cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of potassium on ouabain-induced arrhythmias

Abstract In dogs poisoned with ouabain, potassium chloride was infused intravenously to study its antiarrhythmic properties. The ouabain-enhanced idioventricular automaticity, which leads to ventricular tachycardia, was progressively depressed by administration of potassium. Initially the polymorphic complexes caused by ouabain were replaced by a uniform ventricular tachycardia. As the rate of the idioventricular rhythm decreased, sinus rhythm reappeared intermingled with ventricular beats. When only the sinus rhythm was present, stimulation of the vagus, which provoked sinus arrest or atrioventricular block, could reveal a fast idioventricular rhythm. Later during infusion of potassium, when the P waves were still present on the electrocardiogram, the rate of idioventricular escape fell below control values. Thus, one of the ways potassium counteracts digitalis arrhythmias is the progressive depression of idioventricular automaticity. The possible mechanisms by which potassium depresses idioventricular automaticity are discussed. No data have been collected on the suppression by potassium of “re-entry” type beats. At an advanced stage of administration of potassium, the large diphasic ventricular complexes have been shown to result from disturbed intraventricular conduction of impulses originating from a supraventricular pacemaker; stimulation of the vagus consistently led to their inhibition. When cardiac arrest eventually ensued, direct stimulation of the ventricles elicited electric and mechanical responses. Therefore, cardiac arrest appears to be due either to the cessation of the activity of a supraventricular pacemaker or to failure of conduction, rather than to a depolarization or inexcitability of the ventricular muscle fibers.
Discussion: Common Themes in Cardiac Control

Hearts are hollow, muscular fluid pumps. Their contractions tend to be regular and continuous; but rhythm, force and fre? quency are under nervous or humoral control and are correlated with the physi? ological state of the organism. The set of all hearts in all animals comprises an extraordinary variety of structures. Probably every design for making a fluid pump out of cells and their secreted products has been attempted in the course of evolution. Still, we should consider, in this Discussion, whether in spite of the obvious and manifold variations, there are principles of control and construction common to all
Climate Change and Ecosystem Management

This article addresses the implications of rapid and uncertain ecological change, and global climate change in particular, for reserve oriented and restoration oriented ecosystem management. I argue for the following conclusions: (1) rapid and uncertain ecological change undermines traditional justifications for reserve oriented and restoration oriented ecosystem management strategies; (2) it requires rethinking ecosystem management goals, not just developing novel strategies (such as assisted colonization) to accomplish traditional goals; (3) species preservation ought to be deemphasized as an ecosystem management goal; (4) reserve oriented ecosystem management remains well justified, but the goals for it must be revised.
The prevalence of depressive symptoms in college students.

The prevalence and manifestations of depressive symptomatology in a sample of 424 adolescents, aged 16–19, were assessed by means of the CES-D, a widely used screening instrument. The results were compared to those reported for adults. The pattern of symptoms was also assessed for study subjects who did and did not meet criteria for depressive symptoms. The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 33% based on the standard criterion, but fell to 16% and 2% when more stringent criteria for symptom duration were applied. The composition of depressive symptoms was similar for adolescents and adults with some exceptions possibly related to age and role specific demands.
Chemical and immunological studies of cell surfaces from normal and transformed cells

Immunological and chemical studies of cell surfaces from normal and transformed BALB/c fibroblasts have shown alterations associated with transformation. The cells studied include normal lines which do not cause tumors when injected into BALB/c mice, viral transformants, and spontaneous transformants which cause tumors that either regress or grow progressively, killing the host. The spontaneously transformed progressors include cell lines which are immunogenic and nonimmunogenic as determined by the ability of tumor excision to protect an animal from subsequent rechallenge by tumor cells. Tumor-bearing mice produce lymphocytes which are nonspecifically cytotoxic for all the normal and transformed lines. Some of the cell lines induce specific antibody formation in BALB/hosts. Antisera have been prepared in rabbits which are specific for the transformed cell lines. These antisera can be used to determine specific surface changes on the transformed cells. Chemical studies have shown glycolipid alterations between the normal cells and some, but not all, of the transformants. Glycoproteins labeled by lactoperoxidase-125I or [3H] glucosamine were compared by SDS gel electrophoresis. Results from these studies do not show changes associated with malignancy. Individual glycoprotein regions from gels were treated with pronase, and the glycopeptides compared by Sephadex G50 chromatography. Alterations in glycopeptides from several cellular glycoproteins are the only changes which appear to be associated with malignancy.
Adiponectin and ghrelin levels and body size in normoglycemic Filipino, African-American, and white women.

Objective: Prior studies have reported ethnic differences in adiponectin and ghrelin, but few have assessed the role of body size in normoglycemic women. We compared fasting adiponectin and ghrelin concentrations in normoglycemic 40- to 80-year-old Filipino, African-American, and white women. Methods: Participants included women from the Rancho Bernardo Study (n = 143), the University of California-San Diego Filipino Women's Health Study (n = 136), and the Health Assessment Study of African-American Women (n = 212). A 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test was administered; glucose, insulin, lipid, and anthropometric measurements were obtained. Fasting adiponectin and ghrelin were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: Whites and Filipinas had similar BMI (23.7 and 24.3 kg/m2, respectively), waist girth (75.6 and 77.2 cm, respectively), and total body fat (27.4 and 28.5%, respectively); African-Americans had significantly larger BMI (28.8 kg/m2), waist girth (86.3 cm), and body fat (39.6%, p < 0.0001). Adiponectin was lower in Filipinas (8.90 µg/mL) and African-Americans (9.67 µg/mL) compared with whites (15.6 µg/mL, p < 0.001) after adjusting for age, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and waist-to-hip ratio. Compared with whites, Filipinas (β = −5.06, p < 0.0001) and African-Americans (β = −6.85, p < 0.0001) had significantly lower adiponectin levels after adjusting for age, waist-to-hip ratio, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, exercise, and alcohol use. Ghrelin was significantly lower in Filipinas compared with African-Americans (1146.9 vs. 1412.2 pg/mL, p < 0.001), and this observation persisted in multivariable analysis (β = −245.4, p < 0.0001). Ghrelin levels did not differ between whites (1356.9 pg/mL) and either ethnic group. Discussion: Normoglycemic Filipino and African-American women had significantly lower adiponectin concentrations than white women, and Filipinas had lower ghrelin levels than African-Americans, independently of body size or indices of insulin resistance or lipids.
Classes of matrices associated with the optimal assignment problem

Abstract Let E =[ e ij ] be a matrix with integral elements, and let x be an indeterminate defined over the rational field Q . We investigate matrices of the form X =[ x e ij ] ( i = 1,…, m ; j = 1,…, n ; m ⩽ n ). We may multiply the lines (rows or columns) of the matrix X by suitable integral powers of x in various ways and thereby transform X into a matrix Y =[ x f ij ] such that the f ij are nonnegative integers and each line of Y contains at least one element x 0 = 1. We call Y a normalized form of X , and we denote by S ( X ) the class of all normalized forms associated with a given matrix X . The classes S ( X ) have a fascinating combinatorial structure, and the present paper is a natural outgrowth and extension of an earlier study. We introduce new concepts such as an elementary transformation called an interchange. We prove, for example, that two matrices in the same class are transformable into one another by interchanges. Our analysis of the class S ( X ) also yields new insights into the structure of the optimal assignments of the matrix E by way of the diagonal products of the matrix X .
Purification and properties of rat liver l-threonine dehydratase

Abstract 1. 1. Rat liver l -threonine dehydratase has been purified 55-fold in 30 per cent yield. 2. 2. Routine inclusion of 30 per cent glycerol in all the buffers stabilized the enzyme. 3. 3. The enzyme indicated a maximum absorption at 415 mμ, exhibited maximum activity at p H 8.3, and had a half-maximal velocity at 2.5 × 10- 2 M l -threonine. 4. 4. The substrate saturation curve was sigmoidal. 5. 5. The enzyme was not particularly sensitive to isoleucine inhibition.
Primary microRNA transcript retention at sites of transcription leads to enhanced microRNA production

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs with important roles in regulating gene expression. In studying the earliest nuclear steps of miRNA biogenesis, we observe that primary miRNA (pri-miRNA) transcripts retained at transcription sites due to the deletion of 3′-end processing signals are converted more efficiently into precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs) than pri-miRNAs that are cleaved, polyadenylated, and released. Flanking exons, which also increase retention at transcription sites, likewise contribute to increased levels of intronic pri-miRNAs. Consistently, efficiently processed endogenous pri-miRNAs are enriched in chromatin-associated nuclear fractions. In contrast, pri-miRNAs that accumulate to high nuclear levels after cleavage and polyadenylation because of the presence of a viral RNA element (the ENE of the Kaposi's sarcoma–associated herpes virus polyadenylated nuclear RNA) are not efficiently processed to precursor or mature miRNAs. Exogenous pri-miRNAs unexpectedly localize to nuclear foci containing splicing factor SC35; yet these foci are unlikely to represent sites of miRNA transcription or processing. Together, our results suggest that pri-miRNA processing is enhanced by coupling to transcription.
Evaluating airborne LiDAR for detecting settlements and modified landscapes in disturbed tropical environments at Uxbenká, Belize

Abstract In the tropics of Central America one important use of airborne LiDAR has been the detection of architecture and landscape modifications in ancient city–states, including dispersed residential compounds. For Maya archaeologists, this endeavor has been traditionally referred to as settlement survey. We examine a 99 km2 area surrounding the ancient (ca. 100 BCE–CE 850) Maya city of Uxbenka using both LiDAR and WorldView-2 satellite FCIR imagery. We compare those data sets with test results from pedestrian survey to assess the applicability of LiDAR for detecting small settlement structures and compounds in areas of highly disturbed vegetation. We conclude that the simple use of hill-shaded relief maps does not facilitate visual detection of more than 90% of small (1–3 m high) residential structures. We attribute this to the effect of low, dense vegetation on the number of LiDAR ground returns. We did find, however, that analysis of modified slope raster maps derived from the DEM did allow for identification of hill and ridge top modification that are associated with settlements, suggesting that these proxies have predictive value for identifying residential compounds.
Reversal of age-related changes in microsomal enzyme activities following the administration of triamcinolone, triiodothyronine and phenobarbital

Abstract 1. 1. Microsomes were isolated from the livers of 3- and 24-month-old Fischer rats, and specific activities were determined for glucose-6-phosphatase, NADPH cytochrome c reductase, NADPH diaphorase, NADH cytochrome c reductase, NADH diaphorase and NADH neotetrazolium reductase. 2. 2. In agreement with other reports the specific activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and NADPH cytochrome c reductase decreased in the old animals, and NADH cytochrome c reductase increased. 3. 3. Chronic administration of low doses of triamcinolone almost doubled the specific activity of glucose-6-phosphatase in old animals, but caused essentially no change in young animals. In contrast, treatment with phenobarbital halved this activity in young animals, but was essentially without effect in old animals. Treatment with triiodothyronine and caused a marked stimulation of this activity in both young and old animals. 4. 4. There was very little change in the specific activity of NADPH cytochrome c reductase or NADPH diaphorase following these treatments. 5. 5. NADH cytochrome c reductase, NADH neotetrazolium reductase and NADH diaphorase activities were greatly decreased in both young and old animals by administration of all three compounds. 6. 6. Age-related differences in the activity of these enzymes were either diminished or reversed following each treatment. Old animals were as responsive to these stimuli as young animals, and the highest and lowest specific activities observed for each enzyme during the course of all experiments were very similar for young and old animals of the same sex. These observations suggest that age-related differences in these enzyme activities are probably caused by a different metabolic or endocrine state in young and old animals or their hepatocytes, and not by a deterioration of the integrity or control of the synthesis of these proteins.
The proto-oncogene BCL-6 in normal and malignant B cell development.

BCL-6 is an important regulator of the immune system. It is required for GC formation and T cell dependent antibody responses. Mice deficient in BCL-6 fail to form GC and mount reduced levels of T cell-dependent antibody responses. BCL-6 (-/-) mice, in addition, develop a massive inflammatory response in many organs characterized by eosinophilic infiltration and hyper-IgE production, a typical Th2 hyperimmune response. This suggests a negative role of BCL-6 in Th2 pathway. The BCL-6 gene encodes a POZ/zinc finger transcription repressor highly expressed in GC B cells, but not in pre-GC B cells or in more differentiated memory or plasma cells. By functioning as a potent transcriptional repressor of various target genes, BCL-6 modulates IL-4, BCR, and CD40L signals for normal B cell development. In B cell lymphomas, structural alterations of the BCL-6 promoter region, including chromosome translocation and somatic hypermutation, represent the most frequent genetic lesions associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, especially of diffuse large cell lymphoma, a malignancy often derived from germinal centre (GC) B cells. This suggests that deregulated expression of BCL-6 may contribute to lymphomagenesis.
Lasing characteristics of seventeen visible-wavelength dyes using a coaxial-flashlamp-pumped laser.

The performance and tuning characteristic of organic dye lasers were measured using commercially available coaxial flashlamps as the pumping source. Tuning by a diffraction grating permitted continuous coverage of the 4200–7500-A region at up to 0.6% tuned output energy efficiency. Preliminary results with a 600-J Marx-Bank coaxial laser at 4500 A show 1% efficiency and single-pass unsaturated gain greater than 20 at 4500 A.
In Situ Reduction of Graphene Oxide in Polymers

In situ reduction of graphene oxide (GO) at moderate temperatures within a polymer was observed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Comparison of heats of reduction from DSC data in poly(vinylpyrrolidone), poly(vinyl acetate), and poly(vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate) nanocomposites demonstrates that the polymer chemistry strongly influences the extent of reduction. These results are compared to the time–temperature relationship for GO reduction in air and in dimethylformamide at the same temperatures, determined through changes in the atomic carbon-to-oxygen ratio. GO reduction was independently confirmed by electrical conductivity and optical absorption measurements, as well as Raman spectroscopy. These results show that GO sheets are reduced depending on the time–temperature history and polymer chemistry at the particles’ location. For nanocomposites this can lead to improvement or reduction of desired properties and is thus pertinent to thermal processing of polymer nanocomposites based on f...
The Impact of Perfusate Oxygenation During Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion on Post-transplant Outcomes: Deoxygenated vs. Fully-Oxygenated

Purpose: The metabolic circumstances in lung grafts on ex vivo lung perfu- sion (EVLP) are compromised as compared with those in lungs in vivo as described in previous studies. While the current EVLP protocol suggests using deoxygenated perfusate with acellular solution, little evidence supports that is the optimal condition. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of lung grafts in the different modes of oxygenated perfusate during EVLP and to define their impact on posttransplant functional outcomes. Methods: Using rat heart-lung blocks after 1 hr cold preservation, the EVLP sys- tem was established with Steen solution at 37°C for 4 hrs. We compared the results of four different modes of perfusate O2 during EVLP: 6%, 40%, 60% and 100%. The evaluation included lung graft function, compliance (Cdyn), and vascular resistance (PVR) as well as circulating glucose, lactate levels and other biochemi-
Laryngeal motion during exercise.

Objective: To compare laryngoscopically observed changes in the larynx during exercise in persons with exercise-induced laryngomalacia (EIL) with changes in asymptomatic control subjects. Study Design: Clinical study using a standardized exercise protocol. Methods : Subjects exercised on an incremental ergometer: videotaped recordings of the larynx were obtained through the entire exercise; pulmonary function tests were completed before and/or immediately after the exercise. Results: Laryngeal lumen size decreases during exercise in subjects with EIL. Conclusion: Subjects with EIL had a significant decrease in laryngeal lumen size during exercise compared with asymptomatic control subjects.
Identification and Reconstruction of the Binding Site within αMβ2 for a Specific and High Affinity Ligand, NIF

Engagement of the αMβ2 (CD11b/CD18, Mac-1) integrin on neutrophils supports adhesion and induces various cellular responses. These responses can be blocked by a specific ligand of αMβ2, neutrophil inhibitory factor (NIF). The molecular basis of αMβ2-NIF interactions was studied. The single chain αM subunit, expressed on the surface of human 293 cells, bound NIF with an affinity equivalent to that of αMβ2 heterodimer. This observation, coupled with previous data showing that the αMI domain alone supported high affinity NIF binding, indicated that the binding site for NIF is restricted to the I domain. Guided by the crystal structure of the αMI domain, 16 segments corresponding to the entire outer hydrated surface of αMI domain were switched to their counterparts sequences in αL, which does not bind NIF. Surface expression and heterodimer formation were achieved for all mutants, and correct folding was confirmed. Of the 16 switches, only 5 affected NIF binding substantially, reducing affinity by 8–300-fold. These data confined the NIF-binding site to a narrow region composed of Pro147-Arg152, Pro201-Lys217, and Asp248-Arg261 of αM. Verifying this localization, when these segments were introduced into the αXI-domain, the resulting chimeric receptor was converted into a high affinity NIF-binding protein.
GROWING A STRATIFIED, CORNIFIED PRIMARY CULTURE OF RAT KERATINOCYTES WITH EPIDERMIS-LIKE WATER PERMEATION BARRIER FUNCTION

The culture of cutaneous keratinocytes grown on a Puropore nylon microporous membrane at the air-liquid interface has been shown to be similar to the epidermis in a number of molecular and morphologic characteristics but to exhibit a significantly greater degree of tritiated water permeation. Various culture conditions have been altered in an effort to improve the water barrier properties. A Kp value in the range of 5.5±1.6×10−3 has been obtained for 79% of the culturea) by plating 0.9×106 viable basal cells on a piece (13-mm diameter) of membrane for 7 days of submerged growth,b) by placing two membranes on two stacked glass fiber filters (47-mm extra-thick) in a culture dish (60 mm) for 14 days of growth at the air-liquid interface,c) by replacing the growth medium, i.e., 1 ml of complete minimum essential medium (CMEM) every 24 h after lifting,d) by using 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) in the CMEM during the submerged culture period and 15% FBS in the CMEM during the lifted culture period, ande) by adding a dialysis membrane on top and a Puropore nylon membrane below the culture when the cultures were inserted in the permeation cell for testing. The percentage of cultures with this value for Kp can be increased to 90% if only cultures with yellow, smooth, and shiny surfaces are tested. This system should be useful as a replacement for skin in testing the cutaneous permeation of some chemicals.
EFFECTS OF CATECHOLAMINE SYNTHESIS INHIBITION ON ETHANOL-INDUCED WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS IN MICE

Abstract α-Methyl-p-tyrosine, a catecholamine synthesis inhibitor, was studied to determine its effects against ethanol-induced withdrawal symptoms in mice. Signifilcant (P < 0.001) potentiation of the withdrawal convulsion score induced by ethanol vapour exposure for three days was observed in mice. The synergistic effect was not due to alteration of ethanol metabolism. These results indicate that reductions in catecholamines (dopamine and noradrenaline) augment seizure activity induced by subchronic exposure to ethanol.
A direct-acting fibrinolytic enzyme from the venom of Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix: Effects on various components of the human blood coagulation and fibrinolysis systems

A direct acting fibrinolytic enzyme (fibrolase) has been isolated from venom of the southern copperhead snake (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix). Time-course experiments established that the venom enzyme cleaves primarily the A alpha-chain of human fibrinogen and fibrin between the Lys-413 and Leu-414 position. The B beta-chain is cleaved more slowly, while the gamma-chain is minimally affected. The cleavage pattern of fibrinogen and fibrin clearly varies from plasmin cleavage of the same molecules. The enzyme does not activate plasminogen or protein c and it is thus different from "Protac", a protein c activator isolated from the same venom.
Activation of Adenosine A2 Receptors Stimulates Phosphoinositide Metabolism in Rat Peripheral Nerve

The effects of adenosine analogues on phosphoinositide metabolism in rat sciatic nerve were examined. Sciatic nerve segments were prelabeled with [ 3 H]-cytidine and incubated in the presence of LiCI and varying concentrations of adenosine analogues. The formation of [ 3 H]cytidine monophosphate phosphatidic acid ([ 3 H]-CMP-PA) was determined as an index of phosphoinositide breakdown. Liponucleotide accumulation was elevated significantly in the presence of 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA), a nonselective analogue, and two different A 2 -selective analogues, N 6 -[2-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl) -2- (2-methylphenyl)ethyl]adenosine and 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-NECA (CGS 21680), but not by N 6 -cyclopentyladenosine, an A 1 -selective analogue. The stimulatory action of CGS 21680 was blocked by the A 2 -selective adenosine receptor antagonists 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX) and 1,3-dipropyl-7-methylxanthine. Inositol phosphate formation was also stimulated to a comparable degree by CGS 21680 and this response was antagonized by DMPX. Carbamylcholine, which was previously shown to stimulate phosphoinositide breakdown, also enhanced the accumulation of CMP-PA. When adenosine analogues and carbamylcholine were simultaneously present, their effects were additive. Taken together, these data suggest that an adenosine receptor, possibly of the A 2 subtype, is coupled to enhanced phosphoinositide hydrolysis in peripheral nerve. However, adenosine-receptor activation does not appear to modulate phosphoinositide hydrolysis stimulated via muscarinic receptors.
Competition between photochemistry and energy transfer in ultraviolet-excited diazabenzenes. I. Photofragmentation studies of pyrazine at 248 nm and 266 nm

The quantum yield for the formation of HCN from the photodissociation of pyrazine excited at 248 nm and 266 nm is determined by IR diode probing of the HCN photoproduct. HCN photoproducts from excited pyrazine are produced via three different dissociation channels, one that is extremely “prompt” and two others that are “late.” The total quantum yield from all reaction channels obtained at low quencher gas pressures, φ=1.3±0.2 for 248 nm and 0.5±0.3 for 266 nm, is in agreement with preliminary studies of this process as well as recent molecular beam studies. To investigate if HCN production is the result of pyrazine multiphoton absorption, this photodissociation process has been further studied by observing the HCN quantum yield as a function of total quencher gas pressure (10 mTorr pyrazine, balance SF6) and as a function of 248 nm laser fluence from 2.8 to 82 mJ/cm2. At the highest SF6 pressures, the HCN quantum yield shows strong positive correlation with laser fluence, indicating that the “prompt” chan...
Minimum permanent on faces of staircase type of the polytope of doubly stochastic matrices

Let Ωn denote the set of all n × n doubly stochastic matrices Γ or an n × n 10. 11-matrix D- [dn ]. let In this paper, we consider I he face Ω(D) of Ωn for D an n × n staircase matrix, and determine the minimum permanent and the set of all minimizing matrices on Ω(D). We find the barycenter of Ω(D) and show that the barycenter is a minimizing matrix on Ω (D). It is also proved that the staircase matrices are maximal with respect to the minimization of permanent.
Extrahepatic portal biliopathy: Proposed etiology on the basis of anatomic and clinical features

Chronic occlusion of the portal vein and superior mesenteric vein leads to retrograde gastrocolic trunk to pancreaticoduodenal venous flow and allows these collateral vessels to “tether” and compress the bile duct near the pancreatic head.
Vertical profiles of aerosol volume from high-spectral-resolution infrared transmission measurements. I. Methodology

The wavelength-dependent aerosol extinction in the 800-1250-cm(-1) region has been derived from ATMOS (atmospheric trace molecule spectroscopy) high-spectral-resolution IR transmission measurements.
Identification and characterization of a spontaneous ovarian carcinoma in Lewis rats

Ovarian carcinoma is the fourth most common cause of death from cancer in women. Limited progress has been made toward improving the survival rate of patients with this disease in part because of the lack of a good animal model. We present here a model of spontaneous ovarian carcinoma arising in a normal Lewis rat. A spontaneously occurring tumor of the left ovary was found in a normal Lewis rat during necropsy, which was sectioned for histological examination and placed into single cell suspension. Tumor cells were passaged in vivo by intraperitoneal injection into immunocompetent Lewis rats, and in vitro culture resulted in generation of a cell line. Tumor cells were examined by flow cytometry for expression of estrogen receptor α, progesterone receptor, androgen receptor, her-2/neu, epithelial cell adhesion molecule, and CA125. β-catenin expression and cellular localization was assessed by immunocytochemistry. RNA was harvested for gene expression profiling and studying the expression of cytokines. The tumor, designated FNAR, could be serially transplanted into Lewis rats and propagated as a cell line in vitro, maintaining the properties of the original tumor. The FNAR cells displayed striking morphologic similarities to human ovarian carcinoma, resembling the endometrioid carcinoma subtype of surface epithelial neoplasms. The cells expressed estrogen receptor α, progesterone receptor, androgen receptor, her-2/neu, epithelial cell adhesion molecule, CA125, and nuclear β-catenin. A gene expression profile showed upregulation of a number of genes that are also upregulated in human ovarian carcinoma. This reliable model of ovarian carcinoma should be helpful in better understanding the biology of the disease as well as the development of novel treatment strategies.
Racism and white privilege in adult education graduate programs: Admissions, retention, and curricula

This chapter explores how white privilege and racism function in adult education graduate programs regarding admissions, retention, and curricula.
Solving Image Registration Problems Using Interior Point Methods

This paper describes a novel approach to recovering a parametric deformation that optimally registers one image to another. The method proceeds by constructing a global convex approximation to the match function which can be optimized using interior point methods. The paper also describes how one can exploit the structure of the resulting optimization problem to develop efficient and effective matching algorithms. Results obtained by applying the proposed scheme to a variety of images are presented.
Turbulence in the divertor region of Tokamak edge plasma

Results of recent modeling of tokamak edge plasma with the turbulence code BOUT are presented. In previous studies with BOUT, the background profiles of plasma density and temperature were set as flux surface functions. However, in the divertor region of a tokamak, the temperature is typically lower and density is higher than those at the mid-plane. To account for this in the present study, a poloidal variation of background plasma density and temperature is included to provide a more realistic model. For poloidally uniform profiles of the background plasma, the calculated turbulence amplitude peaks near outer mid-plane, while in the divertor region the amplitude is small. However, present simulations show that as the background plasma profiles become more poloidally non-uniform, the amplitude of density fluctuations, n i , starts peaking in the divertor. It is found that in the divertor region the amplitude of n i fluctuations grows approximately linearly with the local density of the background plasma, n i0 , while the amplitudes of T e and Φ fluctuations are positively correlated with the local electron temperature, T e0 . Correlation analysis shows that plasma turbulence above and below the x-point is largerly uncorrelated.
Lupus nephritis: keeping the wolf at bay.

From the beginning part of this century, we have witnessed a dramatic improvement in the prognosis of patients with SLE. Several factors have contributed to this improvement, such as a better understanding of the pathophysiology, recognizing the essential role of the kidney biopsy in defining and
Distributed acoustic modeling with back-off n-grams

The paper proposes an approach to acoustic modeling that borrows from n-gram language modeling in an attempt to scale up both the amount of training data and model size (as measured by the number of parameters in the model) to approximately 100 times larger than current sizes used in ASR.
Women’s use of complementary and alternative therapies in reproductive health care

Numerous studies have documented that health care consumers all over the world are spending money out of pocket for alternative therapies and that billions of dollars are spent in the United States alone. In this article, the use of complementary and alternative therapies by women health care consumers is discussed, particularly as this phenomenon relates to women's reproductive health in the United States. Women use conventional health care services more frequently than men; thus, it is not surprising that women account for approximately two thirds of health care appointments for complementary and alternative therapies. The traditional conceptual frameworks of herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, and acupressure are presented, and common clinical applications to women's reproductive care are discussed.
IGF-I Signaling in Response to Hyperglycemia and the Development of Diabetic Complications

IGF-I is structurally related to proinsulin and when administered to human subjects it enhances insulin sensitivity. However because of its growth promoting properties and its relationship to growth hormone, it has been proposed as a etiologic factor in the development of diabetic complications. This review discusses recently published data regarding the ability of hyperglycemia to sensitize cells that are capable of dedifferentiating to the growth promoting effects of IGF-I. Under normoglycemic conditions vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells are cystostatic and stimulation of the IGFI receptor activates the adaptor protein IRS-1 which leads to PI-3 kinase pathway activation. Following exposure to hyperglycemia these cell types undergo a signaling switch whereby an entirely different mechanism is utilized to activate both the PI-3 and the MAP kinase pathways. This leads to increased cell proliferation and migration. This molecular mechanism involves the coordinate regulation of signaling molecules and scaffolding proteins. Activation of this alternative signaling mechanism is directly linked to the stimulation of pathophysiologic processes that are involved in the pathogenesis of both diabetic retinopathy and atherosclerosis. Inhibition of activation of these intermediates has been shown to attenuate glucose induced pathophysiologic changes and results in the inhibition of both atherosclerotic lesion progression and diabetic retinopathy. In summary, hyperglycemia induces a signaling switch in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells that results in enhanced sensitivity to the growth promoting effects of IGF-I. This may be an important variable for determining the progression of atherosclerosis in poorly controlled diabetes and in the development of retinopathy.
Characterization of Novel Human Hepatoma Cell Lines with Stable Hepatitis B Virus Secretion for Evaluating New Compounds against Lamivudine- and Penciclovir-Resistant Virus

L-Nucleoside analogs are new therapeutic agents for treatment of chronic hepatitis B. However, their clinical application was limited by the emergence of viral resistance. It is important to develop a new system to evaluate drug cross-resistance and to test new agents that may overcome resistant virus. In this report, three cell lines HepG2-WT10, HepG2-SM1, and HepG2-DM2 are presented; these cell lines were established by transfection of HepG2 cells with unique fully functional 1.1x hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomes: wild-type HBV-adr and its L526M and L526MM550V variants, respectively. We have demonstrated that these genomes have different susceptibilities to lamivudine [L(-)SddC] and penciclovir (PCV). By examining HBV RNA transcription, antigen expression, progeny DNA replication, and viral susceptibilities to L(-)SddC, PCV, and other nucleoside analogs, it is concluded that the cell lines are able to stably produce L(-)SddC- and PCV-sensitive and -resistant HBV virions. In addition, the relative susceptibilities of the wild-type and mutant HBV produced from the stably transfected cell lines to several anti-HBV nucleoside analogs were also examined and found to be about the same as those found by using a transient infection system. PMEA [9-(2-phosphonylmethoxytehyl)-adenine] and QYL685 are able to suppress L(-)SddC- and PCV-resistant HBV. In conclusion, this cell culture system is a novel and useful tool for evaluating anti-HBV compounds and biologics.
Public and Private Physical Affection Differences between Same-Sex and Different-Sex Couples: The Role of Perceived Marginalization

Despite its connection with relationship satisfaction, research on physical affection is scarce and fails to disentangle private and public displays of affection. It is important to examine both types if marginalized couples are less comfortable displaying affection publicly. The present study examined whether same-sex couples display less public (but not private) physical affection than different-sex couples due to stronger feelings of relationship marginalization. It also examined how public/private affection and marginalization relate to relationship satisfaction. Women in committed same-sex and different-sex relationships completed surveys of public affection, private affection, marginalization, and relationship satisfaction online. As predicted, women in same-sex relationships displayed less public affection than those in different-sex relationships, an effect mediated by general societal marginalization. Both private and public affection predicted higher relationship satisfaction, whereas feelings of marginalization by friends/family predicted lower relationship satisfaction. We discuss implications for relationship counseling and propose new ways of looking at marginalization.
Selecting an equation to estimate glomerular filtration rate for use in renal dosage adjustment of drugs in electronic patient record systems.

Study Objective. To identify a variant of the Cockcroft-Gault equation whose estimate would agree with the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) estimate of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) since the MDRD equation may not be programmable in some electronic patient record systems. Design. Prospective case series. Setting. A 625-bed, adults-only, private, tertiary care teaching hospital. Patients. Two hundred eight consecutive hospitalized patients with MDRD-estimated GFRs less than 90 ml/minute/1.73 m2. Seventeen patients were black (includes native African immigrants). Intervention. Chemistry assays were performed, and patients' records were reviewed for age, ethnic background, height, and actual weight. Ideal weight, corrected weight, body mass index, body surface area (BSA), and GFR by the original MDRD equation were calculated for each patient. Measurements and Main Results. Cockcroft-Gault estimates of renal clearance were calculated by using actual weight, ideal weight, and corrected weight both with and without correction for BSA. These estimates, as well as an estimate of GFR by the abbreviated MDRD equation, were compared with the original MDRD estimate. The results obtained with the abbreviated MDRD equation and with the Cockcroft-Gault equation that used corrected weight and BSA adjustment had the best agreement; both were within ± 30% of the original MDRD equation in 80% of the 208 patients' results. All other Cockcroft-Gault variants tested were less accurate. Conclusion. Electronic patient record databases may not contain a nominal variable database field for black or non-black status, which is required by the MDRD equations. The Cockcroft-Gault equation that used corrected weight and BSA adjustment performed about as well as the abbreviated MDRD equation and can be programmed into electronic patient records. Given the small number of black patients included in this study, further study in this patient population is recommended before applying this Cockcroft-Gault variant to this subgroup.
Failing to Do the Right Thing Nurse Practice and the Family Experience

Ethical end of life decisions are increasingly viewed by the global healthcare community as complex and imbued with uncertainty in institutional healthcare settings. Each person experiences health decision-making and the concept of time differently and uniquely. In the context of end of life situations, both the recipients of healthcare and their families may experience complex decision-making in situations where profound questioning and uncertainty surfaces with a struggling of desiring to do the right thing comingling with the possibilities of failing to do the right thing according to the expectations of self and others. This column begins a discussion of possible meanings found in ethical decision-making with families as articulated with the lens of the humanbecoming family model.
Experience with electrolyte levels after craniotomy for pediatric brain tumors.

Children with brain tumors routinely undergo craniotomies for tumor resections. Nurses and nurse practitioners are critical in closely monitoring these patients. Postoperatively, these children may develop inappropriate vasopressin secretion, cerebral salt wasting syndrome, or a combination of both. Inappropriate fluid and electrolyte administration may exacerbate symptoms. Both high and low sodium levels are associated with significant complications. Sodium levels were prospectively observed for 72 hours perioperatively. Overall, 36 patients had 201 serum sodium levels measured over the course of 1 year. Postoperatively, 79 (39%) of the sodium levels were 145 mEq/L. Of these abnormal sodium levels, 3 (1%) were 165 mEq/L. All the abnormal sodium levels occurred in patients with suprasellar or hypothalamic lesions. This study suggests that children with resections of suprasellar or hypothalamic tumors need specialist attention in postoperative management of fluid and electrolytes. The nurse is in the ideal role to monitor closely the pediatric brain tumor patient at high risk for abnormal sodium levels.
The Impact of the Prospective Payment System: Perceived Changes in the Nature of Practice and Clinical Education

Background and Purpose. Health care financing for teaching hospitals has undergone significant change in the past decade. This report describes changes in physical therapy practice and clinical education in three New England hospitals from 1984 to 1988. Subjects. Hospital administrators, physical therapy managers, and clinical educators (N=18) from the three teaching hospitals participated in this descriptive study. Methods. Demographic, environmental, and participant interview data were gathered and examined to identify changes during this period. Results. Perceived changes in practice include growth in specialized knowledge; increased emphasis on health care quality, efficiency, and accountability; new ethical dilemmas for practitioners; and a changing physical therapy role with new professional development opportunities. Perceived changes associated with clinical education were increased student performance expectations, unchanged resources for clinical education, greater emphasis on student self-directedness, and continued high valuing of this setting for physical therapy clinical education. Conclusion and Discussion. These results indicate significant change in the role of the physical therapist within these settings and suggest how these changes influence the clinical education of physical therapy students in these teaching hospitals.
An Investigation of the Large-Signal RF Safe-Operating-Area on Aggressively-Biased Cascode SiGe HBTs for Power Amplifier Applications

This paper presents analysis of RF safe-operating- area of aggressively-biased cascode SiGe HBT power amplifier cores under large-signal operating conditions. It is demonstrated that as VC and |ZL| increase, the RF power threshold to cause catastrophic device failure is reduced. Comparisons between calculated results and measured data show excellent agreement. I. INTRODUCTION
Oxygen Isotope Constraints on the Sulfur Cycle over the Past 10 Million Years

Oxygen isotopes in marine sulfate (δ18OSO4) measured in marine barite show variability over the past 10 million years, including a 5per mil decrease during the Plio-Pleistocene, with near-constant values during the Miocene that are slightly enriched over the modern ocean. A numerical model suggests that sea level fluctuations during Plio-Pleistocene glacial cycles affected the sulfur cycle by reducing the area of continental shelves and increasing the oxidative weathering of pyrite. The data also require that sulfate concentrations were 10 to 20% lower in the late Miocene than today.
Adaptive Transaction Management Protocols for Mobile Client Caching DBMSs

In mobile client-server database systems, caching of frequently accessed data is an important technique that will reduce the contention on the narrow bandwidth wireless channel. As the server in mobile environments may not have any information about the state of its clients' cache (stateless server), the use of a broadcast approach to transmit the list of updated data to numerous concurrent mobile clients is an attractive approach. In this paper, two caching methods are proposed to support transaction semantics at mobile clients. Proposed protocols adopt asynchronous broadcasting and hybrid broadcasting as the way of sending control messages, in order to dynamically adapt to system workload (update pattern, data locality). We study the performance of the proposed protocols by means of simulation experiments.
MEASUREMENT OF THE CONTINUOUS PRESSURE AND SURFACE SHEAR STRESS VECTOR DISTRIBUTIONS BENEATH AN INCLINED, IMPINGING JET USING COATING AND IMAGING TECHNIQUES

The pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) method and the shear-sensitive liquid crystal coating (LCC) method were separately applied to measure the areal pressure and shear stress vector distributions on a planar test surface beneath an inclined, axisymmetric, turbulent impinging jet. The combined results provide the first-ever consolidated measurements of the continuous normal and tangential force distributions beneath a fundamental flow field. Present results indicate that the PSP method can be extended to the measurement of small pressure differences (<~0.1 psig) encountered in low-speed flows. Further, these results provide the first demonstration of the capability of the LCC method to measure continuous surface shear stress vector distributions on planar surfaces where shear vectors of all possible orientations are present.
The Per Case and Total Annual Costs of Foodborne Illness in the United States

We present an economic welfare-based method to estimate the health costs associated with foodborne illness caused by known viruses, bacteria, parasites, allergens, two marine biotoxins, and unspecified agents. The method generates health costs measured in both quality-adjusted life years and in dollars. We calculate the reduction in quality-adjusted life days caused by the illness and add reductions in quality-adjusted life years from any secondary effects that are estimated to occur. For fatal cases, we calculate the life years lost due to premature death. We add direct medical expenses to the monetary costs as derived from estimates of willingness to pay to reduce health risks. In total, we estimate that foodborne illness represents an annual burden to society of approximately $36 billion, with an average identified illness estimated to reduce quality-adjusted life days by 0.84, which is monetized and included in the average cost burden per illness of $3,630.
SIMULATION OF THE INTERACTION BETWEEN AERODYNAMICS AND VEHICLE DYNAMICS IN GENERAL UNSTEADY GROUND EFFECT

A method for modelling general unsteady lifting flows and a method for simulating dynamic-aerodynamic interaction is described. The aerodynamic model is general enough to treat multiple, closely coupled lifting components in ground effect. Simulations are computed both in and out of ground effect.
Contributions of Gifted Education to General Education In a Time of Change

Educators in the field of gifted education should be involved in the educational dialogue known as the School Reform Movement both because of the need of gifted learners for positive changes in edu...
Studies of realizing low side lobe levels of composite right/left-handed SIW leaky-wave antennas

In many communication systems, lower side lobe level (SLL) of an antenna is desired. In this paper, we have reviewed studies of composite right/left-handed (CRLH) substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) leaky-wave antennas (LWAs) with low SLL by controlling leakage amount of interdigital slots.