cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Muscle Forces About the Ankle During Gait in Healthy and Neurologically Impaired Subjects

This chapter describes a biomechanical model of the forces about the ankle joint applicable to both unimpaired and neurologically impaired subjects. EMGs and joint kinematics are used as inputs and muscle forces are the outputs. A hybrid modeling approach that uses both forward and inverse dynamics is employed and physiological parameters for the model are tuned for each subject using optimization procedures. The forward dynamics part of the model takes muscle activation and uses Hill-type models of muscle contraction dynamics to estimate muscle forces and the corresponding joint moments. Inverse dynamics is used to calibrate the forward dynamics model predictions of joint moments. In this chapter we will describe how to implement an EMG-driven hybrid forward and inverse dynamics model of the ankle that can be used in healthy and neurologically impaired people.
Feasibility of Mid-Frequency Ventilation Among Infants With Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Mid-frequency ventilation, a strategy of using conventional ventilators at high frequencies, may reduce lung injury but has had limited evaluation in neonates. Hence, a randomized crossover study was designed to assess the feasibility of using mid-frequency ventilation in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome. METHODS: Twelve preterm infants (≥500 g and ≥24 weeks gestational age) who were receiving pressure-limited conventional ventilation with frequencies ≤60 breaths/min for respiratory distress syndrome were randomized to periods of mid-frequency ventilation (conventional ventilation with the fastest frequency up to 150 breaths/min that gave complete inspiration and expiration) or conventional ventilation (frequency ≤60 breaths/min), each lasting 2 h using a crossover design. Ventilator parameters were adjusted to maintain the O2 saturation and transcutaneous CO2 at baseline. RESULTS: Mean peak inspiratory pressure (15 ± 4 cm H2O vs 18 ± 4 cm H2O, P CONCLUSIONS: Based on this small study, mid-frequency ventilation among preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome is feasible. Further larger and longer duration trials are necessary to validate our findings. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT01242462)
Regulation of g proteins by covalent modification

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the covalent attachment of lipids to G proteins, modifications that anchor G-protein subunits to the membrane. Lipidation of G proteins is essential for their ability to propagate signals from cell surface receptors to effectors. Covalent modifications of G-protein subunits play key roles in their function, localization, and regulation. The discovery of ADP-ribosylation of G-protein α subunits by cholera and pertussis toxins provided significant insights into G-protein function. Gα subunits are modified with myristic and/or palmitic acid. N -myristoylation is the addition of myristic acid to a protein at an N-terminal glycine residue exposed after removal of the initiator methionine. All 12 mammalian Gα subunits are prenylated at C-terminal CaaX motifs, where “C” represents the cysteine that is modified by the isoprenoid and “a” represents an aliphatic residue. The amino acid at position “X” specifies if a farnesyl or a geranylgeranyl group is added to the CaaX box cysteine. Gγ 1 , γ 9 , and γ 11 terminate with serine and are modified by farnesyltransferase. Myristoylation is necessary for the function of Gai subunits. In mammalian cells, loss of myristoylation by mutation of Gly2 results in a cytoplasmic distribution of the protein and failure to couple to effectors and receptors. The membrane-binding function of the myristoyl group is clearly key to its function, but there is debate as to whether the myristoyl group may serve other functions. Prenylation is not required for Gβγdimer formation, however, it enhances the interaction of Gα and Gβγ.
CRT-100.26 Gender Differences in In-hospital Outcomes Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST Segment Elevated Myocardial Infarction in Elderly Patients

Historically, studies have reported that women with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have worse outcomes than men. However whether these gender differences persist among patients over 75 years of age remains unclear as this population has been underrepresented in clinical trials.
Effect of caloric restriction on plasma melatonin levels in aged rhesus macaques.

In this study, we examined the 24-hour plasma melatonin patterns of young adult (∼11 years of age) and old (∼24 years of age) rhesus macaques, and determined how they would be influenced by 30% caloric restriction (CR). Well-defined 24-hour plasma melatonin rhythms were observed in all the males but only the old animals showed significant attenuation of night-time melatonin levels. Moreover, 4.5 years of CR failed to prevent the age-associated decline in plasma melatonin levels in the old males and caused a significant decrease in the young adult males. Similar plasma melatonin rhythms were also observed in all the females but no age-related decline was detected, and 2 years of CR had no obvious effect on plasma melatonin levels. If anything, there was a trend for the CR to decrease melatonin levels in the young adult females. Taken together, the results fail to show any clear benefit of CR on plasma melatonin levels in old rhesus macaques and may even be detrimental to plasma melatonin levels in young adults.
Management of small bowel polyps: A literature review

Despite the small bowel comprising 90% of the mucosal surface area of the gastrointestinal tract, it is a rare site for neoplasia and only accounts for a little over 3% of the tumors that arise in the digestive tract. Benign small bowel lesions include lipomas, lymphangiomas, leiomyomas, neurofibromas, nodular lymphoid hyperplasia and adenomas, many of which are precursors to malignant lesions. Several polyposis syndromes are associated with small bowel polyps as well, including familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome, lynch syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Cowden syndrome and juvenile polyposis syndrome. Our aim was to review non-malignant small bowel polyps and discuss the prevalence, typical location, clinical presentation, diagnosis, endoscopic and histologic description and lastly management of each of these lesions.
Bacteriophage T5 and Related Phages

Bacteriophages T5 and BF23 have been the two most extensively investigated of the T5 group, which also includes bacteriophages PB, BG3, and 29 alpha. Unusual features of T5, BF23, and PB include the existence of interrupted phosphodiester bonds (“nicks”) at specific locations in only one of the strands of their duplex DNA, a two-step mechanism for transfer of their DNA into host cells, and large terminal repetitions in their DNA.
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

The transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a safe, effective, and versatile technique for treating many degenerative conditions in the lumbar spine. The disc space is accessed through a lateral-to-medial transforaminal corridor which has several advantages over direct posterior approaches. The major advantages of the TLIF procedure include a decrease in potential neurological injury and improvement in lordotic alignment. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss surgical technique, important technical nuances, and strategies for complication avoidance.
Management of the Pediatric Patient Following Upper Extremity Replantation or Revascularization: A Suggested Protocol.

Background: Traumatic pediatric amputations of the hand and upper extremity can have long-term financial, psychological, developmental, and functional consequences that readily extend beyond the re...
What Is New in Knee Surgery

The traditional orthopaedic principle of restoration of anatomy has experienced a renaissance within the field of extra-articular knee reconstruction in recent years. Knee surgeons have moved again toward more anatomical ligament restoration, while continuing to develop extra-articular augmentation procedures to protect these anatomical reconstructions. Interesting recent developments in the field of extra-articular knee reconstruction include advances in the anatomical management of patellofemoral instability, posterolateral corner injury, medial collateral ligament injury and paediatric anterior cruciate ligament injury, and in the understanding of allograft and platelet-rich plasma use. Extra-articular knee reconstruction has evolved to a state where surgeons have seen improved results when advances in biological and antomical understanding are applied to surgical techniques. This chapter outlines a number of the recent advances that have improved knee surgery outcomes.
On Differentiability of Metric Projections onto Moving Convex Sets

We consider properties of the metric projections onto moving convex sets in normed linear spaces. Under certain conditions about the norm, directional differentiability of first and higher order of the metric projections at boundary points is characterized. The conditions are formulated in terms of differentiability of multifunctions and properties of the set-derivatives are shown.
A 95.3% Peak Efficiency, 135NA Quiescent Current Buck-Boost DC-DC Converter with Current-Slope-Based Mode Control

A current-slope-based mode control method is proposed for a buck-boost DC-DC converter to realize automatic mode switching between buck and boost in one switching period without additional quiescent current (IQ). Implemented in 0.18μm CMOS, the converter realizes 95.3% peak efficiency and above 90% over a load range from 15μA to 200mA. Accurate current slope measurement is achieved with initial sampling and 135nA total IQ is achieved with a zero-IQ pull-up structure in the input monitor.
Recombinant DNA Systems for Application to Antibiotic Fermentation in Streptomyces

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews specific selected topics that are critical for successful and efficient application of recombinant DNA to improving productivity and/or generating new antibiotics in Streptomyces. The discovery and subsequent development in the field of restriction endodeoxyribonucleases and their application with other enzymes acting on DNA to recombine DNA molecules in vitro have prompted formation of small, research-oriented companies. The chapter discusses host-controlled restriction. Host-controlled restriction can be a major obstacle to the recovery of recombinant DNA; therefore, most commonly employed cloning systems utilize restrictionless strains as hosts. Several developments have been described that are essential for successful application of recombinant DNA methodologies to antibiotic fermentations in Streptomyces. Studies of host-controlled restriction have identified Streptomyces species without discernible restriction systems. These restrictionless hosts should be particularly advantageous for cloning genes from a variety of Streptomyces and for assembling vectors with general utility. Furthermore, any rational plan for application of recombinant DNA to antibiotic fermentation must include a major commitment to understand and exploit regulation of gene expression. Thereafter, basic biological properties of E. coli plasmids provide guidelines for planning experimental programs to discover characteristics of Streptomyces plasmids. Occurrence of plasmids is common throughout a broad range of Streptomyces species; therefore, virtually unlimited sources of replicons are available for exploitation in construction of recombinant DNA systems. Finally, the genetic markers available for selection and analysis of Streptomyces plasmids have limited the progress toward understanding the systems.
A Practical Synthesis of Multitargeted Antifolate LY231514

A concise and scalable synthesis of LY231514 (1), a new pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-based antitumor agent, is presented. Reaction of 2-bromo-4-arylbutanal 9 with 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine (10) regioselectively provided pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine 11, representing the core structure of the drug, in good yield. Assimilation of the glutamic acid residue by conventional means completed the synthesis. Development of the optimized synthetic route emphasized avoiding isolation of the relatively unstable aldehyde and bromoaldehyde intermediates.
The Geology and Biogeochemistry of Hydrocarbon Seeps

Hydrocarbon seeps, deep sea extreme environments where deeply sourced fluids discharge at the seabed, occur along continental margins across the globe. Energy-rich reduced substrates, namely hydroc...
Changes in quality of life in patients with low-flow aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background We sought to quantify and compare changes in quality of life measures after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with low-flow (LF) and normal-flow (NF) aortic stenosis (AS). Methods We included 297 patients treated with TAVR at Abbott Northwestern Hospital from January 2015 to October 2017. Health status was assessed at baseline and 30 days post-procedure using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire 12 (KCCQ-12). Overall (KCCQ-OS) and domain-specific (physical limitation, symptom frequency, quality of life, and social limitation) scores were compared in three subsets of patients as defined by stroke volume index (≤ or >35 ml/m2 ), ejection fraction (EF) (≤ or >40%), and mean gradient (≤ or >40 mmHg). Results Of the 297 patients included, 129 (43%) had NF high-gradient (NF AS group) and 168 (56%) had LF severe AS, including 25 (8%) with low EF (8%) ("Classical" low-flow low-gradient LEF [LF-LG-LEF] group) and 143 (48%) with preserved EF ("Paradoxical" LF-LG group). At baseline, patients with LF-LG-LEF AS had more severe impairment in symptoms frequency (p = .06) but similar KCCQ-OS. At 1-month after TAVR, all groups had moderate improvements in quality of life (Delta KCCQ-OS: "Classical" LF-LG-LEF 18 ± 21, paradoxical AS 14 ± 18, and NF AS 15 ± 16, p = .57). During a median follow-up time of 2.4 years, there was no difference in mortality (p = .34) but patients with paradoxical LF-LG AS had a higher risk of rehospitalization for heart failure (p = .01). Conclusions Patients with LF severe AS derive significant improvements in quality of life measures after TAVR, indistinguishable from patients with NF AS.
Krise der liberalen Demokratie? Nein! Krise des individualistischen Liberalismus

The current crisis of liberal democracy is actually a crisis of individualistic liberalism as recent literature shows by its analysis and more often by its example. Whilst social inequality by many authors is seen as main source of the crisis, it is only the consequence of a contradiction inherent in individualistic liberalism: Equal individual liberty leads to social and in the consequence to political inequality because of the inevitable differences in the use of that individual liberty. However, political equality is a necessary condition of individual liberty as a reciprocal right. Therefore, it is necessary to overcome a purely individualistic understanding of liberty that threatens not only democracy but individual liberty itself.
Changes in Opioid Prescribing Patterns Among Generalists and Oncologists for Medicare Part D Beneficiaries From 2013 to 2017.

Importance In response to the opioid epidemic, policies aiming to reduce opioid prescribing, misuse, and abuse may have the unintended consequence of restricting access to necessary opioid therapy for cancer-related pain. It is unknown how opioid prescribing patterns have changed among generalists and oncologists during this era. Objective To examine trends in opioid prescription rates for Medicare Part D beneficiaries from 2013 to 2017 among oncologists and generalists. Design, Setting, and Participants This repeated cross-sectional study of generalist physicians (internal medicine, family medicine, geriatric medicine, general practice) and oncology specialists (medical oncology, hematology-oncology, and radiation oncology) analyzed the Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data: Part D prescriber files from 2013 to 2017. Exposures Generalist vs oncology specialty. Main Outcomes and Measures Outcomes included physician-level rates of both opioid and long-acting opioid prescriptions per 100 Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Poisson regression was used to estimate annual predicted outcome rates and incidence rate ratios, adjusting for prescriber characteristics and state fixed effects. Results We analyzed the prescribing patterns of 251 820 generalists and 14 210 oncologists. From 2013 to 2017, the annual adjusted predicted mean rate of opioid prescriptions per 100 Medicare beneficiaries decreased from 68.2 to 49.7 among generalists (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.73-0.73) and from 77.8 to 58.8 among oncologists (aIRR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.74-0.77). The rate of long-acting opioid prescriptions per 100 Medicare beneficiaries also decreased from 8.0 to 5.4 for generalists (aIRR = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.66-0.68) and from 18.6 to 13.3 for oncologists (aIRR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.69-0.74). Conclusions and Relevance We found large declines in opioid prescription rates for Medicare beneficiaries by generalists and oncologists from 2013 to 2017. Opioid policy and advocacy appear to have been effective in reducing the extent of opioid prescribing in the Medicare population. Similar declines between generalists and oncologists raise concern that access to cancer pain management may have been inadvertently restricted. How much of the decrease in prescribing by oncologists is appropriate vs inappropriate deserves further investigation.
Growth of Large-Area Cd₀.₉Zn₀.₁Te Single Crystals and Fabrication of Pixelated Guard-Ring Detector for Room-Temperature γ-Ray Detection

Large-volume detector-grade Cd0.9Zn0.1Te (CZT) single crystals were grown using a vertical Bridgman technique. The bulk resistivity of the as-grown crystal was found to be $\sim 5\times 10^{10}\,\,\Omega $ -cm from current–voltage measurements. A $19.0\times 19.0\times5.0$ mm3 block of the crystal was used to fabricate a detector with $10\times 10$ pixelated anode configuration integrated with interpixel guard rings. The detector was tested for its radiation detection properties using 662-keV gamma rays from a 137Cs source. The pixels exhibited well-resolved gamma pulse-height spectra (PHS) with percentage energy resolution ~1.6% at 662 keV. A few pixels exhibited tailing of the photopeak on the lower energy side indicating the presence of hole traps. Biparametric plots (BPs) were obtained from digitally recorded preamplifier pulses. The BPs showed anomalous behavior, which was correlated with the gamma interactions in the active region of the detector in virtual Frisch grid configuration. The BPs also enabled to extract PHS free from the extensive tailing of the photopeak.
Differential Item and Test Functioning of the Autism Spectrum Rating Scales: A Follow-Up Evaluation in a Diverse, Nonclinical Sample:

Although the racial/ethnic demographics in the United States are changing, few studies evaluate the cultural and linguistic responsiveness of commonly used autism spectrum disorder screening and di...
Digging, Displaying, and Translating: Content-Centric Feedback, Powered by Metaphors

While previous studies have noted how instructors comment on students’ content, more attention should be given to how instructors give feedback on abstract issues of content, detail, and information. In this study, I interviewed 20 instructors about feedback they had given on students’ resumes and cover letters; I used critical discourse analysis to code the interviews. Instructors’ mentions of content, detail, and information formed six major themes: providing and expressing information, orienting audiences, seeing information, finding information, considering detail, and revising content. Instructors often framed as a deficit, for example, a lack of information; however, when students included appropriate or meaningful content, instructors praised students. Better understanding how instructors teach students to understand, analyze, and communicate information connects students with the types of problem-solving skills necessary for today’s changing workplaces.
Separate and Unequal: The Cost of Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Childhood Health and Well-Being

The coronavirus disease 2019 has and will have an untoward effect on children. In this perspective we summarize the short- and long-term impact of the pandemic on childhood social and physical health. School closure has resulted in an absence of educational opportunity, alongside deprivations of social structure, essential food, and adult guidance, as well as augmented deprivation for the neediest students. The loss of educational attainment will have long-term effects on social mobility, employment and income, and health outcomes. We advocate for transdisciplinary approaches and outline priorities to address the pandemic's impact on schools, literacy, and childhood welfare.
Point-of-Care Testing for the Emergency Department Patient: Quantity and Quality of the Available Evidence.

Context.— Point-of-care test (POCT) instruments produce lab results with rapid turnaround times. Based on that fact, emergency department (ED) POCT requests are predicated on the belief that rapid test turnaround times lead to improved care, typically a decreased ED length of stay (LOS). Objective.— To compile the available peer-reviewed data regarding use of POCT in the ED with an emphasis on ED-LOS. Data sources.— An English-language PubMed search using the following free text terms: ("EMERGENCY" AND "POINT OF CARE") NOT ULTRASOUND as well as "RAPID INFECTIOUS DISEASE TESTING." In addition, the PubMed "similar articles" functionality was used to identify related articles that were not identified on the initial search. Conclusions.— Seventy-four references were identified that studied POCT ED use to determine if they resulted in significant changes in ED processes, especially ED-LOS. They were divided into 3 groups: viral-influenza (n = 24), viral-respiratory not otherwise specified (n = 8), and nonviral (n = 42). The nonviral group was further divided into the following groups: chemistry, cardiac, bacterial/strep, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, drugs of abuse, lactate, and pregnancy. Across all groups there was a trend toward a significantly decreased ED-LOS; however, a number of studies showed no change, and a third group was not assessed for ED-LOS. For POCT to improve ED-LOS it has to be integrated into existing ED processes such that a rapid test result will allow the patient to have a shorter LOS, whether it is to discharge or admission.
Dichloro[1,2‐ethanediylbis(1,2,3,3a,7a‐η)‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro‐1H‐indene‐1‐ylidene]titanium

C20H24Cl2Ti (MW 383.18) InChI = 1S/C20H24.2ClH.Ti/c1-3-7-19-15(5-1)9-11-17(19)13-14-18-12-10-16-6-2-4-8-20(16)18;;;/h5-6,9-12,15-16H,1-4,7-8,13-14H2;2*1H;/q;;;+2/p-2 InChIKey = ZPJSMFFNOHJGOV-UHFFFAOYSA-L (used as a source of ‘Cp2TiH’) Alternate Name: [(EBTHI)TiCl2]1 Physical Data: red solid; mp 256–261°C. Solubility: THF, diethyl ether, dichloromethane. Form Supplied in: (EBTHI)TiCl2 is commercially available in the racemic form but can be resolved by using (R)-2,2′-binaphth-1,1′-diol and p-aminobenzoic acid.2 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: No special handling is required.
Spine morphogenesis in newborn granule cells is differentially regulated in the outer and middle molecular layers.

New neurons are continuously added to the hippocampus of adult mammals. Their survival and integration into the circuitry are highly dependent on experience. Here we show that mushroom spine formation in newborn granule cells was modulated by experience and that dendritic segments in different areas of the molecular layer were differentially regulated. Specifically, spines of new neurons in the outer molecular layer of the dentate gyrus were more readily influenced by non-spatial features in the living environment. Those in the middle molecular layer were more likely to be influenced by the size of the living environment. Therefore, the activity of cortical inputs into newborn granule cells may be reflected in the formation of mushroom spines in different dendritic segments in the molecular layer.
Characterization of a hybrid flame/arc excitation source using monodisperse aerosol introduction

Abstract A hybrid flame/arc excitation source together with a monodisperse droplet generator is used to inject solute particles into selected regions of the arc plasma. With astigmatic image transfer and a 0.5 μs time constant detection system, individual solute vapor cloud emission profiles are detected in the arc tail flame. These emission profiles are always asymmetric with sharper leading edges. Emission profiles are presented for Ca at several positions in the arc tail flame. The (zinc) excitation temperature was measured at 6600 K in the region 1–2 mm above the arc conduction channel. A double aperture technique was used to estimate the arc convective velocity at about 50 m s −1 . When the emission plume origin from a monodisperse droplet stream is positioned in the tail flame region, analytical line-to-background ratios typically are one-two orders of magnitude greater than when the plume origin is located below the conduction channel. Analytical curves from the tail flame region are linear over at least two-three orders of concentration, and detection limits are significantly lower than literature values for the region just under the conduction channel of an Ar-stabilized bent arc.
Writing diagnostic laboratory requisition form histories.

JAVMA, Vol 244, No. 4, February 15, 2014 V submit samples to diagnostic laboratories for a wide variety of reasons, including routine wellness testing, preanesthetic testing, and, most notably, diagnostic testing for disease. A necessary component of sample submission is inclusion of a laboratory requisition form, which serves to communicate important clinical information about the patient so that the laboratory diagnostician has a reasonable context for interpreting results during sample analysis. However, a common observation among laboratory diagnosticians at university-based and commercial diagnostic laboratories is that many requisition forms either provide no clinical information or provide information that is so incomplete or disorganized as to be of little use. There are no published statistics on the prevalence of this problem, but anecdotally, this observation is commonly advanced in the circles of board-certified pathologists and clinical pathologists, in both human and veterinary medicine. History and clinical context are fundamental considerations in interpreting diagnostic test results, with many pathologists and clinical pathologists likely to agree that sample interpretation is perhaps 50% to 80% context. This may be even higher for small samples, such as cytologic, endoscopic biopsy, and needle biopsy samples, for which sample quality may be limited. History is also important when concerns arise that samples may have been mixed either at the practice prior to submission or at the diagnostic laboratory itself. A good clinical history aids the laboratory diagnostician in confirming the integrity of the sample being examined. Given the importance of providing a complete history when submitting samples for diagnostic testing, veterinarians should consider using a template to ensure that all critical information is included on the requisition form. By following a few practical suggestions and answering 6 questions regarding the animal and sample, veterinarians can ensure that they are providing the context required for an informed interpretation of any type of sample by any qualified individual.
Adsorption and phase transitions on nanoporous carbonaceous materials: insights from molecular simulations ☆

Abstract Three different examples of adsorption and phase transitions on nanoporous carbonaceous materials are investigated using molecular simulations. In the first example, N 2 adsorption on the surface of and within a C 60 crystal is studied using the grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation. On the crystal surface, the predicted isotherm is of type II in good agreement with experiment, and N 2 molecules are found to initially occupy the octahedral voids, then the tetrahedral voids, and finally on the top of the C 60 molecules with increasing coverage. Within the crystal, the predicted isotherm is of type I, and N 2 molecules intercalate the octahedral voids. In the second example, N 2 adsorption on two types of carbon nanotube bundles is studied using the Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo simulation to explore the role of the external surface of the nanotube bundle in the character of adsorption isotherm. The isotherm for an infinite bundle without an external surface is found to be of type I independent of temperature, while for a finite bundle with an external surface the isotherm changes from type II to I as temperature changes from subcritical to supercritical. In the third example, the capillary phase transitions of n -alkanes (from C 1 to C 8 ) in a carbon nanotube are studied using the gauge-cell Monte Carlo simulation implemented with the configurational-bias technique. At subcritical temperatures the isotherms exhibit sigmoid van der Waals loops, including stable, metastable, and unstable regions, and the coexisting vapor−liquid phases are determined from a Maxwell construction along the isotherms. The confinement of an n -alkane in a carbon nanotube decreases its critical temperature, increases its critical density, and narrows its binodal curve.
Haloperidol-induced presynaptic dopamine supersensitivity is blocked by chronic lithium

SUPERSENSITIVITY following the interruption of synaptic transmission within the dopamine (DA) system has now been established by behavioural1–3, biochemical4–6 and electrophysiological7,8 evidence. Following production of lesions which interupt DA input1, or treatment with pharmacological agents which chronically disrupt dopaminergic transmission3,9,10, an increase in the sensitivity of postsynaptic (receiving input from dopaminergic neurones) responses of cells to DA and DA agonists has been observed. However, several studies have suggested that in vivo, presynaptic DA or ‘autoreceptors’ (that is, dopaminoceptive sites on DA-containing cells) may have an important physiological role in the modulation of DA synthesis and release11–13. Thus, alterations in the sensitivity of presynaptic cells may have profound effects on the availability of the neurotransmitter. To date, only one study has attempted to investigate whether dopaminergic supersensitivity could be a presynaptic, as well as a postsynaptic, phenomenon; following long-term treatment of rats with a phenothiazine, an increase in the sensitivity of DA-containing neurones in the substantia nigra to the DA agonist, apomorphine, has been observed14. We present here electrophysiological evidence for increased presynaptic sensitivity following chronic haloperidol treatment, as measured by both the direct iontophoretic application of DA and the systemic administration of apomorphine to DA-containing cells in the zona compacta region of the substantia nigra. In addition, it has been found recently that rats treated concurrently with lithium and haloperidol fail to develop postsynaptic supersensitivity, as measured by alterations in behavioural sensitivity15,16 and DA-receptor binding16. Several groups have theorised that alterations in catecholamine receptor sensitivity may be a factor in the aetiology of affective disorders, especially manic-depressive illness17,18. As lithium therapy has been shown to be effective in preventing recurrent episodes of mania and depression in manic-depressive illness19, it is of interest to determine whether, at the level of individual DA neurones in the CNS, chronic lithium treatment could also affect the development of presynaptic supersensitivity. We provide here electrophysiological evidence for the blockade of presynaptic supersensitivity development following chronic lithium treatment.
Shared Nomenclature: An Analysis of Students' Communicative Strategies in a Foreign Language

A research project on the communicative strategies of secondary school language students indicates that even those in their second year of study are able to understand one another as they ask and answer questions in French or Spanish. Though they make errors in grammar and vocabulary, they begin at an early stage to use paraphrases and circumlocutions in the second language. Longer sequences of study clearly enable students to express themselves with ever increasing precision and depth.
Book Review: Theorizing the Present: Essays for Partha Chatterjee

ANJAN GHOSH, TAPATI GUHA-THAKURTA AND JANAKI NAIR, eds, Theorizing the Present: Essays for Partha Chatterjee, New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2011, pp. 322.
Using bitmaps for medium sized information retrieval systems

Abstract We describe the use of various forms of bitmaps as a basic tool for improving the search algorithms in medium sized information retrieval systems. The bitmaps considered include and extend known techniques using occurrence maps and signatures. Such an approach to text retrieval is flexible, efficient, and, relative to the customary concordance approach, inexpensive in storage costs.
Determination of drugs and metabolites in biological fluids

Abstract The determination of drugs and metabolites in biological fluids (biopharmaceutical analysis) is becoming increasingly important in the pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences. Successful analyses require sensitivities at ppb-level or less, high selectivity, and minimal interferences from artifacts. Modern approaches to biopharmaceutical analysis rely principally on chromatographic and immunochemical methods.
Microcystic adnexal carcinoma. First reported case in a black patient.

background.Microcystic adnexal carcinoma is an uncommon malignancy of the skin with a propensity for local aggressive growth and high rates of recurrence. To date, this neoplasm has been described mainly in the Caucasian population. We describe here the first reported case in a black patient.objecti
Drug product characterization by Macropixel Analysis of chemical images

Traditional monitoring of pharmaceutical manufacturing combines physical sampling and analytical methodologies (e.g. HPLC). Process analytical technology (PAT) can be implemented to collect real-time measurements, although successful monitoring requires that sampling be representative. The maximum spot size for a spectroscopic tool (e.g. near-infrared; Raman) should be equivalent to a single dosage size. A smaller spot size may provide a PAT tool that is sensitive to monitoring process changes, but if too small, produces non-reproducible data. The current study uses chemical imaging to determine appropriate spot size. A chemical image is an array of pixels which maps the chemical composition of the sample. "Macropixel Analysis" is introduced as a measure of image heterogeneity based on clusters of pixels (macropixels) within near-infrared chemical images. Analyses were conducted using non-overlapping tiles of macropixels (Discrete-Level Tiling) and all possible macropixels of the image (Continuous-Level Moving Block). Both methods minimize the variance between macropixel intensities by varying the size of the macropixels. Spot size is then chosen as the minimum macropixel size for which the range of macropixel intensities falls within an acceptable criterion. Both imaging-based algorithms provide useful quantitative information about the heterogeneity of pharmaceutical products.
Reducing diagnostic error with computer-based clinical decision support

Information technology approaches to delivering diagnostic clinical decision support (CDS) are the subject of the papers to follow in the proceedings. These will address the history of CDS and present day approaches (Miller), evaluation of diagnostic CDS methods (Friedman), and the role of clinical documentation in supporting diagnostic decision making (Schiff). In addition, several other considerations relating to this topic are interesting to ponder. We are moving toward increased understanding of gene regulation and gene expression, identification of biomarkers, and the ability to predict patient response to disease and to tailor treatments to these individual variations—referred to as “personalized” or, more recently, “predictive” medicine. Consequently, diagnostic decision making is more and more linked to management decision making, and generic diagnostic labels like “diabetes” or “colon cancer” will no longer be sufficient, because they don’t tell us what to do. Ultimately, if we have more complete data including more structured capture of phenomic data as well as the characterization of the patient’s genome, direct prediction from responses of highly refined subsets of similar patients in a database can be used to select appropriate management, the effectiveness of which was demonstrated in projects in selected limited domains as early as the 1970s. In general, there are six classes of methodologies, including the above, which can be applied to delivering CDS. In addition, patients are becoming more knowledgeable and should be regarded as active participants, not only in helping to obtain data but also in their own status assessment and as recipients of decision support. With the above advances, this is a very promising time to be engaged in pursuit of methods of CDS.
High-performance liquid chromatographic assay with a simple extraction procedure for sensitive quantification of mycophenolic acid in rat and human plasma.

Abstract We describe a novel sensitive and simplified gradient HPLC assay for quantification of the immunosuppressant mycophenolic acid (MPA) in rat and human plasma. In contrast to previously reported MPA assays, our method used a single step extraction comprising addition of acetonitrile, which contained phenolphthalein glucoronic acid as internal standard, for protein precipitation. Linearity: 0.1–100 μg/ml ( r 2 >0.999), mean recoveries: MPA 98.0%, internal standard 105.2%, mean intra-day precision: 4.3%, mean day-to-day precision: 4.3%, mean day-to-day accuracy: −1.5%. Sensitivity was sufficient to allow for quantification of mycophenolic acid in as little as 50 μl plasma.
Health care providers' use of a drug information service for pregnancy-related inquiries.

Abstract Objectives To characterize pregnancy and lactation-related medication inquiries to a drug information center to identify classes of medications of most concern to providers. A secondary objective was to identify any trends in provider inquiries over the study period. Design A retrospective descriptive study of pregnancy and lactation-related inquiries to the University of North Carolina Health Care System Drug Information Center database between January 2001 and December 2010. Setting University of North Carolina Health Care System Drug Information Center. Intervention Provider inquiries and responses were extracted and characterized by indication for treatment and reason for inquiry. Comparison of the first and second 5-year periods was performed to delineate trends. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's Exact and χ 2 tests were used for analysis. Main outcome measures Inquiry origin, time, and subject. Results 433 inquiries were retrieved over the study period from physicians (50%), pharmacists (21%), and nurses (18%). Inquiries were most often made during the antepartum period (34%), followed by the postpartum (28%) and preconception (22%) periods. The most frequent indications for inquiry were psychiatry (15%) and infectious diseases (14%), which remained constant throughout the study period. Safety was the most common reason for inquiry (52%). The responses provided to callers were limited due to lack of information availability 37% of the time. Conclusion Psychiatry and infectious disease-related indications are the most frequent subjects of provider inquiry regarding medication use in pregnancy. Rates of inquiry remained constant throughout the past decade in most therapeutic areas. These findings are consistent with previous observations in other developed countries and suggest high-yield areas for pharmacist education.
Chemical investigation of Titan and Triton tholins

We report chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses of both Titan and Triton tholins, organic solids made from the plasma irradiation of 0.9:0.1 and 0.999:0.001 N2/CH4 gas mixtures, respectively. The lower CH4 mixing ratio leads to a nitrogen-richer tholin (N/C greater than 1), probably including nitrogen heterocyclic compounds. Unlike Titan tholin, bulk Triton tholin is poor in nitriles. From high-pressure liquid chromatography, ultraviolet and infrared spectroscopy, and molecular weight estimation by gel filtration chromatography, we conclude that (1) several H2O-soluble fractions, each with distinct UV and IR spectral signatures, are present, (2) these fractions are not identical in the two tholins, (3) the H2O-soluble fractions of Titan tholins do not contain significant amounts of nitriles, despite the major role of nitriles in bulk Titan tholin, and (4) the H2O-soluble fractions of both tholins are mainly molcules containing about 10 to 50 (C + N) atoms. We report yields of amino acids upon hydrolysis of Titan and Triton tholins. Titan tholin is largely insoluble in the putative hydrocarbon lakes or oceans on Titan, but can yield the H2O-soluble species investigated here upon contact with transient (e.g., impact-generated) liquid water.
Expanding Field of Strawberry Viruses Which Are Important in North America

Strawberry production is increasing annually, with the world production exceeding 4 million tons. Virus diseases of strawberry are also increasing as the crop is planted in new regions and exposed ...
Cognitive activities and levels of abstraction in procedural and object-oriented design

The research reported in this article provides descriptions of design activities and of the evolving designs for expert procedural and expert object-oriented (OO) designers and for novice OO designers who also had extensive procedural experience. Ten experienced programmers were observed while designing software that would serve as a scoring system for swim meet competitions. Talk-aloud protocols were collected and analyzed for different types of cognitive activities and strategies that occurred during the course of design. In particular, we analyzed both the design activities and the level of abstraction of the designs over the course of time for each group in order to examine the role of several design strategies described in the literature as central in procedural design. In the course of these analyses, we developed a generic way (design template) of comparing the final designs of designers in different paradigms. Using this template, we analyzed the designs in terms of their completeness for different views at different levels of abstraction. Our analyses of procedural and OO designers-in terms of their cognitive activities, design strategies, and final designs-provide a detailed comparison between design paradigms in practice. A variety of descriptive results are discussed in terms of positive transfer, interference, and implications for design training. Findings are also discussed in terms of the relation between tasks and design paradigms.
Eigenvalues of 2-edge-coverings

A 2-edge-covering between G and H is an onto homomorphism from the vertices of G to the vertices of H so that each edge is covered twice and edges in H can be lifted back to edges in G. In this note we show how to compute the spectrum of G by computing the spectrum of two smaller graphs, namely a (modified) form of the covered graph H and another graph which we term the anti-cover. This is done for both the adjacency matrix and the normalized Laplacian. We also give an example of two anti-cover graphs which have the same normalized Laplacian, and state a generalization for directed graphs.
Inhibition of hepatitis C virus protein expression by RNA interference.

Abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a serious human pathogen and an estimated 170 million people are infected worldwide. Current therapeutic regimens have shown limited efficacy against selected genotypes of the virus. The phenomenon of RNA interference can be used to selectively block homologous genes post-transcriptionally, and has revolutionized approaches to study gene function. In this report, we have demonstrated that small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeted against NS5A of HCV genotype 1a specifically inhibit NS5A RNA and protein expression in a human hepatoma (HepG2) cell line. Expression of endogenous α-actin and the ds-RNA activated serine/threonine kinase-PKR were unaltered, demonstrating that the inhibitory effect observed from siRNA was specific to the HCV NS5A protein. We next examined whether siRNA directed against NS5A could inhibit core protein expression, the first gene product synthesized in virus infected cells due to its localization at the 5′ end of the HCV polyprotein. For this purpose, a full-length cDNA clone from HCV (H77, genotype 1a) was used, and results indicated that the introduction of NS5A targeted siRNA resulted in an inhibition of NS5A and core protein expression. Moreover, we observed that this siRNA effectively inhibited NS5A mediated activation of the IL-8 promoter. Taken together, our results demonstrated that siRNA was effective in inhibiting HCV protein expression, and may have therapeutic potential to limit HCV replication in chronically infected patients.
MUTAGENIC ACTIVITY IN HEAT-PROCESSED FOODS AS DETERMINED BY THE AMES SALMONELLA/MUTAGENICITY ASSAY

Different concentrations of six commercially available heat-processed foods were screened for mutagenic activity using the Ames Salmonella mutagenicity assay. Bacterial strain TA 98 which detects frame shift mutations was used with S-9 mix prepared from livers of Aroclor 1254 induced rats for metabolic activation. Cornflake cereal, branflake cereal, and a breakfast replacement product were not mutagenic at 90 g concentrations or less. At concentrations of 20 g or above, liquid smoke was toxic to the bacteria. At lower concentrations of 1 and 5 g the bacterial colony survival rate was low, therefore no conclusions were made regarding its mutagenic behavior. A canned brown gravy was not mutagenic at concentrations of 75 g or less. A canned au jus gravy displayed moderately high levels of mutagenic activity of 100 g concentrations or less. The contribution of manufacturers’processing techniques to the formation of chemical mutagens in foods is discussed.
Attributions of Shy Persons in Affiliation and Achievement Situations

ABSTRACT Because research has identified cognitive patterns in shy or socially anxious persons similar to those observed in depression, this study examined the relation of two measures of shyness with a measure of attributional style used in depression research. Seventy-six subjects took the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ; Seligman, Abramson, Semmel, & Von Baeyer, 1979), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck, 1967), the Social Anxiety and Distress (SAD; Watson & Friend, 1969) scale, and the Fear of Negative Evaluation (FNE; Watson & Friend) scale. Correlations are presented for each of the latter three measures with the ASQ. Partial correlations are also reported with depression removed. Attributional patterns in shyness were found to overlap those reported for depressives. The pattern of correlations indicates that the measures of social anxiety (SAD or FNE) interact with type of situation (affiliation or achievement). A principle components analysis of the scores supported the validity of the...
Extended Donor Iliac Arterial Patch for Vascular Reconstruction During Pancreas Transplantation

Iliac arteries in allograft pancreas recipients may be compromised by the patient's underlying disease or previous surgical intervention. We describe a previously unreported arterial reconstruction using an extended segmental common/external iliac artery patch with anastomosis of the pancreatic Y-graft to the patch internal iliac artery, and review the options for arterial reconstruction reported by others. This technique may find application in both pancreas and kidney transplantation to salvage a damaged or diseased iliac artery.