cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of action of the organic nitrates in the treatment of myocardial ischemia

Nitroglycerin and the long-acting nitrates are widely used in all of the anginal syndromes and have proven effectiveness in relieving or preventing myocardial ischemia. Recent developments into nitrate mechanisms of action provide new insights as to the many anti-ischemic effects of these agents. Important concepts relating to coronary arterial endothelial function are germane to nitrate therapy. Endothelial-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) is presently believed to be nitric oxide (NO), which exerts vasodilatory and/or antiplatelet actions by increasing intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate as a result of activation of the enzyme guanylate cyclase. In the setting of coronary atherosclerosis, or even hyperlipidemia without histologic vascular disease, endothelial dysfunction may be present, promoting a vasoconstrictor/proplatelet aggregatory milieu. Nitroglycerin and the organic nitrates are NO donors; NO is the final product of nitrate metabolism, and in the vascular smooth muscle NO induces relaxation, resulting in vasodilation of arteries and veins. In the presence of inadequate EDRF production and/or release, it appears that nitroglycerin may partially replenish EDRF-like activity. Nitrates have long been known to have major peripheral circulatory actions resulting in a marked decrease in cardiac work. Venodilation and arterial relaxation result in a decrease in intracardiac chamber size and pressures, with a resultant decrease in myocardial oxygen consumption. In addition, a variety of direct coronary circulatory actions of the nitrates have been documented. These include not only epicardial coronary artery dilation, but the prevention of coronary vasoconstriction, enhanced collateral flow, and coronary stenosis enlargement. Recent work suggests that the nitrates may also act by preventing distal coronary artery or collateral vasoconstriction, which can reduce blood flow downstream from a total coronary obstruction. Thus, there are many anti-ischemic mechanisms of action by which nitroglycerin and the organic nitrates may be beneficial in both acute and chronic ischemic heart disease syndromes. The unique salutory effects of the nitrates in subjects with left ventricular dysfunction or congestive heart failure make these drugs particularly attractive for patients with abnormal systolic function and intermittent myocardial ischemia. Finally, the emergent role of intravenous nitroglycerin in acute myocardial infarction offers new prospects that nitrate therapy may prove to be beneficial in acute myocardial infarction as well as postmyocardial infarction for the reduction of left ventricular remodeling.
Ambiguity and the process of knowledge transfer in strategic alliances

This research examines the role played by the ‘causally ambiguous’ nature of knowledge in the process of knowledge transfer between strategic alliance partners. Based on a cross-sectional sample of 147 multinationals and a structural equation methodology, this study empirically investigates the simultaneous effects of knowledge ambiguity and its antecedents—tacitness, asset specificity, prior experience, complexity, partner protectiveness, cultural distance, and organizational distance—on technological knowledge transfer. In contrast to past research that generally assumed a direct relation between these explanatory variables and transfer outcomes, this study’s findings highlight the critical role played by knowledge ambiguity as a full mediator of tacitness, prior experience, complexity, cultural distance, and organizational distance on knowledge transfer. These significant effects are further found to be moderated by the firm’s level of collaborative know-how, its learning capacity, and the duration of the alliance. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alternaria spp. in the Pap test of a 25 year-old woman.

A 25-yr-old female with complaints of infrequent, heavy periods and burning of skin during urination came for an annual gynecologic examination and Pap test. The patient’s medical history is significant for genital herpes treated with topical acyclovir, and irregular periods that were nonresponsive to oral contraceptive treatment. We observed a fungal organism with ‘‘snowshoe’’-like characteristic appearance consistent with the conidia of Alternaria spp. (Fig. C-1A) in her ThinPrep (Cytyc Corporation, Boxborough, MA). Figure C-1B of a growing culture of Alternaria shows muriform conidia, septate and brown hyphae. The organism has a natural brown pigment due to the production of a characteristic melaninlike pigment. Alternaria spp. are ubiquitous and are saprophytes commonly isolated from plants, soil, food, and indoor environment. This fungus is usually believed to be a stain contaminant in Pap test. Although there are several cases of human infection caused by Alternaria spp., the majority of cases occurred in patients with severe underlying disease or in those receiving immunosuppressive drugs. The reported lesions were mostly cutaneous involving dorsal part of the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, face, and pretibial areas. Rare cases of visceral infections and osteomyelitis due to Alternaria have been reported. Alternaria alternate is the most common species isolated from human infections. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reported cases of this organism isolated from the uterine cervix. Our findings in this Pap test most likely represent a contamination.
Intraspecific Variation in the Social Systems of Wild Vertebrates

1. As wild vertebrates are increasingly studied in more than one area or at more than one time instraspecific variation in social systems (IVSS) is increasingly observed. Intraspecific variation has been observed in a number of social systems. Individuals within a single species may be alone or in groups. Their spacing system may be territoriality, coloniality, lekking, dominance or despotism. They may breed monogamously, polyandrously, polygynously or promiscuously. Either both parents or a single parent may care for the young. The parents may or may not have helpers. Parents may or may not pool their young and care for them communally. 2. The evidence so far suggests that most species manifest one of two alternative systems of the same general type, i.e. one of two mating systems or parental care systems. This suggests that there are constraints on their flexibility. These constraints probably include the psychological complexity of the shift from one alternative to another, the compatibility of a particular system with other aspects of the species' natural history, and the species' phylogenetic history. 3. Several ecological variables have so far been identified as correlates of alternative social systems within a species. These variables are generally those currently considered important in interspecific socioecological analysis: differences in 1) the distribution and abundance of food, 2) the level of competition for food, 3) the level and kind of predator pressure, 4) the level of population density and 5) habitat saturation. 4. Alternative social systems are usually viewed as adaptive responses to the costs and benefits of the observed social system compared to alternative social systems. In this respect, IVSS is treated as intraspecific socioecology. 5. Intraspecific socioecology differs profoundly from interspecific socioecology in the approach taken in accounting for observed social systems. Species differences are typically assumed to be caused by genetic differences resulting from distinct natural selection histories in the populations under consideration. IVSS, on the other hand, often involves facultative switching between alternatives that are clearly not traceable to genetic differences. IVSS may be produced by a number of proximate mechanisms. Nutritional state, hormone levels and particular experiences can all predispose animals to different degrees of aggressivity, which in turn may influence the form of social system that emerges from their interactions. Different experiential histories may make one animal inclined to be a member of a group, and another inclined to be solitary. A high level of one kind of social activity may preclude engaging in another. For example, a territorial male under high intruder pressure may be too busy defending space to give paternal care. 6. Progress in the description and interpretation of IVSS will enrich animal behavior as a discipline. In addition, the ability to predict, and possibly even influence, rapid changes in social systems may contribute substantially to conservation strategies.
Growth of III-Nitride quantum structures for device applications

Using GSMBE with ammonia on (0001) sapphire substrates, AlN/AlGaN nanostructured short period superlattices (SPSLs), with respective well and barrier thickness from 0.5 to 1 nm and from 0.75 to 1.5 nm, have been shown to have energy gaps in the deep UV suitable for light emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodetectors (PDs) operating down to 247 nm. Performance of LEDs and PDs is limited by factors including efficiency of radiative recombination and absorption in the active region and electrical resistivity of p-type wide bandgap SPSLs. Based on MOVPE, we have used selective area epitixy (SAE) to grow InGaN/GaN quantum structures. By patterning SiO2 hard mask materials on planar sapphire substrates, we have grown various shapes including pyramidal stripes with In x Ga 1−x N multiple quantum wells. The structures at the apex are found to have very high In content with corresponding optical emission in the green wavelength range and excellent uniformity.
Estimating the HVAC energy consumption of plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract Plug in electric vehicles are vehicles that use energy from the electric grid to provide tractive and accessory power to the vehicle. Due to the limited specific energy of energy storage systems, the energy requirements of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for cabin conditioning can significantly reduce their range between charges. Factors such as local ambient temperature, local solar radiation, local humidity, length of the trip and thermal soak have been identified as primary drivers of cabin conditioning loads and therefore of vehicle range. The objective of this paper is to develop a detailed systems-level approach to connect HVAC technologies and usage conditions to consumer-centric metrics of vehicle performance including energy consumption and range. This includes consideration of stochastic and transient inputs to the HVAC energy consumption model including local weather, solar loads, driving behavior, charging behavior, and regional passenger fleet population. The resulting engineering toolset is used to determine the summation of and geographical distribution of energy consumption by HVAC systems in electric vehicles, and to identify regions of US where the distributions of electric vehicle range are particularly sensitive to climate.
Insulin Inhibits Intranuclear Nuclear Factor κB and Stimulates IκB in Mononuclear Cells in Obese Subjects: Evidence for an Anti-inflammatory Effect?

In view of the fact that insulin resistance is associated with atherogenesis and that troglitazone, an insulin sensitizer, has anti-inflammatory effects, which may be potentially antiatherogenic in the long term, we have now investigated whether insulin has potential anti-inflammatory effects. We infused 2.0 to 2.5 IU/h in 5% dextrose (100 mL/h) iv into 10 obese subjects for 4 h followed by 5% dextrose alone for 2 h. The rate of insulin infusion was varied to maintain glucose concentrations as close to the baseline as possible. Blood samples were obtained before and at 2, 4, and 6 h. Subjects were also infused with 5% dextrose without insulin and with saline on separate occasions. Intranuclear nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) in mononuclear cells fell at 2 and further at 4 h, reverting toward the baseline at 6 h (P < 0.05). IkappaB increased significantly at 2 h, increasing further at 4 h and remaining elevated at 6 h (P < 0.001). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by mononuclear cells fell significantly at 2 h and fell further at 4 h; it partially reverted to baseline at 6 h (P < 0.005). p47(phox) subunit, the key protein of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase also fell at 2 h and 4 h, reverting toward the baseline at 6 h (P < 0.05). In addition, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) fell significantly following insulin infusion. Glucose or saline infusions without insulin caused no alteration in NFkappaB, IkappaB, ROS generation, p47(phox) subunit, sICAM-1, MCP-1, or PAI-1. We conclude that insulin has a potent acute anti-inflammatory effect including a reduction in intranuclear NFkappaB, an increase in IkappaB, and decreases in ROS generation, p47(phox) subunit, plasma soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1. This acute anti-inflammatory effect, if demonstrated in the long term, may have implications for atherosclerosis and its complications.
Surface Sol-Gel Synthesis of Ultrathin Semiconductor Films

Ultrathin films of ZnS, Mn-doped ZnS, ZnO, and SiO2 were grown on silicon substrates using surface sol-gel reactions, and the film growth process was characterized by ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-visible absorbance, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The Si substrates were pretreated by chemical oxidation, or by derivatization with 4-((dimethylmethoxy)silyl)butylamine. On the oxidized Si/SiOx surface, nanoparticulate films of ZnS and Mn-doped ZnS were grown by sequential immersion in aqueous metal acetate and sodium sulfide solutions. During the first four adsorption cycles, there was little film growth, but thereafter the amount of material deposited was linear with the number of adsorption cycles. This behavior is consistent with the formation of ZnS nuclei at low coverage, followed by particle growth in subsequent cycles. PL spectra are consistent with incorporation of Mn 2+ into the ZnS nanoparticles. In contrast, the growth of SiO2 films from nonaqueous SiCl4 on the same Si/SiOx substrates was regular from the first adsorption cycle, indicating a high density of nucleation sites. On aminederivatized substrates, ZnO thin films grew as relatively smooth islands, suggesting that the interaction of Zn 2+ ions or primary ZnO clusters with the amine surface priming layer was sufficiently strong to prevent the formation of isotropic nanoparticles upon exposure to aqueous base.
Detection and assessment of severity of regional ischemic left ventricular dysfunction by digital fluoroscopy.

Abstract Digital intravenous ventriculography (DIV) was used to detect and assess the severity of regional and global left ventricular (LV) function in the presence of graded levels of coronary stenosis. DIV was performed on six anesthetized dogs with a coronary blood flow probe and micrometer controlled occluder on the circumflex coronary artery (CXA) and pairs of sonic dimension crystals in the posterointerior (ischemic area) and anterior (control area) walls of the LV in the control state, with subtotal occlusion of the CXA (STEN), and with CXA occlusion (OCL). Global analysis at each stage included area-length calculation of end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and ejection fraction (EF). Regional analysis included calculation of area displaced by anterior wall (AA), and posteroinferior wall (IA), average amplitude of excursion of the anterior wall (AE), and posteroinferior wall (IE). STEN caused significant increase in AA (14.4 ± 2.2%) and decreases in EF (−19.7 ± 2.5%), IA (−36.6 ± 4.2%), and IE (−30.8 ± 5.3%) ( p p
CD44 is required for the migration of transplanted oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to focal inflammatory demyelinating lesions in the spinal cord

Remyelination of chronically demyelinated axons in multiple sclerosis (MS) requires the recruitment of endogenous cells or their replacement by transplanted, exogenous oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). We have previously shown that an OPC line, CG4, preferentially migrates after transplantation toward focal areas of inflammatory demyelination and axon loss created by injection of zymosan in the rat spinal cord. Here we show that many transplanted CG4 cells had already migrated into the inflammatory lesion after 1 day. We demonstrate that a large number of CG4 cells that had migrated, expressed the adhesion protein, CD44, and that CD44's main ligand, hyaluronic acid (HA) was robustly expressed in the inflammatory lesion. In an in vitro migration assay, migration declined significantly following blocking of CD44 expression on CG4 cells. Likewise, migration of CG4 cells toward a zymosan lesion in vivo was inhibited when transplanted cells were exposed to a CD44 blocking antibody prior to transplantation. These findings suggest that CD44 is a key molecule in the migration of OPCs toward the focal inflammatory demyelinated lesion induced by zymosan, and may be an important in OPC repair in MS.
NICU Nurses’ Knowledge and Discharge Teaching Related to Infant Sleep Position and Risk of SIDS

Infants requiring neonatal intensive care are often placed prone during their acute illness. After hospital discharge the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends supine sleep position to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Little is known about nursing knowledge and practice regarding best sleep positions for infants as they transition from neonatal intensive care to home. Objective- To explore and describe neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses’ knowledge and practice in the NICU, and to determine the content of parent instruction regarding infant sleep position at discharge. Study Design- This survey was conducted in 2 phases. In Phase I, a questionnaire was designed and completed by 157 neonatal nurses currently practicing in Level III and IV NICUs in the state of New York. After content analysis of responses and item revisions, a panel of experts reviewed questionnaire items. Phase II involved completion of the final questionnaire by 95 NICU nurses in 4 additional hospitals. The combined results of Phase I and II are reported. Results- Of 514 questionnaires distributed, 252 (49%) were completed and analyzed. During NICU hospitalization, nurse respondents identified prone position as the best general sleep position for preterm infants (65%) followed by either prone or side-lying (12%). The nurses’ assessment of the infants’ readiness for supine sleep position at the time of NICU discharge varied. Most nurses responded that preterm infants were ready to sleep supine anytime (29%), close to discharge (13%), when maintaining their body temperature in an open crib (25%), between 34 to 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) (15%), after 37 weeks PMA (13%), and when the infant’s respiratory status was stable (6%). Typical sleep positions chosen for full-term infants in the NICU were supine (40%), side or supine (30%), all positions (18%), side (8%), prone or side (3%), and prone (1%). Frequently cited reasons to place full-term infants to sleep prone were: reflux (45%), upper airway anomalies (40%), respiratory distress (29%), inconsolability (29%), and to promote development (17%). At NICU discharge, 52% of nurses instructed parents to place their infants in the supine position for sleep. The most common nonsupine sleep positions recommended by nurses at discharge were either supine or side (38%), and exclusive side positioning (9%). Conclusions- Nearly 95% of respondents identified a nonsupine sleep position as optimal for hospitalized preterm infants. Further, only 52% of neonatal nurses routinely provide discharge instructions that promote supine sleep positions at home. This study suggests that nursing self-reports of discharge teaching practices are inconsistent, and in some cases in direct conflict with the national “Back to Sleep” recommendations, which emphasize that the supine position is the safest position for healthy full-term and preterm infants after hospital discharge.
Interaction of pharmaceuticals with schardinger dextrins V. Interaction with a series of phenyl‐substituted carboxylic acids

Interactions were observed between beta-cyclodextrin and a series of phenyl-substituted carboxylic acids in aqueous solution. By use of the solubility method of analysis, definite interactions were found to occur with each of the acids. When phase diagrams allowed, stoichiometric ratios were calculated for the complexes and the corresponding Kf and Δ F 0 values determined. Stoichiometries from the analysis of various isolated complexes agreed quite closely with those obtained from the phase diagrams. Several of the inclusion complexes exhibit extremely high formation constants indicative of thermodynamically favorable interactions. Even though a complex mechanism consisting of pure inclusion and other attractive forces is expected for these interactions, the experimental data indicate the relative importance of the separation between the carboxyl and phenyl groups in the net interactions observed. Saturated acids were found to be far more reactive with beta-cyclodextrin than were the corresponding unsaturated acids. This finding could have important pharmacological and biochemical implications, as beta-cyclodextrin has been used as an enzyme model by numerous investigators.
Folate reception by vegetative Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae: Distribution of receptors and trafficking of ligand

We report the first explicit demonstration of post-reception processing of a Dictyostelium chemoattractant. Folic acid stimulates reorganization of the cytoskeleton of vegetative amoebae of D. discoideum. In particular, folic acid is a potent chemoattractant and it causes enlargement of the filopodial array. The distribution of folic acid receptors and the fate of bound folate were investigated by presenting an agonist consisting of the conjugate, folic acid-lactalbumin-FITC (Folate*), to these amoebae. This novel probe was specifically bound to folic acid receptors of these amoebae and it stimulated chemotaxis and enlargement of their filopodial array. Hence, Folate* is a physiologically competent probe. The probe sans-folate moiety was not bound anywhere to living or fixed amoebae. Since Folate* did not bind to amoebae after incubation with equimolar folic acid, this probe is a receptor-specific agonist. We report here the first description, by confocal visualization of a competent agonist, of the distribution of folate receptors of D. discoideum vegetative amoebae and of the fate of this ligand. Examination of fixed amoebae revealed that bound Folate* was distributed generally over their entire surface including their filopodia. However, in living amoebae, Folate* was bound only at the cell body and this bound Folate* was almost completely internalized as concentrated packets into vacuoles. This endocytosis of the probe and the clustering of endocytosed Folate* is consistent with receptor-mediated internalization of a ligand. Possible routes for internalization of the folate probe and the implications of this endocytosis for signal molecule processing and temporal sensing are discussed.
Multimodality treatment of nongalenic arteriovenous malformations in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: Previously reported series of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in pediatric patients have primarily used a single-modality treatment approach of either surgery, radiosurgery, or embolization, with significant treatment-related morbidity and mortality. At our institution, we have used a combined multidisciplinary team approach of all three treatment modalities, alone or in combination, to minimize complications and to maximize efficacy in the management of these lesions. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 40 consecutive pediatric patients with AVMs seen at our institution from 1991 to 1999. A multidisciplinary team planned the treatment for each AVM. The treatment modality consisted of the following approaches: surgery alone in 14 patients, a combination of endovascular embolization and surgery in 6 patients, radiosurgery alone in 11 patients, a combination of endovascular embolization and radiosurgery in 2 patients, and a combination of radiosurgery and surgery in 2 patients. Four patients are receiving ongoing multistaged treatment for reduction of the nidus size for eventual surgical resection or radiosurgical obliteration of large, complex lesions. In one patient, no treatment was recommended. RESULTS: The clinical outcomes for the overall series were 95.0% excellent or good (Glasgow Outcome Scale score 5 or 4), 2.5% fair (Glasgow Outcome Scale score 3), and 2.5% dead. Radiographic efficacy in the patients who have completed treatment was 92.9% complete obliteration of their AVMs and 7.1% incomplete obliteration. Of the 10 patients who had seizures, 9 are seizure-free. CONCLUSION: A combined multimodality approach of surgery, radiosurgery, and embolization in managing AVMs in pediatric patients can improve outcomes and minimize morbidity and mortality.
Malaria parasites solve the problem of a low calcium environment.

The parasite responsible for malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, spends much of its life in the RBC under conditions of low cytosolic Ca2+. This poses an interesting problem for a parasite that depends on a Ca2+ signaling system to carry out its vital functions. This long standing puzzle has now been resolved by a clever series of experiments performed by Gazarini et al. (2003). Using advances in fluorescent Ca2+ imaging (Grynkiewics, G., M. Poenie, and R.Y. Tsien. 1985. J. Biol. Chem. 260:3440–3450; Hofer, A., and T. Machen. 1994. Am. J. Physiol. 267:G442–G451; Hofer, A.M., B. Landolfi, L. Debellis, T. Pozzan, and S. Curci. 1998. EMBO J. 17:1986–1995), these authors have elucidated the source of the Ca2+ gradient that allows the accumulation of intracellular Ca2+ within the parasite.
Productivity, carbon utilization, and energy content of mass in scalable microalgae systems.

Abstract This study was designed to examine carbon utilization within scalable microalgae production systems. Neochloris oleoabundans was produced in replicated troughs containing BG11 nutrient formulation. Atmospheric CO2 was supplemented with ∼5% CO2 or with NaHCO3, and the pH of troughs receiving NaHCO3 was adjusted with HCl or H3PO4. Peak biomass concentrations reached 950, 1140, or 850 mg L−1 and biomass productivities of 109, 96, and 74 mg L−1 day−1 were achieved in the CO2, NaHCO3:HCl and NaHCO3:H3PO4 troughs, respectively. The highest productivity is expected in a scaled-up continuous batch process of the CO2 supplemented system, which was projected to yield 8948 L lipids ha−1 yr−1. Carbon utilization in the CO2, NaHCO3:HCl and NaHCO3:H3PO4 systems was ∼0.5, 15.5, and 12.9%, while the energy content of the combustible biomass was 26.7, 13.2, and 15.4 MJ kg−1, respectively. Techno-economic analyses of microalgal production systems should consider efficiencies and cost-benefit of various carbon sources.
Carrying Freight on High-Speed Rail Lines

Under the current economic climate it is expected that any new high-speed rail line in the United States would be constructed as a public/private partnership, requiring substantial private investment, and thus the expectation of reasonable profits. To date, proposed high-speed rail lines have failed to attract sufficient investment to create any new starts, in great part due to the conclusion that these systems would not likely cover their capital and operating costs and also provide reasonable profit for investors. Studies of the economic potential of U.S. high-speed rail lines have commonly considered them as passenger carriers only, depending solely on ridership as a source of revenue. Yet it is likely that significant revenue potential exists for carrying higher value freight as well—perhaps enough to substantially improve the economic viability of certain high-speed operations. Some basic technical aspects of carrying freight on high-speed rail lines are presented, along with an analysis to estimate the quantity of freight that may be technically practical, and thus potentially economically viable, for a high-speed train to carry.
16‐Epiestriol: An Anti‐Inflammatory Steroid without Glycogenic Activity

All of the steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs currently available are glucocorticoids. They exhibit both glycogenic and anti-inflammatory activities. These two activities are usually considered inseparable. This glycogenic activity is responsible for most of the adverse side effects that severely limit clinical use of currently available steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The purpose of this study was to determine if a steroid, 16-epiestriol, could exhibit significant anti-inflammatory activity without glycogenic activity. The anti-inflammatory activity of 16-epiestriol was determined using a modified Winter's carrageenin rat paw edema model. The glycogenic activity of 16-epiestriol was determined by a modification of Venning's methods on liver and plasma glucose concentrations. In each study, 16-epiestriol-treated animals were compared to untreated control and hydrocortisone-treated animals. In the anti-inflammatory study, 16-epiestriol was more than twice as effective as hydrocortisone, on an equimolar basis, in preventing edema. 16-Epiestriol exhibited no effect on the liver or plasma glucose concentration in the glycogenic study. 16-Epiestriol exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity without glycogenic activity. 16-Epiestriol does not conform to classical steroidal structure-activity relationship theory.
Acute management of hypersensitivity reactions and seizures.

The most crucial step in the management of an antiepileptic drug (AED) hypersensitivity reaction is the recognition of the clinical syndrome and cessation of the presumed offending agent. The severity of the developing reaction will shape the course of treatment because multiple organ systems may become affected. Management of conjunctival involvement and treatment of skin lesions dominate care, with patients whose skin lesions are extensive benefitting from treatment in a structured burn unit. Neutropenia and sepsis are common and potentially fatal complicating factors. The use of steroids remains controversial, as is the utility of immune modulation with other agents such as cyclophosphamide and i.v. immunoglobulin. Acute treatment of seizures should be addressed with i.v. benzodiazepines, given either intermittently or by continuous infusion. Choice of long-term maintenance AEDs should take into consideration the crossreactivity among AEDs that share an arene oxide metabolite.
Preferential hydrolysis of peroxidized phospholipid by lysosomal phospholipase C

Abstract The susceptibility of partially peroxidized liposomes of 2-[1- 14 C]linoleoylphosphatidylethanolamine ([ 14 C]PE) to hydrolysis by cellular phospholipases was examined. [ 14 C]PE was peroxidized by exposure to air at 37°C, resulting in the formation of more polar derivatives, as determined by thin-layer Chromatographie analysis. Hydrolysis of these partially peroxidized liposomes by lysosomal phospholipase C associated with cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum, and by rat liver lysosomal phospholipase C, was greater than hydrolysis of non-peroxidized liposomes. By contrast, hydrolysis of liposomes by purified human synovial fluid phospholipase A 2 or bacterial phospholipase C was almost completely inhibited by partial peroxidation of PE. Lysosomal phospholipase C preferentially hydrolyzed the peroxidized component of the lipid substrate which had accumulated during autoxidation. The major product recovered under these condtions was 2-mono-acylglycerol, indicating sequential degradation by phospholipase C and diacylglycerol lipase. Liposomes peroxidized at pH 7.0 were more susceptible to hydrolysis by lysosomal phospholipases C than were liposomes peroxidized at pH 5.0, in spite of greater production of polar lipid after peroxidation at pH 5.0. Sodium bisulfite, an antioxidant and an inhibitor of lysosomal phospholipases, prevented: (1) lipid autoxidation, (2) hydrolysis of both non-peroxidized and peroxidized liposomes by sarcoplasmic reticulum and (3) loss of lipid phosphorus from endogenous lipids when sarcoplasmic reticulum was incubated at pH 5.O. These studies show that lipid peroxidation may modulate the susceptibility of phospholipid to attack by specific phospholipases, and may therefore be an important determinant in membrane dysfunction during injury. Preservation of membrane structural and functional integrity by antioxidants may result from inhibition of lipid peroxidation, which in turn may modulate cellular phospholipase activity.
An essential saccharide binding domain for the mAb 2C7 established for Neisseria gonorrhoeae LOS by ES-MS and MSn

A study of bacterial surface oligosaccharides were investigated among different strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to correlate structural features essential for binding to the MAb 2C7. This epitope is widely expressed and conserved in gonococcal isolates, characteristics essential to an effective candidate vaccine antigen. Sample lipooligosaccharides (LOS), was prepared by a modification of the hot phenol-water method from which de-O-acetylated LOS and oligosaccharide (OS) components were analyzed by ES-MS-CID-MS and ES-MSnin a triple quadrupole and an ion trap mass spectrometer, respectively. Previously documented natural heterogeneity was apparent from both LOS and OS preparations which was admixed with fragments induced by hydrazine and mild acid treatment. Natural heterogeneity was limited to phosphorylation and antenni extensions to the alpha-chain. Mild acid hydrolysis to release OS also hydrolyzed the beta(1-->6) glycosidic linkage of lipid A. OS structures were determined by collisional and resonance excitation combined with MS and multistep MSn which provided sequence information from both neutral loss, and nonreducing terminal fragments. A comparison of OS structures, with earlier knowledge of MAb binding, enzyme treatment, and partial acid hydrolysis indicates a generic overlapping domain for 2C7 binding. Reoccurring structural features include a Hepalpha(1-->3)Hepbeta(1-->5)KDO trisaccharide core branched on the nonreducing terminus (Hep-2) with an alpha(1-->2) linked GlcNAc (gamma-chain), and an alpha-linked lactose (beta-chain) residue. From the central heptose (Hep-1), a beta(1-->4) linked lactose (alpha-chain), moiety is required although extensions to this residue appear unnecessary.
Microarchitectural dl/dt control

This article takes a high level of the power-grid noise problem as it relates to the microarchitectural definition of an IC. Through a set of simulations, the authors relate the noise problem to the details of the circuit and clocking implementation giving insight into the possible method to reduce such noise.
Performance of split routing algorithm for three-stage multicast networks

This paper studies three-stage Clos (1953) switching networks for multicast communications in terms of their blocking probabilities on a random traffic model. Even though the lack of multicast capability in input-stage switches requires a prohibitively large number of middle switches to provide compatible requests with nonblocking paths, the probabilistic model gives an observation that the blocking probability decreases drastically and then approaches zero as the number of middle switches is far less than the theoretical bound. The S-shaped curves of blocking probability versus degree of fanout indicate that high fanout requests are mostly blocked at some given reference network utilization. A split routing algorithm and its blocking probability are introduced to enhance the routability of the high fanout requests. We also corroborate the analytic model by performing network simulations based on a random request generator and a random routing strategy.
The Effects of Ethnicity and Gender on Teens' Mall Shopping Motivations:

This study was designed to identify multidimensional shopping motivations from the hedonic and utilitarian perspectives. A total of 531 usable data was collected via a mall intercept survey with teen consumers in large shopping malls in three metropolitan cities. Teens' mall shopping motivations consisted of five dimensional constructs: Sensory Stimulation, Diversion, and Social Contact, reflecting hedonic needs; and Bargaining and Eating, reflecting utilitarian needs. These mall shopping motivations differed by ethnicity and gender. White teens exhibited a higher level of Eating motivation; non-White teens (e.g., African Americans and Hispanic Americans) were more likely to visit malls for Sensory Stimulation and Social Contact. In terms of gender, female teens were more likely to shop for Bargaining and Diversion, whereas male teens were more likely to shop for Eating and Social Contact. Implications of this study were discussed for mall retailers and consumer educators.
The 2010 Ruth Zemke Lecture in Occupational Science Occupational Therapy/Occupational Science/Occupational Justice: Moral Commitments and Global Assemblages

Twenty years have passed since occupational science was founded. It is time to reassess the relationship of occupational science to its roots in occupational therapy and also to reopen a discussion of some foundational assumptions. In particular, we need to situate the profession, occupational therapy, and the discipline, occupational science, in relation to the phenomenon of globalization. The internationalization of the post-World War II era, followed by the neoliberalism of the 1980s, began an erosion of state sovereignty that has empowered new formations in the global marketplace. New spaces exist for political action by non-state players, especially those concerned with human rights. Globalization did not set the stage for the founding of occupational science, but we can no longer look at the discipline outside the context of globalization. Globalization set the context for the transnational advocacy networks now operating that link occupational therapy with occupational science in service of a share...
Financial Aid, Income, and the Choice of College Curriculum: Is the Economics Major a Normal Good?

This paper examines the role of family income, net tuition, ability, and gender as determinants of a student's choice in college major - focusing on the Economics major in particular. A Multinomial Logit model is utilized using data from the 1993-94 Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study. Two approaches are used in the analysis of college majors. First, it is considered to be a homogeneous item, as the literature dictates. Later, the college major is thought of as a heterogeneous distribution of coursework. Results suggest that income, net tuition, ability, and gender play a significant role in the distribution of students amongst college majors.
Microstructure of V-4Cr-4Ti following low temperature neutron irradiation

The V-4Cr-4Ti alloys displays excellent mechanical properties, including a ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) below - 200 C in the unirradiated conditions. Samples were fission neutron- irradiated in HFBR to a 0.4 dpa dose at 100-275 C. Mechanical tests showed significant irradiation hardening which increased with irradiation temperature. Charpy impact testing also showed a dramatic increase in DBTT on the order of 100 to 350 C. The mechanical property changes are correlated with preliminary results from TEM analysis of the defect microstructure resulting from the low-dose neutron irradiations. TEM of the irradiated material showed a nearly constant defect density of {approximately}1.6x10{sup 23}m{sup -3}, with an average defect diameter of slightly greater than 3 nm.
Vitamin D3 deficiency increases sinus mucosa dendritic cells in pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

ObjectiveDendritic cells are professional antigen presenting cells, capable of initiating Th1 or Th2 responses, and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases, including sinusitis. Vitamin D3 is a steroid hormone that acts on dendritic cells in a manner similar to corticosteroids. Investigators examined whether children with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) or chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) were vitamin D3 deficient and the relationship of vitamin D3 deficiency to dendritic cell infiltrate in the sinus mucosa.SettingTertiary care university hospital.Study DesignRetrospective, controlled study using samples collected from pediatric patients seen from August 2009 to July 2011.Subjects and MethodsPlasma levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in children (≤18 years old) with AFRS, CRSwNP, or CRS without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP) and in controls undergoing surgery for adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Vitamin D3 levels were c...
An Experimental and Computational Investigation of Spontaneous Lasso Formation in Microcin J25

The antimicrobial peptide microcin J25 (MccJ25) is posttranslationally matured from a linear preprotein into its native lasso conformation by two enzymes. One of these enzymes cleaves the preprotein and the second enzyme installs the requisite isopeptide bond to establish the lasso structure. Analysis of a mimic of MccJ25 that can be cyclized without the influence of the maturation enzymes suggests that MccJ25 does not spontaneously adopt a near-lasso structure. In addition, we conducted atomistically detailed replica-exchange molecular dynamics simulations of pro-microcin J25 (pro-MccJ25), the 21-residue uncyclized analog of MccJ25, to determine the conformational ensemble explored in the absence of the leader sequence or maturation enzymes. We applied a nonlinear dimensionality reduction technique known as the diffusion map to the simulation trajectories to extract two global order parameters describing the fundamental dynamical motions of the system, and identify three distinct pathways. One path corresponds to the spontaneous adoption of a left-handed lasso, in which the N-terminus wraps around the C-terminus in the opposite sense to the right-handed topology of native MccJ25. Our computational and experimental results suggest a role for the MccJ25 leader sequence and/or its maturation enzymes in facilitating the adoption of the right-handed topology.
ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNDERSTANDING OF CRIME

▪ Abstract The past decade has seen a sharp increase in the application of empirical economic approaches to the study of crime and the criminal justice system. Much of this research has emphasized identifying causal impacts, as opposed to correlations. These studies have generally found that increases in police and greater incarceration lead to reduced crime. The death penalty, as currently used in the United States, does not appear to lower crime. We also review the evidence on three other crime-related debates in which economists have played a central role: racial profiling, concealed weapons laws, and the impact of legalized abortion.
Dual Interleaved Active-Clamp Forward With Automatic Charge Balance Regulation for High Input Voltage Application

This paper proposes a new dual interleaved active-clamp forward topology suitable for high input voltage and high-density application. Two interleaved forward circuits are connected in series on the primary side and in parallel on the secondary side. Therefore, only two high-voltage MOSFETs are needed for the primary switches. Also, the two interleaved parts utilize auxiliary windings to share one capacitor to fulfill active-clamp. Charge balance of the two channels is, thus, regulated by the shared clamping capacitor without demand for extra control schemes. Through the resonance between the magnetizing inductors and the equivalent capacitors of the switches during the transition time, switching loss of the primary switches can be reduced. Interleaved operation reduces the size of the output filter inductor. Based on detailed analysis, a prototype with 220-400-V input and 5-V/30-A output is built. Experimental results verify the performance of the new topology.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice in a Yamaha Music School

Pedagogical practices in a Yamaha Music School were explored using ethnographic techniques to collect data during one semester of instruction. Two groups of participants served as informants in this study: (1) children 4-6 years of age, who were enrolled in the Yamaha Junior Music Courses, and (2) their teachers and parents in the setting. Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) guidelines as published by the National Association for the Education of Young Children were the theoretical grounding for the study. The following question guided the investigation: In what ways are the events and interactions in a Yamaha music class congruent or incongruent with DAP guidelines ? Congruent events and interactions were the pace and variety of instructional activities, recognition of individuals, involvement of parents, and inclusion of dramatic play. Incongruent events and interactions were the approach to two-hand playing, fixed accompaniment tempos, minimal peer interactions, and fixed curricular goals.
Intraoperative and Postoperative Blood Glucose Concentrations in Diabetic Surgical Patients Receiving Lactated Ringer's Versus Normal Saline: A Retrospective Review of Medical Records.

Background Hyperglycemia is associated with poor postoperative outcomes after carotid endarterectomy. This retrospective study examined the effect of lactated Ringer9s and normal saline solutions on intraoperative blood glucose control in diabetic patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Methods The anesthetic and surgical records of type 2 diabetic patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy and received either lactated Ringer9s solution or normal saline exclusively during the case were reviewed, and 20 patients were randomly selected from each group for further analysis. The outcome of interest was preoperative to postoperative change in blood glucose. Results The preoperative to postoperative mean changes in glucose for the normal saline and lactated Ringer9s groups were 34.4 ± 70.32 mg/dL and 64.5 ± 61.38 mg/dL, respectively. This slight difference in the mean change in glucose between the 2 groups was not statistically significant (P=0.157). Conclusion Lactated Ringer9s solution does not appear to cause a significant change in the mean blood glucose levels in diabetic patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy compared to patients receiving normal saline. Randomized controlled trials are needed to further determine whether lactated Ringer9s solution adversely affects glucose control in diabetic surgical patients.
A Defence of Mill's Qualitative Hedonism

In his well known proposition that pleasures differ qualitatively, Mill seems to be arguing three principal points. (1) ‘Mental’ pleasures as a kind are intrinsically ‘more desirable and more valuable’ than ‘bodily pleasures’ (p. 12). (2) This estimation of pleasure, Mill says, is such as to rule out the claim that it ‘should be supposed to depend on quantity alone.’ Indeed, he continued, the ‘superiority in quality’ might be ‘so far outweighing quantity as to render it, in comparison, of small account’ (p. 12). (3) The ‘test of quality and the rule for measuring it against quantity,’ Mill says, is ‘the preference’ of experienced judges (p. 16). ‘[T]he judgment of those who are qualified by knowledge of both, or, if they differ, that of the majority among them, must be admitted as final’ (p. 15).
Systemic lupus erythematosus: perinatal and neonatal implications

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can affect almost all organ systems in the body. It is most common in women of childbearing age and may cause multiple peripartum complications. This article reviews the pathophysiology of SLE and the effects of SLE on fertility and pregnancy. The complexities of managing a pregnant patient with SLE are reviewed, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration discussed, as well as the effects of SLE on the fetus and a review of neonatal lupus erythematosus. Finally, a case report of a pregnant patient with SLE with challenging clinical management issues is presented.