cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The value of battery testing in the clinical laboratory: a PERT network case study.

This paper presents procedures for battery testing for the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of patients' bleeding disorders. Specifically, it describes the testing performance for a group of bleeding disorders, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The value of three batterytesting procedures is examined by using a PERT technique, based on the clinical data obtained from the Saint Louis University Hospitals. The study reveals that a grouping of test procedures provides better patient care and improved utilization of clinical laboratory, while reducing the operational costs.
Material-specific effects of hydrated lime on the properties and performance behavior of asphalt mixtures and asphaltic pavements

Abstract This study evaluates hydrated lime-treated hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures through various laboratory tests, including the dynamic modulus test and performance tests to characterize permanent deformation and fatigue damage resistance both in displacement-controlled and force-controlled modes. Two different asphalt mixtures — the asphalt concrete mixture and the fine aggregate asphalt matrix mixture — which differ only in the amount of additional hydrated lime (0.5–3.0%), are tested. Test results demonstrate material-specific damage characteristics of hydrated lime and the existence of a more appropriate amount of hydrated lime to be added to the HMA mixtures than the current typical application rate such as the addition of 1.0% lime to dry or pre-moistened aggregates. In addition, the newly released Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) is used for predicting pavement performance related to hydrated lime content. The MEPDG analysis results show that damage prediction models implemented in the current MEPDG are limited to accurately predicting material-specific damage characteristics. Mechanistic models that consider material-specific crack phenomenon and fracture behavior should be pursued.
Tales from the dark side: do neuromodulators of drug withdrawal require changes in endocannabinoid tone?

Abstract Environmental and interoceptive cues are theorized to serve as ‘signals’ that motivate drug seeking and effects that may be augmented in the withdrawn state. Phasic dopamine release events are observed in the nucleus accumbens in response to such motivational salient stimuli and are thought to be necessary for drug-associated cues to trigger craving. We recently demonstrated how dopamine neurons encode stimuli conditioned to a negative event, as might occur during conditioned withdrawal, and stimuli predicting the avoidance of negative events, as might occur as an addict seeks out drugs to prevent withdrawal. In this review we first discuss how the subsecond dopamine release events might process conditioned withdrawal and drug seeking driven by negative reinforcement processes within the context of our dopamine data obtained during conditioned avoidance procedures. We next describe how the endocannabinoid system modulates phasic dopamine release events and how it might be harnessed to treat negative affective states in addiction. Specifically, we have demonstrated that endocannabinoids in the ventral tegmentum sculpt cue-induced accumbal surges in dopamine release and, therefore, may also be mobilized during drug withdrawal.
Market reasoning as moral reasoning, why economists should re-engage with political philosophy

Abstract In my book What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets (2012), I try to show that market values and market reasoning increasingly reach into spheres of life previously governed by nonmarket norms. I argue that this tendency is troubling; putting a price on every human activity erodes certain moral and civic goods worth caring about. We therefore need a public debate about where markets serve the public good and where they don't belong. In this article, I would like to develop a related theme: When it comes to deciding whether this or that good should be allocated by the market or by nonmarket principles, economics is a poor guide. Deciding which social practices should be governed by market mechanisms requires a form of economic reasoning that is bound up with moral reasoning. But mainstream economic thinking currently asserts its independence from the contested terrain of moral and political philosophy. If economics is to help us decide where markets serve the public good and where they do...
Red ‘Anjou’ pear has a higher photoprotective capacity than green ‘Anjou’

Photoprotective function of anthocyanins along with xanthophyll cycle and antioxidant system in fruit peel was investigated in red 'Anjou' vs green 'Anjou' pear (Pyrus communis) during fruit development and in response to short-term exposure to high light. The sun-exposed peel of red 'Anjou' had higher maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (F(V)/F(M)) than that of green 'Anjou' and both the sun-exposed peel and the shaded peel of red 'Anjou' had smaller decreases in F(V)/F(M) after 2-h high light (photon flux density of 1500 mumol m(-2) s(-1)) treatment than those of green 'Anjou'. At the middle and late developmental stages, the xanthophyll cycle pool size on a chlorophyll basis, the activity of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) and the level of reduced ascorbate and total ascorbate pool in the sun-exposed peel were either the same or lower in red 'Anjou' than in green 'Anjou', whereas the xanthophyll cycle pool size on a chlorophyll basis and the activity of APX, catalase, MDAR, DHAR and GR in the shaded peel were higher in red 'Anjou' than in green 'Anjou'. It is concluded that red 'Anjou' has a higher photoprotective capacity in both the sun-exposed peel and the shaded peel than green 'Anjou'. While the higher anthocyanin concentration along with the larger xanthophyll cycle pool size and the higher activity of some antioxidant enzymes may collectively contribute to the higher photoprotective capacity in the shaded peel of red 'Anjou', the higher photoprotective capacity in the sun-exposed peel of red 'Anjou' is mainly attributed to its higher anthocyanin concentration.
Growth and Abundance of the Crayfish Orconectes propinouus in a Hard Water and a Soft Water Stream

ABSTRACT Two populations of O. propinguus were studied from the hard water Ford River and soft water Baraga Creek in northern Michigan. The streams were physically and chemically similar, except for water hardness, alkalinity, conductivity and pH. Each population was sampled regularly by kick-seining into block nets. Mean abundance of young-of-the-year and year one size classes was higher in the hard water stream than in the soft water stream in 1989 (10.7 young-of-the-year/m2 vs. 1.2/m2, 9.2 year one individuals/m2 vs. 3.0/m2). Total annual net production of o. propinquus was higher in the hard water stream (5.0 g/m2 vs. 3.0 g/m2). Individual growth of both young-of-the-year and year one size classes was greater in the soft water stream. Thus, there was an inverse relationship between individual growth and crayfish density in the two streams. There was considerable year-to-year variation in mean abundance and growth (inferred from mean size) in the Ford River (10.1 year one individuals/m2 and 0.729 g dry...
Physical characteristics of osmotic membranes of organic polymers

The mechanism of water transport across cellulosic membranes under high pressure differentials was studied in an attempt to explain the semipermeability of these films when used as osmotic membranes for ionic solutions. Diffusion coefficients and activation entropy values for the diffusion of water and other fluids through various polymer films were determined, and compressive deformation of cellulose acetate and cellophane films was measured. Activation entropy values for the diffusion of water across both cellulose acetate and cellophane films illustrated that water molecules are constrained to states of high order as they are transported across the membrane under high pressure differentials. Activation entropy values for the diffusion of methanol through cellulose acetate film failed to support the proposition that chains of this polymer may actually be crosslinked by hydrogen-bonded water. It appeared, rather, that but one hydrogen of the water molecule was involved in hydrogen bonding to the polymer. A significant reorientation of the polymer in the pressure interval in which cellulose acetate film is induced into a semipermeable condition was indicated by pressure-dependent fluctuations of diffusion coefficients and activation entropy values in this interval. The greater elastic modulus of wet cellulose acetate film under a compressive force applied normal to the film surface demonstrated a strong interaction between water and polymer chains in the cellulose acetate-water structure. The capacity of the film for bound water was also increased by repeated compression while wet. Wet cellophane films deformed plastically under compression. Crosslinking polymer chains of cellophane film with cupric ions prevented plastic flow and, at the same time, increased the semipermeability of the film for sodium chloride solutions.
Enhanced Production of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 by In Vitro-Infected Alveolar Macrophages from Otherwise Healthy Cigarette Smokers

Since cellular activation is required for replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the capacity of alveolar macrophages (AM) from smokers, which are relatively activated, and nonsmokers to support the production of HIV-1JR-FL was examined. Peak HIV-1 p24 antigen level in culture supernatants of infected AM from 13 smokers was significantly higher than that of 13 nonsmokers: 31,394 +/- 8295 versus 7037 +/- 2550 pg/mL (mean +/- SE; P < .002). This difference could not be explained on the basis of viral entry, extent of reverse transcription, or release of monokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta or -6, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. HIV-1 production by blood monocytes from smokers and nonsmokers infected in vitro was negligible. Thus, cigarette smoking selectively increases the susceptibility of AM to productive infection with HIV-1. This finding provides a biologic plausibility to observations that smoking may enhance the progression of AIDS.
Integrating a framework for conducting public health systems research into statewide operations-based exercises to improve emergency preparedness

Background Due to the uncommon nature of large-scale disasters and emergencies, public health practitioners often turn to simulated emergencies, known as “exercises”, for preparedness assessment and improvement. Under the right conditions, exercises can also be used to conduct original public health systems research. This paper describes the integration of a research framework into a statewide operations-based exercise program in California as a systems-based approach for studying public health emergency preparedness and response.
Efficacy of various locally applied chemicals as contragestational agents in rats.

Abstract A variety of compounds has been screened in rats for efficacy as locally applied contragestational agents in early gestation. The compounds evaluated include: ethanol, formaldehyde, silver nitrate, rivanol, lugol's solution, cyclizine, PGF 2α , indomethacin, urea, methotrexate, ergonovine and 17β-bromoacetoxy-19-nortestosterone. Virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats were mated with proven fertile males. On day 3 (preimplantation) or day 7 (postimplantation) of gestation, 0.05 ml of the test compound was injected into one uterine horn and 0.9% saline into the other (control) horn. On gestational day 15 the dams were sacrificed and the number of corpora lutea, viable fetuses and resorptions were counted. Results indicate that the protein denaturants tested were highly effective when injected on day 3 but less effective when administered on day 7. Cyclizine was effective at high doses on day 3 and day 7. Only methotrexate was more effective on day 7 than day 3. PGF 2α , indomethacin, and ergonovine were ineffective as contragestational agents on either day 3 or 7. Superficial endometrial damage is suggested as a possible mechanism of action for the compounds which were effective on day 3 but not day 7.
Effect of cadmium ion on respiration and ATPase activity of the pulmonary alveolar macrophage: A model for the study of environmental interference with pulmonary cell function

Abstract A study was made on the effect of Cd2+ on respiration and adenosinetriphosphatase activity of pulmonary alveolar macrophage (PAM) cells. Approximately 5 m m Cd2+ inhibited endogenous respiration in PAM cells and 0.5 m m Cd2+ inhibited respiration in mitochondria of PAM cells. Tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine, an artificial electron carrier, restored the Cd2+-inhibited respiration in both cells and mitochondria, indicating that Cd2+ presumably bound certain respiratory chain components. Cadmium ion also inhibited the Na+K+, Mg2+ ATPase system of PAM cells and cellular membranes. The interaction of this metal ion with the vital processes of respiration and energy transfer in PAM cells might relate to pulmonary pathology arising from occupational and environmental exposure to cadmium. It is hypothesized that the biochemical alterations of pulmonary cells may be more sensitive and easily discernible parameters of the manifestations of noxious inhalants than the conventional pathophysiological parameters.
Will improvement in quality of life (QOL) impact fatigue in patients receiving radiation therapy for advanced cancer

Background:Fatigue has a significant impact on the quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients. Recent research has suggested that physical activity can reduce fatigue in patients receiving active cancer treatment. In this project, we examined the impact that participation in a randomized controlled tr
Charge Modification at Multiple C-terminal Lysine Residues Regulates p53 Oligomerization and Its Nucleus-Cytoplasm Trafficking

The basal level of the tumor suppressor p53 is regulated by MDM2-mediated ubiquitination at specific lysines, which leads to p53 nuclear export and degradation. Upon p53 activation, however, these lysines become acetylated by p300/CREB-binding protein. Here we have reported an unexpected finding that p300-mediated acetylation also regulates p53 subcellular localization and can promote cytoplasmic localization of p53. This activity is independent of MDM2 but requires a p53 nuclear export signal and acetylation of multiple lysines by p300. Mechanistically, we showed that conversion of a minimal four of these lysines to alanines but not arginines mimics p300-mediated p53 nuclear export, and these lysine-neutralizing mutations effectively prevent p53 tetramerization, thus exposing the oligomerization-regulated nuclear export signal. Our study suggested a threshold mechanism whereby the degree of acetylation regulates p53 nucleus-cytoplasm trafficking by neutralizing a lysine-dependent charge patch, which in turn, controls oligomerization-dependent p53 nuclear export.
Donor−Acceptor Triazenes: Synthesis, Characterization, and Study of Their Electronic and Thermal Properties

A new class of 1,3-disubstituted-triazenes were synthesized by coupling functionalized benzimidazol-2-ylidenes, as their free N-heterocyclic carbenes or generated in situ from their respective benzimidazolium precursors, to various aryl azides in modest to excellent isolated yields (36−99%). Electron delocalization between the two coupled components was studied using UV−vis spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Depending on the complementarity of the functional groups on the N-heterocyclic carbenes and the organic azides, the respective triazenes were found to exhibit λmax values ranging between 364 and 450 nm. X-ray crystallography revealed bond alteration patterns in a series of triazenes characteristic of donor−acceptor compounds. Triazene thermal stabilities were studied using thermogravimetric analysis and found to be strongly dependent on the sterics of the benzimidazol-2-ylidene component and the electronics of the azide component. Triazenes possessing bulky N-substituents (e.g...
Reduced MPTP neurotoxicity in striatum of the mutant mouse tottering.

The effects of MPTP treatment (4 3 10 mg/kg, 2-h intervals) on in vivo striatal binding of (1)-a-( 3 H)dihydrotetrabenazine ((1)-( 3 H)DTBZ) to the vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 (VMAT2) were examined in wild type (1,1) and tottering (tg/tg) mice of the C57BL/6J strain. The tottering mutant has been previously character- ized as having hyperinnervation of noradrenergic terminals in the brain, with increased concentrations of norepinephrine and increased numbers of VMAT2 binding sites. In wild-type mice, MPTP caused a significant decrease in specific striatal (1)-( 3 H)DTBZ binding in both males (-71%) and females (-57%), consistent with dopaminergic terminal losses. In the tottering mice, the neurotoxic effects of MPTP were diminished, with smaller losses of (1)-( 3 H)DTBZ binding observed both in males (-45%) and females (-26%). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that vesicular storage (as a result of hyperinnervation) offers neuroprotection toward MPTP toxicity, although the confounding effects of increases in norepinephrine concentrations or changes in calcium ion channel function (both also characteristics of the tottering mutant) cannot be ruled out. The tottering mutant does, however, offer another animal model to examine the biochemical features responsible for MPTP toxicity. Synapse 30:205-210, 1998.
Chronic social stress, affiliation, and cellular immune response in nonhuman primates.

We report the first experimental study of the effect of long-term (over 2 years) exposure to a stressor on cellular immune response Forty-three male cynomolgus monkeys were randomly assigned to stable or unstable social conditions for 26 months The proportion of time spent in affiliative behaviors was assessed by observations made twice weekly T-cell immune response (mitogen-stimulated cell proliferation) was assessed weekly for 3 weeks immediately following the 26-month manipulation The possibility that affiliative behavior represents an attempt to cope with social stress was supported by greater affiliation among animals in the unstable condition than in the stable condition Animals in the unstable condition also demonstrated relatively suppressed immune response More affiliative animals showed enhanced immune response, with the beneficial effects of affiliation occurring primarily among unstable animals The data are interpreted as consistent with the stress-buffering hypothesis, that is, affiliation pr...
Noncovalent interactions of Ni+ with N-donor ligands (Pyridine, 4,4'-Dipyridyl, 2,2'-Dipyridyl, and 1,10-Phenanthroline): Collision-induced dissociation and theoretical studies

Collision-induced dissociation of complexes of Cu+ bound to a variety of N-donor ligands (N-L) with Xe is studied using guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometry. The N-L ligands examined include pyridine, 4,4-dipyridyl, 2,2-dipyridyl, and 1,10-phenanthroline. In all cases, the primary and lowest-energy dissociation channel observed corresponds to the endothermic loss of a single intact N-L ligand. Sequential dissociation of additional N-L ligands is observed at elevated energies for the pyridine and 4,4-dipyridyl complexes containing more than one ligand. Ligand exchange processes to produce Cu+Xe are also observed as minor reaction pathways in several systems. The primary cross section thresholds are interpreted to yield 0 and 298 K bond dissociation energies (BDEs) after accounting for the effects of multiple ion-neutral collisions, the kinetic and internal energy distributions of the reactants, and dissociation lifetimes. Density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G* level are performed to...
Digital libraries for computational journalism

Computational journalism is driving the evolution of news media, devising new ways for collecting and analyzing large numbers of digital artifacts such as tweets and memes. This paper presents Breadcrumbs PDL, a specialized Personal Digital Library system that helps readers and journalists to access and use a collection of user-detected memes. PDL is part of Project Breadcrumbs, which aims to capitalize on public participation in the news media cycle. PDL supports browsing and exploration, and supports recommendations services that suggest alternative memes to read and ways to organize the users' personal workspace. Based on the users' clipping and organizational behaviors and textual similarities between clips, PDL can infer relationships between memes that computers alone cannot easily detect.
Efficacy of colonic submucosal saline solution injection for the reduction of iatrogenic thermal injury.

Background: Submucosal saline solution injection may limit the depth of thermal injury to the gut wall by acting as a heat-sink and by increasing the distance between burn and serosa. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of submucosal saline solution injection on depth of colonic thermal injury produced by commonly used endoscopic thermal modalities. Methods: Longitudinal colotomy incisions were made on the antimesenteric colonic border of anesthetized swine. Lesions were made by using a bipolar device (20 W, 2 seconds), heat probe (30 J); monopolar contact with hot biopsy forceps (20 W, 2 seconds), and monopolar noncontact with argon plasma coagulation (45 W, 3 seconds). Ten or more lesions were created with each device. Lesions were made with or without prior submucosal injection of 2 mL of normal saline solution. After 24 hours the lesions were excised for histologic analysis. Injury was assessed in relation to the severity of damage to the deep (longitudinal) muscle layer. Results: The proportions of control lesions (without submucosal saline solution injection) in which deep injury was evident were as follows: argon plasma coagulation, 86%; hot biopsy forceps, 64%; heat probe, 50%; bipolar device, 18%. Submucosal saline solution injection significantly reduced the proportions of lesions with deep injury for argon plasma coagulation (p = 0.009) and heat probe (p = 0.03), but not hot biopsy forceps or bipolar device (argon plasma coagulation, 86% to 21%; heat probe, 50% to 0%; hot biopsy forceps, 64% to 50%; bipolar device, 18% to 9%). Conclusions: At equivalent energy outputs, the bipolar device results in less deep injury than the monopolar or heat probe. Submucosal saline solution injection reduced injury to the muscularis propria caused by both heat probe and argon plasma coagulation, but not hot biopsy forceps. Despite submucosal saline solution injection, caution should be exercised when using prolonged monopolar cautery. (Gastrointest Endosc 2002;56:95-9.)
Accelerated fracture healing in mice lacking the 5-lipoxygenase gene

The molecular events that initiate and maintain bone fracture healing are poorly understood. Inflammation is an early physiological response to fracture and it has been postulated that signaling molecules produced during inflammation initiate the tissue regeneration pathway (Mountziaris and Mikos 2008, Cottrell et al. 2009). Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a critical, enzymatic regulator of inflammation (Simmons et al. 2004). Loss of COX-2 function dramatically impairs fracture healing in mice and rats (Simon et al. 2002). Fracture healing in COX-2 knock-out mice is characterized by formation of a small cartilaginous fracture callus with delayed, reduced, or no endochondral bone formation (Zhang et al. 2002). Pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 also severely impairs fracture healing (Simon and O'Connor 2007). Human studies examining the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on fracture healing support the conclusions from animal studies (Burd et al. 2003). Inflammatory stimuli activate phospholipase A2 to release arachidonic acid from membrane stores (Capper and Marshall 2001). In turn, arachidonic acid is converted into prostaglandins by COX-2 or into leukotrienes by 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) (Murphy and Gijon 2007). By inhibiting COX-2, arachidonic acid can be shunted into the 5-LO pathway to produce abnormally high levels of leukotrienes (Hudson et al. 1993, Martel-Pelletier et al. 2004, Marcouiller et al. 2005). Conversely, ablation of 5-LO function can lead to abnormally high levels of prostaglandins (Byrum et al. 1997). Since COX-2 activity is critical for successful fracture healing, loss of COX-2 activity may alter fracture callus prostaglandin levels and lead to excess leukotriene synthesis. In turn, these excess amounts of leukotrienes could contribute to the impaired healing observed in mice lacking COX-2 or in animals treated with COX-2 inhibitors by altering the inflammatory response. To test this hypothesis, we measured fracture healing in mice homozygous for a targeted mutation in the 5-LO gene (5-LOKO mice) as loss of 5-LO activity would prevent leukotriene synthesis and potentially lead to accelerated healing. Fracture healing was assessed by radiography, histomorphometry, and torsional mechanical testing. Levels of fracture callus prostaglandin (PG) E2, PGF2α and leukotriene (LT) B4 were measured to determine how loss of COX-1, COX-2, or 5-LO activity alters the synthesis of these lipid signaling molecules during fracture healing.
Total inelastic-scattering cross sections by optical-potential methods

Total excitation cross sections for electrons scattering from atomic hydrogen are calculated by using a complex optical potential. Distorted-wave propagators as well as free-particle propagators are used in computing the optical potential. It is found that using an attractive potential to generate the propagator results in poorer agreement with experiment than using a free-particle propagator. The effect of neglecting coupling between excited target states in computing the optical potential is also studied. It is concluded that it is necessary to include coupling between excited target states if the calculation is to be reliable.
POSTDATE PREGNANCY UPDATE

Trends in the management of the postdate pregnancy are reviewed. An updated approach to management of the postdate pregnancy is presented. A range of research from descriptive studies to prospective, randomized clinical trials for the pregnancy exceeding term is referenced for the clinician who seeks the rationale behind current protocol for management of the pregnancy beyond 42 weeks.
Biomedical equipment maintenance in Canadian hospitals

The author prepared a questionnaire entitled ‘Management of electromedical equipment in Canadian hospitals’, and sent it to 100 hospitals throughout Canada. This paper gives a brief description of this questionnaire and a resume of the answers sent in. It provides an account of how Canadian hospitals are coping with the problem of equipment maintenance and repair.
Extradural haematoma presenting as a contralateral sixth nerve palsy after cochlear implantation

Intracranial complications after cochlear implantation are rare. The authors present the case of a 13 month old boy with a contralateral abducens nerve palsy following cochlear implantation that led to the diagnosis of an extradural haematoma on computerised tomography scanning. The abducens palsy resolved after evacuation of the haematoma and the patient made an excellent recovery. The literature is reviewed and the mechanism of injury discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An atomistic analysis of incipient metal plasticity during tensile loading

Crystallographic slip at the beginning stages of plastic deformation is investigated via an atomistic (molecular statics) model. Attention is devoted to face-center-cubic metallic crystals in the form of a nanowire under uniaxial tensile loading. The simulation parameters employed in this work are such that dislocation slip behavior can be observed without the influence of surface stress and phase transformation. The incorporation of an initial embedded point defect in the model causes plastic deformation to be facilitated in a controlled manner. Two crystallographic orientations are studied, and , which result in, respectively, single slip and double slip at the onset of plastic yielding. Detailed mechanisms of dislocation evolution and their glide features are analyzed.
Characterization of filtered FLIR systems designed for chemical vapor detection and mapping

This paper describes the test and analysis of spectrally modified thermal-imaging systems designed to detect chemical vapor clouds.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Combination therapy with mexiletine and sotalol suppresses inherited ventricular arrhythmias in German shepherd dogs better than mexiletine or sotalol monotherapy: a randomized cross-over study.

Abstract Objectives To determine the spontaneous variability of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and evaluate anti-arrhythmic efficacy of mexiletine, sotalol, and a mexiletine–sotalol combination in German shepherd dogs (GSD) with inherited arrhythmias. Animals, materials and methods 12 affected GSD, median age 20 weeks, received mexiletine (8 mg/kg PO q8 h), sotalol (2.5 mg/kg PO q12 h), and combination therapy for 6 days in random order. Pre- and post-treatment 24 h Holter recordings were acquired, allowing determination of VA variability and reduction in 24 h VA for each treatment. Drug concentrations during each arm were measured. Results An anti-arrhythmic effect could be inferred if ventricular premature complexes (VPC), ventricular couplets (V cpl ), ventricular tachycardia runs (VT runs ) and total ventricular ectopy (VE tot ) frequency were reduced by 61%, 97%, 98%, and 63% (1 control Holter model), by 53%, 94%, 95%, and 54% (4 control Holter model) and by 54%, 95%, 96% and 56% (3 control Holter model). Combination therapy reduced VPC and VE tot in more dogs (5/12 and 6/12) than mexiletine (1/11 and 2/11) or sotalol (2/9 and 1/9) ( p cpl , and VE tot . Sotalol monotherapy produced an increase in VT runs . Plasma mexiletine concentration was higher during combination therapy than with monotherapy. Conclusions Combination therapy reduced VPC in affected GSD. Sotalol monotherapy increased VT runs . Combination therapy increased plasma mexiletine concentrations.
Incidence of neoplastic polyps in the ileal pouch of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis after restorative proctocolectomy

PURPOSE: Although adenomatous polyps and even adenocarcinomas have been found in the terminal ileum of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, the prevalence of neoplastic changes in the pouches of patients who have undergone restorative proctocolectomy is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of pelvic pouch neoplasia in famial adenomatous polyposis patients after restorative proctocolectomy. METHODS: Patients in a polyposis registry who had undergone restorative proctocolectomy were recruited. Demographic, surgical, pathologic, and endoscopic data were obtained from patient records. Video pouchoscopy was done after two enemas and representative biopsies were taken. RESULTS: Of 102 eligible patients, 26 (17 males and 9 females) participated. Median age at ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was 31 (range, 12–58) years. Median follow-up period was 66 (11–156) months. Adenomas were found in the pouch of 11 (42 percent) patients, in the terminal ileum above the pouch in 1 patient, and in the anal canal of 4 patients. Among patients with pouch polyps, three patients had one lesion, three patients had two lesions, and five patients had more than ten lesions. The incidence of polyps increased steadily with time from restorative proctocolectomy. There was no relation between the incidence of pouch polyposis and the severity of colonic or duodenal disease. CONCLUSIONS: Proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is associated with a significant risk of pouch neoplasia in familial adenomatous polyposis patients. The severity of pouch adenomas was not related either to the severity of colonic or duodenal disease. The pelvic pouches of all patients with familial adenomatous polyposis who have undergone restorative proctocolectomy should be examined periodically.
Endolymph calcium increases with time after surgical induction of hydrops in guinea-pigs

The ionized Ca2+ concentration in cochlear endolymph is normally extremely low. Previous studies have shown that endolymph Ca2+ levels become elevated when measured at long intervals after endolymphatic hydrops is surgically induced. The present study was designed to investigate how rapidly endolymph Ca2+ increases following endolymphatic duct ablation. Hydropic animals were tested at either 4 days, 4 weeks, 8 weeks or 16 weeks after surgery. In each animal endolymph Ca2+ and endocochlear potentials were measured in all four cochlear turns using double-barreled Ca(2+)-sensitive electrodes. Cochlear sensitivity was assessed using compound action potential thresholds. Our results confirm that hydropic animals show an elevation of endolymph Ca2+ and a reduction of EP which is initially small, but becomes more pronounced at longer times after surgery. At 16 weeks endolymph Ca2+ was increased by an average factor of 20 in the basal turn and 7.5 in the fourth turn. These findings suggest that endolymph Ca2+ changes may not be the primary factor responsible for hydrops generation, but probably contribute to cochlear dysfunction in later phases of hydrops. For some experimental groups, the elevation of AP threshold was more closely correlated with endolymph Ca2+ level than it was with endolymph volume. Endolymph Ca2+ changes must therefore be considered in order to account for dysfunction in the hydropic cochlea.
All-optical video alarm system uses SLRs to demonstrate unsupervised learning

An all-optical video alarm system was constructed and tested to demonstrate unsupervised learning. Previously we showed experimental results in which Hebbian learning was used in a supervised learning system for optical heteroassociative memory. We show the relation between Perceptron learning and supervised Hebbian learning and then show how the latter may be evolved into the unsupervised Hebbian learning used in this paper. The concept is first explained using an optical perceptron like set up with a delay and a spatial light modulator made of electron trapping material. The delay is accomplished using two SLRs. Two cycles are used in a folded system so that the same image intensifier/liquid crystal light valve combination may be used for reading both SLRs. Experimental results show the correct functioning of the system.
Interactive effects in transfer-appropriate processing for event-based prospective memory: the roles of effort, ongoing task, and PM cue properties.

Past studies (e.g., Marsh, Hicks, & Cook Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition 31:68–75, 2005; Meiser & Schult European Journal of Cognitive Psychology 20:290–311, 2008) have shown that transfer-appropriate processing (TAP) effects in event-based prospective memory (PM) depend on the effort directed toward the ongoing task. In the present study, we addressed mixed findings from these studies and examined monitoring in TAP and transfer-inappropriate processing (TIP) conditions. In two experiments, a semantic or orthographic ongoing task was paired with a PM cue that either was matched in processing (TAP) or did not match in processing (TIP). Within each condition, effort was varied across trials. The results indicated that PM accuracy was higher in TAP than in TIP conditions, regardless of effort condition, supporting the findings reported by Meiser and Schult. Ex-Gaussian functions were fit to the mean reaction times (cf. Brewer Journal of Psychology 219:117–124, 2011) in order to examine monitoring across conditions. The analysis of distributional skew (τ parameter) showed sensitivity to ongoing task instructions and properties of the PM cues. These results support Meiser and Schult’s suggestion that TIP conditions require more attentional processing, and they also afford novel discussion on the interactive effects of ongoing task condition, PM cue properties, and manipulations of effort.
Resolving crystal polymorphisms by finding stationary points from quantitative analysis of crystal growth response surfaces

Quantitative analysis of statistically sampled experimental designs have shown that a functionally interesting crystal growth polymorphism for E. coli cytidine deaminase can be resolved into pure states by finding where each state has a crystal growth optimum.
A proof of Lyndon's finite basis theorem

A new proof is given of the theorem, originally proved by R.C. Lyndon, that any two element algebra of finite similarity type has a finite basis for its equations. We also provide a new proof of a result of W. Taylor that any equational class generated by a two element algebraic system contains only a finite number of subdirectly irreducible members, each of which is finite. The original proofs of these two theorems relied on E.L. Post's classification of the two element algebraic systems. Our paper uses instead some recent results from universal algebra.
A targeted approach to cancer imaging and therapy

Nanoparticle-based imaging plays a crucial role in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here, we discuss the modalities used for molecular imaging of the tumour microenvironment and image-guided interventions including drug delivery, surgery and ablation therapy.
Caring for Poorly Controlled Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Pharmacist Intervention

BACKGROUND:There is limited information from randomized controlled studies about the influence of pharmacist interventions on diabetes control.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of a pharmacist intervention on improving diabetes control; secondary endpoints were medication appropriateness and self-reported adherence.METHODS:A randomized, controlled, multi-clinic trial was conducted in the University of Washington Medicine Neighborhood Clinics. Seventy-seven subjects, ⩾18 years old with a hemoglobin (Hb) A1c ⩾9% at baseline and taking at least one oral diabetes medication, were randomized to receive a pharmacist intervention (n = 43) or usual care (n = 34) for 6 months followed by a 6-month usual-care observation period for both groups. Subjects met with a clinical pharmacist to establish and initiate a diabetes care plan followed by weekly visits or telephone calls to facilitate diabetes management and adherence. HbA1c, medication appropriateness, and self-reported adherence were assessed at baseline, 6 mon...
Bioinformatics for Whole-Genome Shotgun Sequencing of Microbial Communities

The application of whole-genome shotgun sequencing to microbial communities represents a major development in metagenomics, the study of uncultured microbes via the tools of modern genomic analysis. In the past year, whole-genome shotgun sequencing projects of prokaryotic communities from an acid mine biofilm, the Sargasso Sea, Minnesota farm soil, three deep-sea whale falls, and deep-sea sediments have been reported, adding to previously published work on viral communities from marine and fecal samples. The interpretation of this new kind of data poses a wide variety of exciting and difficult bioinformatics problems. The aim of this review is to introduce the bioinformatics community to this emerging field by surveying existing techniques and promising new approaches for several of the most interesting of these computational problems.
Trust and recognition: coming to terms with models.

pecial issues serve many purposes. Commonlythey are used to bring attention to and focus ontopics whose importance is increasing or whoseimportance is unrecognized or insufficiently recog-nized, to reprise the state of the art, or provide aneducational opportunity for an interested commu-nity. In this special issue, all of these goals are ad-dressed. The articles by Enns and others, Jacksonand others, and Kong explore developing methodsused to calibrate models. O’Mahoney and othersand Goldhaber-Fiebert and Brandeau explore andelucidate time-related calibration issues. Alagozand others, Eismann and others, and Joranger andothers use calibration methods to establish andreport on foundational work for their modeling pro-grams. An article by Kimmel and another by van Cal-ster demonstrate the very different outcomes thatmight result when models are not calibrated appro-priately and the value of using local data to calibrate,validate, and refine models.The word calibrate appears to have originatedaround the end of the early industrial age and thebeginning of mass-produced artillery. It was impor-tant that the caliber of each cannon be uniform andconsistent with the standard. This idea was thenextended to other mechanical instruments. As onemight imagine, in the age of steam, calibration wascritical. Poorly calibrated instruments could literallyexplode in your face. Over time, calibration hasbecome understood as comparing the output of anyparticular instrument to a known standard andadjustingthisinstrumentsothatitsbehavior,usuallycharacterized by some output, is as close as possibleto the standard.As described in the recent SMDM-ISPOR consen-sus articles,
Beamspace slow-time MIMO radar for multipath clutter mitigation

This paper concerns beamspace multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) space-time adaptive processing (STAP) to mitigate radar clutter subject to multipath propagation between transmit and receive arrays. Transmit beams are phase-coded to be orthogonal after Doppler processing at the receiver (in "slow-time"). This permits separation and coherent recombination of transmit beams to form virtual transmit nulls in directions that would otherwise result in multipath clutter returns in the receive mainlobe. Compared to element-space methods, beamspace MIMO is particularly advantageous because physical transmit beams can be designed to efficiently illuminate a sector of interest as well as maintain a low transmit voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR).
Pulmonary hypertension : Diagnostics and therapeutics

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) may develop because of a spectrum of insults to the lungs; in some patients, there seems to be no cause. Noninvasive tests, such as standard chest radiography, electrocardiography, and transthoracic Doppler echocardiography, provide effective screening if PH is suspected. This synopsis focuses on these screening studies and the more common clinical problems, including primary cardiac abnormalities, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic pulmonary embolism, pulmonary parenchymal problems, connective tissue disorders, cirrhosis with portal hypertension, and use of appetite suppressants, that should be considered when PH exists. Treatment options for PH, including intravenous prostacyclin (epoprostenol), and investigational agents such as subcutaneous or oral prostacyclin analogues and oral endothelin receptor antagonists are described.
Phase stability limits via non-equilibrium normal mode analysis

Abstract Alkali chlorides in both their rock-salt and CsCl modifications were isotropically expanded or compressed to produce non-equilibrium structures while preserving the crystal symmetries and perfect force balance. These structures were analysed by determining the eigenvalues of the linearized Hamiltonian equations of motion. This procedure, which is similar to normal mode analysis, yields all elastic coefficients and the spectrum of rates of motion, which can include oscillatory as well as aperiodic modes. In balanced structures, the onset of aperiodic modes of motion coincides with singularities or roots in the density dependence of elastic coefficients. This onset is interpreted as the limit of stability for a given crystallographic phase and, by comparing the values of the various elastic constants, some information about the type of transition that is impending at those densities can be obtained. Results for chlorides with varying alkali cation are consistent with the experimentally observed pha...
Experimental transmission of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8) to SIV-positive and SIV-negative rhesus macaques

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a gamma-herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and two lymphoproliferative diseases, primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and multicentric Castleman's disease. Studies on the biology and pathogenesis of KSHV have been limited by lack of efficient cell culture systems and lack of a suitable animal model for KS. Here we report on the experimental inoculation of SIV-positive and SIV-negative rhesus macaques with KSHV-infected PEL cells or KSHV preparations derived from PEL cells. Low levels of viral DNA could be detected in cultivated peripheral blood mononuclear cell of all animals, as well as in the bone marrow of one monkey that died from SAIDS. However, we were not able to detect KSHV-specific antibodies or transcripts, nor did we observe any symptoms clearly related to KSHV infection (e.g. KS or lympho-proliferative disease). Hence, although KSHV replicates in rhesus macaques at very low levels, this non-human primate host is unlikely to provide a useful animal model for disease.
Comparability of Conventional and Computerized Tests of Reading in a Second Language

Computerization of L2 reading tests has been of interest among language assessment researchers for the past 15 years, but few empirical studies have evaluated the equivalence of the construct being measured in computerized and conventional L2 reading tests and the generalizability of computerized reading test results to other reading conditions. In order to address various issues surrounding the effect of mode of presentation on L2 reading test performance, the present study reviews the literature in cognitive ability testing in educational and psychological measurement and the nonassessment literature in ergonomics, education, psychology, and L1 reading research. Generalization of the findings to computerized L2 assessment was found to be difficult: The nature of the abilities measured in the assessment literature does not necessarily involve language data; mode of presentation studies in the non-assessment literature involving L2 readers are scarce; and there are limitations in the research methodologies used. However, the literature raises important issues to be considered in future studies of mode of presentation in language assessment.
Differential Expression of Cell Cycle Genes in Rhesus Monkey Oocytes and Embryos of Different Developmental Potentials

Correct cell cycle regulation is especially challenging at the start of life. Ovulated oocytes must maintain meiotic arrest until fertilization, and then complete meiosis and initiate a series of modified cell divisions without growth. Moreover, myriad key developmental events, such as chromatin remodeling and transcriptional activation of the genome, are coordinated with each other via the cell cycle, particularly passage through the DNA synthesis phase (S Phase). We examined here the expression of more than 30 mRNAs related to cell cycle regulation in rhesus monkey oocytes and embryos and compared the expression of these mRNAs between oocytes and embryos of different developmental potentials. We find that the maternally inherited stores of cell cycle regulatory mRNAs are especially susceptible to disruption in cases of diminished oocyte and embryo quality in the rhesus monkey. In comparison to published mouse array data, we also observed striking species differences in the temporal expression patterns of many of these genes, suggesting that mechanisms of cell cycle control may differ and that the responses of oocytes and embryos to external insults may likewise differ.