cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Midazolam-ketamine dual therapy stops cholinergic status epilepticus and reduces Morris water maze deficits.

Pharmacoresistance remains an unsolved therapeutic challenge in status epilepticus (SE) and in cholinergic SE induced by nerve agent intoxication. SE triggers a rapid internalization of synaptic γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA ) receptors and externalization of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors that may explain the loss of potency of standard antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). We hypothesized that a drug combination aimed at correcting the consequences of receptor trafficking would reduce SE severity and its long-term consequences.A severe model of SE was induced in adult Sprague-Dawley rats with a high dose of lithium and pilocarpine. The GABAA receptor agonist midazolam, the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine, and/or the AED valproate were injected 40 min after SE onset in combination or as monotherapy. Measures of SE severity were the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were acute neuronal injury, spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS), and Morris water maze (MWM) deficits.Midazolam-ketamine dual therapy was more efficient than double-dose midazolam or ketamine monotherapy or than valproate-midazolam or valproate-ketamine dual therapy in reducing several parameters of SE severity, suggesting a synergistic mechanism. In addition, midazolam-ketamine dual therapy reduced SE-induced acute neuronal injury, epileptogenesis, and MWM deficits.This study showed that a treatment aimed at correcting maladaptive GABAA receptor and NMDA receptor trafficking can stop SE and reduce its long-term consequences. Early midazolam-ketamine dual therapy may be superior to monotherapy in the treatment of benzodiazepine-refractory SE.
Teaching Computational Thinking Skills in C3STEM with Traffic Simulation

Computational thinking (CT) skills applied to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are critical assets for success in the 21st century workplace. Unfortunately, many K-12 students lack advanced training in these areas. C3STEM seeks to provide a framework for teaching these skills using the traffic domain as a familiar example to develop analysis and problem solving skills. C3STEM is a smart learning environment that helps students learn STEM topics in the context of analyzing traffic flow, starting with vehicle kinematics and basic driver behavior. Students then collaborate to produce a large city-wide traffic simulation with an expert tool. They are able to test specific hypotheses about improving traffic in local areas and produce results to defend their suggestions for the wider community.
Telephone-administered versus live group cognitive behavioral stress management for adults with CFS.

Abstract Objective Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) symptoms have been shown to be exacerbated by stress and ameliorated by group-based psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM). Still, patients may have difficulty attending face-to-face groups. This study compared the effects of a telephone-delivered (T-CBSM) vs a live (L-CBSM) group on perceived stress and symptomology in adults with CFS. Methods Intervention data from 100 patients with CFS (mean age 50 years; 90% female) participating in T-CBSM (N = 56) or L-CBSM (N = 44) in previously conducted randomized clinical trials were obtained. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention symptom checklist scores were compared with repeated measures analyses of variance in adjusted and unadjusted analyses. Results Participants across groups showed no differences in most demographic and illness variables at study entry and had similar session attendance. Both conditions showed significant reductions in PSS scores, with L-CBSM showing a large effect (partial e2 = 0.16) and T-CBSM a medium effect (partial e2 = 0.095). For CFS symptom frequency and severity scores, L-CBSM reported large effect size improvements (partial e2 = 0.19–0.23), while T-CBSM showed no significant changes over time. Conclusions Two different formats for delivering group-based CBSM—live and telephone—showed reductions in perceived stress among patients with CFS. However, only the live format was associated with physical symptom improvements, with specific effects on post-exertional malaise, chills, fever, and restful sleep. The added value of the live group format is discussed, along with implications for future technology-facilitated group interventions in this population.
Adopting an Integrated Behavioral Model Approach to the Study of News Media Exposure: A Focus on Experiential and Instrumental Attitudes Toward Politics

Stepping beyond traditional mass communication and political communication frameworks, this study utilizes the integrated behavioral model to predict traditional broadcast and print news media exposure. Specific focus is given to experiential (Is politics interesting?) and instrumental (Is politics important?) attitudes. A secondary analysis is performed on 2010–2014 World Values Survey data (N = 6,961) consisting of representative samples collected from the United States, Germany, Australia, and Sweden. Interest is a statistically significant predictor of both types of news media exposure, but importance and Interest × Importance are statistically significant for broadcast only. The positive predictive value of political interest for broadcast is isolated to only those individuals who perceive politics to be of low personal importance. Discussion focuses on task difficulty when comparing broadcast and print news media exposure and the theoretical implications of the study’s findings. In addition, a resea...
Treatment Response to Single Agent Sphingosomal Vincristine in Patients with Relapsed and/or Refractory Diffuse Aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL): Subgroup Analyses.

Abstract There is a substantial need for new effective therapies for patients with recurrent or refractory diffuse aggressive NHL. Efficacy and safety of sphingosomal vincristine (SV), a novel formulation of vincristine encapsulated in sphingomyelin liposomes or ‘sphingosomes', were evaluated in a multinational study in aggressive NHL patients with multiple unfavorable prognostic factors. Methods: 119 pts with relapsed or refractory aggressive NHL were enrolled. SV was administered at 2 mg/m2 without capping the dose as a 1 hr IV infusion every 2 weeks. The objective response rate (ORR) and 95% CI for the proportions and difference in proportions were calculated for the following subgroups: by age (≤ 60 vs. > 60); sensitive disease vs. resistant (refractory or relapsed within 3 months of prior treatment); IPI score 0–2 vs. 3–5; prior therapies 2 vs. >2; bone marrow involvement at baseline; and prior ABMT. Results: ORR in the entire group was 25% (7% CR/Cru and 18% PR) (ASH Abstr. 2353, 2003). No of Prior Regimens/Disease Sensitivity ORR % Sensitive (n=39) Resistant (n=80) 41% 18% 2 Regimens (n=24)a -Sensitive (n=11) -Resistant (n=13) 46% 64% 31% >2 Regimens (n=95) -Sensitive (n=28) -Resistant (n=67) 20% 32% 15% aone patient had 1 prior regimen Other Subgroup Analyses ORR % Bone Marrow Involved (n=20) Not involved (n=93) 10% 27% Ageb ≥60 (n=60) >60 (n=59) 25% 25% IPIb 0–2 (n=59) 3–5 (n=58) 19% 31% Prior ABMTb Yes (n=39) No (n=80) 26% 25% bnot statistically significant as 95% CI on the difference in ORR includes zero Conclusion: Single-agent SV was active in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed and/or refractory NHL. A multivariate analysis showed that the two strongest predictors for response were number of prior regimens and sensitivity to the last therapy. The highest level of activity was observed in patients with sensitive disease and 2 prior regimens (ORR 64%). Response to SV in older patients was the same as in younger patients. Prior ABMT did not impact response with ORR being similar in both groups. SV was well tolerated and the safety profile was similar to standard vincristine despite a doubling of dose intensity.
Organizational factors influencing football development in East African countries

The performance of association football (soccer) teams from East Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania [KUT]) in International competitions has not met the expectations of their followers and it has been consistently poor in comparison to Northern, Southern and Western regions of Africa. This article reviews some of the factors perceived to influence football development in East Africa focusing on KUT. Using performance factors conceptual framework, this paper highlights organizational factors, which have influenced the development of football such as facilities, equipment, funding, technical personnel, incentives, external exposure, and appointment of coaches in the development of football in East Africa. It is apparent that a lot more is demanded for the leadership of soccer in East Africa if the standards of the game are to be uplifted.
One-Year Experience With a Mobile Extracorporeal Life Support Service

Background Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome is associated with a high mortality rate. The International Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Network recommends regionalization of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) to high-volume centers and development of mobile ECLS teams to rescue patients with severe acute respiratory disease. Methods A tertiary medical center developed a mobile team and the infrastructure to support a ECLS transport service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We conducted a retrospective study of all consecutive patients presenting for ECLS for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome from outside hospitals through our mobile ECLS program associated with hemodynamic instability from January 1, 2015, until December 31, 2015. Results During the study period, 106 consultations for ECLS were received, and 36 patients were placed on ECLS. Of these 36 ECLS patients, 11 were deemed stable enough for transport before ECLS, and 21 required mobile ECLS by the mobile ECLS, with a survival of 67% (14 of 21). The other 4 ECLS patients were inhouse patients and therefore received ECLS in a nonmobile fashion. In addition, 28 patients were transferred to our hospital who did not receive ECLS. Patient survival increased significantly with increased experience with the program, as the highest mortality rates were early in the program ( p = 0.006), and in conjunction with stricter adherence to our exclusion criteria. Conclusions The formation of a mobile ECLS program is a complex undertaking that took 2 years of planning to develop. Development of criteria for ECLS implementation can guide appropriate resources utilization and may prevent their use in patients with little to no chance of survival.
Individual and Combined Associations of Cognitive and Mobility Limitations on Mortality Risk in Older Adults.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the potential independent and combined associations of cognitive and mobility limitations on risk of all-cause mortality in a representative sample of the US older adult population who, at baseline, were free of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Patients and Methods Data from the 1999 to 2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to identify 1852 adults (age, 60-85 years) with and without mobility and/or cognitive limitations. Hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality risk were calculated for 4 mutually exclusive groups: no limitation (group 1 as reference), mobility limitation only (group 2), cognitive limitation only (group 3), both cognitive and mobility limitations (group 4). Results Compared with group 1, the adjusted HRs (95% CI) for groups 2, 3, and 4 were 1.72 (1.24-2.38), 2.00 (1.37-2.91), and 2.18 (1.57-3.02), respectively. The mortality risk when comparing group 4 (HR, 2.18) with group 3 (HR, 2.00), however, was not statistically significant ( P =.65). Similarly, the mortality risk when comparing group 4 (HR, 2.18) with group 2 (HR, 1.72) was not statistically significant ( P =.16). Conclusion Although the highest mortality risk occurred in those with both limitations (group 4), this point estimate was not statistically significantly different when compared with those with cognitive or mobility limitations alone.
The Outward Nature of Meaningful Work and Professional Activism in Post-Industrial Society

The purpose of this paper is to explore the outward nature of meaningfulness in work in post-industrial society. I use a day-long field-based interview design to examine the callings and activism o...
Shyness and Trajectories of Functional Network Connectivity Over Early Adolescence

High shyness during early adolescence is associated with impaired peer relationships and risk for psychiatric disorders. Little is known, however, about the relation between shyness and trajectories of brain development over early adolescence. The current study longitudinally examined trajectories of resting-state functional connectivity (rs-fc) within four brain networks in 147 adolescents. Subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging at three different time points, at average ages 10.5 (range = 7.8-13.0), 11.7 (range = 9.3-14.1), and 12.9 years (range = 10.1-15.2). Multilevel linear modeling indicated that high shyness was associated with a less steep negative slope of default mode network (DMN) rs-fc over early adolescence relative to low shyness. Less steep decreases in DMN rs-fc may relate to increased self-focus in adolescents with high shyness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Molecular Aspects of Neurotransmitter Receptors: An Overview

It is axiomatic that following synaptic release neurotransmitters interact with specific sites on adjacent cellular membranes. Molecular approaches to neurotransmitter receptors are surprisingly recent, with most research on brain neurotransmitters having taken place within the past 5–8 years. During this relatively brief period, biochemical studies of receptors have burgeoned so rapidly that they form the most common theme of the chapters in this volume.
Residual Geriatric Depression Symptoms: A Place for Psychotherapy

Geriatric depression is a relatively commonly occurring mental disorder. A subpopulation of depressed older adults are those who have engaged in or completed pharmacotherapy, yet continue to experience depressive symptoms. We review the prevalence, psychosocial effects, and treatment of residual symptoms of depression in older adults. Data from previous studies conducted by our group are presented to support our contention that residual symptoms of geriatric depression are treatable through psychosocial means.
Investigating the Third Space: A New Agenda for Teacher Education Research:

The purpose of this article is to advocate for an expansion of third-space ideology to the research conducted in clinical teacher preparation programs including research designs and methods of data...
In Vitro Techniques for ADP-Ribosylated Substrate Identification

ADP-ribosylation is a post-translational modification of proteins that has required the development of specific technical approaches for the full definition of its physiological roles and regulation. The identification of the enzymes and specific substrates of this reaction is an instrumental step toward these aims. Here we describe a method for the separation of ADP-ribosylated proteins based on the use of the ADP-ribose-binding macro domain of the thermophilic protein Af1521, coupled to mass spectrometry analysis for protein identification. This method foresees the coupling of the macro domain to resin, an affinity-based pull-down assay, coupled to a specificity step resulting from the clearing of cell lysates with a mutated macro domain unable to bind ADP-ribose. By this method both mono- and poly-ADP-ribosylated proteins have been identified.
Vibrational Control of Covalency Effects Related to the Active Sites of Molybdenum Enzymes.

A multitechnique spectroscopic and theoretical study of the Cp2M(benzenedithiolato) (M = Ti, V, Mo; Cp = η5-C5H5) series provides deep insight into dithiolene electronic structure contributions to electron transfer reactivity and reduction potential modulation in pyranopterin molybdenum enzymes. This work explains the magnitude of the dithiolene folding distortion and the concomitant changes in metal-ligand covalency that are sensitive to electronic structure changes as a function of d-electron occupancy in the redox orbital. It is shown that the large fold angle differences correlate with covalency, and the fold angle distortion is due to a pseudo-Jahn–Teller (PJT) effect. The PJT effect in these and related transition metal dithiolene systems arises from the small energy differences between metal and sulfur valence molecular orbitals, which uniquely poise these systems for dramatic geometric and electronic structure changes as the oxidation state changes. Herein, we have used a combination of resonance ...
Re-examining the relationship between alcohol consumption and coronary heart disease with a new lens.

Abstract Moderate alcohol consumption has been related to lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in the literature. To examine whether alcohol drinking during the past 12 months and heaviest drinking period were differentially associated with the risk of CHD, we designed a case-control study using a population-based health survey of U.S. adults conducted from 2012 to 2013. Respondents who reported to have doctor-ascertained CHD served as cases (n = 1671), and those free of CHD and other alcohol-related health conditions served as controls (n = 17,629) in logistic regressions. Sex-specific quartiles of average daily ethanol intake were ascertained and calculated for the past 12 months and during the period of heaviest lifetime drinking. We further split current drinkers into reducers and non-reducers (past 12 months relative to the heaviest drinking period) to examine CHD risk profiles in association with the 12-month drinking level. Current-drinker reducers (AOR, 95% CI = 1.57 [1.10–2.27] for men; AOR, 95% CI = 1.33 [1.02–1.72] for women) and former drinkers (AOR, 95% CI = 2.06 [1.43–2.97] for men; AOR, 95% CI = 1.51 [1.19–1.92] for women) more often had CHD than lifetime abstainers. Male heavy drinkers during the heaviest drinking period (AOR, 95% CI = 2.25 [1.52–3.32]) were more likely to manifest CHD than lifetime abstainers. In addition, individuals with diagnosed CHD were significantly more likely to have reduced drinking in the past. A change in alcohol consumption over the life course among former and current drinkers may distort the true alcohol-CHD relationship.
Tumefactive Demyelination in Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Presentation, Pathophysiology and Treatment Options

Abstract Tumefactive demyelinating lesions are caused by a heterogeneous group of central nervous system (CNS) idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases. Tumefactive demyelinating lesions are uncommon and present a diagnostic challenge because they can be difficult to distinguish from tumors. This chapter reviews the clinical presentation, radiographic features, pathophysiology, prognosis, and management of patients with tumefactive demyelinating lesions, with specific attention to how these relate to typical multiple sclerosis. The rare variants of multiple sclerosis, including Schilder’s disease, Marburg acute multiple sclerosis, and Balo’s concentric sclerosis, are also discussed. Tumefactive presentations of neuromyelitis optic, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), and acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis are not covered in this chapter.
Phase Change Memory for Physical Unclonable Functions

Security has become a crucial concern in hardware design due to the growing need for protection in everyday financial transactions and exchanges of private information. Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) utilize the inevitable manufacturing process variations to provide a unique way to verify trusted users. Improvements in attack methods over the years have recently moved the field of PUFs from traditional silicon devices toward emerging nonvolatile resistive switching memories. Due to the intrinsic programming variability in resistive switching memory mechanisms, together with the high endurance of these devices, unpredictable and reconfigurable PUF challenge-response pairs can be achieved for a very large number of times. In the case of phase change memories (PCMs), cell-to-cell and cycle-to-cycle programming variability is the result of the random atomic structures created after the rapid quench from melt during the reset programming and the stochastic distribution and orientation of seed crystals nucleated in an amorphous plug during the set operation. This programming variability, which comes in addition to the process variations present in any technology, is an important advantage of PCM (and other resistive switching memory technologies) for implementations of PUFs and other hardware security primitives. In this chapter, we review some of the work on conventional CMOS-based PUFs, the operation principles of PCM devices, and recent reports on PCM-based PUFs that utilize programming variability.
Get rid of S-kink in MZO/CdTe Solar Cells by Performing CdCl 2 Annealing without Oxygen

Magnesium Zinc oxide (MZO), as a promising alternative buffer layer to replace CdS, is predicted to improve both the open circuit voltage and short circuit current, and, therefore, efficiency of CdTe solar cells due to its larger band gap and higher conduction position. However, few published works have achieved these benefits due to the S-kink in J-V curve. Here, the S-kink in MZO/CdTe films is eliminated through performing CdCl2 treatment in oxygen-free atmosphere and as a result, a significant improvement on efficiency (from 9.2% to 16.1%) is achieved.
Pulsed Nano-ESI: Application in Ion Mobility-MS and Insights into Spray Dynamics

We have previously shown that pulsed nano-ESI offers direct ion introduction into an AP-IM cell in the absence of conventional gates and desolvation. Here, we further characterize this ion injection method and utilize it to gain insights into nano-ESI pulsed spray dynamics. We demonstrate that a pulsed nano-ESI operated at 20 Hz with ion generation pulses of 170-510 μs offers reproducible ion arrival times (0.09-0.21% RSD). Arrival times are then translated to effective collision cross sections (CCSs) using tetraalkylammonium ions as CCS internal standards. For ions with low solvent affinity, effective CCS values match those reported for fully desolvated ions. For amino acids and a series of alkylamine homologues, the effective CCS values are higher than those for fully desolvated ions and correlate with solvent affinity, suggesting that ions with high hydration affinities traverse the mobility cell as hydrated ions. Notably, hydrates are not observed in the MS spectra due to ion activation during the transport into vacuum. Using these observations as a framework to interpret effective CCS values, we investigate the impact of nano-ESI pulse duration on ion properties. We observe that longer pulse durations lead to the enhancement of ion abundance for low-ionization-efficiency analytes and a reduction in clustering. However, effective CCSs are not significantly altered by spray pulse duration, implying that similar ion structures emerge rapidly at all investigated pulse durations. Ion abundance results suggest a temporal evolution of droplets in pulsed nano-ESI where droplets emitted later in the spray formation appear to be smaller, providing enhanced ionization.
Identification of Persistent Aortocaval Fistula Using Ultrasonography in the Outpatient Setting: A Case Report:

Aortocaval fistula (ACF) is a rare and life-threatening complication associated with rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA). Early detection and management of ACF’s during surgical repair o...
Short-Selling Threats and Corporate Tax Policy: Evidence from Regulation SHO

This study examines the effect of short-selling threats on tax aggressiveness. The SEC’s Regulation SHO pilot program relaxed short-selling constraints for a sample of U.S. stocks, thus leading to an exogenous increase in short-selling threats for these pilot stocks. After controlling for non-randomization of treatment and control firms, we find that pilot firms experienced a significant decrease in tax aggressiveness in the during-pilot period, relative to non-pilot firms. We further find that the effect is stronger when firms are more opaque, when CEOs have greater job-security concerns, and when CEOs’ equity portfolios are more sensitive to share prices. Our findings suggest that short-selling threats, which facilitate the flow of bad news into share prices and thus dampen the price inflation, reduce managers' incentive to use aggressive tax policies as an earnings manipulation tool to inflate share prices.
“A Community of Survivors”: A Grounded Theory of Organizational Support for Survivor-Advocates in Domestic Violence Agencies:

Half of today's domestic violence (DV) advocates are survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) or other forms of abuse. Yet, little is known about the experiences of those who are both survivors and advocates, especially regarding organizational relationships, policies, and culture, and how these factors shape well-being. This grounded theory study of 12 survivor-advocates identified three dimensions of organizational support that contribute survivor-advocates' well-being: acknowledging their trauma-related needs, fostering belonging, and honoring strengths. In each case, these organizational factors contribute to well-being through the mechanism of validating their identities as survivors. Suggestions for organizations to better support survivor-advocates are discussed.
Overview of Development and Recent Trends in Bibliometrics and Research Evaluation

This paper is an overview of bibliometrics, a subfield of library and information science. It briefly explains what bibliometrics is and why it is important in research evaluation and impact analysis. It summarizes the latest development and trends over the past decade. Three major trends are identified and discussed. They are alternative metrics, responsible use of bibliometrics and responsible research evaluation movement, and application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in bibliometrics practice.
Alcohol and Drug Use Screening among Justice-Involved Persons

(a) Objective: This study examined the reliability and validity of the Texas Risk Assessment System (TRAS) alcohol and drug use screeners. (b) Method: We examined internal consistency, inter-item c...
The Early History of Research on Echolocation

It has been very gratifying to hear and read about the exciting new discoveries concerning echolocation by both bats and cetaceans from so many active laboratories on both sides of the Atlantic. I am particularly impressed because from about 1940 to 1960 very few scientists were actively investigating these fascinating problems, despite what seemed to me their obvious significance. The Frascati and Jersey conferences in 1966 and 1979 have not only confirmed but exceeded my expectations.
Properties of leptinotarsin. A toxic hemolymph protein from the Colorado potato beetle.

Abstract Leptinotarsin is a toxic substance present in the hemolymph of the Colorado potato beetle. It is highly toxic to both insects and vertebrates by injection. The toxin, an acidic protein with a molecular weight of about 50,000, has been partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, ion exchange separation and acrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. Signs produced in insects are different from intoxication by certain known neural toxins, such as bee venoms, organophosphates and cholinergic drugs. The toxin has no effect on the spontaneous activity of the central nervous system, neuromuscular junction, or cholinesterase activity of the nerve cord of the American cockroach.
Expression of protease and protease-inhibitory activity in human mononuclear leukocyte cultures. Effect of conA stimulation.

Abstract Trypsin-activated protease activity was observed in the supernatants of conA-treated unfractionated or monocyte-depleted cultures at 1 h of incubation and trypsin-inhibitory activity was detected at 24 h. In contrast, supernatants from wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-treated cultures or untreated cultures exhibited trypsin-inhibitory activity at 1 h and trypsinactivated protease activity after 24 h. The expression of proteases and protease inhibitors may be early events that occur during the activation of quiescent lymphocytes to a proliferative state.
The Trial of Gaius (or Caius) Verres: An Account

The records of the trial of Gaius (sometimes spelled Caius) Verres reveal - far better than any other extant source - the corruption of the last years of the Roman Republic. Through a series of orations and witnesses, Verres's prosecutor, Cicero, presented a powerful story of how the shocking greed and arrogance of a provincial governor wreaked havoc on what had been the breadbasket of the Roman Empire, Sicily. In his successful prosecution of Verres, Cicero both demonstrated the talents that would make him one of Rome's foremost politicians and set in motion events that bring an end to the senatorial oligarchy established by the Sullan constitution. A word of caution: what we know about Gaius Verres comes to us from Cicero's seven trial orations. No records of the speeches by Verres's defense attorney survive. Nor do we have from Verres himself any explanation for his behavior. There is the possibility, of course, that Cicero, as prosecutor, might have exaggerated the extent of Verres's abuses, or that he might have omitted information that could have put Verres's actions in a more sympathetic light. The mountains of evidence presented by Cicero leave little doubt, however, that Verres was indeed a very despised and unscrupulous official. If he wasn't the worst governor that a Roman province was ever made to suffer, he surely ranks right up there.
Selenomethionyl dihydrofolate reductase from Escherichia coli. Comparative biochemistry and 77Se nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

The biosynthetic replacement of Met residues by selenomethionine (SeMet) facilitates the determination of three-dimensional structure by multiwavelength anomalous diffraction (Yang, W., Hendrickson, W. A., Crouch, R.J., and Satow, Y. (1990) Science 249, 1398-1405). In an effort to examine any biochemical effects due to the replacement of Met residues by SeMet, we chose to compare the kinetic and binding properties of selenomethionyl dihydrofolate reductase with those of the wt enzyme. There are 5 Met residues in Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase with 2 located in the Met-20 loop, which is a sequence of residues forming a lid over the active site. Utilizing plasmid pWT8, which affords 10-15% soluble protein as E. coli dihydrofolate reductase, we readily isolated both the SeMet and wt enzymes from E. coli DL41 utilizing a novel purification protocol. Both enzymes exhibited essentially the same kinetic and binding properties, including specific activities (45 mumol/min/mg), Km (7,8-dihydrofolate = 0.39 microM; NADPH = 2.0 microM), kcat (13.5/s), and 1:1 noncovalent inhibitory binding ratios with methotrexate. The inhibitory effects of divalent and monovalent cations on activity were also assessed, with the SeMet-containing enzyme exhibiting a uniformly greater sensitivity than the wt enzyme. We conclude that the biochemical properties of dihydrofolate reductase are virtually unperturbed by SeMet inclusion. Analysis of SeMet dihydrofolate reductase by 77Se nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed five distinct resonances, thus indicating the potential value of this technique in employing selenium as a nonperturbing NMR probe of protein structure and function.
Sequence of the lon gene in Escherichia coli. A heat-shock gene which encodes the ATP-dependent protease La.

To learn more about the mechanism and regulation of the ATP-dependent protease La in Escherichia coli, the lon gene was completely sequenced using the dideoxy method on fragments generated by Bal31 digestion. The predicted amino acid composition based on the DNA sequence agreed well with the composition of the acid-hydrolyzed protease. The predicted NH2-terminal amino acid sequence, tryptophan content, and the carboxyl terminus also agreed with experimental data. However, the molecular weight of 87,000 (783 amino acids) calculated from the DNA sequence was lower than prior estimates. The tetrameric enzyme contains four binding sites for ATP, a DNA-binding domain, a proteolytic site, and a regulatory site that binds unfolded polypeptides. An ATP-binding pocket exists on each subunit as shown by consensus sequences and elements of secondary structure resembling those on other nucleotide-binding proteins (e.g. adenylate kinase, RecA). For this purpose, improved consensus patterns for identifying ATP-binding domains were developed. Computer-assisted comparisons, however, failed to demonstrate any regions homologous to sequences in other polypeptides including proteases or DNA-binding proteins. This enzyme also contains an unusual highly acidic domain surrounded by very basic sequences. Protease La is the first ATP-dependent protease sequenced and seems to represent a new type of enzyme. The promoter sequence was similar to consensus sequences for other heat-shock promoters. Using site-directed mutagenesis, alterations were introduced into the putative promoter sequence. Mutations upstream of -35 had little effect, but alterations immediately upstream of -10 lowered basal transcription of a lon-lacZ operon fusion and reduced its response to inducers of the heat-shock response.
Temporal and tissue-specific patterns of Pon3 expression in mouse: in situ hybridization analysis.

PON3 is a member of the paraoxonase gene family that includes PON1 and PON2. For example, PON3 and PON1 share approximately 60% identity at the amino acid level. Recent studies have demonstrated that PON3 is present in human and rabbit HDL but not in mouse HDL. Mouse PON3 appears to be cell-associated and is expressed in a wide range of tissues such as liver, adipose, macrophage, and the artery wall. In vitro studies have shown that PON3 can prevent LDL oxidation and destroy bacterial quorum-sensing molecules. Previous studies also showed that human PON3 transgenic mice were protected from obesity and atherosclerosis in both the C57BL/6 J wild-type and LDLR knockout genetic background. Administration of adenovirus expressing the human PON3 gene into apoE –/– mice also decreased atherosclerotic lesion formation. In order to further understand the functions of PON3 in physiology and disease, we performed in situ hybridization analysis to examine Pon3 gene expression patterns in newborn and adult mice, in various tissues, including atherosclerotic lesions of apoE –/– mice. Our results show relatively high levels of Pon3 mRNA labeling in the adrenal gland, submaxillary gland, lung, liver, adipose, pancreas, large intestine, and other tissues of newborn mice. In the adult mouse, Pon3 mRNA levels were much lower in the corresponding tissues as mentioned above for the newborn mouse. Sections of the aortic root from the hearts of both wild-type and apoE –/– mice displayed moderate levels of Pon3 mRNA labeling. Pon3 mRNA was also detected in the atherosclerotic lesion areas at the aortic root of apoE –/– hearts. Our data revealed that mouse Pon3 is expressed in a wide range of tissues, and that its expression is temporally controlled.
THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF FOUR XYY INFANTS

Four XYY infants ascertained from 1,066 unselected newborn infants have been followed for 2½ to 3½ years. None of them show any distinctive physical characteristics, though three of the four lack a C triradius in the palmar dermatoglyphics. All four are of normal stature. Three appear of normal intellect and personality. One is of borderline intelligence and by 2 years was exhibiting aggressive, defiant, and destructive behavior. There are great problems of what, if anything, to divulge to the parents when an XYY chromomosome complement has been discovered.
Nonequilibrium Chemical Excitation and Chemical Pumping of Lasers

Chemical processes are reviewed which give rise to atomic or molecular products with spectroscopically observable nonequilibrium distributions among internal energy levels. Relevant theoretical considerations are reviewed, and for several types of reactions, experimental results are discussed in terms of specific examples. In several cases the existence of a population inversion seems clearly established, but it is by no means clear that the inversion density is sufficient for laser action. Certain features of molecular spectroscopy and collisional energy transfer processes bearing on the laser problem are discussed briefly.
Low Serum Selenium and Total Carotenoids Predict Mortality among Older Women Living in the Community: The Women's Health and Aging Studies

Selenium and the carotenoids play an important role in antioxidant defenses and in the redox regulation involved in inflammation. We tested the hypothesis that low selenium and carotenoids predict mortality in older women living in the community. Women who were enrolled in the Women's Health and Aging Studies I and II in Baltimore, MD (n = 632; 70-79 y old) had serum selenium and carotenoids measured at baseline and were followed for mortality over 60 mo. Median (minimum, maximum) serum selenium and carotenoids were 1.53 (0.73, 2.51) micromol/L and 1.67 (0.13, 9.10) micromol/L; 14.1% of the women died. The 5 major causes of death were heart disease (32.6%), cancer (18.0%), stroke (9.0%), infection (6.7%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (5.6%). Adjusting for age, education, smoking, BMI, poor appetite, and chronic diseases, higher serum selenium [hazard ratio (HR) 0.71, 95% CI 0.56-0.90/1 SD increase in log(e) selenium; P = 0.005] and higher serum total carotenoids (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.64-0.84/1 SD increase in log(e) total carotenoids; P = 0.009) were associated with a lower risk of mortality. Women living in the community who have higher serum selenium and carotenoids are at a lower risk of death.
Broadband ISDN and Asynchronous Transfer Mode

Much of the material we have covered thus far is related to the notion of Broadband Integrated Services Data Network (B-ISDN), a vision for the evolution of local and wide-area telecommunication networks based on the concepts of universal interfaces, bandwidth-on-demand, hardware-based packet interconnects, and multimedia traffic integration. In the B-ISDN vision, all types of traffic presented by end-users of the telecommunication network would be formatted (either by the user or at the user interface to the network) into short, fixed-length packets containing an information field and a routing field (header). This would necessitate segmentation and reassembly of larger blocks of data and continuous bit rate traffic. The network interfaces would operate at access speeds of 155 and 622 Mbit/sec, and information would be carried in the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).
Prevalence, Health Care Utilization, and Costs of Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel, and Chronic Fatigue Syndromes in the Military Health System, 2006–2010

ABSTRACT Objective: We compared prevalence, health care utilization, and costs over time for nonelderly adults diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in relation to timing of federal approvals for FMS drugs. Data Source: We used military health care claims from October 2006 to September 2010. Study Design/Analysis: Retrospective, multiple-year comparisons were conducted using trend analyses, and time series regression-based generalized linear models. Results: Over 5 years, FMS prevalence rates increased from 0.307% to 0.522%, whereas IBS and CFS prevalence rates remained stable. The largest increase in FMS prevalence occurred between 2007 and 2008. Health care utilization was higher for FMS cases compared to IBS and CFS cases. Over 5 years, the total cost for FMS-related care increased $163.2 million, whereas IBS costs increased $14.9 million and CFS cost increased $3.7 million. Between 2006 and 2010, total pharmacy cost for FMS cases...
Simulations of highway chaos using fuzzy logic

We report on simulations of chaotic traffic flow in freeways based on a fuzzy knowledge based model of driver behavior. Our simulation approach is a microscopic method similar to Q. Yang and H.N. Koutsopoulos (1996), where individual vehicles are separately modeled. The knowledge base consists of an extensive and exhaustive set of fuzzy IF-THEN rules depicting all possible traffic situations that a driver is likely to encounter in a highway. The principal motivation behind using a fuzzy knowledge based approach to model the driver behavior is because fuzzy modeling provides an effective means to break up any highly nonlinear system into IF-THEN rules (J.M. Mendel, 1995). In addition, fuzzy logic is well equipped to handle uncertainties that are present in real world traffic situations (P. Chakraborty and S. Kikuchi, 1992; S. Kikuchi and M. Pursula, 1998). Therefore using fuzzy rules, it is possible to incorporate linguistic descriptions of scenarios such as 'speed is moderate' or 'adjacent lane gap is quite acceptable'. Instead of quantifying variables into crisp classes as in a traditional expert system, this is the manner in which a driver is more likely to perceive any situation. Fuzzy logic techniques are receiving recent attention as important tools in transportation engineering studies and such approaches have met with a great deal of success.
Neurological causes of diaphragmatic paralysis in 11 alpacas (Vicugna pacos).

Background: Diaphragmatic paralysis is a relatively uncommon medical condition in animals not reported in alpacas. Objectives: Describe the signalment, physical examination, diagnostic testing, clinical, and histopathologic findings related to diaphragmatic paralysis in alpacas. Animals: Eleven alpacas with spontaneous diaphragmatic paralysis. Methods: A retrospective study examined medical records from a 10-year period and identified 11 alpacas with confirmed diaphragmatic paralysis admitted to Washington State University and Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals between September 2003 and October 2009. Results: The 11 alpacas ranged in age from 2 to 12 months. Fluoroscopic imaging confirmed the presence of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis in the 7 alpacas that were imaged. Arterial blood gas analyses showed hypercapnea, hypoxemia, and low oxygen saturation. Seven alpacas died or were euthanized between 2 and 60 days after onset of respiratory signs. Histopathologic examination of tissues found phrenic nerve degeneration in the 6 alpacas that were necropsied and additional long nerves examined demonstrated degeneration in 2 of these animals. Two animals had spinal cord lesions and 2 had diaphragm muscle abnormalities. No etiologic agent was identified in the alpacas. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The etiology for diaphragmatic paralysis in these alpacas is unknown. A variety of medical treatments did not appear to alter the outcome.
Laboratory models of breast and endometrial cancer to develop strategies for antiestrogen therapy.

Laboratory models for breast and endometrial cancer have had an enormous impact on the clinical development of antiestrogens. Results from the DMBA-induced rat mammary cancer model has provided the scientific principles required to evaluate long-term adjuvant tamoxifen therapy. Similarly, the athymic mouse model allowed the identification of clinically relevant mechanisms of drug resistance to tamoxifen and a model system to test new agents for cross resistance. Additionally, the endometrial cancer model has allowed the identification of agents that cause a slight increase in the risk of endometrial cancer long before the data would have be available from clinical studies. However, it should be stressed that this model is really only relevant for agents to be tested as preventives in normal women. The risks of developing endometrial cancer during tamoxifen therapy are slight compared with the survival benefit in controlling breast cancer.
Thalamic hemorrhage imitating hyperventilation

A 52-year-old woman developed subjective right hemiparesthesias over a two-day period. Because of a paucity of physical findings, apparent anxiety with tachypnea, and a respiratory alkalosis with hypocapnia, a diagnosis of hyperventilation syndrome was considered. However, because of the unilateral symptoms, a computed tomography scan was performed, demonstrating a left posterior thalamic infarct. Most reports of thalamic infarct indicate altered mental status, vertical gaze palsies, or sensorimotor hemiparesis with sensory involvement predominant. The case of a patient with thalamic hemorrhage who presented with only hemiparesthesia is reported to heighten clinicians' awareness of this diagnosis.
Using Videoconferencing to Provide Psychological Services to Rural Children and Adolescents: A Review and Case Example

Children and adolescents living in rural areas have difficulty accessing psychological services due to a lack of psychologists and other behavioral health professionals, especially those with expertise in treating youth. Telepsychology helps bridge this access gap. This article extends evidence supporting videoconferencing for psychological assessment and treatment in adults to support telepsychological treatment for youth. In addition, the basic components needed to begin and sustain a telepsychological practice are explored. Finally, a case example of an adolescent presenting with depression and disordered eating illustrates the practice of, and ethical standards needed for, telepsychology. Future technologies and applications around telepsychology are also discussed.
Computerized Prompting and Feedback of Diabetes Care: A Review of the Literature

Background The objective of this study was to assess published literature on computerized prompting and feedback of diabetes care as well as to identify opportunities to strengthen diabetes care processes. Methods Medline (1970-2008), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (1982-2008), and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (4th quarter 2008) were searched, and reference lists from included articles were reviewed to identify additional studies. Patient sample, clinician sample, setting, duration of the trial, intervention description, control description, and results were abstracted from each study. Results Fifteen trials were included in this review. The following elements were observed in the interventions: general prompt for a particular patient to be seen for diabetes-related follow-up (5 studies), specific prompt reminding clinicians of particular tests or procedures related to diabetes (13 studies), feedback to clinicians in addition to prompting (5 studies), and patient reminders in addition to clinician prompts (5 studies). Twelve of the 15 studies (80%) measured a significant process or outcome from the intervention. Conclusions The majority of trials identified at least one process or outcome that was significantly better in the intervention group than in the control group; however, the success of the information interventions varied greatly. Providing and receiving appropriate care is the first step toward better outcomes in chronic disease management.