cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dystonia in Huntington's Disease: prevalence and clinical characteristics

BACKGROUND The prevalence and clinical characteristics of dystonia in Huntington's disease (HD) have not been formally assessed. OBJECTIVES To study (1) the prevalence of dystonia in HD in a clinic population, (2) the clinical features of dystonia, and (3) clinical correlates of dystonia (for example, age, disease duration). METHODS Patients with HD attending the HD Center at the New York State Psychiatric Center were administered the Unified HD Rating Scale and underwent a standardized 5.5-minute videotaped examination. Two neurologists reviewed the videotaped examination and rated the severity and constancy of dystonia, calculating a total dystonia score for each patient. RESULTS Prevalence of dystonia of any severity was 95.2%. Twenty-four of 42 (57.1%) had dystonia in at least one body region that was moderate and present more than half of the time, and seven of 42 (16.7%) had dystonia that was severe and constant. The most prevalent types of dystonia were internal shoulder rotation (64.3%), sustained fist clenching (47.1%), excessive knee flexion (42.9%), and foot inversion (42.9%). In 37 of 42 (88.1%) patients, there were more than two types of dystonia, and in the average patient, three to four types of dystonia. The mean severity was between 1 (mild) and 2 (moderate), and the mean constancy was between 2 (present less than half of the time) and 3 (present more than half of the time). Multivariate linear regression revealed that disease duration (p = 0.0005) and taking an antidopaminergic agent (p = 0.03) were positively associated with the total dystonia score. CONCLUSIONS The majority of patients in this HD clinic exhibited some dystonia. The dystonia was present in several body regions and manifested by a variety of movements and postures not typical of idiopathic torsion dystonia. The dystonia was not bothersome to most patients, and its severity was a function of disease duration and use of an antidopaminergic agent.
THE ABDOMINAL SKELETON OF TROPIDURID LIZARDS (SQUAMATA: TROPIDURIDAE)

Morphological variation in the abdominal skeleton of Tropiduridae was examined from radiographs and cleared-and-stained specimens of 61 species. Based on the numbers of xiphisternal and postxiphisternal inscriptional ribs, as well as the presence of inscriptional ribs articulating ventromedially, seven patterns of rib attachment are described. The distribution of these patterns among the species studied reveals intra- and interspecific variation, which indicates that the abdominal skeleton of lizards is a good source of fixed and polymorphic characters for phylogenetic analyses.
Radial Versus Raster Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Scan Patterns for Detection of Macular Pathology

Purpose To compare the 6-line radial vs the 25-line raster spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) acquisition patterns at detecting intraretinal fluid, subretinal fluid, vitreomacular traction, and full-thickness macular hole (MH). Design Retrospective cross-sectional analysis. Methods Series of 365 eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), central and branch retinal vein occlusion (CRVO/BRVO), central serous chorioretinopathy, vitreomacular traction, and full-thickness MH. Sequential 6-line radial and 25-line raster scans were evaluated for intraretinal/subretinal fluid and, when applicable, vitreomacular traction and MH. Results For neovascular AMD (133 scans), 7 25-line raster scans confirmed subretinal/intraretinal fluid not identified by the 6-line radial ( P = .02). For DME (140 scans) and central serous chorioretinopathy (91 scans), 25-line raster confirmed fluid in 4 scans ( P = .13) and 1 scan ( P = .32), respectively, that was not observed with the 6-line radial. For CRVO (123 scans) and BRVO (126 scans), 25-line raster confirmed fluid on 2 ( P = .25) and 4 scans ( P = .13), respectively, that was not detected by the 6-line radial. Conversely, for focal vitreomacular traction (70 scans) and full-thickness MH (82 scans), 25-line raster missed focal traction ( P = .07) and 7 scans ( P = .02), respectively, that were identified using the 6-line radial. Conclusions The 6-line radial scan is statistically comparable to the 25-line raster at detecting fluid in DME, BRVO/CRVO, and central serous chorioretinopathy, but not neovascular AMD. Furthermore, it is superior to the 25-line raster pattern at detecting early MH formation, while demonstrating a positive trend in identifying focal vitreomacular traction.
Considerations in the transmission and storage of JPEG-encoded medical video

High-speed, public network telecommunication services are becoming critical to the health- care sector. We are examining the use of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) transmission of digital video to support remote real-time diagnostic procedures (e.g. fluoroscopy and ultrasound). Remote visualization may eliminate the need for a physician on-site, thus reducing personnel (physician) costs while providing access to remote physician specialists. A key requirement of cost-effective video transmission and storage is the need for data compression, JPEG compression provides reconstructed images of high quality, inexpensive codecs are now available, and the compressed data streams may be easily transmitted via ATM networks based on DS-3 transport. We will present a telemedicine model, describe a preliminary experimental protocol, and discuss psychovisual assessment of data from fluoroscopy and ultrasound examinations. Early results (monochrome medical video compressed at approximately 1 bit/pixel) provide a basis for examining deployment issues and costs.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Field Survey and Geochemical Characterization of the Southern Armenian Obsidian Sources

Abstract In comparison with those of the west Mediterranean, the Aegean, and Anatolia, the numerous obsidian sources in the southern Caucasus have begun to receive archaeological attention only recently. The least research has been directed to the southernmost of these sources, in the province of Syunik in southern Armenia. These sources lie close to the border with Azerbaijan, in remote mountainous uplands reaching elevations above 3200 m and under snow for more than half the year. The flows around the volcanic domes at Bazenk, Satanakar, and Sevkar provide abundant, high-quality obsidian which, although geologically well documented, has been neither adequately characterized in terms of geochemical variability, nor assessed archaeologically with regard to its past utilization. Research at the Syunik obsidian sources has been undertaken since 2005 as one part of the Armenian-American Vorotan Project. The purpose of the fieldwork and analyses presented here was to characterize the flows by means of large-s...
Computer algebra, Lie Transforms and the nonlinear stability of L4

Although the circular restricted three-body problem and the stability of its triangular equilibrium point L4 have been the subject of numerous investigations, the nonlinear stability question has only recently been completely answered [3]. The difficulty here is the tremendous quantity of algebra involved. Today, computer algebra systems can handle algebra-intensive calculations allowing investigations of problems previously intractable.
Interatomic Auger rates for the sodium fluoride crystal.

Interatomic Auger rates for the NaF crystal are calculated for initial 1s, 2s, and 2p holes in the Na+ ion. The crystal is simulated by an (NaF6)5- cluster embedded in a large number of point ions, and the one-electron orbitals are obtained from restricted Hartree-Fock calculations of the initial state. The calculated interatomic Auger widths for the transitions Na(1s)Na(2p)F(2p), Na(2s)Na(2p)F(2p), and Na(2p)F(2p)F(2p)′ are 0.00173, 0.641, and 0.153 eV respectively. For comparison, the width of the Na(KLL) Auger transition is close to 0.26 eV. Widths for the transitions Na(1s)Na(2p)F(2p) and Na(2p)F(2p)F(2p)′ can be inferred from experimental data. Theory and experiment agree to within 50%. This represents a considerable improvement over previous theoretical treatments.
Spin-orbit and vibrational relaxation rate constants and radiative lifetimes for v'=0-5 levels of PF(A3Π0,1,2) molecules

One-photon laser excitation of PF(X 3 Σ - ) molecules generated in a discharge-flow reactor was used to prepare PF(A 3 Π 0 , 1 , 2 ) molecules in selected vibrational and spin-orbit levels. The radiative lifetimes, collisional relaxational mechanisms, and state-to-state rate constants for spin-orbit and vibrational relaxation were assigned in He and Ar bath gas for v'=0-5 levels at 300 K. The radiative lifetimes, which are independent of the spin-orbit quantum number, Q, decrease from 4.2 to 1.8 μs for v'=0-5. The spin-orbit relaxation mechanisms in He and in Ar are independent of v' level to within the experimental uncertainty. However, the actual rate constants for spin-orbit relaxation are different in He and Ar. In He the rate constant for ΔΩ=-2 change are 2-fold larger than those for ΔΩ=-1, whereas in Ar the order is reversed and the rate constants for ΔΩ=-1 change are larger than the rate constant for AQ=-2 change. Furthermore, in Ar the rate constant for ΔΩ=-1 transfer is much larger for 3 Π 1 → 3 Π 0 than for 3 Π 2 → 3 Π 1 . Although the vibrational relaxation mechanisms in He and Ar have different degrees of involvement of the spin-orbit states, the overall vibrational deactivation rate constants are similar in He and Ar and both increase with vibrational level.
Contribution of Urea to the Textile Performance of Formaldehyde-Treated Cotton Fabrics 1:

Experiments were set up according to statistical designs to study the effect of urea on the saturation-pad-cure reaction of formaldehyde with cotton cellulose via zinc nitrate catalysis, with concern for the balance of strength and abrasion resistance to resilience. Textile property performances were predicted from correlation curves at three levels of durable press appearance and conditioned wrinkle recovery angles. Predictions of textile performance differed with the statistical experimental design. The high level of resilience realized from the formaldehyde/zinc nitrate system is attributed to oxymethylene crosslinks, which are formed in greater amounts at higher cure temperatures. Improvements in abrasion resistance obtained with urea present are attributed to the formation of urea-formaldehyde polymer on yarn surfaces.
Measuring the relationship between dietary quality and body size in primates

The feeding niche and the body size of any species are fundamental parameters that constrain the evolution of many other phenotypic characters. Moreover, previous work has shown that body size and diet are correlated, as a consequence of the negative allometry of metabolic rate. Unfortunately, the precise form of the association between body size and diet has never been specified, principally because no suitable cross-species measure of diet has been advanced. Here we develop a measure of diet that is sensitive over the whole spectrum of primate feeding niches, and use this measure to define the relationship between body size and diet for a sample of 72 primate species. Subsequently, we present several examples of how behavioral and ecological hypotheses can be tested by examining the extent to which particular species deviate from the general diet-body size pattern.
Efficacy of glycoprotein inhibitors alone and in combination with trifluridine in the treatment of murine herpetic keratitis.

The present study examined the anti-herpetic effect of the glycoprotein inhibitors, hydroxynorvaline and 2-deoxyglucose, alone and in combination with trifluridine on murine ocular herpes. Following ocular inoculation with a large dose of HSV-1 RE strain (106 pfu), ICR mice were treated during the acute infection with different therapeutic regimens, and their efficacy was evaluated by ocular virus titers, clinical grading of blepharo-conjunctivitis and histological evaluation of stromal keratitis and iridocyclitis. The results following a large dose HSV-1 inoculum demonstrated that trifluridine was the best single therapeutic agent. Hydroxynorvaline and 2-deoxyglucose had no effect at all. Combination therapy of the glycoprotein inhibitors with trifluridine was no better than trifluridine alone. The mouse HSV-1 keratitis model proved to be an effective, economical alternative to the rabbit model for the evaluation of new antiviral agents.
Systems integration of Unmanned Aircraft into the National Airspace: Part of the Federal Aviation Administration Next Generation Air Transportation System

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is a comprehensive, ongoing transformation of the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). NextGen will fundamentally change NAS operations by implementing advanced technologies to monitor and operate aircraft. NextGen poses substantial systems integration challenges due to numerous technical, organizational, political, and social perspectives and their complex interdependencies. Specifically, this paper addresses the challenges associated with integrating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the NAS, utilizing systems-of-systems methodology to identify and assess the integration risks. The team started by studying simple systems-of-systems to explore how modeling such systems can be applied to more complex systems, such as NextGen. Due to NextGen's evolving nature, the team adopted a dynamic methodological roadmap to guide risk assessment. The roadmap, an iterative methodological approach, involves developing (i) a comprehensive Hierarchical Holographic Model to identify the UAS shared state variables that contribute most to potential risk resulting from UAS integration into the NAS, (ii) a list of risk scenarios that are critical for UAS integration into the NAS, (iii) a process for risk modeling, planning, assessment, management, and communication utilizing multi-objective decision tree analysis, and (iv) recommendations for applying lessons learned from analyzing UAS integration to other components of NextGen. Whereas the results of this study are focused on UAS integration into the NAS, the methodological roadmap and modeling techniques adopted in this study are general enough to be applied to other systems-of-systems supported by MITRE Corporation. The results of this study are expected to help MITRE and the FAA navigate other NAS integration challenges and benefit from the political, social and ethical implications of UAS integration.
Neuromelanogenic and Cytotoxic Properties of Canine Brainstem Peroxidase

: We have isolated a heme protein from canine midbrains that possesses potent peroxidase activity. This enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of dopamine to neuromela-nin in the presence of H2O2. We have further shown that the isolated peroxidase possesses potent cytotoxic activity in the presence of superoxide or H2O2 and Cl−. The enzyme possesses an endogenous NAD(P)H oxidase activity that can promote the cytotoxic activity by virtue of its production of superoxide. Other enzymes such as dihydroorotate dehydrogenase and galactose oxidase, which produce O2−and H2O2, respectively, are also effective in promoting the cytotoxic activity of the brainstem peroxidase. Although rat erythrocytes were routinely used as the target cell, other cell types, including rat hepatoma and mouse neuroblastoma cells, are also susceptible to the toxic action of the peroxidase. The cytotoxic action of the brainstem peroxidase is dramatically enhanced by kainic acid and is significantly enhanced by Mn2+, whereas dopamine was found to be a potent inhibitor of the cytotoxic activity. Based on these findings, we postulate a central role for the brainstem peroxidase in dopamine metabolism as well as in the biochemical and anatomical changes associated with Parkinson's disease.
Schwann cell invasion of the central nervous system of the myelin mutants

Schwann cells are excluded from the CNS during development by the glial limiting membrane, an area of astrocytic specialisation present at the nerve root transitional zone, and at blood vessels in the neuropil. This barrier, however, can be disrupted and, with the highly migratory nature of Schwann cells, can result in their invasion and myelination of the CNS in many pathological situations. In this paper we demonstrate that this occurs in a number of myelin mutants, including the myelin deficient (md) and taiep rats and the canine shaking (sh) pup. While it is still relatively uncommon in the rodent mutants, the sh pup shows extensive Schwann cell invasion along the neuraxis. This invasion involves the spinal cord, brain stem, and cerebellum and increases in amount and distribution with age. In situ hybridisation studies using a P0 riboprobe suggest that the likely origin of these cells in the sh pup is the nerve roots, primarily the dorsal roots. Paradoxically, Schwann cell myelination of the CNS increases with time in the sh pup despite a marked, progressive gliosis involving the glia limitans and neuropil. Thus the mechanism by which these cells migrate into the CNS through the gliosed nerve root transitional zone or from vasa nervorum remains unknown. Extensive Schwann cell CNS myelination may have therapeutic significance in human myelin disease.
trans-Cyclohexane-1,2-diamine Is a Weak Director of Absolute Helicity in Chiral Nickel−Salen Complexes

The interconversion between helical diastereomers of nickel-salen-based foldamers can be observed on a NMR time scale. Such complexes provide quantitative information about the propensity of different elements of central chirality to control the absolute sense of folding. trans-Cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-a common component of chiral salen catalysts-is a surprisingly weak director of absolute helicity in nickel-salen foldamers. Implications for asymmetric catalysis are discussed.
LEDS: Properties and effects of low energy dislocation structures

Abstract Not only epitaxy and phenomena in connection with solid transformations, but also the static mechanical properties of crystalline materials can be understood via Low Energy Dislocation Structures (LEDS). They are characterized by areas of high dislocation density embedded in, or interspersed with, almost dislocation-free areas. LEDS include misfit boundaries, low angle dislocation boundaries, the Taylor lattice (formed either from interacting pile-ups of alternating sign or from accumulations of dipolar dislocation loops), dipolar dislocation walls (as in “deformation bands” formed in unidirectional deformation, or in the “ladder structure” as well as in the “maze structure” formed in fatigue) and the “mosaic block” structure of old, now recognized to be indentical with the dislocation cell structure. By means of LEDS the empirical rules of (1) the parabolic dependence of shear stress on dislocation density and (2) the decrease of the dislocation cell size with increasing stress are readily understood, as is (3) the three-stage work-hardening curve. The quoted inverse dependence of dislocation cell diameter on flow stress can be used to deduce the stress distribution which caused the cell structure, e.g. after shock loading, about crack tips or underneath wear scars. “Recovery” is the removal of jogs and kinks in LEDS, while the mild stress dependence of flow stress on strain rate is explained through the increase in the fraction of the dislocations which move at any given moment.
Functional characterization of parvalbumin from the Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida): Similarity in calcium affinity among parvalbumins from polar teleosts

Abstract Calcium dissociation constants ( K D ) were measured as a function of temperature for parvalbumin, a small acidic protein expressed abundantly in fast-twitch muscle, from the Arctic cod ( Boreogadus saida ) and compared to values previously determined for Antarctic and temperate zone teleosts. Estimates of K D were derived independently from fluorometric titrations and calorimetry. In addition, the primary structure of B. saida parvalbumin was determined. Calcium K D s for parvalbumin from B. saida were fundamentally similar to those for parvalbumins from Antarctic species (6.68 ± 0.59 nM and 7.77 ± 0.72 nM at 5 °C, respectively), but significantly different from temperate zone species (1.35 ± 0.28 nM at 5 °C). However, estimates of K D for B. saida parvalbumin at 5 °C closely matched values for temperate zone fish at 25 °C (6.54 ± 0.56 nM), recapitulating the prior observation that calcium affinity of parvalbumin is conserved at the native temperature of teleost fish. Full sequence of B. saida parvalbumin was generated using reverse-phase HPLC and RACE-PCR. The Arctic parvalbumin showed 83% homology to a carp parvalbumin. None of the 16 total substitutions between the two parvalbumins resided in the cation binding sites of the protein, indicating that the structural locus of the thermal sensitivity of function lies outside the active regions.
Identification of a third phase in Cu–Al2O3 nanocomposites prepared by chemical routes

Abstract Nanocomposite of Cu–Al 2 O 3 have been prepared through their nitrates by two processes, namely: (1) addition of CuO to aqueous solution of aluminum nitrate, and (2) dissolution of the nitrates of copper and aluminum in water, followed by decomposition to their oxides and then preferential hydrogen reduction of CuO for both processes 1 and 2. The composite powders (containing 0.5–5 wt.% of Al 2 O 3 ), prepared by both the routes have been found to have nanoparticles. The composite powders have been cold pressed into briquettes and sintered at 950 °C for 2 h. Studies on their microstructures have been carried out through X-ray diffraction (XRD), conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (CTEM and HRTEM) and quantitative scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) X-ray mapping. The composites prepared through both routes, have been found to contain a third phase (Cu x Al y O z ), possibly CuAlO 2 and/or CuAl 2 O 4 along with Cu and Al 2 O 3 phases. However, in the composite prepared by process 2, the Al and O were dispersed more homogeneously, maintaining a continuity in the matrix.
Implementing the fluctuation and moving-estimates tests in dynamic econometric models

Abstract We suggest modified versions of the fluctuation and moving-estimates tests and show that their empirical sizes improve significantly in dynamic models.
IL-4 regulates COX-2 and PGE2 production in human non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract IL-4 is a type 2 cytokine that may mediate pleiotropic effects in the NSCLC microenvironment. Here, we investigated whether IL-4 regulates PGE2 production in NSCLC cells. We found that IL-4 inhibited constitutive COX-2 expression and PGE2 production in A427 and H2122 NSCLC cell lines, and also suppressed IL-1β-induced COX-2 expression in A549 and RH2 NSCLC cell lines. COX-2 mRNA was decreased in response to IL-4, and promoter analysis indicated that IL-4 inhibited both constitutive and IL-1β-induced COX-2 transcription. IL-4 inhibited IL-1β-stimulated ERK phosphorylation, which may mediate the inhibition of IL-1β-induced COX-2 by IL-4. IL-4 did not modulate additional arachidonic acid pathway enzymes mPGES-1 and 15-PGDH, which could potentially be responsible for regulating PGE2 production. Overall, our studies demonstrate that IL-4 has the capacity to inhibit COX-2 mRNA transcription in NSCLC cells and the inhibition of PGE2 appears to be predominately COX-2 dependent.
Patterns of anxiety symptoms in toddlers and preschool-age children: Evidence of early differentiation

The degree to which young children's anxiety symptoms differentiate according to diagnostic groupings is under-studied, especially in children below the age of 4 years. Theoretical (confirmatory factor analysis, CFA) and statistical (exploratory factor analysis, EFA) analytical methods were employed to test the hypothesis that anxiety symptoms among 2-3-year-old children from a non-clinical, representative sample would differentiate in a manner consistent with current diagnostic nosology. Anxiety symptom items were selected from two norm-referenced parent-report scales of child behavior. CFA and EFA results suggested that anxiety symptoms aggregate in a manner consistent with generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, separation anxiety, and social phobia. Multi-dimensional models achieved good model fit and fit the data significantly better than undifferentiated models. Results from EFA and CFA methods were predominantly consistent and supported the grouping of early childhood anxiety symptoms into differentiated, diagnostic-specific categories.
A new test of classic strain theory

The central variable in classic strain theory is the individual's level of dissatisfaction or frustration with his or her monetary status. This variable, however, has been ignored in virtually all tests of the theory. Most often, strain is measured indirectly in terms of the disjunction between aspirations and expectations. This paper directly measures dissatisfaction with monetary status, and draws on classic strain theory to explore the determinants and effects of such dissatisfaction. Data from a sample of adults in Cincinnati indicate that dissatisfaction is highest among objectively deprived individuals and those who desire a lot of money, have low expectations for making a lot of money, and feel relatively deprived. Further, dissatisfaction has a positive effect on both income-generating crime and drug use. This effect is strongest among those who have criminal friends and beliefs conductive to crime. Unlike the findings in much previous research, these data provide qualified support for classic str...
Correlation among endothelial cell shape, F-actin arrangement, and prostacyclin synthesis.

Abstract Though many factors have been identified which modulate prostacyclin (PGI 2 ) synthesis, there is little information on cellular mechanisms whereby endothelial cells (EC) regulate their basal eicosanoid metabolism. Using substrates of various adhesive capacities, bovine and porcine aortic EC shape and cytoskeletal F-actin arrangement could be modulated. Staining with rhodamine-phalloidin (R-P) permitted analysis of F-actin arrangement, while differences in cell shape were determined by measurement of cell perimeter surface area (CPSA). Spectrophotoflurometric measurements were used to quantitate the R-P binding capacity of the cultures. Cultures of reduced CPSA (225.2 ± 13.5 μ 2 ) generated the highest levels of basal PGI 2 (6.14 ± 0.51 pg/ug cell protein); had a diffuse arrangement of F-actin and an increased binding capacity for R-P (463.55 ± 50.58 nmoles/ug cell protein). Cultures of enlarged CPSA (1399.3 ± 148.3 μ 2 ), with many actin cables and a significantly reduced (p 2 (1.33 ± 0.14 pg/ug cell protein). Similarly, arachidonic acid stimulation of cultures of reduced CPSA resulted in an increased synthesis of PGI 2 when compared to stimulated cultures of enlarged cells. These findings suggest a role for cell shape and the cytoskeleton in the mechanism controlling PGI 2 production and indicate that alteration of the arrangement of F-actin may be of importance in regulation of EC eicosanoid metabolism.
Reduced fat deposition in female guinea pigs fed an atherogenic diet

Abstract In guinea pigs fed atherogenic diets lipid metabolism is altered and atherosclerosis develops. The purpose of this study was to examine adipose fat storage in female Hartley guinea pigs fed for six weeks either a control (CON) or atherogenic (ATH) diet. Growth, body weight gain, and food intake (kcal/day) were not significantly different in the two groups. Total body fat was significantly higher in the CON (14.4±0.4 %) than for the ATH fed group (11.6±0.7 %). Three adipose depots were examined: inguinal, parametrial, and retroperitoneal. The sum of three depots was significantly smaller in the ATH (4.1 ± 0.1 g, mean ± SEM) group compared to the CON (6.7 ± 1.0 g) group. Fat cell size was significantly smaller in the inguinal depot from the ATH group compared to the CON group. Livers were twice as large in the ATH group compared to the CON group, and contained 6-fold more total lipid. Total plasma cholesterol increased nearly four fold during the first week of dietary treatment in the ATH group. Plasma triglyceride values were similar during the six weeks in the two groups. Thus, adipose fat deposition was reduced, and fat accumulated in the liver of the ATH diet fed group. These results suggest the ATH fed guinea pigs had a reduced ability to transport fat from the liver to adipose tissue or an enhanced ability to transport lipid from adipose tissue to the liver.
Iterative estimation for valvular regurgitant fraction measurements by radionuclide angiocardiography

Several models have been developed and iterative estimation techniques have been applied to radionuclide angiocardiographic data to measure valvular regurgitation fractions in animal experiments with controlled amounts of regurgitation. The animal model contains a known amount of regurgitation and comparison of the regurgitant fraction estimated from the mathematical models and that measured from the animal models are compared to validate the non-invasive tracer technique. Several new modifications in the two phase mathematical model of cardiac pump function are introduced and data is presented to validate the use of this technique in future patient studies. The techniqueis applicable to mitral and aortic regurgitation as well as combined valvular incompetence.
Measurement of Group Cohesion in U. S. Army Units

The degree of social alienation among soldiers and the deterioration of unit identity in U.S. Army units were strongly evident and alarmingly widespread toward the end of the Vietnam War and during the transitional period afterward. The outcome of the Vietnam War underscored, in part, the integral relationship between small-group relations and the combat soldier's motivation. Psychology, however, has given slight recognition to the social characteristics of small groups in military units and to the sustaining function of these characteristics for combat soldiers. The purpose of this study was to clarify the operational and conceptual definitions of military unit cohesion by developing measures of small-unit cohesion. Soldiers (N = 8,869) in 93 companies provided ratings to questionnaire items that underwent factor and reliability analyses. Results showed that small-unit cohesion in U.S. Army units can be represented by four general dimensions: (a) the quality of instrumental and affective relationships am...
Design and synthesis of complementing ligands for mutant thyroid hormone receptor TRβ(R320H): a tailor-made approach toward the treatment of resistance to thyroid hormone

Abstract The thyroid hormone receptors (TR) are ligand-dependant transcription factors that regulate key genes involved in metabolic regulation, thermogenesis and development. Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is a genetic disease associated with mutations to TRβ that lack or show reduced responsiveness to thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine). Previously we reported that the neutral alcohol-based thyromimetic HY-1 can selectively restore activity to a functionally impaired form of TR associated with RTH without over-stimulating TRα, which has been associated with undesirable side effects. Two new series of tetrazole and thiazolidinedione based ligands were evaluated for their ability to recover potency and efficacy to three of the most common RTH-associated mutants, TRβ(R320C), TRβ(R320H), and TRβ(R316H), in cell based assays. A new thiazolidinedione based ligand AH-9 was identified, which has near wild-type potency (EC 50 = 0.54 nM) to TRβ(R320C) and TRβ(R320H). Significantly, AH-9 is equipotent toward TRα(wt), TRβ(wt), TRβ(R320C), and TRβ(R320H), suggesting that AH-9 may have the potential to restore the normal homeostatic balance of thyroid hormone actions in patients or models harboring these mutations.
Safety of pyridoxine — A review of human and animal studies

A literature review was conducted on adverse effects associated with administration of high oral doses of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) to animals and man. The human data suggest that doses of pyridoxine greater than 500 mg/day for prolonged periods of time can result in sensory nerve damage. Doses less than 500 mg/day appear to be safe on the basis of literature reports where the compound was administered for periods ranging from 6 months to 6 years.
Volume and dose parameters for survival of non-small cell lung cancer patients

Abstract Background and purpose : To determine the effect of tumor volume and dose factors derived from 3-D treatment planning dose distributions on survival outcome for non-small cell lung cancer patients. Materials and methods : Seventy-six consecutive patients diagnosed with medically inoperable or locally advanced, unresectable non-small cell lung cancer planned with 3-D treatment planning between 1986 and 1992 were the subject of this retrospective study. Patient characteristics and dosimetric parameters were analyzed for influence on overall survival and local progression-free survival (LPFS) using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results : Nodal stage and stage were the most significant factors for overall survival and LPFS duration on both univariate and multi-variate analysis. We found a wide range of primary tumor volume sizes for each stage. Patients with tumor volumes 3 had longer survival ( P = 0.047). In an analysis stratifying patients into four groups by tumor volume ( 3 versus > 200 cm 3 ) and nodes (negative versus positive), patients in the group with no nodal disease and 3 tumor volumes survived longer than patients in any other group ( P = 0.046). No dose factors were statistically significant for longer survival. Longer LPFS was seen for (a) isocenter dose > 70 Gy ( P = 0.055) for the overall group of patients, (b) within a subgroup with no nodal disease and > 73 Gy ( P = 0.054), and (c) within a subgroup with no nodal disease and tumor volume 3 receiving > 73 Gy ( P = 0.086). Conclusions : Several findings from the volume and dosimetric analysis in this study are noteworthy. Stage was found to be a poor predictor of primary tumor volume size. Also, tumor volume size ( 3 ) in conjunction with nodal status (negative nodes) had an impact on survival though there was a mix of stage (I, IIIa, IIIb) in this group of patients. Finally, dose appears to influence local control (LPFS) for the overall group of patients and when tumor volumes are 3 . Our data indicate that outcome following radiation may be better predicted by a staging system that takes into account tumor volume and nodal spread rather than a system that is largely based on anatomic location of disease. Dose prescription for lung cancer treatment might better be written based on tumor volume size.
Adjudication Decisions of Black, White, Hispanic, and Native American Youth in Juvenile Court

The current study examines the likelihood of adjudication for White, Black, Hispanic, and Native American juveniles in an urban county in Arizona. The study utilized the focal concerns perspective as the theoretical framework to explain racial and ethnical differences. The findings indicate that Hispanic and Native American youths had greater odds of adjudication than White youths. When examining race or ethnic and gender relationships, White girls were found to be the least likely of all the groups to be adjudicated. Girls in the other groups (Black, Hispanic, and Native American) did not have significantly different odds of adjudication than their male counterparts. Split models also revealed that legal variables and committing a drug offense had a significantly different effect for Hispanic and Native American youths than for White youths. The results and implications are further discussed.
THE IMPRISONMENT PENALTY PAID BY YOUNG, UNEMPLOYED BLACK AND HISPANIC MALE OFFENDERS

A recent study of sentencing decisions in Pennsylvania (Steffensmeier et al., 1998) identified significant interrelationships among race, gender, age, and sentence severity. The authors of this study found that each of the three offender characteristics had significant direct effects on sentence outcomes and that the characteristics interacted to produce substantially harsher sentences for one category of offenders—young black males. This study responds to Steffensmeier et al.'s (1998:789) call for “further research analyzing how race effects may be mediated by other factors.” We replicate their research approach, examining the intersections of the effects of race, gender, and age on sentence outcomes. We extend their analysis in three ways: We examine sentence outcomes in three large urban jurisdictions; we include Hispanics as well as blacks and test for interactions between ethnicity, age, and gender; and we test for interactions between race/ethnicity, gender, and employment status. Our results are generally—although not entirely—consistent with the results of the Pennsylvania study. Although none of the offender characteristics affects the length of the prison sentence, each has a significant direct effect on the likelihood of incarceration in at least one of the jurisdictions. More importantly, the four offender characteristics interact to produce harsher sentences for certain types of offenders. Young black and Hispanic males face greater odds of incarceration than middle-aged white males, and unemployed black and Hispanic males are substantially more likely to be sentenced to prison than employed white males. Thus, our results suggest that offenders with constellations of characteristics other than “young black male” pay a punishment penalty.
Management of Ethical Issues Related to Care of Seriously Ill Dialysis Patients in Free-Standing Facilities

Abstract Context There are few data on the frequency and current management of clinical ethical issues related to care of seriously ill dialysis patients in free-standing dialysis facilities. Objectives To examine the extent of clinical ethical challenges experienced by care providers in free-standing facilities and their perceptions about how those issues are managed. Methods A total of 183 care providers recruited from 15 facilities in North Carolina completed a survey regarding the occurrence and management of ethical issues in the past year. Care plan meetings were observed at four of the facilities for three consecutive months. Also, current policies and procedures at each of the facilities were reviewed. Results The two most frequently experienced challenges involved dialyzing frail patients with multiple comorbidities and caring for disruptive/difficult patients. The most common ways of managing ethical issues were discussions in care plan meetings (n = 47) or discussions with the clinic manager (n = 47). Although policies were in place to guide management of some of the challenges, respondents were often not aware of those policies. Also, although participants reported that ethical issues related to dialyzing undocumented immigrants were fairly common, no facility had a policy for managing this challenge. Participants suggested that all staff obtain training in clinical ethics and communication skills, facilities develop ethics teams, and there be clear policies to guide management of ethical challenges. Conclusion The scope of ethical challenges was extensive, how these challenges were managed varied widely, and there were limited resources for assistance. Multifaceted efforts, encompassing endeavors at the individual, facility, organization, and national levels, are needed to support staff in improving the management of ethical challenges in dialysis facilities.
Chargino - neutralino production in $p \bar{p}$ collisions for the left-right supersymmetric model

An extension of the supersymmetric standard model to the supersymmetric SU(2)$\sb{\rm L}$ x SU(2)$\sb{\rm R}$ x U(1)$\sb{\rm B-L}$ model is considered. The gauge group contains bi-doublet and triplet Higgs fields. In this work we have considered chargino (charged gauginos mixed with higgsinos) and neutralino (neutral gauginos mixed with higgsinos) eigenstates for the left-right supersymmetric (L-R SUSY) model. After mixing, in the minimal supersymmetric model (MSSM), there are two charginos and four neutralinos. In the L-R supersymmetric model, in addition to four charginos there are three neutralinos generated from the first symmetry breaking, and four neutralinos generates from the second symmetry breaking. The mixings are in general model dependent. In the minimal SUSY and L-R SUSY models, these mixings can be parameterized in terms of a few parameters. We find analytical expressions and numerical solutions for the mass eigenstates with some restrictions on the L-R parameters. We also investigate the possibility of detecting chargino and neutralino production in pp-collisions at CDF, namely $\rm p\bar{p}\to W\sbsp{L,R}{-} + X\to\ \sbsp{\chi\sb{j}}{\sim\sb-}\sbsp{\chi\sb{i}}{\sim0} + X.$ The expressions for these inclusive cross-sections are solved numerically, using parton model distributions. We have used $\rm \tilde{M}\sb\chi -= 45\ GeV,$ tan$\beta$ = 1 and a lower bound on the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) mass, $\tilde\chi$ = 14 GeV. Finally we take $\rm M\sb{WR}\ge 300$ GeV for $\rm g\simeq g\sb{L}\simeq g\sb{R}.$ In the pp-center of mass frame we find the cross sections are: $\rm \sigma\sb{L}(p\bar{p}\to W\sbsp{L}{-} + X\to\sbsp{\chi\sb{j}}{\sim\sb-}\sbsp{\chi\sb{i}}{\sim0} + X)\approx0.11$ nb, and $\rm \sigma\sb{R}(p\bar{p}\to W\sbsp{R}{-} + X\to\sbsp{\chi\sb{j}}{\sim\sb-}\sbsp{\chi\sb{i}}{\sim0} + X)\approx4.6$ pb, and thus $\rm \sigma\sb{L}\ge24\sigma\sb{R}$ at $\sqrt{\rm s}$ = 1.8 TeV. Cross sections are also given for larger values of the center of mass energy $\sqrt{\rm s}$ up to those available at the SSC. The results are compared with the prompt-lepton background of the $\rm W\sbsp{L,R}{-}$ decays from $\rm p\bar{p}\to W\sbsp{L,R}{-} + X\to\ell\sp-\nu\sb{\ell L,R} + X.$ Both decays for $\rm W\sbsp{L,R}{-}$-bosons show Jacobian peaks for $\rm p\sb{T} = \sqrt{\{s}}/2\simeq M\sb{WL}/2\simeq40$ GeV $\rm (p\sb{T}\simeq 150$ GeV for M$\sb{\rm WR})$ at $\theta=90\sp\circ.$ Furthermore the chargino signature unlike the prompt-lepton background is symmetric under the Jacobian peak. We also exhibit the dependence of the angular distribution of the chargino on the c.m angle $\theta$ for $\rm p\sb{T} = 40$ GeV, 150 GeV at $\sqrt{\rm s} = 1.8$ TeV.
Laboratory characterization of recycled crumb-rubber-modified asphalt mixture after extended aging

This paper presents a limited study that characterizes the recycling of artificially aged crumb-rubber modified (CRM) mixtures depending on their recycling percentage and aggregate type. Eight mixt...
Glycan Receptor Binding of the Influenza A Virus H7N9 Hemagglutinin

The advent of H7N9 in early 2013 is of concern for a number of reasons, including its capability to infect humans, the lack of clarity in the etiology of infection, and because the human population does not have pre-existing immunity to the H7 subtype. Earlier sequence analyses of H7N9 hemagglutinin (HA) point to amino acid changes that predicted human receptor binding and impinge on the antigenic characteristics of the HA. Here, we report that the H7N9 HA shows limited binding to human receptors; however, should a single amino acid mutation occur, this would result in structural changes within the receptor binding site that allow for extensive binding to human receptors present in the upper respiratory tract. Furthermore, a subset of the H7N9 HA sequences demarcating coevolving amino acids appears to be in the antigenic regions of H7, which, in turn, could impact effectiveness of the current WHO-recommended prepandemic H7 vaccines.
Diplophonia in a neonate

Diplophonia has never been described in a neonate. An unusual case, then, of diplophonia in a neonate is described here. There is a description of the acoustic characteristics of this infant's cry and a discussion of their significance. This contributes to a review of the differential diagnosis of diplophonia. Moreover, this case further shows the essential relation between laryngoscopic findings and acoustical data.
Heterodyne Digital Control of a High-Frequency Micromechanical Oscillator

In this paper we present heterodyne control as a technique for digital feedback control of a high-frequency, narrowband micromechanical oscillator. In this technique, isolated and synchronized hardware downconversion and upconversion components are used in conjunction with digital signal processing (DSP) to control the oscillator. Heterodyne control offers reduced computational effort for the digital control of high-frequency, narrow band system, the reduction of noise outside the pass-band, and the generation of lock-in amplifier signals. We present heterodyne control with design criteria in the context of magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) cantilever control. Finally, we present experimental results of heterodyne control applied to an emulated radio-frequency microcantilever system.
Experience of Fat Repositioning in Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty

TECHNIQUE The patient is marked preoperatively while awake. A transconjunctival incision is then made. Dissection is then performed in the plane between the orbicularlis muscles and orbital septum. The orbital septum is then detached from the arcus marginalis. The medial and central fat compartments are dissected (Figure 1). Fat is removed in select cases if an excess amount of fat is present. The dissected fat is then repositioned anterior and inferiorly in a supraperiosteal pocket over the malar bone. The suborbicularis fat along with the attached orbital septum are then secured with through and through absorbable bolster sutures that are removed postoperatively. (Figure 2) METHODS The medical records of a consecutive series of patients who underwent lower lid blepharoplasty with fat repositioning were reviewed. All procedures were performed by the senior author (AJ). Inclusion criteria were adult patients undergoing bilateral lower lid blepharoplasty for poor cosmetic appearance. Patients were not excluded if they had a history of prior lower blepharoplasty or if they were undergoing other simultaneous cosmetic procedures such as upper blepharoplasty. Records were reviewed for patient demographics, primary indications for procedure, and complications. Complications were defined as infection, hematoma, dry eye, ectropion, or entropion. Aesthetic complications were defined as asymmetry, scarring, and unfavorable cosmetic result.
Syntheses in the Tetracycline Series

Tetracyclines are antibiotics used most freequently in the chemotherapy of infectious diseases. Numerous degradation and transformation products of natural teracyclines have been prepared and their biological properties tested. Furthermore, workers in several laboratories have been engaged in synthetizing tetracyclines or their biologically active degradation products. Some investigations carried out by the author and collaborators in this connection will be reported.