cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ion Transport across Nonexcitable Membranes

Membrane transport proteins can perform either active or passive ion transport. Active transport, in the absence or against the prevailing electrochemical gradient, can be either primary (ion pumps such as ATPases) or secondary (carriers performing cotransport or exchange). Passive transport of ions, down the electrochemical gradient, is largely mediated by ion channels. In a cell in the steady state, plasma-membrane active and passive transport processes result in equal and opposite ion fluxes. The ion gradients generate an electrical potential difference (membrane voltage) across the cell membrane because the latter exhibits selective ionic permeability. The resting membrane potential in most cells is largely determined by the K+ equilibrium potential, with the cell being negative to the extracellular solution. Ion channels participate in numerous cell functions and their mutations can result in diseases whose manifestations depend on the organs and systems in which these proteins are expressed. Key Concepts: The difference in composition between intracellular and extracellular fluids depends on the barrier and transport functions of the plasma membrane. Transport across the plasma membrane can be by solubility-diffusion (via the lipid bilayer) or mediated (via membrane proteins). Ion transport is mediated via membrane proteins (channels, carriers or pumps). The differences in ion concentrations across the plasma membrane determine the membrane potential difference (membrane voltage), according to the magnitude of the concentration gradients and the ion permeability. Active transport is thermodynamically uphill (in the absence of or against the electrochemical gradient). It can be primary (pumps), for example, driven by ATP hydrolysis, or secondary (carriers), driven by the electrochemical gradient for one of the substrates. Passive transport can occur by solubility-diffusion via the lipid bilayer or be mediated by carriers or channels. In the case of ions passive transport is largely via channels. The ion current through channels of one kind depends on the number of channels per cell or unit surface area, their open probability, their conductance and the electrochemical driving force. Ion channels are classified by their selectivity to ions. The most important ion channels expressed on the plasma membrane of nonexcitable cells are selective for K+, Na+, Ca2+, H+, Cl−, cations or anions. Numerous genetic diseases of ion channels have been identified. They involve gain- or loss-of-function mutations that alter the function of one or more organs. Keywords: cell composition; membrane potential; ion pumps; ion carriers; ion channels; active transport; passive transport; channelopathies
Pasinetti's processes

Luigi Pasinetti's contributions to economics cover an enormous range of topics. This review article concentrates on growth accounting in his 'natural system' and his models of post-Keynesian growth and distribution. The natural system is restated in terms of social accounting matrices and its empirical applicability is assessed. Growth theory is discussed in terms of relevant macroeconomic causal patterns or model 'closures.' (c) 1995 Academic Press Ltd. Copyright 1995 by Oxford University Press.
The Development of 'Project 1': Formative Assessment Strategies in UK Schools

In recent years a growing political emphasis has been placed upon the development of transformative assessment-driven reform in schools. There is global consensus on the value of assessment activities that are carefully designed to be consistent with desired learning outcomes, and coherently connect cognitive learning theory, the curriculum, classroom activities and assessment items. The consensus ends when there is debate between those who believe that schools produce more able students when they are faced with summative assessments and those who propose the implementation of formative assessment strategies in classrooms. This article investigates the development of formative assessment strategies in the UK known as Project 1. Of central importance here, are the perceptions of teachers as they work in cooperation to implement new policy into their classrooms and manage the impact of these innovative changes upon their personal and professional lives.
Conrad, C., & Gasman, M. (2015). Educating a Diverse Nation: Lessons From Minority-Serving Institutions

What can minority-serving institutions teach the rest of higher education about the needs of students of color? In Educating a Diverse Nation, Clifton Conrad and Marybeth Gasman tour 12 colleges th...
Cross-age face verification by coordinating with cross-face age verification

In this paper we present a novel framework for cross-age face verification (FV) by seeking help from its “competitor” named cross-face age verification (AV), i.e., deciding whether two face photos are taken at similar ages. While FV and AV share some common features, FV pursues age insensitivity and AV seeks age sensitivity. Such correlation suggests that AV may be used to guide feature selection in FV, i.e., by reducing the chance of choosing age sensitive features. Driven by this intuition, we propose to learn a solution for cross-age face verification by coordinating with a solution for age verification. Specifically, a joint additive model is devised to simultaneously handling both tasks, while encoding feature coordination by a competition regularization term. Then, an alternating greedy coordinate descent (AGCD) algorithm is developed to solve this joint model. As shown in our experiments, the algorithm effectively balances feature sharing and feature exclusion between the two tasks; and, for face verification, the algorithm effectively removes distracting features used in age verification. To evaluate the proposed algorithm, we conduct cross-age face verification experiments using two benchmark cross-age face datasets, FG-Net and MORPH. In all experiments, our algorithm achieves very promising results and outperforms all previously tested solutions.
Nietzsche on the Greek Decline

In “The Struggle between Science and Wisdom” Nietzsche voiced the following impression about ancient Greek culture: “The Greeks progressed quickly, but they likewise declined with frightening quickness. When the Hellenic genius had exhausted its highest types, Greece declined with the utmost rapidity. An interruption had only to occur once, and the great style of life ceased to be supplied: it was finished in an instant, just like tragedy. One single powerful crank like Socrates, and the break was irreparable. The self-destruction of the Greeks is accomplished in Socrates.”1 While it is true that classical Greece declined with the greatest rapidity, we now know that its rise out of the dark age was not as sudden as Nietzsche implies. The advance of scholarship since Nietzsche’s time has also caused us to conceptualize quite differently the nature of the decline in question.
TU-E-T-6E-01: The ASTRO Physics Curriculum

In 2002, the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO)'s Radiation Physics Committee appointed an Ad-hoc Committee on Physics Teaching To Medical Residents. The main initiative of the committee was to develop a core curriculum for physics education. The document resulted in a recommended 54-hour course. Some of the subjects were based on American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements (particles, hyperthermia), while the majority of the subjects along with the appropriated hours per subject were devised and agree upon by the committee. For each subject there are learning objectives and for each hour there is a detailed outline of material to be covered. Some of the required subjects/hours are being taught in most institutions (i.e. Radiation Measurement and Calibration for 4 hours), while some may be new subjects (4 hours of Imaging for Radiation Oncology). To ensure that the subject matter and emphasis remain current and relevant, the curriculum will be updated every two years.
The Effectiveness of Direct Instruction for Teaching Language to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Identifying Materials

Students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) frequently demonstrate language delays (American Psychiatric Association 2000). This study investigated the effects of a Direct Instruction (DI) language program implemented with elementary students with ASD. There is little research in the area of DI as a language intervention for students with ASD. This study examined the effectiveness of DI with regard to students’ oral language skills, specifically the identification of materials of which objects were made. A single-subject changing criterion design was employed. A functional relation between DI and oral language skills was demonstrated through replication of skill increase over three criterion changes and across three students. The results and their implications are discussed further.
Apoptosis of CD4+CD25high T Cells in Type 1 Diabetes May Be Partially Mediated by IL-2 Deprivation

Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease targeting the insulin-producing pancreatic b cells. Naturally occurring FOXP3 + CD4 + CD25 high regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in dominant tolerance, suppressing autoreactive CD4 + effector T cell activity. Previously, in both recent-onset T1D patients and b cell antibodypositive at-risk individuals, we observed increased apoptosis and decreased function of polyclonal Tregs in the periphery. Our objective here was to elucidate the genes and signaling pathways triggering apoptosis in Tregs from T1D subjects. Principal Findings: Gene expression profiles of unstimulated Tregs from recent-onset T1D (n=12) and healthy control subjects (n=15) were generated. Statistical analysis was performed using a Bayesian approach that is highly efficient in determining differentially expressed genes with low number of replicate samples in each of the two phenotypic groups. Microarray analysis showed that several cytokine/chemokine receptor genes, HLA genes, GIMAP family genes and cell adhesion genes were downregulated in Tregs from T1D subjects, relative to control subjects. Several downstream target genes of the AKT and p53 pathways were also upregulated in T1D subjects, relative to controls. Further, expression signatures and increased apoptosis in Tregs from T1D subjects partially mirrored the response of healthy Tregs under conditions of IL-2 deprivation. CD4 + effector T-cells from T1D subjects showed a marked reduction in IL-2 secretion. This could indicate that prior to and during the onset of disease, Tregs in T1D may be caught up in a relatively deficient cytokine milieu. Conclusions: In summary, expression signatures in Tregs from T1D subjects reflect a cellular response that leads to increased sensitivity to apoptosis, partially due to cytokine deprivation. Further characterization of these signaling cascades should enable the detection of genes that can be targeted for restoring Treg function in subjects predisposed to T1D.
Structural safety assessment

Abstract A prototype knowledge-based system for structural safety assessment with emphasis on wind effects is under development. The system consists of three main modules: a rule-based module for guidance and wind engineering background information of a qualitative nature; a module for causal network modeling of the structure under consideration; and another for the numerical evaluation of the causal network. Heuristics for wind loading and damage records are being incorporated into the rule-based module for including qualitative aspects of the loading formulation and structural safety assessment. The causal network has been introduced previously as an alternative approach to estimating the probability of failure of a multicomponent assemblage such as a structure from individual component probability of failure values. The knowledge-based system is being developed on the Symbolics 3640 in a lisp-based environment.
In situ hybridization studies of α2‐macroglobulin receptor and receptor‐associated protein in human prostate carcinoma

We have utilized in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry techniques to examine the expression of both alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-MR) and the 39 kDa receptor-associated protein (RAP) in 8 benign (BPH) and 34 malignant human prostate tissues, including 4 metastases. The levels of alpha 2-MR mRNA expression (but not RAP) increased significantly in high Gleason score carcinomas ( > 8) and in metastatic lesions, suggesting that alpha 2-MR expression is associated with advanced cancer. Semi-quantitative analysis with computer-assisted system analysis (CASA) confirmed this interpretation. This is the first report of alpha 2-MR expression being associated with advanced prostate cancer.
Efficacy and safety of unfractionated heparin plus glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors during revascularization for an acute coronary syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized trials performed with stents and thienopyridines.

Background: Early studies of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs) demonstrated benefit during percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Since their introduction, the magnitude of benefit of GPIs has become unclear. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that adding a GPI to unfractionated heparin in ACS patients treated with stents and thienopyridines is beneficial. Methods: We searched the MEDLINE, Cochrane, and clinicaltrials.gov databases for randomized clinical trials that studied the use of GPIs during ACS. We required that patients be randomly assigned to unfractionated heparin plus a GPI versus unfractionated heparin plus placebo (or control). Additional inclusion criteria included the use of coronary stents and periprocedural thienopyridines. Outcomes were assessed at 30 days. Random effects DerSimonian-Laird summary risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were constructed. Results: Sixteen studies with 7611 patients were included. Myocardial infarction was 3.1% with GPI versus 4.4% with control (RR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59–0.94, P = 0.014); revascularization, 1.7% versus 2.7% (RR = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.46–0.89, P = 0.008); major bleeding, 2.5% versus 2.1% (RR = 1.21; 95% CI, 0.89–1.63, P = 0.22); minor bleeding, 5.5% versus 4.1% (RR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.06–1.78, P = 0.016); and mortality, 2.2% versus 2.9% (RR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.59–1.06, P = 0.12), respectively. Conclusions: Among ACS patients treated with stents and thienopyridines, GPIs were associated with reduced myocardial infarction and revascularization. Minor, but not major bleeding was increased with GPIs. Mortality was similar between the groups. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Supporting information may be found in the online version of this article This work was supported by an unrestricted grant from the Florida Heart Research Institute, which had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation, manuscript writing, or decision to proceed with publication. Anthony A Bavry has received research support from Novartis Pharmaceuticals and serves as a contractor for American College of Cardiology Cardiosource. The other authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Interaction of hemojuvelin with neogenin results in iron accumulation in human embryonic kidney 293 cells.

Type 2 hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) or juvenile hemochromatosis is an early onset, genetically heterogeneous, autosomal recessive disorder of iron overload. Type 2A HH is caused by mutations in the recently cloned hemojuvelin gene (HJV; also called HFE2) (Papanikolaou, G., Samuels, M. E., Ludwig, E. H., MacDonald, M. L., Franchini, P. L., Dube, M. P., Andres, L., MacFarlane, J., Sakellaropoulos, N., Politou, M., Nemeth, E., Thompson, J., Risler, J. K., Zaborowska, C., Babakaiff, R., Radomski, C. C., Pape, T. D., Davidas, O., Christakis, J., Brissot, P., Lockitch, G., Ganz, T., Hayden, M. R., and Goldberg, Y. P. (2004) Nat. Genet. 36, 77–82), whereas Type 2B HH is caused by mutations in hepcidin. HJV is highly expressed in both skeletal muscle and liver. Mutations in HJV are implicated in the majority of diagnosed juvenile hemochromatosis patients. In this study, we stably transfected HJV cDNA into human embryonic kidney 293 cells and characterized the processing of HJV and its effect on iron homeostasis. Our results indicate that HJV is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked protein and undergoes a partial autocatalytic cleavage during its intracellular processing. HJV co-immunoprecipitated with neogenin, a receptor involved in a variety of cellular signaling processes. It did not interact with the closely related receptor DCC (deleted in Colon Cancer). In addition, the HJV G320V mutant implicated in Type 2A HH did not co-immunoprecipitate with neogenin. Immunoblot analysis of ferritin levels and transferrin-55Fe accumulation studies indicated that the HJV-induced increase in intracellular iron levels in human embryonic kidney 293 cells is dependent on the presence of neogenin in the cells, thus linking these two proteins to intracellular iron homeostasis.
Three-dimensional gravity modeling of the Geysers hydrothermal system and vicinity, northern California

The gravity low associated with the Geysers hydrothermal system is the southwest lobe of a regional 24-mgal gravity low centered near Mount Hannah in northern California. By subtracting the effect of a deep low-density source beneath Mount Hannah, a large 3- to 5-mgal gravity low is defined. This gravity low is interpreted to coincide with the present and past locations of the Geysers hydrothermal system. The producing steam field is now to the northeast of the anomaly and overlaps its northeastern boundary. The northeastern boundary of the anomaly consists of dense ultramafic and mafic rocks, between 0.5 and 1.0 km in thickness, which mask whatever density anomaly is associated with the steam reservoir below them. A three-dimensional density model constructed to fit this residual gravity field employs a low-density volume of about 100 km 3 that has a density contrast of −0.06 g/cm 3 . If a deep low-density source is included in the model, the shallow density cannot be less than −0.04 g/cm 3 . This shallow low-density anomaly could be caused by a combination of high temperatures, unsaturated conditions, dissolution, and fracturing, and it may be flanked by density gradients due to chemical precipitation at the boundaries of the hydrothermal system. The possibility of a deep low-density source to the gravity low indicates a possible extension of the deep low-density source that produces the 24-mgal low centered near Mount Hannah. An overlapping low-velocity anomaly coincides with the low-density region below Mount Hannah, and the low-velocity anomaly also extends beneath The Geysers. These low-density and low-velocity sources may be representative of the heat source that generated the Geysers hydrothermal system.
The role of ethics in information technology decisions: a case-based approach to biomedical informatics education

The purpose of this paper is to propose a case-based approach to instruction regarding ethical issues raised by the use of information technology (IT) in healthcare. These issues are rarely addressed in graduate degree and continuing professional education programs in health informatics. There are important reasons why ethical issues need to be addressed in informatics training. Ethical issues raised by the introduction of information technology affect practice and are ubiquitous. These issues are frequently among the most challenging to young practitioners who are ill prepared to deal with them in practice. First, the paper provides an overview of methods of moral reasoning that can be used to identify and analyze ethical problems in health informatics. Second, we provide a framework for defining cases that involve ethical issues and outline major issues raised by the use of information technology. Specific cases are used as examples of new dilemmas that are posed by the introduction of information technology in healthcare. These cases are used to illustrate how ethics can be integrated with the other elements of informatics training. The cases discussed here reflect day-to-day situations that arise in health settings that require decisions. Third, an approach that can be used to teach ethics in health informatics programs is outlined and illustrated.
Gingival crevice neutrophil function in periodontal lesions

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) may play an important role in protection of the host from pathogenic microorganisms associated with periodontal tissue destruction. The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that unusually severe periodontitis may be associated with defective PMN function at the local disease site. The patients studied included young patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis (including juvenile periodontitis), age-matched patients with gingivitis, and older patients with chronic periodontitis. Gingival crevice (GC) PMN were collected from 10 lesions of each patient by a crevicular washing technique. The number and viability of GC PMN recovered were determined. Their phagocytic capacity was assayed in vitro as a percentage of cells capable of engulfing latex particles. No differences were observed between the periodontitis groups in the number or viability of GC PMN recovered. A statistically significant reduction in mean phagocytic capacity was observed in PMN recovered from lesions of rapidly progressive periodontitis when compared with lesions of chronic periodontitis (12.9 ± 2.1 % vs. 83.7 ± 4.8 %). GC PMNs recovered from non-diseased sites of patients with localized juvenile periodontitis did not show this decreased function. These results suggest that locally diminished PMN function in rapidly progressive and juvenile periodontitis is associated with the environment of these lesions.
Micropolitan areas: Exploring the linkages between demography and land-cover change in the United States cities

Abstract Micropolitan statistical areas in the United States are important transitionary regions that may provide insights into the economic, demographic, and social forces driving urbanization. Land cover change may provide significant insights into the dynamics of these important transitionary units. Our work investigates three questions: (1) How is the national landscape changing within micropolitan statistical areas with regards to land cover? (2) Are land-cover conditions in micropolitan areas closer to rural or metropolitan areas or are they unique? (3) How closely are demographic patterns linked to land conversion for development within micropolitan areas? When compared to metropolitan and rural areas within the US, our results demonstrate that micropolitan areas are unique with regards to the total amount of developed land, as well as land conversion to development. Within the micropolitan areas, we show that demographic categories such as population, population density, or population growth are not adequate predictors of land-cover change and that the geographic patterns of land conversion for development may provide valuable insights into the impact of micropolitan areas on the US national landscape.
Effect of ropivacaine skull block on perioperative outcomes in patients with supratentorial brain tumors and comparison with remifentanil: a pilot study.

Object Skull blockade for craniotomy may result in the reduction of sympathetic stimulation associated with the application of head pins (“pinning”), improvement in intraoperative hemodynamic stability, and a decrease in intraoperative anesthetic requirements. Postoperative benefits may include a decrease in pain, in analgesic requirements, and in the incidence of nausea and vomiting. The authors examined the potential benefits of a skull block in patients in whom a maintenance anesthetic consisting of sevoflurane and a titratable remifentanil infusion was used. In other studies examining the ability of a skull block to improve perioperative outcomes, investigators have not used remifentanil. Methods Thirty patients presenting for resection of a supratentorial tumor were prospectively enrolled. Patients were randomized into 2 groups as follows: 14 patients (skull block group) received a skull block with 0.5% ropivacaine at least 15 minutes prior to pinning, whereas the remaining 16 patients (control group...
Small Groups as Context for Institutional Entrepreneurship: An Exploration of the Emergence of Commercial Microfinance in Bolivia

This paper contributes to the emerging literature on inhabited institutions. It argues that institutional entrepreneurship, as most social action, is not an individual-bounded endeavor, at the hands of isolated individuals, but a group-bounded one, at the hands of social individuals inhabiting groups which motivate, inspire, and enable their engagement. The inhabited group-bounded conceptualization offered helps to overcome voluntaristic biases and atemporalism plaguing much micro research on institutional entrepreneurship. The paper builds on a qualitative case study of the emergence of commercial microfinance in Bolivia.
On Variation in Interlanguage: A Response to Gregg

L'A. veut montrer qu'un modele variabiliste est tout a fait en mesure d'apporter des explications dans une theorie de l'acquisition d'une langue seconde et donne ainsi une reponse aux travaux critiques de Kevin R. Gregg sur les modeles variabilistes
Synthesis of Narrow Distribution Poly(tetrahydrofuran) Initiated by Alkylboron Triflates

It is shown that dibutylboron triflate and butylboron bis(triflate) are excellent initiators for the cationic polymerization of THF, producing narrow molecular weight distribution polyTHF with good molecular weight control
Adaptive control of uncertain Hammerstein systems with monotonic input nonlinearities using auxiliary nonlinearities

We extend retrospective cost adaptive control (RCAC) to command following for uncertain Hammerstein systems. We assume that only one Markov parameter of the linear plant is known and that the input nonlinearity is monotonic but otherwise unknown. Auxiliary nonlinearities are used within RCAC to account for the effect of the input nonlinearity.
Soft-sediment deformation (fluid escape) features in a coarse-grained pyroclastic-surge deposit, north-central New Mexico

The Puye Formation in north-central New Mexico is a very coarse-grained fanglomerate which was deposited on the eastern flank of the Jemez caldera. Pyroclastic deposits occur within the Puye in the form of airfall pumice beds and the remnant of at least one pyroclastic-surge deposit. This pyroclastic-surge deposit shows the effects of fluidization and soft-sediment deformation in the form of: (1) intrusive sedimentary plumes; (2) upwardly injected gravelly pipes; (3) ‘pocket structures’ similar to those of Postma (1983), and; (4) oversteepened and deformed cross-stratification. Fluidization and soft-sediment deformation resulted from a combination of the mechanical instability and high, possibly pressurized, fluid content of the deposit. This metastable condition was a consequence of the nature of the flow which deposited the sediment: a rapidly depositing, high-velocity sediment gravity flow. The fluids in pyroclastic surges may be either gas or liquid. However, because of the coarse grain-size of the fluidized sediment, it is suggested that liquids were responsible for the features described in this paper. Evidence also suggests that locally fluidization, liquefaction, and soft-sediment deformation took place penecontemporaneously with deposition.
MicroRNA-132 Is Enriched in Developing Axons, Locally Regulates Rasa1 mRNA, and Promotes Axon Extension

Developing axons can locally synthesize proteins, with roles in axon growth, guidance, and regeneration, but the mechanisms that regulate axonal mRNA translation are not well understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of translation but have still been little characterized in developing axons. Here we study mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) axons and show that their extension is impaired by conditional deficiency of the miRNA-processing enzyme Dicer in vitro and in vivo. A screen for axonal localization identifies a specific set of miRNAs preferentially enriched within the developing axon. High axonal expression and preferential localization were observed for miR-132, a miRNA previously known for roles in dendrites and dysregulation in major neurologic diseases. miR-132 knockdown reduced extension of cultured DRG axons, whereas overexpression increased extension. Mechanistically, miR-132 regulated the mRNA for the Ras GTPase activator Rasa1, a novel target in neuronal function. Moreover, miR-132 regulation of Rasa1 translation was seen in severed axons, demonstrating miRNA function locally within the axon. miR-132 expression in DRGs peaked in the period of maximum axon growth in vivo, consistent with its effect on axon growth, and suggesting a role as a developmental timer. Together, these findings identify miR-132 as a positive regulator of developing axon extension, acting through repression of Rasa1 mRNA, in a mechanism that operates locally within the axon.
Periods of Excess Energy in Extreme Weather Events

The reconstruction of periodic signals that are embedded in noise is a very important task in many applications. This already difficult task is even more complex when some observations are missed or some are presented irregularly in time. Kolmogorov-Zurbenko (KZ) filtration, a well-developed method, offers a solution to this problem. One section of this paper provides examples of very precise reconstructions of multiple periodic signals covered with high level noise, noise levels that make those signals invisible within the original data. The ability to reconstruct signals from noisy data is applied to the numerical reconstruction of tidal waves in atmospheric pressure. The existence of such waves was proved by well-known naturalist Chapman, but due to the high synoptic fluctuation in atmospheric pressure he was unable to numerically reproduce the waves. Reconstruction of the atmospheric tidal waves reveals a potential intensification on wind speed during hurricanes, which could increase the danger imposed by hurricanes. Due to the periodic structure of the atmospheric tidal wave, it is predictable in time and space, which is important information for the prediction of excess force in developing hurricanes.
The Materiality of God in Milton's de Doctrina Christiana

During recent years, scholars have been producing a great deal of important work to clarify and interpret Milton's metaphysical position, but at least one important question appears still unsettled. Does his materialistic monism embrace the whole range of being, uncreated as well as created? It certainly comprehends the whole hierarchy of creatures; does it comprehend God too?
Spatial variation in particulate concentrations within metropolitan Philadelphia

During the summers of 1992 and 1993, particle mass concentrations (PM2.5 and PM10) were measured at eight sites located within metropolitan Philadelphia. Particle sampling was performed simultaneously at these sites on alternate days during the summer of 1992 and every day at seven of these sites during the summer of 1993. Sampling was conducted over 24-h periods beginning at 9 am (EDT) during both summers. All PM2.5 and PM10 samples were collected using 10 L/min inertial impactors with particle cutpoints of 2.5 and 10 μm, respectively. In this paper, we examine the relationship among PM2.5, coarse particulate (2.5 < da < 10 μm), and PM10 concentrations. In addition, we analyze their spatial variation and compare our findings with those made in an earlier study of sulfate (SO42-) concentrations. PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were found to be relatively uniform across Philadelphia, suggesting that concentrations measured at a single monitoring site are able to characterize particulate concentrations across...
Domain organization of murine mdr1b P-glycoprotein: the cytoplasmic linker region is a potential dimerization domain.

Abstract P-glycoprotein is an integral membrane protein that functions as a cytotoxic drug-efflux pump. Studies suggest that the transporter exists in the membrane as a dimer and possibly higher order structures. We report the bacterial expression of the linker region (amino acids 621-688) of murine mdr 1b P-glycoprotein and demonstrate that this region, which serves to link the two homologous halves of the transporter, has the potential to serve as a dimerization domain. The recombinant peptide (8742 daltons) eluted from a gel filtration column at a position corresponding to a dimer (i.e. 17,500 daltons). A dimer:monomer equilibrium, as a function of peptide concentration, was confirmed by large zone gel filtration chromatography. The dissociation constant (K D ) for the dimer:monomer equilibrium was 350 nM. It was possible to dissociate the dimer by low pH (3.0) or high ionic strength (2.5 M NaCl). Dimerization was not affected by an alkaline pH of 10 or 5mM EDTA. Studies with a truncated linker peptide indicated that the N-terminal 48 amino acids were sufficient for dimerization.
Examination of dibenzyl aluminum and gallium azides as potential precursors to AlN and GaN

Abstract This publication summarizes our attempts to prepare precursor molecules of formula Bn2MN3-THF [where Bn=benzyl, M=Ga (3) and Al (8)] and to use them in the low-temperature synthesis of AlN and GaN. Compound 3 was prepared from Bn2GaCl-THF (2) and Me3SiN3. Compound 8 was obtained by a different route which requires the combination of Cl2AlN3 and BnMgCl in toluene. During the course of this work two new amides, [Bn2AlNMe2]2 (4) and Bn2AlN(SiMe3)2-THF (5) were prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography.
Snow cover data management: the role of WDC-A for Glaciology

Up to now the study of snow cover conditions has been carried out on a local or regional scale. Research is hindered because the data are not even homogeneous in different countries. As a contribution to the assembly of such data, WDC-A for Glaciology has initiated an inventory of the observational methods and variables measured. Further, a Cryospheric Data Management System is being developed which will enable snow cover maps to be constructed, for example, using passive microwave data from the US DMSP satellite.
Unilateral hypoglossal nerve atrophy as a late complication of radiation therapy of head and neck carcinoma: A report of four cases and a review of the literature on peripheral and cranial nerve damages after radiation therapy

The case histories of four patients who developed hemiatrophy of the tongue from 3 to 9 years after a course of curative radiation therapy for carcinomas of the head and neck are presented. These patients were subsequently followed for from 1½ to 6 years without local recurrence of the tumor, distant metastasis, or involvement of other cranial nerves, indicative of only a unilateral hypoglossal nerve atrophy. A review of the literature showed that peripheral and cranial nerve damages after radiation therapy have been reported for the optic nerve, hypoglossal nerve, oculomotor nerve, abducens nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve, brachial plexus nerves, and peripheral nerves of the extremities. Review of clinical and experimental data indicated that in most cases, the damages were probably caused by extensive connective tissue fibrosis around and infiltrating the nerve trunks. Three possible types of peripheral and cranial nerve damages after radiation therapy are identified.
Strain and strain-rate hardening characteristics of a superplastic AlLiCuZr alloy

A number of alloys based on the composition of Al-Li-Zr have been shown to be superplastic under at least one of two different microstructural conditions: 1. fully recrystallized to a fine, stable grain size, and 2. warm- or cold-worked and unrecrystallized prior to superplastic deformation. For the latter case, static recrystallization was impaired by the presence of fine Al/sub 3/Zr particles, and dynamic recrystallization was observed to occur during superplastic deformation in which the heavily worked microstructure evolved into a fine grained fully recrystallized microstructure. This process is observed in other Al alloys as well, such as the Al-Cu-Zr alloys (Supral alloys), Al-Zn-Mg-Zr alloys, Al-Mn-Zr alloys, and Al-Mg-Mn alloys where the dynamic recrystallization has been suggested to be a continuous reaction in which recrystallization occurs by a gradual and homogeneous process during deformation rather than by the more common nucleation and growth process. Experimental observations of continuous recrystallization show development of a subgrain structure which coarsens continuously while deformation proceeds, with a concurrent increase in the misorientation angle between adjacent subgrains which ultimately approaches that of a high-angle boundary, characteristic of a fully- recrystallized microstructure. During the first 50 to 300% deformation, the microstructure evolves from the heavily worked tomore » a fully recrystallized microstructure after which the fully recrystallized microstructure apparently exhibits the typical micro-grain superplastic characteristics. Superplasticity under continuous dynamic recrystallization is of interest both from scientific and technological standpoints since the rates at which superplastic deformation can be obtained are often higher than those for the fully recrystallized microstructures.« less
Effect of Regular Aerobic Exercise on Elevated Blood Pressure in Postmenopausal Women

The efficacy of aerobic exercise for lowering arterial blood pressure (BP) in postmenopausal women with elevations of 130 to 159/85 to 99 mm Hg has not been established. To determine this, 10 postmenopausal women with high normal resting BP or stage I essential hypertension were studied throughout a 12-week lead-in period (no exercise, n = 5) and/or 12 weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (walking, n = 9). There were no significant time effects during the lead-in period (all p >0.4). Maximal aerobic capacity (as assessed by maximal oxygen consumption) was unchanged after 12 weeks of exercise, but exercise tolerance (treadmill walking time) increased by approximately 10% (p or = 3 to 5 mm Hg) decrease in BP was observed in every subject. On average, subjects with stage I hypertension had a reduction in BP into the high normal range, whereas subjects with high-normal initial levels had a reduction in BP into the normal range. Borderline significant (p = 0.06 to 0.07) reductions in systolic and diastolic BP were observed by the end of the second and tenth weeks of training, respectively. Ambulatory determined 24-hour levels of BP were unchanged with training, but significant reductions in BP during submaximal exercise occurred. Our results demonstrate that regular aerobic exercise can produce clinically important reductions in resting BP in Caucasian postmenopausal women with mild to moderately elevated initial levels. This effect of exercise is observed in the absence of changes in maximal aerobic capacity, body weight, or dietary intake.
Interobserver Reliability of the Chest Radiograph in Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Objective To evaluate the interobserver reliability of pulmonary radiographic findings in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Design A prospective, multicenter study. Setting Physician offices, medical walk-in clinics, emergency departments, and inpatient wards affiliated with three university hospitals, one community hospital, and one staff model health maintenance organization in three geographic areas. Methods Copies of the initial chest radiograph of patients suspected of having CAP were independently read by two staff radiologists at the coordinating university hospital. Interobserver reliability for the interpretation for radiographic findings was assessed by calculation of agreement rates and the kappa statistic. Participants Adults (age ≥18 years) with symptoms or signs of CAP and a pulmonary radiographic infiltrate documented by a local study site radiologist. Results Among the 282 patients whose initial pulmonary radiographs were evaluated, there was agreement between the two staff radiologists on the presence of infiltrate in 79.4% and on the absence of an infiltrate in 6.0% (kappa=0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.22 to 0.52). For the 224 patients with an infiltrate identified by both radiologists, there was further agreement that the infiltrate was unilobar in 41.5% and multilobar in 33.9% (kappa=0.51; 95% CI=0.28 to 0.62), pleural effusion was present in 10.7% and absent in 73.2% (kappa=0.46; 95% CI=0.33 to 0.50), and the infiltrate was alveolar in 96.3% of patients and interstitial in no patients (kappa=-0.01; 95% CI=-0.03 to 0.00). Among the 210 patients with an alveolar infiltrate, both radiologists classified the infiltrate as lobar in 74.6% and bronchopneumonia in 2.4% (kappa=0.09; 95% CI=-0.04 to 0.22), and agreed on the presence of air bronchograms in 7.6% and their absence in 52.9% (kappa=0.01; 95% CI=-0.13 to 0.15). Conclusion In patients with CAP, two university radiologists identified the presence of infiltrate, multilobar disease, and pleural effusion with fair to good interobserver reliability. However, interobserver reliability for the pattern of infiltrate and the presence of air bronchograms was poor.
Gastrointestinal sites of furosemide absorption in rats

Abstract The rate of absorption of [35S]furosemide from the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract of rats, in situ, was studied by following the disappearance of radioactivity from the lumen and its appearance in plasma, urine, and bile. Absorption appeared to be most rapid and efficient in the stomach at pH 3.5 and least rapid and efficient in the jejunum at pH 5.4. To confirm these preliminary results, a fluorimetric assay was utilized to study furosemide disappearance from various segments of the rat gastrointestinal tract, in situ, at various pHs. The most rapid absorption was found to occur from the stomach at pH 3.0 ( t 1 2 = 2.5 ± 0.3 h ). Absorption was slower from the duodenum at pH 5.0 ( t 1 2 = 3.1 ± 0.4 h ); even slower from the duodenum + 30 cm of jejunum at pH 5.0 ( t 1 2 = 11.7 ± 2.2 h ). In intact rats the absorption process following gastric gavage in fasted animals was found to be biexponential, and the results were consistent with an absorption model in which rapid absorption occurs from the stomach and slower absorption occurs from the small intestine. Preliminary experiments in non-fasted intact rats suggested that oral absorption of furosemida with food in the stomach was slower but more complete than in the absence of food.
Thyroid hormone receptor mutants implicated in human hepatocellular carcinoma display an altered target gene repertoire.

Thyroid hormone receptor mutants implicated in human hepatocellular carcinoma display an altered target gene repertoire
Development of postoperative C5 palsy is associated with wider posterior decompressions: an analysis of 41 patients

Abstract Background context C5 palsy is a postoperative complication, characterized by deltoid weakness. The pathogenesis of C5 palsy after laminoforaminotomies in patients with degenerative spinal disease is poorly understood. We hypothesize that the spinal cord fallback is associated with postoperative C5 palsy. Purpose We investigate radiographic parameters associated with the development of postoperative C5 palsy. Study design/setting This is a retrospective single-institutional clinical study. Patient sample The source population was all patients undergoing a C4–C5 posterior laminoforaminotomy plus instrumented fusion for the management of degenerative spinal disease at a single institution over a 7-year period. The study population was 41 patients who had both preoperative and postoperative imaging. Outcome measure The outcome measure was postoperative C5 palsy, defined as transient motor decline of the deltoid function. Methods Of those patients with both preoperative and postoperative radiographic studies, we measured cord position, Cobb angle, width of the C5 foramen, and width of the dura. Results Nine patients with C5 palsy and 32 patients without C5 palsy fit the inclusion criteria for this study. In comparison with the non-C5 palsy group, the C5 palsy group had a statistically greater widening of the C5 foramen (p Conclusion Our findings suggest that wider decompressions at C4–C5 are correlated with greater fallback of the spinal cord, which statistically increases the risk of C5 palsy.
Computer -Aided Horizontal Sweep Design

The element of Black Art often associated with television horizontal sweep system design may be reduced by resolving the complex system interactions through computer synthesis and analysis. The following procedure derives necessary physical system parameters based on specified desired operating voltages, tertiary tuning, and other physical system requirements. Once acceptable stress conditions have been realized the resultant computer derived design should require only slight "tweaking" to yield a workable system.
The Clinical Use of Denosumab for the Management of Low Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women

Osteoporosis is a leading cause of debility and declining quality of life in postmenopausal women worldwide. Treatment of osteoporosis has been ubiquitous throughout the developed world since the mid-1990s, most notably with the introduction of bisphosphonates in 1995. Nonetheless, the incidence of hip fractures increased by 25% between 1990 and 2000, despite advances in osteoporosis therapy. Studies indicate that bone density increases over the first 3 years of bisphosphonate therapy and then plateaus or perhaps even declines, placing these patients at greater risk of fracture. Since hip fractures are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and increased cost of health care, improvements in treating osteoporosis are critical. Denosumab is a novel monoclonal antibody targeted against the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) that inhibits osteoclast activity. Initial data suggest that denosumab increases bone mineral density for greater than 3 years. Of greater importance, denosumab has been shown to decrease vertebral fractures by 68%, nonvertebral fractures by 19%, and hip fractures by 42% for at least 36 months. Data also indicate that the safety profile of denosumab is equivalent to other drugs used in osteoporosis management, but potential risks of immunosuppression and cancer have been hypothesized.
Expression and Characterization of a Single Recombinant Proteoglycan Tandem Repeat Domain of Link Protein That Binds Zinc and Hyaluronate

The first proteoglycan tandem repeat (PTR) of bovine link protein has been cloned in the pMAL-c vector and overexpressed in fusion with maltose-binding protein (MBP) in Escherichia coli. The fusion protein can be isolated from the soluble phase of the bacterial lysate by amylose affinity chromatography. The PTR domain can be cleaved from the MBP domain with factor Xa protease. Evidence using zinc affinity chromatography is presented which indicates that at least one of the zinc-binding sites of bovine link protein is contained within the first PTR domain. Zinc affinity chromatography was then incorporated as the final purification step of the MBP/PTR protein. Evidence for the binding of MBP/PTR to hyaluronic acid (HA) is demonstrated by coprecipitation with HA using cetylpyridinium chloride. Binding is specific since MBP/PTR does not coprecipitate with chondroitin sulfate. Binding is also demonstrated in an ELISA assay on HA-coated plates. In this assay, binding could be inhibited by the addition of HA or HA oligosaccharides.
Diverse aqueous environments on ancient Mars revealed in the southern highlands

High-resolution spectral images reveal many new exposures of hydrated minerals across the Noachian southern highlands of Mars. Several different phyllosilicates are observed, with inferred accompanying phases ranging from zeolites to sulfates to chlorides, each in distinct geologic settings. Hydrated sulfates are observed in several locations at mid-latitudes, and likely formed independently from the equatorial sulfates. These assemblages suggest a greater diversity of aqueous environments on ancient Mars than has previously been recognized, and their distribution implies that alteration was widespread during the Noachian Period, not restricted to a few locations.