cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Good Life II: Compassion, Skepticism, Lucidity

The final chapter spells out Homo risibilis’ ethical and epistemological benefits as a contemporary philosophy within a global world. It introduces the social and political assets that complements the personal gain this worldview secures. The needs for a common ethical practice, for an open-ended worldview that accords with various beliefs, and for a shared ideal of wisdom in the current global world should be addressed by philosophers. Based on an explicitation of contemporary demands and an assessment of the viability of relevant answers, this chapter establishes Homo risibilis’ capacity to address them more effectively than other approaches. The worldview proposed founds an ethics of compassion without metaphysical requirements, makes skepticism emotionally palatable and turns a lucid approach to the human condition into a pleasurable state.
Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography Enables Model-Based Identification of Regional Stiffness Indices in the Left Ventricular Myocardium.

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling is a critical process underlying heart failure (HF) development and progression. While LV global longitudinal strain determined by speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) provides a promising basis to monitor LV remodeling, reported strain measures are limited by the masking of regional differences and a dependency on hemodynamic load. Our goal is to extend two-dimensional STE to enhance regional mechanical assessment of the LV myocardium—providing clinically accessible and load-independent response variables that directly reflect the LV remodeling process. An inverse finite element analysis was employed with a pattern search optimization algorithm to identify regional indices of LV myocardial stiffness based on STE-derived regional LV longitudinal strains and wall geometries. Our framework was applied in two distinct porcine models of early LV remodeling, specifically following myocardial infarction and onset of LV pressure overload. Regional and temporal changes in computed indices of LV myocardial stiffness over diastolic pressures correlate with conventional indices of LV remodeling and show enhanced early sensitivity as compared to LV global longitudinal strain. Our findings suggest that STE-integrated computational modeling can be used to track indices of LV myocardial stiffness and, thus, is a potential tool for HF diagnosis and prognosis.
Lysosomal dysfunction in osteoarthritis and aged cartilage triggers apoptosis in chondrocytes through BAX mediated release of Cytochrome c.

Summary Objective Lysosomes are the major catabolic organelle of the cell and regulate the macromolecular and organelle turnover and programmed cell death. Here, we investigated the lysosome dysfunction in cartilage and its role in chondrocytes apoptosis and the associated mechanism. Design Lysosomal acidification in Osteoarthritis (OA) and aged cartilage was determined by LysoSensor staining. Lysosomal function in chondrocytes was blocked by siRNA mediated depletion of Lysosomal Associated Membrane Protein 2 (LAMP2) or with lysosome inhibitors. Chondrocyte apoptosis was determined by LDH release, Caspase-3/7 activation, TUNEL and PI uptake assays. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP/ΔΨM) and mitochondrial superoxide level was determined by JC-1 and MitoSOX staining, respectively. Colocalization of mitochondria with BCL2 associated X (BAX) and Cytochrome c was determined by immunostaining. Destabilization of medial meniscus (DMM) was performed to induce OA in mice. Results Lysosomal acidification was found to be significantly decreased in aged mouse and human and mouse OA cartilage which also showed increased chondrocyte apoptosis. Inhibition of lysosomal function resulted in increased oxidative stress, accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria and apoptosis in chondrocytes in monolayer and in cartilage explant cultures. Depletion of LAMP2 expression or treatment of chondrocytes with lysosomal function inhibitors increased the expression and mitochondrial translocation of BAX leading to Cytochrome c release. Lysosomal dysfunction-induced apoptosis in chondrocytes was not blocked by antioxidants MitoTempo or Diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) but was abrogated by inhibiting BAX. Conclusion Lysosomal dysfunction induce apoptosis in chondrocytes through BAX-mediated mitochondrial damage and release of Cytochrome c. Our data points to lysosomal function restoration and/or BAX inhibition in chondrocytes as a therapeutic approach for OA.
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and cigarette smoking: an initial cross-sectional test of mechanisms of co-occurrence

Tobacco addiction and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS; intrusive thoughts or impulses that cause distress and rituals) are both mediated by compulsivity and negative reinforcement. Little eviden...
Nasoseptal Surgery Outcomes in Smokers and Nonsmokers.

Background: Many surgeons refuse to perform elective nasal surgery in active smokers, but little literature exists that addresses the risks of doing so; we sought to quantify the differences in out...
Emerging roles of the MAGE protein family in stress response pathways.

The melanoma antigen (MAGE) proteins all contain a MAGE homology domain. MAGE genes are conserved in all eukaryotes and have expanded from a single gene in lower eukaryotes to ∼40 genes in humans and mice. Whereas some MAGEs are ubiquitously expressed in tissues, others are expressed in only germ cells with aberrant reactivation in multiple cancers. Much of the initial research on MAGEs focused on exploiting their antigenicity and restricted expression pattern to target them with cancer immunotherapy. Beyond their potential clinical application and role in tumorigenesis, recent studies have shown that MAGE proteins regulate diverse cellular and developmental pathways, implicating them in many diseases besides cancer, including lung, renal, and neurodevelopmental disorders. At the molecular level, many MAGEs bind to E3 RING ubiquitin ligases and, thus, regulate their substrate specificity, ligase activity, and subcellular localization. On a broader scale, the MAGE genes likely expanded in eutherian mammals to protect the germline from environmental stress and aid in stress adaptation, and this stress tolerance may explain why many cancers aberrantly express MAGEs. Here, we present an updated, comprehensive review on the MAGE family that highlights general characteristics, emphasizes recent comparative studies in mice, and describes the diverse functions exerted by individual MAGEs.
Reflectionless Discrete Schrödinger Operators are Spectrally Atypical

We prove that, if an isospectral torus contains a discrete Schrodinger operator with nonconstant potential, the shift dynamics on that torus cannot be minimal. Consequently, we specify a generic sense in which finite unions of nondegenerate closed intervals having capacity one are not the spectrum of any reflectionless discrete Schrodinger operator. We also show that the only reflectionless discrete Schrodinger operators having zero, one, or two spectral gaps are periodic.
Electromechanical delay during functional electrical stimulation induced cycling is a function of lower limb position.

Introduction Functional electrical stimulation (FES) induced cycling has been shown to be an effective rehabilitation for those with lower limb movement disorders. However, a consequence of FES is an electromechanical delay (EMD) existing between the stimulation input and the onset of muscle force. The objective of this study is to determine if the cycle crank angle has an effect on the EMD. Methods Experiments were performed on 10 participants, five healthy and five with neurological conditions resulting in movement disorders. A motor fixed the crank arm of a FES-cycle in 10° increments and at each angle stimulation was applied in a random sequence to a combination of the quadriceps femoris and gluteal muscle groups. The EMD was examined by considering the contraction delay (CD) and the residual delay (RD), where the CD (RD) is the time latency between the start (end) of stimulation and the onset (cessation) of torque. Two different measurements were used to examine the CD and RD. Further, two multiple linear regressions were performed on each measurement, one for the left and one for the right muscle groups. Results The crank angle was determined to be statistically relevant for both the CD and RD. Conclusions Since the crank angle has a significant effect on both the CD and RD, the angle has a significant effect on the EMD. Therefore, future efforts should consider the importance of the crank angle when modelling or estimating the EMD to improve control designs and ultimately improve rehabilitative treatments.Implications for rehabilitationNew model predicts the delayed response of muscle torque production to electrical stimulation as a function of limb position during FES cycling.The model can inform closed-loop electrical stimulation induced rehabilitative cycling.
Literature and Libraries

This chapter centers on literature written in Spanish in Japan and, to a much lesser extent, on libraries in Japan that hold archives in Spanish. Taking as a major thread the novel Banteki (El salvaje) by Spanish writer Jose Pazo, this chapter analyzes the literary production of Spanish speakers (both Latin American and Spanish) in Japan. This chapter analyzes common recurrent themes presented in literature written by Latin American and Spanish writers in Japan such as cities, technology, loneliness, daily life, working life, living with foreigners, discrimination, nostalgia for one’s home country, and suicide. The second half of this chapter provides a brief tour of non-specialized libraries in Japan that hold Latin American and Spanish books and whose readers are Spanish speakers who do not play a role in university spaces. Both serve to paint a picture of what daily life looks like for some Spanish speakers in Japan.
The Process of Moral Decision-Making in a Game-Based Narrative Scenario through the Experience of Future Government Workers

This article describes the results of a qualitative study that aimed at investigating moral decision-making processes of prospective government workers using a game-based tool. Three participants volunteered to participate in the research process, which included playing a short point-and-click narrative game and a focus group. Data was analyzed through thematic analysis as well as narrative maps which emphasized players’ decisions. Analysis indicated similarities among participants’ moral decision-making processes, from initial experiment and struggles with the tool to the application of personal and professional experiences to the game scenario. Additionally, levels of empathic engagement were found to be conditioned upon participants’ approaches to play. The results of this exploratory study shed light into aspects of moral decision-making with serious games and allow for the suggestion of instructional practices to raise learners’ moral self-awareness through game-based learning.
Central cognitive processing speed is an early marker of Huntington’s disease (HD) onset (P2.012)

Objective: To utilize the Computerized Test of Information Processing (CTiP) to examine central processing speed as an early marker of Huntington’s disease (HD) onset. Background: The CTiP, administered on a laptop, is a relatively simple and useful tool for evaluating the extent to which neurological conditions affect cognitive processing speed. It consists of three computerized reaction time (RT) subtests that progressively increase in task complexity -- Simple RT (SRT); Choice RT (CRT), with an added decision component; and Semantic Search RT (SSRT) with an added conceptual component. Design/Methods: Gene carriers (n=77) were categorized using the UHDRS Total Functional Capacity and Penny Burden of Pathology score as early pre-manifest, transitional (i.e. individuals close to disease onset or with very mild HD), or moderate HD. Subjects were administered the CTiP in addition to traditional cognitive assessments commonly used in HD. Central processing speed was measured using motor-corrected CRT and SSRT values. A one-way ANCOVA adjusting for age was used to compare group performance on the RT subtests. Results: The moderate HD subjects showed significantly slower reaction times in all conditions (p Conclusions: Our results suggest that the CTiP may be a useful and early marker of deficits in central cognitive processing in individuals with, and transitioning to, HD. Study Supported by: This study was supported by the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Society of America Center of Excellence and the UCSD Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center NIH P50 AG005131. Disclosure: Dr. Nathan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Park has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dasari has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gilbert has nothing to disclose. Dr. Corey-Bloom has received research support from Teva, Vaccinex, HSG, and CHDI.
The Information Technology Agreement: Sui Generis or Model Stepping Stone?

The Information Technology Agreement signed in 1996 is a unique trade agreement. At initial negotiation, it included less than 10 countries, by inception it ‘multilateralized’ to 44 countries and now includes 70 (of the 151) WTO members. At inception, negotiated product coverage was broad and generalized, rather than achieved via ‘request-offer’ by tariff line; it now covers 97% of trade in IT products. At inception, the signatories agreed to a timetable and specific staged tariff reductions to achieve zero tariffs on all covered products; only a few signatories asked to deviate from that common schedule. By all accounts, the agreement achieved its goals of zero tariffs and multilateral, most-favored nation treatment for a very broad range of IT products. Has it similarly promoted other measures of economic success such as trade growth or economic-well-being, particularly as differentiated between signatories and non-signatories? Does the ITA offer a template that can be replicated across other sectoral agreements or regional or bilateral agreements, or is there something unique about the negotiations (time and venue) and products that make the ITA sui generis—a thing unto itself? "This paper has been financed by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The views expressed in the paper are the views of its authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of SECO and Switzerland." Key word: Information technology and trade; Information Technology Agreement (ITA); WTO; Bilateral agreements. Corresponding author: Catherine L. Mann is Professor International Economics and Finance, Brandeis University and Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics. Thanks to Deniz Civril for her assistance in research. CLMann@Brandeis.edu. Xuepeng Liu is Assistant Professor, Michael J. Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University. xliu6@kennesaw.edu
Teaching and Learning with Clickers: Are Clickers Good for Students?

Student response systems (clickers) are becoming very popular in classroom instruction. The majority of the published papers investigate how students feel about clickers. There is limited research regarding clickers’ influence on student learning. The purpose of this study is not only to evaluate students’ experiences and perceptions about the use of clickers, but also to find out whether they have a positive impact on student learning. Data from student surveys supplemented by exam grades were used to analyze these goals. Students in two undergraduate courses in the spring of 2011 utilized clickers for review and practice question sessions. Overall, students gave high approval ratings for this technology, particularly in increasing their participation and engagement in lectures. We found no significant difference in the class mean final examination scores for students taught with clickers (treatment group) compared to those taught in a traditional class setting (control group). However, the range of final exam scores and final course grades were smaller for the class with clickers compared to the class without clickers. The treatment group had also smaller variances in terms of both final exam scores and final grades which suggest that the spread of their scores was much closer to the mean compared to the class without the clickers. Based on the findings from survey responses, interviews, and analysis of final grades we found that the use of clickers appears to increase student engagement and achievement compared to traditional lecture format instruction. The implications for using clickers to improve active teaching and learning are discussed.
Apprehending Spelling Patterns for Vowels: a Developmental Study

This study investigates the extent to which children and adults are responsive to orthographic regularities in their readings of nonsense sysllables that conform to the phonology and spelling conventions of English words. College students and children of the second, third and fourth years of elementary school read a list of nonsense monosyllables in which most common vowel spellings were presented. Their vowel responses were analyzed according to three categories: incorrect assignment of sound to spelling and correct assignments by context-free and context-dependent criteria. At all levels of reading experience, the proportions of responses falling into the two latter categories far exceeded expectations based on chance responding. These results showed that the children were able to take advantage of orthographic regularities when asked to read unfamiliar words, and, moreover, with increasing age and reading experience they were able progressively to delimit the contexts in which the different regularitie...
Structure/function correlations of proteins using MM, QM/MM, and related approaches: methods, concepts, pitfalls, and current progress.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the progress and the current state of structure/function correlations of biomolecules. One of the primary goals of modern molecular biology is to provide a reliable correlation between the structure and function of biomolecules. The chapter reviews the classical force field approaches and their use in macromolecular modeling—such as molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and evaluation of free energy using the free energy perturbation (FEP) and linear response approximation (LRA) approaches. It also emphasizes the need for proper long range treatments and the problem with using a single very long trajectory to explore biological functions. The chapter considers models for studies of electrostatic energies in proteins and their use in evaluation of pKa's, redox potentials, and binding free energies. The main part of the review deals with the modeling of enzyme catalysis. This part will consider several modeling approaches ranging from the empirical valence bond (EVB) to different molecular hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) orbital approaches as well as approaches that attempt to treat the entire enzyme quantum mechanically. The potential and actual current performance of QM/MM and related approaches is presented. It is pointed out that while the EVB provides the most reliable results, alternative QM (MO)/MM methods are starting to provide reasonable results as well. There is no doubt about massive progress in the use of reliable QM/MM and related approaches. It is also certain that there will be a growing realization that consistent simulation studies provide the ultimate tool for understanding structure/function correlations in proteins.
Antennas for Geophysical Applications

The use of electrical methods in geophysics has expanded greatly in the past two decades, and during the same time period an interest in subsurface communication has developed. The most comprehensive book on electrical methods in geophysics was written in 1966 by Keller and Frischknecht [1], and it is still an excellent reference today. The review article by Murphy and Parkinson [2] is an excellent reference on underground communication. Both geophysical prospecting and underground communication require transmission of signals into the earth and, as a result, the same antenna types are used for both applications.
An Efficient Algorithm for Computing Core Attributes in Database Systems

A new approach to computing core attributes in rough set theory is proposed based on relational database systems. Especially, the fundamental operators of relational algebra are used to define the necessary and sufficient conditions that an attribute is a core attribute under the condition of the data table being consistent. Furthermore, inconsistent data table can be easily checked out and noise data can be efficiently eliminated. With this approach, we present an efficient and scalable algorithm for computing core attributes.
Studies on the Biosynthesis of Streptomycin

Abstract Myo-inositol, especially in combination with arginine, enhances streptomycin production. Compounds which show structural relationship with myo-inositol are ineffective. Myo-inositol decreases the incorporation of C14-glucose into streptomycin, particularly into streptidine. This effect suggests that myo-inositol is a precursor of the streptidine ring. Methionine stimulates antibiotic production in a synthetic medium but proves to be unfavorable in a complex medium. The γ- and δ-isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane inhibit streptomycin formation. The formation of streptomycin by washed mycelium was studied. Essentially the same results were here obtained as with growing cultures.
Children’s essentialist reasoning about language and race

Across four studies, we directly compared children’s essentialist reasoning about the stability of race and language throughout an individual’s lifespan. Monolingual English-speaking children were presented with a series of images of children who were either White or Black; each face was paired with a voice clip in either English or French. Participants were asked which of two adults each target child would grow up to be – one who was a ‘match’ to the target child in race but not language, and the other a ‘match’ in language but not race. Nine- to 10-year-old European American children chose the race-match, rather than the language-match. In contrast, 5–6-year-old European American children in both urban, racially diverse, and rural, racially homogeneous environments chose the language-match, even though this necessarily meant that the target child would transform racial categories. Although surprising in light of adult reasoning, these young children demonstrated an intuition about the relative stability of an individual’s language compared to her racial group membership. Yet, 5–6-year-old African American children, similar to the older European American children, chose the race-match, suggesting that membership in a racial minority group may highlight children’s reasoning about race as a stable category. Theoretical implications for our understanding of children’s categorization of human kinds are discussed.
lin-12 Notch functions in the adult nervous system of C. elegans

Background: Notch signaling pathways are conserved across species and traditionally have been implicated in cell fate determination during embryonic development. Notch signaling components are also expressed postdevelopmentally in the brains of adult mice and Drosophila. Recent studies suggest that Notch signaling may play a role in the physiological, rather than developmental, regulation of neurons. Here, we investigate a new non-developmental role for Caenorhabditis elegans lin-12 Notch signaling in neurons regulating the spontaneous reversal rate during locomotion. Results: The spontaneous reversal rate of C. elegans during normal locomotion is constant. Both lin-12 gain and loss of function mutant animals had significantly increased reversal rates compared to wild type controls. These defects were caused by lin-12 activity, because the loss of function defect could be rescued by a wild type lin-12 transgene. Furthermore, overexpression of lin-12 recapitulated the gain-of-function defect. Increasing or decreasing lin-12 activity in the postdevelopmental adult animal was sufficient to rapidly and reversibly increase reversals, thereby excluding a developmental role for lin-12. Although lin-12 is expressed in the vulval and somatic gonad lineages, we find that these tissues play no role in regulating reversal rates. In contrast, altering lin-12 activity specifically in the nervous system was sufficient to increase reversals. These behavioral changes require components of the canonical lin-12 signaling cascade, including the ligand lag-2 and the transcriptional effector lag-1. Finally, the C. elegans AMPA/kainate glutamate receptor homolog glr-1 shows strong genetic interactions with lin-12, suggesting that glr-1 and/or other glutamate gated channels may be targets of lin-12 regulation. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a neuronal role for lin-12 Notch in C. elegans and suggest that lin-12 acutely regulates neuronal physiology to modulate animal behavior, without altering neuronal cell fate specification or neurite outgrowth. This is consistent with a role for Notch signaling in neurological disease with late onset symptoms.
Dynamic Storage Allocation: A Survey and Critical Review

Dynamic memory allocation has been a fundamental part of most computer systems since roughly 1960, and memory allocation is widely considered to be either a solved problem or an insoluble one. In this survey, we describe a variety of memory allocator designs and point out issues relevant to their design and evaluation. We then chronologically survey most of the literature on allocators between 1961 and 1995. (Scores of papers are discussed, in varying detail, and over 150 references are given.)
Wholesale electricity market failure and the new market design

This paper studies the California energy crisis from the angle of power market design. We introduce an infinitely repeated multi-unit auctions model to analyze the wholesale electricity auctions under Poolco rule. We then use a multi-agent system to simulate the model and look for its adaptive learning solutions. We find that bidders' learning during their repeated interactions will converge to equilibria with withholding behavior. Our results not only generate mild withholding reported by other researchers, but also lead to a type of equilibria with extreme withholding where market price jumps to the cap. This type of equilibria better resemble the realistic situation in the power market hence give us important clue for a new market design. We propose that instead of imposing a price cap, the auctioneer should allow the utility companies to submit price-elastic demand schedule that better reflects the consumers' price-substitution preferences. Simulation results show that the new design greatly improves the consumer welfare.
Reducing the germinable weed seedbank with soil disturbance and cover crops

Mirsky SB, Gallandt ER, Mortensen DA, Curran WS & Shumway DL (2010). Reducing the germinable weed seedbank with soil disturbance and cover crops. Weed Research50, 341–352. Summary Ecologically based weed management relies heavily on a greater integration of cultural and mechanical control tactics than conventional weed management. As such, management outcomes are more dependent on biotic interactions among the crop, weed and methods of management. In this study, we assessed the influence of soil disturbance and cover cropping on the germinable seedbank of Chenopodium album, Abutilon theophrasti and Setaria spp. across a range of initial weed seedbank densities. Cover crop system treatments ranged from greater reliance on tillage at one extreme, to a greater reliance on cover cropping to accomplish weed suppression at the other. In general, seedbank losses to germination were highest when soil disturbance was associated with cover cropping. Of the five cover crop systems (1 year duration), the summer fallow and the yellow mustard/buckwheat/winter rape mixture consistently decreased the weed seedbank. The magnitude of decline in these high disturbance systems reached complete depletion of the Setaria spp. germinable seedbank and an 85% and 80% reduction for C. album and A. theophrasti respectively. Both systems included tilling the soil three to four times throughout the growing season. In contrast, treatments which involved less soil disturbance had weed escapes that set seed in one or more site years. Cover crop systems that stimulated weed seed germination and where weeds were either suppressed by the cover crop or where subsequent tillage provided control, resulted in the greatest weed seedbank declines.
Comparison of Conventionally Measured Sea Surface Temperature and Wind Speed with Data Retrieved from Satellite-borne Microwave Radiometry

The Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) aboard both the SEASAT and NIMBUS-7 satellites was designed to estimate sea surface temperature (SST) and wind speed (WS) over an extended range of atmospheric conditions. We describe briefly the retrieval technique, and demonstrate in a case study that the instrument design goals (SST: 1.5\deg C;WS:2m/s) appear to be feasible.
Effects of Psychological Intervention on Panic Attack Patients in the Emergency Department

For patients initially seen in the emergency department (ED) for panic attack, this study evaluated the effect of two brief psychological interventions in the ED on later utilization of emergency, psychiatric, and nonpsychiatric medical department services. Each of the two intervention groups received usual ED care, a brochure on panic disorder, and a referral to treatment at the psychiatry department; one of the two groups also received 20-30 minutes of contact with a representative from the psychiatry department. Both intervention groups were compared with a historical control group. The contact condition reduced ED use after the initial visit to the ED, although all three groups had more visits to the psychiatry department and to all nonpsychiatric departments. This decrease was statistically significant (P = 0.0017) when compared with the brochure condition but not when compared with the historical control group (P = 0.0672). The decrease seen in ED use is an important therapeutic and economic finding.
Reverse evolution and evolutionary memory.

Experimental reverse evolution, in which a population is readapted to an ancestral environment, can probe the nature and extent of evolutionary memory. A new study shows that standing genetic variation is key to this memory in experimental Drosophila populations, where selection drives rapid but incomplete convergence to ancestral genotypes.
Near IR scanning angle total internal reflection Raman spectroscopy at smooth gold films.

Total internal reflection (TIR) Raman and reflectivity spectra were collected for nonresonant analytes as a function of incident angle at sapphire or sapphire/smooth 50 nm gold interfaces using 785 nm excitation. For both interfaces, the Raman signal as a function of incident angle is well-modeled by the calculated interfacial mean square electric field (MSEF) relative to the incident field times the thickness of the layer being probed in the Raman measurement (DRS). The Raman scatter was reproducibly enhanced at the interface containing a gold film relative to the sapphire interface by a factor of 4.3–4.6 for aqueous pyridine or 2.2–3.7 for neat nitrobenzene, depending on the analyzed vibrational mode. The mechanism for the increased Raman signal is the enhanced MSEF at incident angles where propagating surface plasmons are excited in the metal film. The background from the TIR prism was reduced by 89–95% with the addition of the gold film, and the percent relative uncertainty in peak area was reduced fr...
A new approach to enhance bioavailability of biologically active peptides: conjugation of a δ opioid agonist to β-cyclodextrin

Abstract The cyclic δ opioid against [p-I-Phe4]DPDPE, 1, was conjugated to mono-6-amino-permethyl-β-cyclodextrin at the C-terminus to improve the bioavailability of 1. In the rat brain building assay, the conjugate 8 showed an IC50 = 134 nM vs. a δ ligand and IC50 > 10 μM at the μ receptor, making it less potent and selective than 1. However, 8 shows antinociceptive properties (i.v.) in the mouse tail flick test and prolonged activity.
Usefulness of Abnormal Heart Rate Turbulence to Predict Cardiovascular Mortality in High-Risk Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Left Ventricular Dysfunction (from the EPHESUS Study)

Heart rate turbulence (HRT) is a promising marker for risk of mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We investigated HRT for risk stratification in high-risk patients after MI. HRT from 24-hour Holter monitoring in 481 hospitalized patients after AMI with heart failure and/or diabetes with left ventricular dysfunction before randomization in the Eplerenone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study (EPHESUS). Over a 1-year follow-up, 55 died, 49 of cardiovascular causes. HRT onset (TO) and slope (TS) were calculated using previous and cohort-optimized cutpoints and their independent contribution to risk of cardiovascular death determined. Models were tested with
Modes of Mass Ejection by Binary Stars and the Effect on Their Orbital Periods.

ABS>Three modes of mass ejection from one or both components of a binary system were idealized and their physical characteristics discussed, in order to predict their effect on the orbital period of the system. Also, the consequence of synchronization of axial rotation of component stars with their orbital revolution is examined. (auth)
Finite deformation analysis of F.C.C. crystals in (110)(112)(111) channel die compression

Abstract A comprehensive analysis of f.c.c. crystals in initial orientation (110)(1 1 2 )( 1 1 1 ) (loading, constraint, and channel axis directions, respectively) in the channel die compression test is presented, to strains of order 1. Three hardening theories are investigated: Taylor's rule, the “simple theory,” and the “P.A.N. rule.” The predictions of these theories are found to be kinematically distinct for this orientation, with only the P.A.N. rule predicting lattice rotation about the loading axis. Comparisons with an experimental study are included.
Adrenocorticosteroids in peripheral and adrenal venous blood of man.

A DVANCES in steroid methodology make possible a direct approach to the problem of the nature of the secretion of the human adrenal cortex. Two experimental studies in which adrenal venous blood was analyzed (1, 2) indicate that 17-hydroxycorticosterone and corticosterone are components of the steroid mixture elaborated by the human adrenal. These two steroids have also been reported to be present in the peripheral blood of man (1–11). The present communication is an extension of our preliminary report (1) on the subject. METHODS Blood samples were extracted with chloroform, partitioned between 70 per cent ethanol and petroleum ether and chromatographed on silica gel (12). Effluent fractions from chromatography were quantitatively analyzed for corticosterone and 17-hydroxycorticosterone by the phenylhydrazine (13) and fluorescence techniques (14). Chemical identification studies were conducted on the combined effluents obtained from the corticosterone and 17-hydroxycorticosterone regions. Subjects treated...
Subdivision of Late Pleistocene Moraines in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru, Based on Rock-Weathering Features, Soils, and Radiocarbon Dates

The progressive development of unusual rock-weathering features and soils and minimum-limiting radiocarbon dates provide a basis for subdividing four groups of late Pleistocene moraines on the west side of the Cordillera Blanca, northern Peru (9°20′1°000′S, 77°10′-77°30′W). Boulders on the youngest late Pleistocene moraines have 10 to 14-cm-tall weathering posts; soils on these moraines yield mean profile development index (PDI) values of 0.05 ± 0.04 (±1σ). These moraines date between ca. 13,500 and 9700 ± 500 yr B.P., older than previously postulated. The next older moraines have boulders with weathering-post heights between 20 and 25 cm and soils with PDI values of 0.08 ± 0.07, and were deposited prior to 13,280 ± 190 yr B.P., probably during the last glacial maximum (marine isotope stage 2). Moraines from an older glaciation have boulders with weathering posts between 39 and 50 cm high, soils that yield PDI values of 0.21 ± 0.07, and are older than 19,700 ± 340 yr B.P. Boulders on moraines from a still older glaciation have lost ca. 50% of their above-ground volume, and have weathering posts between 62 and 70 cm high. PDI values for soils on these moraines are 0.32 ± 0.06. Linear and logarithmic models of weathering-post and soil development with time are used to estimate minimum and maximum ages for the two oldest moraine groups. Linear models suggest that the second oldest moraines are between ca. 20,500 and 46,500 yr B.P., and that the oldest moraines are between ca. 29,000 and 72,000 yr B.P. In contrast, logarithmic models suggest ages of greater than ca. 75,500 yr B.P. and greater than ca. 500,000 yr B.P., respectively.
Production, processing and small animal PET imaging of titanium-45

Abstract Introduction Titanium-45 was prepared as a tool for elucidation of the mechanism of action of titanium anticancer drugs in vivo using microPET imaging. Methods Titanium-45 was produced by the 45 Sc(p,n) 45 Ti nuclear reaction using 14.5 MeV protons. Sufficient yields of 45 Ti were produced and separated from the target material with 99.8% radionuclidic purity using a simple, efficient separation procedure. Results A typical bombardment of 5 μA for 1 h produced an average of 2105±150 MBq (56.9±4.0 mCi) at the end of bombardment (EOB), well within acceptable range of the calculated theoretical yields of 2165 MBq and 433 MBq μA –1 h –1 (58.5 mCi and 11.7 mCi μA –1 h –1 ). This amount of activity is sufficient for the radiosynthesis of target compounds as well as imaging studies. MicroPET images of a miniature Derenzo phantom show excellent resolution where rods of 1.25 mm were separated by four times their diameter. Conclusions Titanium-45 can be easily produced on a biomedical cyclotron with excellent yields as compared to calculated theoretical values with imaging studies demonstrating that the decay properties of titanium-45 are well suited for microPET.
Technical feasibility of endoscopic eustachian tube catheter placement: a cadaveric analysis.

BACKGROUND Patulous eustachian tube (pET) can result in transmission of sound from the pharynx to the middle ear (ME) via an abnormally patent ET. The objective of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility of a reversible transnasal procedure for pET using an occluded silastic catheter to close the ET. METHODS Ten sides were evaluated in five cadaver heads. Size 14, 16, and 18G catheters were occluded with bone wax to create a semirigid solid tube. They were placed transnasally, under endoscopic guidance through the ET orifice to span the entire ET length. Proper placement in the ME was confirmed by tympanotomy. Each attempt was graded on a four-point scale based on ease of placement: 3+, 2+, 1+, and 0. RESULTS The 16G was the easiest to place with the best fit and was confirmed in the ME in eight cases. The 14G catheter was next easiest to place and was observed in the ME in seven cases. It generally had an extremely tight fit and propensity to impart mucosal trauma. The 18G was the most difficult to place and was observed in the ME in six cases. The catheter was noted to displace easily because of a loose fit. Tympanic membrane or ossicular injury was not noted in any trial. CONCLUSION These cadaveric data suggest that a semirigid catheter provides the technical capability to reversibly occlude the ET via the transnasal endoscopic route. Further confirmation is necessary in human studies to determine its effectiveness for management of pET.
Pseudo-isotachophoresis II. Visualization of the stacking

Abstract In order to investigate the stacking step by pseudo‐isotachophoresis (p‐ITP) completely apart from the separation step, wide capillaries 10–20 cm×0.5–0.8 cm (I.D.) were completely filled with coloured analytes, such as Br‐cresol green and ponceau S dissolved in both acetonitrile and salts and imaged at different times. The compounds concentrated visibly with efficiency of ∼10–12. Chrmogenic salts, such as chromate (ions), migrated to the anode ahead of the Br‐cresol green. It was apparent in this work that acetonitrile and salts are necessary for the stacking. Unexpectedly, the speed of the stacking and its association with some boundary separation were evident in this set‐up. As the salt concentration in the sample is decreased, the stacking speed increased greatly. Also, as the concentration of the analytes in the sample decreased the speed of the stacking increased. Indirectly, EOF affected the concentration by moving the anodic band slowly to the cathode and prevented reaching equilibrium. In...
Three-dimensional rendering in medicine: some common misconceptions

As seen in the medical imaging literature and in the poster presentations at the annual conference of the Radiological Society of North America during the past 10 years, several mis conceptions are held relating to 3D rendering of medical images. The purpose of this presentation is to illustrate and clarify these with medical examples. Most of the misconceptions have to do with a mix up of the issues related to the common visualization techniques, viz., surface rendering (SR) and volume rendering (VR), and methods of image segmentation. In our survey, we came across the following most commonly held conceptions which we believe (and shall demonstrate) are not correct: (1) SR equated to thresholding. (2) VR considered not requiring segmentation. (3) VR considered to achieve higher resolution than SR. (4) SR/VR considered to require specialized hardware to achieve adequate speed. We shall briefly define and establish some fundamental terms to obviate any potential for terminology-related misconceptions. Subsequently, we shall sort out these issues and illustrate with examples as to why the above conceptions are incorrect. There are many SR methods that use segmentations that are far superior to thresholding. All VR techniques (except the straightforward MIP) require some form of fuzzy object specification, that is, fuzzy segmentation. The details seen in renditions depend fundamentally on, in addition to the rendering method, segmentation techniques also. There are fast-software-based rendering methods that give a performance on PCs similar to or exceeding that of expensive hardware systems. Most of the difficulties encountered in visualization (and also in image processing and analysis) stem from the difficulties in segmentation. It is important to identify these and separate them from the issues related purely to 3D rendering.
Catalytic deoxygenation of triglycerides and fatty acids to hydrocarbons over Ni-Al layered double hydroxide

Abstract The conversion of fatty acids and triglycerides to fuel-like hydrocarbons was investigated over a Ni–Al layered double hydroxide catalyst and over 20% Ni/Al2O3 for comparison purposes. Both catalytic performance and the extent of catalyst fouling were found to show a marked dependence on the hydrogen partial pressure used during reaction and on the Ni-specific surface area of the catalyst employed. The amenability of a representative spent catalyst to regeneration via calcination in air was also demonstrated. The regenerated catalyst was observed to outperform the fresh formulation when tested for activity in the conversion of lipids to fuel-like hydrocarbons. This is attributed to the formation of strong basic sites – which are capable of catalyzing the deoxygenation of lipids – during the regeneration process. The fact that inexpensive Ni-based catalysts capable of affording good yields of fuel-like hydrocarbons can be regenerated by treatment in hot air makes these formulations interesting from an industrial standpoint. Results suggest that the conversion of triglycerides to fuel-like hydrocarbons is intermediated by fatty acids and that the conversion of fatty acids – either as the reaction feed or as reaction intermediates – to hydrocarbons proceeds via aldehyde and/or fatty acid ester intermediates.
Harvesting techniques, hemiparasites and fruit production in two non-timber forest tree species in south India

Abstract Increasing demands for non-timber forest products and their commercial extractions can result in harvesting methods that maximize short term economic gains with little attention to long term ecological consequences. We assessed the ecological impacts of harvesting techniques used by an indigenous group, the Soligas, on the non-timber forest products they extract from the forests of Biligiri Rangan Hills, south India. Specifically, we examined patterns of resource availability of two non-timber tree species, Phyllanthus emblica and P. indofischeri, and how the current fruit harvesting techniques influence fruit yields, and susceptibility of trees to infestations by hemiparasitic plants of the Loranthaceae family. We also assessed how hemiparasite infestations affect fruit production and growth rates of Phyllanthus trees. There was considerable variation in fruit production in both species of Phyllanthus from one fruiting season to the next. The Soligas harvest an average of 86% (±17.72%) of the fruit yield on a per tree basis in P. emblica and 94.17% (±6.9%) in the case of P. indofischeri. At the population level, 64.75 and 86.6% of the fruit productivity is harvested in P. emblica and P. indofischeri, respectively. However, not all individuals or populations are harvested. Harvesting techniques used resulted in cutting of 15% of P. indofischeri trees and 5% of P. emblica trees. The current harvesting techniques used by the Soligas reduce fruit production in P. emblica in the following year (R2=0.27,p=0.03). Furthermore, the Soligas selectively harvest fruits from trees that have larger fruit crop sizes in both species. Individual trees that carried a greater load of hemiparasites produced significantly lower fruit yields (P. emblica: r=−0.32,p Current harvesting techniques used by the Soligas have negative impacts on trees of Phyllanthus spp., as do infestations by hemiparasites. Current fruit harvesting strategies and techniques used by the Soligas focus on maximizing the economic returns by adopting methods of extraction such as lopping of branches and cutting of trees. Such practices can ultimately decrease the rates at which the populations grow, thereby making the extraction of Phyllanthus fruits unsustainable. Adopting more sustainable methods of harvesting appears to be one viable solution to the current ecological problem facing the conservation of Phyllanthus trees in the forests of Biligiri Rangan Hills.