cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incisor shape and incisor crowding: a re-evaluation of the Peck and Peck ratio.

Abstract Although lower incisor tooth shapes, defined as mesiodistal length divided by labiolingual width, have been proposed as important factors in lower incisor crowding, the question of whether or not these ratios are more useful than simple measurements of incisor mesiodistal length has not been addressed. In order to test this question, we measured mesiodistal and labiolingual incisor dimensions and lower incisor crowding (defined as the crowding index proposed by Little) on dental casts from two groups: 100 pretreatment orthodontic patients and 100 Hutterites from a religious isolate in Canada. The orthodontic patients are our primary interest. The Hutterites serve mainly to test whether or not results are consistent in another population of different ethnicity, age distribution, and occlusal status. In each population, incisor crowding is correlated with the tooth shape ratios, confirming the general observations of Peck and Peck. However, mesiodistal incisor lengths have slightly higher correlations with crowding than the shape ratios. In multiple regression equations to predict crowding in each population, incisor mesiodistal lengths are the most important variable, and neither the tooth shape ratios nor labiolingual widths significantly improve the equations. Although statistically significant, none of the correlations is higher than 0.30, and they are thus of little clinical value. The use of tooth size measurements or ratios as a guide to clinical procedures is an oversimplification of a complex problem.
Helium ion therapy for choroidal melanoma

Eighty-two patients with choroidal melanomas were treated with helium ion charged particle irradiation. Seventy-eight of 82 patients have either remained stable or demonstrated tumor shrinkage. Forty-five of 46 patients followed for at least 1 year after therapy have demonstrated tumor regression with a mean tumor shrinkage of approximately 31%. No tumor-related mortality has been observed. The most effective method of choroidal melanoma management is unclear. Charged particle external beam irradiation may be more applicable and have less ocular morbidity than either radioactive plaques or photocoagulation.
Identifying Biomarker Patterns and Predictors of Inflammation and Myocardial Stress

Abstract Background Regular exercise is recommended to improve outcomes in patients with heart failure. Exercise is known to decrease inflammation and thought to decrease myocardial stress; however, studies of exercise in heart failure have had mixed results on levels of N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). A multimarker analysis may help to identify distinct subgroups of patients who respond to exercise. Our primary study objective was to identify common and distinct patterns of change in hsCRP and NT-proBNP and to quantify the influence of exercise therapy on the observed patterns of change. Methods and Results NT-proBNP and hsCRP were assessed in a random sample of 320 participants from the biomarker substudy of HF-ACTION, a randomized clinical trial of exercise training versus usual care in patients with stable and chronic heart failure. Growth mixture modeling was used to identify unique biomarker patterns over 12 months. Three statistically independent and clinically meaningful biomarker patterns of NT-proBNP and hsCRP were identified. Two patterns were combined and compared with the “low/stable” pattern, which was characterized by the lowest levels of NT-proBNP and hsCRP over time. Participants who were taking a loop diuretic and had hypertension or ischemic etiology were ∼2 times as likely to be in the “elevated/worsening” biomarker pattern. Participants randomized to the exercise intervention were less likely to be in the elevated/worsening pattern of NT-proBNP and hsCRP (relative risk ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.32–0.98; P = .04). Conclusions Exercise therapy was protective for reducing the frequency of membership in the elevated/worsening biomarker pattern, indicating that exercise may be helpful in delaying the progression of heart failure.
A note on the predictability of band-limited processes

It is shown that a band-limited process can be expressed in terms of its past samples only, provided that the sampling rate is larger than but can be chosen arbitrarily close to the Nyquist rate.
Can ecology help genomics: the genome as ecosystem?

Ecologists study the rules that govern processes influencing the distribution and abundance of organisms, particularly with respect to the interactions of organisms with their biotic and abiotic environments. Over the past decades, using a combination of sophisticated mathematical models and rigorous experiments, ecologists have made considerable progress in understanding the complex web of interactions that constitute an ecosystem. The field of genomics runs on a path parallel to ecology. Like ecology, genomicists seek to understand how each gene in the genome interacts with every other gene and how each gene interacts with multiple, environmental factors. Gene networks connect genes as complex as the ‘webs’ that connect the species in an ecosystem. In fact, genes exist in an ecosystem we call the genome. The genome as ecosystem is more than a metaphor — it serves as the conceptual foundation for an interdisciplinary approach to the study of complex systems characteristic of both genomics and ecology. Through the infusion of genomics into ecology and ecology into genomics both fields will gain fresh insight into the outstanding major questions of their disciplines.
Manufacturing setup cost reduction

Previously, economic order quantity (EOQ) models were extended to include the option of investing in setup cost reduction where setup costs varies as a function of investment. Most of the earlier research on this issue has assumed that demand and lead times are deterministic. Recently, there has been investigations into an EOQ model which considers setup cost reduction in the variable lead time environment. This paper extends the previous research in two areas. First, the EOQ model with setup cost reduction in the variable lead time environment has been extended to the EMQ model which increases the applicability. Second, instead of the usual assumed continuous relationship between the amount of investment and the reduction in setup costs, this paper investigates a more realistic situation where there is only a finite number of opportunities for setup cost reduction investment.
Optimization of Flexible Flapping-Wing Kinematics in Hover

Hover-capable flapping-wing micro air vehicles are well suited for missions in confined spaces. The best design practices for flapping wings and their kinematics are largely unknown, especially for flexible wings. To address this issue, numerical optimization is applied to the design of the kinematics and structural sizing of a flapping wing using a surrogate-based approach. The surrogates are generated using kriging interpolation of the time-averaged thrust generated and power required by the wings. The thrust and power data are computed using a nonlinear approximate aeroelastic model developed in previous studies by the authors. A numerical optimization algorithm is used to identify designs that produce the desired combination of thrust and power. The design variables consist of parameters describing the flap–pitch kinematics and the stiffness of the flexible wings. A trend study of thrust and power indicate that the phase angle between flap and pitch motions significantly affects the wing performance w...
Using Hydrothermal Method to Prepare Reduced Graphene-Hemin Electrochemical Biosensor for Tyrosine Detection

Hemin immobilized reduced graphene(HGN) has been investigated to be an outstanding enzymatic catalysis in detection important molecular recently. In this work, two “clean” methods to prepare HGN through π-π stack were charactered by UV-vis spectra, TEM images, and δ-potential. The enzymatic catalysis of both materials was compared by catalytic hydrogen peroxide to oxidize pyrogallol. The colorimetric result shows HGN attached before reduction has stronger catalytic ability than the one after reduction. The optimized HGN was then used as an electrochemical biosensor to determine L-tyrosine levels. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests were carried out for the bare glass carbon electrode (GCE), and the optimized hemin-reduced graphene electrode (HGN1/GCE). The HGN1/GCE based biosensor exhibits a Tyrosine detection linear range from 5×10-7 M to 4×10-5 M with a detection limitation of 7.5×10-8 M at signal noise ratio (S/N) of 3. In comparison with other biosensor, electrochemical biosensors are easy-fabricated, easy-controlled, and cost-effective. Compared with other materials, the hemin-reduced graphene based biosensors demonstrate higher stability, a broader detection linear range, and better detection sensitivity. The study of oxidation scheme reveals that reduced graphene enhanced the electron transfer between electrode and hemin. Meanwhile, the hemin groups effectively electrocatalyzed the oxidation of tyrosine. This study contributes to a widespread clinical application of nanomaterial based biosensor devices with a broader detection linear range, improved stability, enhanced sensitivity, and reduced costs.
178 KINETIC PROPERTIES OF IMP DEHYDROGENASE PURIFIED FROM RAT HEPATOMA 3924A

IMP dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.205), the rate-limiting enzyme of de novo GTP biosynthesis, a promising target for cancer chemotherapy, was purified about 5,000-fold to homogeneity from rat transplantable hepatoma 3924A. Sephacryl S-400 gel filtration showed that the molecular weight of the native enzyme protein was about 245,000. SDS electrophoresis indicated that the molecular weight of the subunits was about 60,000. Thus, the enzyme has a tetrameric structure. The double reciprocal plotp for substrate dependence yielded Km values for IMP and NAD+ of 23 and 65 uM, respectively. Excess NAD+ caused substrate inhibition in the purified enzyme. The enzyme requires potassium ions; an apparent Km value for K+ was 7.8 mM. Product-inhibition studies showed that XMP was competitive with IMP (Ki = 136 uM) and noncompetitive with NAD+. NADH exerted uncompetitive inhibition with respect to IMP (Ki = 210 uM) and mixed type with NAD+ (Ki(slope) = 290 uM). This inhibitory pattern suggests an ordered Bi-Bi mechanism for the enzyme reaction in which IMP binds to the enzyme first, followed by NAD+. NADH dissociates from the ternary complex after rearrangement, and finally XMP is released. XMP interacts with the free enzyme and competes for the ligand site with IMP, while NADH binds to the enzyme XMP complex. (Supported by Outstanding Investigator Grant CA-42510 to G.W.)
Effect of varying dimensions on tapered end-notched flexure shear specimen

An effort is underway by the International Union of Testing and Research Laboratories for Materials and Structures (RILEM) Technical Committee 133, Fracture of Timber, to investigate options for a standardized test method to establish Mode II fracture mechanics properties in wood. In this study, varying size and thickness effects on the performance of the RILEM proposed tapered end-notched flexture (TENF) shear specimen were studied. Three sizes and thicknesses of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) specimens with a tangential-longitudinal orientation and density between 400 and 500 kg/m3 were tested. For the range of dimensions investigated, no evidence was found of a size or thickness effect on fracture energy.
Aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor as a predictor of macular thickening following cataract surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Purpose To study associations between serum and aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and macular edema measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT) following phacoemulsification in diabetic patients. Design Cohort study. Methods A pilot study of 36 consecutive diabetic patients undergoing planned phacoemulsification with IOL in 1 eye by one surgeon at the University of North Carolina consented to preoperative and postoperative OCT central subfield (CSF) thickness measurements and aqueous and blood samples for VEGF and IGF-1. Four patients with clinically significant macular edema (CSME) received laser preoperatively. Spearman-rank correlations were performed between growth factors and mean CSF or a clinically meaningful percent change in CSF (>11% of preoperative measurement) at 1 and 6 months postoperatively. Results There were no surgical complications or new cases of CSME following surgery. Mean aqueous VEGF in patients with retinopathy, determined preoperatively, increased with increasing level of severity. Patients with preoperative CSME also had severe or worse retinopathy and the greatest mean aqueous VEGF. Significant preoperative correlations existed between aqueous VEGF and more severe retinopathy whether CSME was present or absent ( r = 0.49; P = .007), and between aqueous VEGF and CSME ( r = 0.41; P = .029). At 1 month postoperative, aqueous VEGF was positively correlated with >11% change from preoperative CSF regardless of CSME status ( r = 0.47; P = .027). No noteworthy associations existed between CSF and IGF-1 values. Conclusions Aqueous VEGF was significantly positively associated with a clinically meaningful change in CSF in diabetic patients 1 month following cataract surgery. Accounting for preoperative CSF was important. Further study is indicated.
A "front Panel" Human Interface for FASTBUS

A human interface based on the Snoop diagnostic module has been designed to facilitate checkout of FASTBUS devices, diagnosis of system faults, and monitoring of system performance. This system, which is a generalization of the usual computer front panel or control console, includes logic analyzer functions, display and manual-control access to other modules, a microprocessor which allows the user to create and execute diagnostic programs and store them on a minifloppy disk, and a diagnostic network which allows remote console operation and coordination of information from Multiple segments' Snoops.
Changes in impedances of Ni/Cd cells with voltage and cycle life

Impedances of aerospace design Super Ni/Cd cells are being measured as functions of voltage and number of cycles. The cells have been cycled over 4400 cycles to date. Analysis of the impedance data has been made using a number of equivalent circuits. The model giving the best fit over the whole range of voltage has a parallel circuit of a kinetic resistance and a constant phase element in series with the ohmic resistance. The values for the circuit elements have been treated as empirical parameters, and no attempt has been made as yet to correlate them with physical and chemical changes in the electrode. No significant changes have been seen as yet with the exception of a decrease in kinetic resistance at low states of charge in the first 500 cycles.
Rotavirus Disease Burden and Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of a Rotavirus Vaccination Program in Kenya

Background. The projected impact and cost-effectiveness of rotavirus vaccination are important for supporting rotavirus vaccine introduction in Africa, where limited health intervention funds are available. Methods. Hospital records, health utilization surveys, verbal autopsy data, and surveillance data on diarrheal disease were used to determine rotavirus-specific rates of hospitalization, clinic visits, and deaths due to diarrhea among children <5 years of age in Nyanza Province, Kenya. Rates were extrapolated nationally with use of province-specific data on diarrheal illness. Direct medical costs were estimated using record review and World Health Organization estimates. Household costs were collected through parental interviews. The impact of vaccination on health burden and on the cost-effectiveness per disability-adjusted life-year and lives saved were calculated. Results. Annually in Kenya, rotavirus infection causes 19% of hospitalizations and 16% of clinic visits for diarrhea among children <5 years of age and causes 4471 deaths, 8781 hospitalizations, and 1,443,883 clinic visits. Nationally, rotavirus disease costs the health care system $10.8 million annually. Routine vaccination with a 2-dose rotavirus vaccination series would avert 2467 deaths (55%), 5724 hospitalizations (65%), and 852,589 clinic visits (59%) and would save 58 disability-adjusted life-years per 1000 children annually. At $3 per series, a program would cost $2.1 million in medical costs annually; the break-even price is $2.07 per series. Conclusions. A rotavirus vaccination program would reduce the substantial burden of rotavirus disease and the economic burden in Kenya.
Oceanic tidal angular momentum and Earth's rotation variations

Abstract Luni-solar tides affect Earth's rotation in a variety of ways. We give an overview of the physics and focus on the excitation of Earth rotational variations by ocean tides under the conservation of angular momentum. Various models for diurnal and semidiurnal tidal height and tidal current fields have been derived, following a legacy of a number of theoretical tide models, from the Topex/Poseidon (T/P) ocean altimetry data. We review the oceanic tidal angular momenta (OTAM) predicted by these T/P models for the eight major tides (Q1, O1, P1, K1, N2, M2, S2, K2), and their excitations on both Earth's rotational speed variation (in terms of length-of-day or UT1) and polar motion (prograde diurnal/semidiurnal components and retrograde semidiurnal components). These small, high-frequency effects have been unambiguously observed in recent years by precise Earth rotation measurements via space geodetic techniques. Here we review the comparison of the very-long-baseline-interferometry (VLBI) data with the T/P OTAM predictions. The agreement is good with discrepancies typically within 1 – 2 microseconds for UT1 and 10 – 30 microarcseconds for polar motion. The eight tides collectively explain the majority of subdaily Earth rotation variance during the intensive VLBI campaign Cont94. This establishes the dominant role of OTAM in exciting the diurnal/semidiurnal polar motion and paves the way for detailed studies of short-period non-OTAM excitations, such as atmospheric and oceanic angular momentum variations, earthquakes, the atmospheric thermal tides, Earth librations, and the response of the mantle lateral inhomogeneities to tidal forcing. These studies await further improvements in tide models and Earth rotation measurements.
A longitudinal analysis of the arrest-crime relationship: A further examination of the tipping effect

This study examines the contextual effect of arrest clearance rates, over time, on the arrest-crime relationship. The bivariate autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) analyses of monthly crime and arrest data for seven Pennsylvania cities for robbery, burglary, larceny, and auto theft suggest that the deterrent effect of arrests on crime is probably limited to smaller cities whose police department are able to clear an appreciable proportion of crimes over time, through arrests.
Practice Patterns in the Use of Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Agents in the Management of Crohn's Disease: A US National Practice Survey Comparing Experts and Non-experts

The US Food and Drug Administration currently approves three types of anti-tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNFα) therapy for treatment of moderate to severe Crohn’s disease. There are no guidelines to clarify which of the drugs may be better suited to individual clinical scenarios. We gathered national data on the prescribing pattern, comfort levels, and algorithms gastroenterologists use for management of their biologic-requiring Crohn’s disease patients. An internet survey was mailed to members of the American Gastroenterology Association. Responses were separated into “non-expert” and “expert” physician groups on the basis of whether a practice consisted of >50% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We compared experts with non-experts with regard to the use of the three anti-TNF agents, attitudes regarding their relative efficacy, and their experience with adverse events. Of 3,990 eligible gastroenterologists, 473 replied in full (11.9%). Sixty (12.6%) respondents met the criterion for IBD expert physician. Experts were comfortable using both immunomodulators and anti-TNFα therapy. Community physicians were equally comfortable prescribing 6-mercaptopurine, azathioprine, infliximab, and adalimumab, but less comfortable than experts with methotrexate (56 vs. 86%, P < 0.05) and certolizumab (68 vs. 89%, P < 0.05). Expert physicians were much more likely to have encountered adverse reactions to anti-TNFα therapy. Our results suggest that experts are more comfortable using a broader array of medical therapy than non-expert physicians. Although both groups had similar concerns regarding side-effects of anti-TNFα therapy, expert physicians were much more likely to have managed a broad range of complications in their patient population.
Role of MHC and antigens in T-cell development

The role of self-peptides in influencing the development of the T-cell repertoire has been the focus of recent studies. The findings suggest that the recognition of self-peptides bound to MHC proteins in the thymus is part of the thymic self-recognition process that results in selective maturation, or positive selection of T cells.
Catheter Ablation for the Treatment of Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia

Radiofrequency catheter ablation has evolved into a front-line curative therapy for patients who have paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia secondary to Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, and atrial tachycardia. In patients with accessory pathways, cure rates exceed 90% in almost all anatomic locations. Equally high success rates are noted in patients with atriofascicular pathways and the permanent form of junctional reciprocating tachycardia. Complications secondary to catheter ablation of accessory pathways occur in 1% to 3% of patients and include cardiac perforation, tamponade, AV block, and stroke. In patients with AV modal reentrant tachycardia, selective slow pathway ablation is curative in over 95% of patients with a very low risk of AV block. Atrial tachycardias originating in both the left and right atria can be successfully ablated in over 80% of patients. Given the overall effectiveness of this procedure, radiofrequency catheter ablation should be considered as front-line therapy in patients with recurrent or drug-refractory paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Although an effective therapy, the risks and benefits of this procedure need to be assessed in all patients who are candidates for this procedure.
Synthesis and trafficking of prion proteins in cultured cells.

Scrapie prions are composed largely, if not entirely, of the scrapie prion protein (PrPSc) that is encoded by a chromosomal gene. Scrapie-infected mouse neuroblastoma (ScN2a) and hamster brain (ScH...
Scripting a radically-distributed world

The built world increasingly comprises objects with at least some information-processing capability, and these objects are rapidly acquiring the ability to intercommunicate. The problem of how to orchestrate huge numbers of independently designed devices into coherent environments is becoming acute. A pure dataflow programming paradigm is a natural choice for addressing this challenge. We present an information centric, recursive, hybrid visual programming environment that addresses many of the usability problems that have plagued previous attempts at large-scale visual dataflow programming environments.
Stick–slip dynamics of coherent twin boundaries in copper

Abstract The migration kinetics of coherent twin boundaries (CTBs) and the underlying atomistic mechanisms are determined through molecular dynamics (MD) computer simulations. Details of motion dynamics and associated effective migration of CTBs are examined for nanotwinned copper crystals under externally applied shear loading. The present study reveals that the magnitude and direction of the resulting CTB migration velocity is dependent on the shear-loading orientation. It is found that 〈 1 1 2 〉 -type shearing on {1 1 1} twin boundaries maximizes their transverse migration velocity. Shearing at directions which remain parallel the TB plane but are inclined to the 〈 1 1 2 〉 -direction results in a smaller degree of coupling, and finally to twin boundary sliding alone when the shear direction is along 〈 1 1 0 〉 . It is found that the dynamics of CTB motion can be described as a two-step “stick–slip” process. Analysis of atomic configurations indicates that the “stick” phase of the dynamics is associated with accumulated strain in the crystal, and that such strain is suddenly released by the nucleation of 1/6 [1 1 2]-type twinning partial dislocations. In atomic layers adjacent to the twin boundary, coordinated shuffling of atoms is found to take place immediately before dislocation nucleation. The “slip” phase of the dynamics is shown to be controlled by fast propagation of nucleated twinning partial dislocations and their spreading along the twin boundary.
Laryngitis and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD): improve laryngoscopic specificity, don't do pH monitoring.

The diagnosis of reflux laryngitis has become more common over the last few years [1]. It is estimated that 4–10% of patients presenting to ear, nose and throat (ENT) physicians do so because of complaints related to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The diagnosis of GERD-related laryngitis is often established after laryngoscopy in patients with laryngeal symptoms such as hoarseness, sore throat, chronic cough, dysphagia and globus. What should a gastroenterologist or an ENT physician do after laryngosocopic findings support suspicion for GERD? The choices are empirical therapy or further diagnostic testing in order to improve confidence in GERD diagnosis. Tools such as oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and ambulatory oesophageal pH monitoring have proven utility in diagnosing GERD in patients with typical symptoms of GERD such as heartburn and regurgitation. However, the clinical utility of these tests in establishing a causal association between GERD and laryngeal signs and symptoms is less well established. Although EGD finds oesophagitis and/or Barrett’s oesophagus in about 50% of the patients with heartburn and regurgitation, it is abnormal in only about 10–20% of those with laryngeal symptoms and signs. Therefore, the majority of patients with suspected GERD-related laryngeal symptoms have normal EGD findings. Furthermore, the presence of oesophagitis in patients with laryngitis does not guarantee response to acid suppression therapy. This is because laryngeal signs and symptoms of the patients may be from a cause other than GERD. Therefore, as EGD would not improve the specificity of the diagnosis of GERD in a patient with laryngeal symptoms and laryngoscopic abnormalities, it would be an expensive supplementary diagnostic test in such patients.
Isolation and expression of an Arabidopsis 14-3-3 like protein gene

We have isolated an Arabidopsis gene, AFT1, which encodes a 14-3-3-like protein (AFT1). The wide distribution of the 14-3-3 protein family in eukaryotes and the high steady-state mRNA levels of the AFT1 gene in most tissues throughout Arabidopsis growth and development suggest that AFT1 plays an important role(s) in Arabidopsis. DNA blot analysis indicates that AFT1 is a single copy gene, therefore AFT1 should be a good target for studies involving antisense or sense RNA technologies as a means to determine AFT1's function in vivo.
Hindbrain medulla catecholamine cell group involvement in lactate-sensitive hypoglycemia-associated patterns of hypothalamic norepinephrine and epinephrine activity

Cell-type compartmentation of glucose metabolism in the brain involves trafficking of the oxidizable glycolytic end product, l-lactate, by astrocytes to fuel neuronal mitochondrial aerobic respiration. Lactate availability within the hindbrain medulla is a monitored function that regulates systemic glucostasis as insulin-induced hypoglycemia (IIH) is exacerbated by lactate repletion of that brain region. A2 noradrenergic neurons are a plausible source of lactoprivic input to the neural gluco-regulatory circuit as caudal fourth ventricular (CV4) lactate infusion normalizes IIH-associated activation, e.g. phosphorylation of the high-sensitivity energy sensor, adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), in these cells. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that A2 neurons are unique among medullary catecholamine cells in directly screening lactate-derived energy. Adult male rats were injected with insulin or vehicle following initiation of continuous l-lactate infusion into the CV4. Two hours after injections, A1, C1, A2, and C2 neurons were collected by laser-microdissection for Western blot analysis of AMPKα1/2 and phosphoAMPKα1/2 proteins. Results show that AMPK is expressed in each cell group, but only a subset, e.g. A1, C1, and A2 neurons, exhibit increased sensor activity in response to IIH. Moreover, hindbrain lactate repletion reversed hypoglycemic augmentation of pAMPKα1/2 content in A2 and C1 but not A1 cells, and normalized hypothalamic norepinephrine and epinephrine content in a site-specific manner. The present evidence for discriminative reactivity of AMPK-expressing medullary catecholamine neurons to the screened energy substrate lactate implies that that lactoprivation is selectively signaled to the hypothalamus by A2 noradrenergic and C1 adrenergic cells.
Neopeltolide, a macrolide from a lithistid sponge of the family Neopeltidae.

A new marine-derived macrolide designated as neopeltolide (1) has been isolated from a deep-water sponge of the family Neopeltidae. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation. Neopeltolide (1) is a potent inhibitor of the in vitro proliferation of the A-549 human lung adenocarcinoma, the NCI-ADR-RES human ovarian sarcoma, and the P388 murine leukemia cell lines, with IC50's of 1.2, 5.1, and 0.56 nM, respectively. Neopeltolide (1) also inhibited the growth of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.62 μg/mL.
Genetic and Phenotypic Aspects of Health Traits by Lactation

Abstract Heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations among predicted costs and incidences of health traits were calculated by lactation. Health traits were categorized total, mammary, reproductive, locomotive, and other. Dairy Herd Improvement data from 62,112 records on progeny by 323 sires were analyzed. Costs and incidences for health traits were estimated for each lactation record from information on postpartum length, milk yield, lactation number, termination status, calving age, and days dry. Most heritabilities were less than .10 in the first three lactations. Heritabilities of mammary cost and incidence declined with lactation number. Heritabilities of other health costs and incidences increased with lactation. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between cost and incidence wthin category were high. Genetic correlations between total health cost and total health incidence were greater than .90 in all lactations. The low heritabilities and high correlations imply that accurate sire evaluation for health traits would require large numbers of progeny per sire with information on either health cost or health incidence.
Benefits of Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis in Solid Organ Transplantation

The benefits of cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis in preventing the direct effects ofCMV infection and disease are well established; however, the impact of exposure to antiviral agents on preventing the indirect effects of CMV infection are poorly defined. This article reviews the results of current studies demonstrating the benefits of CMV prophylaxis in reducing the risks of indirect effects of CMV infection: acute and chronic allograft rejection, graft failure, patient mortality, cardiac complications and atherosclerosis, and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder, in solid organ transplant recipients.
Comparison of findings on stress myocardial perfusion imaging in men with versus without erectile dysfunction and without prior heart disease.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been associated with a future risk of myocardial infarction, yet the findings on stress testing in men with ED and without previous coronary artery disease are unknown. Stress myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomographic imaging (MPI) allows detection of coronary artery disease and predicts cardiovascular prognosis. Our goal was to determine the association between ED and findings at stress MPI testing in men without previous coronary artery disease. Five hundred seventy-five men without previous coronary artery disease referred for stress MPI were prospectively screened for ED with the validated International Index of Erectile Function. ED was present in 46% of subjects, and ED was associated with more mild (summed stress score ≥4) and severe (summed stress score >8) coronary artery disease and with more composite high-risk stress MPI findings (summed stress score >8, left ventricular ejection fraction 8, and composite high-risk MPI findings. In conclusion, in men without known coronary artery disease referred for stress MPI testing, ED is associated with adverse prognostic indicators at MPI testing including coronary artery disease and high-risk MPI findings.
A fault tolerant design for autonomous attitude control of the DSCS-III communication satellite

The first of a new series of satellites, which will provide the principal elements in the Defense Space Communications System (DSCS), was launched on Oct. 31, 1982. This satellite, DSCS-III, is part of a system which will consist of super-high frequency communications satellites in synchronous, equatorial orbits, continuously operating in four widely separate geographic regions. The DSCS-III is designed both to maintain critical communications in the presence of an electronic jamming threat and to survive nuclear radiation exposure. The results of the present investigation are to provide a basis for the design of a spacecraft tolerant of on-board failures, survivable against external threats, and capable of performing its mission autonomously for periods as long as six months.
Plantar verrucous carcinoma (epithelioma cuniculatum): Case report with review of the literature

Verrucous carcinoma is a rare highly keratinizing variant of squamous cell carcinoma that is a slow-growing, locally aggressive, and rarely metastasizing tumor. It may involve various body sites including oral, genital, and plantar areas. The tumor has a characteristic gross appearance with multiple sinuses opening on the surface and may present a difficult diagnostic problem. Multiple biopsies and close clinical correlation are frequently required before a definite diagnosis is possible. The differential diagnosis is especially difficult if only fragments or superficial portions of the lesion are submitted for histological evaluation. Reviewing surgical material from our institution from 1976 to 1983, we located four cases of verrucous carcinoma of the foot. These four cases were diagnosed on the bases of clinical, gross, and microscopic appearances. One of the cases had bilateral lesions. One of the cases is described with review of the literature.
EXP3174, the AII antagonist human metabolite of losartan, but not losartan nor the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril, prevents the development of lethal ischemic ventricular arrhythmias in a canine model of recent myocardial infarction.

Abstract OBJECTIVES The antiarrhythmic efficacies of the competitive angiotensin II (AII) antagonist losartan, losartan’s more potent noncompetitive AII antagonist human metabolite EXP3174 and the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril were assessed in a canine model of recent myocardial infarction. BACKGROUND Multiple hemodynamic and electrophysiologic effects of AII may contribute to cardiac electrical instability. In the recent Losartan Heart Failure Study, Evaluation of Losartan in the Elderly (ELITE), a 722-patient trial primarily designed to assess effects on renal function, an unexpected survival benefit was observed with losartan compared with captopril, with the lower mortality using losartan primarily confined to a reduction in sudden cardiac death. METHODS Intravenous losartan (1 mg/kg + 0.03 mg/kg/min), EXP3174 (0.1 mg/kg + 0.01 mg/kg/min), captopril (1 mg/kg + 0.5 mg/kg/h) or vehicle were infused in anesthetized dogs with recent (8.1 ± 0.4 days) anterior myocardial infarction. Electrolytic injury of the left circumflex coronary artery to induce thrombotic occlusion and posterolateral ischemia was initiated 1 h after the start of treatment. RESULTS Losartan, EXP3174 and captopril elevated plasma renin activities and comparably and significantly reduced mean arterial pressure. No significant electrocardiographic or cardiac electrophysiologic effects were noted with any treatment. Incidences of acute posterolateral ischemia-induced lethal arrhythmias were: vehicle, 7/9 (77%); losartan, 6/8 (75%); EXP3174, 2/8 (25%; p CONCLUSIONS EXP3174, but not losartan nor captopril, reduced the incidence of lethal ischemic ventricular arrhythmia in this preparation. The antiarrhythmic efficacy of EXP3174 may be due to an attenuation of deleterious effects of local cardiac AII formed during acute myocardial ischemia or, alternatively, a non-AII-related activity specific to EXP3174. These findings suggest that in humans, metabolic conversion of losartan to EXP3174 may afford antiarrhythmic protection.
Control of Infections in Schools

School staff members, public health officials, and parents often look to pediatricians to provide recommendations for dealing with exposure in school to a variety of infectious diseases (Table 1). It is extremely important to provide accurate, consistent, and sufficient information to allow parents to make individual decisions regarding their children without unnecessary fear. Schools should take appropriate precautions to assure that students are not put at unnecessary risk of serious infection, but they also have a responsibility to protect the privacy of any children whose infection poses little or no risk to their classmates. In considering appropriate recommendations for exposures to specific infections in schools, it is important to review the available information about the mechanism(s) by which the infection is spread from person to person as well as the likelihood of spread. It also is important to recognize the extent to which contacts would be expected to be immune, either by virtue of previous infection or through immunization. The availability of methods for prevention of infection in susceptible contacts (passive or active immunization, antimicrobial therapy) should be reviewed, and recommendations for implementation made based on the risk of infection and the severity of the disease. Varicella Exposure Varicella generally is a mild illness of childhood; 90% of cases occur in children 14 years of age or younger, and most cases in the United States occur in children between the ages of 5 and 10 years (Table 2).
Tetany in newborn twins coincident withmaternal toxemia

Summary 1. Hypocalcemic tetany in binovular twins of a mother with toxemia ofpregnancy is reported. 2. Evidence is presented, including a review of other hospital cases, fora possible etiologic relationship between maternal toxemia of pregnancy and tetany of the newborn infant.
Transfer and reoxidation of reducing equivalents as the rate-limiting steps in the oxidation of ethanol by liver cells isolated from fed and fasted rats.

Abstract A study was made of factors regulating the oxidation of ethanol in liver cells isolated from fed and fasted rats. The rate of ethanol oxidation was greater in liver cells from fed rats than from fasted rats. Inhibitors of the malate-aspartate shuttle decreased the rate of ethanol oxidation, suggesting that this shuttle contributes to the reoxidation of cytosolic NADH produced during the oxidation of ethanol. The greater inhibition of ethanol oxidation by antimycin than by rotenone suggests that the α-glycerophosphate shuttle also plays an important role in transporting reducing equivalents. The components of the malate-aspartate and α-glycerophosphate shuttles stimulated ethanol oxidation to a greater extent in liver cells from fasted rats than those from fed rats, suggesting that in the fasted state, ethanol oxidation is regulated by the intracellular concentrations of substrate shuttle components which transfer reducing equivalents into the mitochondria. Therefore, uncoupling agents, which stimulate oxygen consumption, do not stimulate ethanol oxidation, and concentrations of antimycin which depress oxygen uptake are much less effective in decreasing ethanol oxidation. By contrast, in liver cells from fed rats, the rate of ethanol oxidation was increased by uncoupling agents. Such stimulation was not observed when cells were prepared in the absence of albumin, probably due to leakage of shuttle substrates which leads to abnormally low intracellular levels. Indeed, when the shuttle substrates were added back to these preparations, uncouplers were effective in stimulating the rate of ethanol oxidation beyond the stimulation produced by the shuttle substrates alone. Thus, under conditions of sufficient intracellular levels of the intermediates of the substrate shuttles, ethanol oxidation is regulated by the capacity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain to reoxidize reducing equivalents generated by the alcohol dehydrogenase reaction.
Simulating three-dimensional flow in compression resin transfer molding process

Compression Resin Transfer Molding (CRTM) is a novel variation of traditional Resin Transfer Molding (RTM). It combines features of RTM, with those of traditional compression molding. The resin is ...
Colorimetric method for phosphorus measurement in ammonium oxalate soil extracts

Abstract Ammonium oxalate extractable phosphorus represents a potentially useful measure of the P associated with the amorphous iron and aluminum oxides in soils. However, because oxalate complexes molybdate, the colorimetric determination of phosphorus in ammonium oxalate extracts by the traditional molybdenum‐blue procedure is not possible. In this study, a method was developed whereby excessive molybdate was added to the extracts to complex the oxalate and eliminate the interference of oxalate with the formation of the phospho‐moblydate complexes necessary for color development. The method development and recommended procedure for colorimetrically measuring phosphorus in ammonium oxalate soil extracts are described.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of coumarin anticoagulants. X. Relationship between distribution, elimination, and anticoagulant action of warfarin.

The biological half-life of warfarin in a group of male Sprague–Dawley rats varied from 5 to 28 hr, and the apparent volume of distribution varied from 102 to 320 ml/kg body weight. There was a strong and statistically highly significant positive correlation between the eli mination rate constant and the apparent volume of distribution of warfarin in individual rats. There was no relationship between the eli mination rate constant for warfarin and either the normal (prewarfarin) prothrombin complex activity or the rate constant for decline of this activity when the synthesis of vita min K-dependent clotting factors was blocked. The concentration of warfarin in plasma at which the synthesis rate of prothrombin complex activity was inhibited by 50% varied from 0.05 to 1.37 μg/ml and showed a strong and highly statistically significant positive correlation with the biological half-life of warfarin in individual animals. These results demonstrate a pronounced association among the apparent volume of distribution, the eli mination rate constant, and the plasma concentration-anticoagulant effect relationship for warfarin which may have to be considered in the design of clinical dosage regimens.
Improvement of Ta filament for diamond CVD

In this study, Ta wires 0.5 mm in diameter were carburized for 10-200 min at 2500°C in H 2 -0.5-3% CH 4 , 30 Torr, during which time the electric resistance and elongation of the filament were measured. After carburization, bending tests and S.E.M. observations were performed. Carburization proceeds in the sequence of Ta, Ta 2 C and TaC, forming concentric circular carbide layers in cross-section. Filament bending strength initially decreases to minima of 2-20 kgf/mm 2 at about 20-60 min. However, it recovers up to 30-60 kgf/mm 2 with further carburization. Filament embrittlement can thus be overcome through full carburization. Carburization time at the minimum strength, t b , roughly corresponds to the time at which the Ta 2 C layer disappears from the filament cross-section. Complete carburization results in filament expansion of about 5-8%. Electric resistance initially increases to a maximum at about 10-20 min, 2-3 times of which is roughly equal to t b .
The genome sequences of Cellulomonas fimi and "Cellvibrio gilvus" reveal the cellulolytic strategies of two facultative anaerobes, transfer of "Cellvibrio gilvus" to the genus Cellulomonas, and proposal of Cellulomonas gilvus sp. nov.

Actinobacteria in the genus Cellulomonas are the only known and reported cellulolytic facultative anaerobes. To better understand the cellulolytic strategy employed by these bacteria, we sequenced the genome of the Cellulomonas fimi ATCC 484T. For comparative purposes, we also sequenced the genome of the aerobic cellulolytic “Cellvibrio gilvus” ATCC 13127T. An initial analysis of these genomes using phylogenetic and whole-genome comparison revealed that “Cellvibrio gilvus” belongs to the genus Cellulomonas. We thus propose to assign “Cellvibrio gilvus” to the genus Cellulomonas. A comparative genomics analysis between these two Cellulomonas genome sequences and the recently completed genome for Cellulomonas flavigena ATCC 482T showed that these cellulomonads do not encode cellulosomes but appear to degrade cellulose by secreting multi-domain glycoside hydrolases. Despite the minimal number of carbohydrate-active enzymes encoded by these genomes, as compared to other known cellulolytic organisms, these bacteria were found to be proficient at degrading and utilizing a diverse set of carbohydrates, including crystalline cellulose. Moreover, they also encode for proteins required for the fermentation of hexose and xylose sugars into products such as ethanol. Finally, we found relatively few significant differences between the predicted carbohydrate-active enzymes encoded by these Cellulomonas genomes, in contrast to previous studies reporting differences in physiological approaches for carbohydrate degradation. Our sequencing and analysis of these genomes sheds light onto the mechanism through which these facultative anaerobes degrade cellulose, suggesting that the sequenced cellulomonads use secreted, multidomain enzymes to degrade cellulose in a way that is distinct from known anaerobic cellulolytic strategies.
HYDROLYSIS PROPERTIES OF URANIUM MONOCARBIDE AND DICARBIDE

The hydrolysis of commercial UC and UC/sub 2/ prepared by arc melting uranium metal and spectro grade graphite was investigated. A quantitative mass spectrographic study of the room temperature gaseous hydrolysis products showed UC to produce mainly methane and UC/sub 2/ to produce mainly ethane and other alkanes. The UC gaseous hydrolysis products are very similar to those produced by ThC and PuC. The UCi products are similar to those produced by ThC/sub 2/ in that both consist of about two-thirds even-numbered carbon atom hydrocarbons, about three-tenths hydrogen plus methane, and a small fraction of catenated odd- numbered carbon atom hydrocarbons. (auth)