cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of various methods of formaldehyde neutralization using monoethanolamine

Formaldehyde is the most commonly used fixative chemical for the preservation of human cadavers used for educational purposes in the United States. Formaldehyde is also a known carcinogenic agent whose exposure level is regulated by guidelines of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Various methods for formaldehyde neutralization exist, yet many donations programs do not take any steps to neutralize the formaldehyde in embalmed donor bodies. The effectiveness of monoethanolamine (MEA) in neutralizing formaldehyde is well documented when used as a final injection during embalming. The purpose of this study is to report the effectiveness of several post-embalming techniques of formaldehyde neutralization. Twenty-four donor bodies were assigned to four experimental groups of six. For the three experimental groups, the techniques tested involve delivery of a 20:1 dilution of deionized water:MEA via recannulization and gravity flow infusion, compartment injection, and alternate wetting solution containing four percent MEA. Our results indicated that spray bottle delivery was not effective in neutralization of formaldehyde compared to the control group, but that formaldehyde levels decreased when recannulization or compartment injection were used. The most effective method of formaldehyde neutralization was compartment injection of MEA solution (P < 0.01). The results of this study indicate that, in situations where MEA is not used as a final infusion during embalming, compartment injection of MEA solution is an effective method of formaldehyde neutralization. Clin. Anat. 28:449–454, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wnt signaling and tbx16 form a bistable switch to commit bipotential progenitors to mesoderm

Anterior to posterior growth of the vertebrate body is fueled by a posteriorly located population of bipotential neuro-mesodermal progenitor cells. These progenitors have a limited rate of proliferation and their maintenance is crucial for completion of the anterior-posterior axis. How they leave the progenitor state and commit to differentiation is largely unknown, in part because widespread modulation of factors essential for this process causes organism-wide effects. Using a novel assay, we show that zebrafish Tbx16 (Spadetail) is capable of advancing mesodermal differentiation cell-autonomously. Tbx16 locks cells into the mesodermal state by not only activating downstream mesodermal genes, but also by repressing bipotential progenitor genes, in part through a direct repression of sox2. We demonstrate that tbx16 is activated as cells move from an intermediate Wnt environment to a high Wnt environment, and show that Wnt signaling activates the tbx16 promoter. Importantly, high-level Wnt signaling is able to accelerate mesodermal differentiation cell-autonomously, just as we observe with Tbx16. Finally, because our assay for mesodermal commitment is quantitative we are able to show that the acceleration of mesodermal differentiation is surprisingly incomplete, implicating a potential separation of cell movement and differentiation during this process. Together, our data suggest a model in which high levels of Wnt signaling induce a transition to mesoderm by directly activating tbx16, which in turn acts to irreversibly flip a bistable switch, leading to maintenance of the mesodermal fate and repression of the bipotential progenitor state, even as cells leave the initial high-Wnt environment.
DNA vaccines encoding altered peptide ligands for SSX2 enhance epitope-specific CD8+ T-cell immune responses

Plasmid DNA serves as a simple and easily modifiable form of antigen delivery for vaccines. The USDA approval of DNA vaccines for several non-human diseases underscores the potential of this type of antigen delivery method as a cost-effective approach for the treatment or prevention of human diseases, including cancer. However, while DNA vaccines have demonstrated safety and immunological effect in early phase clinical trials, they have not consistently elicited robust anti-tumor responses. Hence many recent efforts have sought to increase the immunological efficacy of DNA vaccines, and we have specifically evaluated several target antigens encoded by DNA vaccine as treatments for human prostate cancer. In particular, we have focused on SSX2 as one potential target antigen, given its frequent expression in metastatic prostate cancer. We have previously identified two peptides, p41-49 and p103-111, as HLA-A2-restricted SSX2-specific epitopes. In the present study we sought to determine whether the efficacy of a DNA vaccine could be enhanced by an altered peptide ligand (APL) strategy wherein modifications were made to anchor residues of these epitopes to enhance or ablate their binding to HLA-A2. A DNA vaccine encoding APL modified to increase epitope binding elicited robust peptide-specific CD8+ T cells producing Th1 cytokines specific for each epitope. Ablation of one epitope in a DNA vaccine did not enhance immune responses to the other epitope. These results demonstrate that APL encoded by a DNA vaccine can be used to elicit increased numbers of antigen-specific T cells specific for multiple epitopes simultaneously, and suggest this could be a general approach to improve the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines encoding tumor antigens.
Endocrine Emergencies in Dogs and Cats

Success in treatment of endocrine emergencies is contingent on early recognition and treatment. Many endocrine diseases presenting emergently have nonspecific signs and symptoms. In addition, these endocrine crises are often precipitated by concurrent disease, further making early identification difficult. This article concentrates on recognition and emergency management of the most common endocrine crises in dogs and cats.
Effect of VEGF Trap on Normal Retinal Vascular Development and Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy in the Dog

Purpose. To evaluate the effects of a vascular endothelial growth factor trap (VEGF Trap) on retinal vascular development and pathologic neovascularization (NV) in the canine model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). Methods. Newborn dogs (postnatal day [P]1) were exposed to 100% O(2) and then returned to room air on P5. VEGF Trap (5, 25, or 250 μg) was injected intravitreally in one eye and human FC (hFc) injected in the fellow eye of air control and oxygen-treated dogs on P8. The retinal vasculature and NV were evaluated on P21. Other oxygen-exposed animals received 5 μg of VEGF Trap or hFc on P22 after confirmation of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)-like pathology and were evaluated at P45. Results. In air controls, both the vascularized area of the retina and the density of superficial capillaries were reduced in 250 or 25 μg VEGF Trap-injected eyes, and deep capillaries were absent. Eyes that received the 5 μg dose were indistinguishable from controls. In oxygen-treated animals, all eyes injected with VEGF Trap exhibited markedly less intravitreal NV than that of hFc-injected fellow eyes, irrespective of dose. Retinal vascular area in OIR animals was significantly reduced in eyes injected with 250 or 25 μg of VEGF Trap, but the 5 μg dose did not inhibit retinal revascularization. Eyes with existing NV that received 5 μg VEGF Trap at P22 exhibited substantial resolution of OIR pathology at P45. Conclusions. The VEGF Trap inhibited the formation of NV, but higher doses also inhibited revascularization of retina when injected at P8. In contrast, the lowest dose tested effectively blocked NV and caused regression of existing NV, without appreciably affecting vasculogenesis or retinal revascularization. These findings suggest that dose selection is an important variable when considering the use of VEGF-targeting agents for the treatment of ROP.
High brain densities of the immunophilin FKBP colocalized with calcineurin

THE immunophilins cyclophilin and FK506 binding protein (FKBP) are small, predominantly soluble proteins that bind the immunosuppressant drugs cyclosporin A and FK506, respectively, with high affinity, and which seem to mediate their pharmacological actions1,2. The Ca2+-dependent protein phosphatase, calcineurin, binds the cyclophilin—cyclosporin A and FKBP—FK506 complexes, indicating that calcineurin might mediate the actions of these drugs3. A physiological role for the immunophilins in the nervous system is implied by a close homology between the structure of NINA A, a protein in the neural retina of Drosophila, and cyclophilin4,5, as well as by the high density of FKBP messenger RNA in brain tissue6. Here we report that the levels of FKBP and mRNA in rat brain are extraordinarily high and that their regional localization is virtually identical to that of calcineurin, indicating that there may be a physiological link between calcineurin and the immunophilins. We also show that at low concentrations FK506 and cyclosporin A enhance the phosphorylation of endogenous protein substrates in brain tissue and in intact PC12 cells, indicating that these drugs may inhibit phosphatase activity by interacting with the immunophilin—calcineurin complexes.
Class and the Construction of the 19th Century German Male Body

Between 1848 and 1871, the German male identity created by the popular German gymnastics movement became a civilized bourgeois identity, distinguished from an aristocratic identity and one associated with manual labor. Bourgeois gymnasts initiated this process but the rest of the mainly petty bourgeois gymnasts eventually adopted the civilized identity embodied through gymnastics. Complementing studies that show that the bourgeoisie’s increasing social dominance was reflected in the class-based restriction of access to voluntary associations, this article shows that it also involved the adoption of practices that expressed a restrictive bourgeois identity. The article challenges previous explanations of changing gymnastics practices and Pierre Bourdieu’s emphasis on the role of class distinction in explaining changes in sports practices.
Rhodopsin is the Predominant Protein of Rod Outer Segment Membranes

MEMBRANE protein of bovine rod outer segments has been studied by gel electrophoresis and amino-acid analysis. Membranes were purified in a sucrose density gradient1 at an ionic strength below 0.001. The isolated material probably consisted of fragmented disk membranes1. ‘Emulphogene’ solutions of rhodopsin were chromatographed on calcium phosphate2; the results for A278: A498 were 1.7–1.8, indicating good purity.
Tailoring of Carbon Nanotube Microstructure Using Poly(acrylic acid) and Poly(allylamine hydrochloride)

Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) were used to tailor the microstructure of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in both aqueous solutions and dry composite films. Microstructural changes were achieved as the pH of aqueous suspensions were changed, as evidenced by elevated suspension viscosity, scanning electron microscopy and electrical conductivity measurements. The ability to tailor microstructure is useful for aqueous SWNT processing and solid polymer nanocomposites.
Stakeholder Forces of Socially Responsible Supply Chain Management Orientation

This project investigates salient stakeholder forces of socially responsible supply chain orientation (SRSCO) in the apparel and footwear sector focusing on fair labor management issues. SRSCO was conceptualized as a composite of internal organizational direction and external partnership for a creation and continuation of fair labor conditions throughout the supply chain. Primary stakeholders identified were consumers, regulation, industry, and media. A total of 209 mail survey responses from sourcing managers of U.S. apparel and footwear companies were analyzed. Two dimensions of SRSCO were confirmed: internal direction and external partnership. Consumer and industry peer pressures were found significantly related to internal direction, while industry peers and media were significantly related to the external partnership. Regulation was not significantly related to either internal direction or external partnerships. Lack of regulation forces to govern labor issues and roles of consumers, industry peers, and media in promoting fair labor management are discussed in this article.
IR multiphoton decomposition of dimethyl ether

Abstract Multiphoton IR decomposition of (CH 3 ) 2 O yields CO which is enriched in 18 O. The selectivity exceeds 100 at low conversions but decreases rapidly as the reaction proceeds. This decrease is shown to be caused by depletion of 18 O-containing reactant molecules.
Unusual immunogammopathy maculopathy

Abstract Purpose To describe an unusual maculopathy in patients with serum immunogammopathies. Design Retrospective observational small case series. Participants Three patients derived from the clinical retina practices of the authors were noted to have unusual maculopathy. Methods Each patient underwent fluorescein angiography and serum laboratory evaluation. Main outcome measure Findings on fluorescein angiography. Results An unusual and atypical macular detachment with or without subretinal precipitates or fundus signs of serum hyperviscosity, such as retinal hemorrhages and dilated retinal veins, may be observed in patients with immunogammopathies such as multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, and benign polyclonal gammopathy. Fluorescein angiography shows macular hypofluorescence with no evidence of retinal vascular or retinal pigment epithelial leakage within the macular elevation. Conclusions Patients with atypical unilateral or bilateral macular detachment may be afflicted with a serum immunogammopathy such as multiple myeloma or Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. Diagnostic serum protein electrophoresis and hematology consultation should be considered.
A simplex algorithm for piecewise-linear programming III: computational analysis and application

The first two parts of this paper have developed a simplex algorithm for minimizing convex separable piecewise-linear functions subject to linear constraints. This concluding part argues that a direct piecewiselinear simplex implementation has inherent advantages over an indirect approach that relies on transformation to a linear program. The advantages are shown to be implicit in relationships between the linear and piecewise-linear algorithms, and to be independent of many details of implementation. Two sets of computational results serve to illustarate these arguments; the piecewise-linear simplex algorithm is observed to run 2–6 times faster than a comparable linear algorithm, not including any additional expense that might be incurred in setting up the equivalent linear program. Further support for the practical value of a good piecewise-linear programming algorithm is provided by a survey of many varied applications.
Application and Sensitivity of Airport Noise-Damage Costs

In studying the relationship between airports and surrounding communities, analysts have developed noise depreciation indices to describe the changes in housing prices associated with changes in noise levels. This analysis uses the indices to estimate and assess the noise-damage costs under different growth scenarios at one airport. Sensitivity analyses are also used to identify how key inputs affect these noise-damage costs. Other socioeconomic indicators are also analyzed to set the context for these noise-damage costs.
Response of swallow-wort to herbicides

Abstract The exotic plant, swallow-wort, a twining perennial of the Milkweed family, has become increasingly invasive in natural areas, successional old fields, and tree plantations on calcareous soils of the lower Great Lakes basin. Because mechanical control strategies are inadequate, swallow-wort's response in natural areas to foliar spray and cut-stem applications of glyphosate and triclopyr was evaluated. Foliar spray applications of glyphosate (3.1 and 7.8 kg ae ha–1) and triclopyr (1.9 kg ae ha–1) were more effective than cut-stem applications of the herbicides (3.1 kg ae ha–1 glyphosate, 1.4 kg ae ha–1 triclopyr). There were no statistical differences in effect among the foliar spray applications. Response to cut-stem application of glyphosate (3.1 and 6.2 kg ha–1) and triclopyr (1.4, 2.8, and 5.6 kg ha–1) in the following year indicated glyphosate to be more effective than triclopyr at all concentrations tested. To effect long-lasting control, all treatments require additional herbicide applicati...
Contrasting Predictors of Fern versus Angiosperm Decomposition in a Common Garden

We evaluated differences in the rates and correlates of decomposition among 32 fern and angiosperm litter types collected in Hawai’i. Leptosporangiate ferns were separated into groups based on phylogeny: ‘polypod’ ferns, a monophyletic clade of ferns that diversified in the Cretaceous, and all other (‘non-polypod’) ferns that diversified earlier. We measured initial litter chemistry (nutrients and carbon chemistry), and mass loss and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) of litter tissue during a 1-yr incubation in a common garden. Nutrient concentrations and carbon (C) chemistry differed significantly among litter types, and litter turnover (k-values) ranged from 0.29 to 8.31. Decomposition rates were more closely correlated with nutrient concentration than is typically observed. Lignin:N was the best predictor of decomposition across all litter types combined; however, among plant groups different predictors of decomposition were important. Nitrogen and P concentrations best predicted fern decomposition, whereas C chemistry, particularly lignin concentration, was more important for angiosperm (monocot and dicot) decomposition. Among native plants, non-polypod ferns decomposed significantly more slowly than both polypod ferns and angiosperms. Contrary to our hypothesis, fern litter did not decompose more slowly than angiosperm litter overall. Nutrient dynamics in litter were affected by initial litter concentration more than phylogeny; low-nutrient litter immobilized more nutrients than high-nutrient litter. Systematic differences in rates of decomposition, and the importance of nutrients in predicting fern decomposition, imply that changes in species composition within ferns and between ferns and angiosperms could influence the functioning of ecosystems where ferns are important forest components.
High dose M-CSF partially rescues the Dap12-/- osteoclast phenotype.

Osteoclasts are macrophage derived cells and as such are subject to regulation by molecules impacting other members of the immune system. Dap12 is an adaptor protein expressed by NK cells and B and T lymphocytes. Dap12 also mediates maturation of myeloid cells and is expressed by osteoclasts which are dysfunctional in its absence. We find Dap12-/- osteoclast precursors fail to differentiate, in vitro, and the abnormality is partially rescued by high dose M-CSF. The relative paucity of osteoclast number, even in presence of high dose cytokine, is attended by dampened proliferation of precursor cells and their failure to normally migrate towards the osteoclast-recognized matrix protein, osteopontin. Furthermore, Dap12-/- osteoclasts generated in high dose M-CSF fail to normally organize their cytoskeleton. The incapacity of Dap12 null cells to undergo normal osteoclast differentiation is not due to blunted stimulation of major RANK ligand (RANKL) or M-CSF induced signaling pathways. On the other hand, when plated on osteopontin, Dap12-/- pre-osteoclasts do not activate the tyrosine kinase, Syk, which normally binds to the adaptor protein and transmits downstream signals. Attesting to the importance of the Dap12/Syk complex, Syk deficient macrophages do not undergo normal osteoclastogenesis. Furthermore, the same cells plated onto osteopontin, adhere poorly and fail to phosphorylate c-Src or Pyk2, two kinases central to organization of the osteoclast cytoskeleton.
Parathyroid Localization and Implications for Clinical Management

Clinical Context: The prevalence of hyperparathyroidism, especially primary hyperparathyroidism, has increased in recent decades due to improvements in diagnostic techniques with a corresponding surge in parathyroid surgery, leading to the development of focused, minimally invasive surgical approaches. Focused parathyroidectomy is predicated on preoperative localization of suspected parathyroid pathology. As a result, there has been a proliferation of parathyroid imaging modalities and protocols, resulting in confusion about their indications and applications. Evidence Acquisition: Bibliographies from clinical trials and review articles published since 2000 were reviewed and supplemented with targeted searches using biomedical databases. We also employed our extensive clinical experience. Evidence Synthesis: The best-studied modalities for parathyroid localization are nuclear scintigraphy and sonography and are widely applied as initial studies. Multiple variations exist, and several additional noninvasiv...
Loss of butylate-utilizing ability by a Flavobacterium

Abstract Flavobacterium sp. strain VI.15 (But + ) was isolated from a vernolate-history soil employing an indicator medium (MSBT). This organism was capable of utilizing butylate (But + ), EPTC (Ept + ), and vernolate (Ver + ) as a primary carbon source. Butylate-minus derivatives of the herbicide-utilizing wild-type were isolated on MSBTE differential indicator composed of minimal salts + 200 μg ml −1 butylate + 70 μg ml −1 yeast extract + 25 μg ml −1 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride. VI.15 (But + ) was plated on the differential indicator and plasmid moieties present within this bacterium were induced to segregate. Loss of pSMB2 as a function of physical (temperature) and acridine orange-curing corresponded with a loss of butylate-utilizing ability. Moreover, spontaneous loss of carbamothioate-utilizing abilites upon cold storage (4°C) on minimal media further suggested plasmid involvement in carbamothioate biodegradation.
Global and Local Dynamics at the Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies

This paper focuses on the complex interplay of global and local forces during the Cricket World Cup in March and April 2007 (CWC 2007) in the West Indies, a group of former British colonies in the ...
Numerical studies of diffusive particle acceleration in supernova remnants

The time-dependent acceleration of cosmic ray particles is analysed by the Fermi, first-order diffusive shock process in supernova remnants. The convection-diffusion transport equation for the cosmic ray particles has been numerically solved self-consistently with the gas dynamic equations for the underlying flow. A model SNR characterised by an explosion energy of 10 51 ergs, an ejected mass of 10 M ○. and an ISM gas density of 3×10 -3 cm -3 is followed through the adiabatic, Sedov-Taylor phase. A wide range of diffusion coefficients is considered.
Study of a free surface in open-channel water flows in the regime from “weak” to “strong” turbulence

Abstract A liquid–air interface in an inclined open-channel water flows was studied experimentally as the flow changes from “weak” to “strong” turbulence. In this regime, the interface is highly agitated by bulk eddies and waves, but not broken. The surface deformation statistics were obtained under a variety of conditions, including different inclination angles and flow rates. The parameter space is described in terms of Reynolds, Froude, and Weber numbers. The surface-normal displacements were obtained via the time series of the fluctuating flow depth with an ultrasound transducer. Independently, the in-plane changes in surface structures were acquired with a high-speed camera. These structures are seen as surface cells. By applying a newly developed image processing technique, the cell celerity was found to agree well with the mean flow velocity. This suggests that the cells appear when a turbulent surface-renewal eddy interacts with the interface. As the flow changes to strong turbulence, the turbulence–interface interactions become dominant over the wave phenomena, and the turbulent structures at the surface become more 3D (similar to those in the bulk flow), compared to quasi-2D structures in the weak turbulence.
ELECTRO-CLINICAL CORRELATIONS IN THE SIX PER SECOND SPIKE AND WAVE COMPLEX.

Abstract 1. 1. This study dealt with the electro-clinical correlations of a rare waveform, the 6/sec spike and wave complex, usually seen maximal on the occipital areas, bilaterally synchronous and symmetrical against a normal background rhythm. 2. 2. The majority of these complexes appear in the resting record, but the activating procedures of hyperventilation, light sleep, and especially photic stimulation are all important to detect this abnormality. 3. 3. The 6/sec spike and wave complexes are seen mainly in white, young adult females. Head injury and excessive use of drugs seem to be important etiological factors. 4. 4. The clinical symptoms can be grouped into the following categories: (a) convulsive attacks (62%), especially grand mal seizures, (b) vegetative attacks (72%), especially headaches and syncope, and (c) psychiatric symptoms (78%). 5. 5. The possible relationship between the 6/sec spike and wave pattern and both the 3/sec spike and wave complex and the positive spike phenomenon was discussed.
The p53 orchestra: Mdm2 and Mdmx set the tone

The activities of p53 cover diverse aspects of cell biology, including cell cycle control, apoptosis, metabolism, fertility, differentiation and cellular reprogramming. Although loss of p53 function engenders tumor susceptibility, hyperactivation of p53 is lethal. Therefore, p53 activity must be strictly regulated to maintain normal tissue homeostasis. Critical for the control of p53 function are its two main negative regulators: Mdm2 and Mdmx. Recent reports have provided insight into the complex mechanisms that regulate these two proteins and have revealed novel functions for each. Here, we review and evaluate models of Mdm2- and Mdmx-dependent regulation of p53 activity. Both Mdm2 and Mdmx receive input from numerous signaling pathways and interact with many proteins in addition to p53. Therefore, we also consider roles for Mdm2 and Mdmx in additional cancer-related networks, including Notch signaling and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
Prospective evaluation of arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction Patellar tendon versus semitendinosus and gracilis tendons

Eighty consecutive patients with chronic laxity due to a torn ACL underwent arthroscopically assisted reconstruction with either autogenous patellar tendon or doubled semitendinosus and gracilis tendons. Reconstructions were performed on a one-to-one alternating basis. Preoperatively, no significant differences between the two groups were noted with respect to age, sex, level of activity, and degree of laxity (chi square analysis). A standard rehabilitation regimen was used for all patients after surgery including immediate passive knee extension, early stationary cycling, protected weightbearing for 6 weeks, avoidance of resisted terminal knee extension until 6 months, and return to activity at 10 to 12 months postoperatively. Seventy-two patients were evaluated at a minimum of 24 months postoperatively (range, 24 to 40 months). No significant differences were noted between groups with respect to subjective complaints, functional level, or objective laxity evaluation, including KT-1000 measurements. Seventeen of 72 patients (24%) experienced anterior knee pain after ACL reconstruction. Overall, 46 of 72 patients (64%) returned to their preinjury level of activity. Mean KT-1000 scores were 1.6 +/- 1.4 mm for the patellar tendon group and 1.9 +/- 1.3 mm for the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons group. This study did find a statistically significant weakness in peak hamstrings torque at 60 deg/sec when reconstruction was performed with double-looped semitendinosus and gracilis tendons.
Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) characterization of electrically conducting polyaniline nanofiber/polyimide nanocomposites

Abstract Nanocomposites of polyaniline nanofibers and polyimide were fabricated and studied using small angle neutron scattering (SANS). The immiscible nature of the conformationally dissimilar polyaniline nanofiber and polyimide host is established by a series of experiments involving neutron scattering. Based on these techniques, we conclude that the crystal structure of the polyimides is not disrupted, and that there is no mixing between the two components on a molecular level. The morphology of the conducting salt component was analyzed by SANS data and was treated by two common models: Debye–Bueche ( D –B) and inverse power law (IPL). Due to deviations in the linear curve fitting over a large scattering range, neither the D-B nor the IPL model could be used to characterize the size and shape of all PANI-0.5-CSA (polyaniline camphor sulfonic acid doped polymer)/polyimide blend systems. At 1 and 2% concentration, the D–B model suggested salt domains between 20 and 70 A with fractal geometries implied by the IPL model. As salt concentrations increased to 5%, the structures were observed to change, but there is no simple structural model that provides a suitable basis for comparison.
Preliminary report on cardiac dysfunction after isolated traumatic brain injury.

Objective The aim of this study was to examine cardiac dysfunction during the first 2 weeks after isolated traumatic brain injury and its association with in-hospital mortality. Design Retrospective. Setting Level 1 regional trauma center. Patients Adult patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Methods After institutional review board approval, data from adult patients with isolated traumatic brain injury who underwent echocardiography during the first 2 weeks after traumatic brain injury between 2003 and 2010 were examined. Patients with preexisting cardiac disease were excluded. Clinical characteristics and echocardiogram reports were abstracted. Cardiac dysfunction was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction less than 50% or presence of regional wall motion abnormality. Interventions None. Measurement and main results We examined data from 139 patients with isolated traumatic brain injury who underwent echocardiographic evaluation. Patients were 58 ± 20 years old, 66% were male patients, and 62.6% had subdural hematoma; admission Glasgow Coma Scale score was 3 ± 1 (3-15) and head Abbreviated Injury Scale was 4 ± 1 (2-5). Of this cohort, 22.3% had abnormal echocardiogram: reduced left ventricular ejection fraction was documented in 12% (left ventricular ejection fraction, 43% ± 8%) and 17.5% of patients had a regional wall motion abnormality. Hospital day 1 was the most common day of echocardiographic exam. Abnormal echocardiogram was independently associated with all cause in-hospital mortality (9.6 [2.3-40.2]; p = 0.002). Conclusions Cardiac dysfunction in the setting of isolated traumatic brain injury occurs and is associated with increased in-hospital mortality. This finding raises the question as to whether there are uncharted opportunities for a more timely recognition of cardiac dysfunction and subsequent optimization of the hemodynamic management of these patients.
Disease prevalence estimation in animal populations using two-stage sampling designs

Abstract Two-stage sampling designs applied to disease prevalence surveys of animal populations involve randomly selecting herds, flocks, etc. followed by randomly selecting a subsample of animals to be tested for the presence of the particular microorganism of interest. In the present study, data from an actual mastitis survey of dairy cattle was used in evaluating three unbiased two-stage sampling designs in terms of their applicability in disease prevalence estimation. Their performance was also compared to that of simple cluster sampling in which all animals in the selected herds are tested. The study demonstrated that these two-stage sampling designs are excellent alternatives to simple cluster sampling, being preferred in those cases where the variability in the prevalence among the herds is larger than the within-herd variability. The paper identifies some considerations that help to determine the appropriate balance between the number of herds to sample and the number of animals to subsample within a selected herd.
The high-resolution three-dimensional solution structures of the oxidized and reduced states of human thioredoxin.

Abstract Background Thioredoxin is a ubiquitous protein and is involved in a variety of fundamental biological functions. Its active site is conserved and has two redox active cysteines in the sequence Trp-Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys. No structures of the oxidized and reduced states from the same species have been determined at high resolution under the same conditions and using the same methods. Hence, any detailed comparison of the two oxidation states has been previously precluded. Results The reduced and oxidized states of the (C62A, C69A, C73A) mutant of human thioredoxin have been investigated by multidimensional heteronuclear NMR. Structures for both states were determined on the basis of approximately 28 experimental restraints per residue, and the resulting precision of the two structures is very high. Consequently, subtle differences between the oxidized and reduced states can be reliably assessed and evaluated. Small differences, particularly within and around the active site can be discerned. Conclusions Overall, the structures of the reduced and oxidized states of the (C62A, C69A, C73A) mutant of human thioredoxin are very similar (with a backbone atomic root mean square difference of about 0.9 a) and the packing of side chains within the protein core is nearly identical. The conformational change between oxidized and reduced human thioredoxin is very small and localized to areas in spatial proximity to the redox active cysteines. These subtle structural differences, in addition to the restriction of conformational freedom within the active site upon oxidation, may be important for the different activities of thioredoxin involving a variety of target proteins.
Role of p38 MAP kinase in postcapillary venule leukocyte adhesion induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Abstract Inflammation and leukocyte activation/infiltration play a major role in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis and heart failure. Acute p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway inhibition attenuates tissue damage and leukocyte accumulation in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, although its effect on the acute phase of leukocyte recruitment has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that acute treatment of rats with a selective p38 inhibitor, SB-239063, inhibits ischemia/reperfusion-induced leukocyte-endothelial adhesion in vivo. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with either SB-239063 (10 mg kg−1), dexamethasone (3 mg kg−1) or vehicle 1 h prior to ischemia. Postcapillary venules were observed microscopically in exteriorized, superfused cremaster tissue. Leukocytes were fluorescently labeled in vivo using intravenous rhodamine 6G. Leukocyte adhesion, rolling, and rolling velocities were quantitated prior to 30 min ischemia, and at several time points during a 90 min reperfusion period. Ischemia caused a 3-fold increase in adherent leukocytes 5 min following reperfusion, a response that was maintained throughout the monitoring period (90 min) in vehicle-treated animals. SB-239063, at a dose known to inhibit p38 MAPK activity in vivo (10 mg kg−1), had no effect on ischemia/reperfusion-induced leukocyte adhesion, the number of rolling leukocytes, rolling velocities during the reperfusion period or adhesion molecule expression (P-, E-selectin, VCAM-1, ICAM-1). In contrast, dexamethasone completely blocked leukocyte adhesion in response to ischemia/reperfusion, and reduced expression of E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). We conclude that p38 MAPK may not play a role in initial leukocyte recruitment in response to ischemia/reperfusion injury, but could affect leukocyte emigration, thereby resulting in increased leukocyte accumulation in ischemic-reperfused tissue.
L-tyrosine regulation and biosynthesis via arogenate dehydrogenase in suspension-cultured cells of Nicotiana silvestris Speg. et Comes.

The biosynthetic route to L-tyrosine was identified in isogenic suspension-cultured cells of N. silvestris. Arogenate (NADP+) dehydrogenase, the essential enzyme responsible for the conversion of L-arogenato L-tyrosine, was readily observed in crude extracts. In contrast, prephenate dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.1.13) activity with either NAD+ or NADP+ was absent altogether. Therefore, it seems likely that this tobacco species utilizes the arogenate pathway as the exclusive metabolic route to L-tyrosine. L-Tyrosine (but not L-phenylalanine) was a very effective endproduct inhibitor of arogenate dehydrogenase. In addition, analogs of L-tyrosine (m-fluoro-DL-tyrosine [MFT], D-tyrosine and N-acetyl-DL-tyrosine), but not of L-phenylalanine (o-fluoro-DL-phenylalanine and p-fluoro-DL-phenylalanine), were able to cause inhibition of arogenate dehydrogenase. The potent antimetabolite of L-tryptophan, 6-fluoro-DL-tryptophan, had no effect upon arogenate dehydrogenase activity. Of the compounds tested, MFT was actually more effective as an inhibitor of arogenate dehydrogenase than was L-tyrosine. Since MFT was found to be a potent antimetabolite inhibitor of growth in N. silvestris and since inhibition was specifically and effectively reversed by L-tyrosine, arogenate dehydrogenase is an outstanding candidate as the in vivo target of analog action. Although chorismate mutase (EC 5.4.99.5) cannot be the prime target of MFT action, MFT can mimick L-tyrosine in partially inhibiting this enzyme activity. The activity of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase (EC 4.1.2.15) was insensitive to L-phenylalanine or L-tyrosine. The overall features of this system indicate that MFT should be a very effective analog mimick for selection of feedback-insensitive regulatory mutants L-tyrosine biosynthesis.
Direct-to-consumer advertising--education or emotion promotion?

During the past two decades, there has been an irreversible change in the nature of the doctor–patient relationship. Patients are seeking much more medical information and are actively participating in decisions affecting their health. Intruding into this trend has been the rise of direct-to-consumer promotion, which, in its initial thrust, bypasses primary care doctors and other physicians. Although increased access by patients to accurate, objective information about tests to diagnose and drugs to treat illnesses is an important advance, confusion arises when commercially driven promotional information is represented as educational. Two articles in this issue of the Journal address the . . .
Growth kinetics of InP nanowires heteroepitaxially grown on a silicon surface

Low temperature metal catalyzed InP nanowires with diameters ranging from 50nm to 500nm using a single step MOCVD process at 450°C on (111)-oriented silicon substrates have been synthesized. The diameter range is much higher than the critical limit (~24nm for InP on silicon) reported by a recent theoretical work on coherent growth of nanowire heterostructures. This article presents the results of our investigation to highlight the possible factors that lead to the unusually large diameters and help realize stable nanowire heterostructures in a highly lattice mismatched material system. Our analysis finds dislocations formed at the interfacial plane of the heterostructure due to high lattice mismatch is the most influential factor contributing to very large diameters. We have simulation results which indicate that each added pair of orthogonal dislocation lines at the interfacial plane between InP and silicon supports ~12nm increase in the nanowire diameter. A maximum nanowire density of ~5×108 cm -2 is estimated with growth rates ranging from 0.1 µm/min for the shortest nanowires and 10 μm/min for the longest ones.
Oxidative desulphurisation and deselenation at pentacovalent phosphorous by photogenerated peroxidic species

Abstract The peroxidic species generated by photooxidation of dialkylsulphides and diazocompounds are able to effect oxidative desulphurisation and deselenation at pentacovalent phosphorus.
Cholesterol Response and Foam Cell Formation in Hamsters Fed Rice Bran, Oat Bran, and Cellulose + Soy Protein Diets With or Without Added Vitamin E

ABSTRACT Four-week-old male golden Syrian hamsters were fed diets containing cellulose (control, CC), cellulose + soy protein (CS), CS + vitamin E, (CSE), rice bran (RB), RB + vitamin E (RBE), oat bran (OB), and OB + vitamin E (OBE) for six weeks (n = 10/treatment). Diets contained (by weight) 10% total dietary fiber, 3% N, 20% fat, 0.5% cholesterol, and some diets had an additional 0.1% vitamin E. After six weeks, RB and OB diets resulted in significantly higher weight gain than the CC diet. Plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) values and the LDL-C/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in hamsters fed CSE, RBE, OB, and OBE diets were significantly lower than in those fed CC diet. There were no significant differences in total plasma cholesterol values among the hamsters fed any of the diets. Liver cholesterol in animals fed OB and OBE diets was significantly lower than in all other groups. Foam cell areas in the inner bend of the aortic arch in animals fed all treatment diets were sign...
Novel photonic applications of nonlinear semiconductor laser dynamics

With a proper perturbation, even a single-mode semiconductor laser can exhibit highly complex dynamical characteristics ranging from stable, narrow-linewidth oscillation to broadband chaos. In recent years, three approaches to invoke complex nonlinear dynamical states in a single-mode semiconductor laser have been thoroughly studied: optical injection, optical feedback, and optoelectronic feedback. In each case, the nonlinear dynamics of the semiconductor laser depends on five intrinsic laser parameters and three operational parameters. The dynamical state of a given laser can be precisely controlled by properly adjusting the three operational parameters. This ability to control the dynamical behavior of a laser, combined with the understanding of its characteristics, opens up the opportunity for a wide range of novel applications. This paper illustrates the utilization of the rich nonlinear dynamics of single-mode semiconductor lasers by focusing on the period-one oscillation for its applications in tunable photonic microwave generation, AM-to-FM conversion, and dual-frequency precision Doppler lidar.
Adult‐child conflict control expectancies: Effects on taking conflict personally toward parents

This article examines how adult child conflict specific control expectancies influence the tendency to personalize conflict with parents. Adult children (N = 195) completed measures of conflict control expectancies and personalization of conflict specific to their parents. Multivariate Analyses of Variance revealed significant differences among adult children reporting internal, moderate, and external control orientations and conflict personalization dimensions of direct personalization, persecution feelings, stress reaction, and positive/negative relational effect.
Buoyancy-induced flow in an open-ended cavity: Assessment of a similarity solution and of numerical simulation models

Abstract The buoyancy-induced flow in a horizontal open-ended cavity has been investigated from three perspectives: (a) assessment of the validity of an existent similarity solution, (b) computational issues relevant to numerical simulation, and (c) obtainment and presentation of results of practical utility. Parameter ranges were sought within which the similarity solution might be valid, but no such ranges could be identified. The inapplicability of the similarity model may be attributed to the neglect of the streamwise second derivatives in the governing conservation equations and to the model’s inability to accommodate boundary conditions at the opening of the channel. The numerical issues that were dealt with included the proper extension of the solution domain into the far field external to the channel, the appropriate boundary conditions on the surfaces of the extended domain, and meshing to achieve high accuracy. Local Nusselt numbers and their variation along the walls of the channel are presented.
Improving Assessment in University Economics

The author discusses the following seven issues affecting assessment of undergraduates in universities: decisionmaking and the selection of tests, the use of written and oral assignments to measure learning, the characteristics of grades and portfolios for evaluating students, opportunities for self-assessment and feedback to instructors, retention of learning and the testing for higher- ordered thinking, the psychology of students in the economics classroom, and the development of new tests as public goods. The author suggests ways that eco- nomics faculty can add new dimensions to their assessment practices, improve their understanding of assessment choices, use assessment to enhance the quali- ty of student thinking, and conduct research studies on assessment questions.
Weathering the Storm: Palliative Care and Elderly Homeless Persons

This article explores some of the issues involved in providing hospice care in the environments of homeless persons. Patients who receive hospice care typically reside in a stable setting, such as a home, nursing facility, or hospital. However, when a terminally ill individual resides in a non-traditional location (i.e., in a shelter, on the street, or in a car), hospice providers face several unique challenges. This article focuses on the many transitional settings occupied by homeless persons and the delivery of service to persons in those locations. The content also devotes special attention the unique circumstances of older adults who are homeless.
Processing and translation initiation of non-long terminal repeat retrotransposons by hepatitis delta virus (HDV)-like self-cleaving ribozymes

Many non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons lack internal promoters and are co-transcribed with their host genes. These transcripts need to be liberated before inserting into new loci. Using structure-based bioinformatics, we show that several classes of retrotransposons in phyla-spanning arthropods, nematodes, and chordates utilize self-cleaving ribozymes of the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) family for processing their 5′ termini. Ribozyme-terminated retrotransposons include rDNA-specific R2, R4, and R6, telomere-specific SART, and Baggins and RTE. The self-scission of the R2 ribozyme is strongly modulated by the insertion site sequence in the rDNA, with the most common insertion sequences promoting faster processing. The ribozymes also promote translation initiation of downstream open reading frames in vitro and in vivo. In some organisms HDV-like and hammerhead ribozymes appear to be dedicated to processing long and short interspersed elements, respectively. HDV-like ribozymes serve several distinct functions in non-LTR retrotransposition, including 5′ processing, translation initiation, and potentially trans-templating.
Fast Analog Technique For Determining Fluorescence Lifetimes Of Multicomponent Materials By Pulsed Laser

This paper describes a system capable of measuring fluorescent lifetimes and time-resolved spectra of microscopic particles, thus substantially enhancing the usefulness of fluorescence microscopy as a characterizing tool. Tests and applications of this technique for identifying component lifetimes (in the nanosecond and subnanosecond range) and spectra in organic model compounds also are described. A multi-exponential decay fit to the data yields fluorescence decay times, percentage contributions (fractional intensities) and time-resolved spectra for each decay. Two-component non-interacting mixtures are resolved if the decay times differ by a factor of two and the percentage contribution from each fluorophore is more than 10%. For three-component mixtures, it is necessary for the resolution of the lifetimes that the decay times differ by at least a factor of three and the percentage contribution from each component be more than 15%.