cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgical Delay for Acute Type A Dissection With Malperfusion

Abstract Background . An acute type A aortic dissection is considered a surgical emergency. Review of the risk factors for a type A dissection showed that preoperative malperfusion was associated with a 22% (2/9) intraoperative mortality and an 89% (8/9) hospital mortality. Intraoperative deaths were secondary to pulmonary failure resulting from capillary leak; the remaining patients died of multiorgan failure resulting from reperfusion injury. Methods . The surgical delay approach was adopted for malperfused patients, and treatment in these patients included percutaneous reperfusion, with aortic fenestration and branch stenting where appropriate. Twenty patients had a type A dissection and malperfusion shown by pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, or spiral computed tomographic scanning. Malperfusion was documented by angiography. After reperfusion, all patients' conditions were stabilized in the intensive care unit; intravenous beta-blockers were administered to decrease the maximum rate of increase of left ventricular pressure. Once patients completely recovered from the consequences of malperfusion, surgical repair was performed. Statistical comparison of the non-delay and delay groups was performed using Fisher's exact test and Student's t test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to establish independent predictors for mortality. Results . The mean delay to repair was 20 days (2 to 67 days). Four (31%) patients were discharged home and readmitted for operation. Three patients (15%) died preoperatively, 1 of retrograde dissection and rupture and 2 of reperfusion injury. Seventeen underwent surgical repair, with two deaths (12%); 15 (75%) were discharged, with an average follow-up of 16.8 months ( p Conclusions . Patients with an acute type A dissection and malperfusion should undergo percutaneous reperfusion, and surgical repair should be delayed until the reperfusion injury resolves.
Evaluation of a gas-microstrip dual-energy system

The use of a gas microstrip detector in dual-energy radiography for certain clinical applications is explored. Optimal conditions of this technology for digital chest radiography are presented. These optimal conditions were obtained via computer simulations. The gas microstrip detector shows promise for achieving high spatial resolution, high internal gain, low noise and through the use of dual-energy techniques, high contrast resolution.
Patterns of Early Political Socialization and Adult Party Affiliation

On rapporte dans la presents communication les resultats d'une recherche faite aupres de 625 membres des cadres de quatre grands partis politiques canadiens dans les agglomerations de Vancouver et de Winnipeg. On compare ce que fut chez ces personnes le processus de socialisation a la chose politique: l'eveil du discemement, l'identification partisane initiate au plan psychologique, la transformation des interets politiques. On tente d'associer les variations de l'experience politique a un statut majoritaire ou minoritaire et a la position du parti comme formation se situant plus ou moins de gauche a droite dans une perspective ideologique. Les dirigeants des Partis, Liberal, Conservateur et Neo-Democrate, semblent tirer des consequences comparables de leur premiere experience politique respective. A plusieurs reprises, par ailleurs, des modes differents se manifestent chez les dirigeants du Credit Social. Les donnees montrent aussi que tous les partis ont tendance a recruter leurs leaders dans la strate des elites des secteurs de la population dont le vote leur est le plus favorable. Le materiel suggere de plus, pour ce qui est des cadres inferieurs des formations politiques, que les rapports etablis dans l'enfance au sein de groupes intimes seraient importants dans la genese d'un role politique eventuel.
Higher Susceptibility to Halothane Modulation in Open- Than in Closed-Channel α4β2 nAChR Revealed by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The neuronal α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a potential molecular target for general anesthetics. It is unclear, however, whether anesthetic action produces the same effect on the open and closed channels. Computations parallel to our previous open channel study (J. Phys. Chem. B 2009, 113, 12581) were performed on the closed-channel α4β2 nAChR to investigate the conformation-dependent anesthetic effects on channel structures and dynamics. Flexible ligand docking and over 20 ns molecular dynamics simulations revealed similar halothane-binding sites in the closed and open channels. The sites with relatively high binding affinities (∼ −6.0 kcal/mol) were identified at the interface of extracellular (EC) and transmembrane (TM) domains or at the interface between α4 and β2 subunits. Despite similar sites for halothane binding, the closed-channel conformation showed much less sensitivity than the open channel to the structural and dynamical perturbations from halothane. Compared to the system...
Autoantibodies and Cardiovascular Dysfunction: Cause or Consequence?

There has been a long history of the exploration into autoimmunity as a possible pathogenic factor of cardiovascular diseases from unknown cause represented by dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Autoantibodies (AAbs) have emerged either as humoral responses provoked by the release of "self-antigens" due to tissue damage or dysregulated humoral immunity itself. The pathogenic roles of some AAbs have been suggested by the findings from basic research using in vitro and in vivo disease models as well as clinical studies including immunoadsorption studies removing AAbs from patients with DCM. In this context, the importance of AAbs belonging to IgG3 subclass has also been implicated. In this review article, we summarize the findings accumulated to date regarding AAbs which have been considered to be involved in the pathology of DCM or pregnancy-related cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, we discuss the significance of AAbs as a possible cause of DCM and their potential roles as a novel therapeutic target.
The impact of tax rates, political partisanship and economic variables on the distribution of state and local tax burdens

Abstract This study finds that the effective state and local tax rate for the top 1% of income households as a percentage of the effective state and local tax rate for the bottom 20% of income households in 2002 is significantly influenced by whether a state has a multi-rate income tax, right-to-work laws, the liberalism of a state's electorate, the average tax burden in a state and past tax policy. Democratic Party strength in state government, Republican or Democratic Party institutional control of state government, change in real per capita income, a Democratic Governor and the change in the share of income going to the top 1% of income households are not significant predictors. The empirical results are identical for the top 2–5% of income households to the bottom 20% of income households.
The brain and the menstrual cycle.

The term ‘reproductive alignment’ denotes the concept that reproductive status will reflect and be aligned with the physiological status of an individual and thereby his or her external environment...
Calculator routine for 3 × 3 symmetrical matrix

Abstract Solutions of 3 /sx 3 symmetrical matrix equations AX = C are required for solving normal equations for best values of three parameters. A compact algorithm is presented fot the Hewlett-Packard HP-67 or HP-97 programmable calculator.
SEARCHING FOR YOUNG M DWARFS WITH GALEX

The census of young moving groups in the solar neighborhood is significantly incomplete in the low-mass regime. We have developed a new selection process to find these missing members based on the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) All-Sky Imaging Survey (AIS). For stars with spectral types K5 (R – J 1.5) and younger than ≈300 Myr, we show that near-UV (NUV) and far-UV (FUV) emission is greatly enhanced above the quiescent photosphere, analogous to the enhanced X-ray emission of young low-mass stars seen by ROSAT but detectable to much larger distances with GALEX. By combining GALEX data with optical (HST Guide Star Catalog) and near-IR (2MASS) photometry, we identified an initial sample of 34 young M dwarf candidates in a 1000 deg2 region around the ≈10 Myr TW Hydra Association (TWA). Low-resolution spectroscopy of 30 of these found 16 which had Hα in emission, which were then followed up at high resolution to search for spectroscopic evidence of youth and to measure their radial velocities. Four objects have low surface gravities, photometric distances and space motions consistent with TWA, but the non-detection of Li indicates that they may be too old to belong to this moving group. One object (M3.5, 93 ± 19 pc) appears to be the first known accreting low-mass member of the ≈15 Myr Lower Centaurus Crux OB association. Two objects exhibit all the characteristics of the known TWA members, and thus we designate them as TWA 31 (M4.2, 110 ± 11 pc) and TWA 32 (M6.3, 53 ± 5 pc). TWA 31 shows extremely broad (447 km s–1) Hα emission, making it the sixth member of TWA found to have ongoing accretion. TWA 32 is resolved into a 06 binary in Keck laser guide star adaptive optics imaging. Our search should be sensitive down to spectral types of at least M4-M5 in TWA and thus the small numbers of new member is puzzling. This might indicate TWA has an atypical mass function or that the presence of lithium absorption may be too restrictive a criteria for selecting young low-mass stars.
A correlation between anomalous electronic and vibrational properties of chemisorbed molecules

Abstract The photoelectron spectra of weakly chemisorbed CO and N 2 molecules exhibit a multitude of satellite lines due to multi-electron excitations, i.e., the simple single particle picture of photoionization does not apply to these systems. In all chemisorption systems for which data are presently available, the observation of multi-electron excitations in the valence spectrum is always accompanied by an anomalous behavior for the energy of the molecular vibration as a function of coverage. The energy of such a vibrational mode decreases or remains constant with increasing coverage in these weak chemisorption systems, in contrast to what is seen in “ordinary adsorbates” or predicted by theory for adsorbate dipole-dipole coupling. The correlation between the vibrational spectral data and photoemission data is so consistent that there would appear to be a common explanation for these electronic and vibrational properties. We offer a possible explanation based on: (a) recent ab initio theoretical calculations, which incorporate important electronic correlation effects, and (b) a model previously proposed by Pritchard for the infrared data. The proposed model consists of the following main features. In weakly chemisorbed diatomic systems the 2π orbital (unoccupied in the free molecule) is not involved in the bonding to the substrate in the neutral system. The screening of the hole produced by photoionization is then a non-adiabatic process in which the unoccupied 2π-like orbital (slightly above the Fermi energy) of the neutral ground state falls below the Fermi level and becomes occupied in the ion state. This leads to strong satellite lines in the valence spectra. If the 2π orbital in adsorbed CO or N 2 is not occupied in the ground state, then the 5σ orbital is primarily responsible for the bond to the substrate. Since this orbital is slightly antibonding with respect to the two atoms of the diatomic, the molecular stretching frequency can decrease as the adsorbate coverage increases and the adsorbate-substrate bond weakens (Pritchard's model).
The Implementation of a Bayesian Network for Watershed Management Decisions

Recently, the U.S. EPA issued the 303(d) list of impaired waters in Idaho State that contained the causes of impairment. This 303(d) list provides useful information that can be used to determine the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). Implementation of TMDLs should result in pollutant reductions, which, in turn can lead to the restoration of these water bodies. Flow alteration is one of the potential sources of impairments in the Big Lost River in south-central Idaho, which have some negative impacts on the water quality and beneficial uses. Flow in the Big Lost River is altered, both in quantity and quality, and this reduces recreation activities, affects the fish assemblage, and changes the composition and relative abundance of aquatic species. The effect of riparian vegetation is another factor that needs to be predicted. In addition, three conservation schemes (construction of upstream reservoirs, downstream reservoirs, and canal linings) were proposed to restore flow in the downstream reaches of the river and compensate for water loss during the low flood seasons. However, there is no single predictive model that can be used to appropriately represent each of these issues as management decisions. In this paper, an expert system in the form of a Bayesian network, a graphical diagram of nodes and arcs, was implemented to examine all significant water management variables and relationships among these variables. Lining the irrigation canals was found to be the best scheme, followed by constructing an upstream reservoir. The TMDLs would benefit the water quality in the watershed but would not significantly increase the water quantity and solve the flow alteration problem. Consequently, this can be used to determine the sequence of decisions that can be taken in the future.
Recent Developments in Septic Bursitis

Septic bursitis is a disease that can be difficult to distinguish from aseptic bursitis. There are no definitive treatment guidelines. The optimal duration of antibiotic therapy is not defined. Most of the cases are due to infection with Staphylococcus aureus, although many other pathogens can also cause this infection. The optimal management includes early recognition and prompt initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy. Surgical management may be necessary, and complications can arise from open procedures. Endoscopic bursectomy may be considered for patients requiring surgical debridement. This approach may lead to decreased morbidity in those requiring surgical intervention.
Twisted Cyanines: A Non-Planar Fluorogenic Dye with Superior Photostability and its Use in a Protein-Based Fluoromodule

The cyanine dye thiazole orange (TO) is a well-known fluorogenic stain for DNA and RNA, but this property precludes its use as an intracellular fluorescent probe for non-nucleic acid biomolecules. Further, as is the case with many cyanines, the dye suffers from low photostability. Here, we report the synthesis of a bridge-substituted version of TO named α-CN-TO, where the central methine hydrogen of TO is replaced by an electron withdrawing cyano group, which was expected to decrease the susceptibility of the dye toward singlet oxygen-mediated degradation. An X-ray crystal structure shows that α-CN-TO is twisted drastically out of plane, in contrast to TO, which crystallizes in the planar conformation. α-CN-TO retains the fluorogenic behavior of the parent dye TO in viscous glycerol/water solvent, but direct irradiation and indirect bleaching studies showed that α-CN-TO is essentially inert to visible light and singlet oxygen. In addition, the twisted conformation of α-CN-TO mitigates nonspecific binding ...
Reaching a CD uniformity of below 3 nm for 300 mm post-etch wafers by adjusting the CD distribution of ADI wafers

Obtaining good post-etching CD uniformity is getting more and more important in advanced processes such as 90 nm, 65 nm, and even 45nm for 300 mm wafers. But process noise greatly impacts the CD uniformity, especially etching bias and metrology noise. To achieve a CD uniformity of below 3 nm for 300 mm post-etch wafers, the metrology noise and process noise must be reduced and compensated for. In this paper, we demonstrate spectroscopic ellipsometry CD with the advantages of high stability and high accuracy to get CD information precisely, and high sensitivity to monitor PEB temperature and exposure energy fine variation in order to compensate for the etching bias. This study focuses on the feasibility of minimizing the CD uniformity of post-etch wafers by ADI CD compensation for a 300 mm leading-edge fab. Because the CD uniformity of after-development inspection (ADI) wafers from a leading-edge lithographic tool could be in the range of only 3 nm, it is very challenging to reveal the true CD signature of an ADI wafer using a metrology tool. A spectroscopic ellipsometry based metrology tool, SpectraCD, was used in this study. In order to make sure the CD signatures reported by SpectraCD reveal the true behavior of a lithographic tool, the well-published Total Test Repeatability (TTR) test was adopted. In comparison with 3 nm CD uniformity, a 0.2 nm TTR is accurate enough for this study. In addition, from more than 100 wafers produced within a week, the CD signature of ADI wafers is very stable on wafer-to-wafer and lot-to-lot bases. Basically, all the ADI wafers produced from a single post-exposure-bake plate of an exposure tool within a week show very similar CD signatures. The feasibility of reaching a CD uniformity of 3 nm for post-etch wafers will be demonstrated in this study.
Methyl-Mercury Degradation Pathways: A Comparison among Three Mercury-Impacted Ecosystems

We examined microbial methylmercury (MeHg) degradation in sediment of the Florida Everglades, Carson River (NV), and San Carlos Creek (CA), three freshwater environments that differ in the extent and type of mercury contamination and sediment biogeochemistry. Degradation rate constant (kdeg) values increased with total mercury (Hgt) contamination both among and within ecosystems. The highest kdeg's (2.8−5.8 d-1) were observed in San Carlos Creek, at acid mine drainage impacted sites immediately downstream of the former New Idria mercury mine, where Hgt ranged from 4.5 to 21.3 ppm (dry wt). A reductive degradation pathway (presumably mer-detoxification) dominated degradation at these sites, as indicated by the nearly exclusive production of 14CH4 from 14C-MeHg, under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. At the upstream control site, and in the less contaminated ecosystems (e.g. the Everglades), kdeg's were low (≤0.2 d-1) and oxidative demethylation (OD) dominated degradation, as evident from 14CO2 produc...
The Evolution of Species Interactions

Interactions between species are as evolutionarily malleable as the species themselves and have played a central role in the diversification and organization of life. This malleability creates complex geographic mosaics in interspecific interactions that can evolve rapidly over decades, blurring the distinction between evolutionary time and ecological time and making the study of coevolution crucial for human health and welfare.
From (Idealized) Exact Causality-Preserving Transformations to Practically Useful Approximately-Preserving Ones: A General Approach

It is known that every causality-preserving transformation of Minkowski space-time is a composition of Lorentz transformations, shifts, rotations, and dilations. In principle, this result means that by only knowing the causality relation, we can determine the coordinate and metric structure on the space-time. However, strictly speaking, the theorem only says that this reconstruction is possible if we know the exact causality relation. In practice, measurements are never 100% accurate. It is therefore desirable to prove that if a transformation approximately preserves causality, then it is approximately equal to an above-described composition.
Intelligence and hypoxemia in children with congenital heart disease: Fact or artifact?

Previous studies have reported lower intelligence for cyanotic than for acyanotic children with congenital heart disorders, a finding attributed to the degree of hypoxemia present. Several important variables have not been examined consistently, however, including coexisting neurologic or genetic disorders, definitive surgery, degree of sickness, age at testing, sex and social class. The present study examined the relation of these variables to obtained intelligence measures for 82 consecutively admitted children, excluding children with abnormal neurologic examinations and those having received definitive surgery. Consistent with earlier reports, intelligence quotients for the acyanotic children (112.81 ± 14.52 mean ± SD) were significantly higher (t= 2.60; p = 0.006) than for the cyanotic group (103.50 ± 15.81). Although sex, race and social class were not significantly different between the 28 cyanotic and the 54 acyanotic children, the cyanotic children were significantly sicker (χ2= 9.12; p = 0.005) and younger (t= 4.10; p = 0.001). However, when young and old children and the degree of sickness within cyanotic and acyanotic groups were compared, no significant differences were found. These findings demonstrate that intelligence differences between cyanotic and acyanotic children persist when the effect of neurologic abnormalities and definitive surgery is removed and remain despite the severity of sickness or child9s age at testing.
Use of point-of-care lactate in the prehospital aeromedical environment.

Introduction Lactate measurement has been used to identify critical medical illness and initiate early treatment strategies. The prehospital environment offers an opportunity for very early identification of critical illness and commencement of care. Hypothesis The investigators hypothesized that point-of-care lactate measurement in the prehospital aeromedical environment would: (1) identify medical patients with high mortality; (2) influence fluid, transfusion, and intubation; and (3) increase early central venous catheter (CVC) placement. Methods Critically ill, medical, nontrauma patients who were transported from September 2007 through February 2009 by University of Massachusetts (UMass) Memorial LifeFlight, a university-based emergency medical helicopter service, were eligible for enrollment. Patients were prospectively randomized to receive a fingerstick whole-blood lactate measurement on an alternate-day schedule. Flight crews were not blinded to results. Flight crews were asked to inform the receiving attending physician of the results. The primary endpoint was the ability of a high, prehospital lactate value [> 4 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)] to identify mortality. Secondary endpoints included differences in post-transport fluid, transfusion, and intubation, and decrease in time to central venous catheter (CVC) placement. Categorical variables were compared between groups by Fisher's Exact Test, and continuous variables were compared by t-test. Results Patients (N = 59) were well matched for age, gender, and acuity. In the lactate cohort (n = 20), mean lactate was 7 mmol/L [Standard error of the mean, SEM = 1]. Initial analysis revealed that prehospital lactate levels of ≥4 mmol/L did show a trend toward higher mortality with an odds ratio of 2.1 (95% CI, 0.3-13.8). Secondary endpoints did not show a statistically significant change in management between the lactate and non lactate groups. There was a trend toward decreased time to post-transport CVC in the non lactate faction. Conclusion Prehospital aeromedical point-of-care lactate measurement levels ≥4 mmol/L may help stratify mortality. Further investigation is needed, as this is a small, limited study. The initial analysis did not find a significant change in post-transport management. Mullen M , Cerri G , Murray R , Talbot A , Sanseverino A , McCahill P , Mangolds V , Volturo J , Darling C , Restuccia M . Use of Point-of-Care Lactate in the Prehospital Aeromedical Environment. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(1):1-4 .
Isolation of the human peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase gene: organization, promoter analysis, and chromosomal localization.

Abstract Peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase (ACOX; EC 1.3.3.6) is the first enzyme of the fatty acid beta-oxidation pathway, which catalyzes the desaturation of acyl-CoAs to 2-trans-enoyl-CoAs, and it donates electrons directly to molecular oxygen, thereby producing H2O2. The discovery of carcinogenic peroxisome proliferators, which markedly increase the levels of this H2O2-producing ACOX in rat and mouse liver, generated interest in peroxisomal beta-oxidation system genes. The present study deals with the structural organization of human ACOX gene. This gene spans approximately 33 kb and consists of 14 exons and 13 introns. Primer-extension analysis revealed three principal cap sites, which were mapped at 50, 52, and 53 nt upstream of the initiator methionine codon. The 5' flanking region of the ACOX gene was sequenced up to 500 bp upstream of the cap sites. This promoter region is G + C-rich and contains three copies of the "GC box" hexanucleotides. Multiple GC boxes are a characteristic feature of the rat ACOX and bifunctional protein genes of the beta-oxidation system. A + T-rich TATA-boxlike sequences, TTTATTT and TTATT, have also been identified in this human ACOX gene, but typical CCAAT motifs are absent. This ACOX gene has been mapped to chromosome 17q25 by in situ hybridization, using a biotinlabeled probe.
Characterization and Genomic Mapping of a Novel Leader Peptide Associated with the Human VH4–21 (VH4–34) Gene Segmenta,b

The human IgVH locus is located on chromosome 14, band q32 and spans approximately 1 mb. Within this locus are approximately 120 VH gene segments that are subdivided into six to seven families based on sequence homology of their coding regions. VH4-21 (VH4-34) is a member of the VH4 family, a family that contains 10 to 15 members. It is expressed in a variety of circumstances including early fetal development, the autoantibody repertoire, and in a highly restricted manner in antibodies that recognize alloantigens on the surface of human red blood cells. Most interesting, however, is the expression of this gene segment in T cells as a semi-germline transcript in conjunction with a nontraditional VH leader peptide. This nonhydrophobic leader sequence, termed "Et" for exon in T cells, has previously been shown to reside within the VH locus. Using YAC and P1 clones, we have identified two copies of this exon, both of which are located in the region of the locus that contains VH4-24 (VH4-34). Characterization of the two exons suggests that they arose by duplication, as flanking DNA is almost identical over a distance of > 5 kb. Preliminary data suggests they are both located > 20 kb upstream of VH4-21 (VH4-34).
Toluidine blue staining for detection of oral premalignant lesions and carcinomas

The discriminative value of toluidine blue vital staining for detecting oral premalignant lesions and carcinomas was tested in the hamster DMBA buccal pouch model. The stain technique was further tested for specificity using the turpentine liquid petrolatum (TLP) hamster cheek pouch model for hyperplasia. Although carcinomas frequently exhibited toluidine blue staining, a 27.8% false negative result was noted. Premalignant lesions (dysplasia and carcinoma in situ) seldom retained toluidine blue stain and yielded a histologically confirmed (95.2%) false negative result. DMBA induced papillomas yielded a 5% false positive result. The TLP model failed to produce either clinically or histologically evident hyperplastic/hyperkeratotic lesions.
Comparison of Laboratory Emission Spectra with Mercury Telescopic Data

Abstract Thermal emission spectra from four locations on Mercury's surface are compared with three new laboratory emission spectra: two spinels (gahnite and magnetite) and one carbonaceous chondrite (Allende). The mineral and meteorite choices were made to investigate previously suggested unique scenarios for the evolution of Mercury's surface. No resemblance of the Mercury data were seen to the measured emission spectra. We also compare Mercury spectra to a selection of inverted reflectance spectra of feldspars, feldspathoids, Apollo 16 lunar breccias, nepheline-bearing alkali syenite, and simple two-component linear mixes of feldspars and pyroxenes. The Mercury spectra obtained from locations centered near 40° and 45° mercurian longitude and equatorial latitudes are concave upward in shape between 8 and 10 μm like that of nepheline but the emissivity maxima of the data occur at shorter wavelength than any of the feldspathoids (nepheline, leucite, sodalite). A good match of the wavelength position of Mercury's emissivity maxima is provided by the nepheline-bearing alkali syenite. Comparisons to several feldspars in the plagioclase series, and plagioclase and pyroxene lunar breccia (67031 and 67455), and linear mixing models of plagioclase and pyroxene provide good matches to some features near ∼120° and ∼34° mercurian longitude and equatorial latitudes. More conclusive interpretation of these data from Mercury requires laboratory studies of emission spectra obtained specifically for thermal and insolation conditions appropriate for airless bodies.
The Anti-Apoptosis Protein, Survivin, Mediates Gastric Epithelial Cell Cytoprotection Against Ethanol-Induced Injury via Activation of the p34cdc2 Cyclin Dependent Kinase

The anti-apoptosis protein, survivin, promotes cell survival and mitosis. Recent studies have demonstrated that survivin is expressed in normal gastric mucosa. Using an in vitro model, we examined whether survivin plays a role in the cytoprotection produced in gastric mucosa by mild irritant ethanol (ETOH) against subsequent exposure to concentrated ETOH. Pre-treatment of rat gastric epithelial cells with 1% ETOH reduced cell death, in response to subsequent incubation with 5% ETOH, by 94% (P < 0.005). This pre-treatment also resulted in increased total and phosphorylated survivin protein levels by 180% (P < 0.0001) and 540% (P < 0.0002), respectively, which required the p34cdc2 cell cycle-dependent kinase. The cytoprotective effect was abrogated upon siRNA knockdown of survivin protein levels. Further, overexpression of exogenous survivin resulted in significant cytoprotection by 62% (P < 0.02) in the absence of any pre-treatment. We further examined the in vivo relevance of these findings. In fasted rats, administration of 20% ETOH, which we found to be 93% (P < 0.0001) cytoprotective against 50% ETOH challenge, resulted in increased total and phosphorylated survivin protein levels by 234% (P < 0.001) and 214% (P < 0.02), respectively. Administration of 20% ETOH resulted in increased gastric p34cdc2 activity by 146% (P < 0.01). Inhibition of p34cdc2 by the potent inhibitor, roscovitine, abolished the increased survivin levels in response to pre-administration of 20% ETOH and reduced the cytoprotection against 50% ETOH challenge by 59% (P < 0.01). These results indicate that survivin is a key mediator of cytoprotection against ETOH-induced gastric injury, acting at the epithelial cell level, by a mechanism that is dependent, in part, on p34cdc2. J. Cell. Physiol. 215: 750–764, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A quantitative electron microscope autoradiographic study on 125I-human choriogonadotropin internalization in bovine luteal slices.

Abstract Very few silver grains were seen on the cell surface and none intracellularly after incubation for 2 h at 4 °C. However, numerous grains were seen in various subcellular organelles when the tissues were incubated for 2 h at 22 ° or 38 °C. The grain distribution was qualitatively similar, but quantitatively, there were fewer grains at 22 ° than at 38 °C. Co-incubation of 125 I-hCG with excess unlabelled hCG resulted in the virtual disappearance of silver grains from all the subcellular organelles. Excess unlabelled human luteinizing hormone (but not follicle-stimulating hormone or prolactin) inhibited the appearance of silver grains in luteal tissue. There were no silver grains in bovine liver slices incubated with 125 I-hCG. The plasma membrane-associated grains progressively decreased, while intracellular organelle-associated grains increased with time at 38 °C. There were no grains in nuclei at 5 min, but they appeared at 10 min and increased until 120 min. After correction for radiation spread by three-step mask analysis, smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria did not contain any grains. The grain density was the highest in Golgi, followed by lysosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, nuclei, and plasma membranes after incubation for 2 h at 38 °C. Thus, the electron microscope autoradiography approach confirmed our biochemical data in the preceding paper (Chegini et al., Exp cell res 151 (1984) 466 [5]) on time, temperature dependency and specificity of 125 I-hCG internalization, association of internalized hormone with a variety of intracellular organelles, and the highest uptake in Golgi.
Collocation and galerkin finite element methods for viscoelastic fluid flow—II. Die swell problems with a free surface

Abstract The die swell problem occurs when a fluid flows down a capillary and is emitted into a gas which exerts negligible shear and normal forces on the jet. The die swell problem is solved for Newtonian and viscoelastic fluids. The viscoelastic fluids use a nonlinear Maxwell model but we report calculations for only a small elastic component. Both Galerkin and collocation Finite Element Methods are used and compared. The role of natural boundary conditions in the Galerkin method is compared to the pointwise satisfaction of boundary conditions in the collocation method.
A phosphate-repressible, high-affinity phosphate permease is encoded by the pho-5+ gene of Neurospora crassa

Abstract The pho-5 + gene of Neurospora crassa , which encodes a high-affinity phosphate permease, has been cloned and analyzed. The deduced ORF of 1707 nucleotides is interrupted by a single 63-nt intron and codes for a protein of 569 amino acids (aa). This aa sequence has 48% identity with the high-affinity phosphate transporter of Saccharomyces cerevisiae , PHO84. The pho-5 null mutants have no obvious phenotype. Strains which contain a null mutation in pho-4 , which encodes an additional high-affinity phosphate permease [Bowman et al., J. Bacteriol. 153 (1983) 292–296], also have no obvious phenotype. However, strains containing mutations in both pho-5 and pho-4 are unable to grow under phosphate-restrictive conditions.
Multidrug-resistant transport activity protects oocytes from chemotherapeutic agents and changes during oocyte maturation

Objective To determine the multidrug-resistant transporter (MDR) activity in oocytes and their potential role in oocyte susceptibility to chemotherapy. Design Experimental laboratory study. Setting University and academic center for reproductive medicine. Subject(s) Women with eggs retrieved for intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles and adult female FVBN and B6C3F1 mouse strains. Intervention(s) Inhibition of MDR activity in oocytes. Main Outcome Measure(s) Efflux activity of MDRs with the use of quantitative fluorescent dye efflux, and oocyte cell death when exposed to chemotherapy. Result(s) Oocytes effluxed fluorescent reporters, and this activity was significantly reduced in the presence of the MDR inhibitor PSC 833. Geminal vesicle oocytes were more efficient at efflux than metaphase 2 oocytes. Human oocytes exposed to cyclophosphamide and PSC 833 showed cell death with the use of two different viability assays compared with control samples and those exposed to cyclophosphamide alone. Immunoblots detected MDR-1 in all oocytes, with the greatest accumulation in the geminal vesicle stage. Conclusion(s) Oocytes have a vast repertoire of active MDRs. The implications of this study are that these protective mechanisms are important during oogenesis and that these activities change with maturation, increasing susceptibility to toxicants. Future directions may exploit the up-regulation of these transporters during gonadotoxic therapy.
Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) transactivates Dlx3 through Smad1 and Smad4: alternative mode for Dlx3 induction in mouse keratinocytes.

Expression of the Dlx3 homeodomain gene is induced in terminally differentiated epidermal cells. Dlx3 regulates gene expression in skin and plays important roles in patterning of the embryonic ectoderm through differential sensitivity to bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. We analyzed the expression of BMP family members in murine keratinocytes; BMP-2 is expressed in proliferative basal and differentiated suprabasal keratinocytes. BMP-2 induced transcription of Dlx3 within 12 h of treatment of keratinocytes cultured in vitro. We proceeded to delineate the BMP-2-responsive region to an area between –1917 and –1747 in the Dlx3 promoter. Gel shift assays with recombinant Smad1 and Smad4 demonstrated that this DNA fragment (–1917 to –1747) was competent in the formation of protein–DNA complexes. By deletion and mutational analyses we localized a Smad1/Smad4-binding site containing a GCAT motif, which showed similarity to other TGF-β family responsive elements. Supershift assays with keratinocyte nuclear extracts and antibodies against members of the Smad family showed that this motif was able to form a complex with Smad1. Mutation of the Smad1/Smad4-binding site inhibited transcriptional activation of the Dlx3 gene by BMP-2. In the hair follicle, where Dlx3 is expressed in the hair matrix cells, BMP-2 also activates Dlx3 transcription. These results provide a possible mechanism of action for the BMP signaling pathway on the regulation of Dlx3.
The spin 3/2 state and quantum spin mixtures in haem proteins

The magnetic state of iron in haem proteins has long been recognized as a convenient indicator of chemical coordination as well as more subtle biochemical properties. In the trivalent case in particular, there are three magnetically distinct configurations of the five 3d electrons, yielding spin states of S = 1/2, 3/2 and 5/2. The first and third are extremely familiar, and often lie close enough in energy so that a thermal mixture of low-spin S = 1/2 and high-spin S = 5/2 states exists in an ensemble of molecules. Selection rules for common perturbations (ΔS = ∘, ± 1 for the spin-orbit interaction and ΔS = ∘ for the electronic Zeeman interaction) ensure that quantum mixtures, in which the wave function is a true combination of S = 1/2 and S = 5/2 components, are not observed. The mid-spin, S = 3/2, state, and allowed 5/2–3/2 and 1/2–3/2 quantum mixtures including it, are much less well known. These have only rarely been invoked in recent years as an explanation for experimental haem protein magnetic data.
Attribution of the "causes" of performance: A general alternative interpretation of cross-sectional research on organizations.

Abstract This paper presents a general alternative interpretation of correlational findings which link perceptual or questionnaire measures to data on performance. It is posited that organizational participants possess theories of performance just as do organizational researchers, and that respondents will use knowledge of performance as a cue by which they attribute characteristics to themselves, their work groups, and organizations. According to this attribution hypothesis, self-report data on organizational characteristics may actually represent the consequences rather than the determinants of performance. To test this alternative interpretation of correlational findings, an experiment was conducted in which knowledge of group performance (positive vs negative) was a manipulated independent variable. The results showed that knowledge of performance affected the levels of influence, cohesiveness, communication, motivation, and openness to change attributed by members to their work groups. These findings were also replicated by an interpersonal simulation. The data of the true experiment and the interpersonal simulation, together, provide strong evidence for the attribution hypothesis.
Sexual Dimorphism of the Zebra Finch Syrinx Indicates Adaptation for High Fundamental Frequencies in Males

Background In many songbirds the larger vocal repertoire of males is associated with sexual dimorphism of the vocal control centers and muscles of the vocal organ, the syrinx. However, it is largely unknown how these differences are translated into different acoustic behavior. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we show that the sound generating structures of the syrinx, the labia and the associated cartilaginous framework, also display sexual dimorphism. One of the bronchial half rings that position and tense the labia is larger in males, and the size and shape of the labia differ between males and females. The functional consequences of these differences were explored by denervating syringeal muscles. After denervation, both sexes produced equally low fundamental frequencies, but the driving pressure generally increased and was higher in males. Denervation strongly affected the relationship between driving pressure and fundamental frequency. Conclusions/Significance The syringeal modifications in the male syrinx, in concert with dimorphisms in neural control and muscle mass, are most likely the foundation for the potential to generate an enhanced frequency range. Sexually dimorphic vocal behavior therefore arises from finely tuned modifications at every level of the motor cascade. This sexual dimorphism in frequency control illustrates a significant evolutionary step towards increased vocal complexity in birds.
Computation of Minkowski Values of Polynomials over Complex Sets

As a generalization of Minkowski sums, products, powers, and roots of complex sets, we consider the Minkowski value of a given polynomial P over a complex set X. Given any polynomial P(z) with prescribed coefficients in the complex variable z, the Minkowski value P(X) is defined to be the set of all complex values generated by evaluating P, through a specific algorithm, in such a manner that each instance of z in this algorithm varies independently over X. The specification of a particular algorithm is necessary, since Minkowski sums and products do not obey the distributive law, and hence different algorithms yield different Minkowski value sets P(X). When P is of degree n and X is a circular disk in the complex plane we study, as canonical cases, the Minkowski monomial value P m (X), for which the monomial terms are evaluated separately (incurring $$ \frac{1}{2} $$ n(n+1) independent values of z) and summed; the Minkowski factor value P f (X), where P is represented as the product (z−r 1)⋅⋅⋅(z−r n ) of n linear factors – each incurring an independent choice z∈X – and r 1,...,r n are the roots of P(z); and the Minkowski Horner value P h (X), where the evaluation is performed by “nested multiplication” and incurs n independent values z∈X. A new algorithm for the evaluation of P h (X), when 0∉X, is presented.
Laparoscopic Renal Cryoablation: 8-Year, Single Surgeon Outcomes

Purpose: We present 5 to 11-year (median 8) oncological outcomes after laparoscopic renal cryoablation.Materials and Methods: Between September 1997 and October 2008 we performed renal cryoablation in 340 patients, of whom 80 treated laparoscopically by a single surgeon before October 2003 had a minimum 5-year followup. Followup involved magnetic resonance imaging on postoperative day 1, at 3, 6 and 12 months, and annually thereafter. Cryolesion biopsy was performed at 6 months. All data were prospectively accrued.Results: In the 80 patients with minimum 5-year followup mean age was 66 years, mean tumor size was 2.3 cm (range 0.9 to 5.0), median American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 3 and mean body mass index was 28 kg/m2. Five patients had local recurrence, 2 had locoregional recurrence with metastasis and 4 had distant metastasis without locoregional recurrence. Six patients died of cancer. In the 55 patients with biopsy proven renal cell cancer at a median followup of 93 months (range 60 to 1...
Recent Advances in Rheo-Optical Studies of Polymers in the Solid State

Four recent developments for the study of the rheo-optical behavior of polymeric films are reviewed. These are (1) the use of the two-dimensional optical multichannel analyzer for the study of changes in superstructure by small angle light scattering, (2) the dynamic small angle X-ray scattering technique for following time dependent morphology changes at a somewhat smaller level of size, (3) small angle neutron scattering for observing deformation at a molecular level, and (4) FT IR time resolved infrared spectroscopy which also permits molecular level observations. The use of these methods is illustrated with several examples involving both deformation and phase changes of amorphous and crystalline polymers.
Is Sensation Seeking a Stable Trait or Does it Change Over Time

The theory of sensation seeking has conceptualized this construct as a stable personality trait associated with a variety of problem behaviors. Reckless behavior theory posits that increases in reckless behavior during adolescence can be attributed, in part, to increases in sensation seeking. This study evaluated patterns of stability and change in sensation seeking among 868 urban, minority youth (53% female), followed longitudinally across middle school (6th–8th grades). Group-based trajectory analysis identified a stable low group (20%), a moderate increasing group (60%), and a stable high group (20%) each of which demonstrated unique associations with changes in problem behaviors. Stable low sensation seekers reported consistently low levels of aggression, delinquency, and substance use across middle school. Moderate increasing sensation seekers reported significant increases in these risk behaviors over time from levels near zero in the 6th grade. Stable high sensation seekers reported high, stable levels of aggression and delinquency upon entry into middle school as well as significant increases in substance use across middle school. These results lend support to both theories and highlight a need for caution when categorizing adolescents as high or low sensation seekers.
Role of bicarbonate dialysis in prevention of serious arrhythmias in high-risk cardiac patients undergoing regular hemodialysis

Background: Cardiac arrhythmias are considered as one of the most important causes of mortality in patients on hemodialysis. Arrhythmias frequently occur in patients with chronic renal failure on regular hemodialysis with reported incidences varying from 30–48% of patients. These abnormalities can span from supraventricular to severe ventricular arrhythmia. There is an increased frequency of occurrence and clustering of arrhythmias around the dialysis time. Aim of the study: To detect the difference between acetate and bicarbonate dialysis as regard to the type and frequency of arrhythmia in those patients. Study design: This study was done on 20 male patients age 51–73, all have history of heart disease. Patients were divided into 2 equal groups using acetate in group 1 and bicarbonate in group 2. All patients were on regular hemodialysis (4 hours, thrice weekly). Careful history and clinical examination were done. Pre-dialysis investigations included serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, serum sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus, serum albumin, hemoglobin, and arterial blood gases. Post-dialysis serum potassium and arterial blood gases were measured. ECG and forty-eight hours ambulatory monitor (Holter monitor)(before, during, and after hemodialysis, till the end of the dialysis day and throughout the following day) were performed. Results: Group 1 showed significantly less post-dialysis supraventricular arrhythmias than in dialysis day (210.9 ± 236 and 62.3 ± 14.4), respectively. Significantly less ventricular arrhythmias in post-dialysis than in dialysis day (30.7 ± 50.4, and 106.2 ± 128.4), respectively. While in Group 2 there were insignificant differences regarding supraventricular arrhythmias (21.9 ± 28.9 and 16.6 ± 36.3) and ventricular arrhythmias (22.9 + 7.8 and 29.6 + 12.8) in dialysis day than in post-dialysis day. There was significantly higher frequency of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias in the dialysis day in acetate hemodialysis in comparison to bicarbonate hemodialysis. Conclusion: Bicarbonate hemodialysis is less arrhythmogenic in comparison to acetate hemodialysis and has better effect on the blood pH and greater degree of base repletion. Continuous ambulatory ECG recording (Holter) is a useful tool in detecting arrhythmias in dialysis patients.