cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies of nicotinic acid metabolism in Astasia longa. II. Pathway and regulation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide biosynthesis in cell-free preparations.

Abstract Cell-free extracts of Astasia longa possess the following enzymes at the indicated relative activities: (a) quinolinic acid phosphoribosyl transferase, 0.5; (b) nicotinic acid mononucleotide pyrophosphorylase, 1; (c) nicotinic acid dinucleotide pyrophosphorylase, 1; (d) nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide synthetase, 0.003; (e) nicotinamide dinucleotide kinase, 1; (f) nicotinamide deamidase, 1; (g) nicotinic acid methyltransferase, 0.0001. The presence of Enzymes a, c, d, and e, in conjunction with data on the intracellular levels of deamido-NMN, deamido-NAD, NAD, and NADP, establishes this sequence of compounds as the pathway of biosynthesis of pyridine nucleotides in Astasia and indicates that the conversion of deamido-NAD to NAD is a rate-limiting step. Cell-free extracts also catalyzed the degradation and pyrophosphorolysis of deamido-NAD and of NAD, and catalyzed an exchange reaction between nicotinic acid and the nicotinamide moiety of NAD. These reactions, in conjunction with the presence of Enzymes b and f, and with data showing a high rate of turnover of NAD in exponentially growing cultures, indicate the operation of a nicotinic acid salvage pathway in Astasia. The finding that nicotinic acid is an inhibitor of Enzyme a and that quinolinic acid is an inhibitor of Enzyme b suggests a possible means of control of the relative rates of the biosynthetic and the salvage pathways. The finding that deamido-NAD, present in relatively high concentrations in Astasia, is an inhibitor of Enzyme b suggests another possible control mechanism. Growth in the presence of nicotinic acid or quinolinic acid did not lead to repression of either Enzyme a or b. Nicotinamide and high concentrations of nicotinic acid inhibited the growth of Astasia and nicotinamide repressed the level of Enzymes a and b.
Variation of the energy release rate as a crack approaches and passes through an elastic inclusion

The variation of the energy release rate (ERP) at the tip of a crack penetrating an elastic inclusion is analyzed using an approach involving modeling the random array of microcracks or other defects by an elastic inclusion with effective elastic properties. Computations are carried out using a finite element procedure. The eight-noded isoparametric serendipity element with the shift of the midpoint to the quarter-point is used to simulate the singularity at the crack tip, and the crack growth is accommodated by implementing a mesh regeneration technique. The ERP values were calculated for various crack tip positions which simulate the process of the crack approaching and penetrating the inclusion.
Detection of minimal residual disease.

Publisher Summary Minimal residual disease (MRD) is defined as the presence of a small number of cancer cells in hematological malignancies usually below 1010 cells (that amount approximately corresponds to 1g of the total cancer cell burden in a human body). The ability to distinguish residual malignant cells among a normal population of cells is inherently dependent on the presence of identifiable cellular or subcellular features specific to the malignant clone. Unique combinations of surface, cytoplasmic, or nuclear molecules that are expressed by the malignant clone and are not present in normal cell population allow multiparameter flow-cytometric detection of MRD. This chapter presents an overview of the most current technology used for defining the advancement in MRD. It also focuses on MRD in acute and chronic leukemias and some lymphoproliferative disorders. In both acute and chronic leukemias and also in multiple myeloma, bone marrow (BM) is the primary and most significant compartment for MRD analysis.
The interaction of phenoxybenzamine with the mouse brain opiate receptor.

Phenoxybenzamine was found to displace stereospecifically bound [3H]naloxone from mouse brain homogenates in a dose-related manner, with an IC50 of 4.6 µM. In the presence of 100 mM Na+, the dose-response curve shifted to give an IC50 of 19 µM and an Na+ response ratio of 4.3, which is similar to that of a mixed agonist-antagonist. Scatchard plots of the binding data showed that phenoxybenzamine reduced the number of receptor binding sites for naloxone but did not change the affinity of the unreacted receptors for naloxone. Levallorphan protected the receptor from phenoxybenzamine, but the inhibition of binding activity produced by phenoxybenzamine could not be reversed by repeated washing of the receptor preparation. It thus appears that phenoxybenzamine acts as an irreversible, non-equilibrium inhibitor with binding characteristics similar to those of the agonist-antagonist narcotics. Washed brain homogenates from mice treated in vivo with antinociceptive doses of phenoxybenzamine exhibited enhanced binding of [3H]naloxone and [3H]morphine, which may indicate the displacement of an endogenous material from the opiate receptors in vivo by phenoxybenzamine.
First calculation of phase and coherence of longitudinally separated L‐band equatorial ionospheric scintillation

[1] We present the first calculation of phase and coherence of cross-wavelet transform applied to longitudinally separated L-band equatorial ionospheric scintillation observations received from Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites. The phase and coherence analysis were employed on two pairs of observations: (1) Sao Luis and Rio Branco and (2) Alta Floresta and Huancayo. For these case studies, in statistically significant and high-coherence regions, scintillation observations over Sao Luis (Alta Floresta) lead that of Rio Branco (Huancayo) by ∼2 to 3 h with a 95%frequency. If L-band scintillation happens over Sao Luis (Alta Floresta), there is a 95%likelihood that scintillation would happen to the west over Rio Branco (Huancayo) after ∼2 to 3 h, suggesting that a forecast can be made ahead of scintillation occurrences. The phase and coherence relationships between the longitudinally separated scintillation-producing regions can be connected to the large-scale wave structures which are reported to be related to the generation of equatorial spread F and scintillation.
Preliminary results from a case study of effort estimation for net-centric applications at the undergraduate level

Presents preliminary results from an ongoing case study of effort estimation for net-centric applications in an undergraduate software engineering class. For two consecutive course offerings, students' effort estimates were tracked against the same project: modifying a Web-site log analyzer program. The question was to see if the application domain of net-centric computing is qualitatively different, quantitatively different, or both, from "regular" software applications. In both classes, the effort estimates produced by the students were quite erratic, a finding that might be traced, in part, to inadequate requirements engineering, to the novelty of the application domain and to the students' inexperience. The study is of interest in part due to the novelty of net-centric applications, which are representative of the sort of modern software system that the students will likely work on when they enter the workforce.
Categorical regression analysis of acute exposure to tetrachloroethylene

Exposure-response analysis of acute noncancer risks should consider both concentration (C) and duration (T) of exposure, as well as severity of response. Stratified categorical regression is a form of meta-analysis that addresses these needs by combining studies and analyzing response data expressed as ordinal severity categories. A generalized linear model for ordinal data was used to estimate the probability of response associated with exposure and severity category. Stratification of the regression model addresses systematic differences among studies by allowing one or more model parameters to vary across strata defined, for example, by species and sex. The ability to treat partial information addresses the difficulties in assigning consistent severity scores. Studies containing information on acute effects of tetrachloroethylene in rats, mice, and humans were analyzed. The mouse data were highly uncertain due to lack of data on effects of low concentrations and were excluded from the analysis. A model with species-specific concentration intercept terms for rat and human central nervous system data improved fit to the data compared with the base model (combined species). More complex models with strata defined by sex and species did not improve the fit. The stratified regression model allows human effect levels to be identified more confidently by basing the intercept on human data and the slope parameters on the combined data (on a C x T plot). This analysis provides an exposure-response function for acute exposures to tetrachloroethylene using categorical regression analysis.
Investigating the source of BOLD nonlinearity in human visual cortex in response to paired visual stimuli.

Abstract Several studies have demonstrated significant nonlinearity in the blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) signal. Completely understanding the nature of this nonlinear behavior is important in the interpretation of the BOLD signal. However, this task is hindered by the uncertainty of the source of BOLD nonlinearity which could come from neuronal and/or vascular origin. The obscurity of this issue not only impedes accurate modeling of BOLD nonlinearity, but also limits generalization of the conclusions regarding BOLD nonlinearity. To examine this issue, we eliminated nonlinear contributions from the neuronal response and selectively study BOLD nonlinearity under only the vascular effect by employing a paired-stimulus paradigm composed of two ultra-short visual stimuli separated by a variable inter-stimulus interval (ISI). ISIs chosen were long enough (≥ 1s) to ensure invariant neuronal activity to all stimuli. Under this circumstance, we still observed significant nonlinearity in the BOLD signal reflected by a progressive recovery of BOLD response to the second stimuli as ISI gets longer and delayed BOLD onset latency. These nonlinear behaviors identified in the BOLD signal originate entirely from the vascular responses as the neuronal responses to all stimuli are identical. More importantly, we found that BOLD nonlinearity became much less significant after we removed activated pixels from large vessels. These finds reveal that the dominant component, if not all, of the source of BOLD nonlinearity comes from large-vessel hemodynamic response. They also suggest a possible mechanism to improve the spatial specificity of gradient-echo BOLD signal for fMRI mapping based on the characteristics of vascular refractoriness.
Communication in the Shifting Context of Intimacy: Marriage, Meaning, and Modernity

This essay relates communication and the social construction of reality in marriage to historical changes in American culture. It argues that two evolving characteristics of American culture - degree of plurality and sex-role asymmetries (differentiated life worlds versus undifferentiated life worlds and equality versus paternalism) - created distinct eras in American society in which communication in marriage had different unintended consequences. It argues that this theory of the interplay between culture, history, and interpersonal communication provides a basis for the exploration of present-day intercultural differences in interpersonal communication and suggests a need to historically situate research in interpersonal communication.
Soil C and N storage and microbial biomass in US southern pine forests: Influence of forest management

Land management practices have strong potential to modify the biogeochemistry of forest soils, with implications for the long-term sustainability and productivity of forestlands. The Long-Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) program, a network of 62 sites across the USA and Canada, was initiated to address concerns over possible losses of soil productivity due to soil disturbance from forest management. Network sites employ an experimental design consisting of three harvest intensities (bole only, whole tree, whole tree + forest floor removal) in combination with three soil compaction intensities (none, intermediate, severe). Our purpose was to determine the impact of forest harvest intensity, soil compaction, and their interaction on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) storage, and on soil microbial biomass C and N (MBC and MBN, respectively) in a Pinus taeda L. forest 15-years post-treatment at the Groveton LTSP site in eastern Texas, USA. Soils were sampled (0–10 cm) five times during 2011– 2012, and we quantified SOC and TN by dry combustion, and MBC and MBN by chloroform fumigation extraction. SOC and TN were both higher in the bole only treatment compared to the more severe harvest treatments; however, while TN was significantly impacted by harvest and varied seasonally, SOC varied only with season. MBC and MBN were impacted by harvest intensity and varied seasonally, and SMB-N had a harvest by time interaction. Generally, both microbial indices decreased in the order: bole only >whole tree > whole tree + forest floor. Temporal variations in MBN and TN were correlated with tem
Subframe multiplexing for FPGA manufacturing test configuration

The cost of FPGA manufacturing test is driven by the number of test configurations and the time required to configure an FPGA under test. The high degree of regularity of an FPGA, which is an array of interconnected logic blocks, results in manufacturing test configurations that are also highly regular. Subframe multiplexing takes advantage of the regularity in test configurations to greatly reduce the configuration time, the dominant portion of the test time. This design for test technique requires only a minor modification to the existing configuration hardware---the addition of several two-bit multiplexers---while maintaining the same configuration memory architecture. Results are shown for Xilinx Virtex and Virtex-E series FPGAs, yielding a configuration time reduced by several orders of magnitude compared to the best current technique.
Uncertainty analysis for an equilibrium partitioning-based estimator of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon bioaccumulation potential in sediments

In regulatory evaluations of contaminated sediments, an equilibrium partitioning-based screening test called theoretical bioaccumulation potential (TBP) is often performed to estimate the probable concentrations of neutral organic contaminants that would eventually accumulate in aquatic organisms from continuous exposure to a sediment. The TBP is calculated from contaminant concentration and organic carbon content of the sediment, lipid content of target organisms, and a partition coefficient, usually the biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF). However, routine applications of TBP have not included analysis of uncertainty. This paper demonstrates two methods for uncertainty analysis of TBP: a computational method that incorporates random and systematic error and a simulation method using bootstrap resampling of replicated model input parameters to calculate statistical uncertainty measures. For prediction of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) bioaccumulation in bivalves exposed to contaminated sediments, uncertainty as a factor of TBP ranged from 1.2 to 4.8 using the computational method and 0.5 to 1.9 based on bootstrap 95% confidence intervals. Sensitivity analysis indicated that BSAF parameters, especially tissue contaminant concentration and lipid content, contributed most to TBP uncertainty. In bootstrap tests of significance, TBP significantly over- or underestimated actual PAH bioaccumulation in bivalves in 41% and 10% of comparisons, respectively.
Combustion Synthesis of a Functionally Graded NiTi-TiCx Composite

Combustion synthesis (CS) is an alternative technique for producing advanced materials and is dependent upon a highly exothermic chemical reaction to become self-sustaining after only a short energy pulse is applied to initiate the reaction. A NiTi-TiC x functionally graded material (FGM) was investigated that combines superelastic and shape memory capabilities of NiTi with the high hardness, wear, and corrosion resistance of TiC x . CS was employed to produce a FGM from 100% TiC x ceramic to 100% NiTi intermetallic. Temperature and burning velocity data of the CS reaction were recorded. XRD of the final product layers was conducted to determine phase composition. The combustion temperature, burning velocity, and cooling rate in each layer decreased with increasing NiTi content. Large blowholes were present in the high NiTi content layers as a result of outgassing of volatile species from the reactant powders. XRD analysis revealed the presence of Ni-Ti intermetallics along with a substoichiometric TiC (TiC 0.7 ). Production of a NiTi-TiC x FGM is possible through use of a CS reaction employing the propagating mode (SHS). The material layers were observed as functionally graded in both composition and porosity.
Fucosyltransferase 2 Non-Secretor and Low Secretor Status Predicts Severe Outcomes in Premature Infants

Objective To investigate secretor gene fucosyltransferase 2 ( FUT2 ) polymorphism and secretor phenotype in relation to outcomes of prematurity. Study design Study infants were ≤32 weeks gestational age. Secretor genotype was determined from salivary DNA. Secretor phenotype was measured with H antigen, the carbohydrate produced by secretor gene enzymes, in saliva samples collected on day 9 ± 5. The optimal predictive cutoff point in salivary H values was identified with Classification and Regression Tree analysis. Study outcomes were death, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC, Bell's stage II/III), and confirmed sepsis. Results There were 410 study infants, 26 deaths, 30 cases of NEC, and 96 cases of sepsis. Analyzed by genotype, 13% of 95 infants who were non-secretors, 5% of 203 infants who were heterozygotes, and 2% of 96 infants who were secretor dominant died ( P = .01). Analyzed by phenotype, 15% of 135 infants with low secretor phenotype died, compared with 2% of 248 infants with high secretor phenotype (predictive value=76%, P P P = .05) with gram negative sepsis. Secretor status remained significant after controlling for multiple clinical factors. Conclusions Secretor genotype and phenotype may provide strong predictive biomarkers of adverse outcomes in premature infants.
Performance analysis of unmanned vehicle positioning and obstacle mapping

As unmanned ground vehicles take on more and more intelligent tasks, determination of potential obstacles and accurate estimation of their position become critical for successful navigation and path planning. The performance analysis of obstacle mapping and unmanned vehicle positioning in outdoor environments is the subject of this paper. Recently, the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Intelligent Systems Division has been a part of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency LAGR (Learning Applied to Ground Robots) Program. NIST's objective for the LAGR Project is to insert learning algorithms into the modules that make up the NIST 4D/RCS (Four Dimensional/Real-Time Control System) standard reference model architecture which has been successfully applied to many intelligent systems. We detail world modeling techniques used in the 4D/RCS architecture and then analyze the high precision maps generated by the vehicle world modeling algorithms as compared to ground truth obtained from an independent differential GPS system operable throughout most of the NIST campus. This work has implications, not only for outdoor vehicles but also, for indoor automated guided vehicles where future systems will have more and more onboard intelligence requiring non-contact sensors to provide accurate vehicle and object positioning.
Vascular complications associated with spontaneous aortic dissection

Three hundred twenty-five cases of spontaneous aortic dissection seen at two institutions between 1965 and 1986 were reviewed to assess the incidence, morbid sequelae, and specific management of aortic branch compromise. Noncardiac vascular complications occurred in 33% of the study group, and in these patients the overall mortality rate (51%) was significantly (p less than 0.001) higher than in patients without (29%) such complications. Although aortic rupture was the strongest correlate of mortality (90%), death specifically related to vascular occlusion was common when such occlusion occurred in the carotid, mesenteric, and renal circulation. There was a strong correlation between stroke and carotid occlusion (22/26 cases), yet specific carotid revascularization was only used during the chronic phase of the disease. Similarly, peripheral operation was ineffective in reducing the mortality rate in the setting of mesenteric (87%) and renal (50%) ischemia. Fifteen patients required either fenestration or graft replacement of the abdominal aorta for acute obstruction, rupture, or chronic aneurysm development. Thirty-eight patients (12%) demonstrated some degree of lower extremity ischemia, and one third of these required a direct approach on the abdominal aorta or iliofemoral segments to restore circulation. Selected patients with acute aortic dissection may require peripheral vascular operation in accordance with a treatment strategy that directs initial attention to the immediate life-threatening complications.
FAST AND STABLE RECURSIVE ALGORITHMS FOR CONTINUOUS-TIME AND DISCRETE-TIME MODEL CONVERSIONS

Based on the Newton-Raphson method, this paper presents recursive algorithms that are rapidly convergent and more stable for modeling the equivalent continuous-time (discrete-time) model from the available discrete-time (continuous-time) model for a fixed sampling period. The newly developed recursive algorithms relax the constraints imposed upon the existing model conversion algorithms, and, thus, enhance the applications of microprocessors and associated microelectronics to digital control systems. A practical example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedures.
Oxidant Stress and Mitochondrial Signaling Regulate Reversible Changes of ERα Expression and Apoptosis in Aging Mouse Glomeruli and Mesangial Cells

Estrogen actions are largely dependent on the intracellular estrogen receptor (ER) levels. During aging the decline of estrogens or ER leads to a loss in antiinflammatory protection and an increase in oxidant stress due to changes in mitochondrial function. Estrogens/ER may also coordinate signaling between the nucleus and mitochondria through ERK activation, which paradoxically decreases ER expression. The changes in ER expression and transcriptional activation that occur with aging as well as the mitochondria-to-nuclear signaling pathways have not been studied in the glomerulus. We found that ER expression and transcriptional activation decreased with age. Whereas ER levels decreased by greater than 90%, serum 17β-estradiol levels decreased by less than 30%, suggesting alternative mechanisms for ER decrease. Because we postulated that this was due in part to age-related oxidant stress, we treated mesangial cells (MCs) with ethidium bromide (EtBr) to deplete mitochondria. EtBr treatment resulted in decre...
The coupling between turbulent, penetrative convection and internal waves

Experiments aimed at exploring the coupling of penetrative convection with internal waves in the adjoining, stable layer were performed in a long convection cell. The experiments are motivated by preliminary theoretical results suggesting that an intrinsic phase instability may exist in the coupled system in which case long internal waves modulate the height and strength of convective plumes. Using a temperature-controlled, stably stratified experimental apparatus, measured temperature data reveal the presence of long internal wave modes that persist for many convective time scales. The frequencies of these waves increase linearly in time during the energy transfer between the convective and stratified regions as the depth of the stratified region diminishes and the depth of the mixed layer increases. Temporal variations in the heat flux, interface rise characteristics, and frequencies of internal wave motions are reported. A natural temporal modulation of the thickness of the transition layer separating the mixed layer from the stratified layer occurs following commencement of heating, with the amplitude and frequency of the modulation varying with the initial stratification. Temperature variance data suggest that a fairly strong interaction between convection and internal waves occurs, especially when the interface region is midway between the upper and lower boundaries of the cell and the no-slip boundary conditions play a less influential role on the dynamics of the coupling.
Antenatal diagnosis of cretin lambs by measurement of amniotic fluid thyrotropin.

SummaryElevated TSH levels are highly reliable in predicting neonatal lamb hypo-thyroidism. However, the method is not as sensitive as serum TSH measurement, and mild hypothyroidism can exist with normal amniotic fluid thyrotropin and elevated serum TSH.
Reliability of ultrasonographic formulary in the prediction of fetal weight and survival of very-low-birth-weight infants.

Abstract Antenatal management of very-low-birth-weight infants often requires difficult obstetric decisions. This study was designed to evaluate the predictive value for neonatal outcome of antenatally acquired estimation of gestational age and ultrasonographically estimated fetal weight or a combination of both in very-low-birth-weight infants. Sixty-seven fetuses with estimated gestational ages between 22% and 286/7 weeks were studied ultrasonographically to estimate fetal weight. A comparison of accuracy of estimated fetal weight with actual birth weight showed good correlation (r = 0.93). Neonatal outcome of these infants was analyzed by estimated gestational age and estimated fetal weight. Estimated gestational age and estimated fetal weight >25 weeks and >750 gm were associated with 50% survival, respectively. However, when both of these conditions were met survival reached 85%. This information may be useful to guide antepartum management decisions in this very-low-birth-weight group. (Ann J OSSTET GYNECOL 1990;163:1568-74.)
Disorder and persistent photoconductivity in ZnxCd1-xSe semiconductor alloys.

A theoretical formula based on carrier scattering in systems with a certain degree of disorder has been derived, which describes well the buildup transients of persistent photoconductivity and carrier transport due to the conduction-band tail states in semiconductor alloys. Important parameters, including the distribution of tail states caused purely by alloy disorder, can be obtained by comparing our theory with experimental data. The formula derived here has general validity for describing the conductivity due to the tail states in other systems with either structure (amorphous), location (impurity), or alloy disorder. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Rec-DCM-Eigen: reconstructing a less parsimonious but more accurate tree in shorter time.

Maximum parsimony (MP) methods aim to reconstruct the phylogeny of extant species by finding the most parsimonious evolutionary scenario using the species' genome data. MP methods are considered to be accurate, but they are also computationally expensive especially for a large number of species. Several disk-covering methods (DCMs), which decompose the input species to multiple overlapping subgroups (or disks), have been proposed to solve the problem in a divide-and-conquer way. We design a new DCM based on the spectral method and also develop the COGNAC (Comparing Orders of Genes using Novel Algorithms and high-performance Computers) software package. COGNAC uses the new DCM to reduce the phylogenetic tree search space and selects an output tree from the reduced search space based on the MP principle. We test the new DCM using gene order data and inversion distance. The new DCM not only reduces the number of candidate tree topologies but also excludes erroneous tree topologies which can be selected by original MP methods. Initial labeling of internal genomes affects the accuracy of MP methods using gene order data, and the new DCM enables more accurate initial labeling as well. COGNAC demonstrates superior accuracy as a consequence. We compare COGNAC with FastME and the combination of the state of the art DCM (Rec-I-DCM3) and GRAPPA . COGNAC clearly outperforms FastME in accuracy. COGNAC –using the new DCM–also reconstructs a much more accurate tree in significantly shorter time than GRAPPA with Rec-I-DCM3.
Fibroblasts Isolated from Human Middle Turbinate Mucosa Cause Neural Progenitor Cells to Differentiate into Glial Lineage Cells

Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) is a potential therapy for repair of spinal cord injury (SCI). Autologous transplantation of OECs has been reported in clinical trials. However, it is still controversial whether purified OECs or olfactory mucosa containing OECs, fibroblasts and other cells should be used for transplantation. OECs and fibroblasts were isolated from olfactory mucosa of the middle turbinate from seven patients. The percentage of OECs with p75(NTR+) and GFAP(+) ranged from 9.2% to 73.2%. Fibroblasts were purified and co-cultured with normal human neural progenitors (NHNPs). Based on immunocytochemical labeling, NHNPs were induced into glial lineage cells when they were co-cultured with the mucosal fibroblasts. These results demonstrate that OECs can be isolated from the mucosa of the middle turbinate bone as well as from the dorsal nasal septum and superior turbinates, which are the typical sites for harvesting OECs. Transplantation of olfactory mucosa containing fibroblasts into the central nervous system (CNS) needs to be further investigated before translation to clinical application.
A retrospective analysis of intramuscular haloperidol and intramuscular olanzapine in the treatment of agitation in drug- and alcohol-using patients.

Abstract Objective The treatment of agitation in drug- and alcohol-using emergency patients is understudied. Method We performed a retrospective chart review of 105 agitated emergency department patients who received either intramuscular (IM) haloperidol or IM olanzapine, comparing prescribing patterns, level of agitation, response to treatment and side effects in patients positive for drugs or alcohol [D/A(+)] and patients negative for drugs or alcohol [(D/A(−)]. Results The haloperidol–benzodiazepine combination was the most frequently prescribed treatment in both groups, although alcohol(+) status biased clinicians toward using haloperidol alone. Overall, D/A(+) and D/A(−) patients responded to the initial intervention at similar rates, although D/A(+) patients were rated as more agitated and had more posttreatment sedation than D/A(−) patients. In D/A(+) patients, haloperidol+benzodiazepine and IM olanzapine performed better than haloperidol alone. There were no serious adverse events with any treatment. Conclusion Findings support the generalization of efficacy data from more rarified agitated samples to populations with high rates of substance use and highlight the need for prospective, inclusive, randomized trials comparing the commonly used haloperidol–benzodiazepine combination with newer injectable antipsychotics.
Suprasellar Rathke cleft cysts: clinical presentation and treatment outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Rathke cleft cysts (RCCs), benign remnants of the Rathke pouch typically arising in the sella, sometimes have suprasellar extension. Purely suprasellar RCCs are rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: To compare the presentations, surgical outcomes, and pathology of purely suprasellar RCCs and sellar-based RCCs. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records, magnetic resonance images, laboratory results, and pathology of 151 RCC patients surgically managed at our institution from 1989 to 2009. The RCCs were classified as purely sellar (type I, n = 76), sellar with suprasellar extension (type II, n = 56), or purely suprasellar (type III, n = 19). RESULTS: The RCCs with a suprasellar component (types II and III) more commonly presented with visual dysfunction (P <.001). Complete cyst drainage occurred in 89%, 55%, and 38% of type I, II, and III RCCs, respectively (P <.001). Vision improved in 100%, 55%, and 33% and headache improved in 74%, 64%, and 29% of type I, II, and III patients, respectively (P =.02). Temporary or permanent postoperative diabetes insipidus occurred in 5%, 16%, and 21% of type I, II, and III patients, respectively. (P <.001). In a multivariate analysis, RCC type was the only factor predicting recurrence. Kaplan-Meier 3-year recurrence/progression rates were 0%, 16%, and 29% for type I, II, and III RCCs, respectively (P <.001, type I vs II, type I vs III; P =.5 type II vs III). CONCLUSION: The RCCs with a suprasellar component are neurosurgically challenging because of their proximity to the optic chiasm and infundibulum. Compared with sellar-based RCCs, RCCs with a suprasellar component more frequently present with visual dysfunction, are more difficult to completely eliminate, recur more frequently, and are associated with higher postoperative endocrine morbidity, and their preoperative visual dysfunction and headache less frequently improve with surgery. These factors must be considered during the treatment of RCCs with a suprasellar component.
Correlates of Achievement, Dominance, and Creativity:

Srrrnmary.-A review of literature suggests that creativity and authoritarianism are negatively correlated. Based on a validation study by Ray and Lovejoy in 1983 in which need €or achievement and dominance were offered as better predictors of authoritarian behaviors than traditional auchoritarianism scales, we examined this relationship using a projective test for Need for Achievement (the Thematic Apperception Test) and a self-descriptive scale (the Adjective Check List) which produced multiple measures of achievement plus scores on dominance and creativity. The anticipated negative relationship between creativity and this operationalization of authoritarianism was not produced by any of the measures. Instead, we replicated Gough and Heilbrun's 1983 data in which dominance and achievement are positively related to creativity. The results are discussed in terms of how researchers might examine he relations between authoritarianism and creativity as the social psychology of creativity. The experiment reported here is one of a network of proposed experiments investigating the relationship between creativity and authoritarianism. The direction of this over-all research program is towards an examination of this particular relationship in terms of a social psychology of creativity (Amabile, 1983). A variety of experimental evidence and theorizing supports the notion that there is a negative correlation between creativity and authoritarianism (Eisenman, 1982; Grossman & Eisenman, 1971; Kuhn, 1962; Simonton, 1981). The Creative Personality Scale (Cps) of Gough's Adjective Check List (ACL) is one of several different types of measures of creativity; the Cps scale of the ACL has been cross-validated across a wide variety of disciplines and careers (Albaurn & Baker, 1977). This experiment follows the suggestion of Ray and Lovejoy's (1983) analysis in which need for achievement functioned as a better predictor of actual authoritarian behaviors than did a variety of authoritarianism scales. In their examination of the validity of four measures of authoritarianism plus a need for achievement scale, Ray and Lovejoy (1983) found the latter instrument to be the best predictor of ratings of authoritarianism by peers famihar with the subjects' everyday and long-term behavior patterns. Ray and Lovejoy point out that this link between authoritarianism and need for achievement highghts the discrepancy between attitudes and behavior (Kelman, 1974) and suggests that authoritarian behaviors sprlng not from authoritarian attitudes but from some other motivation such as need for
Early predictive value of supine and upright X-ray films of odontoid fractures treated with halo-vest immobilization.

Abstract Background Although halo-vest immobilization remains a common form of treatment for type II odontoid fractures, nonunion and C1–2 instability may be the result in up to 20% to 40% of patients. Purpose Supine and upright lateral X-ray films may allow early identification of patients likely to fail halo-vest treatment and earlier surgical treatment with decreased morbidity from prolonged unsuccessful halo-vest immobilization. Study design/setting A prospective cohort study was performed. Patient sample Twenty patients with type II odontoid fractures. Outcome measures Posttreatment nonunion and C1–2 instability as determined by plain X-ray films and computed tomography scan. Methods Both supine and upright lateral X-ray films were obtained immediately after halo-vest application and at the 2-week, 6-week, and 3-month follow-up. Flexion-extension lateral X-ray films were obtained after halo-vest removal. Patients with nonunion or instability underwent computed tomography scan. Upright X-ray films were compared serially to identify loss of reduction. Pairs of supine and upright X-ray films were compared to measure any change in displacement or angulation upon transition from supine to upright position. Nonunion patients were compared with healed patients to determine any difference in fracture behavior based on serial supine and upright X-ray films. Results Twenty patients with type II odontoid fractures were identified during the study period. Three patients with multiple trauma underwent immediate surgical stabilization. Three elderly patients with nondisplaced fractures were treated in a cervical orthosis. Fourteen patients initiated and completed 3 months of halo-vest immobilization. After halo-vest removal, 4 of 14 patients (29%) showed radiographic nonunion or instability. In all 4 nonunion patients, supine and upright radiographs at 2 weeks revealed change in fracture angulation ≥5° between the supine and upright positions. In three of these patients standard serial upright lateral X-ray films failed to identify any loss of reduction. In the remaining patient, progressive angulation of 15° was observed. No measurable change in angulation between supine and upright X-ray films was observed in any patient who healed successfully with halo-vest treatment. Conclusions Obtaining both supine and upright lateral X-ray films during the follow-up period may identify patients at risk for failure of halo-vest treatment as early as 2 weeks after initiation of treatment. A change in fracture angulation ≥5° suggests an increased risk of treatment failure and the potential benefit of early surgical stabilization.
Remodeling the proteostasis network to rescue glucocerebrosidase variants by inhibiting ER-associated degradation and enhancing ER folding.

Gaucher’s disease (GD) is characterized by loss of lysosomal glucocerebrosidase (GC) activity. Mutations in the gene encoding GC destabilize the protein’s native folding leading to ER-associated degradation (ERAD) of the misfolded enzyme. Enhancing the cellular folding capacity by remodeling the proteostasis network promotes native folding and lysosomal activity of mutated GC variants. However, proteostasis modulators reported so far, including ERAD inhibitors, trigger cellular stress and lead to induction of apoptosis. We show herein that lacidipine, an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker that also inhibits ryanodine receptors on the ER membrane, enhances folding, trafficking and lysosomal activity of the most severely destabilized GC variant achieved via ERAD inhibition in fibroblasts derived from patients with GD. Interestingly, reprogramming the proteostasis network by combining modulation of Ca2+ homeostasis and ERAD inhibition remodels the unfolded protein response and dramatically lowers apoptosis induction typically associated with ERAD inhibition.
Transferrin saturation and hospital length of stay and mortality in Medicare beneficiaries.

Objectives: To evaluate in a large, nationally representative cohort the association between high serum transferrin saturation (TS) and hospital length of stay and mortality in older adults. Design: Prospective cohort. Setting: Longitudinal analyses of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey linked to Medicare claims from 1991 through 2006. Participants: Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older at baseline. Measurements: Transferrin saturation collected on each participant at baseline was characterized as <20.0%, 20.0% to 54.9%, and 55.0% and greater. Length of stay in the hospital and death in the hospital were primary outcomes. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, education, and severity of illness. Results: Individuals hospitalized during the study period (79.4%) with high (odds ratio (OR) = 2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05�6.12) or low (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.07�1.62) TS had a significantly greater risk of death than those with moderate TS. Individuals with high TS had longer average length of stay per hospitalization (11.1 days, (standard error, SE 1.7 days), P = .01) than those with moderate TS (8.4 (0.3) days). Individuals with high TS also had more hospital days per year (8.6 (2.0) days, P = .04) than those with moderate TS (6.7 (0.5) days). Conclusion: High TS is associated with longer length of stay and death in the hospital (unweighted N = 3,847, weighted N = 28,395,464).
Inducing children to generate mnemonic organizational strategies: an examination of long-term retention and materials

Whether children's strategy transfer is influenced by prior experience was investigated in a memory context. Specifically, experience with highly related materials was predicted to facilitate subsequent use of organizational strategies and recall of low-associated items. In Experiment 1, 3rd graders induced to use organizational strategies through exposure to categorical materiaIs demonstrated better recall and organization, both immediately and 3-5 days later, than children explicitly trained in strategy use. Experiment 2 examined age-related differences in materials that would induce children to generate organizational strategies on their own. Third graders exposed to categorical materials exhibited better recall and organization of low associates, whereas functional materials facilitated 6th graders' performance. In both experiments, metamemory and simulated teaching instructions mirrored memory performance
Network Realization of Optimum Amplifier Noise Performance

Network realizations of the optimum noise performance (lowest noise figure at high gain) of a two-terminal-pair amplifier are presented. Two amplifier classes are distinguished: 1) networks that can both generate and absorb power and 2) networks that only generate power, or negative resistance networks. Amplifiers of class 1) can be optimized by first making them unilateral, subsequently employing input mismatch. Negative resistance amplifiers can be first brought into "canonic" form. Subsequent imbedding of part of the canonic network in an ideal circulator optimizes the noise performance. Both optimizations result in source impedances having a positive real part. High gain is achieved by subsequent cascading. The optimization using the ideal circulator yields maser noise performance optimization.
Radionuclide fluxes and particle scavenging in Cariaco Basin.

Abstract 234Th, 228Th and 210Pb fluxes were measured in a series of sediment trap samples in Cariaco Basin from November 1995 to 8 May 1996. Sediment traps were located at 275, 455, 930 and 1255 m depth, with the 275 m trap just above the oxic/anoxic interface. Total mass, organic carbon, carbonate, biogenic opal, and lithogenic fluxes were also determined. Our results found that 234Th, 228Th and 210Pb fluxes are highly correlated with total mass ( r 2 = 0.92 - 0.94 ), major sediment component fluxes ( r 2 = 0.82 - 0.93 ), and one another ( r 2 = 0.94 - 0.99 ). Decreases in radionuclide, total mass and major sediment component fluxes with depth were attributed to physical disaggregation and remineralization. While the 210Pb specific activity loss from settling particles is the same as the bulk specific activity of the trapped particles between 455 and 930 m, the 210Pb specific activity loss is substantially higher than the bulk specific activity of the trapped particles between 930 and 1255 m. We attributed this fractionation to a loss of minor components from settling particles. This suggests that minor components are responsible for the initial water column scavenging of 210Pb in the Cariaco Basin. Steady state release of 210Pb from settling particles would produce an anoxic water column activity an order of magnitude greater than previously reported. Therefore, a non-steady state removal mechanism must exist and is potentially caused by high sediment flux events from earthquake triggered turbidity currents or major plankton blooms.
Comparison of Dermatology and Allergy Guidelines for Atopic Dermatitis Management

Importance Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin condition treated by dermatologists, allergists, pediatricians, and primary care physicians. Several treatment guidelines and therapeutic parameters exist for the management of this disease. Health care professionals may be unaware of guidelines created by specialty organizations other than their own. Objective To review, compare, and contrast the most recent AD management guidelines. Evidence Review The guidelines for AD management published by the American Academy of Dermatology 2014 work group were compared with those created by the 2012 Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters representing the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; and the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. International guidelines created by the 2012 European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis and the 2013 Asia–Pacific Consensus Group for Atopic Dermatitis were also considered. Findings Several differences among the guidelines suggest that there may be disparity in the perceptions of AD between US dermatologists and allergists and health care professionals in other areas of the world. There are notable differences among the guidelines regarding the recommendations for the use of diluted bleach baths, vitamin D, and environmental modifications. Conclusions and Relevance Comparison of different guidelines may ultimately augment knowledge of treatment strategies and enhance realization of biases in the understanding and management of AD.
Molecular basis of neonatal cholestasis

The molecular pathophysiology of cholestasis was poorly understood until recently. The past 20 years have produced great advances in the understanding of the physiology of bile formation, which have led to a better understanding of the defective mechanisms that lead to cholestasis. The recent discovery and characterization of the gene defects involved in several familial cholestatic diseases have led to improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cholestasis and, therefore, of bile formation. Still, little is known about the defects in bile formation that lead to neonatal cholestasis. Armed with a new and evolving understanding of the mechanisms of cholestasis, there is a great opportunity to study and understand the pathogenesis of this common condition. Cholestasis is a principal manifestation of hepatobiliary disease in most age groups. The neonate develops cholestasis in response to a wide variety of insults, hepatic and systemic, indicating a relative sensitivity of the mechanisms of bile formation compared with children and adults. Studies of the ontology of bile formation have shown considerable differences between the mature and immature liver with regard to bile formation. While these differences may explain the neonate’s predisposition to cholestasis partially, a full explanation has yet to be developed. This discussion first describes the features of cholestasis, describes the process of bile formation in the mature liver as it is now understood, and examines the process of bile formation and several other metabolic processes in the immature liver. With that background, this article then