cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short-term oral administration of l-arginine reverses defective endothelium-dependent relaxation and cGMP generation in diabetes

In the present study, we evaluated whether acute dietary supplementation with L-arginine in vivo could reverse the defective endothelium-dependent relaxation in diabetic blood vessels assessed ex vivo. At 8 weeks of diabetes, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were given 1.25% L-arginine in drinking water 3 days prior to isolation of aortic rings for evaluation ex vivo. Plasma arginine concentration was reduced by diabetes but restored to normal in diabetic rats receiving dietary L-arginine. In norepinephrine-contracted rings, relaxation to acetylcholine but not to nitroglycerin was reduced by diabetes. Dietary treatment with L-arginine restored relaxation to acetylcholine without altering relaxation to nitroglycerin and restored the defect in acetylcholine-stimulated cGMP generation. These data suggest that the substrate for nitric oxide synthesis by the endothelium is likely to be limited in diabetes but can be overcome by dietary supplementation with L-arginine.
Compensation, crosstalk and sequestering: the currency of checkpoints in cancer.

Cells are constantly exposed to both endogenous and exogenous stresses that lead directly or indirectly to DNA damage. Cell survival is dependent on two interrelated processes, cell cycle checkpoin...
Synthesis of 5-fluoropyrimidine nucleotides as sensitive NMR probes of RNA structure.

Enzymatic synthesis methods for the fluorinated 5‘-triphosphate analogues 5F-UTP and 5F-CTP have been developed to facilitate 19F-labeling of RNAs for biophysical studies. HIV-2 TAR RNAs were synthesized using these analogues by in vitro transcription reactions using T7 RNA polymerase. The uniform incorporation of 5F-U or 5F-C analogues into HIV-2 TAR RNA transcripts does not significantly alter the RNA structure or thermodynamic stability. Fluorine observed homonuclear 19F−19F and heteronuclear 19F−1H NOE experiments providing selective distance information are presented and discussed. The availability of efficient synthesis of 5F-UTP, and for the first time, 5F-CTP, will facilitate the use of 5F-labeled RNAs in structural, ligand binding, and dynamic studies of RNAs using the advantages of 19F-labeling.
Business Location Decisions in the United States: Estimates of the Effects of Unionization, Taxes, and Other Characteristics of States

This article examines how corporate decisions about the location for a new manufacturing plant in the U.S. are influenced by unionization, taxes, and other characteristics of states. The conditional logit model is used with some modifications to make the model more applicable to the business location decision. The most important finding is that the union sympathies of states have a major effect on business location. The results also indicate that state taxes affect business location, contradicting the conventional wisdom in the economic literature, although the tax effect is of modest magnitude.
Responses of 6FDA-based polyimide thin membranes to CO2 exposure and physical aging as monitored by gas permeability

Abstract Membranes made from glassy polymers have been of great interest in the past decade for CO 2 removal from natural gas streams; however, strongly soluble gases, such as CO 2 , can cause “plasticization” of polymer membranes, which greatly reduces the separation efficiency. This work examines the response of several 6FDA-based polyimides thin film membranes with thicknesses around 200 nm to CO 2 exposure and physical aging. DABA units are incorporated to create crosslinkable sites for such materials. Introducing DABA units to the 6FDA-DAM and 6FDA-mPDA polymers seems to result in materials even more prone to CO 2 plasticization. A unique thermal annealing approach is used to crosslink the polyimides via decarboxylation of the DABA units; the resulting crosslinked polymers appear to be much more plasticization resistant at high CO 2 pressures compared to their DABA containing counterparts prior to crosslinking. Prior thermal history plays a significant role in both the physical aging of the thin film membranes and their CO 2 plasticization resistance particularly for chemical structures that tend to lead to high free volume and permeability.
Students’ and Teachers’ Perceptions of Using Video Games to Enhance Science Instruction

Science education video game research points toward promising, but inconclusive results in both student learning outcomes and attitudes. However, student-level variables other than gender have been largely absent from this research. This study examined how students’ reading ability level and disability status are related to their video game-playing behaviors outside of school and their perceptions about the use of science video games during school. Thirty-four teachers and 876 sixth- through ninth-grade students from 14 states participated in the study. All student groups reported that they would prefer to learn science from a video game rather than from traditional text, laboratory-based, or Internet environments. Chi-square analyses indicated a significant association between reading ability level, disability status, and key areas of interest including students’ use of video games outside of school, their perceptions of their scientific abilities, and whether they would pursue a career in the sciences. Implications of these findings and areas for future research are identified.
Effect of high pressure on the electrical conductivity of ion conducting polymers

Abstract Complex impedance and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies have been carried out on poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) with an average molecular weight of 1025 and poly(ethylene glycol mono-methyl-ether) (PEG) with an average molecular weight of 350, both containing NaCF3SO3 in an approximately 20:1 ratio of polymer to salt. The impedance studies were carried out over a range of frequencies, temperatures and pressures. As expected, PEG:NaCF3SO3 exhibits the tendency to crystallize while PPG:NaCF3SO3 is a glass-forming liquid. The fit to the zero pressure data for PPG:NaCF3SO3 using a recently developed generalized Vogel equation (based on a defect diffusion model) is better than that for the standard VTF equation while for PEG:NaCF3SO3 the two expressions give about the same level of fit to the data. In the theory, the effect of pressure is due to a pressure dependent critical temperature, Tc, and a defect–defect separation that follows the dimensions of the material. It is found empirically that the pressure dependence of Tc is similar to the pressure dependence of the glass transition temperature, Tg, for structurally related polymers containing no salt. However, the details of the relationship between Tc and Tg remain to be determined.
Fe XXV and Fe XXVI Diagnostics of the Black Hole and Accretion Disk in Active Galaxies: Chandra Time-resolved Grating Spectroscopy of NGC 7314

We report the detection of Fe xxv and Fe XXVI Ka emission lines from a Chandra High Energy Grating Spectrometer (HETGS) observation of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 7314, made simultaneously with RXTE. The lines are redshifted (cz approximately 1500 kilometers per second) relative to the systemic velocity and unresolved by the gratings. We argue that the lines originate in a near face-on (less than 7 deg) disk having a radial line emissivity flatter than r(exp -2). Line emission from ionization states of Fe in the range approximately Fe I a up to Fe XXVI is observed. The ionization balance of Fe responds to continuum variations on timescales less than 12.5 ks, supporting an origin of the lines close to the X-ray source. We present additional, detailed diagnostics from this rich data set. These results identify NGC 7314 as a key source to study in the future if we are to pursue reverberation mapping of space-time near black-hole event horizons. This is because it is first necessary to understand the ionization structure of accretion disks and the relation between the X-ray continuum and Fe Ka line emission. However, we also describe how our results are suggestive of a means of measuring black-hole spin without a knowledge of the relation between the continuum and line emission. Finally, these data emphasize that one can study strong gravity with narrow (as opposed to very broad) disk lines. In fact narrow lines offer higher precision, given sufficient energy resolution.
Information effect on the perception of pain during electromyography

Pain during the performance of electromyography (EMG) is an important clinical problem because pain distresses the patient and can interfere with diagnostic accuracy. We hypothesized that anxiety and pain perception associated with EMG would decrease if patients received written material describing the EMG before examination. Forty-two subjects received written material and 30 did not. Information before the test significantly decreased pain perception for women during the nerve conduction studies (p = .008), but not during the needle examination. A similar effect was not identified for the men. Other results indicate that women perceive the test as more painful than do men, older subjects perceive more pain and experience greater anxiety than do younger subjects, and all subjects perceive greater pain during the performance of (concentric, bipolar) needle electromyography than during the nerve conduction studies.
Spiritual Wellness and Depression: Testing a Theoretical Model With Older Adolescents and Midlife Adults

Overall spiritual wellness, as well as 4 individual components of spiritual wellness, has been theoretically and empirically linked with depression. Prior to this investigation, no study has examined the relationship between spiritual wellness and depression by using a 4-component measurement model of spiritual wellness. In this study of older adolescents and midlife adults, negative correlations between 4 components of spiritual wellness and depression were found for both groups. Results of multiple regression analyses showed that for both older adolescents and midlife adults, the only significant contributing factor of spiritual wellness to depression was meaning and purpose in life.
Electronic Communication Across Diamagnetic Metal Bridges: A Homoleptic Gallium(III) Complex of a Redox-Active Diarylamido-Based Ligand and Its Oxidized Derivatives

Complexes with cations of the type [Ga(L)2]n+ where L = bis(4-methyl-2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl)amido and n = 1, 2, 3 have been prepared and structurally characterized. The electronic properties of each were probed by electrochemical and spectroscopic means and were interpreted with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The dication, best described as [Ga(L–)(L0)]2+, is a Robin-Day class II mixed-valence species. As such, a broad, weak, solvent-dependent intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) band was found in the NIR spectrum in the range 6390–6925 cm–1, depending on the solvent. Band shape analyses and the use of Hush and Marcus relations revealed a modest electronic coupling, Hab of about 200 cm–1, and a large rate constant for electron transfer, ket, on the order of 1010 s–1 between redox active ligands. The dioxidized complex [Ga(L0)2]3+ shows a half-field ΔMs = 2 transition in its solid-state X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum at 5 K, which indicates that the triple...
From a Community of Believers to an Islam of the Heart: “Conspicuous” Symbols, Muslim Practices, and the Privatization of Religion in France*

Based on interviews with North African women immigrants, this article examines how religious practices are constrained and the meaning of being a "good Muslim" is transformed in France. When Muslim women cannot celebrate religious holidays or pray five times a day, they instead focus on what is in one's heart, an adaptation to a country engaged in an ongoing battle to keep religion out of the public realm. While many immigrants affirm that Islam should be kept at home, in private, an increasing number of their children seek visible symbols of religious/ethnic identity, such as the headscarf, suggesting the emergence of generational differences in the experience of Islam in France. The new French law banning headscarves in schools is decried by some first generation women, but just as many support the law, including many older, religious women. This article compares American and French perspectives on the separation of church and state and questions the underlying motives behind the contemporary arguments about secularism in France.
Conjugated estrogen reduces transfusion and coagulation factor requirements in orthotopic liver transplantation.

We conducted a prospective, randomized study to determine the efficacy of conjugated estrogen in reducing blood product transfusion during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).Patients undergoing OLT were included in the study. Only those having a reaction time of more than 30 mm or 15 min (19-28 mm) on computed thromboelastography (CTEG) at the beginning of surgery were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomized to receive either conjugated estrogen (CE) or placebo. Every patient received a first dose of CE (100 mg IV) (20 mL) or placebo (20 mL of isotonic sodium chloride solution) at the beginning of the procedure and a second dose of CE (100 mg IV) or 20 mL of placebo (20 mL of isotonic sodium chloride solution) just after reperfusion of the new graft. The two groups were similar in age, weight, requirement for veno-veno bypass, time on veno-veno bypass, CTEG measurement, and preoperative hemoglobin and platelet values. Blood products were given in relation to hematocrit and coagulation (CTEG) variables, which were measured every hour during the surgery. The amount of transfused blood products did not differ in terms of units of cryoprecipitate, but the intraoperative requirements for red blood cells (6 +/- 3 vs 9 +/- 6 U; P = 0.05), platelets (12 +/- 8 U vs 18 +/- 10 U; P = 0.05) and fresh-frozen plasma (3 +/- 3 U vs 6 +/- 4 U; P = 0.001) was significantly less in the estrogen group than in the control group. We conclude that CE is associated with a significant decrease in use of fresh-frozen plasma, platelets, and red blood cells during OLT. Implications: In this study, we prospectively investigated whether IV conjugated estrogen could decrease blood product transfusion during orthotopic liver transplantation. Conjugated estrogen-treated patients received less fresh-frozen plasma, red blood cells, and platelets. In this population of patients, conjugated estrogen can be a useful addition in coagulation management during orthotopic liver transplantation. (Anesth Analg 1998;86:1183-6)
Monocyte gene expression is effected by route of feeding in healthy human volunteers

RESULTS: Successful overexpression of CuZnSOD was confirmed by western blot and polymerase chain reaction analysis. This validated the model system. The outcome of the Affymetrix microarray analysis was that at a cut-off value of 2 fold change, we identified 27 genes up-regulated and 47 genes down-regulated in response to over-expression of CuZnSOD. Among the novel genes upregulated were the anti-atherogenic genes TIMP3: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 and DOK5; docking protein 5. Among the novel genes downregulated were the pro-atherogenic genes HDGF: hepatoma-derived growth factor and BDKRB2 : bradykinin receptor B2.
Paroxysmal choreoathetosis associated with thyrotosicosis.

Acquired paroxysmal choreoathetosis can be associated with a variety of structural and metabolic disorders. A patient is presented who had paroxysmal choreoathetosis associated with thyrotoxicosis and who responded to treatment of the underlying thyroid disease.
Foraging strategies are related to skull morphology and life history traits of Melanerpes woodpeckers

Links between morphology and foraging strategies have been well established for many vertebrate groups. Foraging strategies of Melanerpes woodpeckers are especially variable, with at least six species being proficient flycatchers; the remainder of the better known species do not flycatch. Our objective was to examine variation in foraging tactics as it relates to skull morphology and other life history traits among these species to better understand the biology of these diverse woodpeckers. We measured eight skull characters from 241 individuals representing 19 species, but focused on eight species for which we had the most data. We used the log-geometric mean and a principal components analysis (PCA) to calculate size-scaled shape variables. Cluster analysis based on PCA scores clearly separated birds by foraging behavior. Species with similar foraging behaviors (i.e., flycatchers vs non-flycatchers) also share a number of other life history characteristics including similar plumage, diets, and migratory behavior. Diversity within Melanerpes may imply a high degree of plasticity or that species have been incorrectly placed in a polyphyletic group. Woodpeckers currently in the genus Melanerpes share few uniting characters and historically have been placed in as many as eight different genera. Additional life history, morphological, and genetic studies of the group, especially of Caribbean and Neotropical species, is warranted.
Structure and growth of the interface of Pd on a-Si: H

The structure of the $\mathrm{Pd}$ --- $a\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}$:$\mathrm{H}$ interface is probed using interference-enhanced Raman scattering. It was found that \ensuremath{\sim} 2 nm of Pd was initially consumed to form a crystalline silicide at the $\mathrm{Pd}$ --- $a\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}$:$\mathrm{H}$ interface. Annealing to 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C caused a spectroscopic change, which is associated with a structural change, and additional annealing at 500\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C caused the formation of crystalline Si.
The “evidence” is in! It does get better!

With the January 2015 issue, our editorial team is now well past the halfway point of its tenure in overseeing the scientific aspects of Diabetes Care . Throughout the process, it has been our goal to keep you up to date and informed on our progress, initiatives, special issues, and thoughts. Specifically, in July 2014 (the actual midterm point of our tenure), our editorial team provided a very comprehensive and positive update, stating that we, as an editorial team, and Diabetes Care , as a journal, continue to evolve (1). We were also contemplating that at some future point (i.e., July 2015), we would still be asking, “Can it possibly get any better than this?” Though surprisingly earlier than expected, we believe this question has been answered in the affirmative. We feel the level of articles we publish that report data from scientific investigation and innovative medical care and treatments continues to be extremely high as exemplified by articles in this issue of Diabetes Care . Specifically, given the changing evidence base of studies, there is steady progress being made in the form of updated recommendations for management of hyperglycemia. In addition, there are now data providing more validation of the recommended American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Care for management of diabetes. At this point in time, there is no need to restate the changes we made to the journal or the initiatives put in place over the last 2.5 years. These have been adequately covered in prior Editorials. However, the initiatives put in place continue to grow and expand. For example, our signature event at the ADA Scientific Sessions has been our Diabetes Care Symposium (we recently held our 3rd Annual Symposium in June 2014). This year we experimented with the format of the symposium by dividing it …
Ten Principles of Grammar Facilitation for Children With Specific Language Impairments

Although they often have significant difficulties in other areas, most children with specific language impairment (SLI) have special difficulties with the understanding and use of grammar. Therefor...
Enhancement of stent-induced thromboembolism by residual stenoses: contribution of hemodynamics.

In vitro stent-induced thromboembolism was altered by the presence of residual stenoses placed upstream or placed upstream and downstream of the stent. Heparinized (3 μ/ml) bovine blood was gravity fed through a conduit with a deployed coronary stent. Embolism was continuously monitored using a light-scattering microemboli detector, and the thrombus accumulated on the stent at the conclusion of the experiment was assessed gravimetrically. Gaussian stenoses (75% reduction in the cross-sectional area) were placed upstream or upstream and downstream of the stent to alter flow characteristics in the stent region. The presence of stenoses enhanced embolization from the stent in all cases, while end-point thrombus accumulation on the stent decreased with only an upstream stenosis present, and increased when upstream and downstream stenoses were present. Computational fluid dynamics with and without hypothetical model thrombi were used to ascertain the alterations in the flow environment caused by the stenoses and thrombi. Combining the computed hemodynamic parameters with experimental results indicated that increased radial transport of blood components and low wall shear stress provided by the stenoses and thrombi may explain the enhancement of end-point thrombus accumulation. Analysis further showed that thrombi growing at the stenosis-induced reattachment and separation points will be subjected to high shear forces which may explain the increased embolism when stenoses are present. © 2000 Biomedical Engineering Society.
Proto-oncogene amplification and overexpression in cadmium-induced cell transformation

Cadmium (Cd) is an essential material used in the battery, metal-coating, and alloy industries. In addition to these industrial uses, it is also a component of cigarette smoke. Therefore, exposure to cadmium is widespread and presents a considerable health concern. Cadmium is known to be a carcinogen; however, the possible mechanism of carcinogenesis with regards to the activation and inactivation of cancer-related genes has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, amplification, expression, and point mutation of cancer-related genes associated with Cd-induced cell transformation in BALB/c-3T3 cells were studied. Six proto-oncogenes (K-ras, c-myc, c-fos, c-jun, c-sis, and erbB), as well as the p53 tumor suppressor, were investigated for gene amplification using differential polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while the expression of the proteins produced by these genes was evaluated by Western blot analysis. Point mutations in K-ras and p53 were studied by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. There were no point mutations observed in codons 12, 13, and 61 of K-ras or in exons 4-10 of p53 and no observed differences in the levels of any of the proteins studied. Among 10 Cd-induced transformed cell lines, significant gene amplification was found for c-myc and c-jun in 50% and 80% of the cell lines, respectively. Chromosome painting was performed to confirm that this amplification was not simply due to additional copies of the chromosomes carrying these oncogenes. In addition, reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was performed to confirm increased expression of c-myc and c-jun. These results suggest that cell transformation induced by Cd may be attributed, at least in part, to gene amplification of c-myc and c-jun and that some of the Cd-transformed cells may possess neoplastic potential resulting from genomic instability.
Predictors of competing mortality in early breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Death in the absence of disease recurrence (competing mortality) is an important determinant of disease-free survival (DFS) in early breast cancer. The authors sought to identify predictors of this event using competing risks modeling. METHODS: A cohort study was made of 1231 consecutive women with stage I to II invasive breast cancer diagnosed between 1986 and 2004, treated with breast conservation therapy. Median follow-up was 82 months. The authors used a parametric competing risks regression model to analyze factors associated with the cumulative incidence of competing mortality. They generated a risk score from the model coefficient estimates and stratified patients according to low and high risk score for analysis. RESULTS: Ten-year DFS was 69.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 66.2%-72.9%). The 10-year cumulative incidence of locoregional recurrence (LRR) was 4.4% (95% CI, 3.0%-5.8%), distant recurrence was 7.1% (95% CI, 5.4%-8.9%), and competing mortality was 18.7% (95% CI, 15.9%-21.6%). On multivariate analysis, competing mortality was associated with increasing age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.83 per 10 years; 95% CI, 1.58-2.12), black race (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.17-2.51), and comorbid disease (HR, 1.93, 95% CI, 1.40-2.65). Ten-year cumulative incidences of competing mortality, locoregional recurrence, and distant recurrence for patients at low (n = 638) versus high (n = 593) risk of competing mortality were 7.2% versus 30.6% (P < .001), 4.4% versus 4.4% (P = .97), and 8.6% versus 5.6% (P = .12), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Competing mortality is an important event influencing 10-year DFS in early breast cancer and is associated with increasing age, black race, and comorbid disease. Stratifying patients according to competing mortality risk may be useful in designing clinical trials. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
A new technique using metal tags to track small seeds over short distances

Myrmecochory (seed dispersal by ants) is an evolutionarily and ecologically common mutualism. Since the first study of the phenomenon, ecologists have sought to develop techniques to track ant-dispersed seeds. Often, thick leaf litter and the potential burial of seeds by ants make tracking of seeds difficult. Here we describe a seed-tracking technique for small seeds, which uses magnetic tags, developed for mark–recapture studies of fish, to track seeds after dispersal into the ant nest in temperate deciduous forests. We discuss our use of the technique as well as suggestions for improvement and other possible applications of the technique.
Spatial organization of receptive fields of lateral lemniscus neurons of the lateral line lobe of the catfishIctalurus nebulosus

1. The receptive fields of type I and II electrosensitive lateral line lobe neurons were mapped using a field scan technique. It was found that there is a distribution of the size and configuration of the receptive fields, but that most have a rostral-caudal span 1/5 or less of the total body length. 2. The pattern of primary afferent convergence onto type I and II neurons suggests that most of the spatial detail in the static electrical “images” from nearby environmental current sources is encoded in the lateral lemniscus. The implication of this with regard to the ability of the fish to localize current sources is discussed.
Peer Deviance, Alcohol Expectancies, and Adolescent Alcohol Use: Explaining Shared and Nonshared Environmental Effects Using an Adoptive Sibling Pair Design

Previous research suggests adolescent alcohol use is largely influenced by environmental factors, yet little is known about the specific nature of this influence. We hypothesized that peer deviance and alcohol expectancies would be sources of environmental influence because both have been consistently and strongly correlated with adolescent alcohol use. The sample included 206 genetically related and 407 genetically unrelated sibling pairs assessed in mid-to-late adolescence. The heritability of adolescent alcohol use (e.g., frequency, quantity last 12 months) was minimal and not significantly different from zero. The associations among peer deviance, alcohol expectancies, and alcohol use were primarily due to shared environmental factors. Of special note, alcohol expectancies also significantly explained nonshared environmental influence on alcohol use. This study is one of few that have identified specific environmental variants of adolescent alcohol use while controlling for genetic influence.
Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers: present and future

This manuscript reviews the present status of 'commercial- grade,' state-of-the-art planar, batch-fabricable, vertical- cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). Commercial-grade performance on all fronts for high-speed data communications is clearly established. In discussing the 'present,' we focus on the entrenched proton-implanted AlGaAs-based (emitting near 850 nm) technology. Renditions of this VCSEL design exist in commercial products and have enabled numerous application demonstrations. Our designs more than adequately meet producibility, performance, and robustness stipulations. Producibility milestones include greater than 99% device yield across 3-in-dia metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE)-grown wafers and wavelength operation across greater than 100-nm range. Progress in performance includes the elimination of the excessive voltage-drop that plagued VCSELs as recently as 2 to 3 years ago. Threshold voltages as low as Vth equals 1.53 V (and routinely less than 1.6 V) are now commonplace. Submilliamp threshold currents (Ith equals 0.68 mA) have even been demonstrated with this planar structure. Moreover, continuous wave (cw) power Pcw greater than 59 mW and respectable wall-plug efficiencies ((eta) wp equals 28%) have been demonstrated. VCSEL robustness is evidenced by maximum cw lasing temperature T equals 200 degrees Celsius and temperature ranges of 10 K to 400 K and minus 55 degrees Celsius to 155 degrees Celsius on a single VCSEL. These characteristics should enable great advances in VCSEL-based technologies and beckon the notion that 'commercial-grade' VCSELs are viable in cryogenic and avionics/military environments. We also discuss what the future may hold in extensions of this platform to different wavelengths, increased integration, and advanced structures. This includes low-threshold, high- speed, single-mode VCSELs, hybrid VCSEL transceivers, and self-pulsating VCSELs.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Ultra-rapid opioid detoxification increases spontaneous ventilation

Abstract Study Objective: To evaluate the effect of ultra-rapid opioid detoxification on spontaneous respiration. Design: Prospective study. Setting: University of Illinois, Chicago, Hospital. Patients: 20 ASA physical status I and II patients undergoing ultra-rapid opioid detoxification, and 5 ASA physical status I and II control patients undergoing surgical procedures. Interventions: Ultra-rapid opioid detoxification patients were anesthetized with propofol, intubated, and spontaneously ventilating. Opioid detoxification was achieved by giving repeated increasing intragastric doses of naltrexone. Control patients were anesthetized with propofol and 70% nitrous oxide and were time-based controls for opioid detoxification. Measurements and Main Results: Respiratory rate and minute ventilation were measured and increased 80% to 100% during opioid detoxification ( p 2 ) production were measured in separate studies and increased during ultra-rapid opioid detoxification with increases in spontaneous ventilation, but not when the patients were paralyzed. Conclusions: Spontaneous ventilation increases during opioid detoxification without a change in end-tidal CO 2 . An increase in metabolism is produced in opioid withdrawal that is mediated by elevated muscle activity.
The effect of the length of time in production and stage of egg formation on certain egg quality measurements and blood constituents of laying hens.

Abstract THE seasonal decrease in egg shell quality (Jull, 1924; and Wilhelm, 1940), and the decrease in interior egg quality with increasing age of the bird (Knox and Godfrey, 1938; and Dawson et al., 1951) are problems which confront poultry breeders and commercial poultrymen. At least two theories have been advanced to explain the decline in shell quality. One theory proposes that the decrease is due to increased environmental temperatures. Another theory proposes that the decrease in shell quality is simply an exhaustion effect coming at the end of the laying year. There are considerable data which show that blood calcium and phosphorus levels are associated with egg formation. Riddle and Reinhart (1926), Hughes et al. (1927), Roepke and Hughes (1935), Taylor and Russell (1935), Correll and Hughes (1935) and Deobald et al. (1938) reported that the blood calcium level greatly increases as birds come into production. Deobald et al. (1938) …
Morphogenesis of the medial region of the developing mandible is regulated by multiple signaling pathways.

Experimental evidence indicates that the mandibular primordia are specified as at least two independent functional regions: two large lateral (proximal) regions where morphogenesis is dependent on FGF
Assessment of pulmonary and cardiac function after high dose chemotherapy with BEAM and peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation

BACKGROUND Limited information is available regarding the cardiac and pulmonary effects of high dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation. METHODS The authors evaluated cardiac and pulmonary function after BEAM (BCNU 300 mg/m2, etoposide 400 mg/m2/day x 3 days, cytosine arabinoside 200 mg/m2/day x 4 days, and melphalan 140 mg/m2), HDCT, and PBPC transplantation in 26 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease. Therapy prior to BEAM included doxorubicin (25 patients), bleomycin (6 patients), and mediastinal irradiation (4 patients). All patients had pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and equilibrium radionuclide angiography before and at a median of 57 weeks after transplantation. RESULTS Prior to high dose therapy, 8 patients had abnormal PFTs, including 6 with a diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) <70% of predicted value. At the time of reevaluation after HDCT, all patients included in the study were in complete remission, and none had received additional therapy after transplantation. At a median of 77 weeks after transplantation, none of the patients had cardiac or pulmonary symptoms. Moreover, there were no significant changes in total lung capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity, DLCO, or left ventricular ejection fraction values when compared with baseline studies. CONCLUSIONS The authors concluded that HDCT with BEAM and PBPC transplantation did not result in significant cardiac or pulmonary toxicity, even in patients with borderline pretransplantation PFT values. Further studies of patients undergoing HDCT and PBPC transplantation are needed. Cancer 1998;82:1506-12. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Phenotypic changes in diabetic neuropathy induced by a high-fat diet in diabetic C57BL/6 mice

Emerging evidence suggests that dyslipidemia is an independent risk factor for diabetic neuropathy (DN) (reviewed by Vincent et al. 2009). To experimentally determine how dyslipidemia alters DN, we quantified neuropathic symptoms in diabetic mice fed a high-fat diet. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet developed dyslipidemia and a painful neuropathy (mechanical allodynia) instead of the insensate neuropathy (mechanical insensitivity) that normally develops in this strain. Nondiabetic mice fed a high-fat diet also developed dyslipidemia and mechanical allodynia. Thermal sensitivity was significantly reduced in diabetic compared to nondiabetic mice, but was not worsened by the high-fat diet. Moreover, diabetic mice fed a high-fat diet had significantly slower sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities compared to nondiabetic mice. Overall, dyslipidemia resulting from a high-fat diet may modify DN phenotypes and/or increase risk for developing DN. These results provide new insight as to how dyslipidemia may alter the development and phenotype of diabetic neuropathy.
An automatic multistep method for solving stiff initial value problems

A multistep method with matricial coefficients is developed. It can be used to solve stiff initial value problems of the form y? = Ay + g(x, y). This method bears the nature of the classical Adams?Bashforth?Moulton PC formula and can be shown to be consistent, convergent and A-stable. A careful reformulation of this method legitimatizes the implementation of this algorithm in a variable-step variable-order fashion. Numerical test results from a PECE mode of this method show its possible advantages.
Bequest supports oceanography

The Department of Oceanography at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va., has recently received a bequest of $8.4 million from the estate of Fay M. Slover. The new funds will be used to support five new positions in the subdiscipline of physical oceanography, 10 student fellowships, and a visiting scholar program, as well as to provide essential equipment. The department will form a panel of outside scientific advisors to assist in planning for the effective use of the contribution.
Induced sister chromatid exchange frequency is not increased in homogeneously staining regions that contain amplified genes.

Abstract Gene amplification is a process by which cells become resistant to selective agents by increasing gene copy number and overproducing specific enzymes. The molecular mechanism by which gene amplification occurs is unknown, but unequal sister chromatid exchange (SCE) has been suggested as one possibility. Unequal SCE results in one chromatid containing an extra copy of a selected gene that is deleted in the sister chromatid. Two predictions of the unequal SCE model are that agents that increase SCE frequency would increase gene amplification, and that SCE would be more prevalent in arrays of amplified units. We examined SCE frequency in the Chinese hamster ovary cell line MK42, which contains amplified dihydrofolate reductase genes that are stably integrated as a homogeneously staining region in chromosome #2. Under treatment conditions known to increase amplification of the dihydrofolate reductase gene, a number of agents did increase SCE frequency in MK42 cells. The frequency of SCE in the amplified region of chromosome #2, however, was no different from that expected if SCE were induced randomly as a function of chromosome length. These data, therefore, do not support the prediction of unequal SCE as a model for gene amplification. Our experiments, however, do not test the idea that unequal SCE at normal frequencies may lead to gene amplification, nor do they rule out the possibility of transient periods early in amplification, during which the homogeneously staining region may be a “hot spot” for SCE.
Control of bacterial biofilms with marine alkaloid derivatives.

Bacterial biofilms are defined as a community of surface-attached bacteria that are protected by an extracellular matrix of biomolecules. We have recently reported the synthesis of a small molecule, denoted TAGE, based on the natural product bromoageliferin and demonstrated that TAGE has anti-biofilm activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Herein we demonstrate that TAGE: (1) does not have selective toxicity against cells within the biofilm state, (2) will inhibit biofilm development under flow conditions, indicating that the CV staining protocol correlates with the ability to be active under biomimetic conditions, and (3) will disperse preformed P. aeruginosa biofilms. We also present preliminary toxicity work that indicates that TAGE is devoid of cytotoxicity in rat and mice cell lines. Advanced derivatives of TAGE have generated compounds shown to be exceedingly effective as biofilm inhibitors against the γ-proteobacteria in this study (P. aeruginosa strains PAO1, PA14, PDO300, and Acinetobacter baumannii). TAGE derivatives also possessed anti-biofilm activity against the β-proteobacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica (Rb50) and the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus;TAGE derivatives inhibited the formation of biofilms, however, some of this activity is attributed to microbicidal activity. The TAGE derivatives presented in this study, however, do not disperse pre-formed biofilms with the same efficiency as TAGE.
Use of Norplant contraceptive implants in the immediate postpartum period: safety and tolerance.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the safety and tolerance of levonorgestrel contraceptive implants (Norplant, Wyeth-Ayerst, Philadelphia) when inserted immediately post partum, to document the effects on weight and blood pressure, and to determine the side effects. STUDY DESIGN: After vaginal delivery, 250 women were randomized to receive Norplant within 48 hours of delivery (study group) or at the 4- to 6-week postpartum visit (control group). Baseline measurements were recorded and compared with those obtained at the 4- to 6-week follow-up visit. A diary was maintained by patients who recorded bleeding and side effects. Statistical analysis was performed with t test and χ 2 analysis. RESULTS: There were no episodes of acute postpartum hemorrhage or clinically significant bleeding. Compared with the control group, the immediate group reported significantly more bleeding days ( p p p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Norplant is well tolerated and should be available for interested patients immediately post partum.
A new spectrophotometric assay method of xanthine oxidase in crude tissue homogenate.

Abstract A new spectrophotometric assay method of xanthine oxidase applicable to the crude tissue homogenate containing uricase was presented in this paper. By adding potassium 2,4-dihydroxy-6-carboxy-1,3,5-triazine (potassium oxonate) (0.1 m m ) to the crude xanthine oxidase reaction system, uric acid was stoichiometrically formed from xanthine and detectable allantoin was not formed and the formation of uric acid was not influenced by uricase. Distribution of xanthine oxidase in various rat tissues was measured by this method, and it was shown that the activity was high in the liver, the small intestine, and the spleen. Uricase was shown to distribute mainly in the liver of rats.
N-acetyllactosamine and the CT carbohydrate antigen mediate agrin-dependent activation of MuSK and acetylcholine receptor clustering in skeletal muscle.

Galβ1,3GalNAc and Galβ1,4GlcNAc are the subterminal saccharide structures present on the CT carbohydrate antigen GalNAcβ1,4[NeuAcα2,3]-Galβ1-(3GalNAc or 4GlcNAc)-R, which is localized at the mammalian neuromuscular junction. Here we show that Galβ1,3GalNAc, Galβ1,4GlcNAc, and the CT carbohydrate antigen affect postsynaptic assembly in cultured muscle cells. Treatment of C2C12 myotubes with benzyl-O-α-GalNAc or neuraminidase increased peanut agglutinin (PNA) expression and AChR clustering. Induction of AChR clustering was blocked by PNA and by muscle agrin. Addition of Galβ1,4GlcNAc or Galβ1,3GalNAc increased AChR clustering in myotubes and muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) autophosphorylation in vitro, while NeuAcα2,3Galβ1,4GlcNAc and Galβ1,4Glc did not. Neural agrin activated MuSK in vitro if the lactosamine-containing mucin domain was present, and this activation was blocked in large part by Galβ1,3GalNAc and Galβ1,4GlcNAc. Agrin fragments and MuSK bound to these disaccharides with differing specificities. Overexpression of the CT carbohydrate antigen also increased AChR clustering and MuSK autophosphorylation in the presence of neural agrin. These data suggest a model in which different portions of the CT carbohydrate structure contribute to agrin-dependent signal transduction.
Monte-Carlo-based simulation tool to model the physics and geometry of electron beam computed tomography

The CT image is a representation of the patient's anatomy as measured in terms of such physical characteristics as density, electron density, and atomic number. The process of sampling the patient's molecular composition with the x-ray beam is subject to varied physical effects that degrade the ability of the CT image data set to accurately represent the tissues of the body. To assess the impact of patient and scanner related characteristics on the final CT image a Monte Carlo based modeling has been developed that can simulate such effects as scatter and beam hardening on the reconstructed CT image. By selectively studying the effects of these variables, the model can be used as a design tool for improving the diagnostic capabilities of a CT scanner and /or correcting or eliminating unwanted sources of variation in the CT image. Initial simulations model the unique geometry of Electron Beam CT with a clinical goal of correcting for scanner and patient related physical factors that may cause variations in the assessment of Coronary Artery Calcium.
DABIGATRAN CONSISTENTLY INCREASES THE RISK OF ACUTE CORONARY DISEASE: A RANDOMIZED-CONTROLLED TRIALS META-ANALYSIS

Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor recently approved as an alternative to warfarin. The approval, however, carried a recommendation to describe in the label a possible increase in the incidence of myocardial infarction. We hypothesized that by pooling the literature we could confirm or reject
Expert system-based mineral mapping in northern death valley, California/Nevada, using the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS)

Integrated analysis of imaging spectrometer data and field spectral measurements were used in conjunction with conventional geologic field mapping to characterize bedrock and surficial geology at the northern end of Death Valley, California and Nevada. A knowledge-based expert system was used to automatically produce image maps showing the principal surface mineralogy from Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data. Linear spectral unmixing of the AVIRIS data allowed further determination of relative mineral, abundances and identification of mineral assemblages and mixtures. The imaging spectrometer data show the spatial distribution of spectrally distinct minerals occurring both as primary rockforming minerals and as alteration and weathering products. Field spectral measurements were used to verify the mineral maps and field mapping was used to extend the remote sensing results. Geographically referenced image maps produced from these data form new base maps from which to develop improved understanding of the processes of deposition and erosion affecting the present land surface.
Extremity of externalizing behavior and young adult outcomes

Data from the National Child Development Study were used to explore the relationship between extremity of externalizing behavior problems during childhood and employment-related outcomes in young adulthood. Analyses focused on four heuristic dimensions of extremity (age at onset, density, persistence, and pervasiveness) and three outcomes (school-leaving age, level of qualifications at labor force entry, and social class of job al age 23). Persistence was associated with the most substantial deficits across all outcomes, and temporal proximity was more influential than early onset. The data suggest that school-based and home-based situational behavior problems should not be combined into a single nonpervasive category.
Chronically Persistent Infection with Human Cytomegalovirus in Human Lymphoblasts

Cells from a line of human lymphocytes originating from a leukemic patient were persistently infected with human cytomegalovirus. Assays of infectious centers and fluorescent antigen staining indicated that 1%--10% of the cells were infected. It appears that persistent infection is due to an equilibrium between the release of virus by infected host cells and the growth of uninfected cells rather than to defective virus or temperature-sensitive mutants.