cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptor antagonists modulate nicotine-evoked [3H]dopamine and [3H]norepinephrine release

Tobacco smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. A major negative health consequence of chronic smoking is hypertension. Untoward addictive and cardiovascular sequelae associated with chronic smoking are mediated by nicotine-induced activation of nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) within striatal dopaminergic and hypothalamic noradrenergic systems. Hypertension involves both brain and peripheral angiotensin systems. Activation of angiotensin type-1 receptors (AT1) release dopamine and norepinephrine. The current study determined the role of AT1 and angiotensin type-2 (AT2) receptors in mediating nicotine-evoked dopamine and norepinephrine release from striatal and hypothalamic slices, respectively. The potential involvement of nAChRs in mediating effects of AT1 antagonist losartan and AT2 antagonist, 1-[[4-(dimethylamino)-3-methylphenyl]methyl]-5-(diphenylacetyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid (PD123319) was evaluated by determining their affinities for α4β2* and α7* nAChRs using [³H]nicotine and [³H]methyllycaconitine binding assays, respectively. Results show that losartan concentration-dependently inhibited nicotine-evoked [³H]dopamine and [³H]norepinephrine release (IC₅₀: 3.9 ± 1.2 and 2.2 ± 0.7 μM; Imax: 82 ± 3 and 89 ± 6%, respectively). In contrast, PD123319 did not alter nicotine-evoked norepinephrine release, and potentiated nicotine-evoked dopamine release. These results indicate that AT1 receptors modulate nicotine-evoked striatal dopamine and hypothalamic norepinephrine release. Furthermore, AT1 receptor activation appears to be counteracted by AT2 receptor activation in striatum. Losartan and PD123319 did not inhibit [³H]nicotine or [³H]methyllycaconitine binding, indicating that these AT1 and AT2 antagonists do not interact with the agonist recognition sites on α4β2* and α7* nAChRs to mediate these effects of nicotine. Thus, angiotensin receptors contribute to the effects of nicotine on dopamine and norepinephrine release in brain regions involved in nicotine reward and hypertension.
Exercise ventilation and pulmonary artery wedge pressure in chronic stable congestive heart failure

Abstract In patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), physical exertion frequently is associated with higher than normal ventilatory levels and dyspnea. To determine the prevalence of such excessive ventilatory responses In CHF and whether this excessive ventilation is a result of acute increases in intrapulmonary pressure during exercise, minute ventilation (VE) and pulmonary artery (PA) wedge pressure were measured during maximal bicycle exercise in 38 patients with chronic CHF. I was then determined whether reducing the PA wedge pressure during exercise with prazosin (9 patients) or dobutamine (6 patients) reduced ventilatory levels toward normal. To compare ventilation between patients, VE was correlated with minute carbon dioxide production (VCO2) (r ≥0.90); the calculated VE at a VCO2 of 1 liter/min (VE-CO2) was derived from this relation and used as a normalized index of ventilation. During exercise,VE-CO2 ranged from 27 to 71 liters/min, exceeding the normal range in 37 of 38 patients (normal 33 liters/mIn or less). VE-CO2 did not correlate with peak exercise PA wedge pressure and correlated only weakly with PA wedge pressure at rest (r = 0.48). Acute reduction in the PA wedge pressure during exercise with, prazosin or dobutamlne did not significantly reduce (VE-CO2) These data suggest that ventilatory levels are frequently excessive during exercise In patients with CHF and therefore may provide a useful, objective index of their altered pulmonary function. In addition, our data suggest that this excessive ventilation is not a result of acute changes in intrapulmonary pressure during exercise.
Aerodynamic Loads on Tall Buildings: Interactive Database

Under the action of wind, tall buildings oscillate simultaneously in the alongwind, acrosswind, and torsional directions. While the alongwind loads have been successfully treated using quasi-steady and strip theories in terms of gust loading factors, the acrosswind and torsional loads cannot be treated in this manner, since these loads cannot be related in a straightforward manner to the fluctuations in the approach flow. Accordingly, most current codes and standards provide little guidance for the acrosswind and torsional response. To fill this gap, a preliminary, interactive database of aerodynamic loads is presented, which can be accessed by any user with Microsoft Explorer at the URL address http://www.nd.edu/;nathaz/. The database is comprised of high-frequency base balance measurements on a host of isolated tall building models. Combined with the analysis procedure provided, the nondimensional aerodynamic loads can be used to compute the wind-induced response of tall buildings. The influence of key parameters, such as the side ratio, aspect ratio, and turbulence characteristics for rectangular sections, is also discussed. The database and analysis procedure are viable candidates for possible inclusion as a design guide in the next generation of codes and standards.
Kallikrein gene therapy: a new strategy for hypertensive diseases

The tissue kallikrein-kinin system has been postulated to play a role in blood pressure homeostasis and the pathogenesis of clinical hypertension. To demonstrate the potential therapeutic effects of somatic gene delivery in treating hypertension, we used spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) as a model. The gene encoding the human tissue kallikrein was used because of its powerful hypotensive action. The human kallikrein DNA constructs were placed under the control of the metallothionein metal response element, the cytomegalovirus promoter/enhancer or the Rous sarcoma virus 3'-LTR. The human tissue kallikrein DNA constructs were incorporated into adenoviral vectors via homologous recombination. The naked plasmid DNA constructs or adenovirus containing the kallikrein gene were first introduced into kidney 293 cells and the expression of human tissue kallikrein was identified by ELISA. The kallikrein gene was delivered into SHR via intramuscular, intravenous, portal vein, intraperitoneal, and intracerebroventricular routes. A single injection of naked human kallikrein DNA constructs caused a prolonged reduction of high blood pressure for up to 8 weeks. Adenoviral-mediated gene delivery results in high efficiency of human tissue kallikrein expression. Immunoreactive human kallikrein was detected in rat serum at the highest level at 1 day post gene delivery. Portal vein delivery of a reporter gene, AdCMV-LacZ, results in intense staining of beta-galactosidase in rat liver, suggesting that recombinant kallikrein is mainly produced in liver and secreted into the circulation. These results show that kallikrein gene delivery causes a sustained reduction of blood pressure in genetically hypertensive rats and provide important information for a potential gene therapy approach to human hypertension and related diseases.
Urban Public High School Teachers’ Beliefs about Science Learner Characteristics Implications for Curriculum

This qualitative study addresses the link between urban high school teachers’ beliefs about their students’ preparedness to achieve success in science and the teachers’ reported curricular responses to those beliefs. Eight high school science teachers from schools representing a range of achievement levels were interviewed using semistructured, in-depth interview techniques. The findings suggest that teachers view science as a special subject that requires special qualities. Teachers saw their own students as largely lacking in those qualities needed for success in science and reported such modifications to the curriculum as “slowing down,” deemphasizing some topics, and reducing the depth of coverage.
Strategic Responses of Incumbents to New Entry: The Effect of Ownership Structure, Capital structure, and focus

We examine how certain firm- and market-specific characteristics affect incumbent firms' responses to new entry into their local markets. Data comes from the discount department store industry where Wal-Mart entered a large number of markets in a short period of time. Consistent with existing research, larger and more profitable incumbents respond more aggressively to Wal-Mart's entry, while more highly levered incumbents respond less aggressively. Also, there is evidence that incumbent managers fight harder (possibly overinvest) when their job is at greater risk and high managerial ownership appears to reduce this agency problem. Incumbent firms behave differently in markets under attack by Wal-Mart than in markets not yet threatened, suggesting that some of the documented responses are specific to WalMart's entry. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.
GATA3 Inhibits Breast Cancer Metastasis through the Reversal of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

GATA3, a transcription factor that regulates T lymphocyte differentiation and maturation, is exclusively expressed in early stage well differentiated breast cancers but not in advanced invasive cancers. However, little is understood regarding its activity and the mechanisms underlying this differential expression in cancers. Here, we employed GATA3-positive, non-invasive (MCF-7) and GATA3-negative, invasive (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells to define its role in the transformation between these two distinct phenotypes. Ectopic expression of GATA3 in MDA-MB-231 cells led to a cuboidal-like epithelial phenotype and reduced cell invasive activity. These cells also increased E-cadherin expression but decreased levels of vimentin, N-cadherin, and MMP-9. Further, MDA-MB-231 cells expressing GATA3 grew smaller primary tumors without metastasis compared with larger metastatic tumors derived from control MDA-MB-231 cells in xenografted mice. GATA3 was found to induce E-cadherin expression through binding GATA-like motifs located in the E-cadherin promoter. Blockade of GATA3 using small interfering RNA gene knockdown in MCF-7 cells triggered fibroblastic transformation and cell invasion, resulting in distant metastasis. Studies of human breast cancer showed that GATA3 expression correlated with elevated E-cadherin levels, ER expression, and long disease-free survival. These data suggest that GATA3 drives invasive breast cancer cells to undergo the reversal of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, leading to the suppression of cancer metastasis.
Conspiracy Beliefs About HIV/AIDS and Birth Control Among African Americans: Implications for the Prevention of HIV, Other STIs, and Unintended Pregnancy

In this article we examine the potential role that conspiracy beliefs regarding HIV/AIDS (e.g. "HIV is a manmade virus") and birth control (e.g. "The government is trying to limit the Black population by encouraging the use of condoms") play in the prevention of HIV other STIs and unintended pregnancies among African Americans in the United States. First we review prior research indicating that substantial percentages of African Americans endorse conspiracy beliefs about HIV/AIDS and birth control. Next we present a theoretical framework that suggests how conspiracy beliefs influence sexual behavior and attitudes. We then offer several recommendations for future research. Finally we discuss the policy and programmatic implications of conspiracy beliefs for the prevention of HIV other STIs and unintended pregnancy. (authors)
High temperatures in the early solar nebula

One fundamental controversy about terrestrial planet and asteroid formation is the discrepancy between meteoritical evidence for high temperatures (1500 K to 2000 K) in the inner solar nebula, and much lower theoretical temperature predictions on the basis of models of viscous accretion disks that neglect compressional heating of infalling gas. It is shown here that rigorous numerical calculations of the collapse of a rotating, three-dimensional presolar nebula are capable of producing temperatures on the order of 1500 K in the asteroid region (2.5 astronomical units), in either nearly axisymmetric or strongly nonaxisymmetric nebula models. The latter models may permit significant thermal cycling of solid components in the early inner solar nebula.
Managerial Challenges of Global Advertising Agencies

Abstract Based upon his faculty-residence experience at a global advertising agency, and his interviews with the managerial staff of the agency, the author identifies and discusses five major managerial challenges of global advertising agencies, namely cultural diversity, media and audience fragmentation, integration of marketing tools, expatriation of managerial staff, and relationship marketing. The solutions of the managerial challenges are also discussed, where appropriate
A detailed analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth kinetics in batch, fed-batch, and hollow-fiber bioreactors

Abstract The use of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has increased greatly over the past few years for the production of pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, and other commodities. One reason for this is the many advantages it offers for synthesis and secretion of recombinant DNA products. However, the growth characteristics of this yeast are quite complex and only recently has detailed analysis been available to provide additional insight into such phenomena as biphasic growth and catabolic repression. This paper summarizes and organizes current literature and also details the experimental behavior of on-line and off-line variables of S. cerevisiae in glucose-limited-batch, fed- batch, and hollow-fiber bioreactors. The observed behavior is interpreted using knowledge of yeast catabolism biochemistry and physiology. Special focus is placed on the interpretation of off-gas behavior with respect to TCA enzyme activity and the saturation level of oxygen utilization capacity.
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry assays for the determination of debrisoquine and sparteine metabolites in microsomal fractions of rat liver.

Abstract Debrisoquine and sparteine are prototype substrates of a genetic deficiency in cytochrome P450-dependent drug metabolism. Sensitive assays of in vitro oxidation of sparteine and debrisoquine are required for evaluation of this polymorphism. The activities were measured by quantitative analysis of 2-dehydrosparteine and 4-hydroxydebrisoquine production, respectively, using capillary column gas chromatography coupled with mass selective ion detection. With a single extraction, separation of parent drug, metabolite, and a suitable internal standard was readily achievable. Time-dependent production of both metabolites could be detected from as little as 40 μg of microsomal protein. Both activities showed a maximal activity with a 240-min incubation period. The ability to simultaneously quantify the parent drug and its metabolite suggests it would also be useful for evaluation of in vivo metabolism.
A comparative study of the safety and economics of fusion fuel cycles

The safety and economic characteristics of the deuterium-tritium (DT), deuterium-deuterium (DD) and deuterium-helium-3 (DHe) fusion fuel cycles have been compared. Representative tokamak designs for each fuel cycle were established based on consistent design criteria, using modest extrapolations of present day technologies. The economic analysis of these designs took into account the possible variation in capital and operating costs, and plant availability. Safety analyses examined tritium inventories, routine tritium releases, inventories of activation products and the level of hazard associated with plant wastes. The annual dose incurred by plant workers was estimated for all fuel cycles. The impact of using a reduced activation steel as a blanket material on the economics and safety during normal conditions for the DD fuel cycle was examined. A loss of coolant accident (LOCA) was investigated to determine the relative safety and economic impact of this event for the various fuel cycles. Finally, a cost/benefit analysis was performed to determine if the increased costs associated with these designs are justified by the improved safety which they provide.
Effects of CV-3988, an antagonist of platelet-activating factor (PAF), on washed rabbit platelets.

Abstract Platelet-activating factor(1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine or AGEPC) is a small, extremely potent phospholipid mediator. CV-3988, a unique structural analogue of AGEPC, has recently been introduced as a selective antagonist of AGEPC-induced in vitro platelet activation and in vivo systemic hypotension. At concentrations greater than 5 × 10−5 M, CV-3988 itself induced aggregation and secretion responses in washed rabbit platelets. CV-3988 inhibited AGEPC-induced platelet activation at concentrations as low as 10−8 M, but also blocked platelet activation induced by collagen and calcium ionophore A23187 at concentrations between 10−6M and 10−5M. The mechanism of inhibition, however, did not depend on increased levels of intracellular 31,51-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (CAMP). In fact, CV-3988, like AGEPC itself, appeared to lower cAMP levels in washed rabbit platelets.
The return to work of injured workers: evidence from matched unemployment insurance and workers' compensation data

Abstract This study represents the first analysis of the return to work of an entire population of workers with job-related injuries. Duration estimates indicate that returning to the pre-injury employer is one of the main determinants of the speed of return to work. The worker's pre-injury employment history also plays a large role, while the elasticities of the economic incentives vary across injury lengths and model specifications. The length of time off work is an important determinant of the probability of being employed 1 year after the first return to work. Results do not differ by gender.
Bill Freudenburg as a colleague

Bill Freudenburg and I started collaborating in the mid-1980s as professional colleagues and soon became fast friends. In this article I argue that active collaboration coupled with creative field work can be an important strategy for those of us in the field of environmental sociology/studies.
Myocardial performance in splanchnic arterial occlusion shock.

Abstract The adverse combined effects of mesenteric ischemia and the subsequently precipitated lethal shock after restoration of mesenteric blood flow have implicated direct or indirect roles of the heart in the pathogenesis of shock. The present experiments were carried out to assay the role of the heart in splanchnic arterial occlusion (SAO) shock. Studies were designed to evaluate the combined effects of SAO shock and diminished coronary perfusion pressure on the performance of a stressed heart. Experiments were carried out on isolated hearts exchanging blood with an intact dog subjected to 2 hr of splanchnic arterial occlusion. Release of the occlusion did not result in any measurable detrimental effect on the heart: LVEDP and cardiac power were maintained in the normal range at mean aortic pressures (afterloads) between 34 and 125 mm Hg at all times during the postocclusion period. dP/dt was elevated, possibly as a result of increased coronary blood flow and decreased coronary vascular resistance. Myocardial oxidative metabolic characteristics were unchanged from control preocclusion values. Normal myocardial function was observed after the release of a lethal period of splanchnic arterial occlusion during both early and terminal periods of shock. Results, though not revealing the cause of SAO shock, suggest that diminished cardiac performance resulting from the actions of blood-borne substances released from the ischemic splanchnic region is not a significant factor in the development of systemic hypotension and death.
Insulin Resistance in Dogs

In diabetic dogs, many concurrent diseases can cause resistance to exogenous insulin. The most common concurrent disorders in diabetic dogs are hyperadrenocorticism, urinary tract infection, acute pancreatitis, neoplasia, and hypothyroidism. When a concurrent disorder is treated, the insulin dose should be decreased to avoid possible hypoglycemia when an underlying cause of insulin resistance is removed. Hormonal disturbances have been observed in obese dogs, but the clinical significance of these changes is not known.
American Anthropology as Foreign Policy

In the United States, the discipline of English literature and language has cohered around modeling domestic policy, while anthropology has cohered around modeling foreign policy. This is illustrated by way of anthropology's relation to the conceptual apparatus created in United States Indian policy as part of a global strategy in mapping foreignness. The author suggests an alternative outline for a history and calls for an expanded and self-conscious (re)vision of anthropology's role in constituting international order.
Response of ectomycorrhizal Pinus banksiana and Picea glauca to heavy metals in soil

Pinus banksiana andPicea glauca inoculated or not with the ectomycorrhizal fungusSuillus luteus were grown in a sandy loam soil containing a range of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations. Ectomycorrhizal colonization rates were significantly reduced on Pinus and Picea seedlings by the heavy metals, particularly Cd and Ni. Needle tissue metal concentrations were lower in ectomycorrhizal seedlings at low soil metal concentrations. However, at higher soil concentrations, heavy metal concentrations of needle tissue were similar in ectomycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants. The growth of nonmycorrhizal seedlings exposed to heavy metals was reduced compared to those inoculated withSuillus luteus. Apparently ectomycorrhizal colonization can protect Pinus and Picea seedlings from heavy metal toxicity at low or intermediate soil concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn.
Lipid raft-dependent uptake, signalling and intracellular fate of Porphyromonas gingivalis in mouse macrophages

Lipid rafts are cholesterol-enriched microdomains involved in cellular trafficking and implicated as portals for certain pathogens. We sought to determine whether the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis enters macrophages via lipid rafts, and if so, to examine the impact of raft entry on its intracellular fate. Using J774A.1 mouse macrophages, we found that P. gingivalis colocalizes with lipid rafts in a cholesterol-dependent way. Depletion of cellular cholesterol using methyl-β-cyclodextrin resulted in about 50% inhibition of P. gingivalis uptake, although this effect was reversed by cholesterol reconstitution. The intracellular survival of P. gingivalis was dramatically inhibited in cholesterol-depleted cells relative to untreated or cholesterol-reconstituted cells, even when infections were adjusted to allow equilibration of the initial intracellular bacterial load. P. gingivalis thus appeared to exploit raft-mediated uptake for promoting its survival. Consistent with this, lipid raft disruption enhanced the colocalization of internalized P. gingivalis with lysosomes. In contrast, raft disruption did not affect the expression of host receptors interacting with P. gingivalis, although it significantly inhibited signal transduction. In summary, P. gingivalis uses macrophage lipid rafts as signaling and entry platforms, which determine its intracellular fate to the pathogen’s own advantage.
Human brain tumor xenografts in nude mice as a chemotherapy model

Abstract Two human brain tumors which were previously established in nude mice were used to determine antitumor efficacy of various therapeutic agents. These tumors were a medulloblastoma (TE-671) and a glioma (U-251) with mass doubling times of 3.5 and 5.5 days respectively as subcutaneous implants in nude mice. Intracranial (i.c.) tumor challenge was accomplished by inoculating tissue culture-grown cells of either tumor into the right cerebral hemisphere to a depth of 3 mm . Median survival time (MST) in untreated mice with 10 5 i.c. injected TE-671 cells was approximately 30 days and 53 days in the U-251 tumor. With 2 × 10 5 U-251 tumor cells the MST was 27–31 days . Groups of mice which had been inoculated with tumor were treated with various doses and schedules of antineoplastic compounds by the i.p. route. The TE-671 tumor responded to AZQ treatment with an increase in life span (ILS) of 37% compared to untreated controls and an ILS of 30% with CCNU treatment. BCNU and PCNU were ineffective. With the U-251 tumor BCNU produced an ILS of >60%, with 75% cures, >112% ILS with PCNU and 49% ILS with CCNU. Neither tumor responded to procarbazine, PALA, dianhydrogalactitol, d- O -norleucine or dibromodulcitol. The U-251 tumor was treated on various schedules and doses with BCNU and found to respond well on late as well as early treatment. A new drug (rapamycin) being investigated by the NCI was found to be very effective against the U-251 tumor. This model system should prove valuable in assessing the effects of various chemotherapeutic modalities against brain tumors.
Heuristics, normative models, and the value of serial test patterns.

This paper deals with living systems at the level of the human organism, including all subsystems. It argues that, in medicine, conclusions about the adequacy of clinical heuristics, vis-a-vis normative models, may be suspect until the models are more adequately designed and the heuristics better defined. Through a theoretical analysis, it shows that dynamic information, ordinarily ignored in normative models yet often present in biological systems, can have a profound impact on the cost-effectiveness of test use. Empirically, it also shows that explicit clinical policies ignoring dynamic test patterns can lead to substantial loss in diagnostic information. These results motivate research on clinical strategies for using dynamic information. They also suggest unmet needs in evaluating tests, providing decision support, and educating physicians in cost-effective test use.
Thermoplastic polymer formulations: An approach through experimental design

An approach to modify a thermoplastic polymer's cost–property profile is through polymer blends and glass reinforcement. An experimental design for a thermoplastic polymer formulation was done using RS/Discover® and EChip®. Here, two crystalline thermoplastic polymers have been compounded with fiber glass to reduce cost and maintain useful melt processing properties and physical properties. Using RS/Explore and EChip software, the results were analyzed by regression analysis and the results summarized in contour plots. The ease of use and resultant format of the data analysis from these software packages are compared. A total of 10 responses were measured and analyzed in this experiment and multivariate data analysis was incorporated where appropriate. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A novel Lagrange-multiplier based method for consistent mesh tying☆

We propose a novel Lagrange-multiplier method for mesh tying in R 2 that passes a linear patch test for subdomains with non-coincident interfaces. This capability is required in contact problems and finite element analysis of complex bodies that were broken into simpler shapes to aid grid generation, and where independent descriptions of a shared curved boundary may not necessarily match. In mortar methods Lagrange multipliers are defined on one of the sides and field continuity is enforced by projecting data from the other side. For some interface configurations, this approach may fail to pass a linear patch test. In our method constraints express equilibrium of weighted field averages on the non-matching interfaces. As a result, selection of master and slave sides, a projection operator, or additional meshing are not required. Numerical results for several prototype mesh tying problems illustrate the attractive computational properties of the new method.
Brain mass and cranial nerve size in shrews and moles.

We investigated the relationship between body size, brain size, and fibers in selected cranial nerves in shrews and moles. Species include tiny masked shrews (S. cinereus) weighing only a few grams and much larger mole species weighing up to 90 grams. It also includes closely related species with very different sensory specializations – such as the star-nosed mole and the common, eastern mole. We found that moles and shrews have tiny optic nerves with fiber counts not correlated with body or brain size. Auditory nerves were similarly small but increased in fiber number with increasing brain and body size. Trigeminal nerve number was by far the largest and also increased with increasing brain and body size. The star-nosed mole was an outlier, with more than twice the number of trigeminal nerve fibers than any other species. Despite this hypertrophied cranial nerve, star-nosed mole brains were not larger than predicted from body size, suggesting that magnification of their somatosensory systems does not result in greater overall CNS size.
Lipschitz continuity of local minimizers of a nonconvex functional

Lipschitz continuity of local minimizers of the energy functional of an isotropic compressible hyperelastic material is studied. The functional is a nonconvex function of the deformation gradient. Using a blowup technique it is shown that all local minimizers are Lipschitz continuous everywhere
Effects of fenfluramine, 8-OH-DPAT, and tryptophan-enriched diet on the high-ethanol intake by rats bred for susceptibility to stress

Abstract The swim-test susceptible (SUS) line of rats has been bred in our laboratory for the characteristic of reduced motor activity in the swim test following exposure to an acute stressor. Testing of multiple generations of SUS rats has also revealed that they consume large amounts of ethanol voluntarily. As reported for lines of rats that show a propensity for high-ethanol intake, the SUS rats show evidence of low serotonergic function. Because serotonergic function has often been shown to be involved in the regulation of alcohol consumption, here we examined the effects of manipulations of serotonin transmission on intake of ethanol by SUS rats. Fenfluramine, a serotonin-releasing drug, was injected at various doses (0.625, 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0mg/kg) twice per day and ethanol intake was measured using a two-bottle free-choice method. The 8-OH-DPAT, a 5‑HT 1A agonist, was injected at various doses (0.03125, 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0mg/kg) before a 1-h session of exposure to ethanol (single-bottle test, water available the other 23h per day). A diet enriched with 3% tryptophan (TRP), the amino acid precursor for serotonin synthesis, was administered in a restricted feeding schedule (5h per day) with ethanol intake measured the last 4h. Fenfluramine decreased ethanol intake at all doses tested. The 8-OH-DPAT increased ethanol intake at lower doses, presumably acting at autoreceptors, which inhibit serotonergic neurons, and decreased intake at higher doses, presumably acting at postsynaptic 5-HT 1A receptors. TRP-enriched diet also significantly decreased ethanol intake. Food and water intake were less or unaffected by these three manipulations. With all three manipulations, ethanol intake remained suppressed one or more days after the day of tests that decreased ethanol intake. These data suggest that SUS rats, like many other lines/strains of rodents that consume large amounts of alcohol, show an inverse relationship between serotonin transmission and voluntary intake of ethanol.
Hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as biomarkers of exposure to wood smoke in wildland firefighters

Hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as biomarkers of exposure to wood smoke in wildland firefighters
Metabolic effects of a “carbohydrate-free” diet in the pregnant rat

Abstrac The effects on selected metabolic indicators of carbohydrate deprivation in pregnant rats was studied. Pregnant rats were fed a diet containing 13% casein, either 69.5% (CON) or 0% (CD) carbohydrate, and oleic acid to make the diets isocaloric. Diets were fed beginning on Day 0 of pregnancy. A restricted intake group (RI) was also included to indicate the effect of reduced food intake. On days 8, 10, and 12 of pregnancy, animals were killed and liver, uterus and blood were harvested. Glycogen and glucose-6-phosphatase in endometrial tissue, glycogen in liver, ketone bodies in whole blood, and glucose, total lipid, cholesterol, urea nitrogen and alanine in plasma were determined. In CD dams, fetal resorption reached 75% by day 12 of gestation but only 35% in RI dams. Carbohydrate deprivation and restricted intake resulted in depleted liver glycogen. CD dams were hypoglycemic and hyperlipemic. Plasma alanine did not differ among the 3 groups and plasma urea was elevated in the CD group only on day 12. CD dams were markedly hyperketonemic. Neither uterine glycogen nor uterine glucose-6-phosphatase activity differed between the 3 groups, suggesting that uterine glycogen utilization was not the limiting factor in embryonic survival. Hypoglycemia, hyperketonemia or both may be related to the reproductive failure in CD rats.
Total mesenteric excision in the treatment of rectal carcinoma: methods and outcomes.

The American Cancer Society estimates that there are approximately 40,000 new cases of rectal cancer in the United States per year, representing 30% of all colorectal cancers.Of these, approximately three-fourths will undergo resection with the intent to cure with a 5-year local recurrence rate of 8.5%, 16.3%, and 28.6% for stage pT1, pT2, and pT3 rectal cancer, respectively [1]. Overall 5-year survival data are only 22–26% for pT3 disease [2–5]. Like colon cancer, the majority of rectal cancers are adenocarcinoma.Achieving adequate resection margins in rectal cancer is more difficult due to the anatomic location of the rectum in the pelvis.Whereas wide margins of resection can be obtained in colon cancer by mobilization of the mesentery, rectal cancer is anchored by the non-mobile mesorectum to the bony pelvis and is closely surrounded by somatic structures such as the hypogastric nerve plexus, the prostate and seminal vesicles in men, and the uterus and vagina in women. The inability to remove tissue en bloc in rectal cancer excision leads to a three-fold more common local recurrence rate for rectal cancer compared to colon cancer [6]. Fortunately rectal adenocarcinomas are well suited for cure by resection based on several of their inherent characteristics.The majority have histologic criteria favorable for resection and rarely does intramural spread occur further than a centimeter from its palpable margin [7].The metastatic routes of rectal cancer are usually limited to the draining lymph nodes and liver.In one study, o5% of patients had distal bone, pulmonary, or cerebral metastase [7].In many ways, rectal cancer behaves as a local rather than a systemic disorder, which makes it more readily cured by surgical methods. The boundaries of the margin of resection that will optimally reduce local recurrence rates, increase patient survival, and minimize co-morbidities are currently debated.The aim of this article is to review the technique of total mesenteric excision (TME) used in conjunction with low anterior resection (LAR) and abdominoperineal resection (APR) of rectal adenocarcinomas.Analysis of the routes of rectal cancer spread will be used to rationalize choices of adequate boundaries of resection to optimize outcomes (i.e. should the lateral borders include the entire mesorectum, what constitutes an adequate distal margin, and how proximal should the lymphovascular structures be divided). Favorable outcomes not only reflect cure of disease and prevention of recurrent disease, but also take into account the prevention of undesired co-morbidities such as anastomotic leaks, compromise of sphincter function, loss of bowel control, and the impairment of bladder and sexual function.
Defensive Movements Evoked by Air Puff in Monkeys

Electrical stimulation of two connected cortical areas in the monkey brain, the ventral intraparietal area (VIP) in the intraparietal sulcus and the polysensory zone (PZ) in the precentral gyrus, evokes a specific set of movements. In one interpretation, these movements correspond to those typically used to defend the body from objects that are near, approaching, or touching the skin. The present study examined the movements evoked by a puff of air aimed at various locations on the face and body of fascicularis monkeys to compare them to the movements evoked by stimulation of VIP and PZ. The air-puff-evoked movements included a movement of the eyes from any initial position toward a central region and a variety of stereotyped facial, shoulder, head, and arm movements. These movements were similar to those reported on stimulation of VIP and PZ. One difference between the air-puff-evoked movements and those evoked by stimulation of VIP and PZ is that the air puff evoked an initial startle response (a bilaterally symmetric spike in muscle activity) followed by a more sustained, lateralized response, specific to the site of the air puff. In contrast, stimulation of VIP and PZ evoked mainly a sustained, lateralized response, specific to the site of the receptive fields of the stimulated neurons. We speculate that VIP and PZ may contribute to the control of defensive movements, but that they may emphasize the more spatially specific reactions that occur after startle.
Correlation of Structural and Macroscopic Properties of Starches with Their Tabletability Using the SM2 Approach

The effects of PURE-DENT® and SPRESS® starch properties on their compression behavior was characterized using "SM(2) " approach (structural properties, macroscopic properties, and multivariate analysis). Moisture sorption rate constants, moisture content, amylose and amylopectin degradation enthalpy, percent crystallinity, amylose-amylopectin ratio, and cross-linking degree were used to profile starch structural properties. Particle density, particle size distribution, and Heckel compression descriptors [yield pressure (YP) of plastic deformation, and elastic recovery] were used as macroscopic descriptors. The structural and macroscopic properties were correlated qualitatively [principal component analysis (PCA)] and quantitatively [standard least square regression (SLSR)] with the tablet mechanical strength (TMS). These analyses revealed that the differences correlated with amylose-amylopectin content, particle density, compression mechanisms, and TMS between the starch grades. Univariate analysis proved lacking; however, PCA identified the particle size, moisture content, percent crystallinity, amylose-amylopectin ratio, and YP of plastic deformation and elastic recovery as the main factors influencing the starch TMS. SLSR quantified the positive influence of Fourier transform infrared spectra absorbance ratio at 1022-1003 and YP of the immediate elastic recovery, and the negative contribution of amylopectin content on the TMS. Therefore, starch amylose and amylopectin content, crystallinity, and lower elastic recovery are mainly responsible for better TMS.
Decentralized utilization control in distributed real-time systems

Many real-time systems must control their CPU utilizations in order to meet end-to-end deadlines and prevent overload. Utilization control is particularly challenging in distributed real-time systems with highly unpredictable workloads and a large number of end-to-end tasks and processors. This paper presents the decentralized end-to-end utilization control (DEUCON) algorithm that can dynamically enforce desired utilizations on multiple processors in such systems. In contrast to centralized control schemes adopted in earlier work, DEUCON features a novel decentralized control structure that only requires localized coordination among neighbor processors. DEUCON is systematically designed based on recent advances in distributed model predictive control theory. Both control-theoretic analysis and simulations show that DEUCON can provide robust utilization guarantees and maintain global system stability despite severe variations in task execution times. Furthermore, DEUCON can effectively distribute the computation and communication cost to different processors and tolerate considerable communication delay between local controllers. Our results indicate that DEUCON can provide scalable and robust utilization control for large-scale distributed real-time systems executing in unpredictable environments
Model based fusion and services automation support

This paper will report on ongoing research and development to support automated fusion at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory centered on human-collected information and processing. The overall approach for our research is three pronged: exploit soft information sources such as human-generated reports and open source information, develop discrete services, and focus on the end-user.
Quantum Algorithms to Solve the Hidden Shift Problem for Quadratics and for Functions of Large Gowers Norm

Most quantum algorithms that give an exponential speedup over classical algorithms exploit the Fourier transform in some way. In Shor's algorithm, sampling from the quantum Fourier spectrum is used to discover periodicity of the modular exponentiation function. In a generalization of this idea, quantum Fourier sampling can be used to discover hidden subgroup structures of some functions much more efficiently than it is possible classically. Another problem for which the Fourier transform has been recruited successfully on a quantum computer is the hidden shift problem. Quantum algorithms for hidden shift problems usually have a slightly different flavor from hidden subgroup algorithms, as they use the Fourier transform to perform a correlation with a given reference function, instead of sampling from the Fourier spectrum directly. In this paper we show that hidden shifts can be extracted efficiently from Boolean functions that are quadratic forms. We also show how to identify an unknown quadratic form on n variables using a linear number of queries, in contrast to the classical case were this takes ?(n 2) many queries to a black box. What is more, we show that our quantum algorithm is robust in the sense that it can also infer the shift if the function is close to a quadratic, where we consider a Boolean function to be close to a quadratic if it has a large Gowers U 3 norm.
Delineation of the clinical picture of Dysphoric/Mixed Hypomania.

Abstract Background While Mixed Depression (i.e. depression plus subthreshold concurrent manic/hypomanic symptoms) has recently seen a wave of studies, little is known about Dysphoric/Mixed Hypomania (i.e. combination of syndromal hypomania and depression) compared to Bipolar I Disorder Mixed State (i.e. combination of syndromal mania and depression). Study aim To delineate the clinical picture of Dysphoric/Mixed Hypomania. Methods Consecutive 441 Bipolar II Disorder (BP-II) Major Depressive Episode (MDE) outpatients were cross-sectionally assessed for depression and concurrent hypomanic symptoms when presenting for treatment of depression, by a mood disorder specialist psychiatrist (FB), using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, in a private practice. Consecutive 275 remitted BP-II were also assessed for the clinical picture of past (recalled) Hypomania. Dysphoric Hypomania was defined as the co-occurrence of DSM-IV irritable mood Hypomania and MDE. Results Frequency of Dysphoric Hypomania was 17.0%, and it was 66.4% for Mixed Depression. Irritable mood, always present by definition in Dysphoric Hypomania, was present in 65.9% of recalled Hypomania and elevated mood in 81.4%. Dysphoric Hypomania had significantly more racing/crowded thoughts, and much less increased goal-directed activity. Functioning was always impaired in Dysphoric Hypomania (by definition), while it was improved in most recalled Hypomanias. Factor structure was different: recalled Hypomania had three factors (‘elevated mood’, ‘irritability and racing/crowded thoughts’, ‘goal-directed and risky overactivity’), Dysphoric Hypomania had five factors (‘depressive vegetative symptoms’, ‘low mood and psychomotor agitation’, ‘risky activities’, ‘loss of interest’, ‘racing/crowded thoughts and suicidality’). Discussion Dysphoric Hypomania was uncommon among depressed outpatients (while Mixed Depression was common). Its clinical picture was closer to depression than to hypomania. If it were seen as a simple depression, antidepressants could be used alone (i.e. not protected by mood stabilising agents), risking the worsening of intra-depression irritable hypomania (which was related to suicidality). Systematic assessment of intra-depression hypomanic symptoms is supported.
Ultra-low power phase change memory with carbon nanotube interconnects

Phase-change materials (PCM) like Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 (GST) have been proposed for non-volatile memory and reconfigurable electronics [1, 2]. One of the drawbacks associated with this technology is the relatively high (∼0.5 mA) programming currents required [3]. In this work, we utilize carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as nano-scaled interconnects to induce reversible switching in very small GST bits (∼10 nm). This lowers the programming currents to <10 µA, two orders of magnitude less than state-of-the-art PCM devices. Our work provides a novel method to build very low power non-volatile memory. It also shows that GST can be used to “repair” broken CNT connections, paving the way toward reconfigurable CNT electronics.
The Development and Validation of the Children’s Anxiety in Math Scale

Math anxiety has been historically overlooked in samples of children. This may be due in part to the lack of appropriate tools to measure anxiety in young children. The current exploratory study reports on the development and examination of reliability, validity, and factor structure of a new tool to measure math anxiety in young children. The findings of this exploratory study suggest that the Children’s Anxiety in Math Scale is a reliable and valid measure to assess math anxiety in children as young as first grade.
Traumatic Emergencies Involving the Pediatric Airway

Pediatric laryngotracheal injury has the potential to compromise the airway and lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Unique anatomic features of the pediatric laryngotracheal complex result in distinct injury-related issues that must be taken into account when managing airway trauma in children. Pediatric external laryngotracheal trauma is of 2 general types: (1) blunt and (2) penetrating trauma, each of which will be separately discussed. This article will primarily focus on the evaluation and management of traumatic emergencies involving the pediatric airway, including brief comments regarding traumatic pediatric cervical digestive and vascular injuries. An algorithm for the management of pediatric airway trauma in the emergency department is outlined, including a review of different diagnostic techniques and appropriate procedures for acute intervention for both the stable and unstable airway.
Impact of State UCR Policy and Procedures on Bias Crime Reporting

In order to assess the impact of the different policies and procedures instituted by state UCR programs on law enforcement participation in the national Hate Crime Data Collection Program (Hate Crime Program), the authors developed a survey instrument to send to all state UCR managers or similarly designated representatives. The survey was designed to assess the extent to which certain policies and procedures exist in each state relating to the reporting of bias crime statistics. This article provides an analysis of this survey's results and a discussion of the impact of state policies and practices on successful participation in the Hate Crime Program.