cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The clinical results of amiodarone in cardiac arrhythmias: optimal dosing.

Amiodarone hydrochloride is a relatively new antiarrhythmic agent, the properties of which differ in a significant manner electrophysiologically, pharmacokinetically and structurally from those of conventional as well as other investigational antidysrhythmic compounds. It is also pharmacologically unique in so far as its fundamental action on cardiac muscle following chronic therapy differs markedly from that found during the intravenous administration; its I.V. action is dominated by the lengthening of intranodal (AV) conduction time and the effective refractory period of the AV node, the electrophysiologic basis for which is unclear but accounts for the slowing of the ventricular response in atrial flutter and fibrillation and the variable conversion rate of narrow QRS reentrant paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Intravenous amiodarone is ineffective in most other arrhythmias; it does not lengthen repolarization, nor does it prolong the effective refractory period of atria, ventricle, His-Purkinje system or the accessory pathways of the heart in the WPW syndrome. In contrast, chronically administered amiodarone lengthens repolarization and the effective refractory period of all cardiac tissues as a function of dose and duration of therapy consistent with its wide spectrum of antiarrhythmic activity in the prophylactic control of supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The nature of the slow onset of action of the oral drug is not well-understood; it may be due to the slow formation of active metabolites or the gradual and selective inhibition of T3 action on the myocardium since the effects of amiodarone on cardiac repolarization are identical to those of hypothyroidism and are negated by the concomitant administration of thyroxine. Serum reverse T3 levels increase as a function of dose and duration of amiodarone therapy and tentative data indicate that serial measurements of rT3 levels may provide a reliable index for gauging efficacy and toxicity of amiodarone during chronic therapy. The role of serum drug and metabolite levels appears less reliable in this regard. The exceedingly long and variable elimination half-life of amiodarone necessitates individualized loading and maintenance dosage regimens, and the latency of onset of antiarrhythmic action during oral therapy is not shortened by intravenous bolus injections or sustained infusions. However, the judicious choice of oral dosage as discussed herein permits the development of an effective prophylactic regimen for most patients with supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias; when the lowest dosage regimen to control a particular arrhythmia is identified, limiting side
Schrödinger Maps and Anti-Ferromagnetic Chains

We study the problem of restricting Schrodinger maps onto Lagrangian submanifolds. The restriction is imposed by an infinite constraining potential. We show that, in the limit, solutions of the Schrodinger map equations converge to solutions of generalized wave map equations. This result is applied to the anti-ferromagnetic systems where we prove rigorously that the dynamics is governed by wave map equations into .
Cisplatin, 5‐fluorouracil, and etoposide for advanced non‐small cell lung cancer

Background. Cisplatin and etoposide combination chemotherapy is the most commonly used regimen for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an agent with little intrinsic activity against NSCLC. However, there is increasing evidence that 5-FU is synergistic with cisplatin and vice versa. In an effort to improve on the traditional chemotherapeutic approach to NSCLC, a treatment regimen consisting of cisplatin, 5-FU, and etoposide (PFE) was developed. Methods. Thirty-five patients with advanced NSCLC were treated with the PFE regimen (cisplatin 25/mg/m2/d and 5-FU 1000 mg/m2/d by continuous infusion and etoposide 60 mg/m2/d, each for 4 days). The cycles were repeated every 28 days. Results. The patients received a mean of 2.8 cycles of PFE. Ten patients had a partial response to chemotherapy for an overall response rate of 28.6%. The median survival was 7.0 months. Toxicities included myocardial infarction (2 of 35), congestive heart failure (2 of 35), fatal pulmonary embolus (1 of 35), and a cerebrovascular accident (1 of 35). The incidence of Grade 4 neutropenia (5.7%) and thrombocytopenia (8.5%) was acceptable. Conclusions. The response rate, duration of response, and survival in this group of 35 patients treated with PFE was similar to that reported for cisplatin and etoposide. The increased cardiovascular toxicity may be the result of the infused 5-FU.
A simple and efficient method for constructing high resolution physical maps

This paper describes a simple and efficient walking method for constructing high resolution physical maps and discusses its applications to genome analysis. The method is an integration of three strategies: (1) use of a highly redundant library of 3Kb-long subclones; (2) construction of a multidimensional pool from the library; (3) direct application of a PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-based screening technique to the pooled library, with two PCR primers, one from the end of the subcloning vector and the other from the leading edge of the walk. This technique allows not only detection of each overlapping subclone but simultaneous determination of its orientation and the size of its overlap. The end of the subclone with the smallest overlap is sequenced and a primer is designed for the next step in the walk. Iteration of the screening procedure with minimum overlapping subclones results in completion of the high resolution map. Using this method, a 3Kb-resolution map was constructed from an 80Kb region of the bithorax complex of Drosophila melanogaster. The method is general enough to be applicable to DNA from other species, and simple enough to be automated.
The Diagnosis and Prognosis of Atypical Carotid-Cavernous Fistula (Red-Eyed Shunt Syndrome)

Nineteen patients who complained of red eyes had the characteristic clinical signs of an atypical carotid-cavernous fistula. Episcleral veins were dilated, intraocular pressure and episcleral venous presure were high, and blood filled Schlemm's canal during gonioscopy. Most of the patients had mild exophthalmos, but in none was the exophthalmos obviously pulsatile, and in only two patients could a bruit be heard. Orbital echography disclosed either a dilated superior ophthalmic vein or congestion of the orbital soft tissues. Selective carotid angiography, done in seven patients, disclosedthe fistula to be a dural-cavernous fistula. The only serious complication of the fistulas was open-angle glaucoma resulting from the high episcleral venous pressure. None of the fistulas was treated surgically, but six closed spontaneously and three closed soon after carotid angiography.
Leaf wilting alters a plant species ranking by the grasshopper Melanoplus differentialis

. 1. Field observations of the feeding behaviour of the polyphagous grasshopper Melanoplus differentialis suggest that plant quality can override plant species as a determinant of choice. When offered binary choices in laboratory tests between leaves of two host plant species, Helianthus annuus and Ambrosia trifida, in all combinations of wilted and turgid, grasshoppers prefer A. trifida in all test conditions, except when it is turgid and H.annuus is wilted. In this case, the preference switches to H.annuus 2. Preliminary evidence suggests that chemical factors are responsible for the alteration in preference.
The Underlife of Behavior Modification.

The practice of behavior modification in a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed children is described, based on the authors' observations over 18 months. Particular attention is given to the influence of context and situation as staff members count units of behavior, report their findings, and meet with colleagues to evaluate their data. It is suggested that these data reflect a mixture of client behavior and tacit staff practices, although they are presented officially as being only about clients.
Large aerosol particles in a convective storm environment

Abstract Concentrations of large (d > 10 μm) inorganic and organic particles varied widely at ground level and at subcloud altitudes. Particle concentration decreased at a slower rate aloft than at ground level; as a result, the relative abundance of large aerosol particles aloft tended to increase with increasing particle size. A substantial fraction of organic particles aloft was found to be responsible for this trend. Curves of freezing frequency indicate the presence of two distinctive sources of freezing nuclei derived from large aerosol particles active in the − 9 to − 12°C and − 19 to − 22°C temperature ranges.
International Student Persistence: Integration or Cultural Integrity?:

As diverse student populations expand in colleges and universities in the United States, attention must be given to preserving students' cultural integrity. Dominant theories of student persistence contend that integration, not cultural preservation is necessary to student success. This qualitative study examines the experiences of one group of diverse students who had low retention and graduation rates. International students in their senior year at a private, religiously-affiliated university were interviewed to determine if they had integrated into the mainstream campus culture to be successful. Three areas of change were identified: those that most students make when transitioning to college, those required by the religious environment of the institution, and those related to students' home cultures. The study demonstrates that one group of diverse students, international students, saw integration as positive. They did not view their integration as assimilation and felt that they had preserved their c...
The kinetics of methanol oxidation on a supported silver catalyst

Abstract The oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde on silver catalysts was studied at about 420 °C and atmospheric pressure in a fixed-bed differential reactor. The reaction was zero order to oxygen except at very low pressures, slightly less than first order to methanol, and inhibited by the reaction products. The data can be fitted by the following equation, which is based on competitive adsorption of methanol and products on sites formed by reversible chemisorption of oxygen on the silver and reaction of adsorbed methanol with underlying oxygen atoms: r = ( kK m P m 1 + K m P m + K p P p ) ( K o P o 1 2 1 + K o P o 1 2 ) .
Low temperature water-gas shift: Type and loading of metal impacts decomposition and hydrogen exchange rates of pseudo-stabilized formate over metal/ceria catalysts

Abstract In this investigation, a similar degree of surface shell reduction among a series of metal promoted ceria catalysts was established by diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) measurements. Surface formate species were generated by reaction of CO with bridging OH groups associated with the Ce 3+ defect sites. The thermal decomposition of the pseudo-stable formates was followed in the absence of H 2 O. Decomposition and exchange from H to D of the pseudo-stabilized formate was enhanced by changing the promoter from Au to Pt. Likewise, an increase was observed in both decomposition and exchange rates by increasing the promoter loading from 0.5 to 2.5 wt.%. The results suggest that C H bond breaking is facilitated during this thermal decomposition (i.e., reverse decomposition to CO and OH). Therefore, since the rate limiting step of the forward formate decomposition (i.e., the WGS reaction) is strongly suggested to be associated with C H bond cleaving in the formate intermediate (based on earlier kinetic isotope effect and isotopic tracer studies), the results can explain the promotion in the WGS rates as observed by changing from Au to Pt and by increased promoter loading.
Reeler: New tales on an old mutant mouse

Neurological mouse mutants provide an opportunity to dissect the complex mechanisms that underlie vertebrate brain development. Advances in genetic technologies have permitted the identification of genes disrupted in many mutants, allowing a molecular interpretation of the phenotypes. For several decades, the spontaneous mutant mouse reeler has been used as a model for the analysis of the development of laminated brain structures. In this ataxic mutant, the migration of many neurons is aberrant, resulting in disrupted cellular organization. Recently, reelin, the gene disrupted in the reeler mouse, has been identified, reelin encodes a novel extracellular molecule that controls neural cell positioning through mechanisms that are not yet completely understood. Analysis of the expression pattern and the properties of the reelin gene product (Reelin) suggests models for its function during brain development. Furthermore, the recent identification of genes that may function in the Reelin signaling pathway advances our knowledge of the molecular basis of neuronal migration.
Comparative toxicities of coal- and shale-derived crude oils and a petroleum-derived fuel oil to the freshwater snails Helisoma trivolvis and Physa gyrina☆

Abstract The water-soluble fractions (WSFs) of coal- and shale-derived crude oils and a No. 2 diesel fuel oil were tested for acute and chronic toxicity to the pulmonate snails Physa gyrina and Helisoma trivolvis. The 48-h LC50s (WSF dilutions that killed 50% of the animals in 48 h) of coal oil WSF and shale oil WSF for adult H. trivolvis were 5·4% and 16%, respectively, and for adult P. gyrina they were 3% and 3·6%. Full-strength diesel fuel oil WSF did not kill adult snails of either species in 48 h. In the chronic toxicity tests, snail embryos were exposed continuously to sublethal WSF concentrations from the time of oviposition through 1 week post hatching (11–23 days). The lowest concentrations of coal oil, shale oil and diesel fuel oil WSFs that significantly reduced hatching of H. trivolvis were 0·125%, 0·5% and 32%, respectively, and for P. gyrina they were 1·1%, 2·5% and 8%. Some of the high WSF concentrations significantly delayed hatching of both snail species by about 2 days as compared with the controls. There were no effects of the WSFs on survival of hatched snails. The data suggest that the WSFs may be teratogenic for snail embryos.
Cultivar preference exhibited by two sympatric and genetically distinct populations of the soybean fungal pathogen Phialophora gregata f.sp. sojae

Phialophora gregata f.sp. sojae, a soilborne vascular pathogen causing brown stem rot of soybean, has been divided into A and B populations based on variation in the intergenic spacer region of nuclear rDNA (rDNA marker). The A and B populations correlate with defoliating and nondefoliating pathotypes, respectively. In this study, eight additional polymorphic anonymous marker loci (five inter simple sequence repeat loci and three long-primer random amplified polymorphic DNA loci) were identified and applied to a total of 189 isolates. Alleles of these eight loci were invariant within, but different between the A and B populations, providing further evidence that the rDNA marker identifies genetically distinct populations. The two populations were sympatric, residing not only in the same field, but also in the same plants under field conditions. Representative strains of the two populations, when used individually in inoculations, infected both resistant cv. Bell and susceptible cv. Sturdy. However, when the same representatives of the two populations were mixed in a 1 : 1 ratio and used as a mixed inoculum in a competitive bioassay, differential cultivar preference was revealed using PCR detection of populations in infected plants. Population A was detected significantly more often (18 out of 24 plants) in the susceptible cv. Sturdy, whereas population B was detected significantly more often (17 out of 24 plants) in the resistant cv. Bell, corroborating earlier field studies. This is the first controlled experiment to demonstrate a differential host preference of P. gregata f.sp. sojae toward different cultivars of the same host species. Unification of terminologies used in P. gregata f.sp. sojae is discussed.
A maximized sequential probability ratio test for drug and vaccine safety surveillance

Abstract Because of rare but serious adverse events, pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines are sometimes withdrawn from the market, either by a government agency such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States or by the manufacturing pharmaceutical company. In other cases, a drug may be generally safe but increase the risk for serious adverse events for certain subpopulations such as pregnant women or people with heart problems. Due to limited sample size and selected study populations, rare adverse events are often impossible to detect during phase 3 trials conducted before the drug is approved for general use. It is then important to conduct post-approval drug safety surveillance, using, for example, health insurance claims data. In such surveillance, the goal should be to detect serious adverse events as early as possible without too many false alarms, and it is then natural to use a continuous or near-continuous sequential test procedure that reevaluates the data on a daily or weekly b...
A parametric study of heat transfer in an air-cooled heat sink enhanced by actuated plates

Abstract Heat transfer in air-cooled heat sinks must be improved to meet thermal management requirements of modern microelectronics devices. This need is addressed by putting agitator plates into channels of a heat sink so that heat transfer is enhanced by agitation. A proof-of-concept exercise was computationally conducted in a single channel consisting of uniform-temperature base and two side walls and an adiabatic fourth wall. The channel side walls are fins of the heat sink fin array. The agitator plate is within the channel. Air flows through the channel and the agitator plate generates periodic motion in a transverse direction to the air flow and to the channel surface. Turbulence is generated along the tip of the agitator plate due to its periodical motion, resulting in substantial heat transfer enhancement in the channel. Heat transfer is enhanced by 61% by agitation for a representative situation. Translational operation of the plate induces 33% more heat transfer than a corresponding flapping operation. Heat transfer on the base surface increases sharply as the tip gap size between it and the agitator plate tip is decreased, while heat transfer on the sidewalls is insensitive to the tip gap size. Heat transfer from the channel wall to the flow increases linearly with increases of amplitude or frequency of the agitator plate. The primary operational parameter to the problem is the product of amplitude and frequency, with amplitude being slightly more influential than frequency.
Myxoma virus attenuates expression of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) which has implications for the treatment of proteasome inhibitor–resistant multiple myeloma

The recent development of chemotherapeutic proteasome inhibitors, such as bortezomib, has improved the outcomes of patients suffering from the plasma cell malignancy multiple myeloma. Unfortunately, many patients treated with these drugs still suffer relapsing disease due to treatment-induced upregulation of the antiapoptotic protein Mcl1. We have recently demonstrated that an oncolytic poxvirus, known as myxoma, can rapidly eliminate primary myeloma cells by inducing cellular apoptosis. The efficacy of myxoma treatment on proteasome inhibitor-relapsed or -refractory myeloma, however, remains unknown. We now demonstrate that myxoma-based elimination of myeloma is not affected by cellular resistance to proteasome inhibitors. Additionally, myxoma virus infection specifically prevents expression of Mcl1 following induction of the unfolded protein response, by blocking translation of the unfolded protein response activating transcription factor (ATF)4. These results suggest that myxoma-based oncolytic therapy represents an attractive option for myeloma patients whose disease is refractory to chemotherapeutic proteasome inhibitors due to upregulation of Mcl1.
Surgical manifestations and results of treatment of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis.

Abstract Fifty consecutive patients with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis undergoing operation in an eight-year period were analyzed with regard to clinical and roentgenographic indications, surgical procedure, complications, and recurrence. Surgical indications could be divided into operation necessary primarily for diagnosis (22 out of 50, 44%), and operation because of suspected residual complications of coccidioidomycosis requiring therapy (28 out of 50, 56%). Of 16 patients with solitary nodules, 2 had lobectomy and 14 had wedge resection with no recurrence. Of 24 patients with coccidioidomycosis cavities, 14 underwent lobectomy and 10 had lesser resections, with three recurrences. Results indicate that (1) resection for primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis for both diagnosis and therapy is associated with low perioperative risk, (2) routine administration of amphotericin is not indicated, (3) skin tests, serological study, bronchoscopy, and mediastinoscopy may not be diagnostic, and (4) lobectomy is not necessarily indicated since lesser resections are associated with equally low recurrence and complications rates.
Emphysematous Urinoma as a Complication of Emphysematous Pyelitis in a Healthy Adult Male

Emphysematous pyelitis and urinomas are independently rare conditions. The former is a severe necrotizing infection involving the renal collecting system, the latter an encapsulated collection of urine in the perinephric or paraureteral space. An unusual case of emphysematous urinoma complicating emphysematous pyelitis in a healthy male adult is presented in this study.
Initiation and orientation of the symbiote migration in the human body louse Pediculus humanus L.

Abstract Bacterial symbiotes in the human body louse Pediculus humanus migrate from the mycetome to the lateral oviducts during the adult moult. Experimental results are presented suggesting that the symbiote migration is initiated by a humoral factor associated with the adult moult; that the factor is present in both sexes but the male mycetome is unable to respond to it; and that the symbiotes are attracted by the female reproductive tract.
A Call for Feminist Research: A Limited Client Perspective

Feminist approaches embrace a counselor stance that is both collaborative and supportive, seeking client empowerment. On review of feminist family and couple counseling literature of the past 20 ye...
A Nuclear Function for Armadillo/β-Catenin

The Wnt signaling pathway provides key information during development of vertebrates and invertebrates, and mutations in this pathway lead to various forms of cancer. Wnt binding to its receptor causes the stabilization and nuclear localization of β-catenin. Nuclear β-catenin then functions to activate transcription in conjunction with the transcription factor TCF. A recent report has challenged this basic precept of the Wnt signaling field, arguing that the nuclear localization of β-catenin may be unrelated to its function and that β-catenin functions at the plasma membrane to activate this signaling pathway. Here we present evidence that the pathway in fact does depend on the nuclear localization of β-catenin. We reexamine the functionality of various truncations of β-catenin and find that only the most severe truncations are true signaling-null mutations. Further, we define a signaling-null condition and use it to show that membrane-tethered β-catenin is insufficient to activate transcription. We also define two novel loss-of-function mutations that are not truncations, but are missense point mutations that retain protein stability. These alleles allow us to show that the membrane-bound form of activated β-catenin does indeed depend on the endogenous protein. Further, this activity is dependent on the presence of the C-terminus-specific negative regulator Chibby. Our data clearly show that nuclear localization of β-catenin is in fact necessary for Wnt pathway activation.
Intellectual characteristics of Prader-Willi syndrome: comparison of genetic subtypes.

Advances in genetics have led to an increased understanding of the role of the genotype on behavioural functioning. The purpose of the present study was to examine differences in intellectual functioning in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) with a paternal 15q11-q13 deletion versus maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) of chromosome 15. Measures of intelligence and academic achievement were administered to 38 individuals with PWS (24 with deletion and 14 with UPD). The subjects with UPD had significantly higher verbal IQ scores than those with deletion (P or = 70, while 50% of those with UPD had a verbal IQ > or = 70. Performance IQ scores did not differ between the two PWS genetic subtype groups. This is the first report to document the difference between verbal and performance IQ score patterns among subjects with PWS of the deletion versus the UPD subtype.
Paraneoplastic vasculitic neuropathy: a treatable neuropathy.

Paraneoplastic vasculitic neuropathy has been recently described. We report the first case of this disorder which responded both clinically and electrophysiologically to cyclophosphamide treatment. A 54hyphen;year-old women with a history of metastatic endometrial carcinoma in remission had asymmetrical polyneuropathy, electrophysiological findings consistent with a diffuse axonal neuropathy, high sedimentation rate and spinal fluid protein, and microvasculitis with axonal degeneration on nerve biopsy. The patient was treated with 150 mg of cyclophosphamide daily with gradual clinical and electrophysiological improvement.
Experimental tripartite quantum state sharing and perfect teleportation of the two-qubit photonic state using genuinely entangled multipartite states

An experimental scheme, its hardware implementation, and procedure for experimental verification of tripartite quantum state sharing and perfect teleportation of the two-qubit photonic state using four different multipartite quantum channels is presented. The four multipartite channels considered are (1) a pair of Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger triplets, (2) a six-particle cluster state, (3) a highly entangled five-particle Brown state, and (4) a highly entangled six-particle Borras state. In this experiment, optical pulses are delivered by a high repetition rate mode-locked pulsed laser and arbitrary photonic states, in the two-qubit Bloch sphere, are created by the spontaneous parametric down-conversion of optical pulses in a nonlinear crystal. The experimental implementation of the scheme is based on both single-particle and two-particle complete Bell-state measurements, and the unitary transformation required for reconstruction of the qubit is performed using single- and two-qubit operations. Two-qubit operations are implemented using the quantum controlled phase and C-NOT gates. Relative comparison among different multipartite channels along with experimental difficulties and their solutions are also discussed.
The Space Between Mine and Ours: Exploring the Subtle Spaces Between the Private and the Shared in India

Starting from their interactions within shared spaces and use of shared objects, to large social networks, the Indian society has developed a range of ways to incorporate subtle gestures and systems into their lives that neither forces them to share all their time and space with everyone, nor isolates them completely. This paper explores this idea that privacy is not always mutually exclusive from shared states. In the process, it highlights quality of time and space as a construct of subtle negotiations between the socially structured and personally desired. These subtleties allow Indians to design their lives around extensive grey spaces that exist in between the community and individual. This suggests some new ways for us to think about meaning of privacy, and its impact on how people in countries like India navigate complex social networks, cultural systems, and rigid social hierarchies, very often using technologies like phones and TVs.
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate inhibit growth and reduce estradiol levels of antral follicles in vitro

Any insult that affects survival of ovarian antral follicles can cause abnormal estradiol production and fertility problems. Phthalate esters (PEs) are plasticizers used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to reduced fertility in humans and animal models. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) decrease serum estradiol levels and aromatase (Arom) expression, prolong estrous cycles, and cause anovulation in animal and culture models. These observations suggest PEs directly target antral follicles. We therefore tested the hypothesis that DEHP (1-100 microg/ml) and MEHP (0.1-10 microg/ml) directly inhibit antral follicular growth and estradiol production. Antral follicles from adult mice were cultured with DEHP or MEHP, and/or estradiol for 96 h. During culture, follicle size was measured every 24 h as a measurement of follicle growth. After culture, media were collected for measurement of estradiol levels and follicles were subjected to measurement of cylin-D-2 (Ccnd2), cyclin-dependent-kinase-4 (Cdk4), and Arom. We found that DEHP and MEHP inhibited growth of follicles and decreased estradiol production compared to controls at the highest doses. DEHP and MEHP also decreased mRNA expression of Ccnd2, Cdk4, and Arom at the highest dose. Addition of estradiol to the culture medium prevented the follicles from DEHP- and MEHP-induced inhibition of growth, reduction in estradiol levels, and decreased Ccnd2 and Cdk4 expression. Collectively, our results indicate that DEHP and MEHP may directly inhibit antral follicle growth via a mechanism that partially includes reduction in levels of estradiol production and decreased expression of cell cycle regulators.
Effects of the imidazobenzodiazepine RO15-4513 on the stimulant and depressant actions of ethanol on spontaneous locomotor activity.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the imidazobenzodiazepine R015-4513, a partial inverse agonist at benzodiazepine (BDZ) receptors, on the stimulant and depressant actions of ethanol in mice. For comparative purposes, another BDZ inverse agonist, FG-7142, was examined as well. Neither R015-4513 nor FG-7142 influenced the low-dose excitatory effects of ethanol on spontaneous locomotor activity. However, both R015-4513 and FG-7142 significantly antagonized the depressant effects of ethanol, and this antagonism was completely reversed by pretreatment with the BDZ receptor antagonist, R015-1788. These data suggest that R015-4513 is capable of antagonizing only some of the behavioral effects of ethanol, and in particular, those responses to ethanol that are mediated by modulation of the GABA/BDZ-chloride channel receptor complex.
Structured Model Reference Adaptive Control for a Class of Nonlinear Systems

A control design methodology for a particular class of nonlinear dynamic systems in the structured first-order form is presented. The differential equations are distinctly categorized as two sets, one representing exact kinematic differential equations and the other representing an uncertain dynamic model. The control law seeks exponential stability of the position errors for the known parameter case. For the uncertain parameter case, an adaptive controller is designed that guarantees bounded position tracking errors. The efficacy of the controller is supported through simulation examples.
Producer Breeding Objectives and Optimal Sire Selection

Information from an online survey of dairy producers was used to determine how important producers perceived three different objectives in the breeding problem. The objectives were: maximizing expected net merit of the progeny, minimizing the expected progeny inbreeding coefficient, and minimizing semen expenditure. Producers were asked to rank the three objectives and then to weight the importance of each objective relative to the others. This information was then used to determine weights to be used in a multiple-objective integer program designed to select individual mates for a herd of 76 Jersey cows with known genetic background and cow net merit. The results of the multiple-objective models show that rank and relative importance of producer objectives can affect the portfolio of sires selected. Producers whose primary objective was to maximize expected net merit had a range of average expected progeny net merit of $306 to $310, but the level of expected progeny inbreeding was from 6.99 to 10.45%, with a semen cost per conception of $35 to $41. For producers who selected minimizing progeny inbreeding as the primary goal in their breeding programs, the range of inbreeding was from 6.11 to 6.60%, with lower net merit range of $274 to $301 and semen expenditure of $30 to $37 per conception. One producer selected minimizing semen cost as the primary objective. For that producer's portfolio, the semen cost was $27 per conception and net merit was $288, with a progeny inbreeding coefficient of 10.68%. The results of this research suggest that producer information and goals have a substantial impact on the portfolio of sires selected by that producer to attain these goals.
Reprogramming requirements after sacral nerve stimulator implantation: correlation with preoperative indication.

Purpose: Recent publications support sacral nerve stimulator implantation in patients with interstitial cystitis. To our knowledge the reprogramming requirements for all patients following stimulator implantation has not been described and it is unknown whether the number of sessions required vary by pre-implantation diagnosis. We determined overall reprogramming requirements following nerve stimulator implantation and whether requirements vary based on preoperative indication.Materials and Methods: After obtaining institutional review board approval we retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients who underwent sacral nerve stimulator implantation at our institution between June 2002 and October 2004. The preoperative indication and number of reprogramming sessions during the initial test period (stage 1) and following permanent implantation (stage 2) were compared.Results: The 17 patients proceeding to stage 2 with a minimum 12-month followup during the study period were included. Mean age was 43...
Farm-Nonfarm Synergies in Africa: Discussion

sequence of low market integration and low substitutability between domestic and imported foods. In addition, if the geographical area over which these multipliers are calculated increases, the share of nontradables in the economy rises and multipliers are correspondingly larger. This leads the authors to praise the potential for a demand-led approach to both agricultural and industrial development, anchored in productivity gains in traditional exports. While the general proposition is reminiscent of the development strategies advanced by Mellor (1986), Adelman (1984), and Hazell (1984), and by now well accepted, the quantification of multiplier effects is inadequate. The model used makes unrealistic assumptions that systematically bias upward the size of the growth linkages induced by technological change in farm or nonfarm tradables. Denoting by T = tradables, T, = farm tradables, NT = nontradables, E = elasticity of supply response, ,qM = elasticity of substitution in consumption between output (q) and imports (M), and m, = income multiplier of an extra $1 of income from farm tradables, the key assumptions made by the authors are T: E = 0, , qM= o; and NT: E = o, YqM = a value which does not matter as long as E = oo. This yields local m, between 1.3 and 1.8 reported in table 2 of the Delgado et al. paper. Consider now the more realistic characteriza-
Regulation of ganglioside metabolism by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation.

Abstract: Cell differentiation is frequently accompanied by alterations in the composition of gangliosides in the plasma membrane resulting from a regulation of the enzyme activities involved. The regulation of CMP-NeuAc:GM1 α2-3-sialyltransferase (ST-IV) and UDP-GalNAc:GM3 N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (Gal-NAc-T) by the degree of enzyme phosphorylation was analyzed by determination of the enzyme activity on incubation of NG108-15 cells with various protein phosphatase inhibitors (okadaic acid and orthovanadate) or protein kinase activators (phorbol ester and forskolin). Incubation with okadaic acid, but not with orthovanadate, inhibited the ST-IV activity to 45% of that of control cells with t1/2 = 60 min for the inactivation reaction. This indicates a rapid hyperphosphorylation of ST-IV due to the inhibition of a serine/threonine-specific phosphatase. A similar rate of inactivation was found on stimulation of protein kinase C with phorbol ester. In contrast to ST-IV, the activity of GalNAc-T was increased on stimulation of intracellular phosphorylation systems. The fastest activation of GalNAc-T was achieved with forskolin, yielding up to 160% of the initial activity within 30 min of effector incubation. Up-regulation of GalNAc-T in conjunction with down-regulation of ST-IV by stimulation of phosphorylation is suggested to serve as a physiological mechanism to increase the concentration of GM1, which was found to be elevated in correlation with the cell density. This assumption was corroborated by metabolic labeling studies with radioactive ganglioside precursors indicating an enhancement of the relative amount of a-series gangliosides subsequent to GM3 on phosphorylation stimulation. In particular, the biosynthesis of GM1 was specifically elevated within 2 h of incubation with forskolin. We conclude from the overall data that the ganglioside composition during the cell differentiation of NG108-15 cells can be specifically regulated by both protein kinase A- and protein kinase C-related phosphorylation systems.
Effects of the neuroexcitatory amino acids aspartate and glutamate on LH secretion

Abstract The effects of infusing aspartate or glutamate into the third ventricle of unanesthetized female animals was examined. LH levels were significantly enhanced within 5–15 min following aspartate (0.5 and 0.2 μmole) or glutamate (0.5 and 0.2 μmole). Artificial CSF, used as a control, was ineffective. Multiple infusions with glutamate (0.5 μmole), separated by one hour and twenty-four hours, promoted consecutive increases in plasma LH. Plasma FSH levels, however, were not altered in any of the animals examined. This study further supports the findings that neuroexcitatory amino acids promote LH secretion.
Treatment of Nicotine Dependence

Nicotine dependence is characterized by periods of relapse and remission. Health care workers can have a pivotal role in the treatment of nicotine dependence. Smokers should be identified and categorized based on their readiness to change. Smokers who are preparing to stop smoking should be given multicomponent therapy in a step-care approach using behavioral treatment, addiction treatment, pharmacotherapy, and techniques of relapse prevention. Pharmacotherapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration for smoking interventions include sustained-release bupropion, nicotine gum, the nicotine inhaler, nicotine nasal spray, and nicotine patches.
Calcium Hexaluminate and Its Stability Relations in the System CaO–Al2O3–SiO2

By a combination of solid-state sintering and quenching experiments the validity of calcium hexaluminate as a stable phase and the extent of its primary field in the system CaO–Al2O3–SiO2 have been established. The size of the primary field is considerably reduced from that suggested by earlier work. The anorthite-corundum-calcium hexaluminate invariant point has been relocated at 28.0% CaO, 39.7% Al2O2, and 32.3% SiO2 and at 1405°± 5°C.
Transition probabilities in O III

Transition data has been computed in the MCHF + Breit-Pauli approximation for a number of the low lying triplets in O III. Special attention was given to the 2p3p 3P-2p3d 3P transition which is a primary cascade for the Bowen fluorescence mechanism in O III. The relativistic, largely spin-orbit, effect on the intensity ratio of primary decays was found to be as large as 50%, whereas the effect on secondary cascades was less than 30%. Agreement with astrophysically observed intensity ratios is excellent. There also is good agreement between the present liftimes and the beam-foil mean lifetimes obtained by Pinnington et al., though for 2p3p 3D and 3S the theoretical lifetimes are considerably shorter.
The double reflex of *ai in Avestan*

L'A. tente de determiner une nouvelle regle phonologique de l'avestique en se basant sur les exceptions d'une regle standard avancee par Bartholomae : *ai devient aē dans les syllabes ouvertes et les initiales de mot, dans les autres cas il devient ōi. L'etude est centree sur le jeune avestique
Autologous hematopoietic transplantation for low-grade lymphomas

Background :Autologous stem cell transplantation (SC T) has become the treatment of choice for patients with relapsed chemo-sensitive intermediate grade lymphoma, but its role in the treatment of low-grade lymphomas and in selected patients in first remission remains controversial. Methods :A large number of clinical trials have evaluated the role autologous SCT in both low grade and intermediate grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). These studies have attempted to evaluate the role of high dose therapy with stem cell support in comparison to more conven tional chemotherapy approaches. Studies have also focused on methods to assess whether contaminating tumor cells are contained with the stem cell collection and whether this has impact on outcome. With an increased number of patients now long term survivors, additional studies are focusing on long term complications and in particular the emergence of secondary malignancies. Results :Virtually all patients now receive peripheral blood stem cells rather than bone marrow as a source of stem cells. The role of purging of residual tumor cells remains controversial and no randomized trial has been published to date that could evaluate the clinical utility of cell manipulation to attempt to remove contaminating lymphoma cells. Secondary leukemia is emerging as a major source of long-term morbidity and mortality after autologous stem cell transplantation. Conclusion :Autologous SCT is associated with improved outcome in patients with relapsed intermediate grade lymphoma and most likely prolongs disease free survival in patients with low grade NHL. Morbidity and mortality of the procedure is low and major efforts are being made to attempt to decrease the major causes of failure, which remain disease relapse and occurrence of secondary malignancies.
Linearly scaled, rate-invariant normal limits for QT interval: eight decades of incorrect application of power functions.

Rate-Invariant Normal Limits for QT Interval.Introduction: Normal limits for QT traditionally are derived as mean ± 2*SD, with rate adjustment done by dividing QT values by power functions such as RR1/2 (proportional scaling). Methods and Results: We evaluated procedures for deriving normal limits by comparing adjusted QT distributions versus heart rate using ECG data of 11,739 normal men and women aged ≥ 40 years. QT decreased as predicted by many power functions with heart rate but its SD remained relatively unchanged. Consequently, proportional scaling induced rate-dependent distortion of normal limits. Furthermore, QT distributions by heart rate were variably skewed and non-normal. Therefore, normal limits expressed as mean ± 2*SD were misleading. Omission of regression intercept was an additional reason for failure of Bazett's and Fridericia's formulas. Regularized normal limits for adjusted QT (Qta) were obtained with linear instead of proportional scaling of type QTa = QT + k1*(1 – RRk2), for instance, with k2 = 0.5, k1 = 0.360 for males and 0.353 for females, or with k2 = 0.42, k1 = 0.414 for males and 0.420 for females. With linear scaling, QTa = 460 msec was established as the upper 2% normal limit, with 32 msec as the limit for a significant QTa increase from reference ECG in serial comparison. Conclusion: Traditional procedures for establishment of normal limits failed because of proportional scaling, assumption of normal QT distribution, or omission of regression intercept. Percentile distributions of linearly scaled adjusted QT produced regularized rate invariant normal limits within normal sinus rates.
Packing rectangles and intervals

Consider a parameter α>0, and a large integer AT. Assume that for P≥1, we are given a family I p of [2-αp N] random intervals of [0,1], and consider the union I of the families Ip . A packing of I is a disjoint sub family of I. The cost of the packing is the sum of the wasted space (the measure of the part of [0,1] not covered by the packing) and the costs of the intervals of the packing, where, if l∊ Ip , the cost of I is 2-p |I|. We estimate as a function of N, the expected value of the cost of an optimal packing. We discover the very surprising fact that (up to terms of smaller order) this cost behaves as N -1/2 for all 1≤α≤2. This problem is motivated by a problem of packing random rectangles.
A Generalization of Hilbert Modules

We show that there is a natural generalization of the notion of a Hilbert C*-module (also called “Hilbert module,” “inner product module,” “rigged module,” and sometimes “Hermitian module” in the literature) to nonselfadjoint operator algebras, and we lay down some foundations for this theory, including direct sums, tensor products, change of rings, and index for subalgebras of operator algebras. These modules in general do not give rise to a Morita equivalence (unlike in the C*-algebra case).
The acceleration of slow coronal mass ejections in the high-speed solar wind

Using a one-dimensional hydrodynamic code we have simulated the radial evolution of heliospheric disturbances produced by slow coronal mass ejections (CMEs) embedded in much faster leading and trailing ambient solar wind. We find that pressure gradients induced by initial speed differences between slow CMEs and faster ambient wind can produce large accelerations of the CMEs, eventually nearly up to the speed of the ambient wind. The compressions, rarefactions, and shocks associated with this acceleration persist to large heliocentric distances. Comparison with observations reveals that such effects helped accelerate two of the six-high-latitude, CME events observed by Ulysses. {copyright} American Geophysical Union 1996
Molecular architecture of the chloroplast membranes of Chlamydomonas reinhardi as revealed by high resolution electron microscopy.

The chloroplast membranes of Chlamydomonas reinhardi were prepared for thin section, high resolution electron microscopy with the specific goal of minimally denaturing the protein and with the least lipid solublization possible. Thus, membrane proteins were first cross-linked with a short exposure to 1% glutaraldehyde, briefly dehydrated in cold ethylene glycol, and infiltrated with Vestopal. After such a preparatory procedure, the partition membranes were 270 A thick, nearly three times the thickness of membranes preserved by conventional denaturing procedures (100 A). The 270 A-thick partition membranes showed a heterogeneous (10–100 A) globular substructure. Partition membrane thickness varied consistently from 100–270 A depending on the denaturing potential of the “fixative” and the hydrophobic character of the dehydrating agent. The 270 A-thick chloroplast membrane indicates that protein molecules must be arranged in a complex, condensed, three-dimensional arrangement with no continuous lipid bilayer as the basic component of the membrane.