cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aluminum binding to ion exchange sites in acid-sensitive versus acid-tolerant cladocerans.

Two acid-sensitive cladocerans, Daphnia galeata mendotae and D. retrocurva, and one acid-tolerant one, Bosmina longirostris, were exposed for 24 h to pH 5·0 and 200 μg liter−1 total Al. The entire procedure was replicated on three dates in summer 1989. Mortality rates were determined, and the extent of Al binding to ion exchange sites determined using hematoxylin staining. Both daphnids consistently experienced near 100% mortalities, while mortalities for B. longirostris were always near zero. The daphnids showed marked Al binding at the maxillary glands, the site of ion exchange, while B. longirostris showed no noticeable Al binding.
3-D self-assembling leucine zipper hydrogel with tunable properties for tissue engineering.

Peptide-based engineered hydrogel scaffolds present several advantages over traditional protein or polymeric hydrogels by imparting more robust control over hydrogel properties. In this manuscript, we report the synthesis and characterization of a leucine zipper (LZ) based self-assembling hydrogel for use in tissue engineering applications. Although, LZ hydrogels posses several advantages, the stability of these hydrogels has always been elusive. In this study, we have standardized the procedure for creating a stable LZ hydrogel. Pore-size was tunable by altering the peptide concentration from 7% to 12% by weight. In order to create a microenvironment for cell adhesion, the LZ polypeptide was functionalized by the incorporation of the cell attachment RGD domain. In vivo implantation of the LZ scaffolds in a mouse model showed absence of foreign body reaction to the scaffold. In vivo experiments with human marrow stem cells (HMSCs) in immunocompromised mice showed the biological property of the hydrogel to promote cell attachment, proliferation and its ability to support neovascularization. Our results show for the first time, that it is possible to generate a functional and stable LZ scaffold that can be used in vivo for tissue engineering applications.
Selenium Concentrations in the Colorado Pikeminnow ( Ptychocheilus lucius ): Relationship with Flows in the Upper Colorado River

A Department of the Interior (DOI) irrigation drainwater study of the Uncompahgre Project area and the Grand Valley in western Colorado revealed high selenium concentrations in water, sediment, and biota samples. The lower Gunnison River and the Colorado River in the study area are designated critical habitat for the endangered Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius) and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus). Because of the endangered status of these fish, sacrificing individuals for tissue residue analysis has been avoided; consequently, little information existed regarding selenium tissue residues. In 1994, muscle plugs were collected from a total of 39 Colorado pikeminnow captured at various Colorado River sites in the Grand Valley for selenium residue analysis. The muscle plugs collected from 16 Colorado pikeminnow captured at Walter Walker State Wildlife Area (WWSWA) contained a mean selenium concentration of 17 μg/g dry weight, which was over twice the recommended toxic threshold guideline concentration of 8 μg/g dry weight in muscle tissue for freshwater fish. Because of elevated selenium concentrations in muscle plugs in 1994, a total of 52 muscle plugs were taken during 1995 from Colorado pikeminnow staging at WWSWA. Eleven of these plugs were from fish previously sampled in 1994. Selenium concentrations in 9 of the 11 recaptured fish were significantly lower in 1995 than in 1994. Reduced selenium in fish may in part be attributed to higher instream flows in 1995 and lower water selenium concentrations in the Colorado River in the Grand Valley. In 1996, muscle plugs were taken from 35 Colorado squawfish captured at WWSWA, and no difference in mean selenium concentrations were detected from those sampled in 1995. Colorado River flows during 1996 were intermediate to those measured in 1994 and 1995.
ACE inhibitors vs ARBs: is one class better for heart failure

Although angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors decrease mortality in heart failure, they incompletely suppress angiotensin II with long-term therapy. Since angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) block the biologic effects of angiotensin II more completely than ACE inhibitors, they could be beneficial in the treatment of heart failure.
The changing effects of competition on non-profit and for-profit hospital pricing behavior.

Abstract Has the nature of hospital competition changed from a medical arms race in which hospitals compete for patients by offering their doctors high quality services to a price war for the patients of payors? This paper uses time-series cross-sectional methods on California hospital discharge data from 1986–1994 to show the association of hospital prices with measures of market concentration changed steadily over this period, with prices now higher in less competitive areas, even for non-profit hospitals. Regression results are used to simulate the price impact of hypothetical hospital mergers.
Multicenter Evaluation of the In Vitro Activity of Six Broad-Spectrum β-Lactam Antimicrobial Agents in Puerto Rico

Abstract The minimum inhibitory concentrations of 6 broad-spectrum β-lactam antimicrobial agents were determined by use of the Etest versus a total of 569 bacteria in 7 Puerto Rican hospital laboratories. These included 342 recent clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae , 63 Pseudomonas aeruginosa , 54 Acinetobacter species, and 110 oxacillin-susceptible staphylococci. Extended spectrum β-lactamase production was noted among 11% of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. Hyperproduction of Amp C cephalosporinase was observed with >20% of isolates of Enterobacter spp., Serratia spp., and Citrobacter freundii . The overall rank order of activity of the six β-lactams examined in this study versus all clinical isolates was imipenem (95.8% susceptible) > cefepime (91.1%) > piperacillin/ tazobactam (82.3%) > cefotaxime (77.6%) > piperacillin (72.5%) > ceftazidime (67.0%).
Influence of microstructure on elastic and viscoelastic properties of polyether ether ketone

Abstract Dynamic, creep and static tests were conducted to characterize experimentally the linear elastic and viscoelastic properties of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) as a function of the degree of crystallinity. The semicrystalline polymer was modeled as a two-phase composite material. Values for crystalline modulus and effective crystalline aspect ratios have been extracted from the model. These values together with experimental creep compliance values for amorphous PEEK have been used to predict the creep response for intermediate levels of crystallinity, which compare well with the experimental data. Time-temperature shifting parameters obtained from dynamic mechanical studies compare well with those from creep experiments. At temperatures below 140°C, the shifting parameters were found to be approximately equal for all levels of crystallinity. Prediction for long-term creep has been made from these tests by properly accounting for physical aging phenomenon.
Miscible displacement in a Hele-Shaw cell

We formulated a theory of simple mixtures of incompressible miscible liquids in terms of the mass averaged velocityu and the solenoidal volume averaged velocityW, We derived simplified equations for miscible displacement in a Hele-Shaw cell. We obtained a steady solution of these equations corresponding to displacement under gravity with prescribed values of concentration and mean normal stress at the inlet and exit of the cell. We studied the stability of this steady flow. This differs from previous works which treat the stability of unsteady miscible displacement using a quasi-static assumption and classical equations based on divu=0. In our problem, replacingu withW gives rise to a difference in the mean normal stress, which alters the pressure drop across the cell and changes the velocity of free fall. We found that the stability equations are the same in the two formulations, but the boundary conditions are slightly different; however the difference will be small if diffusion is slow or the thickness of the cell is small. The results show that steady miscible displacement in a Hele-Shaw cell is stable to long and short waves. Within certain ranges of parameters, the displacement of glycerin into water can be unstable. This instability is basically of a Rayleigh-Taylor type, regularized by diffusion. As the diffusion parameterS becomes smaller, the waves of disturbances become finer and are confined to an increasingly thin diffusion layer. Water displacing glycerin is always stable. This is due to the fact that the steady equilibrium profile is not steep enough to create a fingering instability.
Improving the Efficacy of Car-Following Models With a New Stochastic Parameter Estimation and Calibration Method

Microscopic roadway traffic simulators, which attempt to mimic real-world driver behaviors, are based on car-following models and have been widely used as a cost-effective tool for intelligent transportation system (ITS) evaluation. In addition to evaluation, ITSs can benefit from accurate car-following models that can provide current estimations and future predictions of various traffic situations to support real-time traffic management. The accuracy and reliability of these applications are greatly dependent on the appropriate calibration of car-following models. In this paper, the authors developed a process to apply a stochastic calibration method with appropriate regularization to estimate the distribution of parameters for car-following models. The calibration method is based on the Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation that uses the Bayesian estimation theory. An intelligent driver model and Helly's car-following model were utilized to evaluate this method. The Bayesian approach provided better results in terms of the cost function than the deterministic optimization algorithm. With the Bayesian approach, the mean square error per vehicle is decreased with the increased number of vehicles. Analysis also revealed that the Bayesian approach predicted drivers' speed and acceleration/deceleration profiles more closely to the real-world data compared with the deterministic approach evaluated in this paper. Positive validation outcomes suggest potential efficacy of the calibration approach presented in this paper for future applications.
Computational Modeling of CO/CO2 Ratio Inside Single Char Particles during Pulverized Coal Combustion

A recently developed model was used to study the CO/CO2 ratio inside a burning pulverized coal particle, to better understand the effect of bulk gas composition on the equilibrium partial pressure of reduced metal species at the surface of ash inclusions. The motivation was to improve the ability to model submicrometer particle formation by ash vaporization, as a function of furnace conditions. Assumptions for the CO/CO2 ratio that have been made in previous studies are compared to predictions from a psuedo-steady-state model for a single porous particle that considers homogeneous and heterogeneous reaction kinetics and mass transfer both in particle pores and in the boundary layer. This is the first publication of model predictions for the CO/CO2 ratio as a function of radius for a coal char particle in a furnace with a bulk gas CO2 concentration in the range of 0%−79%. A method is proposed for summarizing the effects on the CO/CO2 ratio that are due to changes in the bulk furnace gas O2 and CO2 concentr...
c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation in Xenopus laevis eggs and embryos. A possible non-genomic role for the JNK signaling pathway.

The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family that play critical roles in stress responses and apoptosis. We have discovered that JNK is present in Xenopus oocytes, an experimental system that offers a variety of powerful experimental approaches to questions of protein function and regulation. Like ERK2/p42 MAPK, JNK is activated just prior to germinal vesicle breakdown during Xenopusoocyte maturation and remains active throughout meiosis I and II. However, unlike p42 MAPK, which is inactivated about 30 min after eggs are fertilized or parthenogenetically activated, JNK stays constitutively active until the early gastrula stage of embryogenesis. These findings suggest that the JNK pathway may play a role in oocyte maturation and embryogenesis. JNK was activated by microinjection of Mos, by activation of an estrogen-inducible form of Raf, and by a constitutively active MEK-1 (MEK R4F), indicating that the p42 MAPK cascade can trigger JNK activation. However, the MEK inhibitor U0126 blocked progesterone-induced p42 MAPK activation but not progesterone-induced JNK activation. Thus, progesterone can stimulate JNK activation both through the MEK/p42 MAPK pathway and through MEK/p42 MAPK-independent pathways. Many of the key substrates of JNKs identified to date are transcriptional regulators. However, since transcription is not required for germinal vesicle breakdown in progesterone-treated oocytes or for the early embryonic cell cycles, our findings suggest that in these contexts the JNK pathway exerts nongenomic effects.
Patterns of immunoreactive pancreatic polypeptide in human plasma

Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is synthesized as an amino-terminal moiety of a precursor peptide and is released into plasma during stimulation as an amidated hormone (PP1-36). The purpose of this investigation was to ascertain the immunoreactive forms of PP in human plasma using HPLC chromatographic technique. Plasma was obtained from five normal volunteers under various postprandial intervals and from the Blood Bank. PP in each plasma sample was processed for HPLC analysis by immunoprecipitation and/or immunoaffinity extractions. Migration patterns of PP-forms were identified under isocratic elution. This study shows that human plasma contains four distinct immunoreactive (IR) forms of PP during stimulation by a protein-rich meal. These forms are PP1-36 (peak 4), PP3-36 (peak 3) and unidentified material migrating as peak 2 and peak 1. The corresponding migration constants were Kav 0.828 +/- 0.04, Kav 0.790 +/- 0.003, Kav 0.570 +/- 0.009 and Kav 0.409 +/- 0.007, respectively. The predominant fasting from of IR PP chromatographed as peak 1, while peaks 2 and 4 were reduced in amplitude. The 1 h and 3 h postprandial chromatograms of HPLC profiles of plasma PP were similar in shape but lower in relative magnitude and amplitude. The authenticity of peak 4 as the migration of native PP1-36 was confirmed using purified IR native PP1-36 extracted from human pancreas. Partial amino acid sequence analysis of PP peak 3 revealed deletions of two N-terminal amino acid residues. The chemical identities of peaks 1 and 2 are unknown but appear to differ from PP in peaks 3 and 4 by virtue of their migration profiles. It is concluded that there are at least four distinct IR forms of PP in human plasma. Native PP1-36 accounts for less than 1% of total PP after an overnight fast and is about 1/3 of total postprandial IR plasma PP. Discernment of the nature and etiology of forms of PP in plasma may provide a new understanding of the role of PP in mammalian physiology.
Massive proptosis of the globe.

A 54-year-old woman was referred to the oral and maxillofacial surgery department in July 1996 with a complaint of swelling of the left cheek and paranasal region. The patient initially came to the ophthalmology department several months earlier because of protrusion of her left eye and blurred vision, which she stated had become progressively worse over the past 2 years. The patient also stated that she had been experiencing nasal congestion and fullness of her sinuses for the past 6 to 8 years, for which she had not sought treatment previously. The patient’s medical history was significant for hypertension treated with hydrochlorothiazide. Her surgical history was only significant for childbirth and carpal tunnel syndrome surgery in 1994. She reported no allergies and no tobacco or alcohol abuse. Physical examination showed a slightly obese African American woman in no acute distress. Head and neck examination showed marked proptosis and lateral displacement of the left globe (Fig 1A). A nontender swelling of the left paranasal and cheek region was also noted. The cranial nerves in the region were intact. Intranasal examination showed normal color and consistency of the mucosa; however, there was medial bulging of the inferior turbinate. A chest radiograph showed mild cardiomegaly. The electrocardiogram (ECG) and all laboratory values were within normal limits. The ophthalmologic examination measured visual acuity of 20/20 in the right eye and 20/400 in the left eye. There was some limitation of extraocular motion of the left eye, especially on lateral gaze (Fig 1B). A computed tomography (CT) scan showed an expansile, well-circumscribed, nonenhancing mass occupying the left anterior and middle ethmoid air cells, with protrusion into the left orbit causing marked displacement of the extraocular muscles, compression of the optic nerve, and lateral displacement of the globe (Fig 2). The lesion also extended inferiorly to occupy the entire left maxillary sinus, causing expansion and thinning of the bone (Fig 3). The center of the lesion was hypodense and homogenous.
Application of enterococci antibiotic resistance patterns for contamination source identification at Huntington Beach, California.

Huntington Beach, California, one of the most popular surfing spots in the world, is plagued by sporadic, elevated levels of fecal bacteria. To assist with pollution source identification, we analyzed antibiotic resistance patterns (ARPs) of enterococci from four known sources (bird feces, urban runoff, coastal marsh sediment and sewage effluent from local sanitation district) and one unknown source (seawater) using seven antibiotics at four concentrations each. Of 2491 enteroccoci tested, all were resistant to at least one antibiotic at some level. Discriminant analysis indicated that the average correct classification rates for bird feces and urban runoff sources were above 80%. Sewage effluent contained mixed fecal sources. Sixty-four percent of the sewage isolates classified with the sewage category, while the other 35% of isolates were assigned evenly across the other three categories. When enterococci isolated from the seawater were classified using the known ARP database, it was evident that bird feces were the source of surf zone contamination on some days while the coastal salt marsh and sewage plume may have impacted the surf zone water quality to various degrees during other times.
Pyrogenic doses of intracerebroventricular interleukin-1 did not induce analgesia in the rat hot-plate or cold-water tail-flick tests.

Abstract There are a few reports in the literature that cytokines can induce analgesia (5, 6, 18). The present study sought to characterize the analgesic effects of intracerebroventricularly (icv) administered interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interferon-α (IFN-α) in rats. In the cold-water tail-flick test (CWT), latency to tail withdrawal from a −3°C liquid was timed; in the hot-plate test (HP), latency to a rear paw lick or a jump from a 55°C surface was measured. In some experiments, core body temperature was also monitored with a rectal thermistor. In the CWT, human recombinant (hr) IFN-α induced a small, statistically significant effect at just one dose (15,000 U icv), but no dose of hr-IL-1α (250–1000 U icv) or hr-IL-1β (125–2000 U icv) induced a significant effect at any time point. On the other hand, dose-related increases in body temperature were observed after icv injection of both IL-1α and IL-1β. The largest hyperthermic effect was a 1.7 (±0.15) ° C rise 120 min after administration of 1000 U IL-1β. In a second analgesic assay, the HP, IL-1β was ineffective as well. Since IL-1 alone did not induce analgesia, we tested its capacity to potentiate morphine analgesia. Morphine (5.0 and 10 μg, icv) induced analgesia in the CWT (32.7 and 61.8% maximum analgesia, respectively); however, there was no significant effect of IL-1β on morphine-induced analgesia. In summary, we failed to find an analgesic effect of IL-1, alone or in combination with morphine, at doses which clearly had a physiological effect; this is in contrast to the reports cited above.
Discriminating signs: Perceptual precursors to acquiring a visual-gestural language

We tested hearing 6- and 10-month-olds' ability to discriminate among three American Sign Language (ASL) parameters (location, handshape, and movement) as well as a grammatical marker (facial expression). ASL-naive infants were habituated to a signer articulating a two-handed symmetrical sign in neutral space. During test, infants viewed novel two-handed signs that varied in only one parameter or in facial expression. Infants detected changes in the signer's facial expression and in the location of the sign but provided no evidence of detecting the changes in handshape or movement. These findings are consistent with children's production errors in ASL and reveal that infants can distinguish among some parameters of ASL more easily than others.
Media Favoritism and Presidential Nominations: Reviving the Direct Effects Model

This article explores the relationships among media favoritism, media reception, and candidate preference in the 2000 Democratic and Republican presidential nomination campaigns. Content analysis revealed significant media favoritism toward the candidacy of John McCain in the Republican contest but relatively balanced coverage of the Democratic contest. Accordingly, our empirical models reveal that media reception was substantially associated with a preference for McCain over Bush, but was not a consistent predictor in the Democratic race. But even more impressive (and surprising) were the relationships between listening to talk radio and candidate preferences, even among Democrats. Listening to Rush Limbaugh was strongly associated with preference for Bush among Republican primary voters, and for Bradley among Democratic primary voters. These collective results lend support to a classic interpretation of direct media effects, a perspective that had been largely abandoned in contemporary voting models.
Persistence of the odor deposited by two functionally distinct scent marking behaviors of golden hamsters.

Male hamsters sniffed more at glass walls that had been flank marked 15 min-25 days before tests than they sniffed at clean walls; the magnitude of responses to fresh flank marks and old flank marks was indistinguishable. Males also sniffed more at glass floors that were vaginal marked 15 min-25 days before tests than at clean floors. All males licked vaginal marks that were 11 days old and some licked vaginal marks 25 days old. Thus both flank and vaginal marks were behaviorally active for at least 25 days. The surprisingly long persistence of these scent marks is discussed in relation to their purported functions.
Neuraminidase deficiency in the original patient with the Goldberg Syndrome

Homogenates of cultured skin fibroblasts from a non-ambulatory, 20-year-old male with cherry-red spots, corneal clouding, seizures, mental retardation, dysostosis multiplex, dwarfism, coarse facies and loss of vision, originally described by Goldberg et al. (1971), have diminished neuraminidase activity and an excess of neuraminic acid-rich compounds. Specifically, these cells have 2-17% normal neuraminidase when measured with 2-(3' methoxyphenyl)-N-acetyl-alpha-neuraminic acid, N-acetyl-neuramin-lactose and fetuin. Activities of 12 other lysosomal enzymes were either at or above the range of normal control fibroblasts. Total neuraminic acid concentration was 44.3 nmol/mg protein versus an average control value of 14.2. It is concluded that the Goldberg syndrome should be considered, along with mucolipidosis I and the cherry-red spot -- myoclonus syndrome, as resulting from a primary neuraminidase deficiency.
Laser interferometric measurement of ion electrode shape and charge exchange erosion

A projected fringe profilometry system was applied to surface contour measurements of an accelerator electrode from an ion thrustor. The system permitted noncontact, nondestructive evaluation of the fine and gross structure of the electrode. A 3-D surface map of a dished electrode was generated without altering the electrode surface. The same system was used to examine charge exchange erosion pits near the periphery of the electrode to determine the depth, location, and volume of material lost. This electro-optical measurement system allowed rapid, nondestructive, digital data acquisition coupled with automated computer data processing. In addition, variable sensitivity allowed both coarse and fine measurements of objects having various surface finishes.
Treatment options for chronic prostatitis due to vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium

Prostatitis due to vancomycin-resistant enterococci has not been previously described. Reported here is a case of chronic prostatitis due to Enterococcus faecium, resistant to vancomycin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and doxycycline, in a 42-year-old liver transplant recipient. Treatment with a combination of rifampin and nitrofurantoin for 6 weeks resulted in long-lasting cure. Other antimicrobial agents active in vitro against vancomycin-resistant enterococci, such as quinupristin/dalfopristin and chloramphenicol, are unlikely to achieve sufficient prostatic tissue levels to be successfully utilized for treatment of this condition.
Approach to pancreatic cystic lesions

Pancreatic cystic lesions are detected more frequently as a result of increasing use of high-resolution cross-sectional imaging. The ability of imaging and cyst fluid analysis to predict the biologic behavior of the lesions has aroused much interest recently. A precise diagnosis is critical to help guide further management. The diagnostic criteria and the management principles have evolved dramatically over the past 10 years with the advent of endoscopic ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration. In this review, we summarize the recent publications that have examined the key issues in the diagnosis and management of cystic lesions of the pancreas.
Chromatin conformation during cell differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cells

Abstract A novel human promyelocytic leukemia cell line (HL-60) has been shown to form terminally differentiated granulocytes in the presence of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), some other chemicals, or colony stimulating factor. Compared to chromatin from HL-60 cells, chromatin from DMSO treated HL-60 cells showd an enrichment in low temperature melting material. The decrease in thermostability of chromatin from HL-60 cells after DMSO treatment is similar to the shift in thermostability of chromatin from human lymphocytes after stimulaton with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). These results suggest that changes in the thermostability of chromatin may not be specific for cell differentiation or PHA stimulation.
Soft x-ray to FUV measurements of the grazing incidence BRDF for a selection of low-reflectance surfaces

On future astronomical instruments for the soft x-ray to FUV, stray light may be a significant cause of background events. Currently, we are engaged in an ongoing program to identify materials that are suitable for use as low- reflectance surfaces in space based instruments. As a result, we have measured the scattering performance in this spectral region, of wide a selection of low-reflectivity materials, produced with a range of processes. We present preliminary measurements of the absolute bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) for a selection of seven of these materials. Measurements were obtained at a five spectral lines, including strong geocoronal lines, over the wavelength range 44 to 1216 angstrom at near grazing incidence. We find that in most cases for constant incident and scatter angles, the total variation of BRDF with wavelength over this range is only a factor of order ten. We also find that although we have identified materials which in many instances have lower reflectances than bead blasted aluminum, it is still a good choice for most applications given its low cost and convenience.
Socialization and the parent-child relationship.

To those who deal with parents, it often seems that by the time a theory has been put into actual practice by parents, it is no longer accepted. We often wish that some of the publicized methods had been tested in real life situations before being advocated so strongly. While it is true that practice may lag a generation or two behind theories of child development, there is a section of the culture, an avant garde, which is much quicker to learn about and adopt the newer scientific opinions. There are intellectual parents who experiment with such methods as self-demand schedule, raising babies in boxes, release of repressions in play or the use of group decisions in determining family policy within a few years of the time the ideas were first discussed in scientific literature. This intellectual
Silibinin, dexamethasone, and doxycycline as potential therapeutic agents for treating vesicant-inflicted ocular injuries

There are no effective and approved therapies against devastating ocular injuries caused by vesicating chemical agents sulfur mustard (SM) and nitrogen mustard (NM). Herein, studies were carried out in rabbit corneal cultures to establish relevant ocular injury biomarkers with NM for screening potential efficacious agents in laboratory settings. NM (100nmol) exposure of the corneas for 2h (cultured for 24h), showed increases in epithelial thickness, ulceration, apoptotic cell death, epithelial detachment microbullae formation, and the levels of VEGF, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Employing these biomarkers, efficacy studies were performed with agent treatments 2h and every 4h thereafter, for 24h following NM exposure. Three agents were evaluated, including prescription drugs dexamethasone (0.1%; anti-inflammatory steroid) and doxycycline (100nmol; antibiotic and MMP inhibitor) that have been studied earlier for treating vesicant-induced eye injuries. We also examined silibinin (100μg), a non-toxic natural flavanone found to be effective in treating SM analog-induced skin injuries in our earlier studies. Treatments of doxycycline+dexamethasone, and silibinin were more effective than doxycycline or dexamethasone alone in reversing NM-induced epithelial thickening, microbullae formation, apoptotic cell death, and MMP-9 elevation. However, dexamethasone and silibinin alone were more effective in reversing NM-induced VEGF levels. Doxycycline, dexamethasone and silibinin were all effective in reversing NM-induced COX-2 levels. Apart from therapeutic efficacy of doxycycline and dexamethasone, these results show strong multifunctional efficacy of silibinin in reversing NM-induced ocular injuries, which could help develop effective and safe therapeutics against ocular injuries by vesicants.
Improving the performance of coded FDFR multi-antenna systems with turbo-decoding

A full-diversity full-rate (FDFR) design was developed recently, to enable an uncoded layered space-time (LST) system to achieve full-diversity (N/sub t/N/sub r/) and full-rate (N/sub t/ symbols per channel use) simultaneously, for any number of transmit antennas N/sub t/ and receive antennas N/sub r/. We investigate the performance of a coded FDFR system obtained by concatenating an error control coding (ECC) module and an FDFR module with a random interleaver in between. Iterative decoding is performed at the receiver. With R/sub c/ denoting the ECC rate, and d the minimum Hamming distance, an over-all transfer rate of R/sub c/N/sub t/ symbols per channel use and a full diversity order dN/sub t/N/sub r/ are achieved. Compared with coded V-BLAST, without sacrificing rate the coded FDFR system offers evident performance improvement when relatively weak codes are used. As N/sub r/ increases, even such a strong code as rate 1/2 turbo codes can benefit from FDFR. Specifically, 1.5 dB gain over coded V-BLAST is obtained in a 2 /spl times/ 2 antenna setup when convolutional codes or rate 3/4 turbo codes are used. 0.5 dB gain is offered in a 2 /spl times/ 5 setup when rate 1/2 turbo code is used. The price paid is increased complexity.
A Monte Carlo synthetic-acceleration method for solving the thermal radiation diffusion equation

We present a novel synthetic-acceleration-based Monte Carlo method for solving the equilibrium thermal radiation diffusion equation in three spatial dimensions. The algorithm performance is compared against traditional solution techniques using a Marshak benchmark problem and a more complex multiple material problem. Our results show that our Monte Carlo method is an effective solver for sparse matrix systems. For solutions converged to the same tolerance, it performs competitively with deterministic methods including preconditioned conjugate gradient and GMRES. We also discuss various aspects of preconditioning the method and its general applicability to broader classes of problems.
Pediatric posttraumatic seizures: epidemiology, putative mechanisms of epileptogenesis and promising investigational progress.

Posttraumatic seizures and epilepsy are common in children experiencing traumatic brain injury and portend worse functional outcome. Unfortunately, the pathogenesis of pediatric posttraumatic seizures
Epidemiology of Stroke in Hispanic Americans

Background and Purpose In 1990 cerebrovascular disease was the fourth leading cause of death in Hispanics in the United States. However, little information has been published about the epidemiology of stroke in US Hispanic populations. Methods Data from the National Center for Health Statistics were examined to characterize the pattern of stroke occurrence and risk factors among Hispanics in the United States. Results In 1989 through 1991, stroke death rates were similar in Hispanics and whites aged 45 to 64 years; at ages 65 and over, Hispanics had rates that were substantially lower than those of whites. Data from national surveys suggest that the ethnic differences in stroke mortality may be due in part to lower blood pressure in Hispanics than non-Hispanics. Conclusions Cohort studies, well-designed case-control studies, and continued oversampling of Hispanics in national surveys are needed to further define the epidemiological patterns of stroke in US Hispanics and to guide stroke prevention efforts.
Fatty acid ethyl esters decrease human hepatoblastoma cell proliferation and protein synthesis

Abstract Background/Aims: Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) are nonoxidative products of ethanol metabolism. They have been implicated as mediators of ethanol-induced organ damage because FAEE and FAEE synthase have been found specifically in the organs damaged by ethanol abuse. This study showed toxicity specifically related to FAEE or their metabolites for intact human hepatoblastoma-derived cells (HepG2). Methods: The lipid core of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was extracted and the LDL particle reconstituted with either ethyl oleate or ethyl arachidonate. Cultured HepG2 cells were incubated with LDL containing FAEE. Cell proliferation was measured by [methyl- 3 H]thymidine incorporation. Protein synthesis was determined using l-[ 35 S]methionine. Results: Incubation of cells with 600 μmol/L ethyl oleate or 800 μmol/L ethyl arachidonate decreased [methyl- 3 H]thymidine incorporation into HepG2 cells by 31% and 37%, respectively. LDL reconstituted with 400 μmol/L ethyl oleate decreased protein synthesis in intact HepG2 cells by 41%. Electron microscopy revealed significant changes in cell morphology, particularly involving the cell nucleus. FAEE delivered in reconstituted LDL were rapidly hydrolyzed and the fatty acids re-esterified into phospholipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol esters, with preference for triglycerides. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that FAEE are toxic for intact human hepatoblastoma cells and that they or their metabolites may be an important causative agent in ethanol-induced liver damage.
Adaptive measurement selection for progressive damage estimation

Noise and interference in sensor measurements degrade the quality of data and have a negative impact on the performance of structural damage diagnosis systems. In this paper, a novel adaptive measurement screening approach is presented to automatically select the most informative measurements and use them intelligently for structural damage estimation. The method is implemented efficiently in a sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) setting using particle filtering. The noise suppression and improved damage estimation capability of the proposed method is demonstrated by an application to the problem of estimating progressive fatigue damage in an aluminum compact-tension (CT) sample using noisy PZT sensor measurements.
Two-dimensional field mapping and field correction for a high-resolution magnet with aberration compensation

Abstract Two-dimensional field mapping and field correction were performed to obtain higher mass resolution for the 90 degree analyzing magnet of a new negative-ion injector at Argonne. A ray tracing calculation for the magnet was performed to minimize laborious work in finding better corrections. As a result, we introduced four pairs of iron shims to correct the pole boundary curvature in the entrance and exit. Comparisons between the calculations and the results of beam tests are discussed.
Maternal Death From Postpartum Necrotizing Fasciitis Arising in an Episiotomy: A Case Report

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare condition. We report a fatal case arising from an episiotomy in a previously healthy woman.
Critical observations on the U.S. National Energy Plan (NEP)

Abstract Important assumptions implicit in the design of the U.S. NEP are examined. There are pervasive reasons for the conclusion that more effective use should be made of the potential of the free-market system. Near-term constraints on energy-supply options do not appear to be justified in view of environmental and economic uncertainties.
A Quasi-Exact Test for Comparing Two Binomial Proportions

The use of the Fisher exact test for comparing two independent binomial proportions has spawned an extensive controversy in the statistical literature. Many critics have faulted this test for being highly conservative. Partly in response to such criticism, some statisticians have suggested the use of a modified, non-randomized version of this test, namely the mid-P-value test. This paper examines the actual type I error rates of this test. For both one-sided and two-sided tests, and for a wide range of sample sizes, we show that the actual levels of significance of the mid-P-test tend to be closer to the nominal level as compared with various classical tests. The computational effort required for the mid-P-test is no more than that needed for the Fisher exact test. Further, the basis for its modification is a natural adjustment for discreteness; thus the test easily generalizes to r × c contingency tables and other discrete data problems.
Developmental anatomy of internal cavities of epidermal origin in leaves of Polygonum (Polygonaceae)

SUMMARY Two types of internal oil cavity that develop from the epidermis occur in leaves of 15 species of Polygonum, sect. Persicaria. In one type, found in 10 species, epidermal cells develop directly into epidermal/epithelial (E/E) cells. In P. hydropiper, a single protoderm cell enlarges, grows into the mesophyll, and divides only anticlinically to form three, to seven (usually four) E/E cells. The enlarging E/E cells separate along the medial pan of their shared walls to form a central cavity. The protoplast of each E/E cell then retracts from the inner cell wall and deposits a new cell wall to form a peripheral lacuna between the original inner wall and the new wall. The original cell walls between central cavity and peripheral lacunae eventually disappear leaving an oil-filled mature internal cavity but with each E/E tell tip still exposed at the surface. The second type, found m five species, involves both subepidermal and epidermal cells. In our examples. P. glabrum and P. densiflorum, the initial protoderm cell divides anticlinally to form 8–20 cells, most of which grow into the mesophyll, divide periclinally, and separate to become epithelial cells surrounding a cavity. The Outermost cells remain epidermal the deeper ones are secondarily subepidermal. Peripheral lacunae and a central cavity form as in the epidermal cavity, but they do not merge into a single mature cavity. Epithelial cells, peripheral lacunae, and central cavity collectively form a subepidermal cavity complex.
Self-avoiding walks on random lattices

The properties of self-avoiding walks on dilute lattices are studied, both directly and using the replica formalism. It is shown that dilution does not affect the exponents and careful use of the Haris criterion also leads to this conclusion.
Infrared spectroscopy of SO2 aqueous solutions.

Abstract The chemistry of SO2 solutions was studied with infrared transmission and total internal reflection (ATR) spectroscopy. The cross-sections of the SO2 stretching vibrations ν1, ν3 and the combination band of ν1+ν3 were obtained and found to be slightly different from their gas phase values. Six features we associate with sulfur-containing ions were observed. We present the first infrared evidence for the bisulfite ion HOSO2− through detection of its OH stretching vibration. Other features may be associated with HSO3−, another isomer of the bisulfite ion, and a new compound we propose to be H2S2O62−. We found no evidence for sulfurous acid H2SO3.
An Incidentally Discovered Quadricuspid Aortic Valve Echocardiographic and Clinical Characteristics

In this case study, 2D and 3D transesophageal echocardiogram images revealed a quadricuspid aortic valve in a patient undergoing an evaluation for an infection. Quadricuspid aortic valves are rare and frequently associated with other anomalies (most frequently coronary anomalies). They are often discovered incidentally but may become clinically apparent because of valvular dysfunction (most commonly valvular regurgitation). The incidence and clinical aspects of congential quadricuspid aortic valves are reviewed briefly.
Clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular evaluation of a patient with partial trisomy 21 (21q11–q22) lacking the classical Down syndrome phenotype

The clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular studies of an individual are presented here for the purpose of further characterizing what regions of chromosome 21q are essential for expression of the typical Down syndrome phenotype. This individual had a de novo, unbalanced translocation chromosome interpreted as: 45,XX,t(18;dup[21q]). Physical examination revealed mild manifestations, but not the typical phenotype of Down syndrome. The patient was studied using 20 single copy probes known to map to the 21q region. DNA polymorphism and dosage analyses showed triplication of loci D21S13 through D21S58 involving 21q11 to 21q22.1, and possibly involving the 21q22.2 region. Her clinical presentation, which did not include the classical findings of Down syndrome, suggests that regions distal to 21q22.1, when present in triplicate dose, account for the major manifestations of the classical phenotype. However, duplication of the area between the centromere and 21q22.1 may contribute to some of the other abnormalities in Down syndrome.
Family-Centered Assistive Technology Assessment

Outlines a family-centered, culturally sensitive approach to working with young children with disabilities and their families
Elucidation of the signaling network of COX-2 induction in sheared chondrocytes: COX-2 is induced via a Rac/MEKK1/MKK7/JNK2/c-Jun-C/EBPβ-dependent pathway

Shear stress is a pathophysiologically relevant mechanical signal in cartilage biology and tissue engineering. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a pivotal proinflammatory enzyme, which is induced by mech...
Sudden death predictors: an inflammatory association.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD), which is defined as an unexpected, usually arrhythmic death occurring in asymptomatic individuals shortly after the onset of symptoms, is responsible for more than half of the total cardiac mortality in developed countries throughout the world.1 It frequently appears as the first and only manifestation of previously undetected coronary heart disease.2 At least half these deaths occur outside a hospital setting and, according to recent Centers for Disease Control data, this proportion, as well as the overall prevalence in the United States, continues to increase.3 See p 2595 Pharmaceutical strategies to prevent SCD have been largely ineffective, and because device therapy is designed to rescue patients once an event has already occurred, primary SCD prevention has become one of today’s most critical public health challenges. Progress has been difficult, in part because although overall incidence in healthy adults is very low, it is precisely this group that continues to contribute the most to overall prevalence in the total population.4 Compared with identifying risk markers for secondary prevention, where the importance of clinical phenotypes such as low ejection fraction clearly has been established, work on reliable markers for primary SCD prevention has advanced much more slowly. Traditionally, approaches most often have been based on algorithms involving risk factors predictive of atherosclerotic and hypertensive coronary heart disease (CHD), yet these markers are often absent in a significantly large proportion of SCD victims. Although several population stratification approaches (like those based on the landmark Framingham Heart Study, which is now entering its third generation of analysis) have been quite successful in predicting SCD events in large community groups,5 their ability to detect susceptibility in specific asymptomatic subjects with high sensitivity and specificity has been found to be much more limited. Thus, efforts to reduce …
Structure Determination Using the Method of Continuous Variation: Lithium Phenolates Solvated by Protic and Dipolar Aprotic Ligands

The method of continuous variation (MCV) was used in conjunction with 6Li NMR spectroscopy to characterize four lithium phenolates solvated by a range of solvents, including N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylet...
Racial Threat, Urban Conditions and Police Use of Force: Assessing the Direct and Indirect Linkages across Multiple Urban Areas:

Traditionally explanations of police use of force have relied on a racial threat perspective. Tests of this perspective, however, typically offer a single indicator of threat (the relative size of ...
The New Economic Geography of the States

This article explores whether geography still matters in state economic development. The authors consider how distinct state growth is from regional context and what a new economic map of the states would look like; for instance, would the states arrange themselves contiguously or distantly, and would state anomalies emerge—state economies that do not share their neighbors’ economic characteristics? The authors employ exploratory statistical methods that can sift through data on state economic growth to uncover statistical structures. The authors conclude that geography matters but that its effect is limited, and they identify the strong role played by national economic and political forces (such as energy policies and prices and defense expenditures), changing demographic trends (e.g., aging of the U.S. domestic population and household preferences for warm climates), and state policies (e.g., personal income taxes).