cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased abundance of alternatively spliced forms of D2 dopamine receptor mRNA after denervation.

Abstract The existence of two molecular forms of D2 dopamine receptors suggests that differences in the distribution or regulation of the two forms could be exploited for the pharmacological treatment of disease. Using probes selective for each alternatively spliced variant of D2 receptor mRNA, we determined that both variants were widely distributed in rat brain and pituitary but that the ratio of the forms varied among regions. mRNA for the 444-amino acid-long variant, D2(444), was the most abundant form in pituitary and neostriatum. Intermediate levels of both D2(444) mRNA and the short form, D2(415), were detected in midbrain, and low levels of D2(444) and D2(415) mRNAs were detected in all other regions examined, including hippocampus, cerebellum, and cortex. The D2(444)/D2(415) ratio was generally lower in the regions of low expression than in pituitary and neostriatum. Dopamine-depleting lesions increased the density of D2 receptors in the denervated neostriatum by 29% without altering the affinity of the receptors for [3H]spiperone. The proliferation of receptors appeared to be due to a lesion-induced increase of up to 120% in the abundance of both variants of mRNA in the neostriatum.
MicroRNAs in neural cell development and brain diseases

MicroRNAs play important roles in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by inhibiting protein translation and/or promoting mRNA degradation. Importantly, biogenesis of microRNAs displays specific temporal and spatial profiles in distinct cell and tissue types and hence affects a broad spectrum of biological functions in normal cell growth and tumor development. Recent discoveries have revealed sophisticated mechanisms that control microRNA production and homeostasis in response to developmental and extracellular signals. Moreover, a link between dysregulation of microRNAs and human brain disorders has become increasingly evident. In this review, we focus on recent advances in understanding the regulation of microRNA biogenesis and function in neuronal and glial development in the mammalian brain, and dysregulation of the microRNA pathway in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
Identifying Key Technology Areas to Fundamentally Reduce Risk in Engine Performance and Noise for Future Commercial Applications

There have been many studies in the past which have evaluated the potential fuel savings benefits of various engine technologies applied simultaneously to a gas turbine engine. Coupled with the inclusion of new engine technology is almost always a change to the engine cycle design in order to maximize the full benefits of the technology. Current research focuses on the trends in benefits due to potential technologies and cycle design changes and identifies which specific technology areas can be targeted to reduce risk relative to meeting performance goals. The results are used to identify high priority technologies that increase the chances of meeting performance metrics. Such investigations can add value to government and industry entities that are engaging in aviation technology development programs attempting to simultaneously meet reduction goals for noise and fuel burn.Jet and fan noise are primary sources of noise on current engine architectures. Noise suppression technologies can be applied to current engine designs to suppress sources of noise thereby reducing the noise impact of the engine. Similarly, the engine cycle can be changed to reduce noise and fuel burn. The critical link is that feasible engine cycles are tightly coupled to the subsystem technologies applied to various engine components. This leads to two critical questions. First, what part of the engine cycle is key to simultaneously meeting noise and fuel burn goals? This inevitably leads to one of three areas, the propulsor (BPR), the core (OPR), or the transmission mechanism between the core and propulsor. The other question is: which subsystem technologies are crucial to achieve the necessary core, propulsor, or power transmission improvements?To answer these questions, this study examines and quantifies the potential benefits in technologies developed for both noise source reduction and thermal / propulsive efficiency increases. Trade studies on the potential impacts of each of the technologies are performed to capture the sensitivity on fuel burn and noise from changes to assumed benefits of the engine cycle and applied subsystem technologies. It will be demonstrated that a geared transmission is the primary enabler to simultaneously meeting performance goals. Should the geared transmission fall short, other areas of improvement simply cannot overcome the shortfall in fuel burn and noise.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Population-based metrics for the timing of HIV diagnosis, engagement in HIV care, and virologic suppression.

Objective To compare population-based metrics for assessing progress toward the US National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) goals. Design Analysis of surveillance data from persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in King County, Washington, USA, 2005-2009. Methods We examined indicators of the timing of HIV diagnosis [intertest interval, CD4 cell count at diagnosis, and AIDS ≤ 1 year of diagnosis (late diagnosis)]; linkage to initial care (CD4 or viral load report ≤3 months after diagnosis) and sustained care (a laboratory report 3-9 months after linkage); engagement in continuous care in 2009 (at least two laboratory reports ≥3 months apart); and virologic suppression. Results Thirty-two percent of persons had late HIV diagnoses, 31% of whom reported testing HIV negative in the 2 years preceding their HIV diagnoses. Linkage to sustained care, but not linkage to initial care, was significantly associated with subsequent virologic suppression. Among 6070 PLWHA in King County, 65% of those with at least one viral load reported in 2009 and 53% of all PLWHA had virologic suppression. Although only 66% of all PLWHA were engaged in continuous care, 81% were defined as engaged using the denominator proposed in the NHAS (at least one laboratory result reported in 2009 excluding persons establishing care in the second half of the year). Conclusions Proposed metrics for monitoring the HIV care continuum may not accurately measure late diagnoses or linkage to sustained care and are sensitive to assumptions about the size of the population of PLWHA. Monitoring progress toward achievement of NHAS goals will require improvements in HIV surveillance data and refinement of care metrics.
Failure To Fully Disclose During Pretransplant Psychological Evaluation in Alcoholic Liver Disease: A Driving Under the Influence Corroboration Study

The prevention of recidivism in alcoholic liver disease is one of the aims of pretransplant psychological evaluation (PE). Failure to fully disclose the extent of alcohol use is evidence of ongoing alcoholism. Driving under the influence (DUI) represents objective evidence of alcohol abuse, but verifying DUIs through official records is not standard during PE. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was failure to fully disclose alcohol abuse on the part of patients on the basis of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) DUI rate. Demographics, alcohol abuse/abstinence history, and DUIs admitted by the patient on PE were collected for 82 alcoholic patients with cirrhosis. The DOT was queried for DUIs before PE for all patients. Discrepancies between PE and DOT DUI numbers were evaluated and re-presented to the psychologist without identifiers. Psychosocial recommendation was then evaluated in light of DOT/PE DUI discrepancies. Six patients did not drive. The remaining 76 had 29 ± 8 years of alcohol abuse and reported sobriety for 55 ± 64 months before PE. Eighteen DUIs that were not originally admitted were discovered; 63% of DUIs occurred in the period during which patients claimed to be sober. Two patients had been rejected for transplant for other causes. Re-presenting the case to the psychologist with the new knowledge of DUIs would have prevented transplant clearance for the remaining 16 (21%, P = 0.000005 versus prior PE). In conclusion, official DUI records in prospective transplant candidates may identify patients who do not fully disclose the extent of their alcohol abuse and may be at risk for adverse outcomes. Liver Transpl 14:1632–1636, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
Dynamic disturbance minimization control for discrete non-linear stochastic systems

A dynamic feedback control scheme is proposed to reduce the effect of process and measurement disturbances of known wave-form for a class of discrete non-linear stochastic systems. A Lyapunovbased non-linear filter developed previously by the authors is utilized for the estimation of the disturbance state and combined with a least-squares-type control action in a certainty equivalence manner for disturbance reduction. In order to illustrate the performance of the proposed dynamic disturbance rejection technique, three examples which address some important cases are provided.
Effects of incubation temperatures on sexual differentiation in the turtle, Chelydra serpentina.

Eggs of the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, were incubated at constant temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C, At hatching, the oviducts were absent or incomplete in males; the testes were differentiated. In females at hatching, the oviduct was intact hut in some cases the gonad retained bisexual characteristics. Three months after hatching, the ovary was differentiated and contained follicles. Eggs incubated at 20°C and at 30°C developed into females in 100% of the cases. At 26°C, 99% of the individuals were males; at 24°C, 100% were males. More males than females developed at incubation temperatures of 22°C and 28°C.
Detection of Tellurium in Presence of Extra Arsenic on Gold Electrodes Modified By Benzenedithiol Self-Assembled Monolayers

Electrochemical detection of tellurium is interfered with arsenic due to their similar redox potentials. Gold electrodes modified by benzenedithiols (BDT) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were explored to determine Te(IV) in the presence of extra As(III) in this work. SAMs of benzenedithiols on the gold surface allows for selective extraction of Te (IV) over As(III), while blocking the redox of As(III). It provides potential applications to tellurium toxicity analysis, biological membrane study and identification of geochemistry samples.
Effects of a membrane sugar analogue, 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-d-galactose, on the L1210 leukemic cell ectosialyltransferase system

Abstract In L1210 leukemia cells, 6-deoxy-6-fluoro- d -galactose specifically inhibited the incorporation of [ 3 H]- d -galactose, while that of other precursors of glycoconjugate biosynthesis, including mannose and glucosamine, was unaffected. The activation of [6- 3 H]-6-deoxy-6-fluoro- d -galactose to a nucleotide sugar was similar to that found for [ 3 H]- d -galactose. The incorporation of either sugar after 1 hr was visualized by electron microscopic autoradiography to be in the Golgi region. Treatment of L1210 cells with 6-deoxy-6-fluoro- d -galactose in vitro or in vivo resulted in a specific, dose- and time-dependent decrease in the activity of cell surface sialyltransferase (ectosialyltransferase) but not of 5′-nucleotidase, a plasma membrane marker enzyme. The decrease in ectosialyltransferase activity appeared to be selective and is suggested to be due to structural modification of the cell surface galactoprotein acceptors for this enzyme. The data indicate that 6-deoxy-6-fluoro- d -galactose is an effective modifier of cellular glycoconjugate in that its incorporation into certain cell surface components results in a modification of plasma membrane structure and function.
Optimum Strategies for Minimum Time Frequency Transitions in Phase-Locked Loops

Pontryagin's maximum principle is applied to minimize the time for a phase-locked loop to lock to a step change in frequency. In particular, a Type II phase-locked loop is considered in detail. Phase control and frequency control of the input signal are analyzed with the nonlinearity of the phase detector taken into consideration. It is shown that application of Pontryagin's maximum principle offers a decided advantage in shortening this time by proper control.
Detection of kissing bonds by Lamb waves

Abstract Closed cracks under compressive normal stresses are difficult to detect by the conventional ultrasonic techniques. When the crack surfaces stay in very close contact with each other then the bond between the two surfaces of the crack is called a ‘kissing bond’. This is a very dangerous bond. Catastrophic failures can result if the system is subjected to crack opening normal stresses or shear stresses. When the crack surfaces are smooth then kissing bonds cannot transmit shear stress very well but can carry compressive normal stress, these bonds are called ‘slip bonds’. Conventional P-wave scans (C-scan or A-scan) are based on the assumptions that P-waves are reflected by the defective interface. However, an interface subjected to a large compressive stress cannot reflect P-waves effectively, hence these bonds remain invisible to the conventional P-wave based C-scan or A-scan techniques. In this paper it is shown that the kissing bonds can be effectively detected by some leaky Lamb mode. Theoretical and experimental results are presented to show that using the Lamb waves is an effective way of detecting kissing bonds.
Coccidioidomycosis during human immunodeficiency virus infection: results of a prospective study in a coccidioidal endemic area

Abstract purpose: To determine the incidence of active coccidioidomycosis among subjects infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) living in an area endemic for coccidioidomycosis and to identify factors associated with the development of active coccidioidomycosis in these patients. patients and methods: This was a prospective cohort analysis of HIV-infected subjects living in an area endemic for coccidioidomycosis in Arizona. On entry and at approximately 4-month intervals, subjects were interviewed and examined, and had spherulin skin testing and CD4 lymphocyte counts performed along with other tests. During each interval, it was determined whether the subject had developed active coccidioidomycosis according to established criteria. results: One hundred seventy subjects entered the study. Median follow-up was 11.3 months (range: 0 to 44 months). Thirteen subjects developed active coccidioidomycosis, with an estimated cumulative incidence of 24.6% by 41 months (95% confidence limits 8.2% and 41.1%). Risk factors associated with the development of active coccidioidomycosis in the cohort were a CD4 lymphocyte count of less than 0.250 × 10 9 /L and a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Factors associated with prior coccidioidal infection, including a positive spherulin skin test, length of residence in the endemic area for more than 26 months, and a prior history of coccidioidomycosis, were not associated with the development of active infection. conclusion: Active coccidioidomycosis among individuals infected with HIV is common in the coccidioidal endemic area. Immunodeficiency appears to be the major risk factor for the development of disease. Evidence of prior coccidioidomycosis, including a positive spherulin skin test, does not appear to predict the development of active infection.
Depression, cognitive skill, and metacognitive skill in problem solving

Abstract Two experiments investigated the relationship between four factors: depression; two types of metacognitive skill; and cognitive skill. Experiment 1 manipulated depression in 40 college students with a Velten procedure to examine its effects on three skills: the ability to accurately answer certain types of math problems (cognitive skill); the ability to accurately predict one's ability to answer the problems (metacognitive knowledge about cognition); and the ability to accurately rate one's performance after attempting to answer the problems (metacognitive monitoring of cognitive performance). Experiment 2 measured these skills in 48 college students with severe, mild, and no depression. As predicted, the results of both studies indicated that depressed subjects were less skilful than nondepressed subjects on both types of metacognitive abilities. Metacognitive skills were not correlated with cognitive skill, supporting the unique nature of metacognitive skills. In addition, level of depression a...
Information Extraction From Multi-Modality Medical Imaging

Two information. extraction methods were applied to selected diagnostic medical images obtained from different imaging. modalities. Sample images consisted of magnetic resonance tomograms, transmission computed tomograms, and emission computed tomograms of patients with focal and generalized brain abnormalities. Color composite analysis applied to image pairs afforded a limited but potentially useful approach to enable rapid, objective. depiction of relative and absolute contribu-tions from dualmodality parameters. Cluster analysis applied to image pairs or triplets was computationally more demanding, but this approach afforded a method for objective classification of tissues that could be generalized. Technical problems arise from patient factors and machine factors. Patient factors include motion and positioning. Machine factors include resolution, orientation, format, registration and scaling.© (1988) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Programmed Cell Instrument for Digital Raman Difference Spectroscopy

An instrument for digital Raman difference spectroscopy which uses a programmed sample carrier for automated alternate positioning of reference and sample cells in the laser beam is described. Conventional single photon counting equipment is employed with its attendant advantages over dc analog methods. Signal processing is done with a digital computer. There are relatively few limitations on the types of sample cells which may be used. Applications to studies of dilute aqueous solutions of biological molecules, particularly, are discussed.
Appreciation uniquely predicts life satisfaction above demographics, the Big 5 personality factors, and gratitude

Abstract This research was the first to examine whether appreciation explains variance in life satisfaction after controlling for gender, age, ethnicity, the Big 5 personality factors, and gratitude. Participants ( N = 243) completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale, Big 5 Inventory, GQ-6 gratitude measure, and Appreciation Scale, including subscales measuring “have” focus, awe, ritual, present moment, self/social comparison, gratitude, loss/adversity, and interpersonal appreciation. Appreciation made a significant unique contribution (11% of the variance, p
Growth and inhibition of metamorphosis in the newt Taricha torosa by mammalian hypophysial and placental hormones.

Three experiments were undertaken with late larval California newts, Taricha torosa, to determine the effects of pituitary prolactin (PL) and growth hormone (STH) and human placental lactogen (HPL) on growth and metamorphosis in this urodele amphibian. Mammalian PL and STH had distinctive actions in the larva before metamorphosis: STH promoted growth (body weight gain and trunk and tail elongation), whereas PL was ineffective in this regard. However, PL, in contrast to STH, was highly effective in blocking metamorphosis. PL-treated newts, even in the presence of thyroxine, were able to continue normal larval growth. HPL exhibited an action that was similar to that of pituitary PL in that it also inhibited metamorphosis and allowed larval growth to continue.
Planar orientations with low out-degree and compaction of adjacency matrices

Abstract We consider the problem of orienting the edges of a planar graph in such a way that the out-degree of each vertex is minimized. If, for each vertex v, the out-degree is at most d, then we say that such an orientation is d-bounded. We prove the following results: • Each planar graph has a 5-bounded acyclic orientation, which can be constructed in linear time. • Each planar graph has a 3-bounded orientation, which can be constructed in linear time. • A 6-bounded acyclic orientation, and a 3-bounded orientation, of each planar graph can each be constructed in parallel time O(log n log∗ n) on an EREW PRAM, using O(n/log n log∗ n) processors. As an application of these results, we present a data structure such that each entry in the adjacency matrix of a planar graph can be looked up in constant time. The data structure uses linear storage, and can be constructed in linear time.
A Synthetic Analogue of the Active Site of Fe-Containing Nitrile Hydratase with Carboxamido N and Thiolato S as Donors: Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivities

As part of our work on models of the iron(III) site of Fe-containing nitrile hydratase, a designed ligand PyPSH4 with two carboxamide and two thiolate donor groups has been synthesized. Reaction of (Et4N)[FeCl4] with the deprotonated form of the ligand in DMF affords the mononuclear iron(III) complex (Et4N)[FeIII(PyPS)] (1) in high yield. The iron(III) center is in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry with two deprotonated carboxamido nitrogens, one pyridine nitrogen, and two thiolato sulfurs as donors. Complex 1 is stable in water and binds a variety of Lewis bases at the sixth site at low temperature to afford green solutions with a band around 700 nm. The iron(III) centers in these six-coordinate species are low-spin and exhibit EPR spectra much like the enzyme. The pKa of the water molecule in [FeIII(PyPS)(H2O)]- is 6.3 ± 0.4. The iron(III) site in 1 with ligated carboxamido nitrogens and thiolato sulfurs does not show any affinity toward nitriles. It thus appears that at physiological pH, a metal-bound hy...
ROAD PRICING AND USER RESTRAINT : OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Abstract Urban traffic congestion is growing most rapidly in the developing world, and it is here, mainly because of infrastructure and resource constraints, that traffic restraint is likely to be most urgently required in the near future. This paper examines the specific problems of developing countries and the attempts which have been made to introduce policies of road pricing in a number of their cities. The findings are that, given the conditions prevailing, a number of fiscal restraint policies offer at least a partial solution. Road pricing is found to be technically feasible, but its wider use is likely to be limited for some time by political factors. Thus second-best policies that gradually move towards more effective restraints are likely to be the best option in many countries.
Abstract A2: Receptor status in breast cancer and reproductive history: Is there any relation?

Objective: Molecular profiling studies using immunohistochemistry have identified subtypes of breast cancer that can be approximately classified by estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER-2/neu (HER-2) expression. These molecular subtypes and their combinations taken together with reproductive history of woman may help prognostication of breast cancer cases. We report a series of 102 cases of breast cancer treated in our institution over last five years (2004-08). Methods: Paraffin-embedded primary breast cancers from 102 patients with invasive and ductal carcinoma were studied immunohistochemically. Markers along with reproductive history were analysed. Result: 78 ductal 12 lobular cases were found. 43 cases were postmenopausal. Hormone receptor positive cases were 63 (61.7%), ER+ 34 (33.3%), and PR+ 29 (28.4%). HER-2/neu + cases were 34 (33.3%). There were 11 cases of triple negative (basal-like) breast cancer. Significant inverse correlation was found between HER-2/neu and hormone receptor. Early age at menarche was only found to be associated with risk of HER-2neu+, whereas breastfeeding had protective effect. Both late ages at menopause, hormone therapy was associated with poor prognosis. Higher age at first child birth was significantly associated with poorer outcome and no difference in risks with parity was noticed. HER-2/neu was not associated with response rate but their prognosis was worse. Triple negative had 3 survivors at three years. Significant associations were observed between HER-2/neu and increasing number of involved and metastases (p = 0.01). Analysis demonstrated that HER-2/neu overexpression (p = 0.02) and age (p = 0.01) were independent predictors for disease-free survival (DFS). Conclusion: Hormone receptor positive cases are associated with better prognosis than HER-2/neu positive cases. For node positive patients, HER-2/neu overexpression was a significant predictor of DFS. Reproductive history had significant bearing in prognosis and receptor expressing subsets of breast cancer which may be clear by further study. Citation Information: Clin Cancer Res 2010;16(14 Suppl):A2.
Effective decoupling in some odd-A odd-Z rotational bands

A systematic analysis of the results of single quasiparticle-plus-rotor bandmixing calculations is presented wherein the empirically noticed characteristic effective decoupling patterns and their systematics in certain odd-A odd-Z rotational bands based onh9/2, d1/2, h 11/2 andg 7/2 orbitals are reproduced. The strategy adopted allows us to obtain an almost unique set of parameter values for a given decoupling pattern. The composition of wavefunctions in terms of core rotational angular momentum supports the idea of effective decoupling. These wavefunctions are then used to analyse the extent and nature of Coriolis coupling in these bands. It is found that either one or both parts of the Coriolis energies, diagonal and non-diagonal, are significant in most of the cases and the non-diagonal part is mainly responsible for the effective decoupling. These Coriolis effects prominently affect the intrabandB(M1) andB(E2) values and their variation with spin is discussed. An unusual feature in theB(M1) value of theh9/2 orbital based band is pointed out.
The Lorentz process converges to a random flight process

The Lorentz process is the stochastic process defined by a particle moving, according to Newton's law of motion, through static scatterers distributed according to some probability measure in space. We consider the Boltzmann-Grad limit: The density of scatterers increases to infinity and at the same time the diameter of the scatterers decreases to zero in such a way that the mean free path of the particle is kept constant. We show that the Lorentz process converges in the weak*-topology of regular Borel measures on the paths space to some stochastic process. The limit process is Markovian if and only if the rescaled density of scatterers converges in probability to its mean. In that case the limit process is a (spatially inhomogeneous) random flight process.
Experimental estimation of the spatial statistics of turbulence-induced index of refraction fluctuations in the upper atmosphere

We present results from an experiment to estimate the parameters of homogeneous, isotropic optical turbulence in the upper atmosphere. The balloon-borne experiment made high-resolution temperature measurements at seven points on a hexagonal grid for altitudes from 12,000 to 18,000 m. From the temperature data, we obtained index of refraction fluctuations that can be used to compute a sample-based estimate for a parameterized description of the spatial autocorrelation of the turbulence. The three parameters of interest were a proportionality constant PC, the power-law parameter α, and the outer scale L0. The results obtained for PC are within the expected range and agree well with independent measurements made from a standard rising thermosonde measurement made approximately simultaneously with the data collection. Values for α were in the range 1.52 ≤ α ≤ 1.73 were observed, which are significantly less than the power law used in the Kolmogorov and von Karman models, α = 1.833. Values observed for L0 were in the range 5 ≤ L0 ≤ 190 m. Evidence that α may be consistently less than that used in the Kolmogorov and von Karman models likely has the most significant implications for systems that must work in or through the tropopause.
Multiplexing in single cells of the alert monkey's visual cortex during brightness discrimination

Abstract Recordings were made from neurons in parafoveal striate cortex while monkeys performed a brightness discrimination task. The earliest post-stimulus firing reflected only stimulus parameters. Later firing was 44% greater on trials where the monkeys performed correctly. A third epoch of cell activity, averaged backward in time from the response, showed a different temporal pattern preceding correct responses than preceding mistakes. The results show concomitants of behavioral plasticity in primary sensory cortex.
Modeling and efficiency of ultraviolet disinfection systems

Abstract Modeling can play a particularly useful role in ultraviolet (u.v.) disinfection because of difficulties in measuring u.v. dose and the immediate results of disinfection. This model predicts bacterial survival in flow-through systems. The calculation takes into account the complex intensity patterns, non-ideal flow patterns, and non-linear curves of log survival vs u.v. dose. Based on the organismal dose-response, the number of survivors in each fraction of the residence time distribution is calculated separately and summed to calculate the average survival. The model uses as input data: the average u.v. intensity within the system, the residence time distribution, and an experimentally determined dose-survival curve in a simplified system where dose can be directly measured. The predictions of the model corresponded well with measured survival in a u.v. pilot plant study. The model was used to show the effects of flow dispersion on average survival by varying residence time distribution. Measures of capacity and efficiency of u.v. systems were derived and illustrated experimentally in simple cylindrical batch units and in two multiple lamp units.
Susceptibility Genes in Thyroid Autoimmunity

The autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are complex diseases which are caused by an interaction between susceptibility genes and environmental triggers. Genetic susceptibility in combination with external factors (e.g. dietary iodine) is believed to initiate the autoimmune response to thyroid antigens. Abundant epidemiological data, including family and twin studies, point to a strong genetic influence on the development of AITD. Various techniques have been employed to identify the genes contributing to the etiology of AITD, including candidate gene analysis and whole genome screening. These studies have enabled the identification of several loci (genetic regions) that are linked with AITD, and in some of these loci, putative AITD susceptibility genes have been identified. Some of these genes/loci are unique to Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and some are common to both the diseases, indicating that there is a shared genetic susceptibility to GD and HT. The putative GD and HT susceptibility genes include both immune modifying genes (e.g. HLA, CTLA-4) and thyroid specific genes (e.g. TSHR, Tg). Most likely, these loci interact and their interactions may influence disease phenotype and severity.
Field-Emitter-Array Cold Cathode Arc-Protection Methods - A Theoretical Study

Field-emitter arrays (FEAs) are desirable for use as electron emitters in microwave-tube amplifiers because they can provide such advantages as higher efficiency and faster turn-on compared to their thermionic counterparts. Calculations have shown that Spindt-type metal and semiconductor emitters operate well below intrinsic current limits due to thermal effects, even for high-current applications such as klystrodes, twystrodes, and traveling-wave amplifiers. Nevertheless, the primary barrier to FEA utilization in such applications is premature failure due to arcing. These failures appear to be produced by ionization of gas molecules and/or desorbed contaminants, which are exacerbated by a poor vacuum environment. Lifetime and stability issues have been largely resolved for less stringent applications, such as flat-panel displays, through the use of integrated passive resistors that provide current limiting. However, such an approach is not directly compatible with operation at high frequency and current density. Other more complex approaches, such as the incorporation of active control in the form of integrated transistors, have also been demonstrated, but again, only for FEAs used in displays. This paper will review some of these schemes in the context of their efficacy in improving lifetime and stability of FEA cold cathodes in high-frequency applications. A theoretical analysis will be given of the effect on highfrequency performance of incorporating arc protection structures into Spindt-type metal FEAs. Specifically, two approaches will be considered: passive protection schemes such as the use of a modified thin film resistive layer, and active schemes such as FETs and saturated current limiters.
Impaired deglutitive airway protection : A Videofluoroscopic analysis of severity and mechanism

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Laryngeal vestibule penetration is a prerequisite for deglutitive aspiration. This study aimed to analyze the mechanism and model the risk of laryngeal penetration before or during the pharyngeal swallow. METHODS: Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies of 29 patients with neurogenic dysphagia with penetration before or during the pharyngeal swallow were compared with 12 controls. A stepwise regression analysis was used to define the coordinative defects leading to bolus penetration into the laryngeal vestibule. The mechanism was biomechanically analyzed. RESULTS: The stepwise regression modeled a laryngeal penetration index from the coordination between laryngeal vestibule closure and bolus release at the glossopalatal junction and the timing of upper esophageal sphincter opening relative to glossopalatal junction opening. The model accounted for 86% of the observed variance in severity of laryngeal penetration among the dysphagics. The observed incoordination resulted from both delayed initiation and slowed enactment of deglutitive laryngeal elevation. CONCLUSIONS: A dysphagic individual's risk of incurring laryngeal penetration before or during 1-, 3-, or 5-mL swallows is proportional to two temporal measures of coordination made from 1-mL swallows. The severity of the relevant defects (delayed and slowed laryngeal elevation) is proportional to the severity of swallow dysfunction. (Gastroenterology 1997 Nov;113(5):1457-64)
Systemic, left ventricular and coronary hemodynamic effects of intravenous diltiazem in coronary artery disease☆

Systemic and coronary hemodynamic effects of intravenous diltiazem, administered as a bolus of 250 micrograms/kg followed by an infusion of 1.4 micrograms/kg/min, were examined in 14 patients with effort angina. There was no change in heart rate despite significant decreases in systolic, diastolic and mean systemic pressures (13%, 10% and 11%, respectively, all p less than 0.01). The blood pressure decrease was closely correlated with the initial blood pressure (r = 0.81, p less than 0.05). Neither left ventricular end-diastolic pressure nor peak dP/dt changed significantly, but peripheral vascular resistance decreased 16% (p less than 0.001) and stroke volume index increased 10% (p less than 0.05). The pressure-rate product decreased 15% (p less than 0.005), but coronary blood flow was maintained as coronary resistance decreased 14% (p less than 0.025). Diltiazem increased regional coronary flow in some patients. Thus, intravenous diltiazem dilates coronary and systemic resistance vessels, without an increase in heart rate, favorably altering indexes of myocardial oxygen supply and demand.
Linear Thermal Expansion of Aluminum Oxide and Thorium Oxide from 100° to 1100°K

The linear thermal expansion of single-crystal and polycrystalline aluminum oxide and poly-crystalline thorium oxide was measured from 100° to 1100° K with an interferometric technique. For each substance the results are well described by Gruneisen's equation using a Nernst-Linde-mann energy function.
Hormone Excretion Patterns in Breast and Prostate Cancer Are Abnormal

In patients with breast and prostate cancer hormone excretion patterns differ in a similar way from patterns in persons without cancer.
Multireference configuration interaction based electronic Floquet states for molecules in an intense radiation field: theory and application to Li(2)+.

A multireference configuration interaction (CI) method which includes single and double excitations based description of adiabatic Floquet states for the electronic structure of a molecule in an intense laser field is introduced. Using a variant of a recently introduced configuration state function (CSF) based Table-CI methodology, it is shown that the multiple states of several irreducible representations required for a good description of low-lying Floquet states can be obtained using modifications of computational molecular electronic structure techniques. In particular, formulas for all components of the transition dipole moment matrix elements within the CSF-based Table-CI method are derived and presented. Moreover, the flexibility of the recently introduced macroconfiguration description of model and external configuration spaces is shown to lead to multiple potential energy surfaces of sufficiently uniform quality to allow construction of useful Floquet states. The formalism and computer programs d...
EPA-0230 - A Nation-wide Staff Training Program for Family Psychoeducation in Severe Mental Illness

Title 'A nation-wide staff training program for family psychoeducation in severe mental illness' Background Despite all the evidence regarding its cost-effectiveness, psychoeducational family interventions for non-organic psychotic disorders are still not steadily applied in everyday routine practice. In Portugal, these interventions are seldom used, even in well-staffed psychiatric departments. Following the recommendations of the Portuguese National Mental Health Plan, a psychoeducational training program has been prepared by the Ministry of Health. Objectives a) to conduct a psychoeducational training program on a national basis and b) to evaluate obstacles to implementation in routine practice. Methods Professionals from public mental health services across the Country attended a 3 days full-time program in which they were trained in the psychoeducational intervention through presentation of guidelines, demonstrative audios and role-playing. Results The trainees' acquisition of skills was found very satisfactory. The most prevlent barriers in the implementation of the intervention included work overload, the difficulty to integrate family work with other duties, and the poor allowance of time from the service to run the intervention on a regular basis. Conclusions Measures should be taken in order to cope with obstacles limiting the use of family interventions in practice, including changes in the services governance and increased autonomy for professionals involved in the process.
Analysis of Thermal Decomposition Patterns of Aromatic and Heteroaromatic Amino Acids

Abstract Differential enthalpic analysis of the thermal degradation of aromatic and heteroaromatic amino acids provides thermograms which are characteristic of specific amino acids (e.g. phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan or histidine). Curve resolution of the resulting thermograms suggests that a minimum of three reactions are involved in the degradation (within the temperature limits of 500–620 [ddot]K) and provides TM values for each of these concurrent reactions.
Glycogen Synthetase [Udp Glucose: α-1, 4-Glucan α-4-Glucosyl Transferase (EC 2.4.1.11)] I and D Interconversion in the Normal Human Epidermis

The interconversion between the two forms, Glucose-6-phosphate (Glc-6-P) dependent (D form) and Glc-6-P independent (I form), of glycogen synthetase was demonstrated in the normal human epidermis. The conversion from the D form to the I form was inhibited by physiological concentrations of glycogen. Conversion from the I to the D form was demonstrated in the presence of ATP and Mg. The latter reaction was enhanced by 0.33 mM cyclic AMP and was not inhibited by glycogen.
Postural instability in patients with diabetic sensory neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE Recent survey evidence suggests that sensory ataxia due to diabetic neuropathy may be a more frequent and serious problem than is commonly recognized. This view is further supported by research that confirms the major contribution of the somatosensory system to the control of posture. We therefore sought to determine the effects of significant diabetic distal symmetrical polyneuropathy on the control of posture. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Fifty-one subjects, divided into three groups, participated in this study. Seventeen had diabetes and significant sensory neuropathy, 17 had diabetes and no neuropathy, and 17 had neither diabetes nor neuropathy. The subjects were matched across groups, and stringent exclusion criteria were applied. Postural stability during quiet standing was measured using a force platform. In addition to electrophysiological and quantitative sensory tests of neuropathy, a number of physical and functional characteristics were measured for all subjects. RESULTS Postural instability was found to be significantly associated with sensory neuropathy, but not with diabetes per se. Patients with sensory neuropathy demonstrated between 66 and 117% more instability than did control subjects (depending on the testing condition). Based on multiple linear regression analyses, the most significant correlates of instability were the quantitative sensory measures of neuropathy and age. CONCLUSIONS The loss of sensory perception secondary to diabetic distal symmetrical sensory neuropathy has a markedly detrimental effect on postural stability. The deficit is greatest when visual or vestibular cues are absent or degraded. Patients with neuropathy need to be informed of the postural consequences of this condition to limit the potential morbidity caused by falls.
Re-entry groups: Bridging the hospital-community gap

The problems experienced by patients upon discharge from inpatient psychiatric services are conceptualized in terms of the difficulties engendered by changes in roles, in values and in the adaptive techniques required in moving from a hospital with its particular structure and values to a community with other structure and values. Through studying some of the common problems experienced by a number of patients in making this transition, a re-entry program was designed to assist patients in redefining themselves as more competent, and as separate from the hospital and its characteristic role demands and values. This paper describes the way in which a group program can be utilized to act as a bridge across the re-entry period. Groups can provide a forum to emphasize the familiar values of the hospital and at the same time offer an arena in which to examine these values and learn the extent of their applicability within social systems outside the hospital setting. The paper also describes the ways in which successful ex-patient leaders can serve as role models in the process of assisting recently discharged patients to re-define themselves as competent in family and work situations.
Master stability analysis in transient spatiotemporal chaos.

The asymptotic stability of spatiotemporal chaos is difficult to determine, since transient spatiotemporal chaos may be extremely long lived. A master stability analysis reveals that the asymptotic state of transient spatiotemporal chaos in the Gray-Scott system and in the Bar-Eiswirth system is characterized by negative transverse Lyapunov exponents on the attractor of the invariant synchronization manifold. The average lifetime of transient spatiotemporal chaos depends on the number of transverse directions that are unstable along a typical excitation cycle.
Conformational Dynamics in the Selectivity Filter of KcsA in Response to Potassium Ion Concentration

Abstract Conformational change in the selectivity filter of KcsA as a function of ambient potassium concentration is studied with solid-state NMR. This highly conserved region of the protein is known to chelate potassium ions selectively. We report solid-state NMR chemical shift fingerprints of two distinct conformations of the selectivity filter; significant changes are observed in the chemical shifts of key residues in the filter as the potassium ion concentration is changed from 50 mM to 1 μM. Potassium ion titration studies reveal that the site-specific K d for K + binding at the key pore residue Val76 is on the order of ∼ 7 μM and that a relatively high sample hydration is necessary to observe the low-K + conformer. Simultaneous detection of both conformers at low ambient potassium concentration suggests that the high-K + and low-K + states are in slow exchange on the NMR timescale ( k ex − 1 ). The slow rate and tight binding for evacuating both inner sites simultaneously differ from prior observations in detergent in solution, but agree well with measurements by electrophysiology and appear to result from our use of a hydrated bilayer environment. These observations strongly support a common assumption that the low-K + state is not involved in ion transmission, and that during transmission one of the two inner sites is always occupied. On the other hand, these kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics of the evacuation of the inner sites certainly could be compatible with participation in a control mechanism at low ion concentration such as C-type inactivation, a process that is coupled to activation and involves closing of the outer mouth of the channel.
Methods of improving the thermal-shock resistance of zircon nozzles

The thermal-shock resistance of zircon nozzles can be increased by increasing the concentration of coarse fractions (3-0.5 mm) of briquette in the batch composition, incorporating silicon carbide, and excluding the clay. The use of zircon nozzles with an increased thermal-shock resistance improves the casting conditions on continuous steel casting plant, and increases the quality of the ingot surface in connection with the reduction in the number of crusts on the nozzles and the lower wear.
Pyrethrin and pyrethroid exposures in the United States: a longitudinal analysis of incidents reported to poison centers.

Introduction Citing the Food Quality Protection Act, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decided to phase out and eliminate organophosphate insecticide use in residential environments. The phase out process spanned from 2000 to 2005, and it may have resulted in increased consumer use of insecticides containing other active ingredients. This study utilized data from the national Poison Control Center to assess possible changes in exposure incidents involving pyrethrin and pyrethroid insecticides during the phase out of organophosphates from residential uses.
The opioid peptide analog D-Ala2-Met-enkephalinamide decreases bile flow by a central mechanism.

The existence of an opioid central pathway that may regulate bile secretion was explored by studying the effect of the intracisternal (i.c.) administration of the opiate D-Ala2-Met-enkephalinamide (DAME) on bile secretion in anesthetized male rats. The i.c. administration of DAME was associated with a dose-related decrease in bile flow that ranged from 12% to 41%, which was prevented by the opiate antagonist naloxone. Bicarbonate secretion into bile decreased significantly after i.c. DAME. Chemical adrenergic denervation and cholinergic pharmacological blockade with atropine did not prevent the DAME-induced decrease in bile flow. The data support the existence of an opioid-mediated pathway that starts in the brain and that contributes to the regulation of bile secretion.