cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design and Synthesis of Novel and Selective Glycine Transporter-1 (GlyT1) Inhibitors with Memory Enhancing Properties

We report here the identification and optimization of a novel series of potent GlyT1 inhibitors. A ligand design campaign that utilized known GlyT1 inhibitors as starting points led to the identification of a novel series of pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles amides (21–50) with good in vitro potency. Subsequent optimization of physicochemical and in vitro ADME properties produced several compounds with promising pharmacokinetic profiles. In vivo inhibition of GlyT1 was demonstrated for select compounds within this series by measuring the elevation of glycine in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of rats after a single oral dose of 10 mg/kg. Ultimately, an optimized lead, compound 46, demonstrated in vivo efficacy in a rat novel object recognition (NOR) assay after oral dosing at 0.1, 1, and 3 mg/kg.
A Prototype Apparatus for Determining Changes in the Electrical Conductivity of Production Run Carbon Fibers

During the production and processing of continuous lengths of carbon fibers (a tow), the conductivity along the length of the tow may vary significantly depending on the variation of the heat treatment temperature (HTT) and the resident furnace time. For PAN-type (polyacrylonitrile) fibers at HTT greater than 1000°C, a small change in HTT results in a large change in conductivity 03C3. For lower values of HTT, the corresponding change in σ can be quite small [1].
Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Strained Layers and Heterostructures

Strained layers and their heterostructures have emerged as important materials for application to high-speed electronic and optoelectronic devices. They provide an additional degree of freedom in band gap engineering. More recently, it has become clear that in the pseudomorphic regime, large changes can be made in the valence band structure of III–V compounds, resulting in dramatic changes in their electronic and optical properties. The growth of pseudomorphic materials by techniques such as MBE and the associated growth modes are also areas where a lot of understanding has developed in the recent past. It is clear, for example, that for large misfits (e ≥ 1.5%) pseudomorphic layers prefer to grow in well ordered three-dimensional islands instead of two-dimensional layers as in the lattice-matched case. In this paper, a brief review is made of the growth of In-bearing III-V compounds, their electrical and optical properties and their application to the design of high performance MODFETs, lasers, detectors and electro-optic devices.
Means and Ends in the Roberts Court: Ignoring the Lawyer’s Craft to Reshape Administrative Law

In last year’s term, the Supreme Court considered the question of the scope of Chevron deference in City of Arlington v. FCC. This article presents that decision as an example of the work of an activist Court. The case should have been resolved by a straightforward determination under the analysis of United States v. Mead that Chevron deference did not apply to the FCC’s legal determination. The Court ignored this restrained approach to the case and instead addressed the question the Justices desired to decide: the reach of Chevron deference. The article discusses and criticizes the approach of Justice Scalia writing for the majority and of Chief Justice Roberts writing for three dissenting Justices. The Court’s decision has the potential to undercut significantly the impact of Mead because it holds that Chevron deference applies to the question of whether Congress had delegated law making power to the agency and it is unlikely that many statutes will clearly limit the delegation of law making power to an agency. City of Arlington may accordingly be read as establishing that a court must defer to an agency’s decision that it has received delegated authority when the statute is ambiguous. Such an approach may be defensible if defined as a presumption of legislative intent. The approach, however, directly conflicts with Mead, if it is understood as a context for deference to the agency. The decision also undercuts Mead because application of the accepted, proper Mead analysis would have foreclosed the application of Chevron deference. Practitioners of administrative law can only be confused by the application of Chevron deference, given the informal administrative action being reviewed in City of Arlington and the fact that neither reviewing court actually applied each of the two parts of the Mead test. Because none of the decisions properly frames the Mead analysis, perhaps the likeliest effect of the Court’s decision is that it will simply yield greater confusion about the proper standards for judicial review of agency legal determinations. Because the meaning of the decision is unclear, perhaps its impact will be limited. That lack of clarity is a consequence of the Court’s activist agenda and its failure to be restrained in the application of previously decided rules.
Dynamic Surface Tension and Capillary Waves

A definition is in order. Dynamic surface tension is the tension per unit length developed at a specified point in a surface and observed as a function of time. The surface is part of a nonequilibrium system.
The Life Cycle of Neurotransmitters

Because neurotransmitters are the very currency of brain commerce, disturbances of their metabolism can devastate normal synaptic signaling. Since it is possible to intervene at one or more stages in the life cycle of neurotransmitters for therapeutic purposes—a fact that fuels the activity of the global pharmaceutical industry—understanding neurotransmitter biochemistry is of paramount importance in medical neuroscience.
Key Functions and Therapeutic Prospects of Nur77 in Inflammation Related Lung Diseases

The transcription factor Nur77 belongs to the NR4A subfamily of nuclear hormone receptors. It features an atypical ligand-binding site that precludes canonical ligand binding, leading to the designation orphan nuclear receptor. However, recent studies show that small molecules can interact with the receptor and modulate its activity by inducing a conformational change in the Nur77 ligand-binding site. Nur77 expression and activation are rapidly induced by various physiological and pathologic stimuli. Once expressed, Nur77 initiates transcriptional activity and modulates expression of its target genes. Both in vitro and in vivo evidence shows that Nur77 dampens the immune response to proinflammatory stimuli, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, Toll-like receptor ligands, and oxidized lipids, primarily by suppressing NF-κB signaling. Although studies focusing on Nur77's role in lung pathophysiology are currently incomplete, available data support its involvement in the pathogenesis of lung diseases, including asthma, acute lung injury, and pulmonary fibrosis, and thus suggest a therapeutic potential for Nur77 activation in these diseases. This review addresses the mechanisms that control Nur77 as well as its known roles in inflammation-related lung diseases. Evidence regarding the therapeutic potential of Nur77-targeting molecules will also be presented. Although current knowledge is limited, additional research followed by clinical studies may firmly identify Nur77 as a pharmacologic target for inflammation-related lung diseases.
Translating HSC Niche Biology for Clinical Applications

Over the final 3 decades of the twentieth century, the advent and evolution of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to cure refractory malignancies and severe non-malignant diseases created a need to better understand basic scientific mechanisms underlying the maintenance and migration of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). Over the past 20 years, researchers have discovered complex overlapping bone marrow (BM) HSC niches that utilize a number of signaling pathways to tightly regulate HSC physiology. Here, we review recent efforts to define critical mediators of HSC niche function in health and disease, and how these discoveries are now enabling the development of the next generation of cellular therapies for cancer and severe non-malignant diseases. A number of cellular interactions and molecular pathways critical for HSC mobilization, donor HSC engraftment after HSCT, and HSC/progenitor cell recovery following chemotherapy have recently been identified. Additional studies have defined mechanisms by which cancer and bone marrow failure states disrupt the normal function of these pathways. Translational investigators are now leveraging these discoveries to develop preclinical and clinical strategies to target the niche for regenerative and cancer therapy. Ongoing research to define fundamental aspects of HSC niche biology will lead to further refinements and precision approaches to improve the safety and efficacy of clinical cell therapy.
Six State Survey of Container Nursery Nitrate Nitrogen Runoff

Abstract Container nursery bed runoff, reservoirs or ponds that contained runoff, wells, and surface water discharged from the property or at the property border were sampled at approximately 6-wee...
Correction to: Soybean iron deficiency chlorosis high throughput phenotyping using an unmanned aircraft system.

In the original article [1], under the subheading “Image data processing”, last paragraph, last sentence that reads as “The least …… data collection” was incorrectly published. The correct sentence should read as “Least-significant differences (P < 0.20) were calculated for all 36 trials on both ground-based and UAS-image based scores for both dates of data collection.” The original article has been corrected.
Optimal Dispatch Of Active Power Using Classical And Artificial Methods On The Distribution Networks

Optimal power dispatch (OPD) problems has a major role in security and flexibility of power systems. It is useful to enhance the voltage stability, minimization the power losses and improvement of voltage profile. In recent years, several methodologies based on computer algorithms and mathematical formulation have been proposed for solving optimal reactive power dispatch. The techniques are classified based on conventional and intelligent methods. The objective of this paper is minimization the power losses using intelligent algorithms like Particle Swarm Optimization method and conventional method like Newton Raphson. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is based on the simulation the act of group of fishes or birds in searching space for finding optimal solution as the piece of food. The proposed algorithms are analyzed on the Nordic 44 system. The results of simulation show the reduction of total power losses using intelligent method. The proposed methods are tested on Nordic 44 test system, IEEE 9 buses, 14 buses, and 30 buses.
Transport of N and P in U.S. streams and rivers differs with land use and between dissolved and particulate forms.

We used a recently published, open-access data set of U.S. streamwater nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations to test whether watershed land use differentially influences N and P concentrations, including the relative availability of dissolved and particulate nutrient fractions. We tested the hypothesis that N and P concentrations and molar ratios in streams and rivers of the United States reflect differing nutrient inputs from three dominant land-use types (agricultural, urban and forested). We also tested for differences between dissolved inorganic nutrients and suspended particulate nutrient fractions to infer sources and potential processing mechanisms across spatial and temporal scales. Observed total N and P concentrations often exceeded reported thresholds for structural changes to benthic algae (58, 57% of reported values, respectively), macroinvertebrates (39% for TN and TP), and fish (41, 37%, respectively). The majority of dissolved N and P concentrations exceeded threshold concentrations known to stimulate benthic algal growth (85, 87%, respectively), and organic matter breakdown rates (94, 58%, respectively). Concentrations of both N and P, and total and dissolved N:P ratios, were higher in streams and rivers with more agricultural and urban than forested land cover. The pattern of elevated nutrient concentrations with agricultural and urban land use was weaker for particulate fractions. The % N contained in particles decreased slightly with higher agriculture and urbanization, whereas % P in particles was unrelated to land use. Particulate N:P was relatively constant (interquartile range = 2-7) and independent of variation in DIN:DIP (interquartile range = 22-152). Dissolved, but not particulate, N:P ratios were temporally variable. Constant particulate N:P across steep DIN:DIP gradients in both space and time suggests that the stoichiometry of particulates across U.S. watersheds is most likely controlled either by external or by physicochemical instream factors, rather than by biological processing within streams. Our findings suggest that most U.S. streams and rivers have concentrations of N and P exceeding those considered protective of ecological integrity, retain dissolved N less efficiently than P, which is retained proportionally more in particles, and thus transport and export high N:P streamwater to downstream ecosystems on a continental scale.
Dictionary Learning-Based fMRI Data Analysis for Capturing Common and Individual Neural Activation Maps

In this paper, a novel dictionary learning (DL) method is proposed to estimate sparse neural activations from multi-subject fMRI data sets. By exploiting the label information such as the patient and the normal healthy groups, the activation maps that are commonly shared across the groups as well as those that can explain the group differences are both captured. The proposed method was tested using real fMRI data sets consisting of schizophrenic subjects and healthy controls. The DL approach not only reproduced most of the maps obtained from the conventional independent component analysis (ICA), but also identified more maps that are significantly group-different, including a number of novel ones that were not revealed by ICA. The stability analysis of the DL method and the correlation analysis with separate neuropsychological test scores further strengthen the validity of our analysis.
The reduction of 176Lu background in Lu-based PET scanners using optimized classification.

Positron emission tomography (PET) using scanners incorporating lutetium-based (Lu-based) scintillators are widely used in nuclear medicine. However their application in imaging very low ( 99%). It was subsequently tested by imaging point-like source, planar Derenzo and bar phantoms with the pair of TOF-PET detectors. An 89.4% image contrast enhancement for the Derenzo phantom at an activity concentration of 100 Bq mm-2, and a 52.4% peak-to-valley ratio improvement across the area of bar phantom at a concentration of 25 Bq mm-2, were observed on the reconstructed images with XGBoost classification applied. The proposed method could extend the usage of Lu-based PET scanners to very low activity detection and imaging and has the potential to be used in a variety of molecular imaging tasks to detect low-level signals.
Understanding creep mechanisms of a Cu-Cr-Nb alloy by testing under constant structure conditions

Abstract Stress reduction creep tests conducted on a Cu-Cr-Nb alloy (GRCop-84) at 923 K have confirmed local dislocation climb to be the rate-controlling deformation mechanism. The activation energy of creep was measured to be consistent with that of self-diffusion in Cu matrix. An internal back stress of approximately -9 MPa was identified to act on the rate-controlling dislocations, which is believed to be the sum of the back stress for dislocation-particle interaction and the forward stress for dislocation-dislocation interaction. This back stress, however, does not lead to a true threshold in the framework of thermally activated dislocation motion.
Teaching Psychiatric Emergencies Using Simulation: an Experience During the Boot Camp

The purpose of this study is to prepare fourth-year medical students to recognize psychiatric emergencies using simulation technology. The learning experience is accomplished during the boot camp activity designed to train fourth-year medical students in different competencies before transitioning to residency. Ninety-eight fourth-year medical students at Paul L. Foster School of Medicine participated in the boot camp during the 2018–2019 academic year. The participation of the Department of Psychiatry was for a total of four full days divided into 3-h morning and 3-h afternoon sessions with the average of four students per hour per session. The use of high-fidelity simulation and standardized patients to recreate two different clinical scenarios representing acute psychiatric emergencies, followed by structured debriefing, was implemented. Pre- and post-qualitative surveys, which were electronically available via Qualtrics, intended to assess the effectiveness of the curriculum and course teaching modalities during the boot camp. All participants reported improvement on levels of confidence in diagnosis and management of psychiatric emergencies compared with baseline. Overall a statistically significant increase in the Likert score was noted in the post-survey analysis. Teaching psychiatric emergencies utilizing high-fidelity simulation and standardized patient encounters improved student confidence in several competencies. The increase in student confidence can potentially help the learner in transitioning better to residency.
Examining Variability in Elementary Science Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge About Phase Change: Implications for Teacher Development and Assessment

To support science teachers in learning how to engage in ambitious teaching practices, teacher educators, professional development facilitators, and researchers need to develop a nuanced understand...
Umanesimo repubblicano, umanesimo cortigiano. L’Italia del tre-quattrocento

Courtier humanism constitutes the foundation of a process that, leading to the formulation of a new culture in Italy, will give it the characteristics that will determine its European radiance based on a catalytic force that is eminently political. In this context, the 'small' Italian courts of the fifteenth-century function as incubators of new civilization models for the great European courts of the Ancient Regime.
Advances in Our Understanding of the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is complex and likely multifactorial. Our understanding has evolved in recent years, and both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are deemed to be immunologically mediated chronic inflammatory diseases that develop in a genetically susceptible individual. Large genome-wide association studies have unraveled multiple pathways involved in IBD pathogenesis, and as of now, more than 200 IBD susceptibility loci have been identified. It has also become clear that genetics does not explain the entire story and that environmental factors and gut dysbiosis play a significant role in IBD pathogenesis. The complex multidirectional interactions between the gut microbiome, altered immune environment, lifestyle, pharmacological agents, and infections are among the possible contributors. In this chapter, we will explore the knowns and unknowns of IBD pathogenesis.
Message Structure, Educational Psychology, and Instructional Technology

In this chapter we begin to explore the body of historical evidence for the claim that the message construct is, and has long been, an important design construct, essential to the design of conversational interactions. We have proposed that the message construct is an atomistic structural element of instructional strategy and that it corresponds with the dialogical structures of a conversation theory, as described in Chap. 2. Lacking this type of construct, design theorists have been unable to describe how to bridge the gap between high-level strategic goals and low-level conversational elements.
Scrotal Ultrasound for Evaluation of Subacute Testicular Torsion: Sonographic Findings and Adverse Clinical Implications

AbstractThere is an increased use of scrotal ultrasound in the clinician’s office and emergency room for the investigation of scrotal pain. The use of real-time scrotal ultrasound for the diagnosis of testicular torsion has been described in the literature. A false-negative ultrasound examination can postpone the diagnosis of torsion and result in testicular loss. We examined 6 patients 1 day to 18 years old who had subacute testicular torsion with scrotal symptomatology (pain and/or swelling) for longer than 8 hours (range 12 hours to 6 days). Scrotal ultrasound was performed as 1 of the initial tests. A common sonographic pattern was an inhomogeneous testicle with hypoeehoic areas alternating with hyperechoic areas and thickening of adjacent scrotal tissue. Another common finding was an edematous hyperechoic epididymis and a small hydrocele. In 4 of the 6 cases these nonspecific findings suggested a misleading diagnosis of tumor or epididymitis and resulted in delay of surgery and testicular loss. Treat...
The chromosome cycle of prokaryotes.

In both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, chromosomal DNA undergoes replication, condensation-decondensation and segregation, sequentially, in some fixed order. Other conditions, like sister-chromatid cohesion (SCC), may span several chromosomal events. One set of these chromosomal transactions within a single cell cycle constitutes the “chromosome cycle”. For many years it was generally assumed that the prokaryotic chromosome cycle follows major phases of the eukaryotic one: -replication-condensation-segregation-(cell division)-decondensation-, with SCC of unspecified length. Eventually it became evident that, in contrast to the strictly consecutive chromosome cycle of eukaryotes, all stages of the prokaryotic chromosome cycle run concurrently. Thus, prokaryotes practice “progressive” chromosome segregation separated from replication by a brief SCC, and all three transactions move along the chromosome at the same fast rate. In other words, in addition to replication forks, there are “segregation forks” in prokaryotic chromosomes. Moreover, the bulk of prokaryotic DNA outside the replication-segregation transition stays compacted. I consider possible origins of this concurrent replication-segregation and outline the “nucleoid administration” system that organizes the dynamic part of the prokaryotic chromosome cycle.
An Interactive Library Classification Systems Module

Abstract All libraries shelve and organize books according to classification systems, and patrons rely on accurate shelving to easily locate specific books. This article describes the development of an interactive library training module to effectively train student workers in the Access Services Department of the Harvey A. Andruss Library, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA. The training module addresses the following classification systems: Dewey Decimal, Library of Congress and Superintendent of Documents. The module was developed using Asymetrix's ToolBook II. Test scores averaged 94.4%, proving the training to be an effective alternative to individual staff-student training. The library is implementing this training module with current and future Access Services student workers.
NEUTRON CROSS-SECTIONS AND REACTION PRODUCTS FOR H, C, N, AND O FOR THE ENERGY RANGE FROM THERMAL TO 15 MEV*

Abstract The accurate calculation of neutron dose must be based on definitive cross-sections and a precise knowledge of the reaction products in tissue. Although there are still several uncertainties in these parameters, a compilation has been made of the most detailed cross-section data available and reaction products for the four major elements in tissue (i.e. H, C, N, and O). The compilation is for neutron energies below 15 MeV, but the energy interval requiring the most study and analysis was that from 2.5 to 15 MeV. Particular attention was directed to the non-elastic reactions [e.g. the C(n,n1) 3α reaction]. Average values for the energies of the various charged particles as a function of the energy of the incident neutron have been computed. These values were compiled to provide a basis for revision of the dose-distribution functions for neutron exposures of man and of animals used in radiobiological studies. An analysis of the results of various measurements are compared with calculated values based on these cross-sections and with the values listed in NBS Handbook 63.
Comparative Theological Learning as an Ordinary Part of Theological Education

This essay argues, as its title suggests, that learning that is both comparative and theological can be an ordinary – possible, beneficial, even necessary – part of theological education and, like other fields of study, may be incorporated in the curriculum in ways that meet practical curricular needs. Once the professor has undertaken the initial, minimal learning, teaching comparatively can become a natural and integral part of any seminary course. The study of the other is not exotic or in a class by itself; if we can study our own religious tradition today, we can study others as well. The thesis is argued in several parts: (1) interreligious diversity is integral to the context of contemporary faith; (2) comparative theology engages diversity in an intentionally theological way and needs to be distinguished from other disciplines; (3) a comparative theological approach aids in the process of ensuring that attention to diversity is integral to theological education; (4) teaching comparative theology is not different from teaching other forms of theology. None of this, I suggest, requires a liberal or pluralist theological starting point.
Galileo: A Tool for Dynamic Fault Tree Analysis

Galileo is a prototype software tool for dependability analysis of fault tolerant computer-based systems. Reliability models are specified using dynamic fault trees, which provide special constructs for modeling sequential failure modes in addition to standard combinatorial fault tree gates. Independent modules are determined automatically, and separate modules are solved combinatorially (using Binary Decision Diagrams) or using Markov Methods.
Type I and Type II Alcoholism: An Update

A commonly cited alcoholism typology, the type I-type II typology, was developed from the findings of a study of Swedish adoptees and their biological and adoptive parents. Type I alcoholism affects both men and women, requires the presence of a genetic as well as an environmental predisposition, commences later in life after years of heavy drinking, and can take on either a mild or severe form. Type II alcoholism, in contrast, affects mainly sons of male alcoholics, is influenced only weakly by environmental factors, often begins during adolescence or early adulthood, is characterized by moderate severity, and usually is associated with criminal behavior. Additional studies have demonstrated that type I and type II alcoholics also differ in characteristic personality traits (e.g., harm avoidance and novelty seeking) as well as in certain neurophysiological markers. A replication study with a second group of Swedish adoptees has confirmed many of the findings of the original adoption study.
A global model of Love and Rayleigh surface wave dispersion and anisotropy, 25–250 s

SUMMARY A large number of fundamental-mode Love and Rayleigh wave dispersion curves were determined from seismograms for 3330 earthquakes recorded on 258 globally distributed seismographic stations. The dispersion curves were sampled at periods between 25 and 250 s to determine propagation-phase anomalies with respect to a reference earth model. The data set of phase anomalies was first used to construct global isotropic phase-velocity maps at specific frequencies using spherical-spline basis functions with a nominal uniform resolution of 650 km. Azimuthal anisotropy was then included in the parametrization, and its importance for explaining the data explored. Only the addition of 2ζ azimuthal variations for Rayleigh waves was found to be resolved by the data. In the final stage of the analysis, the entire phase-anomaly data set was inverted to determine a global dispersion model for Love and Rayleigh waves parametrized horizontally using a spherical-spline basis, and with a set of B-splines to describe the slowness variations with respect to frequency. The new dispersion model, GDM52, can be used to calculate internally consistent global maps of phase and group velocity, as well as local and path-specific dispersion curves, between 25 and 250 s.
Novel activator protein‐2α splice‐variants function as transactivators of the ovine placental lactogen gene

Activator protein-2 (AP-2) has been implicated as a transactivator of the human and ovine placental lactogen (oPL) genes. Transcriptional enhancement through an AP-2 cis-acting element has been described for other genes expressed in the placenta, but the AP-2 isoform enhancing expression is species dependent. Transactivation of the oPL minimal promoter (−124 bp to +16 bp) by AP-2 was confirmed by mutational analysis in transiently transfected human choriocarcinoma cells (BeWo). AP-2α was localized in ovine chorionic epithelial cells by immunohistochemistry and a 3-kb transcript was identified by Northern hybridization. Four nearly full-length AP-2 cDNAs were isolated from an ovine placenta cDNA library. Nucleotide sequencing these cDNAs revealed that the AP-2 mRNA expressed in the ovine placenta shares identity with human AP-2α, but variations in the predicted N-terminus were observed, and three unique AP-2α splice-variants were identified. Expression of AP-2α variants in HepG2 cells, devoid of endogenous AP-2, indicates that enhancement through the AP-2 element in the oPL gene minimal promoter was variant dependent. RNA transcripts for all of the ovine AP-2α splice-variants were confirmed in ovine placenta by RT-PCR, and homologs for two variants were found in human placenta. However, only one AP-2α transcript, which shares identity to Xenopus AP-2α, was expressed in BeWo cells. Immunoblot analysis confirmed AP-2α variants in ovine chorionic binucleate cell nuclear extracts, one of which migrates similar to the AP-2α variant identified in BeWo cell nuclear extracts. These data indicate the presence of new mammalian AP-2α splice-variants that augment transactivation of the oPL gene in ovine chorionic binucleate cells.
Smoking and surgical risk in Crohn?s disease patients treated with infliximab; does smoking increase the incidence of subsequent surgery?

Purpose: Cottone and coworkers noted that Crohn's disease patients who smoke have a poorer outcome clinically and are at higher risk for surgical recurrence than those who do not smoke (Gastroenterology 1994;106:643–648). The aim of this study is to determine if Crohn's disease (CD) patients who are treated with infliximab are at a greater risk for subsequent intestinal surgery if they are smokers compared to those who are nonsmokers.
Use of community pharmacy–provided diabetes services to aid physicians in the National Committee for Quality Assurance recognition program

Background Pay-for-performance (P4P) models are being adopted by many health care payers, including Medicare, for payment of physician services. To receive financial incentives in P4P programs, physicians are encouraged to attain recognition or credentialing from an agency, such as the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Objective To explore the potential roles of a community pharmacy–provided diabetes services in collaboration with physicians and to assist them in becoming acknowledged by the NCQA Diabetes Physician Recognition Program. Summary KDI Health Solutions pharmacists have demonstrated success in the management of diabetes through the Asheville Project and the Diabetes Ten City Challenge. Continued pharmacists' efforts may focus on expanding current disease state management programs, community pharmacy diabetes education programs, and collaborative practices with physicians. Studies are currently being conducted to assess physician willingness to use pharmacists as part of the NCQA recognition process. Conclusion Collaboration of physicians and pharmacists may improve diabetes standards of care and aid physicians in becoming NCQA-recognized providers. NCQA-recognized physicians can align themselves with current and future P4P programs.
Myocardial perfusion imaging with contrast echocardiography

Advances in myocardial perfusion imaging have firmly established the use of noninvasive techniques capable of providing useful information over a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic cardiovascular problems. Evaluating regional myocardial perfusion abnormalities is a cornerstone for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, risk assessment in those with known disease, and determination of myocardial viability. The clinical use of myocardial perfusion imaging and the current limitations of existing techniques continue to promote the development of new technologies capable of assessing microvascular and capillary perfusion abnormalities on a global myocardial level. Myocardial contrast echocardiography is an emerging technique capable of rapidly assessing myocardial perfusion at the capillary level in many different clinical settings. This article focuses on myocardial contrast-enhanced ultrasound perfusion techniques, emphasizing the unique information this modality provides compared with other noninvasive perfusion imaging techniques.
Lower probability models for uncertainty and nondeterministic processes

Abstract An extension to the class of conventional numerical probability models for nondeterministic phenomena has been identified by Dempster and Shafer in the class of belief functions. We were originally stimulated by this work, but have since come to believe that the bewildering diversity of uncertainty and chance phenomena cannot be encompassed within either the conventional theory of probability, its relatively minor modifications (e.g., not requiring countable additivity), or the theory of belief functions. In consequence, we have been examining the properties of, and prospects for, the generalization of belief functions that is known as upper and lower, or interval-valued, probability. After commenting on what we deem to be problematic elements of common personalist/subjectivist/Bayesian positions that employ either finitely or countably additive probability to represent strength of belief and that are intended to be normative for rational behavior, we sketch some of the ways in which the set of lower envelopes, a subset of the set of lower probabilities that contains the belief functions, enables us to preserve the core of Bayesian reasoning while admitting a more realistic (e.g., in its reduced insistence upon an underlying precision in our beliefs) class of probability-like models. Particular advantages of lower envelopes are identified in the area of the aggregation of beliefs. The focus of our own research is in the area of objective probabilistic reasoning about time series generated by physical or other empirical (e.g., societal) processes. As it is not the province of a general mathematical methodology such as probability theory to a priori rule out of existence empirical phenomena, we are concerned by the contraint imposed by conventional probability theory that an empirical process of bounded random variables that is believed to have a time- invariant generating mechanism must then exhibot long-run stable time averages. We have shown that lower probability models that allow for unstable time averages can only lie in the class of undominated lower probabilities, a subset of lower probability models disjoint from the lower envelopes and having the weakest relationship to conventional probability measures. Our research has been devoted to exploring and developing the theory of undominated lower probabilities so that it can be applied to model and understand nondeterministic phenomena, and we have also been interested in identifying actual physical processes (e.g., flicker noises) that exhibit behavior requiring such novel models.
Astronomy and the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer satellite

The extreme ultraviolet wave band (100 to 912 angstroms) was thought until recently to be useless to astronomy, primarily because the opacity of the interstellar medium would prevent observations at these wavelengths. However, the interstellar medium has been found to be markedly inhomogeneous in both density and ionization state and the sun is fortunately located in a region of low extreme ultraviolet opacity. The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer, launched in June 1992, has surveyed the sky in this wave band and has detected a wide variety of astronomical sources at considerable distances, including some extragalactic objects. Studies in the extreme ultraviolet band have already begun to increase our understanding of the contents of the universe.
Three-dimensional analysis of search behaviour by ringed seals

Abstract We analysed the use of three-dimensional space by 13 freely diving ringed seals, Phoca hispida , to distinguish between local search, presumably within prey patches, and travel or exploration between prey patches. We subdivided the three-dimensional home ranges of ringed seals into 3×3×3 m grid cells. For each dive, we determined the time spent swimming through each grid cell and the frequency of grid cell revisits. The seals generally spent 1–3 s in each cell and rarely revisited cells. During 34% of all dives, however, ringed seals focused their effort within a reduced volume, suggesting local search within patches of prey. The disproportionate effort within restricted volumes resulted from seals revisiting cells (18% of dives), reducing speed within cells (9% of dives), or both reducing speed and revisiting cells (7% of dives). Ringed seals searched locally in less than 10% of descents and ascents but did so in 41% of bottom phases (time spent at depth between the end of descent and the beginning of ascent).
A renewable, chemoselective, and quantitative ligand density microarray for the study of biospecific interactions

Novel renewable microarray technology has been developed to immobilize and release carbohydrates and proteins from self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of electroactive quinone-terminated alkanethiolates on gold surfaces. This method may be applied to a variety of research fields for use in biosensor technology and the generation of renewable and tailored microarrays for biospecific cell-based assays.
Dynamic stresses encountered in impression removal

A ccurate dental impressions are essential in dentistry. Elastic impression material is often used to obtain a negative reproduction of the oral tissues and is subjected to complex states of stress as it is removed from the mouth. Undercuts, sharp line angles, and interproximal spaces all influence the elastic deformation of the impression material and are not always under the control of the dentist. On the other hand, certain controllable influences (such as, tray design, bulk of impression material, and rate and direction of removal of the impression from the mouth) may be used to prevent permanent deformations. Previous studieslV3 have resulted in development of a photoelastic modeling material which simulates the physical and mechanical properties of mercaptan rubber. An investigation of this material was undertaken to determine the dynamic stresses encountered during removal of impressions from various geometric designs.
Letter to the editor. Animal model for IRDS/BPD--problem of species' differences in lung maturation at birth.

Letter to the Editor. Animal Model for IRDS/BPD—Problem of Species' Differences in Lung Maturation at Birth
Secretory Unit of Islet Transplant Objects (SUITO) Index Can Predict Outcome of Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test

Background. Simple monitoring of engrafted islet function is important for follow-up of recipients after islet transplantation. We previously developed a simple assessment tool for islet graft function; the secretory unit of islet transplant objects (SUITO) index. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the SUITO index and the outcomes of intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT). Methods. Fifteen series of blood samples from 6 islet recipients were collected before 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 minutes after injection of 0.5 g/kg 50% dextrose. The SUITO index was calculated using plasma C-peptide and glucose level at fasting baseline. Samples were divided into the following 3 groups; low-SUITO (SUITO index 10 mmol/L at 30 minutes. Blood glucose levels in the low-SUITO group were significantly higher than among the other 2 groups at baseline and 10, 20 and 30 minutes (P < .05). Glucose-level areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curve during IVGTT in the low-SUITO group were also significantly larger than among the other 2 groups (P < .05). Conclusion: The SUITO index, using only a fasting blood sample, predicted IVGTT outcomes.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic study of molecular interactions in hemoglobin.

Infrared absorption spectra of the alpha-104 (G11) cysteine SH group have been observed for aqueous solutions of hemoglobin derivatives from humans, pigs, and horses. The center frequencies ((nu)SH) show ligand sensitive patterns that are similar for the three species, with (nu)SH (HbCO) <(nu)SH (HbO(2) ~ HbCN) < (nu)SH (Hb(+)) <<(nu)SH (deoxyHb) for human and pig hemoglobins. The alpha-104 SH group is most strongly H-bonded (smallest (nu)SH), has the greatest range of (nu)SH (Hb ? HbCO) in human hemoglobin, and is least strongly H-bonded and has the smallest range of (nu)SH (Hb ? HbCO) in horse hemoglobin. The beta-112 cysteine SH in human hemoglobin is more weakly H-bonded than is the alpha-104 SH. These studies illustrate how FTIR can be used to measure differences in protein structure that are related to biological control mechanisms.
The neurobiology of neurotensin: focus on neurotensin-dopamine interactions.

Abstract Neurotensin (NT) is a tridecapeptide which fulfills many of the requisite criteria for a role as a central nervous system (CNS) neurotransmitter. It is closely associated with CNS dopamine neurons and has been shown to interact with dopamine at physiological, anatomical and behavioral levels. Neurotensin is colocalized with dopaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus and midbrain. In addition, it blocks behaviors associated with activation of the dopaminergic pathways. Centrally administered NT has been shown to mimic many of the actions of antipsychotic drugs. In addition, the concentration of NT in cerebrospinal fluid is decreased in patients with schizophrenia. Administration of clinically effective antipsychotic drugs increases concentrations of NT in the caudate nucleus and nucleus accumbens. NT has been shown to play a role in signal transduction by mostly mobilizing calcium stores following inosital phosphate formation. This has been linked to subsequent events in protein phosphorylation. Lipophillic NT receptor agonists may represent a novel approach to the development of a new class of antipsychotic drugs.
Demonstration of Glucocorticoid Receptors in the Adrenal Cortex: Evidence for a Direct Dexamethasone Suppressive Effect on the Rat Adrenal Gland

The adrenal cortex was evaluated for the presence of glucocorticoid receptors and functions. Substantial binding of [3H]dexamethasone was observed in aminoglutethimide-treated, hypophysectomized, and intact rats. Further studies demonstrated binding in cultured bovine adrenocortical cells and in Y-1 cells, a cloned murine cell line of adrenal cortical origin. Scatchard analysis of specific binding data in cytosol from hypophysectomized rats revealed an apparent Kd of approximately 15 nM and a receptor content (Nmax) of 123 fmol/mg cytosol protein. Analysis of Y-1 cell cytosol showed a Kd of approximately 17 nM and Nmax of 190 fmol/mg protein. The binding site in hypophysectomized rats had the following steroid specificities: high affinity for dexamethasone, corticosterone, and progesterone; moderate affinity for 11 beta-cortisol, and low affinity for testosterone, estradiol, pregnenolone, and 11 alpha-cortisol. Sedimentation in sucrose density gradients revealed 8S binding peaks in cytosols prepared from intact rat adrenal glands, Y-1 cells, and cultured bovine adrenocortical cells. Time- and temperature-dependent nuclear uptake of [3H]dexamethasone in Y-1 cells was demonstrated. In vivo treatment of hypophysectomized rats with dexamethasone significantly enhanced the rate of adrenal atrophy. ACTH stimulation tests in hypophysectomized rats showed a decreased corticosterone response in dexamethasone-treated rats compared to that in control animals. However, in vitro, there was no evidence for an effect of dexamethasone on ACTH-stimulated corticosterone production. The data indicate that the adrenal cortex possesses a high affinity binding site that fulfills the criteria for a glucocorticoid receptor. Glucocorticoid administration enhances adrenal atrophy and impairs adrenal function. We speculate that this action contributes to the suppressive effect of glucocorticoids on the pituitary-adrenal axis.
Conformational analysis of 1,2-dichlorobutane

Abstract Vibrational spectra have been published and normal coordinate calculations have been made for 1,2-dichlorobutane.1,2 Those calculations were limited to the three conformers that had all four carbon atoms coplanar. Molecular mechanics calculations have now shown a conformer that was omitted to be the second most abundant conformer. Therefore, normal coordinate calculations have been made for this conformer and molecular mechanics calculations have been made for all possible conformers.
Understanding subtypes of inner-city drug users with a latent class approach

Aims We empirically identified subtypes of inner-city users of heroin and cocaine based on type of drug used and route of administration.
GANGLIOSIDES AND ACETYLCHOLINE OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.

Abstract Both gangliosides are bound acetycholine are higher in grey matter than in white. The subcellular distributions of these two compounds appear to be parallel in rat brain, occuring primarily in the crude mitochondrial fraction, and upon further fractionation both gangliosides and bound acetycholine appear in the pinched-off nerve ending fraction. The synaptic vesicle isolated after disruption of the nerve endings by osmotic shock contains both acetylcholine and gangliosides. This parallel distribution and the physical properties of gangliosides suggest a functional role for gangliosides in the transport of acetylcholine from synaptic vesicles through the presynaptic membrane.
Pressure drop effects in the pressurization and blowdown steps of pressure swing adsorption

Abstract Linearization of Darcy's law for flow through packed beds allows the incorporation of pressure drop into existing models for the non-constant pressure steps of PSA. Bed length and particle size appear as explicit variables whose effect can be studied. With rapid cycles pressure gradients do not have time to decay; therefore, pressure drop is obviously important. Shock wave behavior is observed for pressurization and an analysis based on material balances around the shock is given. Blowdown exhibits diffuse wave behavior. All solutions at the closed end reduce to limiting forms available in the literature. Further, blowdown solutions at large times indicate a non-uniform composition in the column, which means that pressure drop effects are significant during blowdown even when conventional cycling time schemes are used.