cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Racial Differences in Postpartum Blood Pressure Trajectories Among Women After a Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy

Importance Maternal morbidity and mortality are increasing in the United States, most of which occur post partum, with significant racial disparities, particularly associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Blood pressure trajectory after a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy has not been previously described. Objectives To describe the blood pressure trajectory in the first 6 weeks post partum after a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and to evaluate whether blood pressure trajectories differ by self-reported race. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective cohort study included deliveries between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. Women with a clinical diagnosis of a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy were enrolled in a postpartum remote blood pressure monitoring program at the time of delivery and were followed up for 6 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed from April 6 to 17, 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures Mixed-effects regression models were used to display blood pressure trajectories in the first 6 weeks post partum. Results A total of 1077 women were included (mean [SD] age, 30.2 [5.6] years; 804 of 1017 White [79.1%] and 213 of 1017 Black [20.9%]). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were found to decrease rapidly in the first 3 weeks post partum, with subsequent stabilization (at 6 days post partum: mean [SD] peak systolic blood pressure, 146 [13] mm Hg; mean [SD] peak diastolic blood pressure, 95 [10] mm Hg; and at 3 weeks post partum: mean [SD] peak systolic blood pressure, 130 [12] mm Hg; mean [SD] peak diastolic blood pressure, 85 [9] mm Hg). A significant difference was seen in blood pressure trajectory by race, with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreasing more slowly among Black women compared with White women (mean [SD] peak systolic blood pressure at 1 week post partum: White women, 143 [14] mm Hg vs Black women, 146 [13] mm Hg; P = .01; mean [SD] peak diastolic blood pressure at 1 week post partum: White women, 92 [9] mm Hg vs Black women, 94 [9] mm Hg; P = .02; and mean [SD] peak systolic blood pressure at 3 weeks post partum: White women, 129 [11] mm Hg vs Black women, 136 [15] mm Hg; P < .001; mean [SD] peak diastolic blood pressure at 3 weeks post partum: White women, 84 [8] mm Hg vs Black women, 91 [13] mm Hg; P < .001). At the conclusion of the program, 126 of 185 Black women (68.1%) compared with 393 of 764 White women (51.4%) met the criteria for stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension (P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance This study found that, in the postpartum period, blood pressure decreased rapidly in the first 3 weeks and subsequently stabilized. The study also found that, compared with White women, Black women had a less rapid decrease in blood pressure, resulting in higher blood pressure by the end of a 6-week program. Given the number of women with persistent hypertension at the conclusion of the program, these findings also appear to support the importance of ongoing postpartum care beyond the first 6 weeks after delivery.
Passion for the past: The effect of charity appeals and nostalgia on apparel donation intentions

Although consumers’ clothing disposal behavior is of considerable interest in the research community, there is a lack of empirical studies that thoroughly examine how consumers respond to charity messages in the context of clothing donation. Drawing on construal level theory, this study aims to contribute to the topic by examining the interplay of charity appeals (other- vs. self-benefit) and social emotion (nostalgia vs. control) on clothing donation behavior. Our results show that consumers reveal greater donation intentions toward other-benefit appeals than self-benefit appeals. Also, the results indicate that high nostalgic consumers tend to reveal greater donation intentions than low nostalgic consumers (Study 1). Further, the charity appeals effect is moderated by situationally induced nostalgia. Specifically, we found that the congruent matching of other-benefit appeals with nostalgia increases donation intentions (Study 2). These findings provide important implications, both theoretically and managerially, by systematically highlighting how different charity appeals can be beneficial in charitable advertising, depending on nostalgia highlighting the sentimental longing for the past.
A parallel Gauss-Seidel algorithm for sparse power system matrices

We describe the implementation and performance of an efficient parallel Gauss-Seidel algorithm that has been developed for irregular, sparse matrices from electrical power systems applications. Although, Gauss-Seidel algorithms are inherently sequential, by performing specialized orderings on sparse matrices, it is possible to eliminate much of the data dependencies caused by precedence in the calculations. A two-part matrix ordering technique has been developed-first to partition the matrix into block-diagonal-bordered form using diakoptic techniques and then to multi-color the data in the last diagonal block using graph coloring techniques. The ordered matrices often have extensive parallelism, while maintaining the strict precedence relationships in the Gauss-Seidel algorithm. We present timing results for a parallel Gauss-Seidel solver implemented on the Thinking Machines CM-5 distributed memory multi-processor. The algorithm presented here requires active message remote procedure calls in order to minimize communications overhead and obtain good relative speedup.
Opinion: How Not to Get Sued for Your DC Plan

DC Plan sponsors in the US (corporate pension funds and Ivy league endowments) have been subjected to many class-action lawsuits. In part, these lawsuits have been triggered because current investment products for DC plans are risky, costly, illiquid and complex. This paper describes a simple new bond innovation that could easily improve retirement outcomes as it is safe, cheap, very liquid and extremely simple, and also immunize CIOs from these lawsuits. However, CIOs and other groups need to lobby governments to ensure such innovation.
Disordered breathing in a Pitt-Hopkins syndrome model involves Phox2b-expressing parafacial neurons and aberrant Nav1.8 expression

Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare autism spectrum-like disorder characterized by intellectual disability, developmental delays, and breathing problems involving episodes of hyperventilation followed by apnea. PTHS is caused by functional haploinsufficiency of the gene encoding transcription factor 4 (Tcf4). Despite the severity of this disease, mechanisms contributing to PTHS behavioral abnormalities are not well understood. Here, we show that a Tcf4 truncation (Tcf4tr/+) mouse model of PTHS exhibits breathing problems similar to PTHS patients. This behavioral deficit is associated with selective loss of putative expiratory parafacial neurons and compromised function of neurons in the retrotrapezoid nucleus that regulate breathing in response to tissue CO2/H+. We also show that central Nav1.8 channels can be targeted pharmacologically to improve respiratory function at the cellular and behavioral levels in Tcf4tr/+ mice, thus establishing Nav1.8 as a high priority target with therapeutic potential in PTHS.
SurePath: An Approach to Resilient Anonymous Routing

Current anonymous systems either use a small, fixed core set of mixes or randomly choose a sequence of peer nodes to form anonymous paths/tunnels. The resulting paths are fragile and shortlived -- that is, a path fails if one of the mixes/nodes fails or leaves the system. In this paper, we propose SurePath, a failure-resilient tunneling approach for anonymity built on distributed hash tables (DHTs). SurePath aims to make anonymous tunnels fault-tolerant to node failures. The basic idea behind SurePath is to decouple anonymous tunnels from ”fixed” nodes and form anonymous tunnels from dynamic mix nodes by relying on DHT routing infrastructure and data replication mechanism. We have implemented SurePath in Java on FreePastry 1.3. We also provide analysis of anonymity and performance evaluation for SurePath.
Getting Punishment Right: Do Costly Monitoring or Redistributive Punishment Help?

We introduce new treatments of a voluntary contribution mechanism with opportunities to punish, to see how contributions and punishments change when (a) each dollar lost in punishment must be awarded to another team member and/or when (b) obtaining information on individuals' contributions is a costly choice. Conjectures that tying punishments to rewards might reduce punishment of high contributors (perverse punishment) or increase overall punishing are not completely born out, but innovation (a)nonetheless succeeds in making the net punishment of high contributors much less common because they receive enough rewards to offset punishment. A surprise finding is that innovation (b) also decreases the incidence of misdirected punishment, since high contributors do more monitoring than low ones while low contributors do most of the perverse punishing. Both innovations raise both contributions and earnings relative to the familiar VCM-with-punishment treatment.
Asian Options Can Be More Expensive

This paper examines a commonly accepted proposition that Asian options are cheaper than their plain vanilla counterparts. By deriving and analyzing the boundary conditions of options as the volatility goes to zero, we show that this proposition may be violated for call options if the options are dividend-unprotected, and if the dividend yield of the underlying stock is higher than the interest rate. It may also be violated for put options if the dividend yield of the underlying stock is lower than the interest rate, or if the options are dividend-protected. The sufficient conditions causing Asian options to be considered more valuable than their plain vanilla counterparts are provided.
Pharmacotherapy for Traumatic Brain Injury

Currently there are no clinically approved, safe and effective treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can rescue damaged nerve cells and enhance functional recovery. This chapter shows that TBI is a complex cascade of events that unfolds over time and no single pharmacological agent has been found to block all the processes that comprise the injury. Here we review the categories of candidate agents and approaches that have been examined for their potential benefits in the treatment of TBI. Keywords: traumatic brain injury; pharmacotherapy; recovery of function
Animal models of tau phosphorylation and tauopathy – what have they taught us?

Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the presence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in brain. NFTs are mainly composed of aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins. Various animal models have been generated that recapitulate different aspects of tau pathologies, including tau hyperphosphorylation, somatodendritic accumulation of tau in the pretangle stage, and deposition of NFTs. Amyloid peptides appear to potentiate but not initiate NFT deposition in transgenic mice. Tau phosphorylation and aging in various animal models also promote NFT deposition. In addition to tau pathologies, axonal degeneration, neuronal cell death, and/or behavioral deficits are apparent in a number of animal models. While mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration are believed to involve functional disruption of microtubules by either overexpression or hyperphosphorylation of tau, the formation of NFTs may confer additional toxicities. Although the present animal models of tau phosphorylation and tauopathy do not fully recapitulate AD pathologies, they provide significant insights into mechanisms leading to tau pathology and associated neurodegeneration, and may serve as in vivo models for testing potential drug candidates for the treatment of this debilitating disease.
A Dual Polynomial for OR

We reprove that the approximate degree of the OR function on n bits is Omega(sqrt(n)). We consider a linear program which is feasible if and only if there is an approximate polynomial for a given function, and apply the duality theory. The duality theory says that the primal program has no solution if and only if its dual has a solution. Therefore one can prove the nonexistence of an approximate polynomial by exhibiting a dual solution, coined the dual polynomial. We construct such a polynomial.
Productivity with PC's

In this paper, I will try to describe how we at the Central Abstracting and Indexing Service of the American Petroleum Institute have improved productivity by converting from a minicomputer based abstracting and indexing production system to a network of PCs.
Tracer-diffusion in quenched lamellar phases

A theory is presented to describe the tracer-diffusion properties of surfactant molecules embedded in quenched, disordered lamellar phases, such as those encountered in concentrated solutions and melts of block copolymers. We demonstrate that for weak anisotropy of the local diffusion tensor Dij, the average diffusion coefficient of an isotropically disordered sample is slightly larger than (1/3)∑iDii and is independent of the geometrical and statistical details of the quenched pattern. For large anisotropy of Dij, transport of a tracer molecule will in general become dependent on the population and type of topological defects that characterize the quenched sample and thus on its preparation and history. In such instances, sub-diffusive transport can be achieved. Es wird eine Theorie vorgestellt, die die Besonderheiten der Tracer-Diffusion von Tensidmolekulen in abgeschreckten, ungeordneten lamellaren Phasen, wie sie in konzentrierten Losungen oder in Schmelzen von Blockcopolymeren vorliegen, beschreibt. Es wird gezeigt, das bei geringer Anisotropie des lokalen Diffusionstensors Dij der mittlere Diffusionskoeffizient einer isotropisch-ungeordneten Probe etwas groser als (1/3)∑iDii und unabhangig von den geometrischen und statistischen Details der abgeschreckten Struktur ist. Bei groser Anisotropie von Dij wird der Transport eines Tracermolekuls im allgemeinen abhangig von der Verteilung und der Art topologischer Defekte der abgeschreckten Probe und damit von den Praparationsbedingungen und der Vorgeschichte.
Economic Crisis from a Socialist Perspective

The crisis in capitalism today is not, or not yet, a crisis of capitalism. Whether it evolves into a crisis of capitalism – when the system itself is in question for significant numbers of people – depends on three factors. The first is the extent of the economic meltdown now underway, and the mass suffering, resentment, and opposition it provokes. The second factor comprises the policies undertaken to contain and reverse the crisis, their effects, and their public perception. Finally, how socialists assess the crisis in capitalism and intervene in it will also help determine whether it becomes a crisis of capitalism. Appreciating the difference between crises in and of capitalism is, we shall argue here, crucial for socialist strategy. Crises within capitalism are mostly endured; sometimes they are also managed by changing capitalism’s form. For example, in the US today, a serious crisis in a “private” sort of capitalism (relatively less state intervention and control of productive property and markets) provokes a change to a “state” form (relatively more state intervention). Similarly, when crises overtake relatively state-interventionist forms of capitalism (as happened in the US, the UK, and many less developed economies in the 1970s), “solutions” often entail change to more private forms of capitalism. Socialists thus need to distinguish their critique of capitalism, per se, from the repeated critiques of each form of capitalism (especially during their crises) by partisans of the other. Otherwise they risk being absorbed – usually by partisans of state interventionist capitalism, but sometimes by the partisans of the private form of capitalism. Then their distinctive contribution, a critique of capitalism that rejects both its forms, is lost and the prospects for a socialist transformation reduced.
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1: Defining characteristics in the cerebrospinal fluid of newborns ☆ ☆☆

Abstract We measured plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of newborns with and without posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. We found that plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of healthy newborns are
Does indomethacin administered at the time of ultrasound-indicated cerclage prevent spontaneous preterm birth?

CERCLAGE PREVENT SPONTANEOUS PRETERM BIRTH? JOHN VISINTINE, JAMES AIROLDI, VINCENZO BERGHELLA, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of indomethacin on the prevention of preterm birth (PTB) in women with an ultrasound indicated cerclage. STUDY DESIGN: Asymptomatic women with a cerclage for a short cervical length (CL), defined as !25mm and or funneling O25%, between 14-23 6/7 wks were identified. Multiple gestations, indicated PTB, and major fetal anomalies were excluded. Women who received indomethacin therapy at the time of cerclage were compared to those who did not. Indomethacin therapy consisted of 50mg every 6 hrs. for 48hrs. Our primary outcome was spontaneous PTB !35 wks. RESULTS: After exclusions, 69 women with an ultrasound indicated cerclage were identified. Thirty four women received indomethacin at the time of their cerclage and 35 did not. There were no differences between the two groups regarding prior PTB, gestational age (GA) at cerclage, or CL at the time of cerclage. The rate of spontaneous PTB was similar between those who received indomethacin 13/34 (38%) and those who did not 10/23 (29%), RR 1.3 (95% CI 0.68-2.63). CONCLUSION: A short course of indomethacin administered at the time of ultrasound indicated cerclage is not associated with a reduction in spontaneous PTB.
Rabbit palatal mucosa sialoglycoproteins: Solubilization and biosynthesis in vitro

Abstract An extraction scheme is presented for rapidly and almost quantitatively solubilizing tissue sialoglycoproteins by selective means. Central to this approach is the use of protease-free bacterial collagenase for obtaining “collagen-associated” molecules from the extracellular matrix. Evidence is presented, based upon turnover rates during biosynthesis in vitro , that the extraction scheme is effective in solubilizing sialoglycoproteins from distinct “compartments” of the tissue. Of specific importance is the presence of connective tissue glycoproteins in the soluble compartment and the observation that the collagen-associated glycoproteins have the lowest turnover, befitting molecules of extracellular location.
Validating the female bioassay of cowbird song: Relating differences in song potency to mating success

Abstract Female cowbirds (Molothrus ater), maintained in isolation from males during the breeding season, respond to the playback of male song with copulatory postures. They respond more often to some songs than others. Song potency can thus be operationally defined by the number of copulatory responses a song elicits. The purpose of the present study was to validate this measure of song potency by investigating its relationship to mating success. We observed two colonies of cowbirds during the breeding season and recorded details of their courtship. In addition, song potency of the males was tested by playback with a different group of captive females. The results indicate a relationship between maximum song potency and mating success: the males that obtained the most copulations had songs of higher maximum potency and were also observed to have been more dominant during the winter and early spring.
Application of Multi-Sensor Information Fusion Technology in Machine-Tool Monitoring

The structure and applications of multi-sensor information fusion technology are introduced systematically in this paper. Main fusion algorithms are summarized. The fusion applications are pointed out in machine-tool monitoring. The structure and information process of monitor system are discussed in the machine-tool monitoring.
Interaction of spatially separated Pratylenchus penetrans and Verticillium dahliae on potato measured by impaired photosynthesis

Experiments were conducted under growth-chamber conditions to determine if Pratylenchus penetrans systemically alters light use efficiency (LUE) of Russet Burbank potato infected by Verticillium dahliae. Pathogen separation was achieved by inoculating potato roots with the nematode prior to injecting fungal conidia into the stem vasculature. Treatments were P. penetrans alone, V. dahliae alone, nematode and fungus together, and a no-pathogen control. Gas exchange was repeatedly and nondestructively measured on the fifth-youngest leaf with a Li-Cor LI-6200 portable photosynthesis system. By 16 and 20 days after stem injection with the fungus, LUE was synergistically impaired in jointly infected plants. Transpiration in plants infected with both pathogens was significantly reduced. However, the combined effect of nematode and fungus was synergistic in one experiment and additive in the other. Stems were destructively harvested when LUE was synergistically impaired. Coinfected potato plants contained more colony-forming units (CFU) of V. dahliae in stem sap than those infected by the fungus alone in one experiment. Evidence is provided that infection of Russet Burbank roots by P. penetrans systemically affects disease physiology associated with stem vascular infection by V. dahliae. The findings indicate that the role of the nematode in the fungus/host interaction is more than simply to facilitate extravascular and/or vascular entry of the fungus into potato roots.
Dielectric Breakdown Elimination Via Particulate Additives

In many materials, strong electrical fields can cause highly conductive pathways to occur due to dielectric breakdown, which can cause the material to “jump” to a higher permittivity state. This effect is often undesirable and can lead to electrically-induced failure of a device, for example due to overheating. The overall goal of this work is to estimate the volume fraction and properties of the particulate additives needed to reduce the electrical load carried by a bulk material, in order to avoid dielectric breakdown.
Distributing a limited resource: ethical allocation of deceased donor kidneys.

pliance with ACCME Accreditation Criteria, the American e of Surgeons, as the accredited provider of this journal CME, must ensure that anyone in a position to control the content of the educational activity has disclosed all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. The editor and author(s) of this article were required to complete disclosures and any reported conflicts that have been managed to our satisfaction. However, if you perceive a bias within the article, please advise us of the circumstances on the evaluation form. The requirement for disclosure is not intended to imply any impropriety of such relationships, but simply to identify such relationships through full disclosure, and to allow readers to form their own judgments regarding the material.
A logical framework for commonsense predictions of solid object behaviour

Abstract Predicting the behaviour of a qualitatively described system of solid objects requires a combination of geometrical, temporal, and physical reasoning. Methods based upon formulating and solving differential equations are not adequate for robust prediction, since the behaviour of a system over extended time may be much simpler than its behaviour over local time. This paper presents a first-order logic in which one can state simple physical problems and derive their solution deductively, without recourse to solving differential equations. This logic is substantially more expressive and powerful than any previous AI representational system in this domain.
Use of recombinant pemphigus vulgaris antigen in development of ELISA and IB assays to detect pemphigus vulgaris autoantibodies

Abstract Aim/Objective The objectives of this study are: (1) to measure the titers of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) autoantibody in the sera of patients with active disease, using three different assays: (a) Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) using monkey esophagus as a substrate, (b) immunoblot (IB) and, (c) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using recombinant PV antigen (rPVA). (2) To compare the sensitivity of these three assays. Background The titer of PV autoantibodies and disease severity and extent do not always correlate. This could be due to the lack of consistency and specificity of the substrate. Different results are obtained using different substrates. A standard substrate with uniformly controlled source of antigen would be more useful and clinically beneficial. Methods In this study we studied 25 PV patients, six each with bullous pemphigoid (BP), ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP), mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), and herpes gestationis (HG), and sera from 16 normal subjects. IIF was used to determine the PV autoantibody using monkey esophagus. IB assay was used according to standard protocol using normal human epidermis and rPVA as substrates. ELISA was performed using rPVA as antigens expressed in E. coli . Results Sera of all 25 PV patients showed binding to the rPVA, normal human sera and the sera from the six BP, six OCP, six MMP, and six HG patients did not show any binding. In addition, we used antisera from rabbits immunized with PVA peptides (Bos-1, Bos-6) which also showed binding to rPVA, whereas normal rabbit sera did not show any reactivity. ELISA and IB titers in all the patients were 2.5 to 160 times higher than with the conventionally used IIF assay. The titers of the PV specific autoantibody measured using the rPVA did not show statistically significant differences between the ELISA and IB assays. Conclusions IB and ELISA are superior to IIF in evaluating the antibody levels in PV patients. ELISA is more practical and is preferable to IB and is recommended for clinical use.
Some normative data on Rorschach developmental level "card pull" in a psychiatric population.

(1962). Some Normative Data on Rorschach Developmental Level “Card Pull” in a Psychiatric Population. Journal of Projective Techniques: Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 283-287.
Pyrolytic characterization of some plastics by a modified gas chromatography

Abstract An unconventional programmed pyrolysis was designed for the characterization of certain plastics, primarily those employed in medicine. The generally employed GC Packed Column was replaced by a stainless steel column containing glass wool, and a programmer was designed to elevate the temperature of the platinum pyrolysis filament in steps. Using a dual channel recorder, the signals from the flame ionization detector were recorded in one channel and the temperature of the filament in the other. The results obtained from the pyrolysis of a number of polyvinyl chlorides and polyacrylonitriles indicated that the method has the potential of providing characteristic “fingerprint-like” peak patterns for each polymer formulation.
Extending colorings of locally planar graphs

Suppose G is a graph embedded in Sg with width (also known as edge width) at least 264(2g-1). If P ⊆ V(G) is such that the distance between any two vertices in P is at least 16, then any 5-coloring of P extends to a 5-coloring of all of G. We present similar extension theorems for 6- and 7-chromatic toroidal graphs, for 3-colorable large-width graphs embedded on Sg with every face even-sided, and for 4-colorable large-width Eulerian triangulations. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Graph Theory 36: 105–116, 2001
Changes of Caspase Activities Involved in Apoptosis of a Macrophage-Like Cell Line J774.1/JA-4 Treated with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Cycloheximide

The addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) together with cycloheximide (CHX) induced apoptosis in a subline of a J774.1 macrophage-like cell line, JA-4, as judged by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labeling (TUNEL)-staining and poly(adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP)-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-cleavage. Caspase activities were examined in these macrophages in vitro using fluorogenic substrates such as acetyl-DEVD-aminomethyl coumarine (Ac-DEVD-AMC, caspase-3-like), acetyl-YVAD-aminomethyl coumarine (Ac-YVAD-AMC, caspase-1-like), acetyl-VEID-aminomethyl coumarine (Ac-VEID-AMC, caspase-6-like), and carbobenzoxy-IETD-aminofluoro coumarine (Z-IETD-AFC; caspase-8-like). Kinetic studies revealed these caspase activities with different Km and Vmax values in extracts of apoptotic macrophages. In the course of apoptosis, caspase-3-like activity increased first at 75 min, simultaneously with the appearance of TUNEL staining and prior to PARP cleavage, and then caspase-6 and 8-like activities increased at 90 and 105 min, respectively. However, caspase-1-like activity did not change throughout the experiment. Furthermore, removal of LPS and CHX by extensive washing of the cells for 60 min completely abolished the apoptosis and the subsequent release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) during additional incubation until 4 h after LPS addition. However, washing of the cells after 75 min or later resulted in the progress of apoptosis and LDH release, which was coordinated with the elevation of caspase-3-like activity at 60 min and that of caspase-6 or 8-like activity at 90 min, but not with that of caspase-1-like activity. These results suggest that caspase-3-like activity represents the most apical caspase among these caspases in terms of the intiation of apoptosis in macrophages treated with LPS and CHX. In the present study, we also provide evidence on the relatively low specificities of a series of caspase inhibitors other than acetyl-DEVD-aldehyde (Ac-DEVD-CHO) which specifically inhibited the caspase-3-like activity.
Clinical Issues in Caring for Former Chattel Slaves

Over the centuries, slavery has become embedded into the social fabric of Mauritania with generations of abid and bizan (Mauritanian slaves and slave masters, respectively) born and raised knowing nothing but the institution of chattel slavery. Abid fleeing their station in Mauritania come to the USA with unique psychological needs that will affect all of their interactions with the medical community. This paper aims to assist health professionals and others concerned with the welfare of former chattel slaves in competently serving this vulnerable population. Discussion includes an overview of Mauritanian chattel slavery, deduced sequelae of chattel slavery, preliminary recommendations for mental health and medical treatment protocols, and suggestions for future research. A confidential Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved case report will be used to illustrate these objectives.
Inhibition of histamine synthesis in the rat by α-hydrazino analog of histidine and 4-bromo-3-hydroxy benzyloxyamine☆

Abstract Inhibitors of either specific or nonspecific histidine decarboxylase, or both, were studied in vitro and in vivo. Alpha-hydrazine analog of histidine (αHH) and 4-bromo-3-hydroxy benzyloxyamine (NSD-1055) were found to be potent inhibitors of the specific enzyme, while α-methyldopa and α-methyldopa-hydrazine had little activity. The latter two compounds as well as NSD-1055 were potent inhibitors of the nonspecific decarboxylase. Only αHH and NSD-1055 altered histamine levels in vivo. Administration of these compounds to female rats resulted in decreased levels of histamine in heart (30%), stomach (50%), and urine (45%) but did not alter histamine levels in peritoneal mast cells. Animals whose tissue histamine levels had been partially depleted by pretreatment with compound 48 80 showed little or no further lowering on administration of the histidine decarboxylase inhibitors. Administration of NSD-1055 to germ-free animals produced effects on tissue histamine similar to those in normal animals and decreased already low urinary histamine levels even further. The data suggest that histamine exists in rat tissues in at least three metabolic pools and that its synthesis in vivo is catalyzed primarily by the specific decarboxylase. Because of an apparent lack of toxicity, αHH should be a valuable research tool and warrants study as a potential therapeutic agent.
Nonlinear optical spectra of C70

Abstract We employ a continuously tunable 100 fs pulse source to measure the time-resolved degenerate four-wave-mixing (DFWM) spectrum of an amorphous C 70 film. The observed nonlinear optical response is essentially instantaneous and electronic in origin. We deduce the complex third-order nonlinear-optical susceptibility tensor function χ 1111 (− ω , ω , ω ,− ω ) throughout the wavelength range 0.74–1.6 μm. We find two-photon resonances with excited-state energies of 2.41±0.05 and 2.61±0.05 eV close to the 2.7 eV two-photon resonance of C 60 . The two-photon absorption coefficient at the resonance maximum is 20±8 cm/GW, as large as that of C 60 . Our amplitude and phase data indicate that we have reached the long-wavelength limit, χ 1111 LWL , of χ 1111 . We find it to be (4.5±0.5)×10 2 times that of fused silica and 1.9±0.6 times that of C 60 . This result implies χ 1111 LWL =(1.8±0.2)×10 −12 esu, a value that is consistent with the theoretical prediction of Shuai and Bredas. We use linear-absorption and DFWM data to construct an analytic expression for χ 1111 [−( ω 3 + ω 2 + ω 1 ), ω 3 , ω 2 , ω 1 ] which, we believe, predicts any nonlinear optical effect within the range ℏ ω i >0.6 eV (i=1, 2, or 3) and ℏ( ω 3 + ω 2 + ω 1 ) ω near the lowest three-photon resonance, the magnitude and phase of χ 1111 behave like that of a two-level atom with a matrix element obtained from the observed one-photon oscillator strength. This explains the observed change in sign of Re[ χ 1111 (−3 ω , ω , ω , ω )] from positive to negative for decreasing ω near ℏ ω =0.8 eV.
Subverting criteria: The role of precedent in decisions to finance surgery

This paper investigates prospective utilisation review for tympanostomy. In the studied procedure, a medical corporation reviews cases for third-party payers (insurance companies), and used explicit criteria to determine whether a case is appropriate for surgery. Earlier findings that inappropriate decisions to approve surgery are strongly related to previous surgeries for the same condition are investigated to trace the emergence of this theme within the review process and its consolidation into a ‘precedent’ for further surgery, notwithstanding the explicit criteria which the reviewers are mandated to enforce. The significance of previous surgeries as a factor favouring further surgery emerges at all levels of the review process, indicating a medical culture that validates precedent in medical decision making despite the absence of evidence-based findings that would support it.
Extended hildebrand approach: Solubility of caffeine in dioxane–water mixtures

The solubility of caffeine in various dioxane–water mixtures was analyzed in terms of solute–solvent interactions using a modified version of the Hildebrand treatment for regular solutions. The solubility equation employs a term (W) to replace the geometric mean (c1c2)1/2, where c1 and c2 are the cohesive energy densities for the solvent and solute, respectively. The new equation provides an accurate prediction of solubility once the interaction energy, W, is obtained. In this case, the energy term is regressed against a polynomial in δ1 of the binary mixture. A quartic expression of W in terms of the solvent solubility parameter was found for predicting the solubility of caffeine in dioxane–water mixtures. The expression yields an error in mole fraction solubility of <3%, a value approximating that of the experimentally determined solubility. The one exception to a good fit is near the maximum solubility, where a depression or valley occurs between the two peaks in solubility data; at this point, the theoretical equation predicts the solubility within ∼9%. The new model also may be used to estimate the solubility of drug molecules employing the volume fraction of water in the solvent mixture instead of the composite solubility parameter, δ1. The method has potential usefulness in preformulation and formulation studies during which solubility determination is important for drug design.
Health-related hardiness and chronic illness: a synthesis of current research.

TOPIC A critical analysis of the relationship between health-related hardiness and chronic illnesses based on a review of the literature. PURPOSE To synthesize the current literature in order to provide an understanding of the state of knowledge and the implications for nursing regarding health-related hardiness and chronic illness. SOURCES Three computerized databases, which yielded 125 articles published from 1966 to 2002. CONCLUSIONS The presence of the health-related hardiness characteristic was significantly related to psychological, psychosocial, and physiologic adaptation. Higher levels of hardiness had positive outcomes in patients with chronic illness. The implications are that the current knowledge base regarding health-related hardiness and chronic illness could be used to assist patients who have to manage not only one but also multiple chronic illnesses.
A protein activator of galactosylceramide β-galactosidase

A heat-stable protein was isolated from the spleen of a patient with Gaucher's disease. This protein will activate glucosylceramide beta-glucosidase activity (Ho, M.W. and O'Brien, J.S. (1971) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 68, 2810-2813). When the specificity of this activator was tested using other enzymes and substrates, it was found to activate galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase activity and sphingomyelinase but not GM1 beta-galactosidase or sulfatide sulfatase. The ability to stimulate galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase was optimum at pH 4.6 in the presence of pure phosphatidylserine or other acidic lipids such as sulfatide and phosphatidylinositol. The partially purified activator protein could stimulate galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase activity in brain, liver, leukocytes and cultured fibroblasts. It was not able to stimulate the activity of this enzyme in tissue samples from patients with Krabbe's disease, demonstrating that it was acting on galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase and not GM1 beta-galactosidase. It was slowly denatured by treatment with Pronase, reaching 16% of starting levels after 24 h at 50 degrees C. Attempts to separate the abilities of this activator preparation to stimulate several lysosomal hydrolases by column chromatography were not successful.
On the Theta Semigroup

In this paper we consider a semigroup on trigonometric expansions {Tt : t ≥ 0} that will be called the Theta semigroup since its kernel is a multiple of θ3(x, q), the third Jacobi theta function. We study properties of this semigroup and prove that it is a positive diffusion semigroup. We also obtain that its subordinated semigroup is the classical Poisson semigroup. The extensions to higher dimensions and to periodic ultra distributions are also considered.
Using the event study methodology to measure the social costs of litigation - A re-examination using cases from the automobile industry

In a comprehensive study extending prior research, Prince and Rubin (2002) use the event study methodology, and find negative market reaction to a sample of 15 initial filings of product liability litigation and 29 other litigation events against U.S. automakers between 1973 and 1995. They conclude that the event study methodology is a useful way to measure the costs of litigation. In contrast, after examination of a new sample of 144 initial filing events and 465 other litigation events for six major automobile firms from 1985 to 2000, and after re-examining Prince and Rubins data, we find that the market reaction to all but the most extreme and infrequent events is generally not significant. We suggest that the event study methodology may not generally be useful to study the social costs of litigation, but may be useful for unexpected abnormal litigation events where the potential liabilities (including reputation and other losses triggered by litigation) may far exceed the legal liability reserves set up by firms. We find mixed results for the market impact of litigation against a competitor. When a product liability lawsuit is first filed against a U.S. firm, the market values of the Japanese firms significantly decline. When a Japanese firm is sued for product liability, the U.S. firms register a significant increase in market value. However, these spillover results have to be interpreted with caution because of small sample sizes and possible confounding events.
MEMS-based hemispherical resonator gyroscopes

This paper introduces a fabrication technique that uses planar MEMS micromachining processes to produce hemispherical resonating shells for gyroscopes. The hemispheres exhibit a quality factor in excess of 20,000 with resonant frequencies in the range of 20 kHz for the 4-node wineglass mode. The fabrication process enables production of almost perfect hemispheres (less than 1% asphericity near the pedestal) with an average surface roughness of 5nm. The high degree of sphericity contains the relative frequency mismatch Δf/f between the two degenerate modes to 0.02%. Simplicity of the fabrication process and the successful testing of the drive/sense mechanism in the resonator make it a good candidate for use as gyroscopes.
Inactivation of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase by cathepsin L. Stimulation by ATP.

Abstract Cathepsin L was capable of destroying rabbit muscle aldolase ( d -fructose-1,6-bisphosphate d -glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-lyase, EC 4.1.2.13) activity towards the substrate fructase 1,6-bisphosphate. The rate of loss of activity towards this substrate was stimulated (approx. 2-fold) by physiological concentrations of ATP and to a lesser degree by GTP, CTP, UTP, ADP and cyclic AMP, while PP i and P i decreased the rate of inactivation. Other proteinases (cathepsin B, cathepsin D, trypsin and chymotrypsin) also decreased aldolase activity toward fructose 1,6-bisphosphate more rapidly in the presence of ATP and more slowly in the presence of P i . Cathepsin L, at higher concentrations, was capable of inactivating aldolase activity towards fructose 1-phosphate and extensively degrading the enzyme; these reactions were not affected by ATP and P i . The thermostability of aldolase was also unaffected by these ligands. ATP and P i had no effect on the rates of hydrolysis of other proteins (hemoglobin, bovine serum albumin, casein and azocasein) by cathepsin L. These data indicate that the effects of ATP and P i was due to interactions of these ligands with aldolase that make the enzyme more vulnerable to limited but not extensive proteolysis; these ligands do not directly affect cathepsin L activity.
Tunichlorin: a nickel chlorin isolated from the Caribbean tunicate Trididemnum solidum.

Abstract Tunichlorin, a blue-green pigment isolated from the Caribbean tunicate Trididemnum solidum, has been identified as nickel(II) 2-devinyl-2-hydroxymethylpyropheophorbide a by chemical and spectroscopic methods, with confirmation by partial synthesis of dimethyl tunichlorin from chlorophyll a. Nickel chlorins have been reported from geological sources but not from living organisms. Its occurrence in a living system suggests a metabolic role for tunichlorin and may clarify the selective accumulation of nickel by marine tunicates. Because Trididemnum tunicates are associated with algal symbionts, tunichlorin may arise directly from the tunicate, from symbiotic algae, or from tunicate modification of an algal chlorin.
Light-Controlled Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Signaling Pathway in Live Cells

The Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway regulates critical cellular function such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Defective MAPK signaling has been frequently discovered in various cancers such as in breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma. Evidence showed that signaling output of the MAPK pathway depends critically on its spatiotemporal regulation. However, there are very limited means to control its spatial and temporal dimension in live cells with high accuracy. Here, we report a light-gated protein-protein interaction system that precisely regulates the activation and inactivation of the MAPK signaling pathway. We show that sustained MAPK activation through continuous light stimulation is sufficient to induce significant neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells in the absence of nerve growth factor. Light-gated activation leads to an interesting discovery that MAPK alone is sufficient to account for neurite elongation, it only partially contributes to the full development of sodium channels in PC12 cells. The strategy of using light-gated protein interaction shows a great promise in dissecting detailed mechanisms of signal transduction in cells.
Novel Activation of Voltage-gated K+ Channels by Sevoflurane

Abstract Voltage-gated ion channels are modulated by halogenated inhaled general anesthetics, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not understood. Alkanols and halogenated inhaled anesthetics such as halothane and isoflurane inhibit the archetypical voltage gated Kv3 channel homolog K-Shaw2 by stabilizing the resting/closed states. By contrast, sevoflurane, a more heavily fluorinated ether commonly used in general anesthesia, specifically activates K-Shaw2 currents at relevant concentrations (0.05 to 1 mM) in a rapid and reversible manner. The concentration dependence of this modulation is consistent with the presence of high and low affinity interactions (KD=0.06 and 4 mM, respectively). Sevoflurane (<1 mM) induces a negative shift in the conductance-voltage relation and increases the maximum conductance. Furthermore, suggesting possible roles in general anesthesia, mammalian Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 channels display similar changes. Quantitative description of the observations by an economical allosteric model indicates that sevoflurane binding favors activation gating and eliminates an unstable inactivated state outside the activation pathway. This study casts light on the mechanism of the novel sevoflurane-dependent activation of Kv channels, which helps explain how closely related inhaled anesthetics achieve specific actions and suggests strategies to develop novel Kv channel activators.
Domain Wall Pinning by Grain Boundaries During Electric Field Poling of KNbO3 Thin Films

We present evidence for grain-boundary pinning of domain walls as controlling the electric field poling behavior of KNbO3 thin films. Two epitaxial film systems are compared: (I) film on MgO (100) substrate with KNbO3 (110)// 120A SrTiO3 (100) //MgO(lOO) and (II) film on SrTiO3 (100) substrate with KNbO3 (110)// SrTiO3 (100). Quantitative measurement of the area fractions of four domain variants in each film system was made using in-situ second harmonic generation measurement while applying an external electric field at room temperature. While the film system (I) showed reversible domain wall motion, the film system (II) snowed some permanent poling after the removal of the external field. Transmission Electron Microscopy revealed a network of low angle grain boundaries of ∼1.5∼2° misorientation along the substrate cubic axes in the growth plane of the film system (I) and also a network of 6° and 120° walls intersecting these grain boundaries at 45° in the film growth plane. These features were found to be absent in the film system (II). We propose that the observed electric field poling phenomena is due to the pinning of 60° and 120° domain walls by low angle grain boundaries.