cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Practical Enzyme Immunoassay for Plasma Cortisol Using β-Galactosidase as Enzyme Label*

Enzyme immunoassay for cortisol was developed using β-galactosidase as an enzyme label and m-maleimidobenzoyl derivatives of cortisol, i.e. cortisol-21-7n-maleimidobenzoate (CT-MB) and cortisol-21-hemisuccinate conjugated with m-maleimidobenzoic acid through p-phenylenediamine linkage (CHSMB), as the haptens coupled to sulfhydryl groups of the enzyme. This enzyme-coupling procedure was highly efficient; over 90% of the enzyme was labeled while full enzyme activity was retained. CHS-MB-β-galactosidase conjugate showed high immunoreactivity to antibody produced against cortisol-21-hemisuccinate- bovine serum albumin but showed poor displacement with the added cortisol. CT-MB-β-galactosidase conjugate, however, showed not only a high immunoreactivity to the antibody but also displaced well with cortisol, showing maximum sensitivity of 1 μg/dl with a 20-/xl sample size. Modification around the linkage of cortisol derivative resulted in high sensitivity to cortisol. Cross-reactions to cortisol-21-acetate, cort...
Expression of Neurog1 Instead of Atoh1 Can Partially Rescue Organ of Corti Cell Survival

In the mammalian inner ear neurosensory cell fate depends on three closely related transcription factors, Atoh1 for hair cells and Neurog1 and Neurod1 for neurons. We have previously shown that neuronal cell fate can be altered towards hair cell fate by eliminating Neurod1 mediated repression of Atoh1 expression in neurons. To test whether a similar plasticity is present in hair cell fate commitment, we have generated a knockin (KI) mouse line (Atoh1KINeurog1) in which Atoh1 is replaced by Neurog1. Expression of Neurog1 under Atoh1 promoter control alters the cellular gene expression pattern, differentiation and survival of hair cell precursors in both heterozygous (Atoh1+/KINeurog1) and homozygous (Atoh1KINeurog1/KINeurog1) KI mice. Homozygous KI mice develop patches of organ of Corti precursor cells that express Neurog1, Neurod1, several prosensory genes and neurotrophins. In addition, these patches of cells receive afferent and efferent processes. Some cells among these patches form multiple microvilli but no stereocilia. Importantly, Neurog1 expressing mutants differ from Atoh1 null mutants, as they have intermittent formation of organ of Corti-like patches, opposed to a complete ‘flat epithelium’ in the absence of Atoh1. In heterozygous KI mice co-expression of Atoh1 and Neurog1 results in change in fate and patterning of some hair cells and supporting cells in addition to the abnormal hair cell polarity in the later stages of development. This differs from haploinsufficiency of Atoh1 (Pax2cre; Atoh1f/+), indicating the effect of Neurog1 expression in developing hair cells. Our data suggest that Atoh1KINeurog1 can provide some degree of functional support for survival of organ of Corti cells. In contrast to the previously demonstrated fate plasticity of neurons to differentiate as hair cells, hair cell precursors can be maintained for a limited time by Neurog1 but do not transdifferentiate as neurons.
Metabolic effects of adrenalectomy in eviscerated rats.

SummarySprague Dawley rats were adrenalectomized (Adx) and then eviscerated (Evs) 4 days later. Various surgical procedures were used during the evisceration to preserve or eliminate liver and/or kidney function. Non-Adx Evs rats were used as controls for each group. Abdominal aortic blood was used to measure: blood glucose (BG), urea nitrogen (BUN) and ketone bodies (KB) as well as plasma free fatty acids (FFA) and amino nitrogen (AN), 3-72 hr after evisceration. All eviscerated rats lack insulin and with the liver in situ can maintain a hyperglycemia if the adrenals are present. Adx Evs rats do not develop this diabetic pattern. Furthermore, non Adx rats without a functional liver can sustain 80% of normal BG if the kidneys are in situ but Adx Evs rats require the liver as well. In the abence of the kidneys, protein metabolites are accumulated in the blood in both Adx and non Adx Evs animals.FFA elevations occur in the Adx-Evs animal but are markedly lower than in the non-Adx preparation. The absence of...
The Phylogenetic Significance of Anthropoid Paranasal Sinuses

In this study, the phylogenetic significance of anthropoid paranasal sinus anatomy is explored. New information reported in recent years has precipitated new hypotheses of sinus homology and more than doubled the number of anthropoid genera for which confident assessments of sinus identity can be made. As a result, it is likely that the phylogenetic meaning of commonly cited characters such as the ethmoid and frontal sinuses will change. The traditional method of "character mapping" is employed to test hypotheses of sinus homology and to reconstruct the ancestral states for sinus characters in major anthropoid clades. Results show that most sinuses appear to be primitive retentions in anthropoids, with their absences in various genera representing losses. Accordingly, many of these sinuses are potential anthropoid synapomorphies.
Capillary zone electrophoresis of malto-oligosaccharides derivatized with 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid.

Malto-oligosaccharides were derivatized via their reducing end with 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid by reductive amination, and the separation and electrophoretic migration behavior of the labelled sugars were investigated by capillary zone electrophoresis. Series of linear malto-oligosaccharides were found particularly suitable for both the study of the effect of the operating conditions on the separation and the investigation of the relationship between the electrophoretic mobility and the molecular size of the homologues. The electrophoretic mobility of the malto-oligosaccharide conjugates was found to be a linear function of the molecular mass to the negative two-thirds power. The sugar derivatives employed here carry three negative charges due to the presence of the dissociated sulfonic acid groups even at strongly acidic pH. Therefore, the analytes can migrate in the electric field without interference by electroendosmotic flow and/or wall adsorption in uncoated silica capillaries at low pH. As a result, the separation of these carbohydrate conjugates can be carried out under such conditions with high speed and efficiency in free solution, i.e., without an anticonvective medium such as a gel or a viscous polymer solution. Appropriate use of triethylammonium phosphate buffer, pH 2.5, as the background electrolyte improves not only the reproducibility, but also the efficiency and speed of the separation. The labelled sugars allow monitoring of the separation by UV detector or laser-induced fluorescence detector with concomitant enhancement of analytical sensitivity.
Diquarks in the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model.

We investigate the possibility of binding locally two quarks in the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model. For a range of model parameters consistent with vacuum parameters the scalar, isoscalar, and color-antitriplet diquark is found to bind with a mass of about the constituent-quark mass. The relevance of this light diquark for baryons in the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model is discussed.
Acute N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor hypofunction induced by MK801 evokes sex-specific changes in behaviors observed in open-field testing in adult male and proestrus female rats

Schizophrenia is a complex constellation of positive, negative and cognitive symptoms. Acute administration of the non-competitive antagonist of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) dizocilpine (MK801) in rats is one of few preclinical animal models of this disorder that has both face and/or construct validity for these multiple at-risk behavioral domains and predictive power for the efficacy of therapeutic drugs in treating them. This study asked whether and to what extent the rat NMDAR hypofunction model also embodies the sex differences that distinguish the symptoms of schizophrenia and their treatment. Thus, we compared the effects of acute MK801, with and without pretreatment with haloperidol or clozapine, on seven discrete spontaneous open-field activities in adult male and female rats. These analyses revealed that MK801 was more effective in stimulating ataxia and locomotion and inhibiting stationary behavior in females while more potently stimulating stereotypy and thigmotaxis and inhibiting rearing and grooming in males. Haloperidol and clozapine pretreatments had markedly different efficacies in terms of behaviors but strong similarities in their effectiveness in male and female subjects. These results bear intriguing relationships with the complex male/female differences that characterize the symptoms of schizophrenia and suggest possible applications for acute NMDAR hypofunction as a preclinical model for investigating the neurobiology that underlies them.
Homology of plant peroxidases: Relationships among acidic isoenzymes

Antisera specific for two commercial acidic peroxidases from horseradish (Amoracea rusticana L.) were used to determine the degree of homology between isoperoxidases from horseradish, turnip (Brassica rapa L. cv. Purple White Top Globe) and radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. Cherry Belle). Ouchterlony agar diffusion, precipitin tests and anticatalaytic assays were used to show that acidic horseradish peroxidases could be distinguished by immunological methods but were closely related. Antisera specific for either horseradish acidic isoperoxidase gave a lesser degree of cross reaction with the basic isoenzyme from this plant. Acidic isoperoxidases from turnip and radish were more closely related to acidic horseradish peroxidases than the basic isoperoxidase from horseradish as assessed by immunological cross-reaction. Basic isoperoxidases from carrot (Daucus carota L. cv. Danvers), radish or turnip did not react with antisera prepared against acidic horseradish peroxidases. Finally, acidic horseradish peroxidases were shown to be poor immnnogens in rabbits in contrast to the basic horseradish isoenzyme.
Liver biopsy interpretation for the gastroenterologist

Liver biopsy interpretation continues to play an integral role in diagnosis and management of most forms of liver disease. In this review, the common histopathologic features of the more commonly encountered processes, chronic hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and chronic cholestatic liver diseases, are discussed. In addition, areas of ongoing investigation and controversy, including steatohepatitis and dysplasia, are reviewed. Finally, the pathology of adult metabolic liver disease, drug-induced liver disease, and various miscellaneous disease processes, including venous outflow obstruction, acute fatty liver of pregnancy, and fulminant hepatic failure, are reviewed.
Interaction of stereoisomers of barbiturates with [3H]α-dihydropicrotoxinin binding sites

Abstract Racemic depressant barbiturates inhibit the binding of gamma-aminobutyric acid antagonist [3H]α-dihydropicrotoxinin (DHP) to rat brain membranes with IC50 values ranging from 5 to 50 μM. The (−) isomers of pentobarbital and secobarbital were three to four-fold more potent than their (+) isomers in inhibiting [3H]DHP binding. In contrast, the (+) isomer of hexobarbital was a better inhibitor than (−) hexobarbital. The stereoisomers of 1-methyl-5-phenyl-5-propyl barbituric acid (MPPB), which show opposite pharmacological activity, inhibited [3H]DHP binding in a biphasic manner with a plateau at 4–100 nM MPPB. These results suggest heterogeneity of DHP binding sites. The possibility that depressant and convulsant barbiturates may act at the level of DHP site at the GABA synapse is discussed.
Parents of Youth with Disabilities Their Perceptions of School Programs

Data reported here were obtained as part of a larger 3-year study designed to assay the curricular offerings and related instructional matters available for high school youth with disabilities. Data were gathered from general and special education teachers, special education administrators, principals, counselors, paraeducators, pupils with disabilities, and their parents. The youth attended five public schools and one private school. This study focused exclusively on data obtained from parents: Interviews were conducted with 43 parents of youth with disabilities in public school and with 3 parents of youth with disabilities who had graduated from a private school; 11 parents from the latter group completed surveys. Four themes emerged from the parent interviews and surveys; we discuss these themes and then offer seven recommendations for parents that are intended to enable them to better communicate and collaborate with schools so as to provide more effective services for their youth with disabilities.
Generalized Hierarchical All-to-All Exchange Patterns

The personalized all-to-all collective exchange is one of the most challenging communication patterns in HPC applications in terms of performance and scalability. We present a framework for the design of optimized collective patterns for generic hierarchical topologies. Our proposal can be applied, among others, to two types of topologies of great importance today: (i) the family of extended generalized fat tree networks (including k-ary n-trees and their variations) which are extensively used today in both HPC and commercial data centers, and (ii) direct low-diameter scalable hierarchical architectures such as the recently proposed dragonfly networks. We argue that exchange patterns that are congruent with the underlying structure of the network have inherent advantages compared to patterns that are oblivious to this structure. However, the current commonly used hierarchical pattern, the XOR exchange, has limited applicability, because it requires that the number of communicating nodes equals an integral power of two, making it suitable only for few tree designs and unsuitable for any dragonfly network. We propose several new, generic, universally applicable approaches to perform such exchanges in a hierarchical fashion that outperform current state of the art approaches. We support our claims by means of both mathematical proofs and simulation results that show that we can achieve an improvement of almost two-fold in dragonflies, and a twoto three-fold improvement in fat tree networks in cases where the XOR exchange cannot be applied.
Quantitative phase contrast imaging of cells by multi-wavelength digital holography

Quantitative phase contrast images of cells are generated by multi-wavelength phase imaging digital holography. Two or more wavelengths are used for simultaneous illumination of the cells and real-time acquisition of holographic images.
Effects of personal, psychosocial and occupational factors on low back pain severity in workers

Abstract Low back pain (LBP) remains the most common work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD). While most of the LBP research has focused on occupational risk factors, other underlying causal mechanisms may exist since not all workers performing the same task develop an injury. Previous research has identified three primary risk factor categories for LBP (occupational, personal and psychosocial factors); however, few studies have investigated the impact of cross categorical risk factor interactions on LBP. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of occupational, personal and psychosocial factors, and their interactions, on LBP severity in a population of workers currently suffering from LBP. Sixty LBP patients recruited for the study through local physicians and local announcements, completed questionnaires relating to identified occupational, personal and psychosocial risk factors, and completed an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Multiple regression models for predicting LBP severity were developed for each risk factor category and for a combined risk factor model (which included factors from all three risk factor categories) that included two-way interactions. Results showed that the final model consisted of both main effects and interaction terms between risk factor categories and had an adjusted R 2 value of 0.85, a significant improvement over models developed for the individual categories. These findings illustrate the need to consider all three broad categories of risk factors simultaneously in predicting injury status and in developing effective potential intervention efforts. Relevance to industry Personal and psychosocial factors and interactions, in addition to occupational factors, may be needed to be taken into account when designing future prevention strategies for persons in jobs with high risks for low back pain. The factors identified here may also be used to develop a predictive model for pain severity in workers.
Professor Malcolm on ‘Scientific materialism and the Identity Theory’

Professor Norman Malcolm argues that even if the scientific materialist identity theorist (the materialist, for short) were right — and thoughts were brain processes — still this would not advance him towards his ultimate goal: a homogeneous and universal system of explanation in terms of the entities of physics.
Predictive Control of a Modular Multilevel Converter for a Back-to-Back HVDC System

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) is one of the most potential converter topologies for high-power/voltage systems, specifically for high-voltage direct current (HVDC). One of the main technical challenges of an MMC is to eliminate/minimize the circulating currents of converter arms while the capacitor voltages are maintained balanced. This paper proposes a model predictive control (MPC) strategy that takes the advantage of a cost function minimization technique to eliminate the circulating currents and carry out the voltage balancing task of an MMC-based back-to-back HVDC system. A discrete-time mathematical model of the system is derived and a predictive model corresponding to the discrete-time model is developed. The predictive model is used to select the best switching states of each MMC unit based on evaluation and minimization a defined cost function associated with the control objectives of MMC units and the overall HVDC system. The proposed predictive control strategy: 1) enables control of real and reactive power of the HVDC system; 2) achieves capacitor voltage balancing of the MMC units; and 3) mitigates the circulating currents of the MMC units. Performance of the proposed MPC-based strategy for a five-level back-to-back MMC-HVDC is evaluated based on time-domain simulation studies in the PSCAD/EMTDC software environment. The reported study results demonstrate a satisfactory response of the MMC-HVDC station operating based on the proposed MPC strategy, under various conditions.
Ictal hypoxemia in localization-related epilepsy: analysis of incidence, severity and risk factors

Ictal hypoxemia has been reported in small series of cases and may contribute to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). We sought to determine the incidence and severity of ictal hypoxemia in patients with localization-related epilepsy undergoing in-patient video-EEG telemetry. We examined whether seizureassociated oxygen desaturation was a consequence of hypoventilation and whether factors such as seizure localization and lateralization, seizure duration, contralateral spread of seizures, patient position at seizure onset and body mass index influenced ictal-related hypoxemia. A total of 304 seizures with accompanying oxygen saturation data were recorded in 56 consecutive patients with intractable localization-related epilepsy; 51 of 304 seizures progressed to generalized convulsions. Pulse oximetry showed oxygen desaturations below 90% in 101 (33.2%) of all seizures with or without secondary generalization, with 31 (10.2%) seizures accompanied by desaturations below 80% and 11 (3.6%) seizures below 70%. The mean duration of desaturation below 90% was 69.2 � 65.2 s (47; 6^327). The mean oxygen saturation nadir following secondary generalization was 75.4% � 11.4% (77%; 42^100%). Desaturations below 90% were significantly correlated with seizure localization [P = 0.005; odds ratio (OR) of temporal versus extratemporal = 5.202; 95% CI = (1.665, 16.257)], seizure lateralization [P = 0.001; OR of right versus left = 2.098; 95% CI = (1.078, 4.085)], contralateral spread of seizures [P = 0.028; OR of contralateral spread versus no spread = 2.591; 95% CI = (1.112, 6.039)] and gender [P =0 .048; OR of female versus male = 0.422; 95% CI = (0.179, 0.994)]. In the subset of 253 partial seizures without secondary generalized convulsions, 34.8% of seizures had desaturations below 90%, 31.8% had desaturations below 80% and 12.5% had desaturations below 70%. The degree of desaturation was significantly correlated with seizure duration (P = 0.001) and with electrographic evidence of seizure spread to the contralateral hemisphere (P = 0.003). Central apnoeas or hypopnoeas occurred with 50% of 100 seizures. Mixed or obstructive apnoeas occurred with 9% of these seizures. End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) was recorded in seven patients (19 seizures). The mean increase in ETCO2 from preictal baseline was 18.6 � 17.7 mm Hg (13.2; 2.8^77.8). In these 19 seizures, all oxygen desaturations below 85% were accompanied by an increase in ETCO2. Ictal hypoxemia occurs often in patients with localization-related epilepsy and may be pronounced and prolonged; even with seizures that do not progress to generalized convulsions. Oxygen desaturations are accompanied by increases in ETCO2, supporting the assumption that ictal oxygen desaturation is a consequence of hypoventilation. Ictal hypoxemia and hypercapnia may contribute to SUDEP.
Atomic chlorine concentrations derived from ethane and hydroxyl measurements over the equatorial Pacific Ocean: Implication for dimethyl sulfide and bromine monoxide

10 4 Cl cm � 3 , decreasing to 5.7 (±2.0) � 10 4 Cl cm � 3 at midday, is included, the observed and estimated C2H6 values are in excellent agreement. Using our [Cl], we estimate a DMS flux a factor of 2 higher than when HO is the only oxidant considered. This flux estimate, when compared to that derived by Lenschow et al. (1999), suggests that if the differences are real, we may be missing a loss term. Best agreement occurs when an average BrO mixing ratio of 1.3 (±1.3) pptv is included in our mass balance equation.
Sexually related trauma: A review

Every type of sexual trauma is overlaid with the sexual mores and taboos of society and the individual psychosexual values of the patient. Informed and appropriate treatment should give good results for the patient physically as well as psychologically. Fortunately for the human species, wounds from Cupid's bow are much more common than any injury discussed by us. For those unfortunates who sustain such injuries in the pursuit of happiness, however, these guidelines for diagnosis and treatment are submitted for your review and their benefit.
Sensitivity of ice-cemented Antarctic soils to greenhouse-induced thawing: Are terrestrial archives at risk?

Abstract We modeled the sensitivity of six ice-cemented slope deposits from the western McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica to failure by shallow, thaw-induced planar sliding. The deposits examined have purportedly remained physically stable, without morphologic evidence for downslope movement, for millions of years. Could they fail in the near future from greenhouse-induced warming? To address this question, we first prescribed various increases in mean summertime soil surface temperature (MSSST) and modeled numerically the resultant changes in soil thaw depths using a one-dimensional heat diffusion equation (including the effects of latent heat of fusion). Second, we calculated the minimum thaw depths required to facilitate failure by shallow planar sliding for each deposit; for all numerical simulations, we maintained present soil-moisture conditions and used a Mohr–Coulomb-based equation of safety factor. Third, we calculated the rate of subsurface meltwater flow assuming Darcy's Law. Our results show that although most deposits contain sufficient subsurface ice to induce sliding upon thawing, lateral rates of water flow of as much as ∼ 40 m/day for some colluvial deposits prohibit the build-up of requisite pore pressures for failure. On the other hand, silty deposits, that contain gravimetric water ≥ 15%, occur on slopes > 20°, and possess low hydraulic conductivities (∼ 30–60 cm/day), common in the Dry Valleys region, could fail if MSSST, and by inference mean summertime atmospheric temperatures, increase by 4 to 9 °C. This temperature increase is similar to that predicted to occur from greenhouse-induced warming in Antarctica over the next century.
Optimized ultra-wideband linear raised-power-series antenna arrays

An increasing amount of research continues to be invested in the search for new wideband antennas. Any bandwidth benefits these antennas offer can only be effectively preserved in an array that has careful consideration to the design of its layout. The critical issue in broadband arrays is avoiding grating lobes and maintaining low sidelobe levels (relative to the main beam) with increasing frequency. Recently, there have arisen several new methods of aperiodic antenna array design that are capable of very low sidelobe level performance over ultra-wide bandwidths. The linear polyfractal arrays introduced in [1,2] are one such example, yielding acceptable performance over many octaves of bandwidth. Similarly in [2,3], wideband planar arrays are created and optimized based on aperiodic tilings.
Preschool Children's Reasoning About Ability

Young children's reasoning about ability was investigated among 155 preschoolers (M = 4 years, 10 months) across 3 studies. Results suggest that preschoolers are sensitive to mental state information when making judgments about another child's ability: They judged a child who finds a task easy to be smarter than one who finds the same task hard. Systematic patterns of errors on recall tasks suggest that preschoolers perceive positive correlations between (a) exerting effort and experiencing academic success, and (b) being nice and having high academic ability. Results from a comparison group of forty 9- to 10-year-olds (M = 9 years, 10 months) suggest that the preschool findings generally reflect emerging patterns of reasoning about ability that persist into later childhood, but that the perceived correlations between high effort and academic outcomes and between social and academic traits diminish with age.
On the logic of soccer patronage

Silvio Berlusconi once remarked that ‘soccer is a metaphor for life’. Taking this claim at face value, the essay explores some of the logics at play when soccer is linked to other domains. In particular, by considering the circumstances of three Italian clubs, the essay throws light on different ways the image of a patron may be mirrored. A preliminary philosophical apparatus is introduced in the first part of the essay, clarifying the notion of a metaphor and how the authors see this applying to the case under consideration. Afterwards, such apparatus is put to use to explain the instances of Juventus FC, AC Milan, and US Citta di Palermo.
Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair in the octogenarian: Is it worthwhile?

Hypothesis During the past decade, endovascular stent graft repair (EVSG) of abdominal aortic aneurysms has emerged as a less invasive and less morbid alternative to open surgical repair. We hypothesize that EVSG may become the treatment method of choice among patients older than 80 years. Design Retrospective case series. Setting Major academic medical center with extensive experience in endovascular and open aortic aneurysm surgery. Patients and Methods During a 5-year period, EVSG was performed in 595 patients at our institution. One hundred fifty (25.2%) of these patients were older than 80 years. Our prospectively acquired database was reviewed with respect to the demographic, intraoperative, and outcome data of this elderly population. Main Outcome Measures Technical and clinical success, aneurysm-related events (aneurysm-related death, type I or type III endoleaks, aneurysm expansion, or aneurysm rupture), and secondary interventions. Results There were 119 men (79.3%) and 31 women (20.7%) (mean age, 84.6 years). Mean aneurysm diameter was 6.7 cm. Comorbidities including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, chronic renal insufficiency, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia were common in these patients, with an average of 2.9 comorbid conditions per patient. Mean follow-up was 16.9 months (range, 1.0-61.4 months). One hundred forty-six patients (97.3%) received only regional anesthesia, and the average intraoperative blood loss was 369 mL. Average hospital and intensive care unit stays were 2.5 days and 0.1 day, respectively. The procedure was performed emergently in 3 patients, and each recovered uneventfully. There were 5 aborted procedures (3.3%) for technical reasons and 4 conversions to open aortic repair (2.6%). In addition to these aborted procedures, there were 2 additional technical failures resulting in a technical success rate of 95.3%. Endoleaks were common and included 9 type I (6.90%), 35 type II (24.10%), and 1 type III (0.69%). The majority either resolved spontaneously (type IIs) or with minimally invasive secondary intervention, which was performed in 13 patients. Perioperative local/vascular and systemic complications occurred in 16 (10.7%) and 8 (5.3%) patients, respectively. There were 5 perioperative deaths (3.3%)( 30 days postoperatively) occurred, which were unrelated to the EVSG procedure. Conclusions Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms can be performed safely and successfully in the majority of octogenarians with relatively low complication rates. Improved EVSG devices and operator experience may make this procedure the treatment method of choice for patients in this age group who meet specific anatomical criteria.
Age-Dependent Variability in Gene Expression in Male Fischer 344 Rat Retina

Recent evidence suggests that older adults may be a sensitive population with regard to environmental exposure to toxic compounds. One source of this sensitivity could be an enhanced variability in response. Studies on phenotypic differences have suggested that variation in response does increase with age. However, few reports address the question of variation in gene expression as an underlying cause for increased variability of phenotypic response in the aged. In this study, we utilized global analysis to compare variation in constitutive gene expression in the retinae of young (4 months), middle-aged (11 months), and aged (23 months) Fischer 344 rats. Three hundred and forty transcripts were identified in which variance in expression increased from 4 to 23 months of age, while only 12 transcripts were found for which it decreased. Functional roles for identified genes were clustered in basic biological categories including cell communication, function, metabolism, and response to stimuli. Our data suggest that population stochastically induced variability should be considered in assessing sensitivity due to old age.
Carcinogenicity studies of inhaled cigarette smoke in laboratory animals: old and new

A new study demonstrates that lifetime whole-body exposure of B6C3F 1 mice to high doses of cigarette smoke robustly increases lung cancer incidence compared with sham exposed animals. This is the first study to demonstrate a strong effect of inhaled cigarette smoke on lung cancer in an animal model. This commentary attempts to put the new results in perspective with the existing literature on cigarette smoke inhalation studies in animals and discusses strengths, limitations and possible applications of available models.
Power and Perspectives Not Taken

Four experiments and a correlational study explored the relationship between power and perspective taking. In Experiment 1, participants primed with high power were more likely than those primed with low power to draw an E on their forehead in a self-oriented direction, demonstrating less of an inclination to spontaneously adopt another person's visual perspective. In Experiments 2a and 2b, high-power participants were less likely than low-power participants to take into account that other people did not possess their privileged knowledge, a result suggesting that power leads individuals to anchor too heavily on their own vantage point, insufficiently adjusting to others' perspectives. In Experiment 3, high-power participants were less accurate than control participants in determining other people's emotion expressions; these results suggest a power-induced impediment to experiencing empathy. An additional study found a negative relationship between individual difference measures of power and perspective taking. Across these studies, power was associated with a reduced tendency to comprehend how other people see, think, and feel.
Reflections on information and information value

Information, as explicated by C.E. Shannon (1949), refers to the reduction in uncertainty about the state of an event after a message has been sent relative to the uncertainty about the state of the event before the message was sent. Information value, as explicated by R.A. Howard (1966) and others, refers to the difference in what one can gain by action taken knowing the state of the event relative to what one can gain by action taken without such knowledge. This paper considers the relation between the two concepts, information and information value, to the authors knowledge not heretofore discussed. It is concluded that the two concepts are independent, characterizing quite different aspects of information seeking and using. In application, the cost of the first term (information) subtracts from the second term (information value), and/or diminishes the latter in relation to information access time. >
Cerenkov radiation in a Lorentz-violating and birefringent vacuum

We calculate the emission spectrum for vacuum Cerenkov radiation in Lorentz-violating extensions of electrodynamics. We develop an approach that works equally well in the presence or the absence of birefringence. In addition to confirming earlier work, we present the first calculation relevant to Cerenkov radiation in the presence of a birefringent photon k{sub F} term, calculating the lower-energy part of the spectrum for that case.
Is another mannose receptor-like lectin present in retinal pigment epithelium?

Purpose. This study was designed to investigate the presence of the secretory phospholipase A 2 receptor in RPE, a protein closely related to the phagocytic mannose receptor. Methods. Proteins from cultured rat, pig, and human RPE were separated by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted with a polyclonal guinea pig sPLA 2 receptor antibody. RT-PCR was performed on rat and pig RPE samples using primers designed from published rat pancreatic sPLA 2 receptor sequences. Results. The sPLA 2 receptor protein was not detected in rat, pig, or human RPE by immunoblots. Additionally, message for this receptor was not detected in rat or pig RPE. Conclusions. With these techniques, these data demonstrate that the sPLA 2 receptor is undetectable in the RPE.
Ground-based radiometric observations of atmospheric emission and attenuation at 20.6, 31.65, and 90.0 GHz: a comparison of measurements and theory

During 1987 and 1988, ground-based zenith-viewing observations of atmospheric thermal emission were made at frequencies of 20.6, 31.65, and 90.0 GHz. At the locations of the experiments (San Nicolas Island, CA, and Denver, CO) radiosonde observations of temperature and humidity were also available. Both National Weather Service and CLASS radiosondes were used in the study. After conversion to attenuation by use of the mean radiating temperature approximation, the data were processed to derive attenuation statistics. Both clear and cloudy attenuation characteristics were examined and compared with results from recent theories. For the clear atmosphere, water-vapor models of Waters (1976) and of Liebe (1989) were compared. At 20.6, and 31.65 GHz, the model of Waters agrees better with measurements; at 90.0 GHz, the model of Liebe is far superior. A recent model of P.W. Rosenkranz (1988) was used for oxygen absorption. For the average mass absorption coefficients for liquid clouds, measurement and theory generally agreed to within 30%. The predictability and interdependence of the three separate channels were also examined. It was found that attenuation for any two channels can predict that of the third to within 25%. >
The Cohomology of Symmetric Groups

There are intimate connections between the homology and cohomology of the symmetric groups and algebraic topology. The first of these is their connection with the structure of cohomology operations. This arises through Steenrod’s definition of the P th power operations in terms of properties of certain elements in the groups H*(S ℙ ;ℙ p ). Indeed, the original calculation of H*(Sn;ℙp) by Nakaoka was motivated by this connection.
Reviewing Congressionally Created Remedies for Excessiveness

Federal courts have struggled with how to review whether a legislatively created remedy, awarded within monetary ranges specified by Congress, is excessive under nonconstitutional or constitutional standards. This Article attempts to solve the puzzle of reviewing legislatively created remedies within congressional boundaries by employing a broader frame of reference than has been used by courts and commentators. Drawing on precedents involving not only review of legislatively created remedies, but also review of statutory fines payable to the government and criminal sanctions, the Article suggests guidelines for nonconstitutional and constitutional review of legislatively created remedies.
Nuclear magnetic dipole moment of $sup 181$Ta

The hyperfine structure of the 6s $sup 2$S$sub 1$/$sub 2$--6p $sup 2$P$sub 1$/$sub 2$ line of Ta v at 1708 A has been resolved using a 150 A sliding spark discharge. The 6p--8s multiplet was identified and the ionization energy was redetermined. With these new data a value for the nuclear dipole moment of $sup 181$Ta of (2.36 +- 0.02) $mu$/sub N/ is derived. New wavelengths are given for all previously classified lines.
Alcohol screening a brief intervention: a self-paced program for nurses

Background Nurses are in key positions to plan and implement alcohol screening and brief intervention (aSBI). To simultaneously advance aSBI of nurses in various roles, we developed a self-paced program for Clinical Nurse Leaders, Nurse Informaticists, Nurse Administrators, and Registered Nurses including Advanced Practice Nurses. The content for the program is based on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) 2014 Planning and Implementation Screening and Brief Intervention for Risky Alcohol Use: A Step-by-Step Guide for Primary Care Practices. The objective is to present the results of a cooperative agreement between the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. The framework used to design the aSBI Program and key aspects of the program will be demonstrated and discussed.
Abstract A66: A population-based study of racial/ethnic differences in survival among patients with endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women in the United States with more minority women being diagnosed with more aggressive cancer than non-Hispanic Whites. Asians and Hispanics are two of the fastest growing racial/ethnic groups in the United States, but they remain one of the most poorly understood minorities in terms of endometrial cancer. Numerous studies have shown that racial/ethnic variation in endometrial cancer can be associated with socioeconomic status, reproductive history and use of exogenous estrogens, the basis for racial/ethnic differences in survival is not as clearly defined. Using public use data from population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program, we investigated racial/ethnic differences in cancer-specific survival of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer from 2000-2010. A total of 81,645 women were diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Survival differences were examined using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models. The median cancer-specific survival was 40 months with survival worst among non-Hispanic Blacks. Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, cancer-specific survival was 33% less for non-Hispanic blacks, 10% less for Hispanics and 9% less for Asians after adjustment. About 29% of the racial/ethnic disparity is explained by the absence of any treatment. Racial/ethnic differences in survival may partially explained by differences in treatment and stage diagnosis. Citation Format: ThuyQuynh Ngoc Do, Ana R. Rodriguez, Norma Perez. A population-based study of racial/ethnic differences in survival among patients with endometrial cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Seventh AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 9-12, 2014; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A66.
Strategic Treatment of Pastured Beef Cattle with Acaricides: Effect on Populations of the Lone Star Tick (Acari: Ixodidae)

Application of acaricides to beef cattle at 10-day intervals between late March and early July 1980 resulted in an 86.7 and 84.3% reduction, respectively, in populations of parasitic and free-living larvae of Amblyomma americanum (L.) during August and September 1980. Numbers of nymphs in August and September 1980 were reduced 72.7% (parasitic) and 95.6% (free living) as a result of the treatment regimen, whereas the numbers of parsitic and free living adults in spring 1981 were reduced 46.2 and 80.7%, respectively.
A method for the detection of phenols produced by bacteria

The method ordinarily used for the detection of phenol is essentially as stated by Eyre.1 The culture is prepared in a flask containing nutrient broth and incubated. After incubation, 5 cc of 25 % sulphuric acid is added to the cultivation, and the flask is connected with a condenser; 15 to 20 cc are distilled over, and the distillate divided into 3 portions, (a), (b) and (c). To {a), 0.5 c c of Millon's reagent is added and the solution is boiled; red color^phenol. To (b), 0.5 cc ferric chlorid solution is added; violet color = phenol. (If the distillate be acid the reaction will be negative.) To (c), bromine water is added; crystalline white precipitate of tribromphenol^:phenol. In case indol and phenol appear to be present in cultivations of the same organism, it is recommended that they be separated before testing. This is done by redistilling the first distillate (which would contain both indol and phenol) after rendering it alkaline with caustic potash. The distillate contains indol, the residue phenol. The residue is saturated with CO 2 and redistilled. The last distillate will contain phenol and is tested as stated in the foregoing. Rettger,2 in his study of the chemical products of B. coli and B. lactis-aerogenes, used a somewhat similar method. The medium used in his experiments was an egg-meat mixture, and incubation was carried on in the presence of hydrogen. Portions of 400 c c of the decomposition mixture were diluted with an equal volume of water, and aftei
Influence of maternal hypercholesterolemia and phytosterol intervention during gestation and lactation on dyslipidemia and hepatic lipid metabolism in offspring of Syrian golden hamsters.

Although there is a normal physiological rise in maternal lipids during pregnancy, excessive maternal hyperlipidemia during pregnancy increases cardiovascular disease risk for both the mother and offspring. There are limited safe lipid-lowering treatment options for use during pregnancy, therefore, we evaluated the influence of maternal phytosterol (PS) supplementation on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in mothers and progeny. Female Syrian golden hamsters were randomly assigned to three diets throughout pre-pregnancy, gestation, and lactation (n=6/group): (i) Chow (Chow), (ii) chow with 0.5% cholesterol (CH), and (iii) chow with 0.5% cholesterol and 2% PS (CH/PS). Compared with newly-weaned pups from Chow dams, pups from dams fed the cholesterol-enriched diet demonstrated increases (p<0.05) in total-C, LDL-C, HDL-C, and total LDL and VLDL particle number. Pups from cholesterol-fed mothers also exhibited higher hepatic cholesterol concentration and differential mRNA expression pattern of cholesterol regulatory genes. Pups from PS-supplemented dams demonstrated reductions (p<0.05) in serum total-C, non-HDL-C, and LDL-C but also increased triglycerides compared with pups from CH-fed dams. Maternal PS supplementation reduced (p<0.05) hepatic cholesterol and increased the abundance of HMG-CoAr and LDLr protein in newly-weaned pups compared with the CH group. Results suggest that maternal PS supplementation is largely effective in normalizing cholesterol in pups born to mothers with hypercholesterolemia, however, the cause and long-term influence of increased TG is not known.
The effect of Δ1·testolactone on serum testosterone and estradiol in the adult male rat

Δ 1 -Testolactone, an androgen derivative without intrinsic hormonal action, is known to block the aromatization of androgens to estrogens. This study was designed to assess its effect upon serum testosterone (T) and estradiol (E 2 ) in the adult male rat. By itself, testolactone (TL) did not affect T/E 2 levels in the dosages utilized. Daily injections of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for 15days caused a tenfold rise in serum T, although there was no increase in serum E 2 . When given along with hCG, TL did not alter the Leydig cell response. However, pretreatment of animals with TL increased the testicular response to hCG over that of saline-treated animals. Studies were also carried out to delineate the sources of estrogen in the adult male rat. These experiments demonstrate that (1) the majority of E 2 is not testicular in origin but is derived from the adrenal; (2) the conversion of androgen precursors to E 2 in the rat is not affected by TL; and (3) in spite of no demonstrable inhibition of E 2 production, TL causes an increased Leydig cell responsiveness to hCG.
Neurologic Complications of Oncologic Therapy

Abstract Neurologic complications of oncologic therapies are occurring with increasing frequency in cancer patients. This is a result of the availability of a growing number of treatments associated with neurotoxicities and prolonged patient survival. Increased understanding of the underlying mechanisms for these neurologic complications and methods to prevent them will be an important challenge for the future and will hopefully lead to reduced neurologic morbidity in cancer patients. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of how cancer therapies, including radiation, chemotherapy, and biologic agents, affect the nervous system.