cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decreased laboratory utilization in an “intensivist managed” surgical intensive care unit: A prospective study

Abstract Introduction: Phlebotomy accounts for 30% of blood transfused in the ICU. Organ dysfunction correlates with number of blood draws and total blood volume drawn. In order to improve quality of patient care, our SICU changed from a traditional "open" SICU to an "intensivist managed" SICU. We hypothesized that coordination of all orders by a dedicated "intensivist managed" surgical critical care service (SCCS) would decrease the number of labs performed, improve lab utilization, and decrease lab costs. Methods: We prospectively studied two distinct critical care delivery systems. The same intensivist team simultaneously treated two patient cohorts. One cohort was "intensivist managed" (only the SCCS wrote patient care orders). The "open" cohort had orders written by both the SCCS and the primary surgical service. Data were collected in a prospective, blinded fashion. Cohorts were compared by 24-hour APACHE II scores, number and type of daily labs, and lab costs. Student's t-test and chi-square were used. Results: Data were accrued for 1746 SICU patient days over a 4-month period. APACHE II scores were higher in the "intensivist managed" cohort. There were significantly fewer lab studies and lower costs per patient per SICU day in the "intensivist managed" patients. There was no difference in mortality. Table 1Decreased lab utilization and cost in an "intensivist managed" surgical ICU"Managed" cohort"Open" cohortp ValueNumber of patient SICU days998748APACHE 2 score at 24 hours15.9∗12.7p Conclusions: "Intensivist managed" SICU patients had fewer lab tests than patients in the "open" SICU system. There was no negative impact on mortality. This improved lab utilization cost $59,000 less over 4 months and has a projected yearly saving of $369,000.
A cavity-backed broadband circularly polarized slot/strip loop antenna with a simple feeding structure

A cavity-backed loop antenna with a simple feeding structure is proposed for broadband circularly polarized (CP) radiation. The proposed antenna configuration consists of a slot loop and a strip loop. The slot loop radiates a CP wave at a lower frequency while the strip loop produces CP radiation at a higher frequency. A combination of the two frequencies leads to a bandwidth enhancement. The slot/strip loop antenna is fed by a single straight microstrip line. It is demonstrated that the cavity-backed slot/strip loop antenna can achieve an axial ratio (/spl les/3 dB) bandwidth of 20% with good impedance matching.
On the mechanism of nucleotide diphosphate activation of the ATP‐sensitive K+ channel in ventricular cell of guinea‐pig.

1. Effects of intracellular nucleotide diphosphates (NDPs) on the ATP-sensitive K+ channel (K+ATP channel) were examined in ventricular cells of guinea-pig heart, using the inside-out patch clamp technique. On formation of inside-out patches in the ATP-free internal solution, the K+ATP channel appeared and then ran down spontaneously. This run-down of the K+ATP channel activity was probably due to dephosphorylation. 2. Millimolar concentrations of various NDPs, e.g. UDP (uridine diphosphate), IDP (inosine diphosphate), CDP (cytidine diphosphate) and GDP (guanosine diphosphate), applied to the internal side of the patch membrane, induced openings of the K+ATP channel after run-down, i.e. in the dephosphorylated state. ADP opened the channel weakly at low concentrations (100 microM) but inhibited it at higher concentrations (1-10 mM). 3. NDP-induced openings of the channel were Mg2+ dependent and inhibited by ATP (100 microM) and glibenclamide (1 microM). None of nucleosides, nucleotide monophosphates nor nucleotide triphosphates induced openings of the channel. Thus, the K+ATP channel may have a Mg(2+)-dependent NDP-binding site, which induces openings of the dephosphorylated channel in ATP-free solution, in addition to the Mg(2+)-independent ATP-binding inactivation site and phosphorylation site. 4. In inside-out patches, pinacidil (a K+ATP channel opener) activated the K+ATP channel in the phosphorylated state but not in the dephosphorylated state. In the presence of NDPs (UDP, IDP, CDP, GDP), however, pinacidil (30 microM) enhanced openings of the dephosphorylated K+ATP channel prominently. 5. From the above results, we concluded that NDP-binding to the specific site has similar effects to channel phosphorylation, i.e. it keeps the K+ATP channel in an operative state in ATP-free solution and enhances the pinacidil-induced channel openings.
Carbon isotopic compositions of carboxyl groups of biosynthesized fatty acids

Abstract The carbon isotopic compositions (±0.001% 13C) of carboxyl groups in fatty acids were determined by measuring the isotopic composition of the carbon dioxide released quantitatively from the acids by employing a modified Schmidt decarboxylation. The adequacy of the decarboxylation technique was tested by comparing the predicted value of the isotopic compositions of the carboxyl carbons in isotopic standard fatty acids with those experimentally obtained by means of the Schmidt reaction. Results showed that the accuracy and precision of the method were approximately 0.0008 and 0.0002% carbon-13. No significant isotope fractionation was observed when test acids were carried through sample isolation and purification procedures. The isotopic compositions of the carboxyl carbons of hexadecanoic acid (C16), 9-octadecenoic acid (C18:1), and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (C18:2) extracted from corn and soybeans, as well as tetradecanoic acid (C14) from nutmeg, revealed that the carboxyl carbons of the fatty acids were enriched in carbon-13 in the order C18:2 > C18:1 > C16 ≈ C14. The carboxyl carbon of C18:2 from both corn and soybeans and that of C18:1 from corn were observed to be enriched in carbon-13 relative to the parent molecule as a whole. Carboxyl carbons in fatty acids derived from a mixed microbial source did not display the same isotopic heterogeneity within carbon-number homologs. These results demonstrate that the isotopic composition of the carboxyl group in fatty acids does not represent accurately the isotopic composition of the carbonyl carbon in the precursor acetyl-CoA.
Estimates of cluster size in high-energy hadron collisions

We discuss the parameterization of the strength of clustering effects in hadronic final states in terms of an average cluster size which is inferred from predictions of a cluster emission model. Particular attention is paid to the general question of sensitivity and the importance of assumptions regarding the kinematic constraints and statistical independence. Evidence that the cluster sizes are significantly larger than the decay multiplicities of the familiar low-mass resonances is found in a large range of experimental data.
Finding lung nodules with and without comparative visual scanning.

Detection of lung nodules contained in chest X-ray films was studied during both tachistoscopic presentation and free search. Lung nodules were first rated for their visibility against the anatomical background of the chest films. With tachistoscopic presentation, detection accuracy was influenced by rated visibility and by exposure durations up to 180 msec. Eye movements and fixations were recorded during free search. These measures indicated that radiologists use a comparative scanning strategy to differentiate nodules from anatomical structures. The frequency of comparative scans was influenced by rated visibility: Less visible nodules received more comparisons than the more visible nodules. We believe that the radiologist compares suspected nodules with the features of normal structures which serve as references for decisions.
Studies of the mitral valve. II. Certain anatomic features of the mitral valve and associated structures in mitral stenosis.

Knowledge of the structural changes in the commissures, cusps, and chordae tendineae is important to the understanding of the pathologic physiology of mitral stenosis and its surgical correction. Study of 70 hearts with mitral stenosis disclosed that a frequent cause of the obstruction was commissural fusion or shortening of the chordae tendineae or both. In a small percentage of hearts, mitral stenosis appeared to result principally from rigidity of the valvular leaflets. Measurements of the various components of the mitral valve in normal hearts have been given in a previous paper. In this communication, comparable measurements for these structures in 50 hearts with mitral stenosis are presented.
An incremental algorithm for identification of longest (shortest) paths

Abstract In this paper we describe an algorithm that finds the next k longest or shortest paths of a directed acyclic graph on demand, without computing all previous paths again. We also suggest a technique to find longest (shortest) paths through a specific input or a specific input output pair. This algorithm has many applications including but not limited to timing analysis of digital integrated circuits, timing driven placement of digital circuits, and delay analysis/routing of messages in computer communication networks.
On Stability of Periodic Motions in a Switching System With Multiple Subsystems

In this paper, the stability and bifurcation of periodic flows in a switching system of multiple subsystems with transport laws at switching points is investigated. The linear switching systems used as an example for illustration. Analytical prediction and numerical illustrations of periodic flows in linear switching systems are carried out for a better understanding of dynamical behaviors of switching systems. The effects of the transport laws in the switching systems are also discussed.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Dielectric properties and other physical properties of low-acyl gellan gel as relevant to microwave assisted pasteurization process

Various model foods were needed as chemical marker carriers for the heating pattern determination in developing microwave heating processes. It is essential that these model foods have matching physical properties with the food products that will be microwave processed, such as meat, vegetables, pasta, etc. In this study, the physical properties of low acyl gellan gel were investigated to evaluate its suitability to be used as a possible model food for the development of single mode 915 MHz microwave assisted pasteurization processes. These physical properties included the dielectric properties, gel strength and water holding capacities. In order to adjust the dielectric constant and loss factor, various amounts of sucrose (0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 g/mL (solution)) and salt (0, 100, 200, and 300 mM) were added to 1% gellan gel (with 6 mM Ca 2+ addition). Results showed that sucrose and salt addition were effective for the adjustment of the dielectric constants and loss factor of gellan gels, respectively. Regression equations were developed to predict the relationship between the dielectric properties of gellan gel with sucrose content, salt content, and temperature (22–100 C) at 915 MHz, and thus can be used to determine the formulation of a gellan gel model food to match the dielectric properties of a certain food that will be processed. The gellan gels with sucrose content of 0, 0.1 and 0.3 g/mL (solution) showed relatively high gel strength for post microwave process handling. However, the addition of 0.5 g/mL (solution) sucrose significantly decreased the gel strength, resulting in highly deformable gels. The water holding capacities of all the gels increased with increasing sucrose content, while the effect of salt was not consistent.
Latanoprost and clinically significant cystoid macular edema after uneventful phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation

Abstract Purpose To elucidate an association between latanoprost and clinically significant cystoid macular edema (CME) in patients after uneventful phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Setting Bergman Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Methods One hundred forty-five consecutive patients (162 eyes) who had phacoemulsification from July 1999 to December 2000 were retrospectively reviewed to determine which patients developed CME. Patients with a history of inflammation and pseudoexfoliation, previous intraocular procedures, or current intraoperative complications were excluded from the study. All cases of CME were diagnosed on the basis of a fundus examination showing typical CME accompanied by a decrease in visual acuity. Upon diagnosis, latanoprost was discontinued and ketorolac was prescribed. The data were analyzed using the Fisher exact test. Of the records reviewed, 134 patients (151 eyes) were included in the study; 11 eyes were excluded secondary to intraoperative complications, a history of ocular inflammation, or both. Among the patients included, 12 were receiving latanoprost preoperatively. Results Four cases of CME were identified; all 4 patients were taking latanoprost. Latanoprost was discontinued in 8 patients 1 week preoperatively, and none of them developed CME. Therefore, in this series, only patients receiving latanoprost developed CME after uneventful cataract surgery. This difference was statistically significant. In addition, all cases of CME resolved upon discontinuation of latanoprost and administration of ketorolac. Conclusions This retrospective study shows a clinical association between latanoprost use and postoperative CME after uneventful phacoemulsification. Given the absence of other coexisting risk factors for CME, this series suggests latanoprost is a significant etiologic factor for the development of postoperative CME.
Evaluation of an ELISA for Detection of Ovine Progressive Pneumonia Antibodies using a Recombinant Transmembrane Envelope Protein

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed using a recombinant protein corresponding to the N'-terminal hydrophilic region of transmembrane glycoprotein (TM) of ovine lentivirus. This assay reproducibly detected antibodies in sera from 207 of 212 ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP) virus-infected sheep, and the recombinant TM ELISA accurately identified 26% (35 vs. 9) more seropositive samples than did the agar gel immunodiffusion test when applied to 100 sera from an infected flock. This assay also yielded no false-positive results in 14 true negative sera. Results of these experiments were further confirmed by the recombinant TM and recombinant p25 Western blot assay. A single recombinant TM antigen, as the coating antigen in ELISA, can be used successfully for the detection of OPP virus-infected animals and can improve the sensitivity and specificity for OPP diagnosis.
INTRODUCTION Neurotransmitter Function and Alcoholism

Studies of neurotransmitter function within the central nervous system (CNS) of ethanol-treated animals and animals tolerant to and physiologically dependent on ethanol have formed a major theme of many current studies on the etiology of alcoholism. This symposium, dedicated to the memory of Michael J. Walsh, brought together a number of individuals who have used a variety of techniques to gain insight into the interaction of ethanol with various neurotransmitter systems and have attempted to elucidate how such interactions may result in aberrant drinking behavior and the development of tolerance to and dependence on ethanol.
Francis Anthony Dahlen (1942–2007)

Francis Anthony (Tony) Dahlen passed away on 3 June 2007, in Princeton, New Jersey. Tony was an extraordinary theoretical geophysicist whose broad research interests encompassed the Earth's free oscillations, the energy budget of earthquakes, the mechanics of accretionary wedges, the Chandler wobble, surface waves, mode-ray duality, body waves, and, most recently, geophysical inverse theory. His publications are of an unmatched elegance and clarity and have had a profound, lasting influence on geophysics. ![][1] ▴ Francis Anthony (Tony) Dahlen. Tony was born in 1942 in American Falls, Idaho, and grew up in Winslow, Arizona. He was exceptionally talented in physics and mathematics, which earned him a Sloan Scholarship to the California Institute of Technology, where he completed his undergraduate education in 1964. That year, he started his Ph.D. research under … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Feasibility of Neuroprotective Agent Administration by Prehospital Personnel in an Urban Setting

Background and Purpose— Studies have demonstrated the importance of early stroke treatment. If a neuroprotective agent (NA) clinical trial is successful, the greatest benefit might be attained with early prehospital administration. This study determined the potential reduction in time to treatment of stroke patients when NAs were administered in the prehospital setting. Methods— Twenty-three urban emergency medical services (EMS) agencies participated in this study. Prehospital personnel completed a stroke assessment checklist on any potential stroke victim. The checklist collected clinical inclusion/exclusion criteria for NA administration and event/decision times. Patients meeting the hypothetical clinical inclusion criteria were enrolled into this study. Time data included scene arrival/departure, emergency department (ED) arrival, and estimated time of theoretical NA administration. The reduction in time to stroke treatment was calculated as the difference between the time of ED arrival and the report...
Enhanced superoxide generation modulates renal function in ANG II-induced hypertensive rats.

This study was performed to examine the role of superoxide formation in the regulation of renal hemodynamic and excretory function and to assess its contribution in the pathogenesis of ANG II-depen...
Anomalously low zooplankton abundance in the Ross Sea: An alternative explanation

The southwestern Ross Sea (Antarctica) supports a large bloom of Phaeocystis antarctica in the Ross Sea polynya, which is impacted minimally by zooplankton and a smaller diatom bloom in the adjacent Terra Nova Bay polynya, which are more readily grazed. This difference in grazing pressure between the two regions frequently has been explained by a reduced susceptibility of P. antarctica to grazing, despite conflicting evidence showing that Phaeocystis spp. are readily grazed by zooplankton. Using a three-dimensional ecosystem model of the Ross Sea, our goal was to determine whether phytoplankton growth dynamics, rather than mechanical and/or chemical defenses, might explain (1) the relatively low zooplankton abundance observed in waters dominated by P. antarctica, and (2) the low overall zooplankton biomass in the Ross Sea. Although in the model, diatoms and P. antarctica were grazed with equal ease (i.e., no prey selectivity), the slower growth of phytoplankton in Terra Nova Bay resulted in a higher degree of phytoplankton-zooplankton coupling and greater zooplankton abundance. Conversely, the exaggerated boom/bust cycle of the P. antarctica bloom in the Ross Sea polynya resulted in greater decoupling from higher trophic levels and reduced zooplankton biomass. This indicates that the low zooplankton abundance observed in the Ross Sea polynya may be a consequence of their inability to match the high growth rates of P. antarctica. The different degrees of zooplankton-phytoplankton coupling between Terra Nova Bay and the Ross Sea polynya may have important implications for food web structure and carbon export, especially under changing stratification.
Identification of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers for self-incompatibility alleles in Corylus avellana L.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were identified for self-incompatibility (SI) alleles that will allow marker-assisted selection of desired S-alleles in hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.). DNA was extracted from young leaves collected from field-planted parents and 26 progeny of the cross OSU 23.017 (S1S12)×VR6-28 (S2S26) (OSU23×VR6). Screening of 10-base oligonucleotide RAPD primers was performed using bulked segregant analysis. DNA samples from 6 trees each were pooled into four ‘bulks’, one for each of the following: S1 S2, S1 S26, S2 S12, and S12 S26. ‘Super bulks’ of 12 trees each for S1, S2, S12, and S26 were then created for each allele by combining the appropriate bulks. The DNA from these four super bulks and from the parents was used as a template in the PCR assays. A total of 250 primers were screened, and one RAPD marker each was identified for alleles S2 (OPI07750) and S1 (OPJ141700). OPJ141700 was identified in 13 of 14 S1 individuals of the cross OSU23×VR6 used in bulking and yielded a false positive in 1 non-S1 individual. This same marker was not effective outside the original cross, identifying 4 of 5 S1 progeny in another cross, ‘Willamette’×VR6-28 (‘Will’×VR6), but yielded false positives in 4 of 9 non-S1 individuals from the cross ‘Casina’×VR6-28 (‘Cas’×VR6). OPI07750 served as an excellent marker for the S2 allele and was linked closely to this allele, identifying 12 of 13 S2 individuals in the OSU23×VR6 population with no false positives. OPI07750 was found in 4 of 4 S2 individuals from ‘Will’×VR and 7 of 7 S2 individuals of ‘Cas’×VR6 with no false positives, as well as 10 of 10 S2 individuals of the cross OSU 296.082 (S1S8)×VR8-32 (S2S26), with only 1 false positive individual out of 21 progeny. OPI07750 was also present in 5 of 5 cultivars carrying the S2 allele, with no false-positive bands in non-S2 cultivars, and correctly identified all but 2 S2 individuals in 57 additional selections in the breeding program. In the OSU23×VR6 population, the recombination rate between the marker OPJ141700 and the S1 allele was 7.6% and between the OPI07750 marker and the S2 allele was 3.8%. RAPD marker bands were excised from gels, cloned, and sequenced to enable the production of longer primers (18 or 24 bp) that were used to obtain sequence characterized amplified regions (SCARs). Both the S1 and S2 markers were successfully cloned and 18 bp primers yielded the sole OPJ141700 product, while 24-bp primers yielded OPI07750 as well as an additional smaller product (700 bp) that was not polymorphic but was present in all of the S-genotypes examined.
DOES FEDERAL FUNDING “CROWD IN” PRIVATE FUNDING OF SCIENCE?

Proposed cutbacks in government science funding have caused many to expect that the rate of scientific progress will significantly decline. Before the magnitude of the decline can be estimated, a preliminary question must be answered: what is the extent to which private funding of science may be expected to fill the gap left by the declining government funding? Using data on government and private funding of science, preliminary estimation indicates that past government funding of science has not “crowded out” private funding of science. If this finding is supported by further research, it would indicate that private funding could not be expected to replace lost federal funding of science. (JEL H4, HI, 03, D6, L3)
Property Distribution and Configurations of Sovereign States A Rational Economic Model

A nation's wealth is both an object of conquest to covetous aggressors and a resource to its owners for self defense. To maintain autonomy every country must mount a defense which either makes its capture (1) more expensive than any aggressor can afford, or (2) more expensive than it is worth to aggressors. Whether this condition can be satisfied for all countries simultaneously depends as shown in this paper on relative efficacy of military offense versus defense, the aggregate of wealth among nations and its distribution, and the benefits a conqueror may obtain from conquest, including the duration of these benefits. The paper shows how these factors fit together to determine the sustainability and stability of the international distribution of property as embodied in the configuration of sovereign states.
A lower bound for the monotone depth of connectivity

We show that any monotone circuit for computing graph connectivity must have a depth greater than /spl Omega/((log n)/sup 3/2// log log n). This proves that UCONN/sub n/ is not in monotone NC/sup 1/. The proof technique, which is an adaptation of Razborov's approximation method, is also used to derive lower bounds for a general class of graph problems. >
Studying real-world perceptual expertise

Significant insights into visual cognition have come from studying real-world perceptual expertise. Many have previously reviewed empirical findings and theoretical developments from this work. Here we instead provide a brief perspective on approaches, considerations, and challenges to studying real-world perceptual expertise. We discuss factors like choosing to use real-world versus artificial object domains of expertise, selecting a target domain of real-world perceptual expertise, recruiting experts, evaluating their level of expertise, and experimentally testing experts in the lab and online. Throughout our perspective, we highlight expert birding (also called birdwatching) as an example, as it has been used as a target domain for over two decades in the perceptual expertise literature.
Analysis of Skp1 glycosylation and nuclear enrichment in dictyostelium

Skp1 is a subunit of SCF-E3 ubiquitin ligases and other protein complexes in the nucleus and cytoplasm of yeast and mammalian cells. In Dictyostelium, Skp1 is partially modified by an unusual pentasaccharide O-linked to hydroxyproline143. This modification was found to be susceptible to known prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors based on M(r)-shift analysis using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis/Western blotting. In addition, Dictyostelium Skp1 consists of 2 genetic isoforms, Skp1A and Skp1B, which differ by a single amino acid and appear to be expressed throughout the life cycle based on reverse-transcription polymerase chain reactions. The significance of these structural variations was examined by expressing myc-tagged Skp1s and mutants that lacked the glycosylation site. Gel-based M(r)-shift studies showed that Skp1A and Skp1B are both nearly completely glycosylated during growth and early development, and mass spectrometry of glycopeptides showed that they were glycosylated similarly. Skp1 expressed later in prespore cells was not glycosylated, unlike bulk Skp1 persisting from earlier in development, but became glycosylated after return to growth medium. Skp1A and Skp1B were each concentrated in the nucleus and regions of the cytoplasm, based on immunofluorescence localization. However, when Skp1 glycosylation was blocked by mutation, prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors, or expression in prespore cells, nuclear concentration of Skp1 was not detected. Furthermore, nuclear concentration occurred in a mutant that attached only the core disaccharide to Skp1. Overall, there was no evidence for differential Skp1 isoform expression, glycosylation variants in the bulk Skp1 pool, or regulation of nuclear localization. However, these studies uncovered evidence that the glycosylation pathway is developmentally regulated and can function posttranslationally, and that core glycosylation is required for Skp1's nuclear concentration.
Excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation induces improvements in chronic post-stroke aphasia

Background Aphasia affects 1/3 of stroke patients with improvements noted only in some of them. The goal of this exploratory study was to provide preliminary evidence regarding safety and efficacy of fMRI-guided excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the residual left-hemispheric Broca's area for chronic aphasia treatment. Material/methods We enrolled 8 patients with moderate or severe aphasia >1 year after LMCA stroke. Linguistic battery was administered pre-/post-rTMS; a semantic decision/tone decision (SDTD) fMRI task was used to localize left-hemispheric Broca's area. RTMS protocol consisted of 10 daily treatments of 200 seconds each using an excitatory stimulation protocol called intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS). Coil placement was targeted individually to the left Broca's. Results 6/8 patients showed significant pre-/post-rTMS improvements in semantic fluency (p=0.028); they were able to generate more appropriate words when prompted with a semantic category. Pre-/post-rTMS fMRI maps showed increases in left fronto-temporo-parietal language networks with a significant left-hemispheric shift in the left frontal (p=0.025), left temporo-parietal (p=0.038) regions and global language LI (p=0.018). Patients tended to report subjective improvement on Communicative Activities Log (mini-CAL; p=0.075). None of the subjects reported ill effects of rTMS. Conclusions FMRI-guided, excitatory rTMS applied to the affected Broca's area improved language skills in patients with chronic post-stroke aphasia; these improvements correlated with increased language lateralization to the left hemisphere. This rTMS protocol appears to be safe and should be further tested in blinded studies assessing its short- and long-term safety/efficacy for post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation.
Regulation of the initiation of pancreatic digestive enzyme protein synthesis by cholecystokinin in rat pancreas in vivo

Abstract Background & Aims: Cholecystokinin (CCK) is known to stimulate the synthesis of digestive enzymes in the pancreas at the translational level. We investigated in vivo the biochemical regulation of initiation factors important for the stimulation of translation of digestive enzyme protein in rat pancreas by CCK. Methods: Intraperitoneal injection of CCK or intragastric administration of a trypsin inhibitor to elicit endogenous CCK release was followed by removal and preparation of pancreas for protein evaluation. Isoelectric focusing was used to evaluate the phosphorylation of the initiation factor eIF4E, and Western blotting and immunoprecipitation followed by Western blotting were used to study the phosphorylation state and amount of other interacting factors. Results: CCK treatment induced a time- and dose-dependent phosphorylation of pancreatic eIF4E and its binding protein (PHAS-I). Because the release of eIF4E from its binding protein as a result of phosphorylation is followed by formation of a messenger RNA cap–binding complex that includes the initiation factor eIF4G, we evaluated the association of eIF4G with released eIF4E and showed that it was increased by CCK. These events occurred over a range of CCK doses from 0.2 to 5 μg/kg. We also evaluated the effect of endogenous CCK by administering a synthetic trypsin inhibitor, camostat (100 mg/kg). Camostat treatment markedly increased the phosphorylation of both PHAS-I and eIF4E and the formation of eIF4E-eIF4G complex. Thus, both exogenous and endogenous CCK activate translational initiation factors in vivo. Conclusions: Activation of translational machinery necessary for initiation of protein synthesis likely contributes to the normal postprandial synthesis of pancreatic digestive enzymes. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2000;119:1731-1739
Stream corridor restoration research: a long and winding road

Stream corridor restoration research and practice is presented as an example of the application of ecology and engineering to solve a class of environmental problems. Interest and public investment in stream corridor restoration has increased sharply in developed nations over the last two decades, as evidenced by the volume of technical and refereed literature. However, real progress at the regional and national scale depends on successful research outcomes. Research addressing problems associated with stream corridor ecosystem restoration is beset by numerous problems. First, terms referring to restoration are loosely defined. Secondly, stream ecosystems are not amenable to rigorous experimental design because they are governed by a host of independent variables that are heterogeneous in time and space, they are not scalable, and their response times are often too long for human attention spans. These problems lead to poorly controlled or uncontrolled experiments with outcomes that are not reproducible. Extension of results to other sites or regions is uncertain. Social factors further complicate research and practice—riparian landowners may or may not cooperate with the experiment, and application of findings normally occurs through a process of suboptimal compromise. Economic issues, namely assigning costs for present and future ecosystem services that provide off-site benefits, further impede progress. Clearly, the situation calls for a hybrid approach between the rigor of the ecologist and the judgment and pragmatism of the engineer. This hybrid approach can be used to develop creative, low-cost approaches to address key factors limiting recovery. © 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Nutritional Value of Aerobically Fermented Poultry Manure and Offal (Fermway) for Broiler Chicks

Abstract The nutritional value of two samples of an aerobically fermented poultry product (Fermway) were evaluated for broiler chicks. Fermway is a combination of broiler house litter and offal from a broiler processing plant. A significant (P Increasing the dietary Fermway levels significantly (P
Carbocyclic analogs of guanosine and 8-azaguanosine

(±)-9-[trans-2,trans-3-Dihydroxy-cis-4-(hydroxymethyl)- cyclopentyl]guanine. the carbocyclic analog of guanosine, was synthesized by a five-step route beginning with (┴)-trans-3-amino-trans-5-(hydroxymethyl)-cis-l ,2-cyclopentanediol and 2-amino-4.6- dichloropyrimidine. Preparation and reduction of a 5-(p-chlorophenylazo)pyrimidine derivative introduced the prerequisite 5- amino substituent. Formation of the imidazole ring from this 5- amino derivative with triethyl orthoformate and acidic hydrolysis of the resulting mixture of 2-amino-6-chloropurine derivatives furnished the guanosine analog. The same 5-aminopyrimidine intermediate was diazotized to the 2-amino-6-chloro-8-azapurine, and the latter derivative was hydrolyzed to the carbocyclic analog of 8-azaguanosine. Neither of these analogs was cytotoxic to human epidermoid carcinoma cells in vitro. In tests using leukemia L-1210, the guanosine analog was quite toxic but was inactive at nontoxic doses; the 8-azaguanosine analog was not active in initial (single- dose) tests.
Re-examining Probabilistic Versus Deterministic Key Management

It is widely believed that although being more complex, a probabilistic key predistribution scheme is much more resilient against node capture than a deterministic one in lightweight wireless ad hoc networks. Backed up by the surprisingly large successful attack probabilities computed in this paper, we show that the probabilistic approaches have only limited performance advantages over deterministic approaches. We first consider a static network scenario as originally considered in the seminal paper by Eschenauer and Gligor [1], where any node capture happens after the establishment of all pairwise links, and show that the deterministic approach can achieve a performance as good as the probabilistic one. Furthermore in a mobile network, the probabilistic key management as described in [1] can lead to a successful attack probability of one order of magnitude larger than the one in a static network.
Comparison of intravenous and oral routes of theophylline loading in acute asthma.

In a prospective, randomized clinical trial, 19 patients with an acute exacerbation of asthma were given a loading dose of aminophylline by the IV (n = 10) or oral route (n = 9) of administration following treatment with epinephrine. Plasma concentrations of theophylline were measured prior to giving the loading dose, and one, two, three, and 24 to 48 hours later. Therapeutic effectiveness was evaluated by analyzing spirometric measurements prior to giving the loading dose, and one, three, and 24 to 48 hours later. Side effects also were recorded. In the IV group, the mean peak plasma theophylline concentration was 15.1 μ g/mL one hour after loading, and in the oral group the mean peak serum theophylline concentration was 14.2 μ g/mL three hours after loading. There was no correlation between theophylline concentrations and normalized change in spirometric values. There was no significant difference in spirometric values between the IV and oral groups. Nausea was slightly more common in the IV group. We conclude that there is no therapeutic advantage to giving a loading dose of aminophylline by the IV route rather than orally in patients with mild-to-moderate exacerbation of asthma initially treated with epinephrine.
Spatial patterns of coral survivorship: impacts of adult proximity versus other drivers of localized mortality

Species-specific enemies may promote prey coexistence through negative distance- and density-dependent survival of juveniles near conspecific adults. We tested this mechanism by transplanting juvenile-sized fragments of the brooding corals Pocillopora damicornis and Seriatopora hystrix 3, 12, 24 and 182 cm up- and down-current of conspecific adults and monitoring their survival and condition over time. We also characterized the spatial distribution of P. damicornis and S. hystrix within replicate plots on three Fijian reef flats and measured the distribution of small colonies within 2 m of larger colonies of each species. Juvenile-sized transplants exhibited no differences in survivorship as a function of distance from adult P. damicornis or S. hystrix. Additionally, both P. damicornis and S. hystrix were aggregated rather than overdispersed on natural reefs. However, a pattern of juveniles being aggregated near adults while larger (and probably older) colonies were not suggests that greater mortality near large adults could occur over longer periods of time or that size-dependent mortality was occurring. While we found minimal evidence of greater mortality of small colonies near adult conspecifics in our transplant experiments, we did document hot-spots of species-specific corallivory. We detected spatially localized and temporally persistent predation on P. damicornis by the territorial triggerfish Balistapus undulatus. This patchy predation did not occur for S. hystrix. This variable selective regime in an otherwise more uniform environment could be one mechanism maintaining diversity of corals on Indo-Pacific reefs.
Suppression of NF-κB and NF-κB-Regulated Gene Expression by Apigenin through IκBα and IKK Pathway in TRAMP Mice.

Aberrant Nuclear Factor-κappaB (NF-κB) activation due to rapid IκBα turnover and high basal IκBα kinase (IKK) activity has been frequently observed in prostate cancer. Apigenin, a naturally occurring plant flavone, exhibits anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activities by inhibiting NF-κB pathway, through a mechanism not fully understood. We found that apigenin feeding in microgram doses (bioavailable in humans) inhibited prostate tumorigenesis in TRAMP mice by interfering with NF-κB signaling. Apigenin feeding to TRAMP mice (20 and 50 μg/mouse/day, 6 days/week for 20 weeks) exhibited significant decrease in tumor volumes of the prostate and completely abolished metastasis, which correlated with inhibition of NF-κB activation and binding to the DNA. Apigenin intake blocked phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα by inhibiting IKK activation, which in turn led to suppression of NF-κB activation. The expression of NF-κB-regulated gene products involved in proliferation (cyclin D1, and COX-2), anti-apoptosis (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL), and angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor) were also downregulated after apigenin feeding. These events correlated with the induction of apoptosis in tumor cells, as evident by increased cleaved caspase-3 labeling index in the dorsolateral prostate. Our results provide convincing evidence that apigenin inhibits IKK activation and restores the expression of IκBα, preventing it’s phosphorylation in a fashion similar to that elicited by IKK and proteasomal inhibitors through suppression of NF-κB signaling pathway.
The Availability of Volunteers: Implications for Local Governments

Estimates from survey research place the number of volunteers at nearly half the American populace. This article finds, in contrast, that the percentage of volunteers who satisfy the needs of publi...
Analysis of monitoring results of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in Huating Community of Jiading District in 2012

Objective: To understand the status and trends of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in Huating Community of Jiading District in 2012 to explore the effective measures to reduce the incidence of the community people. Methods: The summary data of the part of prevention and treatment of diseases in Huating Community were used and analyzed. Results: The morbidity rates of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in Huating Community were 247.95/10, and mortality rates 292.66/10 in 2012. The ischemic stroke incidence was highest, and the males' was higher than the women's. With the aging increasing the morbidity rates showed an increasing trend. The total morbidity numbers of 60 years old or more accounted for 88.52%. Conclusion: Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases have become one of chronic diseases of Huating Community population. It is urgent to improve prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Antigen-Specific Immune Modulation Targets mTORC1 Function To Drive Chemokine Receptor–Mediated T Cell Tolerance

To contain autoimmunity, pathogenic T cells must be eliminated or diverted from reaching the target organ. Recently, we defined a novel form of T cell tolerance whereby treatment with Ag downregulates expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR3 and prevents diabetogenic Th1 cells from reaching the pancreas, leading to suppression of type 1 diabetes (T1D). This report defines the signaling events underlying Ag-induced chemokine receptor-mediated tolerance. Specifically, we show that the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a major target for induction of CXCR3 downregulation and crippling of Th1 cells. Indeed, Ag administration induces upregulation of programmed death-ligand 1 on dendritic cells in a T cell-dependent manner. In return, programmed death-ligand 1 interacts with the constitutively expressed programmed death-1 on the target T cells and stimulates docking of Src homology 2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 2 phosphatase to the cytoplasmic tail of programmed death-1. Active Src homology 2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 2 impairs the signaling function of the PI3K/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway, leading to functional defect of mTORC1, downregulation of CXCR3 expression, and suppression of T1D. Thus, mTORC1 component of the metabolic pathway serves as a target for chemokine receptor-mediated T cell tolerance and suppression of T1D.
A link-free approach for testing common indices for three or more multi-index models

Liu etal. (2015) proposed a novel link-free procedure for testing whether two multi-index models share identical indices via the sufficient dimension reduction approach. However, their method can only be applied to data with two populations. In practice, we often deal with situations where the same variables are being measured on objects from three or more groups, and we would like to know how similar these groups are with respect to some overall features. In this paper, we propose a link-free method which could test if three or more multi-index models share the same indices. The asymptotic properties of our test statistic are developed. Numerical studies and a real data analysis are conducted to illustrate the performance of our method.
Course design : An integration of didactic and experiential approaches to graduate training of group therapy

ABSTRACTGraduate training programs attempt to teach group therapy courses using experiential learning methods and theoretical concepts. Presently, however, these courses often maintain a rather unstructured format for fostering an experiential group process. The literature suggests that without standardized course objectives, students are vulnerable to harm and inadequately prepared for professional demands, and faculty are insufficiently prepared with guidelines for instruction. This article reviews the historical evolution of experiential courses, raises questions about the ethical integrity of such courses in their current, form, and proposes a new course design that integrates essential components of learning theory. Standards for integrating a developmental, approach to learning beginning with didactic tasks and advancing to more experiential tasks, more effectively uphold ethical principles, provide an outline for comprehensive instruction, and enhance student, learning.
Domestic Sources of Transnational Climate Governance

ABSTRACTTransnational climate governance (TCG) is an example of complex governance in which national governments no longer serve as reliable gatekeepers between nonstate and subnational actors and global governance. The articles in this special issue demonstrate that TCG and complex governance do not eliminate the importance of domestic political institutions and actors in explaining national variation in engagement with TCG. Rich democracies provide the most favorable political setting for participation in TCG. National policies that favor climate change mitigation produce greater engagement with TCG on the part of nonstate and subnational actors. The same political ecology that produces favorable national policies supports TCG participation: NGO presence and activism, affluent consumers that encourage corporations to engage with TCG, subnational governments with political incentives and fiscal space to undertake cross-border activism. Although direct effects by TCG on greenhouse gas emissions may be lim...
Two-electrode Voltage-clamp Recordings in Xenopus laevis Oocytes: Reconstitution of Abscisic Acid Activation of SLAC1 Anion Channel via PYL9 ABA Receptor.

Two-Electrode Voltage-Clamp (TEVC) recording in Xenopus laevis oocytes provides a powerful method to investigate the functions and regulation of ion channel proteins. This approach provides a well-known tool to characterize ion channels or transporters expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The plasma membrane of the oocyte is impaled by two microelectrodes, one for voltage sensing and the other one for current injection. Here we list a protocol that allows robust reconstitution of multi-component signaling pathways. This protocol has been used to study plant ion channels, including the SLAC1 channel (SLOW ANION CHANNEL-ASSOCIATED 1), in particular SLAC1 activation by either the protein kinase OST1 (OPEN STOMATA 1), Ca2+-dependent protein kinases (CPKs) or the GHR1 (GUARD CELL HYDROGEN PEROXIDE-RESISTANT 1) transmembrane receptor-like protein. Data are presented showing reconstitution of abscisic acid activation of the SLAC1 anion channel by the ‘monomeric’ ABA (abscisic acid) receptor RCAR1/PYL9 (PYRABACT INRESISTANCE1 [PYR1]/PYR1-LIKE [PYL]/REGULATORYCOMPONENTS OF ABA RECEPTORS [RCAR]) by co-expressing four components of the abscisic acid signaling core. This protocol is also suitable for studying other ion channel functions and regulation mechanisms, as well as transporter proteins.