cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Orientation and Packing of Aliphatic Chain Molecules on Montmorillonite1

Aliphatic chain molecules may be adsorbed on montmorillonite surfaces with the zigzag of their carbon chain either parallel or perpendicular to the surface. These orientations are designated αII and αI, respectively. Fourier syntheses have too few terms to distinguish clearly between these orientations. The problem is studied therefore by consideration of the basal spacings. These spacings are appreciably less than the sum of the van der Waals cross-section of the molecules plus the thickness of the montmorillonite layer. Chemical bonding or geometrical packing, or both, appear as possible explanations. Previous studies have shown that CH activity influences the shape of the adsorption isotherms, but infrared studies of the adsorbed molecules have shown no appreciable change in the CH-stretching frequencies. This suggests the importance of the CH activity for organic—organic interaction on the clay surface rather than for clay-organic interaction itself. The possibility of geometrical packing is studied by means of molecular models and it is shown that an appreciable contraction can occur at a clay-organic interlace owing to a keying of the molecules into the surface structure. This is possible equally well for the αII and the αI orientations. From the information available, it appears that the αII arrangement is adopted by aliphatic chain molecules containing strongly polar groups in order to place the dipole parallel to the silicate surface, while the αI arrangement is favored by other aliphatic chain molecules possibly because this provides a favorable organic-organic interaction.
Health-related quality of life, educational and family outcomes in survivors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) survivors experience increased risk of medical and neurodevelopmental challenges. This study describes the health-related quality of life (HRQOL), special education utilization and the family impact among neonatal CDH survivors. A single-center prospective cohort of CDH survivors born between 1995 and 2006 was followed. Parents completed the PedsQL HRQOL index and a Family Impact survey to assess the need for medical equipment, home health services, and special education and quantify the burden placed on the family by their child’s medical needs. Parents of 32 survivors participated at a mean survivor age of 8 ± 4 years. Many survivors utilized medical equipment (62%), home health services (18%) and special education (28%). CDH survivor HRQOL (79 ± 17) did not differ significantly from that of healthy children (83 ± 15, p = 0.12). HRQOL was diminished among survivors who required special education (67 ± 8 vs 82 ± 3; p = 0.04) and those reporting increased Family Impact score (p = 0.001). Many CDH survivors continue to require home medical equipment and home health services at school age. Most survivors have normal parent-reported HRQOL; however, the need for special education and higher family impact of neonatal CDH correlates with decreased HRQOL.
Quality indicators to measure the effect of opioid stewardship interventions in hospital and emergency department settings.

Purpose The purpose of this project was to develop a set of valid and feasible quality indicators used to track opioid stewardship efforts in hospital and emergency department settings. Methods Candidate quality indicators were extracted from published literature. Feasibility screening excluded quality indicators that cannot be reliably extracted from the electronic health record or that are irrelevant to pain management in the hospital and emergency department settings. Validity screening used an electronic survey of key stakeholders including pharmacists, nurses, physicians, administrators, and researchers. Stakeholders used a 9-point Likert scale to rate the validity of each quality indicator based on predefined criteria. During expert panel discussions, stakeholders revised quality indicator wording, added new quality indicators, and voted to include or exclude each quality indicator. Priority ranking used a second electronic survey and a 9-point Likert scale to prioritize the included quality indicators. Results Literature search yielded 76 unique quality indicators. Feasibility screening excluded 9 quality indicators. The validity survey was completed by 46 (20%) of 228 stakeholders. Expert panel discussions yielded 19 valid and feasible quality indicators. The top 5 quality indicators by priority were: the proportion of patients with (1) naloxone administrations, (2) as needed opioids with duplicate indications, and (3) long acting or extended release opioids if opioid-naive, (4) the average dose of morphine milligram equivalents administered per day, and (5) the proportion of opioid discharge prescriptions exceeding 7 days. Conclusion Multi-professional stakeholders across a health system participated in this consensus process and developed a set of 19 valid and feasible quality indicators for opioid stewardship interventions in the hospital and emergency department settings.
Incidence and risk factors of contrast-induced nephropathy after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is widely used for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study was to investigate incidence and risk factors of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after TACE in patients with HCC. In this single-center retrospective study, we examined 461 consecutive TACE sessions in 260 patients between January 2003 and October 2015. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine levels by ≥ 0.5 mg/dl or ≥ 25% from baseline within 72 h after TACE. We calculated incidence rate of CIN and tried to identify its risk factors by logistic regression analysis. Twenty-one cases of CIN (5%) were observed in 461 TACE sessions. One patient required subsequent hemodialysis transiently. In univariate analysis, tumor size > 5 cm [odds ratio (OR) 5.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.34–14.14, p 5 cm (OR 7.81, 95% CI 2.99–20.46, p < 0.001) and serum albumin [OR 0.29 (per 1 g/dl increase), 95% CI 0.11–0.75, p = 0.01] were risk factors of CIN. In this study, HCC tumor size and lower serum albumin level were independent predictors of CIN after TACE.
Data craft: a theory/methods package for critical internet studies

ABSTRACTDisinformation campaigns continue to thrive online, despite social media companies’ efforts at identifying and culling manipulation on their platforms. Framing these manipulation tactics as...
Asthma Health Disparities

Asthma is common in adults and in children. Asthma prevalence, morbidity, and mortality are not experienced equally in the United States. For decades, asthma health disparities have been known and interventions implemented, and yet the disparities continue. In this chapter, we describe the state of asthma health disparities and explanations for why they persist. We then discuss efforts in Chicago to reduce asthma health disparities. Multilevel, collaborative efforts are necessary to reduce asthma morbidity and mortality and provide equal access to care for all with asthma in the United States.
Divergent genes encoding the putative receptors for growth hormone and prolactin in sea lamprey display distinct patterns of expression

Growth hormone receptor (GHR) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) in jawed vertebrates were thought to arise after the divergence of gnathostomes from a basal vertebrate. In this study we have identified two genes encoding putative GHR and PRLR in sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and Arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum), extant members of one of the oldest vertebrate groups, agnathans. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that lamprey GHR and PRLR cluster at the base of gnathostome GHR and PRLR clades, respectively. This indicates that distinct GHR and PRLR arose prior to the emergence of the lamprey branch of agnathans. In the sea lamprey, GHR and PRLR displayed a differential but overlapping pattern of expression; GHR had high expression in liver and heart tissues, whereas PRLR was expressed highly in the brain and moderately in osmoregulatory tissues. Branchial PRLR mRNA levels were significantly elevated by stage 5 of metamorphosis and remained elevated through stage 7, whereas levels of GHR mRNA were only elevated in the final stage (7). Branchial expression of GHR increased following seawater (SW) exposure of juveniles, but expression of PRLR was not significantly altered. The results indicate that GHR and PRLR may both participate in metamorphosis and that GHR may mediate SW acclimation.
Data-Mining-Assisted Resonance Labeling in Ring-Based DWDM Transceivers

An algorithm using hierarchical clustering is proposed to label resonances in ring-based DWDM transceivers. By identifying missing resonances and split-peaks due to reflection, the algorithm enables binning of individual ring resonances by passive optical tests.
Profiles of Early Actions and Gestures in Infants With an Older Sibling With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Purpose Infants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) produce fewer play actions and gestures than neurotypical infants (e.g., Mastrogiuseppe et al., 2015; Veness et al., 2012; Zwaigenbaum et al., 2005). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether different "types" of actions and gestures are more or less likely to develop atypically in ASD. Method We examined eight types of actions and gestures longitudinally from ages 8 to 14 months in 80 infants with a heightened risk for developing ASD by virtue of having an affected older sibling (high risk [HR]; e.g., Ozonoff et al., 2011) and 25 infants with no such familial risk (low risk). Data were collected using the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (Fenson et al., 1994, 1993). Results HR infants later diagnosed with ASD showed less growth across nearly all types of actions and gestures compared to the low-risk comparison group. Importantly, these HR infants who were later diagnosed with ASD also exhibited reduced growth in frequent deictic gestures and in actions that involve object manipulation relative to HR infants with non-ASD language delay. Conclusions During infancy, it is challenging for clinicians to distinguish ASD from other early communicative delays (e.g., Camarata, 2014). Our results indicate that deictic gestures, as well as actions and gestures involving object manipulation, may be useful targets of surveillance strategies for HR infants and could support early detection efforts for ASD.
A protein-free chemically defined medium for the cultivation of various micro-organisms with food safety significance

Aims To develop a broadly applicable medium free of proteins with well-defined and reproducible chemical composition for the cultivation of various micro-organisms with food safety significance. Methods and results The defined medium was designed as a buffered minimal salt medium supplemented with amino acids, vitamins, trace metals and other nutrients. Various strains commonly used for food safety research were selected to test the new defined medium. We investigated single growth factors needed by different strains and the growth performance of each strain cultivated in the defined medium. Results showed that the tested strains initially grew slower in the defined medium compared to tryptic soy broth, but after an overnight incubation cultures from the defined medium reached adequately high cell densities. Conclusions The newly designed defined medium can be widely applied in food safety studies that require media with well-defined chemical constituents. Significance and impact of the study Defined media are important in studies of microbial metabolites and physiological properties. A defined medium capable of cultivating different strains simultaneously is needed in the food safety area. The new defined medium has broader applications in comparing different strains directly and provides more reproducible results.
Associations of sexting with dating partners with adolescents’ romantic relationship behaviors and attitudes

Although most sexting among adolescents occurs in the context of romantic relationships, researchers have not fully investigated how relationships involving sexting differ from those that do not. T...
COMPASS: Online Sketch-based Query Optimization for In-Memory Databases

Cost-based query optimization remains a critical task in relational databases even after decades of research and industrial development. Query optimizers rely on a large range of statistical synopses for accurate cardinality estimation. As the complexity of selections and the number of join predicates increase, two problems arise. First, statistics cannot be incrementally composed to effectively estimate the cost of the sub-plans generated in plan enumeration. Second, small errors are propagated exponentially through joins, which can lead to severely sub-optimal plans. In this paper, we introduce COMPASS, a novel query optimization paradigm for in-memory databases based on a single type of statistics---Fast-AGMS sketches. In COMPASS, query optimization and execution are intertwined. Selection predicates and sketch updates are pushed-down and evaluated online during query optimization. This allows Fast-AGMS sketches to be computed only over the relevant tuples---which enhances cardinality estimation accuracy. Plan enumeration is performed over the query join graph by incrementally composing attribute-level sketches---not by building a separate sketch for every sub-plan. We prototype COMPASS in MapD -- an open-source parallel database -- and perform extensive experiments over the complete JOB benchmark. The results prove that COMPASS generates better execution plans -- both in terms of cardinality and runtime -- compared to four other database systems. Overall, COMPASS achieves a speedup ranging from 1.35X to 11.28X in cumulative query execution time over the considered competitors.
Economic Burden Associated With Management of Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Disorder

OBJECTIVES Paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM) is often misdiagnosed as asthma and tends to have a prolonged time to diagnosis. Study aims were to estimate the time from dyspnea onset to PVFM diagnosis, to estimate associated pre- and postdiagnosis direct and indirect healthcare cost, and to compare the cost of postdiagnosis care among patients who did and did not undergo standard-of-care speech therapy. METHODS Patients diagnosed with PVFM were identified retrospectively. Time from dyspnea symptom onset to diagnosis was measured. Direct costs consisting of office visits, procedures, and prescribed pharmaceuticals before and after diagnosis were calculated. Indirect costs associated with lost wages related to healthcare were also estimated. Costs for patients who initiated versus did not initiate speech therapy and who had successful versus unsuccessful therapy were compared. RESULTS Among 110 patients, median time from dyspnea onset to PVFM diagnosis was 33 months (interquartile range [IQR] 5-60). Direct and indirect prediagnosis median costs were $8,625 (IQR $1,687-$35,812) and $736 (IQR $421-$1,579) while first year following dyspnea symptom onset median direct and indirect costs were $1,706 (IQR $427-$7,118) and $315 (IQR $131-$631). Median direct and indirect costs of care in the postdiagnosis year were $2,062 (IQR $760-$11,496) and $841 (IQR $631-$1,261). Pharmaceuticals were predominant cost drivers in all time periods. Of those who completed speech therapy, 85% had breathing symptom improvement while incurring significant cost savings compared to those whose symptoms persisted. CONCLUSION Costs of care leading to diagnosis of PVFM are substantial. More efficient methods of identifying patients with PVFM are essential to reduce prolonged time to diagnosis and associated costs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE N/A Laryngoscope, 2021.
Hazardous Duty: Investigating Resistance to Police at the Point of Arrest Among Incarcerated Military Veterans:

The link between military service and crime has been a subject of investigation for several decades. Although research has examined the likelihood of arrest, incarceration, and recidivism across mi...
Combined PI3K and MLL inhibition synergizes in models of HR+ breast cancer

Abstract PI3K pathway hyperactivation, including mutational activation of the PIK3CA isoform that encodes p110α, is a common occurrence in hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer and has led to the clinical approval of the p110α-selective inhibitor alpelisib. However, PI3K inhibition as a monotherapy lacks durability, at least in part due to aberrant downstream activation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation. Here we show that inhibition of the H3K4 methyltransferase MLL1 in combination with PI3K inhibition reduces HR+ breast cancer clonogenicity and cell proliferation. While combined PI3K/MLL1 inhibition reduces AKT effector signaling and H3K4 methylation, MLL monotherapy may lead to PI3K effector hyperactivation, suggesting a feedback loop between MLL activity and AKT activation. We additionally show that combined PI3K and MLL1 inhibition synergizes to cause cell death in in vitro models of HR+ breast cancer, which is enhanced by the additional genetic ablation of the H3K4-directed methyltransferase MLL4. Together, our data provide evidence of a feedback mechanism connecting histone methylation with AKT and support the preclinical development and testing of pan-MLL inhibitors.
The ISIS Reader: Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement

This book review sketches Haroro J. Ingram, Craig Whiteside and Charlie Winter’s The ISIS Reader highlighting its central arguments and the methodology it employs. Followed by an overview of its co...
12 Nuclear Weapons: History and Technology

Our nation can be destroyed in half an hour, and there's nothing we can do to prevent it. That statement appeared in the predecessor to this book nearly three decades ago and, unfortunately, it's still true. The potential for national and even global devastation lies fundamentally in the nuclear difference, that million-fold increase in the energy associated with nuclear reactions. The energy stored in the thousands of nuclear weapons in the world's arsenals exceeds by many orders of magnitude the destructive capability that humankind has invoked in all its wars.
A Theory of Verbal Completeness

In this Article I will endorse the view that the most important modem function of the completeness rule is to trump otherwise applicable exclusionary rules, though not every rule in every instance. I will also offer the general proposition that it should almost always trump one large and important class of exclusionary rules, those based upon the "best evidence" principle, that is, the principle that parties should present to the tribunal the epistemically best evidence available to them on a given litigated issue.
Stochastic Transition Systems

Traditional methods for the analysis of system performance and reliability generally assume a precise knowledge of the system and its workload. Here, we present methods that are suited for the analysis of systems that contain partly unknown or unspecified components, such as systems in their early design stages.
Evaluation of USC human tracking system for surveillance videos

The evaluation results of a system for tracking humans in surveillance videos are presented. Moving blobs are detected based on adaptive background modeling. A shape based multi-view human detection system is used to find humans in moving regions. The detected responses are associated to infer the human trajectories. The shaped based human detection and tracking is further enhanced by a blob tracker to boost the performance on persons at a long distance from the camera. Finally the 2D trajectories are projected onto the 3D ground plane and their 3D speeds are used to verified the hypotheses. Results are given on the video test set of the VACE surveillance human tracking evaluation task.
A Comparative Analysis of Terrorist and Counter-Terrorism Operations in the United States and Russia – Implications on US-Russia Counter-Terrorism Policy.

The April, 2013 tragic Boston Marathon bombings by two United States Citizens of Russian origin was a demonstration of the weakness of counter-terrorism measures and lapses in the operational mechanisms of the US-Russia counter-terrorism task force. The paper uses theoretical and practical inferences to provide a comparative analysis of terrorist operations in the United States and the Russian Federation. Whilst the theoretical aspect outlines a background of terror groups in the US and Russia and their operational strategies, the practical approach provides a comparative analysis of counter-terrorism measures in the US and Russia, terrorist techniques and implications on the joint US-Russia counter-terrorism policy. The effectiveness of the US-Russia counter-terrorism task force largely depends on the willingness to adopt define common counter-terrorism mechanisms through defensive and preemptive lenses.
Flip chip advanced package solder joint embrittlement fault isolation using TDR

Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) is a non-destructive failure analysis technique that identifies the location of an open or short failure. It utilizes a system that sends electrical pulses through the sample and measures the reflected signal. By examining the polarity, amplitude, and other electrical signatures of all reflections, the location of the failure can be easily identified. This is done by comparing the waveform obtained from the device being tested with those obtained from known-good samples. The recent application of TDR on advanced packages has lead to the development of ways or methods to fault isolate flip chip or BGAs, even with low level failure such as solder joint embrittlement. By utilizing TDR, further analysis can be accurately focused on the failing spot and the cause of the failure can be determined efficiently.
Evidence of autumn spawning in Suwannee River Gulf sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi (Vladykov, 1955)

Summary Evidence of autumn spawning of Gulf sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi in the Suwannee River, Florida, was compiled from multiple investigations between 1986 and 2008. Gulf sturgeon are known from egg collections to spawn in the springtime months following immigration into rivers. Evidence of autumn spawning includes multiple captures of sturgeon in September through early November that were ripe (late-development ova; motile sperm) or exhibited just-spawned characteristics, telemetry of fish that made >175 river kilometer upstream excursions to the spawning grounds in September–October, and the capture of a 9.3 cm TL age-0 Gulf sturgeon on 29 November 2000 (which would have been spawned in late September 2000). Analysis of age-at-length data indicates that ca. 20% of the Suwannee River Gulf sturgeon population may be attributable to autumn spawning. However, with the very low sampling effort expended, eggs or early life stages have not yet been captured in the autumn, which would be the conclusive proof of autumn spawning. More sampling, and sampling at previously unknown sites frequented by acoustic telemetry fish, would be required to find eggs.
The "Individualist Entrepreneur" vs. Socially Sustainable Development: Can Microfinance Build Community?

In the post-Washington Consensus era, increasing emphasis on private sector-led strategies for economic growth has contributed to the focus of policymakers on entrepreneurship. However, many programs designed to support entrepreneurship are based on an erroneous and biased image of the entrepreneur, with important consequences for development processes and outcomes. Longstanding ideology underlying the entrepreneur as a rugged individual hero shapes not only the masculinist notion of entrepreneurship in most societies, but also the narrow focus and structure of entrepreneurship programs. Microfinance, however, is generally conceptualized as being "different" from other programs, particularly given its informal sector reach and common group lending model. This paper investigates the extent to which microfinance is able to build community, and to sustain individual entrepreneurs' attention to social solidarity economy. Alternative approaches to microfinance, which fundamentally restructure the way it works ...
Verification of Parent-Report of Child Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis to a Web-Based Autism Registry

Growing interest in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research requires increasingly large samples to uncover epidemiologic trends; such a large dataset is available in a national, web-based autism registry, the Interactive Autism Network (IAN). The objective of this study was to verify parent-report of professional ASD diagnosis to the registry's database via a medical record review on a sample of IAN Research participants. Sixty-one percent of families agreed to participate; 98% (n = 116) of whom provided documentation verifying a professionally diagnosed ASD. Results of this study suggest that information collected from parents participating in IAN Research is valid, participants can be authenticated, and that scientists can both confidently use IAN data and recruit participants for autism research.
Low-Cost Pole-Mounted VHF Radio Station for Bonneville Power Administration

This paper describes what is believed to be the nation's first completely transistorized pole-mounted 10-watt VHF land mobile radio repeater station powered by a combination rechargeable battery and thermoelectric generator unit. Over 2 years of field experience has been accumulated since this Station was installed December 7, 1962. The Unique power supply, which has been an unqualified success, comprises a 12-watt thermoelectric generator, a thermomotor which diverts the waste heat into the radio equipment cabinet at temperatures below 40°F, and a nickel-cadmium battery supply.
The panic attack questionnaire: Factor analysis of symptom profiles and characteristics of undergraduates who panic

Abstract Three hundred eleven female undergraduates completed the Trait form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Panic Attack Questionnaire. One hundred thirty-nine subjects reported having experienced a panic; ten met frequency and symptom criteria for panic disorder, four reported infrequent panic with fewer than four symptoms (limited symptom panic), and the remainder ( n = 125) were classified as infrequent panickers. Fifty-eight percent of the infrequent panickers had experienced an unexpected panic. Infrequent panickers had significantly higher trait anxiety than nonpanickers and were significantly more likely to have a family member who had experienced panic. Factor analysis of panic symptoms revealed four significant factors: panic cognitions and three factors involving physiological symptoms. Factor analytic procedures may shed light on characteristics that predict the development of panic disorder.
Treatment of Bilateral Cytomegalovirus Retinitis With Sustained-release Ganciclovir Implants in a Child

Purpose To report treatment of bilateral cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in an 11-year-old girl with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Method Case report describing the use of intravitreal ganciclovir sustained-release devices to treat CMV retinitis, involving zones 1 through 3, which progressed despite single and combination intravenous therapy with ganciclovir and foscarnet. Results Stabilization with no active CMV retinitis was achieved after bilateral implantation of intravitreal sustained-release ganciclovir devices. There was no reactivation of the retinitis during the 5 months of follow-up. Conclusion Sustained-release ganciclovir implants can be used to achieve local control of CMV retinitis in the pediatric patient.
An interactive three-dimensional color graphics system.

Abstract A three-dimensional image handling system is described for the interactive construction and manipulation of color images defined by polygon concatenation. The human operator, who has limited knowledge of the system, is provided interactively with a wide range of options for realizing a desired construction on a vector display. The images thus created are displayed on a color scan conversion subsystem. The specific application of this system is for the generation of three-dimensional solid forms in color with the system optimized in favor of human engineering principles.
Distortion of the Fluorescence Spectrum of all-trans-1,6-Diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene with Increasing Laser Pulse Excitation Energies

At high laser pulse excitation energies the fluorescence spectrum of all-trans-1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, DPH, undergoes distortion that can be modeled as the development of a new broad fluorescence, λmax = 497 nm, which builds up biphotonically with increasing excitation laser pulse power. This phenomenon is observed upon excitation at either 266 or 355 nm in a variety of organic solvents, provided [DPH] and excitation intensity are sufficiently high. Four possible sources for the distortion of the fluorescence spectrum are investigated: (1) excimer emission arising from DPH radical cation/anion pairs, (2) bicimer fluorescence from the encounter of two S1 states, (3) Sn → S1 fluorescence, and (4) self-absorption due to overlap of the fluorescence with transient absorption spectra. The first three possibilities are ruled out. The fourth is viable, revealing an effective transient absorption spectrum that agrees well with the known Sn ← S1 absorption spectrum at long wavelengths.
The neutral beam heating system for the tokamak fusion test reactor

Abstract A neutral beam injection system will be the principal heat source for the plasma of the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor. This system will use twelve positive ion sources (developed by Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory) on four beamlines (designed by Lawrence Livennore Laboratory) to deliver up to 27 MW of neutral power to the plasma as D0 at a maximum energy of 120 keV. The first two beamlines are becoming operational in 1984.
A new genus and species of mesostenine Ichneumonidae from Malaysia (parasitic Hymenoptera).

Abstract Malaycromia helmuti, gen. et sp. nov. is described from Malaysia. This species was reared from Gangara thyris (Hesperidae) pupae on rattan palm Calamus manan.
Serine proteases excite myenteric neurons through protease-activated receptors in guinea pig small intestine.

Background & Aims: Serine proteases are postulated to influence gastrointestinal function by stimulating protease-activated receptors (PARs). This study identified the effects on myenteric neurons of activating PARs and investigated underlying mechanisms ofaction. Methods: Intracellular electrophysiologic methods were used to study the effects of proteases on electrical and synaptic behavior ofmorphologically identified neurons in the guinea pig enteric nervous system. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry was used to study the chemical coding ofneurons that responded to PARs stimulation. Results: Application ofthrombin, trypsin, or mast cell tryptase evoked slowly activating excitatory responses reminiscent ofslow synaptic excitation in enteric neurons. Synthetic activating peptides for PAR-1, -2, and -4 receptors mimicked the actions ofthe proteases. The depolarizing responses evoked by PARs were insensitive to cyclooxygenase inhibitors and were suppressed by agents that inhibit phospholipase C (PLC) or block intraneuronal receptors for inositol triphosphate. A majority of PARsensitive uniaxonal neurons expressed immunoreactivity for nitric oxide synthase. Most of the PAR-sensitive AH Dogiel morphologic type II neurons were immunoreactive for calbindin. Conclusions: Excitatory responses to the serine proteases are mediated by PAR-1, -2, and -4 receptors. The mechanism ofsignal transduction involves stimulation ofPLC and intraneuronal calcium mobilization and is independent ofprostanoid f ormation.
MIC expression in renal and pancreatic allografts.

Background. MHC class I chain-related antigen A (MICA) and MHC class I chain-related antigen B (MICB) are HLA class I related products of polymorphic MHC genes. Constitutive expression in normal tissue is limited to gut epithelium but can be induced in other epithelial cells by stress. Specific antibodies against MICA have been reported in the serum of patients who had rejected kidney allografts, suggesting a potential role for these molecules in transplant immunopathology. However, expression of MICA and MICB in transplanted organs has not been demonstrated. In this study, we report the expression of MICA and MICB in renal and pancreatic allograft biopsies, which were obtained due to clinical signs of rejection. Methods. A monoclonal antibody directed against MICA and MICB was used to perform indirect immunohistochemistry on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded needle biopsies of kidney and pancreas allografts. The results of staining were then compared to the standard light microscopic evaluation of the biopsies for rejection. Results. A total of 53 individual renal transplant biopsies and 19 pancreas transplant biopsies were assayed for expression of MIC. Histologically, renal biopsies were diagnosed as no rejection, acute tubular necrosis (ATN), acute rejection (AR), chronic rejection (CR), and acute and chronic rejection (ACR). No staining was observed in 7 of 10 kidneys showing no rejection. All 11 of the kidney biopsies with AR were positive, as were the 11 ATN cases, 9 of the 11 kidney biopsies with CR, and 7 of the 10 with ACR. The acini of normal, nontransplanted, pancreas, control specimen were consistently negative; however, islets were positive in all specimens. The acini and islets of five histologically normal pancreas biopsies were positive, as were the four biopsies with AR, seven biopsies with CR, and two with ACR. Conclusions. MICA and MICB are expressed in epithelial cells in allografted kidney and pancreas that show histologic evidence of rejection and/or cellular injury. In addition to previous findings of alloantibodies against MICA, expression of these gene products may play a role in allograft rejection.
A human c-src gene resides on the proximal long arm of chromosome 20 (cen→q131)

A molecular clone of v-src, the oncogene of Rous sarcoma virus, was used to detect and regionally localize a human c-src proto-oncogene on chromosome #20. The human c-src gene, detected as either a 28-kbp EcoRI DNA fragment or as a 15.4-kbp BglII DNA fragment, was localized to 20 cen----q131 by filter hybridization analysis of DNAs from human-rodent somatic cell hybrids. The results indicate that c-src is on the same chromosome arm as aberrations associated with myeloproliferative disease, although the possible involvement of c-src in these aberrations is unknown.
Sub-microgram per gram concentrations of mercury in orchard leaves determined by isotope dilution and spark-source mass spectrometry.

Abstract A stable isotope dilution procedure in conjunction with the spark source mass spectrograph was developed for determining sub-μg g -1 concentrations of mercury in orchard leaves. A 5-g sample was spiked with a solution of mercury, isotopically enriched in 201 Hg and 198 Hg. The 198 Hg served as a carrier. After wet-ashing the sample with nitric and perchloric acids under reflux and distilling most of the acid, the isotopically equilibrated mercury was electrodeposited onto high-purity gold wires for sparking in the mass spectrograph. The concentration was calculated from the altered isotope ratio, 201 Hg/ 202 Hg, and other data. The results were compared with those obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry and neutron activation, leading to a certified value of 0.155 ± 0.015 μg g -1 for the mercury content of Orchard Leaves, SRM 1571 of the National Bureau of Standards.
Analgesic plasma concentrations of morphine in children with terminal malignancy receiving a continuous subcutaneous infusion of morphine sulfate to control severe pain

Abstract Three children with terminal malignancy received a continuous subcutaneous infusion of morphine sulfate for the control of severe pain, the morphine dose being adjusted until the patient and/or parent reported complete freedom from pain. Analgesic plasma morphine concentrations at the steady state in these patients ranged from 12.9 to 57 ng/ml (median 19.6 ng/ml) while receiving morphine doses of 0.45–2.0 mg/h (0.034–0.06 mg/kg/h). One patient, who received 2 mg morphine per hour for 12 days demonstrated a 2-fold variation in steady-state plasma concentration during this period.
Unconscious neural processing differs with method used to render stimuli invisible

Visual stimuli can be kept from awareness using various methods. The extent of processing that a given stimulus receives in the absence of awareness is typically used to make claims about the role of consciousness more generally. The neural processing elicited by a stimulus, however, may also depend on the method used to keep it from awareness, and not only on whether the stimulus reaches awareness. Here we report that the method used to render an image invisible has a dramatic effect on how category information about the unseen stimulus is encoded across the human brain. We collected fMRI data while subjects viewed images of faces and tools, that were rendered invisible using either continuous flash suppression (CFS) or chromatic flicker fusion (CFF). In a third condition, we presented the same images under normal fully visible viewing conditions. We found that category information about visible images could be extracted from patterns of fMRI responses throughout areas of neocortex known to be involved in face or tool processing. However, category information about stimuli kept from awareness using CFS could be recovered exclusively within occipital cortex, whereas information about stimuli kept from awareness using CFF was also decodable within temporal and frontal regions. We conclude that unconsciously presented objects are processed differently depending on how they are rendered subjectively invisible. Caution should therefore be used in making generalizations on the basis of any one method about the neural basis of consciousness or the extent of information processing without consciousness.
Conformation of macromolecules in the gas phase: use of matrix-assisted laser desorption methods in ion chromatography.

Conformational data for macromolecules in the gas phase have been obtained by the coupling of a matrix-assisted laser desorption ion source to an ion chromatograph. A series of polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers "cationized" (converted to a cation) by sodium ions (Na+PEG9 to Na+PEG19) and a protonated neurotransmitter protein, bradykinin, were studied. Mobilities of Na+PEG9 to Na+PEG19 are reported. Detailed modeling of Na+PEG9 with molecular mechanics methods indicates that the lowest energy structure has the Na+ ion "solvated" by the polymer chain with seven oxygen atoms as nearest neighbors. The agreement between the model and experiment is within 1 percent for Na+PEG9, Na+PEG13, and Na+PEG17, giving strong support to both the method and the deduced structures. Similar agreement was obtained in initial studies that modeled experimental data for arginine-protonated bradykinin.
The case for soft X-rays: Improved compositional contrast for structure and morphology determination with real and reciprocal space methods

Although the interactions of soft x-rays and hard x-rays with polymers are fundamentally the same and are characterized by absorption and phase shifts, the relative and absolute strength of these interactions as a function of photon energy has profound practical implications. We delineate the basic physics of x-ray interactions with polymers as expressed in the optical constants of polymeric materials and exemplify the resulting advantages of soft x-rays over hard x-rays for real space and reciprocal space characterization methods in the context of a number of recent and ongoing applications. A perspective on future capabilities and applications will be provided.
The effect of a high fibre diet on diabetic nephropathy in the db/db mouse.

Genetically diabetic mice (C57 BLKsJ db/ db) aged 5–6 weeks were given a diet containing 20% by weight of non-nutritive bulk and compared with age matched control diabetic mice on a normal diet (fibre content 4.5%) and non-diabetic mice. The duration of study was 12 weeks. No adverse effects were observed in animals given the high fibre diet. Total food consumption was greater in mice receiving the fibre enriched diet, but their absolute caloric intake was 6% less than control diabetic mice. Both groups exhibited similar rates of growth and development. Water intake in the experimental diabetic mice was reduced and similar to that of normal non-diabetic mice. Fasting blood glucose was significantly decreased in the experimental diabetic mice at 12 weeks. Renal pathological lesions in the control diabetic mice showed glomerular mesangial expansion and deposition of immunoglobulins within the mesangium. The experimental diabetic animals exhibited significantly less renal pathology, including light and immunofluorescent lesions. It is concluded that addition of non-absorbable fibre to the diet of genetically diabetic mice improves glycaemic control and retards the development of diabetic nephropathy.
Thermal conductivity measurements of tRNA melting process

Abstract In this paper we present investigations of the structural changes of the transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) from Escherichia coli. The measurements were performed by the thermal conductivity technique previously used to study DNA melting process (M. Tuliszka and F. Jaroszyk, Thermochim. Acta, 194 (1992) 67). The paper provides the results of temperature measurements of the thermal conductivity coefficient of tRNA solution in (a) 0.001 M MgCl2 and (b) in 0.01 M cacodylic acid + sodium cacodylate buffer and 0.001 M EDTA. The results obtained are interpreted on the basis of results of DSC measurements obtained by other authors. The results show the possibility of application of the thermal conductivity method to the investigation of the tRNA molecule's conformational changes in solutions.
Ilex Vomitoria Ait. (Yaupon): A Native North American Source of a Caffeinated and Antioxidant-Rich Tea

Ilex VomitoriaAit. (Yaupon): A Native North American Source of a Caffeinated and Antioxidant-Rich Tea. Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria Ait.) is a caffeine-containing shrub native to the southeastern United States where its leaves and twigs were traditionally used to prepare a stimulating and healthful beverage by Amerindians and more recent colonists. For a variety of mostly socioeconomic and cultural reasons, widespread consumption of yaupon tea ceased by the late 19th century, but the species is widely used in ornamental horticulture. Given the environmental damage associated with other caffeine crops, we believe that disuse of this species is unfortunate, and we report on traits that consumers may consider valuable. We found that total foliar biomass, caffeine, and antioxidant production all increased with nitrogen fertilization in one common ornamental yaupon cultivar, ‘Nana.’ Increasing light availability was associated with increased antioxidant activity but not with the decreased caffeine production predicted by the carbon/nutrient balance hypothesis for secondary metabolite production. We also found the highest caffeine concentrations in another yaupon cultivar, ‘Pendula,’ but suggest that the wide range of chemical variation offered by wild-type yaupon populations renders them more suitable as sources for the development of high caffeine-producing varieties. The results of this study suggest that yaupon is a viable caffeine alternative for North Americans living within its range on the southeastern coastal plain.
Optimizing merchant revenue with rebates

We study an online advertising model in which the merchant reimburses a portion of the transacted amount to the customer in a form of rebate. The customer referral and the rebate transfer might be mediated by a search engine. We investigate how the merchants can set rebate rates across different products to maximize their revenue. We consider two widely used demand models in economics---linear and log-linear---and explain how the effects of rebates can be incorporated in these models. Treating the parameters estimated as inputs to a revenue maximization problem, we develop convex optimization formulations of the problem and combinatorial algorithms for solving them. We validate our modeling assumptions using real transaction data. We conduct an extensive simulation study to evaluate the performance of our approach on maximizing revenue, and found that it generates significantly higher revenues for merchants compared to other rebate strategies. The rebate rates selected are extremely close to the optimal rates selected in hindsight.
How Certain are you Measuring Environmental Dynamism and Complexity? A Multitrait-Multimethod Approach

The study considers the measurement of environmental dynamism and environmental complexity. Previous hospitality strategy research utilizing main environmental constructs (uncertainty, dynamism, complexity, and munificence) is examined. The measurement of these constructs used in the general strategy literature is contrasted with the hospitality strategy literature. Using a multimethod-multitrait approach, convergent and discriminant validity is assessed between these constructs using archival and self-reported measures. The findings indicate that knowledgeable managers’ perceptions match archival measures of dynamism and complexity when the same domain is ensured. Common self-reported measures of dynamism and complexity assess a broader domain than commonly used archival measures. Dynamism and complexity are shown to be separate and distinct constructs. It is suggested that these latent variables are important independent and control variables for strategy research. Further clarification in the measureme...
Investigating the Role of Vibrotactile Noise in Early Response to Perturbation

Timely reaction to perturbation is important in activities of daily living. Modulation of reaction time to and early recovery from perturbation via vibrotactile noise was investigated. It was hypothesized that subthreshold vibrotactile noise applied to the upper extremity can accelerate a person's reaction to and recovery from handle perturbation. This intervention was developed based on previous studies in which the earliest cue available for people to detect handle perturbation was somatosensation detecting changes in pressure on the hand whose sensitivity can improve with subthreshold vibrotactile noise. To induce a handle perturbation, a sudden upward load was applied to the handle that subjects were lightly grasping. Eighteen healthy subjects were instructed to stop the handle from moving up when they detected the perturbation. The muscle reaction time and handle stabilization time with and without vibrotactile noise were determined. The results showed that the muscle reaction time and handle stabilization time significantly decreased by 3 ms ( $p = 0.018$ ) and 6 ms ( $p = 0.023$ ), respectively, when vibrotactile noise was applied to the upper extremity, regardless of where the noise was applied among four different locations within the upper extremity ( $p$ > 0.05). In conclusion, the application of subthreshold vibrotactile noise enhanced persons’ muscle reaction time to handle perturbation and led to early recovery from the perturbation. Use of the vibrotactile noise may increase a person's ability to rapidly respond to perturbation of a grasped object in potentially dangerous situations such as holding onto ladder rungs from elevation or manipulating knives.