cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of β-funaltrexamine on radiolabeled opioid binding

Abstract β-Funaltrexamine (β-FNA) potently competed with the binding of a series of radiolabeled opiates and opioid peptides in standard binding assays with IC 50 values under 10 nM. In addition, higher concentrations of β-FNA produced an irreversible inhibition of binding which was relatively selective for μ receptors: δ binding was not affected much. The production of irreversible inhibition of [ 3 H]dihydromorphine binding required concentrations of β-FNA over 10-fold higher than β-FNA concentrations needed in standard competition studies. Both μ 1 and μ 2 sites were irreversibly inhibited by β-FNA, but μ 1 sites were more sensitive. The reversible and irreversible inhibition in these in vitro binding assays by β-FNA were quite similar to naloxonazine. However, the activity of β-FNA in the guinea-pig ileum suggests that it may not distinguish between μ 1 and gm 2 receptors as effectively as naloxonazine in bioassays and in vivo.
Patterns of Catheter Ablation Practice in the United States: Results of the 1992 NASPE Survey

Any conclusion drawn must be made within the context of all the limitations inherent in a voluntary retrospective survey. The primary purpose of this survey is to provide a general picture of current catheter ablative procedure practiced in the United States. This is felt to be of value in calling attention to significant trends and to highlight those areas in which improvement is needed. Improvement may be required in terms of operator experience as well as improved catheters and energy delivery systems. The striking finding was a plateau in total number of procedures from 1991 to 1992. The decline in numbers of patients undergoing ablation of accessory pathways was more than compensated for by impressive growth in numbers of patients undergoing ablative procedures for atrioventricular nodal reentry, atrial tachycardia/atrial flutter, and ventricular tachycardia. The ablative data suggest that continued improvements are needed for successful ablation of patients with right-sided accessory pathways. The anatomy of the tricuspid annulus makes for difficulty in achieving catheter stability and this report highlights the need for better catheters designed for right-sided pathway ablation. Equally concerning is the incidence of procedure related deaths (0.2%) and significant complications (2.1%) for patients with accessory pathways. This is no doubt related to the need for left heart catheterization in the majority of patients. The latter involves either retrograde aortic passage of the relatively stiff ablation catheters or use of transseptal puncture. In addition, we found that 35 of the 164 centers performed less than 20 procedures a year and low volume centers had a higher incidence of complications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Lengthening but not shortening history of paraspinal muscle spindles in the low back alters their dynamic sensitivity.

Proprioception is considered important for maintaining spinal stability and for controlling posture and movement in the low back. Previous studies demonstrate the presence of thixotropic properties...
Ureteropyeloscopic diagnosis and treatment of upper urinary tract urothelial malignancies

Abstract Objectives. To study the application of endoscopic techniques in treating upper urinary tract urothelial malignancies and to define subgroups that may benefit from these therapies. Methods. During a 3-year period, 20 patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma were referred specifically for endoscopic therapy. Indications for treatment included a solitary kidney, bilateral disease, modest renal insufficiency, and/or other significant comorbidities. All patients underwent retrograde ureteropyeloscopy. Lesions were biopsied, and lower grade tumors were treated with electrocautery or laser energy. High-grade lesions not amenable to minimally invasive techniques were palliated or treated with standard open surgery. Surveillance was performed at 3 to 4-month intervals by urine cytology and repeat panendoscopy on a similar schedule to lesions of the bladder treated endoscopically. Results. Eleven patients (55%) were found to have low-grade, papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Tumors ranged in size from less than 1 cm to filling the entire ureter. All papillary lesions were treated successfully using ureteroscopic techniques without any disease progression. Five small, low-grade recurrences (45%) were defined and treated endoscopically, with a mean follow-up of 17.3 months. Three patients were found at the time of initial diagnostic ureteroscopy to have higher grade lesions and endoscopic treatment was chosen in light of their severe comorbidities. On subsequent imaging, 2 of the 3 patients were suspected of having progression and underwent open surgery, both had carcinoma-in-situ only in the specimen. No tumor progression has been defined in this group to date, with mean follow-up of 16.3 months. A final third group of 6 patients were found to have nonpapillary, high-grade lesions at diagnostic endoscopy and underwent standard surgical resection. The disease of 4 of these 6 patients has progressed with metastases. Conclusions. Papillary, low-grade, low-stage tumors of the upper urinary tract are amenable to endoscopic resection irrespective of size and location. Patients with high-grade lesions defined endoscopically should be offered radical surgery in light of the high rate of disease progression. © 1999, Elsevier Science Inc.
Behavioral biases in new product forecasting

Abstract The new product planning process generates an upward bias in the forecast of a product's performance. Three sources of such bias are discussed: (1) the post-decision audit bias reflects a regression-to-the-mean phenomenon since only those products that are forecasted to do well, including those with the most upward biased forecasts, are brought to market; (2) the advocacy bias reflects the tendency of product planners to champion their project by overpromising on forecasts; (3) the optimism bias results from the act of participating in planning activities. Two role-playing experiments found that persons who were more deeply involved in a planning exercise were more optimistic about the outcome of the plan than those who were less involved. A third role-playing experiment demonstrated that one reason for the optimism bias is that during the planning process the illusion of control over the environment leads the planner to change assumptions about uncontrollable events which are likely to affect the outcome.
Representations of shape for structural inference in infrared scenes

Infrared scenes are modeled as consisting of two kinds of targets: flexible 2-D models for simple shapes and rigid 3-D faceted models for detailed targets. The flexible models permit rapid saccadic detection of targets and accommodate 'clutter' objects not present in the target library. The rigid model library contains specific vehicles or other objects we wish to discriminate. A likelihood model based on sensor statistics is combined with a prior distribution on possible scenes to form a posterior distribution for Bayesian inference. Nuisance parameters associated with the radiant intensities of the background and object facets are adaptively estimated as the inference proceeds. A general metropolis- Hastings acceptance/rejection algorithm for sampling from the posterior distribution is proposed.
Comparison of vertical forces in normal greyhounds between force platform and pressure walkway measurement systems

Summary Peak vertical impulse (PVF) and vetical impulse (VI) data were collected from the left forelimbs and ipsilat-eral hind limbs of eight healthy adult Greyhound dogs ranging in mass from 27.30 to 36.36 kg. Walking velocity and acceleration were restricted to ranges of 0.9 to 1.1 m/s and -9.1 to 0.1 m2, resepctively. Data from the first 20 valid trials were analyzed for each dog on both systems. Forces were normalized and expressed as a percent of the dog’s body weight. Velocity and acceleration values were not statistically different in either set of trials. Evaluation of intra-dog variability via t-test revealed a statistical difference in two of 16 limbs (1/8 forelimb, 1/8 hind limb). The results indicate that the Tekscan walkway system is a viable alternative to the AMT1 model OR6-5 force platform for the generation of vertical impulse data. Statistically significant differences in peak vertical force values were noted between the two systems and were likely related to calibration times, but their clinical relevance appears negligible.
A class of bi-directional multi-relay protocols

In a bi-directional relay channel, two nodes wish to exchange independent messages over a shared wireless half-duplex channel with the help of relays. Recent work has considered information theoretic limits of the bi-directional relay channel with a single relay. In this work we consider bi-directional relaying with multiple relays. We derive achievable rate regions and outer bounds for half-duplex protocols with multiple decode and forward relays and compare these to the same protocols with amplify and forward relays in an additive white Gaussian noise channel. We consider three novel classes of half-duplex protocols: the (m; 2) 2 phase protocol with m relays, the (m; 3) 3 phase protocol with m relays, and general (m; t) Multiple Hops and Multiple Relays (MHMR) protocols, where m is the total number of relays and 3 ≪ t ≤ m + 2 is the number of temporal phases in the protocol. Finally, we provide a comprehensive treatment of the MHMR protocols with decode and forward relaying and amplify and forward relaying in Gaussian noise, obtaining their respective achievable rate regions, outer bounds and relative performance at different SNRs. The (m;m+2) DF MHMR protocol achieves the largest rate region under simulated channel conditions.
Statin Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndromes Mechanistic Insight Into Clinical Benefit

Randomized trials have established that statin treatment reduces coronary events in primary prevention and in patients with stable coronary artery disease. In unstable coronary artery disease, however, the pathophysiological background is distinct, and the potential benefits of statin therapy have not been evaluated until recently. Data from animal models and clinical studies indicate that statin treatment can influence a spectrum of molecular and cellular mechanisms that are intimately related to the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes; these include the reduction of circulating levels of atherogenic lipoproteins (very low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein remnants, intermediate density lipoprotein, and low density lipoprotein) and thus of arterial lipid deposition and the attenuation of inflammation, modulation of thrombogenesis and thrombolysis, improvement of endothelial dysfunction, and reduction of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Indeed, findings from prospective and observational studies have demonstrated that statin treatment significantly improves clinical outcome after acute coronary syndromes. Therefore, early initiation of statin therapy after an acute coronary event not only enhances adherence to treatment but also preempts the occurrence of new events. In this review, we discuss recent important developments in our knowledge of the clinical evidence of the beneficial effects of early statin therapy in acute coronary syndromes and the biological mechanisms that underlie them.
A vision based correlator to actively damp vibrations of a coarse-fine manipulator

A novel method for controlling the endpoint position of a coarse-fine manipulator using a fast vision sensor is presented. With the vibrational disturbances caused by both the manipulator and its environment can be attenuated for disturbance frequencies up to 8 Hz using active feedback control. At the same time, the bandwidth of the control response extends to 30 Hz. By visually sampling the workpiece surface within the operating range of the fine manipulator, a relative displacement in x and y can be estimated by correlating successive image frames. Because of the high computational complexity and the speed requirements, a dedicated correlation processor based on three digital signal processors has been developed for each axis. Results of simulations and experiments with the correlation processor are presented. >
Prevention of the second stage of epithelial loss is a potential novel treatment for bronchiolitis obliterans

Objectives Loss of epithelial cells is one of the key factors that lead to airway fibrosis. Loss of epithelial cells may decrease the barrier to host cell infiltration into the lumen, allowing deposition of extracellular matrix, with subsequent obliteration of the airway. The objective of this study was to determine whether injection of epithelial cells/progenitor cells from the recipient into the lumen of the donor trachea could prevent bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) in a mouse heterotopic tracheal transplantation (HTT) model. Methods A major histocompatibility complex class I and class II mismatch of mouse HTT model of BO was used. Epithelial cells from recipient mice were isolated and reinjected into the lumen of the allografts on day 3 after transplantation. Rag-1 knock-out and isografts were also performed as controls. The grafts were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and densitometric analysis. Results The results demonstrated that tracheal epithelium was lost by day 3, regenerated between 3 to 7 days, and was lost again in all allografts, but not in the isografts or in Rag-1 knock-out groups by day 12. The reconstituted epithelium was donor originated on day 7 based on green fluorescent protein staining. Furthermore, with the injection of recipient cells into the tracheal lumen, loss of the epithelium was not observed and the luminal obliteration was significantly less in the allografts. Conclusions Injection of recipient epithelial cells prevents the second phase of epithelial loss and significantly decreases BO development in an HTT model. Clinically, the use of injected recipient epithelial cells could be a novel treatment for BO.
Group IV Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 Binds with High Affinity and Specificity to Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate Resulting in Dramatic Increases in Activity

The group IV cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) exhibits a potent and specific increase in affinity for lipid surfaces containing phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) at physiologically relevant concentrations. Specifically, the presence of 1 mol % PtdIns(4,5)P2 in phosphatidylcholine vesicles results in a 20-fold increase in the binding affinity of cPLA2. This increased affinity is accompanied by an increase in substrate hydrolysis of a similar magnitude. The binding studies and kinetic analysis indicate that PtdIns(4,5)P2 binds to cPLA2 in a 1:1 stoichiometry. The magnitude of the effect of PtdIns(4,5)P2 is unique among anionic phospholipids and larger than that for other polyphosphate phosphatidylinositols. The effect of PtdIns(4,5)P2 on the activity of cPLA2 is at least an order of magnitude larger than the concomitant changes in the fraction of the enzyme associated with lipid membranes. Striking parallels between the interaction of cPLA2 with PtdIns(4,5)P2 and the interaction of the pleckstrin homology domain of phospholipase Cδ1 with PtdIns(4,5)2 combined with sequence analysis of cPLA2 lead us to propose the existence and location of a pleckstrin homology domain in cPLA2. We further show that the very nature of the interaction of proteins such as cPLA2 with multiple ligands incorporated into membranes follows a specific model which necessitates the use of an experimental methodology suitable for a membrane interface to allow for a meaningful analysis of the data.
Union Leaders as Experts: Wage Bargaining and Strikes with Union‐Wide Ballot Requirements*

To avoid strikes and to curb labour militancy, some governments have introduced legislation stating that union leadership as well as wage offers should be decided through union-wide ballots. This paper shows that members still have incentives to appoint militant union leaders, if these leaders have access to information critical for the members’ voting decisions. Furthermore, conflicts may arise in equilibrium even though the contract zone is never empty and there is an option to resolve any incomplete information. Ballot requirements hence preclude neither militant union bosses nor inefficient conflicts.
Thermomechanical properties of alumina fiber membrane

The use of an acid phosphate binder in place of a commercial silica colloid binder in the fabrication of an alumina fiber membrane was found to result in improved creep resistance (as tested under compression at 600 and 800 °C), increased flexural strength (as tested up to 800 °C), increased storage modulus and damping capacity (as tested up to 500 °C), and decreased thermal conductivity (as tested at 600 and 800 °C), in addition to the previously reported increased permeability and compressive strength at room temperature.
Changes in Body Weight and Adiposity Predict Periodontitis Progression in Men

Most studies linking obesity and periodontal disease have been cross-sectional in design. We examined whether gains in body weight, waist circumference, and arm fat area are associated with periodontitis progression in 893 non-diabetic men followed for up to four decades in the prospective VA Dental Longitudinal Study. Probing pocket depth (PPD) was measured by calibrated examiners. Repeated-measures generalized linear models estimated the mean cumulative numbers of teeth with PPD events (PPD > 3 mm) at each dental examination and the slopes associated with increasing numbers of affected teeth over time. Means were adjusted for baseline PPD, education, and cigarette pack-years, and time-dependent values of age, mean plaque score, cigarette packs/day, brushing, and flossing. Men who were overweight at baseline and gained weight most rapidly (> 0.19 kg/yr or ~15 lb during follow-up) had significantly more PPD events than men in the lowest tertile of weight gain (≤ -0.05 kg/yr). Overweight men whose waist circumference increased > 0.14-0.39 or > 0.39 cm/yr experienced more PPD events than men in the lowest tertile (≤ 0.14 cm/yr). Increase in arm fat area was associated with disease progression in normal-weight men. These results suggest that tracking adiposity changes with easily obtained anthropometric measures may help predict risk of periodontitis progression.
ET-01IL-13 CONJUGATED QUANTUM DOTS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GLIOMA STEM CELLS, SOLUBLE RECEPTORS AND EXOSOMES RELEASED BY GBM TUMORS

Glioblastoma Multiforme is an aggressive brain tumor combining high infiltrative properties with a heterogenous nature making it challenging to identify and remove them by surgery and increasing their resistance to other conventional therapies. GBM tumors are known to express the IL-13Rα2 receptors which we have used to target nanoliposomes for enhancing theranostic efficacy. In our present investigation we utilized interleukin-13 ( IL-13) conjugated quantum dots (IL-13QD) to selectively bind the glioma stem cells in culture and the soluble receptor in a medium and the exosomes released in a biological fluid. The binding phenomenon was characterized by various techniques like atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering method, electron microscopy and fluorescent microscopy. Investigation was also performed to determine the release of soluble IL-13Rα2 receptor and IL-13Rα2 expressing exosomes from the glioma stem cells in the culture media and in the cerebrospinal fluid. After confirming the presence of soluble receptor by immunoblots and ELISA and exosomes by electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering method, in vitro studies were performed with the IL-13QD in a media containing the exosomes and soluble receptors to investigate the binding and aggregation properties of the IL-13QD. Our investigation revealed the aggregation properties of the IL-13QD in the presence of soluble receptor and exosomes indicating a correlation between the receptor expression and aggregation and dissociation of quantum dots. Further studies are in progress with patient samples that would lead to a development of a biomarker and a therapeutic agent for the highly malignant brain tumors.
Determination of Trace Elements in Pharmaceutical Tablets Using Anodic stripping Voltammetry

Abstract Anodic stripping voltammetry is applied for measurement of copper and zinc in pharamaceutical formulations. Because of the inherent sensitivity and selectivity of stripping voltammetry toward amalgam forming metals, no sample preparation is required (except for acidic dissolution). Copper-zinc intermetallic interferences are eliminated by the addition of an excess of gallium or through utilization of a dual working electrode approach. Automation of this procedure is indicated from flow injection measurments at a rate of 15 per hour.
Thromboelastographic and hemostatic characteristics in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease.

c Context.—Patients with sickle cell disease suffer from a variety of vaso-occlusive events that may be related to activation of the hemostatic system. Thromboelastography assesses the functionality of this system from a global standpoint and has demonstrated some utility in detecting hypercoagulable states in varied clinical settings, but it has not been systematically evaluated in patients with sickle cell disease. Objective.—To characterize the findings of thromboelastography in patients with sickle cell disease during periods of steady state and illness, to compare these results with those of healthy controls, and to correlate these profiles with other measured hemostatic parameters. Design.—In this cross-sectional study, we obtained thromboelastographic and other hemostatic data on specimens from 46 patients with sickle cell disease (35 with hemoglobin SS, 7 with hemoglobin SC, and 4 with hemoglobin S-b thalassemia) and 20 healthy race-matched controls. Data were obtained from patients with sickle cell disease at baseline conditions (n 5 41) and in the setting of acute illness (n 5 5). Results.—Patients with hemoglobin SS had lower reaction time and higher angle, maximum amplitude, and coagulation index values on thromboelastography than the control group. Hemoglobin SC patients had higher angle, maximum amplitude, and coagulation index values than controls. Hemoglobin S-b thalassemia patients showed no significant differences compared with controls. Five hemoglobin SS patients with recent or current illness demonstrated increased maximum amplitude and coagulation index compared with hemoglobin SS patients at baseline conditions. Conclusions.—Patients with sickle cell disease demonstrated a significant hypercoagulable state in thromboelastography profiles, with the degree of abnormality dependent on the type of sickle cell disease and perhaps the presence of acute illness. Continued follow-up of this patient cohort, as well as further study of larger and more homogeneous patient groups, is required to adequately assess the utility of thromboelastography in predicting complications of sickle cell disease. (Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2005;129:760‐765)
Maintenance of a Health Promotion Program in Elementary Schools: Results from the Catch-on Study Key Informant Interviews:

To better understand the institutionalization process in Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH) intervention and control schools, 199 key informant interviews were conducted with school food service staff, physical education teachers, classroom teachers, and administrators at the four CATCH-ON field centers. School personnel were asked to talk about the degree of CATCH program implementation, who at the school or school district was instrumental in promoting CATCH, and the conditions that facilitated or impeded the institutionalization of CATCH activities and philosophies. The CATCH Physical Education (PE) component appeared to have the highest level of institutionalization, and the CATCH classroom curriculum and family components appeared to have the lowest levels of institutionalization. The primary barriers expressed included the low priority for health promotion activities and time constraints of schools: lack of mechanisms for training of school staff; and lack of sufficient funds for materials, equipment, and lower fat vendor products.
Dynamic pressure transmission through agarose gels

In biomedical research, agarose gel is widely used in tissue culture systems because it permits growing cells and tissues in a three-dimensional suspension. This is especially important in the application of tissue engineering concepts to cartilage repair because it supports the cartilage phenotype. Mechanical loading, especially compression, plays a fundamental role in the development and repair of cartilage. It would be advantageous to develop a system where cells and tissues could be subjected to compression so that their responses can be studied. There is currently no information on the pressure response of agarose gel when pressure is applied to the gas phase of a culture system. To understand the transmission of pressure through the gel, we set up an apparatus that would mimic an agarose suspension tissue culture system. This consisted of a sealed metal cylinder containing air as well as a layer of agarose submerged in culture medium. Pressure responses were recorded in the air, fluid, gel center, and gel periphery using various frequencies, pressures, gel volumes, and viscosities. Regression analyses show an almost perfect linear relation between gas and gel pressures (r(2) = 0.99987, p < 0.0001, f(x) = 0.9982 x - 0.0286). The pressure transmission was complete and immediate, throughout the range of the applied pressures, frequencies, volumes, and viscosities tested. Applying dynamic pressure to the gas phase results in reproducible pressure in the agarose and, therefore, validates the use of agarose tissue culture systems in studies employing dynamic pressurization in cartilage tissue engineering.
A Critique of Giving Voice to Values Approach to Business Ethics Education

Mary Gentile’s Giving Voice to Values presents an approach to ethics training based on the idea that most people would like to provide input in times of ethical conflict using their own values. She maintains that people recognize the lapses in organizational ethical judgment and behavior, but they do not have the courage to step up and voice their values to prevent the misconduct. Gentile has developed a successful initiative and following based on encouraging students and employees to learn how to engage in communication or action to express their values within an organization’s formal and informal value system. The purpose of this analysis is to examine the Giving Voice to Values approach to empowering the individual to take action to deal with lapses in organizational ethics. We examine the role of Giving Voice to Values in business ethics education, considerations for implementing GVV, and recommendations for business educators and corporate ethics officers. We conclude that while GVV is an effective tool, it is not a comprehensive or holistic approach to ethics education and organizational ethics programs.
Least squares modifications with inverse factorizations: Parallel implications

Abstract The process of modifying least squares computations by updating the covariance matrix has been used in control and signal processing for some time in the context of linear sequential filtering. Here we give an alternative derivation of the process and provide extensions to downdating. Our purpose is to develop algorithms that are amenable to implementation on modern multiprocessor architectures. In particular, the inverse Cholesky factor R −1 is considered and it is shown that R −1 can be updated (downdated) by applying the same sequence of orthogonal (hyperbolic) plane rotations that are used to update (downdate) R . We have attempted to provide some new insights into least squares modification processes and to suggest parallel algorithms for implementing Kalman type sequential filters in the analysis and solution of estimation problems in control and signal processing.
General Spectral Computations of the Nonlinear Shallow Water Tidal Interactions within the Bight of Abaco

Abstract An iterative frequency–time domain finite element tidal circulation model is applied to the Bight of Abaco in the Bahamas to study the nonlinear interactions that occur between the various astronomical, overtide and compound-tide constituents. The nonlinear origin of the significant shallow water constituents is determined by suppressing the various nonlinear terms in the shallow water equations. Furthermore, the extend to which nonlinear constituents interact with and effect each other is studied in detail by suppressing the interaction of selected tides within the framework of the interative frequency-time domain formulation. It is found that second nonlinear interaction between the astronomical tides and the shallow water tides themselves can significantly affect overtide compound tides and even tides. Some important examples include (i) the M2 interaction with M6 which generates the M8 tide, (ii) the Significant reductions in M6, M8 and M10 responses (respectively by 12%, 15% and 25%) due to ...
Spine Surgery in an Ambulatory Setting: What Can Be Done Safely?

The first ambulatory surgery center was established in 1970 in Phoenix, Arizona by two surgeons with a vision of providing more convenient surgical services to their community. Twelve years later, Medicare approved the first payments to ambulatory surgery centers, sparking an era of substantial growth. By 1988, there were 1000 ambulatory surgery centers in the United States, and today more than 23 million procedures are performed yearly at 5300 ambulatory surgery centers1. Because ambulatory surgery centers are delivering health care to patients, they require accreditation similar to traditional hospitals; however, while they can be accredited by The Joint Commission (http://www.jointcommission.org/) or the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) (http://www.hfap.org/) as can traditional hospitals, they also may be accredited by ambulatory surgery center-specific firms such as the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) (http://www.aaaasf.org/) or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health …
Dorsal Root Reflexes and Cutaneous Neurogenic Inflammation After Intradermal Injection of Capsaicin in Rats

The role of dorsal root reflexes (DRRs) in acute cutaneous neurogenic inflammation induced by intradermal injection of capsaicin (CAP) was examined in anesthetized rats. Changes in cutaneous blood ...
Is More Always Better? The American Experiment

This chapter focuses upon the US as the paradigmatic case of a materially driven, success-oriented society. Since the 1950s, a steady increase in living standards has not made US–Americans any happier. On the contrary, obesity, anxiety, depression and other symptoms of ill-being are on the rise. This chapter identifies the root cause of these negative trends as a mismatch between evolved human behaviors and the novel habitat of material affluence. In consequence the US has become symptomatic of a society out of balance, with many citizens pursuing a self-destructive, competitive lifestyle—working too much and sleeping too little. The chapter closes by asking: is the US exceptional or is its cultural experience the bellwether of a globalizing, consumptive greed that is fed by enticements of our own manufacture?
Analysis of intracellularly recorded phasic bursting by mammalian neuroendocrine cells

Phasic bursting by magnocellular neuroendocrine cells (MNCs) in the mammalian supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei (SON and PVN) consists of successive periods of action potentials and inactivity. It has previously been correlated with increased release of vasopressin from the neurohypophysis. In the present studies we investigated the neuronal mechanisms underlying this firing pattern. Using coronal slices of rat hypothalamus, we recorded intracellularly from neurons that are considered to be MNCs, based on several criteria. Eight of the 29 cells in this study displayed phasic burst patterns similar to those previously recorded extracellularly from MNCs in intact animals. Among the eight phasic cells, low levels of steady current injection could dramatically alter burst periodicity. Steady hyperpolarization revealed patterned synaptic input in only one case; in the remainder of the cells, nonsynaptic mechanisms appeared to account for periodic bursting. The phasic burst pattern usually appeared to be spike dependent, each burst arising from one or several depolarizing after-potentials (DAPs). Summed DAPs formed a plateau potential, which provided a depolarizing drive for further spiking. Spike frequency decreased late in the burst, and then the plateau potential terminated. During the quiescent period, burst excitability appeared to increase coincident with a small slow depolarization. Spikes and their summating DAPs could then initiate another burst. In several silent MNCs, a brief supra-threshold current pulse could initiate a prolonged afterdischarge, which had the properties of a phasic burst. Two MNCs that fired with a fast-continuous pattern were tested with brief hyperpolarizing current pulses; after each pulse, spike activity ceased and a plateau potential was revealed. Therefore, it appears that a maintained plateau potential (summed DAPs) can drive fast-continuous firing. In one case a periodic bombardment of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) generated a phasic firing pattern. The dependence of the burst characteristics on membrane potential, the apparent lack of patterned synaptic input in most cells, and the ability to evoke bursts with brief stimuli support the hypothesis that bursting in some MNCs involves an endogenous mechanism. Furthermore, phasic firing may be driven by tonic excitatory input. The data on phasic, silent, and fast-continuous cells suggest that many MNCs can generate DAPs and plateau potentials.
Washington's High-Tech R&D Tax Incentives Analyzed

The report analyzes the state's research and development tax incentive programs; evidence of job creation and diversification of the state's economy as a result of the incentives is mixed, the report says. Rural high-tech employment has declined.
The Uses of ‘New Exodus’ in New Testament Scholarship: Preparing a Way through the Wilderness:

Nineteenth-century Isaiah scholarship appears to be responsible for popularizing the term ‘new exodus’, a phrase that underscores how Isaiah’s prophecies of a return from exile link this new saving act of God with the Israelite exodus from Egypt. In the twentieth century, New Testament scholars adopted the term, and in recent years, ‘new exodus’ has been applied to a wide array of biblical and extra-biblical texts. The burgeoning popularity of the phrase ‘new exodus’ has not been matched with equal interest in reflecting on its diverse applications to a variety of ancient texts. This free-wheeling usage has diluted the value of the phrase, and a descriptive term runs the risk of becoming a simple buzzword.
Preparation of High Fracture Toughness Alumina Sintered Bodies from Bayer Aluminum Hydroxide

The mechanical properties of hot-pressed, low-temperature-calcined α-alumina powder made from commercial aluminum hydroxide by seeding of wet grinding abrasion powder were investigated. The microstructure of samples sintered at low temperature is composed of very fine equiaxial grains and its bending strength is higher than 800MPa. As the sintering temperature increases, the grains become large and uniaxially elongated, the bending strength of sintered bodies decreases, and the fracture toughness increases. A sample sintered at 1400°C shows a bending strength of 600MPa and a fracture toughness of 7.9MPa⋅m1/2 (SEPB method). A maximum fracture toughness of 9.0MPa⋅m1/2 is achieved in a sample sintered at 1600°C. This high fracture toughness is caused by a uniform and elongated grain structure, and by increment of grain boundary fracture.
Influence of Hydrogen Bonding Effects on Methanol and Water Diffusivities in Acid–Base Polymer Blend Membranes of Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone) and Base Tethered Polysulfone

Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations were used to study the water and methanol diffusivities in acid–base polymer blend membranes consisting of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and polysulfone tethered with different bases (2-amino-benzimidazole, 5-amino-benzotriazole, and 1H-perimidine). Consistent with experimental trends, methanol and water diffusivities in all the SPEEK-based systems were found to be lower than those in Nafion. When the base group attached to the polysulfone was varied, the methanol diffusivities were found to exhibit the same trends as observed in the experimentally measured crossover current densities. Such trends were however observed only when we explicitly accounted for hydrogen bonding interactions between the hydrogen attached to the nitrogen of the base and the oxygen of the sulfonate of SPEEK. Furthermore, in almost all cases, methanol diffusivities were found to be highly correlated with the pore sizes of the membranes, which, in the case of blends, were found...
Evidence of prostate cancer "reverse stage migration" toward more advanced disease at diagnosis: Data from the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry.

Abstract Purpose The widespread adoption of prostate-specific antigen-based prostate cancer screening caused a stage migration toward earlier stage disease at diagnosis. We investigated whether this stage migration has persisted in a contemporary analysis of a population-based statewide cancer registry. Materials and methods We analyzed the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry, a statewide registry of all newly diagnosed cancers. Data were collected on prostate cancers diagnosed between 1992 and 2012. We determined age-adjusted prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates, as well as the distribution of tumor stage (localized, regional, or metastatic) at diagnosis, and assessed for changes in these variables over time using joinpoint analysis. Results Between 1992 and 2012, 210,831 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in Pennsylvania, and 33,948 men died of disease. Age-adjusted prostate cancer incidence rates, and specifically the incidence of localized disease, have decreased dramatically since 2007 to 2008. Due to the decreased diagnosis of localized disease, regional and metastatic tumors have made up a greater percentage of all prostate cancer diagnoses in recent years, despite a relatively stable incidence of these advanced stage tumors. Conclusions Over the past 2 decades, age-adjusted prostate cancer incidence rates in Pennsylvania have decreased, primarily because of the decreased detection of early-stage disease. There has been a corresponding shift toward more advanced disease at diagnosis. These findings may be explained by the decreased use of prostate-specific antigen-based screening, among other factors. The 2012 United States Preventative Services Task Force recommendations against prostate cancer screening may exacerbate this concerning trend, potentially resulting in an increase in prostate cancer-specific mortality.
Contemporary Foundations for Business Ethics Education

Business ethics education was founded on conflicting assumptions regarding the role of business in society. On one hand, business was presumed to play a positive role morally and socially in generating societal wealth and distributing that wealth broadly, with particular reward to individuals according to the merit of their own good work in a situation of fair opportunity. On the other hand, business was seen to have a negative effect morally and socially by encouraging narrow self-interest and allowing wealthy industrialists too large a role in bending government to their will and benefit. These conflicting philosophical and social foundations of business ethics education paralleled conflicting traditions and assumptions in Western moral philosophy regarding the moral value of self-interested economic activity, whether it tended toward ultimate social benefit or contradicted the traditions of socially beneficial virtues and individual impartiality in doing the right and good in accord with duty. In this chapter, I propose a reorientation of business ethics education to align with self-interest rightly understood in a competitive free market economy. This proposal rests on historical and philosophical evidence that the moral obligations of business are grounded in self-interest with a social purpose.
Development of a Method for Recovery of Rotavirus from the Surface of Vegetables

Rotaviruses cause waterborne disease outbreaks of gastroenteritis from sewage contaminated water, but methods have not been available to assess the potential for transmission of rotavirus by uncooked foods. A method was developed for recovery of rotavirus from the surface of vegetables. The simian rotavirus SA-11, used as a model for the human rotavirus, was adsorbed onto lettuce and the effects of various eluents tested for its recovery. The maximum recovery of rotavirus occurred with a solution of 3% beef extract at pH 8.0 after 5 min of exposure. Longer exposure times did not enhance virus recovery. Recovery of rotavirus and poliovirus type 1 (LSC) averaged 80 and 65%, respectively. Recovery of rotavirus from non-leafy vegetables was lower, averaging 44% for celery, carrot and radish. This method should prove useful for assessing the occurrence and survival of rotavirus on uncooked foods.
RxSpatial: the reactive spatial library

The spatial libraries that have been developed by Microsoft, IBM and Oracle have substantially changed the capabilities of geospatial computing. These libraries implement several functionalities that include intersection, distance, and area for various geospatial objects. These libraries came out to address a wealth of use cases that were challenging in that era. As time goes by, GPS devices and location-aware mobile technologies increased the demand for geospatial computing, in general, and for real time geostreaming, in particular. Existing commercial spatial libraries were originally designed to support operations on stationary objects with limited or no capabilities for moving objects. In this paper, we introduce the RxSpatial library, a real time reactive spatial library for spatiotemporal stream query processing. RxSpatial provides, (1) a front-end, which is a programming interface for developers who are familiar with the Microsoft. NET Reactive framework and the Microsoft SQL Server Spatial Library, and (2) a back-end for processing spatial operations in a streaming fashion. RxSpatial provides the programming convenience at the front end and the query processing efficiency at the back end.
The Entrepreneurship - Development Nexus

The Entrepreneurship and Development Nexus provides some perspective on why entrepreneurship has become more important in recent years for developing countries. In providing some answers to this question insight is provided into why entrepreneurship policy and programs have grown in popularity as part of the primary development tools used in both developed and developing economies. With this rising importance comes the basic question of how entrepreneurship can be applied as a tool to promote growth and development at the regional level especially in a development framework. Further, the chapter recognizes that there has recently been a huge rise in the general importance of entrepreneurship in social, political and economic realms. This is supported by the fact that there has been an enormous growth in the amount of scholarly and gray entrepreneurship literature.
Multimodal Imaging in a Patient with Hemidystonia Responsive to GPi Deep Brain Stimulation

Background. Dystonia is a syndrome with varied phenomenology but our understanding of its mechanisms is deficient. With neuroimaging techniques, such as fiber tractography (FT) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), pathway connectivity can be studied to that end. We present a hemidystonia patient treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS). Methods. After 10 years of left axial hemidystonia, a 45-year-old male underwent unilateral right globus pallidus internus (GPi) DBS. Whole brain MEG before and after anticholinergic medication was performed prior to surgery. 26-direction diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was obtained in a 3 T MRI machine along with FT. The patient was assessed before and one year after surgery by using the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS). Results. In the eyes-closed MEG study there was an increase in brain coherence in the gamma band after medication in the middle and inferior frontal region. FT demonstrated over 50% more intense ipsilateral connectivity in the right hemisphere compared to the left. After DBS, BFMDRS motor and disability scores both dropped by 71%. Conclusion. Multimodal neuroimaging techniques can offer insights into the pathophysiology of dystonia and can direct choices for developing therapeutics. Unilateral pallidal DBS can provide significant symptom control in axial hemidystonia poorly responsive to medication.
Local and systemic immunity predict survival in patients with pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma

Pulmonary sarcomatoid cancer (PSC) is a rare, aggressive subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, and measures of local and systemic immunity as biomarkers are incompletely known. We performed this study to characterize the leukocyte composition within the tumor, stroma, and peripheral blood in patients with PSC and correlated our findings with overall survival. Tissue from 30 patients diagnosed with PSC was evaluated by IHC for the presence of CD3+, CD14+, and CD19+ cells and PD-L1 expression. A lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) was calculated for the tumor microenvironment (TME) and peripheral blood. Survival analyses were performed based on IHC scores or groups defined by receiver operating characteristic curve cutoffs. CD3+ and CD14+ cells were found throughout the TME. CD19+ cells were almost exclusive to the stroma and correlated with superior overall survival (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21–0.72, p = 0.003). Most patients expressed PD-L1 on the tumor and/or the infiltrating immune cells, but neither the presence nor PD-L1 expression level impacted survival. A more prolific immune infiltration of the TME was associated with improved survival (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.70–0.98, p = 0.029). PSC patients with a TME LMR ≥1.2 had a median survival of 1598 versus 488 days for a TME LMR <1.2 (p = 0.010). In the peripheral blood, an LMR ≥2.3 was associated with improved median survival (1579 vs. 332 days, p < 0.001). Our data demonstrate multiple measures of the local and systemic immunity are associated with patient survival in PSC.
BREASTFEEDING IN THE SPECIAL CARE NURSERY: Prematures and Infants with Medical Problems

In summary, clinical interventions that are focused on increasing the rates with which mothers initiate and sustain lactation for infants with medical problems must reflect the scientific evidence for this vulnerable population. These interventions should include counseling to ensure that mothers may make an informed decision about providing milk; nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic strategies to maximize maternal milk volume; and basing protocols for at-breast feeding on studies conducted with breastfeeding for premature and other at-risk infants, rather than on ideology or research conducted with term, healthy infants.