cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
1282 IN-UTERO EXPOSURE TO NICOTINE: EFFECTS ON THE NEWBORN

As a result of the popularity and social acceptability of nicotine, in-utero exposure is cannon. To study the effects of prenatal smoking, 74 infants were evaluated. Group 1 consisted of 32 infants born to women who had smoked 10 to 20 cigarettes per day throughout pregnancy. Group 2 included 42 infants born to non-smokers. Infants were examined at 2 to 5 days of age. Dependent variables included: gestational age, birth weight, Apgar scores, physical and neurological status (evaluated by the Amiel Score-Journal of Anesthesiology, 56:340, 1982), occurence of abstinence (evaluated by the Neonatal Abstinence Score-Pediatric Research, 17=1678, 1983) and, the infant's special care needs and ability to feed (Casear et al. Early Human Development, 7:331, 1982). Results revealed no differences in duration of labor, use of analgesia/anesthesia in labor and delivery, gestational age, length, head circumference, Apgar scores, morbidity or physical abnormalities. No significant symptoms of abstinence were noted in Group 1. Although there were no significant differences in Amiel Scores, smokers' infants were more apt to show deficiencies in sucking, automatic walking, and alertness. In non-smokers, there was a higher incidence of prolonged rupture of membranes and breech presentation. Evaluation of the infant's ability to feed revealed that infants of non-smokers were twice as likely to experience an overall well-being as reflected by a strong, contented infant during feedings. The infants of smokers had lower birth weights and an increased need for resuscitation and special care. A trend of increased maternal complications in pregnancy and delivery was also noted. These findings supplement existing information which advises pregnant women to stop smoking as early as possible during pregnancy in order to prevent untoward consequences.
Correlates of vaccine protection from influenza and its complications

Despite use of influenza vaccines for more than 65 y, influenza and its complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Most deaths during influenza virus infections are due to underlying co-morbidities or secondary bacterial pneumonia. The measures of immune response currently used for licensure of influenza vaccines are relevant mainly for protection from viral infection in healthy adults. Development of new or improved influenza vaccines will require a definition of novel, and specific correlates of protection. These correlates should associate immune responses with outcomes that are relevant to specific risk groups, such as asthma exacerbation, hospitalization or disruptions to care or daily activities. Assessment of vaccine effectiveness for both viral and bacterial vaccines should include measures of impact on secondary bacterial pneumonia.
Dynamic stochastic optimal power flow control for intelligent coordination of grid-connected energy systems

High penetration of intermittent renewable energy demands major upgrades to the existing power grid transmission infrastructure. Increasing transmission capacities and interconnections creates larger balancing areas. With a larger balancing area, more grid-connected energy systems can be coordinated to achieve one or multiple control objectives (for example, balancing intermittent renewable energy), but how to achieve such an optimal coordination has not yet been fully answered. The existing power system operation method is based on steady-state optimization that may break down when fast variation is present in the system. To provide a coordinating control solution to multiple grid-connected energy systems, an intelligent real-time power flow control method, namely the dynamic stochastic optimal power flow (DSOPF) control, is presented in this paper. The DSOPF control algorithm is based on the Adaptive Critic Designs (ACDs), which provide methods to design optimal neurocontrollers without the need of system analytical models. Studies on a 12-bus and a 70-bus test power system are presented to demonstrate the DSOPF controller.
The laboratory workstation: a data management model for a small laboratory section

Many small sections of clinical chemistry laboratories fail to benefit fully from laboratory information system (LIS) installation because the volume does not justify cost of interfacing the instruments in these sections to the LIS. The opportunity for manual data entry errors remains a problem in these sections. This paper describes the design of a laboratory workstation that serves as a data hub that makes it feasible to use one instrument interface line from the LIS to acquire data from four instruments. This approach reduces the likelihood of data entry error and improves the efficiency of personnel in the laboratory section. Further, the tools necessary to create such a workstation are commercially available and do not depend on microcomputer programming and support personnel within the chemistry laboratory.
A preliminary study of slow-wave EEG activity and insulin sensitivity in adolescents

Objective The objective was to evaluate the relationship between the time course of slow wave EEG activity (SWA) during NREM sleep and insulin sensitivity in adolescents.
Ab initio computation of electron affinities of substituted benzalacetophenones (chalcones): a new approach to substituent effects in organic electrochemistry

The electron affinities (EAs) of a training set of 29 monosubstituted benzalacetophenones (chalcones) were computed at the ab initio density functional B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. The EAs and experimental reduction potentials of the training set are highly linearly correlated (correlation coefficient of 0.969 and standard deviation of 10.8 mV). An additional 72 di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted chalcones were then synthesized. Their reduction potentials were predicted from computed EAs using the linear correlation derived from the training set. Agreement between the experimental and computed reduction potentials is remarkably good, with a standard deviation of less than 22 mV for this very large set of substances whose potentials extend over a range of almost 700 mV.
Tsallis Statistics of the Magnetic Field in the Heliosheath

The spacecraft Voyager 1 crossed the termination shock on 2004 December 16 at a distance of 94 AU from the Sun, and it has been moving through the heliosheath toward the interstellar medium since then. The distributions of magnetic field strength B observed in the heliosheath are Gaussian over a wide range of scales, yet the measured profile appears to be filamentary with occasional large jumps in the magnetic field strength B(t). All of the probability distributions of changes in B, dBn ≡ B(t + τ) - B(t) on scales τ from 1 to 128 days, can be fit with the symmetric Tsallis distribution of nonextensive statistical mechanics. At scales ≥32 days, the distributions are Gaussian, but on scales from 1 through 16 days the probability distribution functions have non-Gaussian tails, suggesting that the inner heliosheath is not in statistical equilibrium on scales from 1 to 16 days.
Cerebral Glucose Transport and Metabolism in Pre-term Human Infants † 1898

Few data regarding early developmental changes in cerebral (blood-to-brain) glucose transport (CTXglc) and cerebral glucose metabolism,(CMRglc) are available for humans.We measured CBF, CTXglc, and CMRglc with positron emission tomography at 4-7 days of life in 6 pre-term human infants 25-34 weeks estimated gestational age(EGA). These infants suffered from respiratory distress syndrome but had no evidence of brain damage.Measurements were performed on a Siemens model 961 ECAT EXACT HR PET scanner employing three-dimensional acquisition. CBF was measured by a 40 second emission scan following intravenous bolus injection of 0.5-0.7 mCi/kg of H215O. CTXglc and CMRglc were measured by one hour dynamic collection of brain time-activity data following slow intravenous injection of.1 mCi/kg of 1-11C-D-glucose. All infants were monitored to insure that blood pressure, temperature, pCO2 and pO2 were all within the normal range. Arterial plasma glucose was not manipulated for the purpose of this study. Regional measurements were obtained from a large central region encompassing insular cortex, basal ganglia and adjacent white matter. The Michaelis-Menton constants Kt and Tmax were estimated from CTXglc and the calculated cerebral capillary plasma glucose concentration. Mean CMRglcwas 8.8 μmol 100g-1min-1. CMRglc did not correlate with plasma glucose concentration (r=.315,p=.543) whereas CTXglc showed a significant correclation with plasma glucose concentration (r=.836,p=.038). Estimation of Michaelis-Menton constants from the best fit to the measured data produced values Kt=6.0 μmol ml-1 and Tmax=32.6μmol 100g-1min-1. These values for Kt in the developing human brain are similar to those that have been reported for the mature brain of adolescent and adult humans and adult non-human primates indicating the affinity of the glucose transport protein for D-glucose is similar. However Tmax is approximately one-third to one-half of the comparable values for mature brain indicating a reduced number of available luminal transporters.
Absence of in Vitro Dexamethasone-Dependent Lipolytic Activity from Highly Purified Growth Hormone*

Partially purified human GH was subjected to chromatography on DEAE-cellulose to yield a preparation that lacked in vitro lipolytic activity in the rat epididymal fat pad even in the presence of dexamethasone. Release of both glycerol and FFA was examined after a 4-h incubation and was found to be unaffected by concentrations of GH as high as 0.1 mg/ml incubation medium. The lipolytic activity of the original partially purified GH was detected in an acidic fraction from the DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Similar results were obtained with bovine GH. Adipose tissue from rats fed Purina rat chow was more responsive to the lipolytic factor than tissue from rats fed a high sucrose, fat-free diet.
Variation in the composition of the venom from a single specimen of Pseudonaja textilis (common brown snake) over one year

Abstract Venom was collected over a 12-month period from a single specimen of Pseudonaja textilis . No trends in the weight of venom extracted or protein content were noted. Amidolytic activity, coagulant and esterolytic activity showed a decrease over the summer months, while a rise in phosphodiesterase and 5′ nucleotidase activity was noted at this time. Precipitin lines developed against the venoms by brown snake antivenom showed variability over the 12-month period. Gel filtration and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profiles showed quantitative and minor qualitative differences; however, the variation noted in the activities of these venoms was not predictable from these profiles.
Feedback control of substrate temperature during the growth of near-lattice-matched InGaAs on InP using diffuse reflection spectroscopy

Abstract Diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS) is used to control substrate temperature to within ±2°C of user specified setpoint during the growth of near-lattice-matched InGaAs on InP. The same growth under constant thermocouple control would result in a 50°C rise in real substrate temperature. Feedback control is achieved using a nested proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control loop; the inner loop consists of a conventional Eurotherm-thermocouple feedback loop that controls the substrate heater power; the outer loop updates the thermocouple setpoint based on the difference between the user setpoint and the substrate (DRS) temperature using a PID control loop implemented in the control software. Frequency loop shaping, based on a dynamical model of the system obtained from an identification experiment, is used to tune the outer PID loop. In addition, the thermal disturbances that occur during effusion cell shutter operations must be rejected. In the simplest case, a single correcting step in the Eurotherm (thermocouple) setpoint is input when a shutter is toggled. Through disturbance identification and model inversion a more sophisticated disturbance rejection action from the controller can be obtained.
Progress in Stylistics: Theory, Statistics, Computers

This paper attempts to assess the progress made in computational stylistics dyring the course of the past twenty-five years. First, we discuss some theoretical notions of style, and then we sketch certain trends that emerge from relevant articles appearing in a variety of publications including conference proceedings and academic journals (other than CHum). The conclusion is that progress has been mixed.
CIJET: A program for computation of jet cross sections induced by quark contact interactions at hadron colliders☆

Abstract We describe CIJET1.0, a Fortran program aimed at calculating single-inclusive jet or dijet production cross sections induced by quark contact interactions from new physics at hadron colliders, up to next-to-leading order in QCD. It covers various contact interactions with different chiral and color structures. The code is designed in a way that could be used for fast calculations with arbitrary parton distribution functions based on interpolations of the QCD coupling constant and parton distribution functions. Program Summary Program title : CIJET 1.0 Catalogue identifier : AEPQ_v1_0 Program summary URL : http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEPQ_v1_0.html Program obtainable from : CPC Program Library, Queen’s University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions : Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc. : 13087 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc. : 331957 Distribution format : tar.gz Programming language : Fortran; with some included libraries coded in C. Computer : All. Operating system : Any UNIX-like system. RAM : 300 MB Classification : 11.1. External routines : LHAPDF ( https://lhapdf.hepforge.org/ ) Nature of problem : Calculation of single-inclusive jet and dijet cross sections induced by quark contact interactions up to next-to-leading order in QCD at hadron colliders. Solution method : Using the VEGAS Monte Carlo sampling and subtracted matrix element to generate weight grids and store them in a table file that allows for later interpolations on arbitrary parton distribution functions. Running time : Depends on the details of the calculation and the required numerical accuracy.
Elevated depressive affect is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes among African Americans with chronic kidney disease

This study was designed to examine the impact of elevated depressive affect on health outcomes among participants with hypertensive chronic kidney disease in the African-American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK) Cohort Study. Elevated depressive affect was defined by Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) thresholds of 11 or more, above 14, and by 5-Unit increments in the score. Cox regression analyses were used to relate cardiovascular death/hospitalization, doubling of serum creatinine/end-stage renal disease, overall hospitalization, and all-cause death to depressive affect evaluated at baseline, the most recent annual visit (time-varying), or average from baseline to the most recent visit (cumulative). Among 628 participants at baseline, 42% had BDI-II scores of 11 or more and 26% had a score above 14. During a 5-year follow-up, the cumulative incidence of cardiovascular death/hospitalization was significantly greater for participants with baseline BDI-II scores of 11 or more compared with those with scores
A narrow linewidth picosecond pulsed laser system for hydrogen ion beam stripping

A single frequency, mode hoping free, narrow linewidth laser system has been developed to generate high repetition rate picosecond UV pulses with MW peak power. Preliminary measurements have shown the generation of 402.5MHz/80ps pulses at high extinction ratio and single frequency operation. The laser parameters are promising in the application of laser assisted H− beam stripping at the Spallation Neutron Source.
The Adolescent With Essential Hypertension

Clinical features in a comparably studied group of hypertensive and normotensive adolescents are described. Hypertensive hyperreninemia occurred in four of 28 hypertensive adolescents; suppressed plasma renin activity was found in five of 27 hypertensive adolescents. Only one of five adolescents identified as having suppressed plasma renin activity after ingesting a low-salt diet for three days had a hyporesponsive response to acute extracellular volume contraction. Pressure natriuresis was documented in six of 32 adolescents. Compared to normotensive, the hypertensive group was found to have elevated levels of serum uric acid. Plasma renin activity was higher in hypertensive children with hyperuricemia than in those with normouricemia. The hypertensive adolescents also had higher levels of serum calcium and phosphorus. Two-thirds of the hypertensive adolescents had echocardiographic changes of myocardial hypertrophy. No ophthalmologic nor renal abnormalities were documented in the hypertensive group. A review of factors influencing blood pressure changes during childhood and current considerations for therapy are included.
Negotiation Support Systems in Budget Negotiations: An Experimental Analysis

This paper reports the results of an experiment investigating the differences between budget negotiations conducted on an electronic negotiation support system (NSS) and those conducted face-to-face. The negotiation setting consisted of a supervisor and a subordinate negotiating a performance budget for the subordinate. Results revealed that when supervisor performance expectations were incongruent with subordinate capability, face-to-face negotiations hit impasse at a significantly higher rate than NSS negotiations. These results held regardless of the amount of concession needed to reach consensus, and they support the contention that single-issue distributive negotiations, such as budget negotiations, can benefit from the use of an NSS. In a secondary analysis of subordinate performance after the budget negotiation, we found that NSS subordinates perceived more task conflict, which positively influenced postnegotiation performance, whereas face-to-face subordinates perceived less relational conflict, which worked through satisfaction to positively influence postnegotiation performance. This result adds to the literature by clarifying the roles that communication mode plays in a negotiation and a negotiation's aftermath.
SpoIIAB is an anti-sigma factor that binds to and inhibits transcription by regulatory protein sigma F from Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract The sigma F factor is a regulatory protein that is responsible for directing gene expression in the forespore compartment of developing cells of the spore-forming soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis. The sigma F factor is encoded by the promoter-distal member of sporulation operon spoIIA, which consists of cistrons called spoIIAA, spoIIAB, and spoIIAC. Genetic evidence indicates that the activity of sigma F is negatively regulated by the product (SpoIIAB) of the spoIIAB cistron. We now report that SpoIIAB is capable of binding to sigma F and inhibiting its capacity to direct transcription by core RNA polymerase from the promoter for a forespore-expressed gene. SpoIIAB is an anti-sigma factor that may be directly involved in the compartmentalization of sigma F-directed gene expression.
Gluon-gluon interactions in the bag model

An effective spin-dependent interaction Hamiltonian for low-lying gluon modes is calculated to scrO(..cap alpha../sub s/) in the MIT bag model. We give expressions for the energy shifts of low-lying glueballs.
Turbine Airfoil Net Heat Flux Reduction With Cylindrical Holes Embedded in a Transverse Trench

Film cooling adiabatic effectiveness and heat transfer coefficients for cylindrical holes embedded in a 1d transverse trench on the suction side of a simulated turbine vane were investigated to determine the net heat flux reduction. For reference, measurements were also conducted with standard inclined, cylindrical holes. Heat transfer coefficients were determined with and without upstream heating to isolate the hydrodynamic effects of the trench and to investigate the effects of the thermal approach boundary layer. Also the effects of a tripped versus an un-tripped boundary layer were explored. For both the cylindrical holes and the trench, heat transfer augmentation was much greater with no tripping of the approach flow. A further increase in heat transfer augmentation was caused by use of upstream heating, with as much as a 150% augmentation with the trench. With a tripped approach flow the heat transfer augmentation was much less. The net heat flux reduction for the trench was found to be significantly higher than for the row of cylindrical holes.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Detonation cell size measurements and predictions in hydrogen-air-steam mixtures at elevated temperatures

Abstract The effect of initial mixture temperature on the experimentally measured detonation cell size for hydrogen-air-steam mixtures at 0.1 MPa has been investigated. Experiments were carried out in a 10-cm-inner-diameter, 6.1-m-long heated detonation tube with a maximum operating temperature of 700 K and spatial temperature uniformity of ±14 K. Detonation cell size measurements provide clear evidence that the effect of hydrogen-air initial gas mixture temperature, in the range 300–650 K, is to decrease cell size and, hence, to increase the sensitivity of the mixture to undergo detonations. The effect of steam content, at any given temperature, is to increase the cell size and, thereby, to decrease the sensitivity of stoichiometric hydrogen-air mixtures. The hydrogen-air detonability limits for the 10-cm-inside-diamter test vessel, based upon the onset of single-head spin, decreased from 15% hydrogen at 300 K down to about 9% hydrogen at 650 K. The experimental detonation cell size data were correlated using a Zel'dovich-von Neumann-Doring (ZND) model for the detonation using detailed chemical-kinetic reaction mechanisms. The proportionality constants used to scale the reaction zone length calculations from the ZND model varied from 30 to 51 for the hydrogen-air cell size data at 650 and 300 K, respectively.
The effects of the electroejaculation procedure on sperm motility

Electroejaculation is becoming more available for obtaining semen from spinal cord injured men wishing to father children. This study was undertaken to determine what effect the electroejaculation procedure itself had on sperm motility. Factors which were found to impact on sperm motility were osmolarity, electric current and aqueous jelly lubricant used for bladder catheterisation. pH did not affect sperm motility.
A microbioassay for acetylcholine.

SummaryA microbioassay for acetylcholine is described in which a solution containing acetylcholine is microperfused onto the endplate area of a chronically denervated skeletal muscle fiber. The endpoint, a brief tetanus, can be produced by application of as little as 0.15 μl of a solution which contains acetylcholine chloride at a concentration of 2.5 × 10-8 moles/1.
Complete nucleotide sequence of a cell culture-adapted variant of hepatitis A virus: comparison with wild-type virus with restricted capacity for in vitro replication.

Abstract To determine the molecular changes associated with adaptation of hepatitis A virus (HAV) to growth in cell culture, the genome of a cell culture-adapted variant of HM175 strain HAV (p16 HM175, 16th in vitro passage level) was molecularly cloned and the complete nucleotide sequence of the virus was determined. Compared with wild-type virus, p16 HM175 replicates efficiently in monkey kidney (BS-C-1) cells (approximately 58 RNA-containing particles per one infectious unit, compared with 2.4 × 10 5 for wild-type HM175). The nucleotide sequence of p16 HM 175 revealed a total of 19 mutations from the wild-type genome, including 5 mutations in the 5′ nontranslated region, 1 mutation in the 3′ nontranslated region, and 13 mutations predicting 8 changes in the amino acid sequences of HAV proteins. Only one amino acid substitution occurred among the capsid proteins (VP2), while others involved proteins 2A, 213, 2C, Vl3g, and 3Dpol. When the sequence of p16 virus was compared with that reported previously for an independently isolated, cell culture-adapted variant of HM175 virus (J. I. Cohen et al. , (1987). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84, 2497–2501), there were three identical mutations in nontranslated regions of the RNA, and four mutations involving identical amino acids in proteins VP2, 2B, and 3Dpol. The distribution of these mutations within the genome suggests that changes in RNA replication may be of primary importance in adaptation of the virus to growth in vitro . These data are thus helpful in understanding the molecular basis of adaptation of HAV to cell culture and, since attenuation frequently accompanies adaptation of virus to growth in cell culture, may be of benefit in planning for attenuated vaccine development.
Effect of body size on the uptake and bioconcentration of di‐2‐ethylhexyl phthalate in rainbow trout

Three groups of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) having average body weights of 2.9, 61 and 440 g were exposed at 12°C by the water to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). The kinetics of uptake and bioconcentration were characterized in each group using a compartmental model. Most of the model parameters, when expressed per unit body weight, were similar in the three sizes of fish. The two major exceptions were the uptake rate parameter, a measure of the capacity of the gill to extract DEHP from water and the apparent size (volume of distribution) of the large DEHP storage compartment, which is a measure of the capacity of the fish to accumulate DEHP. The values of these parameters declined as body weight increased; they followed the allometric equation with body weight exponents of 0.44 and 0.77, respectively. The body weight-associated changes in the pharmacokinetic parameters caused the bioconcentration factor to decline as body weight increased, from 51.5 to 1.6.
Application of Self-Adaptive Fuzzy PID Algorithm in the Control of the Oscillating-Plate Necking-In Machine Based on the Co-Simulation of DSHplus and Simulink

The necking-in product is widely used in many fields in the world. An improved necking-in machine is introduced in this paper. Matlab/Simulink is the popular simulation software in the dynamic system simulation field due to its powerful computing capability. DSHplus is the hydraulic special simulation software with graphical programming environment and abundance of model libraries and the system model can be built quickly. The co-simulation of DSHplus and Matlab/Simulink can take the advantage of their merits, which can study the control algorithm that applied on the hydraulic proportional system better. The Fuzzy PID control algorithm can apply logistic inference to tune the PID parameters automatically according to the working condition, which can solve many engineering problem of high performance requirements. So the Fuzzy PID algorithm is applied in this paper to improve the performance of the hydraulic system.
Investigations of microstructure of thin TbFeCo films by high‐resolution electron microscopy

High‐resolution electron microscope observations confirm the presence of small crystallites in thin TbFeCo films protected by Si3N4 overcoats. Selected area electron diffraction patterns in top‐view projection indicate that the crystals have a face‐centered‐cubic structure. Microscope analysis reveals grain growth following annealing of these protected thin films at 200 °C in vacuum, and Kerr measurements yield large reductions in coercivity relative to the room‐temperature value. The typical grain size visible in top‐view observations increases from about 3 nm in the as‐deposited samples to about 30 nm after annealing at 200 °C for 36 h while the static coercivity, Hc, drops by about 40%. The fcc structure of the crystals is retained after annealing.
The evolution of management for inverted papilloma: An analysis of 200 cases

Objectives To assess the evolution of management within one institution with the largest case series and longest clinical follow-up of IP to date in the literature and to compare this management with what has been recently presented in publication. Method A case series was performed assessing sex, age, presenting symptoms, origin of lesion, staging, primary versus recurrence, radiographic findings, method of treatment, rate of recurrence, and associated malignancy. Results Two hundred patients (average age, 57) underwent endoscopic or endoscopic-assisted resection of IP. The mean follow-up was 4.3 years (range, 9 months-19 years). Eighty percent of cases over the last decade had prior surgery before presentation. Sixty-three percent were Krouse stage T3, and 25 percent were T4. Combined approaches were used for 57 percent of the most recent 40 cases, including Caldwell-Luc, lateral rhinotomy, medial maxillectomy, trephine, or osteoplastic flap. Conclusion Inverted papilloma can be addressed endoscopically when possible, with data from this study and the current literature suggesting this is feasible in 43 percent to 66 percent of cases. This decision should be made for each individual case, and variables that will likely affect the decision to use adjuvant external approaches include significant scarring and anatomic distortion from previous surgery, high Krouse stage, and associated malignancy.
The effect of deprivation upon fixed ratio responding

The effect of food deprivation upon fixed-ratio responding was studied in two pigeons. Post reinforcement pausing and response rate were considered separately. Both birds showed significant decreases in pausing as deprivation increased, but response rate did not show a similarly consistent correlation.
Induction of early-immediate genes by tumor necrosis factor α contribute to liver repair following chemical-induced hepatotoxicity

Abstract We and others have shown that tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) expression is increased in the livers of experimental animals following exposure to the chemical hepatotoxin, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Because TNF-α is involved in mediating inflammatory responses, its elevated expression is presumed to be associated with potentiating hepatotoxicity and/or aiding in liver repair processes. To study the role of TNF-α in chemical-induced hepatotoxicity, mice were administered neutralizing antibodies to TNF-α before administration of low, but hepatotoxic, doses of CCl4. Antibody treatment prevented CCl4-mediated increases in early-immediate gene expression associated with liver regeneration, including expression of c-jun and c-fos proto- oncogenes, as well as DNA binding of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) nuclear transcription factor. Hepatocyte proliferation following CCl4 treatment was also reduced in anti-TNF-α antibody-treated mice, as evidenced by a lack of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining. Antibody treatment slightly delayed liver repair processes, as evidenced by extending the period in which plasma liver enzyme levels were increased and hepatocellular necrosis could be observed. Consistent with the above observations, injection of recombinant TNF-α into control mice induced rapid expression of c-jun and c-fos proto-oncogenes. Taken together, these results indicate that TNF-α positively modulates liver recovery following CCl4 exposure presumably by stimulating early-immediate genes involved in hepatic mitogenesis, a phenomenon also observed following partial hepatectomy. (Hepatology 1997 Jan;25(1):133-41)
On the Political Economy of the Financial Crisis and Bailout of 2008

This paper provides an overview of the political and economic decisions that helped to create the financial crisis of 2008. It begins with an overview of U.S. efforts to promote home ownership and how those policies, along with banking regulatory decisions in the late 1990s and early 2000s, helped to create a highly leveraged and risky international portfolio of mortgage-based securities. Declines in the price of housing, consequently, had major effects on the balance sheets and portfolios of financial institutions throughout the world, because the risk of mortgage-backed securities was underpriced. The effects of mortgage-backed securities effectively doubled the usual effect of the end of a housing bubble. The political response to the crisis of 2008 has been rapid and large. The response has been partially accomplished through new legislation (TARP) and partly through standing agencies with authority to address credit and housing issues. In general, the differences in the effectiveness of policy responses show the advantage of standing institutions at crisis management relative to innovative legislation. The paper concludes by discussing the relevance of public choice, constitutional political economy, and the theory of regulation for explaining the crisis management undertaken.
The synergetic effect of hydrogel stiffness and growth factor on osteogenic differentiation.

Cells respond to various chemical signals as well as environmental aspects of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that may alter cellular structures and functions. Hence, better understanding of the mechanical stimuli of the matrix is essential for creating an adjuvant material that mimics the physiological environment to support cell growth and differentiation, and control the release of the growth factor. In this study, we utilized the property of transglutaminase cross-linked gelatin (TG-Gel), where modification of the mechanical properties of TG-Gel can be easily achieved by tuning the concentration of gelatin. Modifying one or more of the material parameters will result in changes of the cellular responses, including different phenotype-specific gene expressions and functional differentiations. In this study, stiffer TG-Gels itself facilitated focal contact formation and osteogenic differentiation while soft TG-Gel promoted cell proliferation. We also evaluated the interactions between a stimulating factor (i.e. BMP-2) and matrix rigidity on osteogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. The results presented in this study suggest that the interactions of chemical and physical factors in ECM scaffolds may work synergistically to enhance bone regeneration.
Acting small in a large state's world: Russia and the Baltic states

The interest in small states ebbs and flows as important international affairs include small states. Russia's actions and policies vis-a-vis Ukraine, and the resultant intensified apprehension among Russia's smaller neighbours, aim the proverbial microscope at the size and power discrepancies between states. Russia, by most metrics, is a large state and the Baltic states, by those same metrics, are small states. Small-state scholars expect large and small states to act differently. However, the case of Russia and the Baltic states indicates that large and small states do not, in fact, act all that different. This being the case, this article calls into question many of the assumptions made by small-state scholars about the difference between large- and small-state action and argues for changes within small-state studies as a subdiscipline of the larger international relations discipline.
Goal Directed Fluid Resuscitation: A Review of Hemodynamic, Metabolic, and Monitoring Based Goals

Aggressive intravenous fluid (IVF) resuscitation has been a mainstay of therapy for critically ill patients with hypotension and hypoperfusion. Recent evidence has emerged suggesting that overzealous fluid resuscitation may be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Goal directed fluid therapies aim to exploit metabolic, hemodynamic, and monitor based parameters that may predict a response to fluid administration. The goal is to improve patient outcome by identifying patients who will benefit from IVF while avoiding excessive fluid administration to those who will not benefit.
Global land data sets for next‐generation biospheric monitoring

The Mauna Loa atmospheric CO2 record initiated in 1957 was the first data set to show that the entire Earth was being affected by human activity C. D. Keeling relived the history and current trends of that CO2 data set in a keynote address at a recent Earth observation meeting where next-generation capabilities in global biospheric monitoring were unveiled. The second MODIS Vegetation Workshop held last August, was attended by 170 scientists from 27 states and 19 countries. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is a visible/infrared optical sensor launched on both the Terra (December 1999) and the more recent Aqua (May 2002) platforms of the NASA Earth Observing System to provide daily global Earth observation at 250-1000-m spatial resolution. The MODIS Land Science Team since 1990 has developed algorithms analyzing the spectral data to produce biophysical variables over 110 million km2 of vegetated land surface for global science (http.7/modis-land.gsfc. nasa.gov/products/).
Bingeing, Purging, and Estimates of Parental Attitudes regarding Female Achievement.

A questionnaire measuring respondents' beliefs about the attitudes regarding female achievement held by their parents was distributed to 326 women attending a state university. Women who report frequent bingeing are more likely than other women to report that (1) their parents believed a woman's place is in the home (2) their mothers were unhappy with their own careers, (3) their fathers thought the respondents' mothers were not intelligent, and (4) their fathers treated a male as the most intelligent sibling in the family. Reports of fathers' attitudes regarding mothers' intelligence and the proper role for women are related to respondents' self-reports of purging, but only among those women who are much more concerned with academic achievement than with household skills.
Integrated Science and Mathematics Professional Development Programs

Over the past 5 years, integrated science and mathematics professional development programs for grades 4-10 science and mathematics teachers have been designed and implemented at Wright State University. The primary goals of the programs were to enhance the science and mathematics content understanding and pedagogical knowledge of the participant teachers in order to increase teacher confidence and promote the implementation of standards-based teaching practices in precollege classrooms. In this article, the general program structure developed and implemented over the years is discussed. Focusing on the 1999 program, evidence is presented of enhanced participant content understanding and pedagogical preparation, and specific examples of modified teacher practices are discussed.
Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Armodafinil Therapy for Hypersomnia Associated with Dementia with Lewy Bodies (P04.192)

Objective: To assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of armodafinil therapy for hypersomnia associated with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Background Recent analyses have demonstrated hypersomnia is often associated with DLB, but no data has been gathered on the safety, tolerability and efficacy of wake-promoting agents for hypersomnia in DLB. Design/Methods: We conducted an open-label pilot study using armodafinil 250 mg taken orally every morning in patients with hypersomnia associated with DLB. Subjects underwent assessment of cognition (Mini-Mental State Exam-MMSE), visual hallucinations (NPI-VH), apathy (NPI-A), daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale-ESS), and quality of life (QOL) at baseline and after 1, 2, and 3 months of therapy. The Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) was also conducted at baseline and at 3 months, in which the mean initial sleep latencies (ISL) across 4 naps were analyzed. Safety and tolerability were assessed by clinical evaluations, laboratory studies and electrocardiogram (ECG). Results: Fifteen subjects (12 male, median age 74 years, range 67-84 years) have completed most or all the 3 month protocol thus far, with 1 discontinuing near completion due to worsening disease and 1 expiring from community-acquired pneumonia. Of the 13 subjects with baseline and 3 month MWTs, 11 subjects improved (median value 11 minutes, range 1-22 minutes). Improvement on the ESS occurred in 14 subjects (median 6 points, range 1-15). MMSE scores were relatively stable (+/- 4 points) compared to baseline except for a 6 point improvement in 1 subject. Scores improved on the NPI-VH in 6 and on the NPI-A in 10. QOL was rated as improved in 7 subjects and in 7 caregivers. No clinically significant side-effects, laboratory abnormalities, or ECG abnormalities occurred except for prolongation of the QTc interval in 1 subject. Conclusions: These pilot data suggest reasonable safety, tolerability and efficacy of armodafinil therapy in hypersomnolent DLB subjects. Supported by: Funded by Cephalon, Inc. Disclosure: Dr. Kuntz has received research support from Cephalon, Inc. Dr. Boeve has nothing to disclose. Dr. Drubach has received research support from Allon Therapeutics. Dr. Allen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Drubach has received research support from Allon Therapeutics.
Ecological Characterization of the Colonic Microbiota of Normal and Diarrheic Dogs

We used terminal restriction fragment polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis to assess (1) stability of the fecal microbiota in dogs living in environments characterized by varying degrees of exposure to factors that might alter the microbiota and (2) changes in the microbiota associated with acute episodes of diarrhea. Results showed that the healthy canine GI tract harbors potential enteric pathogens. Dogs living in an environment providing minimal exposure to factors that might alter the microbiota had similar microbiotas; the microbiotas of dogs kept in more variable environments were more variable. Substantial changes in the microbiota occurred during diarrheic episodes, including increased levels of Clostridium perfringens, Enterococcus faecalis, and Enterococcus faecium. When diet and medications of a dog having a previously stable microbiota were changed repeatedly, the microbiota also changed repeatedly. Temporal trend analysis showed directional changes in the microbiota after perturbation, a return to the starting condition, and then fluctuating changes over time.
History, Development, and Future of the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold: A Conceptual Model for Dementia Care

Behavioral symptoms associated with dementia are a major concern for the person who experiences them and for caregivers who supervise, support, and assist them. The knowledge and skill of formal and informal caregivers affects the quality of care they can provide and their ability to cope with the challenges of caregiving. Nurses are in an excellent position to provide training to empower caregivers with the knowledge and skills necessary to reduce and better manage behaviors. This article reviews advances in geriatric nursing theory, practice, and research based on the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) model that are designed to promote more adaptive and functional behavior in older adults with advancing dementia. For more than 17 years, the model has been used to train caregivers in homes, adult day programs, nursing homes, and acute care hospitals and has served as the theoretical basis for in-home and institutional studies. Care planning principles and key elements of interventions that flow from the model are set forth, and outcomes from numerous research projects using the PLST model are presented.
Improvised Asymptotic Boundary Conditions for Electrostatic Finite Elements

Improvised asymptotic boundary conditions are a sparse but approximate method of solving open boundary problems. Since this method approximates unbounded space as series of isotropic shells, it can be readily implemented in virtually any finite element solver without the need for additional code. A previous paper addressed application of this technique to magnetic problems described with a vector potential formulation. This paper extends the method to electrostatics and related scalar potential formulations.
Center of excellence—a bariatric surgery monopoly

assessment was adopted. Results: A substantially greater loss of excess weight was achieved in surgical (62.5%) versus conservatively treated patients (24%). Surgical patients continued to lose weight over a mean observation period of 4.1 years. Conservatively treated patients failed to lose weight after the first year after treatment initiation. Surgery was shown to be generally superior to conservative therapy in its effect on the measures of comorbid conditions, (e.g. pulse rate, HDL, triglycerides). The ICER per patient for surgery versus conservative treatment was calculated to be CHF219 per kilogram (kg) of weight lost. Conclusions: Adjustable gastric banding appears to be a costeffective treatment for severely obese patients. Improvements in the comorbidities of obesity through surgery could lead to substantial long-term health, treatment cost and quality of life benefits. PII: S1550-7289(05)00254-6
A Computer Program for Hotelling's T2 for Single or Related Samples with Optional Post-Hoc and Contrasting Univariate Analyses.

The program performs Hotelling's T2 for single or related samples. It has utility as a research tool in that it follows the test with any of three post-hoc analyses: simultaneous confidence intervals for individual variables, for user-supplied linear compounds, and for the optimum linear compound of the variables. Also, the program has utility as an instructional tool in that it tests more than one hypothesis for a given data set and provides corresponding univariate tests for comparison. Finally, the program generates the equation of the confidence region for the population centroid and determines the relative location of each hypothesized centroid.
Lethal factor active-site mutations affect catalytic activity in vitro

ABSTRACT The lethal factor (LF) protein of Bacillus anthracislethal toxin contains the thermolysin-like active-site and zinc-binding consensus motif HEXXH (K. R. Klimpel, N. Arora, and S. H. Leppla, Mol. Microbiol. 13:1093–1100, 1994). LF is hypothesized to act as a Zn2+ metalloprotease in the cytoplasm of macrophages, but no proteolytic activities have been previously shown on any target substrate. Here, synthetic peptides are hydrolyzed by LF in vitro. Mass spectroscopy and peptide sequencing of isolated cleavage products separated by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography indicate that LF seems to prefer proline-containing substrates. Substitution mutations within the consensus active-site residues completely abolish all in vitro catalytic functions, as does addition of 1,10-phenanthroline, EDTA, and certain amino acid hydroxamates, including the novel zinc metalloprotease inhibitor ZINCOV. In contrast, the protease inhibitors bestatin and lysine CMK, previously shown to block LF activity on macrophages, did not block LF activity in vitro. These data provide the first direct evidence that LF may act as an endopeptidase.
A four‐year experience with anthracycline, cytosine arabinoside, vincristine and prednisone combination chemotherapy in 325 adults with acute leukemia

Combination chemotherapy with an anthracycline, Adriamycin or rubidazone, cytosine arabinoside, vincristine and prednisone resulted in a complete remission rate of 62% in 325 consecutive unselected adults with acute leukemia. The results by morphologic categories were 58% for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), 70% for acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL), and 77% for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The median survival was 43 weeks. Ten percent of all patients are projected to be alive and in remission at five years. The median remission duration for the whole group was 51 weeks, durations being significantly longer for AML (60 wks) than ALL (30 wks) and AUL (21 wks). Central nervous system involvement was uncommon in AML (4%), but much more common in patients with AUL (37%) and ALL (32%). One in five complete responders with AML is projected to be in their first remission at five years off all chemotherapy. Age, sex, morphology, cytogenetic pattern, temperature at presentation, and presence of a documented preceding hematologic abnormality are found to be significant variables for response and survival.