laplace transforms

Abstract A Laplace transform is developed to perform a crossed channel partial wave analysis of Bethe-Salpeter equations for absorptive parts of nonforward scattering matrix elements involving particles with spin. The method requires no rotation of contours and allows from the outset power growth in energy of the absorptive part. Diagonalization of the equation with an arbitrary kernel is explicitly carried out, thereby reducing it from a four-dimensional equation to a two-dimensional one. The analysis makes continual use of the underlying SO (1, 2) group symmetry in choosing kinematic variables, defining the transform and proving the crucial addition theorem necessary to effect the diagonalization.
Evidence of recurrent gene fusions in common epithelial tumors

Chromosomal aberrations that accompany carcinogenesis have been documented for almost half a century, with gene fusions being the most prevalent type of aberration. Gene fusions leading to generation of aberrant fusion proteins or aberrant expression of normal proteins are a potent route to carcinogenesis and have recently emerged as attractive therapeutic targets. Intriguingly, although gene fusions have been widely observed in hematological malignancies, they have been far less frequently described in the more-common epithelial carcinomas. It has been recently proposed that technical issues, rather than any fundamental dichotomy between hematological and solid cancers, account for the under-representation of gene fusions in epithelial cancers. Recent reports from our group support this contention and provide evidence of widespread recurrent gene fusions in prostate cancer using a novel analysis of gene-expression profiles. Here, we provide an appraisal of the state of the knowledge of gene fusions in epithelial cancers. Future implications of gene fusions in common epithelial cancers are also discussed.
Functional Compensation for Adipose Differentiation-related Protein (ADFP) by Tip47 in an ADFP Null Embryonic Cell Line

Ectopic accumulation of lipid droplets in non-adipose tissues correlates with the degree of insulin resistance in these tissues. Emerging evidence indicates that lipid droplets are specialized organelles that participate in lipid metabolism and intracellular trafficking. These properties are thought to derive from the lipid droplet-associated PAT protein family (perilipin, ADFP, and Tip47). The functions of the ubiquitously distributed adipose differentiation-related protein (ADFP) and Tip47 remain unknown. To evaluate the roles of ADFP and Tip47 in lipid biogenesis and metabolism, ADFP null and wild type (wt) clonal cell lines were established from ADFP null and wt mice, respectively. In ADFP null cells, Tip47 was identified as the sole lipid droplet-associated protein from the PAT family by mass spectroscopy, which was further confirmed by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. Following incubation with oleic acid, ADFP null cells were able to form lipid droplets to the same extent as wt cells. No statistical differences between the two cell types were observed in NEFA uptake or lipolysis. Small interference RNAs (siRNAs) against Tip47 were found to down-regulate protein levels for Tip47 by 85%. ADFP null cells treated with Tip47 siRNA retained the ability to form lipid droplets but to a lesser extent and shunted the utilization of exogenously added NEFA from triglycerides to phospholipids. These data support the hypothesis that Tip47 plays an important role in lipid metabolism. Tip47 and ADFP in peripheral tissues may play a critical role in regulating the formation and turnover, and hence metabolic consequences, of ectopic fat.
Suicide and increased availability of handguns in the United States

During the 25 years between 1959 and 1984, the suicide rate in the United States increased from 10.5/100,000 to 12.4/100,000. The increase was confined to those suicides using a firearm, which had reached 58.5% of the total by the end of the period. At the same time, there was a marked increase in the household ownership of handguns (but not of shotguns and rifles). The present study investigates whether the increase in suicide might be due to the increase in the ownership of handguns. Regression analyses showed a strong relationship between handgun ownership and the rate of gun suicides, but not between handgun ownership and the overall rate of suicide. These results support the hypothesis that the rise in handguns has led to an increase in gun suicides, but, they do not permit a choice between two further competing hypotheses: (i) that more people are now committing suicide because there are more handguns available or, (ii) that people who would otherwise have killed themselves in some different way are now using guns. Because of the potential implications for prevention, further study of these issues is needed.
An investigation of teachers’ intentions and reflections about using Standards-based and traditional textbooks in the classroom

This study analyzed teachers’ intentions for and reflections on their use of Standards-based [Connected Mathematics Program (CMP)] textbooks and traditional (non-CMP) mathematics textbooks to guide instruction. In this investigation of the interplay between textbooks and instruction, we focused on learning goals, instructional tasks, teachers’ anticipation of students’ difficulties, and their perceptions of students’ achievement of learning goals. All of these are aspects of teachers’ intentions and reflections that have proved fruitful in comparing the roles of the CMP and non-CMP mathematics textbooks in our Longitudinal Investigation of the Effect of Curriculum on Algebra Learning project. Whereas the cognitive level of the teachers’ intended learning goals appeared generally to reflect the emphases of their respective textbooks, we found that the CMP teachers’ intended learning goals were not as well aligned with the CMP textbooks as the non-CMP teachers’ learning goals were aligned with their non-CMP textbooks. The CMP and non-CMP teachers’ implementations of the lessons seemed to reduce the degree of difference between the cognitive levels of their intended goals. Even so, we found that significantly more CMP lessons than non-CMP lessons were implemented at a high level of cognitive demand. Although the non-CMP teachers’ intended learning goals were better aligned with their textbook’s learning goals, we found that the CMP teachers were more likely than the non-CMP teachers to follow the guidance of their textbooks in designing and selecting instructional tasks for a lesson. Future research should consider other aspects of teachers’ intentions and reflections that may shed a broader light on the role of textbooks and curriculum materials in teachers’ crafting of instructional experiences for their students.
Midterm Elections and Divided Government:An Information-Driven Theory of Electoral Volatility

Divided government affects individual choices over how to vote in midterm elections because it increases uncertainty in the minds of voters. Particularly, divided control of government makes blame attribution more difficult by obscuring causal connections and reducing the overall amount of usable information. As a result, we argue that under divided government, voters are less likely to vote for the House candidate not of the President's party. Using both NES and election-specific contextual data, we examine divided government's effect on the voters' political knowledge and candidate preferences in all midterm elections from 1978 to 1994, controlling for well identified factors that shape outcomes in House elections. We find, first, that divided government reduces the amount of political information held by voters. Second, divided govern ment helps the President's party by lowering the probability that an indi vidual votes for the out-party candidate.
Advances in high-performance cryocoolers and production variants at Raytheon Infrared Operations

Raytheon has consolidated the products and expertise of the former Hughes Mahwah (Magnavox) and Torrance cryocooler operations to the Raytheon Infrared Operations (RIO) located in Goleta, CA (formerly SBRC). Co-location of the cryocooler operations with the detector/dewar operations yields infrared systems with reduced cost. This paper describes the current capabilities of the linear and rotary cryocooler products as well as developments underway and planned. Development goals include cost reduction, high performance while operating in extreme environmental conditions (> 90°C skin temperatures), and long life (> 20,000 hrs). Technologies developed by a Raytheon sister division for space cryocoolers are now being applied to tactical cryocoolers at RIO. Data, specifications, and a technology roadmap for the product-line cryocoolers encompassing cooling capacities including 0.2-, 0.35-, 0.75-, 1.0- and 1.75-watt ranges will be shown.
Metachronous Skeletal Osteosarcoma in Patients Treated with Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Nonmetastatic Osteosarcoma

Purpose: The prognosis for patients who develop metachronous skeletal osteosarcoma (OS) has been considered grave compared with that for patients with relapse limited to the lungs. We investigated the incidence and outcome of metachronous skeletal OS after initial treatment of the primary tumor. Patients and Methods: Twenty-three (median age 18.7 years) of 426 patients with nonmetastatic, high-grade primary OS treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY) between February 1973 and May 2000 developed metachronous skeletal OS. Initial therapy included combination chemotherapy and surgery. Treatment of subsequent relapses consisted of chemotherapy or radiation alone or surgery with or without additional individualized chemotherapy. Results: The median time from the diagnosis of primary OS to the development of metachronous OS was 1.4 years (range, 0.2 to 11.3 years). Median survival was 1.5 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8 to 6.9 years). Two- and 5-year postmetachronous overall sur...
Postprocedural Aspiration Test to Predict Adequacy of Dialysis Following Tunneled Catheter Placement

The objective of the study was to determine if a timed aspiration technique with a 20-ml syringe can be used to predict adequacy of blood flow in tunneled dialysis catheters. Sixteen patients referred for de novo placement or manipulation of failing tunneled hemodialysis catheters had the time it takes to fill a 20-ml syringe with the plunger fully withdrawn measured to the nearest tenth of a second. These measurements were correlated with flow rates recorded in dialysis just prior to (if failed catheter) and in the following dialysis session with adequacy determined as at least 300 ml/min. Syringe-filling time (22 catheters in 16 patients) was plotted against adequacy of dialysis. The mean time to fill a 20-ml syringe was 2.2 sec, with a range of 1.0–4.7 sec. The mean time to fill syringes for catheters with adequate dialysis was 1.7 ± 0.5 sec, and for inadequate catheters, it was 2.8 ± 0.8 sec. These differences are statistically significant (p < 0.001). Using a filling time of greater than or equal to 2 sec as a threshold gives the highest sensitivity (100%) for predicting inadequate dialysis while maintaining high specificity (75%). To achieve a specificity of 100%, a 3-sec cutoff would be necessary, but would lead to a sensitivity of only 20%. A simple and objective aspiration technique can be performed at the time of tunneled dialysis catheter placement/manipulation to reasonably predict adequacy of subsequent dialysis.
Microscopic studies of oxidized highly oriented pyrolytic graphites

Abstract Microscopic examination of two highly oriented pyrolytic graphites reacted with oxygen has revealed some unusual structural features. Oxygen attack occurs on basal plane surfaces to produce channels at crystallite boundaries, monolayer pits at lattice vacancies, and deeper pits at some unidentified structural defects. It is argued that these defects are not non-basal screw dislocations but may be associated with some structural irregularity which occurred during deposition. The depth of these pits (∼ 10 μm) is much larger than the crystallite dimension, L , (∼ 500A). At the edge surfaces, where the majority of the oxidation occurs, preferential attack is evident from channels which appear to follow random paths into the material up to 120 μm long. These are suggestive of catalytic attack but no catalyst particles have ever been observed. On some edge surfaces a blocky structure is observed which may be related to terraces in the basal plane pits. These observations indicate the presence of a structural macrounit containing several crystallites, highly oriented but separated by basal plane twist boundaries.
Leupeptin inhibits phospholipases D and C activation in rat hepatocytes.

Abstract The relationship between phospholipase D and C activation was studied in intact rat hepatocytes and rat liver plasma membranes. In intact hepatocytes, in the presence of ethanol, vasopressin, phorbol ester, and calcium independently stimulated phosphatidylethanol (PETH) formation, a specific marker of phospholipase D activity. Leupeptin (10–1500 μM) inhibited PETH formation induced by vasopressin, but was ineffective in response to phorbol ester or calcium. Leupeptin also inhibited the formation of inositol phosphates in intact cells in response to vasopressin. In liver plasma membranes, GTP[S] induced the production of phosphatidic acid and, in the presence of ethanol, PETH. Plasma membrane-associated phospholipase D did not require calcium and was insensitive to protein kinase C inhibitors. Leupeptin inhibited PETH formation in response to GTP[S]. The inhibition by leupeptin could be overcome by increasing the concentration of GTP[S]. In plasma membranes, the inhibitory effects of leupeptin on phospholipase D occurred at doses that far exceed those required to maximally inhibit proteolysis. These data highlight a central role for phospholipase C in the activation of phospholipase D, and a minor role for a direct G-protein activation. The findings also demonstrate a novel use of leupeptin as an inhibitor of phospholipases D and C perhaps at the level of a G protein.
Yes! NLP-based FL-ITS will be important

It is useful to consider a straightforward argument for according NLP a central role in CALL. I will call it SCW, since it is simple, clear and wrong. It runs like this: intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) with simulated problem environments are potentially excellent for learning; a key module of an ITS is a computational model of expertise in the domain; NLP systems are such models in the domain of hmnan languages; so let's use NLP knowledge bases as the expert module of a foreign language ITS. see Chanier et al. (1992). For a rule to be learned or even to be useful in explanation, it should be congruent with learners' cognition and expressed in a way that is meaningful to them. Anyone familiar with NI,P knowledge bases could hardly think seriously about promoting their direct use in explanations to learners. Stay the Course.
Anticipatory Display Design through the Use of an Analog Computer

Modern high-performance aircraft currently are pressing the limitations of the human operator. The increased speeds compress the allowable reaction time to such levels wherein logical decisions, and even conditioned reflex actions, may no longer be possible. The only way to overcome this human limitation of manned aircraft performance is through the incorporation of anticipatory displays; displays which offer a prediction of the various parameters so that the human operator is projected ahead of the system. An aircraft was analog computer simulated, data reduction was programmed and the same computer was used to allow biophysical measurement, which furnished correlative measure. The effectiveness of various piloting techniques, as well as prediction intervals, was explored. The results indicated a first approximation to the design of improved displays through the use of anticipatory information.
Avionics architecture interface considerations between constellation vehicles

In January 2004, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) received new strategic guidance for Space Exploration. With this new guidance, the manned spaceflight community was given an exciting opportunity to develop new human qualified space vehicles based on the latest technology and methodology. The scope of NASA's Constellation program encompasses all elements that must work together to successfully complete the mission of returning humans to the moon. These elements include a launch system, crewed vehicle, and landing module, to name a few.
Adjunctive mycophenolate vs. azathioprine for prevention of rejection in pediatric heart transplant recipients

(HTx) patients (pts) can signify graft end of life. We evaluated the development and significance of LDD in pediatric HTx pts, its correlation with graft coronary artery disease (CAD), rejection (RJN) history and graft survival. Methods: Clinical and cardiac catheterization (cath) data were reviewed for all pts 18 yrs at HTx from 1990–2004. We defined LDD as persistent elevated left heart filling pressures (wedge pressure 10 mmHg) present on sequential routine caths at 6 months post HTx, obtained in the presence of preserved systolic function and without evidence of RJN on heart biopsy. Beginning with the first cath post HTx, data were evaluated for presence of LDD. Angiograms were evaluated for CAD. Results: 116 HTx were performed in 106 pts; cath data from 790 caths in the 86 pts who survived 6 months post HTx showed the median (range) age at HTx was 3.4 (0.05–17) yr; median time of cath post HTx was 0.83 (0.01–13.0) yr; median follow up was 3.7 (0.5–14.1) yr. In the 24/86 (27.9%) pts who developed persistent LDD, median (range) time to LDD was 2.0 (0.5–11) yr. Of the pts with LDD, 19 (79.1%) had RJN (ISHLT grade 1B) during the first year, and 13 (54%) had CAD. Cox regression model showed an increased risk of graft failure over time in those patients who developed LDD (hazard ratio (HR) 4.82, p 0.001) and an increased risk of developing LDD in those with CAD (HR 5.65, p 0.001). Outcomes: Of the cohort who developed LDD, 2 pts required re-HTx, 12 died, 10 are still alive. Conclusion: Late diastolic dysfunction is a significant complication of pediatric HTx and associated with an increased risk of graft failure. Graft coronary vasculopathy is associated with an increased risk of LDD.
Parameter Sensitivity in Distributive Feedback Systems

ABSTRACT In earlier studies classical system sensitivity concepts have been generalized to an abstract system setting. It is shown that certain abstract results can be interpreted in the domain of distributive systems. Attention is centred on the interaction between feedback and system sensitivity.
Classification of individual trials based on the best independent component of EEG-recorded sentences

Significant results for individual trials were achieved in recognizing brain waves using single-channel perceptron-based classifiers (SCC) on electroencephalography (EEG)data generated by visual sentences as stimuli. By the use of a multichannel classifier (MCC), classification rates were greatly improved for the subjects with bipolar settings, while the improvement for subjects with monopolar settings were small. We also present here an alternative multichannel scheme using independent component analysis (ICA). Sources were estimated by computing a linear combination of EEGchannels. Therefore, multichannel data were taken into account even when one independent component was used. Unlike multichannel perceptron classifiers which were only useful for bipolar recordings, the best ICA-component classifier (ICA SCC) was effective for both monopolar and bipolar settings.
Effect of rotation on heat transfer in two-pass square channels with five different orientations of 45° angled rib turbulators

Abstract The effect of various 45° angled rib turbulator arrangements on the Nusselt number ratio in a rotating, two-pass, square channel is investigated for three Reynolds numbers (5000, 10,000, 25,000), with rotation number up to 0.11, and two channel orientations with respect to the axis of rotation ( β =90° and 135°). Five different arrangements of rib turbulators are placed on the leading and trailing surfaces at an angle of +45° or −45° to the main stream flow. The rib height-to-hydraulic diameter ratio ( e / D ) is 0.125; the rib pitch-to-height ratio ( P / e ) is 10; and the inlet coolant-to-wall density ratio (Δ ρ / ρ ) is maintained around 0.11. The results show that the rotating ribbed surface Nusselt number ratios increase by a factor of 2 compared to the rotating smooth surface results. The results also show that the heat transfer enhancement depends on the rib-angle orientation (+45° or −45°) to the main stream flow in the first or second pass of the channel for both rotating and non-rotating conditions. Overall, the parallel rib cases show better heat transfer enhancement than the crossed rib case for both rotating and non-rotating conditions. The 90° channel orientation with respect to the axis of rotation produces greater rotating effect on heat transfer over the 135° channel orientation.
Correlation of Amine Number and pDNA Binding Mechanism for Trehalose-Based Polycations

Glycopolymers with repeat units comprised of the disaccharide trehalose and an oligoamine of increasing amine have been previously synthesized by our group and shown to efficiently deliver pDNA (plasmid DNA) to HeLa cells while remaining relatively nontoxic. Complexes formed between the most amine-dense of these polycations and pDNA were also found to be relatively stable in serum and have low aggregation, which is desirable for in vivo gene delivery. To lend insight into these interesting results, this study was aimed at investigating the binding strength and mechanism of interaction between these macromolecules, via isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and ethidium bromide exclusion assays. The size of these pDNA−polymer complexes, or polyplexes, at various states of formation was determined through light scattering and ζ-potential measurements. Varying degrees of pDNA secondary structure change occurred upon interaction with the polymers, as evidenced by circular dichroism spectra through increasing ...