cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ventilation and oxygen consumption inAmazona viridigenalis: A reappraisal of ?resting? respiratory parameters in birds

The BMR (6.00 ml O2·min−1) and thermal conductance (0.235 ml O2·min−1·°C−1) ofAmazona viridigenalis, a medium sized parrot, are close to allometrically predicted values for nonpasserine birds, but theT 1c of 26.5 °C is 8.5 °C higher than predicted (Fig. 1). Minimal respiratory frequencies measured in four species of birds average 60% of the rate predicted by a previous equation and yield the relationship, breaths·min−1= 10.3 kg−0.32. Frequencies are very dependent upon the methods used to obtain the data (Fig. 3). ‘Resting’ values of respiratory parameters are poorly defined in the existing literature, and there are no single resting values within the TNZ analogous to a BMR. Rather values change within, as well as below and above, the TNZ. Minimal values of different parameters occur at differentT a's, not necessarily within the TNZ (Figs. 2, 4, 5). For clarity, resting respiratory parameters should be reported as standard values, analogous to standard metabolic rates, withT a specified. In birds the pattern of ventilation (f andV T) changes asT a changes resulting in different extraction efficiencies at a given minute volume (Figs. 6, 7). This facilitates adjustment to both changing oxygen demands and changing thermoregulatory needs.
Priorities of human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer patients at diagnosis and after treatment.

Abstract Introduction Little is known regarding how human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC) patient goals change with treatment. This study evaluates whether patient ranking of non-oncologic priorities relative to cure and survival shift after treatment as compared to priorities at diagnosis. Materials and Methods This is a prospective study of HPV-OPC patient survey responses at diagnosis and after treatment. The relative importance of 12 treatment-related priorities was ranked on an ordinal scale (1 as highest). Median rank (MR) was compared using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests. Prevalence of high concern for 11 treatment-related issues was compared using paired t-test. The effect of patient characteristics on change in priority rank and concern was evaluated using linear regression. Results Among 37 patients, patient priorities were generally unchanged after treatment compared with at diagnosis, with cure and survival persistently ranked top priority. Having a moist mouth uniquely rose in importance after treatment. Patient characteristics largely did not affect change in priority rank. Concerns decreased after treatment, except concern regarding recurrence. Discussion Treatment-related priorities are largely similar at diagnosis and after treatment regardless of patient characteristics. The treatment experience does not result in a shift of priorities from cure and survival to non-oncologic domains over cure and survival. The rise in importance of moist mouth implies that xerostomia may have been underappreciated as a sequelae of treatment. A decrease in most treatment-related concerns is encouraging, whereas the persistence of specific areas of concern may inform patient counseling.
Raising Pups of Urban San Joaquin Kit Fox: Relative Roles of Adult Group Members

Maternal care of young is the norm in mammals because of internal gestation and lactation by females. Care by adults other than the mother is rare in most mammals but is common in primates, rodents, and carnivores. We studied parental care in an urban population of the San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica), a small canid endemic to the San Joaquin Desert in California. Kit fox family groups typically consist of a mated pair, the young-of-the-year, and occasionally older offspring from previous years known as helpers. The relative contributions of the parents and helpers to the rearing of young are unknown in San Joaquin kit foxes. We determined the relative time investment (den attendance), the tasks performed (e.g., provisioning and guarding), and the chronology of participation and tasks performed by adult group members in pup rearing. We classified group members into 3 categories (mother, father, and helper) and monitored them for 3 periods of the reproductive season (preparturition, nursing, and weaned). There was no difference in den attendance between periods, but there was a significant difference in den attendance by role. Mothers spent significantly more time at the den than either fathers or helpers. There was no significant difference between average provisioning events per hour per individual by role, but provisioning rates were significantly lower during the nursing period compared to the weaned period. Mothers provided the most direct care to young, while the role of fathers was primarily to guard the family and maintain the territory. Assistance provided by helpers supplemented the efforts of the mother and father and consisted primarily of guarding and some social interaction, especially play. Pups in groups with helpers were left unattended significantly less than pups in the group with no helpers, which may result in lower predation levels on pups. Helpers were likely tolerated because of a superabundance of food in the urban environment, but their presence may reduce pup-rearing costs for parents and enhance the successful rearing of the current litter. Future research should compare parental care in urban and nonurban kit foxes and determine whether helpers increase pup survival rates.
SK3 polyglutamine tract polymorphism and acute oxaliplatin neurotoxicity: A translational study

21076 Background: Acute neurotoxicity of l-oxaliplatin (l-OHP), characterized by cold-induced paresthesias, muscle cramps and tightness, seems electrophysiologically related to an abnormal nerve hy...
Long-term operation of a laser frequency comb with the Habitable Zone Planet Finder

Laser frequency combs are an ideal calibration source for precision astronomical spectrographs. We report on the demonstrated long term operation of a laser frequency comb that we designed and built as the primary calibrator for the Habitable Zone Planet Finder (HPF). The core technology of the comb is based on robust, polarization maintaining fiber coupled electro-optic modulators and broadband supercontinuum generation spanning 700-1600 nm in an efficient silicon nitride waveguide. The comb is continuously maintained on and ready to use, and since May 2018 the laser frequency comb has had a total uptime of 97%.
Daily Dose of Preoperative Opioid Prescriptions Affects Outcomes after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Background The use of preoperative opioids is associated with complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but the dosing threshold that constitutes this risk is not known. The purpose of this study was to identify the preoperative daily opioid dose associated with increased complications after primary TKA. Methods Patients who underwent primary TKA in the Humana claims database (2007-2016) with an opioid prescription within 3 months before surgery were identified. All opioids prescribed within 3 months before TKA were converted to milligram morphine equivalents. Patients were stratified based on daily opioid dose: tier 1) 50 milligram morphine equivalents. Patients were matched to opioid-naive patients by comorbidities, age, and gender. Emergency department (ED) visits, readmissions, and surgical complications were compared. Results A total of 20,019 patients using preoperative opioids were identified and matched. ED visits and readmissions within 90 days were significantly higher in opioid users in all tiers (relative risk (RR) of ED visit: 1.25, 1.28, 1.34, and 1.25, respectively; readmission: 1.13, 1.17, 1.22, and 1.19, respectively). Rates of prosthetic joint infection were increased in opioid users in tiers 2, 3, and 4, and the risk increased in a dose-dependent manner (RR 1.37, 1.39, and 1.50, respectively). Patients in tier 4 had an increased risk of revision surgery (RR 1.44) at 2 years. Conclusion Preoperative opioid use is associated with a dose-dependent increase in postoperative complications after TKA. Just two 5mg hydrocodone tablets daily lead to increased ED visits and readmission. Higher doses are associated with an increased risk of prosthetic joint infection and revision surgery.
“Absolutely Hands on!”: Analyzing Student Learning Gains and Perceptions From an Experiential Learning Experiment in an Advanced Textile Science Course

Experiential learning “…is a hands-on form of learning that begins with a concrete experience,” which also involves reflection on the process.” In the 1980s, traditional education began to experience a backlash for being too passive. With experiential learning, students learn by doing and thinking about what they are doing. Hands on learning improves student assessment performance with scientific concepts. In this experience, students created new knowledge in the coloration of bacterial cellulose (BC) with fiber reactive and natural dyes in the colors of blue, red and yellow. They also performed selected colorfastness tests. Pre-test knowledge measure scores ranged from 36% to 82% and from 73% to 91% on the post-test. The result indicated that median post-test scores were significantly higher than median pre-test scores (Z = 9.00, p = .004). When asked session preference, all 10 students reported they preferred the laboratory sessions and learned the most from them.
Crevice Elimination and Stitch Integrity Improvement on Leaded Packages Thru Shifted Lead Neck Design

The intensive drive of zero delamination for highest reliability has been one of the top priorities of packaging an integrated circuit. Delamination has been a constant challenge to the lead forming process due to the high stress induced to the lead and mold interface - this phenomenon can result to a very minute separation between the mold compound and leadframe (crevice). This very tiny opening can potentially serve as external path for moisture which can result to oxidation of adjacent stitches which can lead to package reliability concerns. This paper will focus on an innovative lead design to further improve reliability on leaded packages thru crevice elimination. The design incorporates angular lead termination from the package vs conventional perpendicular lead formation. This angular and shifting lead termination reduces the forming force applied directly to the lead during forming process, reducing risk of crevice, thus improving overall package reliability.
Comparison of an Automated Plate Assessment System (APAS Independence) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Manual Plate Reading of Methicillin-Resistant and Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus CHROMagar Surveillance Cultures.

The automated plate assessment system (APAS Independence; Clever Culture System, Bach, Switzerland) is an automated imaging station linked with interpretive software that detects target colonies of interest on chromogenic media and sorts samples as negative or presumptive positive. We evaluated the accuracy of the APAS to triage methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and S. aureus cultures using chromogenic medium compared to that by human interpretation. Patient samples collected from the nares on ESwabs were plated onto BD BBL CHROMagar MRSA II and BD BBL CHROMagar Staph aureus and allowed to incubate for 20 to 24 h at 37°C in a non-CO2 incubator. Mauve colonies are suggestive of S. aureus and were confirmed with latex agglutination. Following incubation, samples were first interrogated by APAS before being read by a trained technologist blinded to the APAS interpretation. The triaging by both APAS and the technologists was compared for accuracy. Any discordant results required further analysis by a third reader. Over a 5-month period, 5,913 CHROMagar MRSA cultures were evaluated. Of those, 236 were read as concordantly positive, 5,525 were read as concordantly negative, and 152 required discordant analysis. Positive and negative percent agreements (PPA and NPA, respectively) were 100% and 97.3%, respectively. The APAS detected 5 positive cultures that were missed by manual reading and determined to be true positives. In a separate analysis, 744 CHROMagar Staph aureus plates were read in parallel. Of these, 133 were concordantly positive, 585 were concordantly negative, and 26 required discordant analysis. PPA and NPA were 95.7% and 96.7%, respectively. This study confirmed the high sensitivity of digital image analysis by the APAS Independence such that negative cultures can be reliably reported without technologist intervention (negative predictive values [NPVs] of 100% for CHROMagar MRSA and 99.0% for CHROMagar Staph aureus). Triaging using the APAS Independence may provide great efficiency in a laboratory with high throughput of MRSA and S. aureus surveillance cultures.
A comparative evaluation of voting and meta-learning on partitioned data

Abstract Much of the research in inductive learning concentrates on problems with relatively small amounts of data. With the coming age of very large network computing, it is likely that orders of magnitude more data in databases will be available for various learning problems of real world importance. Some learning algorithms assume that the entire data set fits into main memory, which is not feasible for massive amounts of data. One approach to handling a large data set is to partition the data set into subsets, run the learning algorithm on each of the subsets, and combine the results. In this paper we evaluate different techniques for learning from partitioned data. Our meta-learning approach is empirically compared with techniques in the literature that aim to combine multiple evidence to arrive at one prediction.
A basic security plan for a generic organization

Different organizations have plans in place to implement security in their computers and networks. In this paper, we examine the pros and cons of implementing a generic security plan on wired networks. The work presented here stems from an Independent Study course taken by an undergraduate student in the spring 2003 semester. It is hoped that this paper will provide new ideas for educators to direct student research in this important subject as Independent Study or Directed Research courses.We first describe the common threats to automated information systems and wired networks and classify them into accidental, intentional, passive and active threats. Then we describe security plans currently existing in several organizations and institutions. Of particular interest are the details of the security plans implemented in governmental (military) organizations, businesses and corporations, and consumer end of the Internet. Comparison and contrast of the strengths and limitations of these plans form the core of our work.Next, we discuss the organization-dependent issues and risk prevention policies that constitute the backbone of an adequate security plan for wired networks. Common threats related to government, business and home user networks are categorized and described in detail. Our overall goal is to develop a basic security plan, which is not only generic enough to be a good fit in any organization, but also customizable to its particular needs. Toward this end, we study the different types of security plans in existence and generate a minimal set of requirements, which meet the various categories of threats identified. In the future, we plan to implement the proposed minimal security plan on a campus network. Experiments prior and subsequent to the implementation of the plan will demonstrate its efficacy.
On the effects of test compaction on defect coverage

We study the effects of test compaction on the defect coverage of test sets for modeled faults. Using a framework proposed earlier, defects are represented by surrogate faults. Within this framework, we show that the defect coverage does not have to be sacrificed by test compaction, if the test set is computed using appropriate test generation objectives. Moreover, two test sets, one compacted and one non-compacted, generated using the same test generation objectives, typically have similar defect coverages, even if the compacted one is significantly smaller than the uncompacted one. Test generation procedures and experimental results to support these claims are presented.
Structure and electronic states in a-Si:H

An overview of recent theoretical accomplishments in the study of the electronic structure of hydrogenated amorphous silicon is presented. Special emphasis is placed on attempts to elucidate the relationships among bonding, structure and electronic states. This includes the search for an understanding of the nature of the properties of a variety of silicon-hydrogen bonding conformations and bonding coordination defects. Particular attention is paid to the interpretation of results in terms of the effects of bulk-like and surface-like environments, the effects of quantitative and topological disorders, and the formation of band-like and gap-like states.
A new application of the reciprocity relations to the study of fluid flows through fixed beds

Creeping flow through an array of spheres with small volume fraction φ is studied theoretically. It is observed that it can be described macroscopically by Brinkman's equation. A generalized version of the reciprocity relations is used to determine the viscous term up to O(φ2) for the case of random configuration and up to O(φ3) for the case of periodic, cubic configurations of the fixed bed.
Inhibition of erbB receptor (HER) tyrosine kinases as a strategy to abrogate antiestrogen resistance in human breast cancer.

It has been proposed that binding of ligand to the estrogen receptor (ER) releases its association with transcriptional corepressors, allowing the ER to recruit coactivators, which possess histone acetylase activity, and induce transcription of gene promoters containing estrogen response elements. It has also been proposed that the antiestrogen tamoxifen recruits transcriptional corepressors to the AF-2 region of the hormone-binding domain of the ER, thus blocking ER-mediated transcription. The ER cross-talks with a number of mitogenic signaling pathways and second messengers, like the epidermal growth factor receptor, the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt, dopamine, and cyclic AMP. Some of these molecules may: ( a ) support ligand-independent ER transcription; ( b ) increase the association of ER with coactivators of transcription; and/or ( c ) reduce the antiestrogen-induced association of ER with corepressors. These events either alone or in combination may result in hormone independence and/or antiestrogen resistance. We have examined whether signaling by HER2/ neu (erbB-2) receptor tyrosine kinase, which can induce antiestrogen resistance, can also disrupt the tamoxifeninduced interaction of ER with transcriptional corepressors. Notably, tamoxifen-induced association of ER with the transcriptional corepressors N-CoR or SMRT was reduced in HER2-overexpressing breast tumor cells but not in cells with low HER2 levels. Small molecule inhibitors of the HER2 kinase or MAP extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 or dominant-negative MAP extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 constructs restored the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on both ER-mediated transcription and tumor cell proliferation. Treatment with both tamoxifen and the small molecule HER1/2 kinase inhibitor AG1478 reduced mitogen-activated protein kinase activity and markedly reduced growth of established MCF-7/HER2 xenografts in athymic nude mice. Similar results have been obtained with ZD1839 (“Iressa”), an epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1) tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Taken together, these data suggest that exogenous inhibitors of the HER-signaling network and other mitogenic pathways can abrogate or delay the emergence of antiestrogen resistance, thus providing an evaluable therapeutic strategy in human breast carcinoma.
Childhood Sexual Violence and Consistent, Effective Contraception Use among Young, Sexually Active Urban Women

Unintended pregnancy (UP) is a significant public health problem. The consistent use of effective contraception is the primary method to prevent UP. We examined the role of childhood sexual and physical violence and current interpersonal violence on the risk of unintended pregnancy among young, urban, sexually active women. In particular, we were interested in examining the role of childhood violence and interpersonal violence while recognizing the psychological correlates of experiencing violence (i.e., high depressive symptoms and low self-esteem) and consistent use of contraception. For this assessment, 315 sexually active women living in Philadelphia PA were recruited from family planning clinics in 2013. A self-administered, computer-assisted interview was used to collect data on method of contraception use in the past month, consistency of use, experiences with violence, levels of depressive symptoms, self-esteem and sexual self-efficacy, substance use and health services utilization. Fifty percent of young sexually active women reported inconsistent or no contraception use in the past month. Inconsistent users were significantly more likely to report at least one prior episode of childhood sexual violence and were significantly less likely to have received a prescription for contraception from a health care provider. Inconsistent contraception users also reported significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms and significantly lower levels of self-esteem. The relation between childhood sexual violence and UP remained unchanged in the multivariate models adjusting for self-esteem or depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the long-term consequences of childhood sexual violence, independent of current depressive symptoms and low self-esteem, on consistent use of contraception.
La rebelión de Jacinto Canek en Yucatán: una nueva interpretación

La famosa rebelion de Jacinto Canek, en el pueblo de Cisteil en 1761, por falta de informacion ha sido mal interpretada, ya sea como un motin de borrachos, ya como una sublevacion noble en contra de la explotacion colonialista. Un estudio del juicio criminal que resulto de la rebelion destaca la naturaleza del fenomeno. Fue una rebelion sumamente seria, con un fuerte contenido anticolonialista, pero las causas parecen ser mas de naturaleza cultural que economica. Los mayas siguieron creyendo en una version ciclica de la historia, la cual les dio a entender que un dia en el futuro ellos dominarian a los espanoles. Jacinto Canek escogio un nombre con alto significado historico para los mayas, se proclamo rey y encabezo una rebelion que tuvo por meta el dominio politico y religioso de los mayas en Yucatan. Miles de indigenas creyeron que era el rey anunciado por la profecia y que los dias de los espanoles estaban contados. El movimiento intento revitalizar la cultura maya despues de dos siglos de colonialismo, pero los espanoles lograron sofocar la rebelion antes de que se pudiera extender mas alla del centro de la Peninsula
Neuropeptide Y1 receptor is a key element in stress response to food deprivation (1126.7)

The hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis functions as a default pathway for the maintenance of energy homeostasis. Food restriction or deprivation leads to prolonged HPA axis activation but th...
Intracellular sodium modulates mitochondrial calcium signaling in vascular endothelial cells.

Abstract We have investigated the role of extramitochondrial Na+ for the regulation of mitochondrial Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]m) in permeabilized single vascular endothelial cells. [Ca2+]m was measured by loading the cells with the membrane-permeant Ca2+ indicator fluo-3/AM and subsequent removal of cytoplasmic fluo-3 by surface membrane permeabilization with digitonin. An elevation of extramitochondrial Ca2+ resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the rate of Ca2+accumulation into mitochondria (k 0.5 = 3 μm) via the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter. In the presence of 10 mm extramitochondrial Na+([Na+]em), repetitive application of brief pulses of high Ca2+ (2–10 μm) to simulate cytoplasmic [Ca2+] oscillations caused transient increases of [Ca2+]m characterized by a fast rising phase that was followed by a slow decay. Removal of extramitochondrial Na+ or inhibition of mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchange with clonazepam blocked mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux and resulted in a net accumulation of Ca2+ by the mitochondria. Half-maximal activation of mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchange occurred at [Na+]em = 4.4 mm, which is well within the physiological range of cytoplasmic [Na+]. This study provides evidence that Ca2+efflux from the mitochondria in vascular endothelial cells occurs solely via Na+/Ca2+ exchange and emphasizes the important role of intracellular Na+ for mitochondrial Ca2+ regulation.
On efficient solution of complex systems of interlinked multistage separators

Abstract Solution procedures are described for reducing the computational resources required for the simultaneous solution of complex arrangements of interlinked fractionators. These methods use a block structure in the manner of the Naphtali-Sandholm approach to single column problems, but employ bordered matrix forms to maintain sparsity during the solution. The procedures are particularly useful in conjunction with quasi-Newton solution methods.
Ethics of operative scheduling: fiduciary patient responsibilities and more.

You are a vascular surgeon with an arduous operativeschedule in a large private hospital. Your ﬁrst two casestoday took much longer than estimated, and your thirdcase has been changed to “add-on” status. Your re-mainingpatientisanindigentpatientwithnoninfectedgangrene of the ﬁfth toe and rest pain; he requires afemoral-popliteal bypass within 24 hours to avoid ad-ditional risk. All ORs except the trauma room arecurrently occupied. Stafﬁng drops off with the shiftchange in 1 hour, and afterwards incoming traumapatients will probably delay the start of other cases. Ifyour case is declared an emergency, it will be startednow; otherwise it must wait until a room opens. Nocases are pending in the ER. Tomorrow is your clinicday and your operative schedule is full for the remain-der of the week. What should you do?
Dysregulation of leptin signaling in Alzheimer disease: evidence for neuronal leptin resistance

Leptin signaling has received considerable attention in the Alzheimer disease (AD) field. Within the past decade, the peptide hormone has been demonstrated to attenuate tau hyperphosphorylation in neuronal cells and to be modulated by amyloid-β. Moreover, a role in neuroprotection and neurogenesis within the hippocampus has been shown in animal models. To further characterize the association between leptin signaling and vulnerable regions in AD, we assessed the profile of leptin and the leptin receptor in AD and control patients. We analyzed leptin levels in CSF, and the concentration and localization of leptin and leptin receptor in the hippocampus. Significant elevations in leptin levels in both CSF and hippocampal tissue of AD patients, compared with age-matched control cases, indicate a physiological up-regulation of leptin in AD. However, the level of leptin receptor mRNA decreased in AD brain and the leptin receptor protein was localized to neurofibrillary tangles, suggesting a severe discontinuity in the leptin signaling pathway. Collectively, our results suggest that leptin resistance in the hippocampus may play a role in the characteristic changes associated with the disease. These findings are the first to demonstrate such dysregulated leptin-signaling circuitry and provide novel insights into the possible role of aberrant leptin signaling in AD. In this study, increased leptin was found in CSF and hippocampus in Alzheimer disease indicating its physiological up-regulation, yet leptin receptor mRNA was decreased and leptin receptor protein was localized to neurofibrillary tangles, suggesting a discontinuity in the leptin signaling pathway. The lack of leptin signaling within degenerating neurons may represent a novel neuronal leptin resistance in Alzheimer disease.
Intracellular calcium during excitation-contraction coupling in mammalian ventricle.

WIER, W. G. Intracellular calcium during excitation-contraction coupling in mammalian ventricle. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 23, No. 10, pp. 1149–1156, 1991. A rapid, transient, rise in cytoplasmic free calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i-transient) couples electrical excitation to contraction in muscle. Such [Ca2+]i-transients in muscle are actually subcellular spatio-temporal events that are determined dynamically by i) diffusional fluxes of Ca2+, ii) by the binding or unbinding of Ca2+ to ligands such as troponin c and calmodulin, and iii) by the various cellular processes, such as release of Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum, that produce fluxes of Ca2+ across the membranes bounding organelles or the cell. In heart muscle, a particularly large number of cellular processes contribute to the cytoplasmic [Ca2+]i-transient, compared with skeletal muscle. In addition, the actual change in cytoplasmic free [Ca2+]i is now known to be a small fraction of the total [Ca] transient (free plus bound) because most (98 to 99%) of the Ca2+ that enters the cytoplasm binds to ligands. In this article it is shown that under most physiological conditions the SR is the major determinant of the [Ca2+]i-transient in heart, that release of Ca2+ from the SR is induced by Ca2+ entering via L-type Ca2+-channels, and that the Na/Ca exchanger is the major route by which Ca2+ leaves the cell. The precise quantitative contribution of all these processes to the [Ca2+]i-transient still remains to be determined, however.
Organizational Climate: Science or Folklore?

Current status of theory and research in organizational climate is reviewed. Major research questions surrounding organizational climate are: (a) Are perceptual and objective measures of climate measuring the same construct? (b) Do perceptual measures of climate measure attributes of people or attributes of organizations? (c) Does the concept of climate merely duplicate other concepts such as job satisfaction? Some research trends are examined and suggestions for future research are made.
Brief sleep treatment with chlorpromazine

Abstract A technique utilizing brief periods of sound narcosis (24–48 hours of sleep treatment) induced by chlorpromazine is described. It proved to be an effective and efficient therapeutic-diagnostic-management tool for severely behaviorally-disturbed and uncontrolled patients in an open, crisis-oriented milieu ward in Vietnam where no other facilities for managing such patients existed. The patient's behavioral state (assaultive, agitated, excited, disruptive manifestations) rather than a nosological diagnostic category constituted the indication for a trial of brief sleep treatment. The success of the treatment could usually be predicted from the promptness with which the patient succumbed to the soporific effects of chlorpromazine upon its initial administration and from the “soundness” of his sleep. Thus it became particularly helpful in differentially diagnosing acute or transient psychotic stress states from the more entrenched, persistent ones. The degree to which this therapeutic tool may have aborted more lasting psychotic reactions was not assessed through the use of control patients, nor was the possible efficacy of drugs other than the antipsychotic, chlorpromazine, determined. No hypothesis for the possible specific therapeutic effects of chlorpromazine-induced sleep is advanced, though some appear in the world literature. 8,9,16,29 Because the usual complications of sleep treatment have been minimized by the particular form in which it was used here and because of the potential implications of this relatively simple and safe technique for the crisis management of severely disturbed psychiatric patients in the civilian community (secondary prevention), especially for settings which have limited psychiatric treatment resources, a description of this technique and a discussion of its results have been presented.
The ErbB3-binding protein EBP1 modulates lapatinib sensitivity in prostate cancer cells

Although ErbB receptors have been implicated in prostate cancer progression, ErbB-directed drugs have not proven effective for prostate cancer treatment. The ErbB3-binding protein EBP1 affects both ErbB2 and androgen receptor signaling, two components of the response to ErbB-targeted therapies. We therefore examined the effects of EBP1 expression on the response to the ErbB1/2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor lapatinib. We found a negative correlation between endogenous EBP1 levels and lapatinib sensitivity in prostate cancer cell lines. We then overexpressed or inhibited expression of EBP1. Silencing EBP1 expression increased lapatinib sensitivity and overexpression of EBP1 increased resistance in androgen-containing media. Androgen depletion resulted in an increased sensitivity of androgen-dependent EBP1 expressing cells to lapatinib, but did not affect the lapatinib sensitivity of hormone resistant cells. However, EBP1 silenced cells were still more sensitive to lapatinib than EBP1-expressing cells in the absence of androgens. The increase in sensitivity to lapatinib following EBP1 silencing was associated with increased ErbB2 levels. In addition, lapatinib treatment increased ErbB2 levels in sensitive cells that express low levels of EBP1, but decreased ErbB2 levels in resistant EBP1-expressing cells. In contrast, ErbB3 and phospho ErbB3 levels were not affected by either changes in EBP1 levels or lapatinib treatment. The production of the ErbB3/4 ligand heregulin was increased in EBP1-silenced cells. EBP1-induced changes in AR levels were not associated with changes in lapatinib sensitivity. These studies suggest that the ability of EBP1 to activate ErbB2 signaling pathways results in increased lapatinib sensitivity.
Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Renewable Natural Gas as Vehicle Fuel

Today more than 300 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas and 1,680 MW of electricity are produced from the decomposition of organic waste at 541 U.S. landfills. Since landfill gas (LFG) is a renewable resource, this energy is considered renewable. When used as a vehicle fuel, LFG-based compressed natural gas (CNG) consumes up to 1,100 Btu of fossil fuel and generates up to 120 g of carbon dioxide equivalent (gCO2e) greenhouse gas emissions per mile on a well-to-wheel basis. This amount compares with about 7,500 Btu and 500 gCO2e per mile for CNG from fossil natural gas and 8,000 Btu and 650 gCO2e per mile for petroleum gasoline. Liquefying the LFG consumes another 400+ Btu of fossil fuel and 30+ gCO2e per mile if grid electricity is used for the process. However, if some of the LFG is used to generate electricity for gas cleanup and liquefaction (or compression), liquefied natural gas (or CNG) produced from LFG can have no fossil fuel input and only minimal CO2e emissions on a well-to-wheel ...
Foxbats over Dimona: the Soviets nuclear dilemma in the Six Day War

Isabella Ginor and Gideon Remez, New Haven, CT, Yale University Press, 2007, xi+287 pp In Foxbats Over Dimona, Isabella Ginor and Gideon Remez concur with many orthodox accounts that argue that the...
Various antibiotics and 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenyl arsonic acid in corn-peanut meal rations for swine.

SummaryOf the various substances tested in this experiment only aureomycin and terramycin gave significant growth response. This response was approximately the same in magnitude. These two antibiotics controlled an intermittent type of diarrhea observed on the basal ration. The other treatments were not effective in this respect.
Development, characterization and therapy of a disseminated model of childhood neuroblastoma in SCID mice.

Purpose: To develop a highly reproducible model of disseminated childhood neuroblastoma in mice to allow secondary evaluation of therapeutics against microscopic disseminated disease. Methods: CB17/Icr SCID were injected i.v. with 103 to 5×106 human NB-1691 neuroblastoma cells. NB-1691 cells were detected by PCR for synaptophysin and tyrosine hydroxylase in peripheral blood, and bone marrow. Therapeutic studies evaluated topotecan and vincristine as single agents or in combination. Topotecan was administered i.v. daily for 5 days on two consecutive weeks. Courses were repeated every 21 days for three cycles. Vincristine (1 mg/kg) was administered i.v. every 7 days for nine consecutive weeks. Treatment started 11–21 days after tumor cell inoculation. Results: Following injection of ≥1×105 cells 100% of mice developed disease. Mice inoculated with 107 cells survived a median of 42 days. Survival time was a linear function of the cell inoculum. At autopsy, gross tumor was routinely detected in many organs in particular liver, ovaries, kidneys and adrenals. NB-1691 cells were detected by PCR in peripheral blood, and bone marrow. Immunohistochemical staining showed that lesions were strongly positive for synaptophysin, chromogranin A and negative for leukocyte common antigen. Topotecan (0.6 mg/kg) alone extended median survival from 44 days (controls) to 95 days. When treatment was started 21 days after inoculation of NB-1691 cells, topotecan extended median survival from 39 days (controls) to 91 and 99 days at dose levels of 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg, respectively. Vincristine (1 mg/kg) extended survival by a median of 9.5 days. In combination with vincristine (1 mg/kg), median survival was increased to 141 days (topotecan 0.6 mg/kg) and 159 days (topotecan 1.0 mg/kg). Conclusion: This model of disseminated neuroblastoma is highly reproducible. As this model may more closely simulate childhood disease it may be a valuable adjunct in developing new approaches to advanced stage, poor prognosis neuroblastoma.
Performing custom microRNA microarray experiments.

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a large family of ˜ 22 nucleotides (nt) long RNA molecules that are widely expressed in eukaryotes 1. Complex genomes encode at least hundreds of miRNAs, which primarily inhibit the expression of a vast number of target genes post-transcriptionally 2, 3. miRNAs control a broad range of biological processes 1. In addition, altered miRNA expression has been associated with human diseases such as cancers, and miRNAs may serve as biomarkers for diseases and prognosis 4, 5. It is important, therefore, to understand the expression and functions of miRNAs under many different conditions. Three major approaches have been employed to profile miRNA expression: real-time PCR, microarray, and deep sequencing. The technique of miRNA microarray has the advantage of being high-throughput, generally less expensive, and most of the experimental and analysis steps can be carried out in a molecular biology laboratory at most universities, medical schools and associated hospitals. Here, we describe a method for performing custom miRNA microarray experiments. A miRNA probe set will be printed on glass slides to produce miRNA microarrays. RNA is isolated using a method or reagent that preserves small RNA species, and then labeled with a fluorescence dye. As a control, reference DNA oligonucleotides corresponding to a subset of miRNAs are also labeled with a different fluorescence dye. The reference DNA will serve to demonstrate the quality of the slide and hybridization and will also be used for data normalization. The RNA and DNA are mixed and hybridized to a microarray slide containing probes for most of the miRNAs in the database. After washing, the slide is scanned to obtain images, and intensities of the individual spots quantified. These raw signals will be further processed and analyzed as the expression data of the corresponding miRNAs. Microarray slides can be stripped and regenerated to reduce the cost of microarrays and to enhance the consistency of microarray experiments. The same principles and procedures are applicable to other types of custom microarray experiments.
DNA Methylation in Ovarian Cancer: II. Expression of DNA Methyltransferases in Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines and Normal Ovarian Epithelial Cells

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate whether expression of the enzymes that catalyze cytosine CpG island methylation, DNA methyltransferases, DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b is altered in human ovarian cancer. Aberrations in DNA methylation are common in cancer and have important roles in tumor initiation and progression. Tumors that display frequent and concurrent inactivation of multiple genes by methylation are designated as having a CpG Island methylator phenotype, or CIMP. To date, colon, gastric, and most recently ovarian cancers meet the CIMP criteria for cancer. We hypothesized that altered expression of DNA methyltransferases can result in hypermethylation events seen in CIMP cancers. Methods. DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b mRNA levels in eight ovarian cancer cells lines (Hey, HeyA8, HeyC2, OVCAR-3, SK-OV-3, PA-1, A2780, and A2780-P5) were compared to DNMT expression in normal ovarian surface epithelial cells using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results. In HeyA8 and HeyC2 ovarian cancer cells, DNMT1 expression levels were up to threefold higher ( P DNMT3b expression ( P DNMT3a, however, were similar in cancer and normal ovarian cells. Conclusions. We observed differential expression of the DNMT genes in some ovarian cancer cell lines and conclude that alterations in DNMT expression might contribute to the CIMP phenotype in ovarian cancer. However, based on the lack of aberrant DNMT expression in some of the cancer cell lines examined, we further suggest that another mechanism(s), in addition to DNMT overexpression, accounts for methylation anomalies commonly observed in ovarian cancer.
Review of biomedical signal and image processing

This article is a review of the book “Biomedical Signal and Image Processing” by Kayvan Najarian and Robert Splinter, which is published by CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. It will evaluate the contents of the book and discuss its suitability as a textbook, while mentioning highlights of the book, and providing comparison with other textbooks.
Non-equilibrium evaporation and condensation from a liquid layer heated from below at microgravity

The non-equilibrium evaporation or condensation under weightless conditions across an interface between a viscous gas and a viscous liquid, which is heated from below, is investigated. Numerical results based on an exact solution of the problem involving a moving boundary are obtained to delineate the functional relations between relevant parameters and the evaporation coefficient which appears in the theory of nonequilibrium evaporation. Based on the results of the exact solution a conceptual experiment is suggested for determining the evaporation coefficient under weightless conditions. The coefficient determined in a micro-gravity environment will be free from being masked by the natural convection effect on earth.
Influence of apheresis container size on the maintenance of platelet in vitro storage properties after a 30-h interruption of agitation.

Abstract We have previously conducted studies investigating maintenance of apheresis platelet in vitro quality measures during storage under simulated shipping conditions in which agitation was interrupted. This study examines the effect of increasing bag surface area on the preservation of in vitro platelet properties during storage with continuous agitation and with a 30h interruption of agitation. Apheresis platelets were collected in 100% plasma with the Amicus® separator to provide two identical platelet products, each with approximately 4–5×10 11 platelets. After collection, the volume was divided equally between 1.0 and 1.3L PL2410 containers. In an initial study, both products were continuously agitated. In a second study, both products were subjected to a single 30-h period of interrupted agitation between Days 2 and 3 of storage by placement in a standard shipping box at room temperature. In each study, units were assayed during storage for standard in vitro platelet quality measures. Platelets stored in the 1.3L container maintained slightly greater mean pH during 7day storage with either continuous agitation ( n =6) or with a 30-h interruption of agitation ( n =12) than those of similarly treated identical platelets stored in the 1.0L container. Most noteworthy, in experiments with products stored in the 1.0L container in which there was a large decrease in pH to levels n =4, respectively). Other measures showed either small differences or comparability of platelet in vitro parameters with storage in the two containers after an interruption of agitation.
STIPE ANATOMY, WATER POTENTIALS, AND XYLEM CONDUCTANCES IN SEVEN SPECIES OF FERNS (FILICOPSIDA)

Anatomy and water relations were studied for the desert fern Notholaena parryi, as well as six other ferns representing three different orders which occupied xeric as well as mesic habitats. Tracheid number and diameter, and total xylem cross sectional area increased during leaf development for N. parryi; the whole plant conductance (volume flow of water through a stipe divided by the rhizome-to-leaf water potential drop) increased but tended to level off as the leaves matured. The reported occurrences of very steep water potential gradients (about 25 MPa m-1) in stipes of N. parryi were confirmed. The ferns with the highest whole plant conductances (Alsophila australis, Botrychium dissectum, and Adiantum capillus-veneris) had the largest or greatest number of tracheids. Numerous tracheids in Botrychium dissectum offset a low tracheary conductivity, whereas Marsilea vestita had few tracheids resulting in a low whole plant conductance. Whole plant conductances for the ferns were 2 to 3 orders of magnitude less than those generally observed for angiosperms and 6 orders less than for gymnosperms. However, the relative conductivity (whole plant conductance times stipe xylem length divided by xylem area) was only 5to 10-fold less than for angiosperms and about the same as for the gymnosperms. Stipe water relations in these ferns are discussed in relation to the evolution of
Validation of Kernel-Driven Semiempirical Models for the Surface Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function of Land Surfaces

Abstract The seniempirical, kernel-driven Ambrals BRDF model was developed for correcting and studying view and illuinination angle effects of a wide variety of land covers in remote sensing applications. This model, also scheduled for use in producing a global bidirectional reflectance distribution function and albedo data product from EOSMODI and MISR data, is validated in this article by demonstrating its ability to model 27 different multiangular data sets well, representing major types of land cover. The selection of the kernels used in the model is shown to relate to land cover type, and the inversion accuracy to be good in nearly all cases: the correlation coefficient between modeled and observed reflectances is larger than 0.9 for about half o f the data sets and larger than 0.70 in all but two cases where the observations are irregular. The average root mean squared error of the inversions is 0.034. A new kernel modeling the sun zenith angle dependence of multiple scattering is introduced and shown to improve fits for dense vegetation. Operation of the Ambrals model is demonstrated by applying it to an ASAS image on a per-pixel basis.
Chlorizidine, a Cytotoxic 5H-Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoindol-5-one-Containing Alkaloid from a Marine Streptomyces sp.

Cultivation of an obligate marine Streptomyces strain has provided the cytotoxic natural product chlorizidine A. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that the metabolite is composed of a chlorinated 2,3-dihydropyrrolizine ring attached to a chlorinated 5H-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoindol-5-one. The carbon stereocenter in the dihydropyrrolizine is S-configured. Remarkably, the 5H-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoindol-5-one moiety has no precedence in the field of natural products. The presence of this ring system, which was demonstrated to undergo facile nucleophilic substitution reactions at the activated carbonyl group, is essential to the molecule’s cytotoxicity against HCT-116 human colon cancer cells.