cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cancer survivors' understanding of the cause and cure of their illness: Religious and secular appraisals.

OBJECTIVE Little is known about survivors' understanding of the cause of their cancer and of their recovery, nor how these ways of understanding relate to their well-being. No study has examined both secular and religious appraisals of the same event. The current study aimed to examine both religious (God) and secular (self) appraisals of both the cause (attributions) and course/cure of cancer in relation to multiple aspects of adjustment. METHODS Data were obtained from a sample of cancer survivors at Time 1 (n = 250) and 1 year later (Time 2, n = 167). RESULTS Cancer survivors endorsed higher appraisals relating to course/cure of their cancer than those relating to cause, and they endorsed both secular and religious appraisals. Appraisals of the cause and course/cure of cancer were differentially related to adjustment, such that self-attributions of cause and God-attributions of cause were related to negative aspects of adjustment (eg, negative affect and pessimism), while appraisals of self and God's control over the course/cure were related to positive aspects of adjustment (eg, perceived positive life and health changes since cancer). Religiosity did not moderate most of relationships between religious appraisals and adjustment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Secular and religious appraisals of cancer are not mutually exclusive, and religious appraisals are associated with adjustment regardless of survivors' religiosity. Appraisals relating to cause and course/cure have differential relationships with well-being. Addressing cancer survivors' appraisals-religious or nonreligious-in a therapeutic setting may be beneficial regardless of their reported religiosity.
Increased autophagy blocks HER2-mediated breast tumorigenesis

Allelic loss of the autophagy gene, beclin 1/BECN1, increases the risk of patients developing aggressive, including human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive, breast cancers; however, it is not known whether autophagy induction may be beneficial in preventing HER2-positive breast tumor growth. We explored the regulation of autophagy in breast cancer cells by HER2 in vitro and the effects of genetic and pharmacological strategies to increase autophagy on HER2-driven breast cancer growth in vivo. Our findings demonstrate that HER2 interacts with Beclin 1 in breast cancer cells and inhibits autophagy. Mice with increased basal autophagy due to a genetically engineered mutation in Becn1 are protected from HER2-driven mammary tumorigenesis, and HER2 fails to inhibit autophagy in primary cells derived from these mice. Moreover, treatment of mice with HER2-positive human breast cancer xenografts with the Tat-Beclin 1 autophagy-inducing peptide inhibits tumor growth as effectively as a clinically used HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). This inhibition of tumor growth is associated with a robust induction of autophagy, a disruption of HER2/Beclin 1 binding, and a transcriptional signature in the tumors distinct from that observed with HER2 TKI treatment. Taken together, these findings indicate that the HER2-mediated inhibition of Beclin 1 and autophagy likely contributes to HER2-mediated tumorigenesis and that strategies to block HER2/Beclin 1 binding and/or increase autophagy may represent a new therapeutic approach for HER2-positive breast cancers.
Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Mechanical Stresses as Modulators of Adipose Tissue Metabolism and Inflammation

Adipose tissue depots experience a variety of physical stresses in the body. There is increasing evidence that these stresses elicit specific biological responses, and could play important roles in both physiological and pathological processes. In this chapter, we review recent studies investigating the potential mechanical influences arising from interactions between adipose cells and their extracellular matrix (ECM). We focus on cell–ECM interactions that govern adipocyte differentiation and maturation as well as those that could develop as adipocytes increase in size to store triglycerides in response to a positive energy balance. Hypertrophic enlargement of adipocytes often precedes fibrosis, inflammation, and metabolic alterations associated with an obese phenotype such as insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia. These changes in adipose tissue structure and function could be related via mechanisms involving mechanotransduction. Deposition of excess collagen fibers could stiffen the tissue, physically constraining the expandability of adipocytes. Additionally, cells may experience mechanical influences resulting from body movements. All of these could result in increased compression and/or tension on the adipocyte cellular membrane. Compelling in vitro data suggest that these stresses can activate classical mechanotransduction pathways in adipocytes and their precursor cells, notably the Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK). Despite progress, many challenges remain in addressing mechanistic questions regarding the role of physiologically relevant mechanical influences in isolation from confounding biochemical influences present in vivo. In this regard, we expect engineered ECM and advanced bioreactors to serve as valuable model systems to dissect the effects of mechanical stresses under controlled chemical conditions.
Supervising Students in Emerging Adulthood: Modeling Use of Self in Developmentally Informed Supervision

Supervisory models have historically assumed that trainees enter supervision with a degree of identity stability that informs their professional identity development. More recent theories of emerging adulthood suggest that instability of self is typical for young adults in their early to late twenties, a period when many social work students first enter a field in which one of the primary tools and values is “use of self.” I offer a new conceptualization for integrating understanding of the psychosocial and professional developmental theories. I review theories of modeling use of self in supervision for trainees who are simultaneously working to form multiple areas of personal and professional identity. There is limited literature in social work and psychology which examines the process of modeling use of self in supervision while also considering the developmental needs of emerging adults. A case example of a second-year student in emerging adulthood helps to elaborate the theory in consideration of personal identity exploration and the requirements of clinical work, personalization of perceived failures, and denial and avoidance in the supervisory dyad. Implications of this reconceptualization are discussed, including recommendations for developmentally responsive supervision.
Gas-phase synthetic pathways to benzene and benzonitrile: a combined microwave and thermochemical investigation.

The recent astronomical detection of benzonitrile (C6H5CN) in the cold, starless cloud TMC-1 demonstrates that aromatic chemistry is efficient even in the primordial stages of star and planet formation. C6H5CN may serve as a convenient observational proxy for benzene, which is otherwise challenging to detect in space, provided the chemistry linking these two molecules is tightly constrained. Here we present a high-resolution microwave spectroscopic study in combination with an accurate thermochemical treatment of the formation chemistry of C6H5CN and benzene. We demonstrate that C6H5CN is a highly useful tracer for benzene in the presence of CN radical, either in space or in the laboratory, and by inference, that the reaction C2H + CH2(CH)2CH2 yields benzene, along with its high-energy polar isomer fulvene. In addition, we find that the higher energy isomer, C6H5NC, is formed at <0.1% abundance relative to C6H5CN. By exploiting –CN tagging, formation pathways to produce benzene using a variety of acyclic hydrocarbon precursors are then explored. A robust, self-consistent, and chemically accurate theoretical treatment has also been undertaken for several key reactions. The results are discussed both in the context of aromatic molecule synthesis and astrochemistry.
E-146 Clinical decision making for thrombectomy using CT versus CTP – an interobserver study

Introduction Accurate and early determination of ischemic penumbra versus infarcted core is crucial in selecting patients who are likely to benefit from thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). CT perfusion (CTP) measures regional cerebral blood flow, blood volume, and transit time, and its secondarily derived estimates of core versus penumbra have been used to help select patients in numerous recent randomized trials of thrombectomy for AIS with great success. However, CTP may overestimate core infarct in early time periods, and some have advocated only using ‘clinical mismatch’ and CT (to rule out an already-established large core infarct) when deciding whether to proceed with thrombectomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical decision making for thrombectomy based on CT versus CTP by multiple observers; to assess how CTP affected clinical decision making and to investigate the inter-rater agreement in imaging interpretation. Materials and methods Imaging sets including non-contrast CT (NCCT) and CTP [RAPID (iSchemaView Inc, Menlo Park, CA)] from patients admitted with the diagnosis of large vessel occlusion (MCA and ICA) stroke at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed from 12/15/2016 to 9/15/2017 by five neurovascular interventionists independently. In order to isolate the contribution of imaging to decision-making, all observers were blinded to the demographics and clinical symptoms of patients and were told that imaging were performed between 0 to 6 hours after the stroke. Each interventionist was asked whether they would intervene in AIS first based upon NCCT, and then after viewing CTP images for the same patient. Inter-rater agreement was calculated using Fleiss’ kappa statistic for multiple observers. Results Datasets of thirty eight consecutive patients (female/male: 14/24; mean age ±SD: 63.24±17.42; side of stroke left/right: 21/17; Thrombectomy no/yes: 19/19) were reviewed. Inter-rater agreement was moderate (κ=0.43) for thrombectomy based on NCCT. Our interventionists had fair agreement (κ=0.33) for thrombectomy based on CTP and had poor agreement (κ=0.17) on change of decision by assessing CTP after NCCT. On average, CTP lead to change of decision for thrombectomy in 13.16% (25) of the cases (table 1 demonstrates values for each interventionist). Conclusion Our study demonstrates heterogeneity in decision-making when only using neuroimaging to determine whether to proceed with thrombectomy within the 0–6 hour time-window. This was true whether CT or CTP was the final imaging modality. Overall, in 13.16% of cases CTP caused the change of decision for thrombectomy. Further work is needed to determine if similar heterogeneity exists within the 6–24 hour time window and/or at other institutions. Disclosures P. Nazari: None. P. Golnari: None. S. Ansari: None. M. Hurley: None. A. Shaibani: None. M. Potts: None. B. Jahromi: None.
Male and female mice develop escalation of heroin intake and dependence following extended access.

Abstract Opioid use disorder is a serious public health issue in the United States. Animal models of opioid dependence are fundamental for studying the etiology of addictive behaviors. We tested the hypothesis that extended access to heroin self-administration leads to increases in heroin intake and produces somatic signs of opioid dependence in both male and female mice. Adult C57BL/6J mice were trained to nosepoke (fixed-ratio 1) to obtain intravenous heroin in six daily 1-h sessions (30–60 μg/kg/infusion). The mice were divided into short access (ShA; 1 h) and long access (LgA; 6 h) groups. Immediately after the 10th escalation session, the mice received a challenge dose of naloxone (1 mg/kg), and somatic signs of withdrawal were recorded. The mice readily acquired intravenous heroin self-administration. LgA mice escalated their drug intake in the first hour across sessions and had significantly higher scores of somatic signs of naloxone-precipitated opioid withdrawal compared with ShA mice. Female mice exhibited increases in heroin intake compared with male mice. Male and female mice exhibited similar levels of somatic signs of withdrawal. Because of the wide availability of genetically modified mouse lines, the present mouse model may be particularly useful for better understanding genetic and sex differences that underlie the transition to compulsive-like opioid taking and seeking. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘New Vistas in Opioid Pharmacology’.
Fluorine-substituted quinoidal thiophene with a F-H hydrogen bond locked conformation for high-performance n-channel organic transistors.

The novel dicyanomethylene-substituted 1,2-bis(thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-2-yl)ethene based quinoidal compounds QBTTE and F2-QBTTE are reported. The F⋯H (vinylene) hydrogen bonds lock the backbone conformation and greatly improve the transistor performance of F2-QBTTE.
The Reliability, Resilience, and Vulnerability of Over-Year Water Supply Systems

The practice of developing storage-reliability-yield (S-R-Y) relationships for water supply systems is divided into two schools of thought. In the United States, S-R-Y relationships are often based on the probability of no-failure reservoir operations over an N-year planning period. Elsewhere, S-R-Y relationships are based on the steady-state probability of failure corresponding to a specific reservoir capacity-yield combination. These two independent views of system reliability are merged using a two-state Markov model, along with existing analytical S-R-Y relationships which describe the behavior of over-year water supply systems fed by autoregressive normal and lognormal inflows. Monte Carlo simulation experiments confirm that a two-state Markov model can represent the relationships between reservoir system reliability and resilience for a wide class of over-year water supply systems. The two-state Markov model combined with existing analytic S-R-Y relationships provide a very general theoretical foundation for understanding the tradeoffs among reservoir system storage, yield, reliability, resilience, and vulnerability.
Using pulmonary function testing in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma

Asthmatics have remarkable changes in their pulmonary function in response to numerous external stimuli and internal controls. Serial pulmonary function testing in the office, hospital, at home, or the work place allows the objective measurement that is necessary to intelligently diagnose and treat these patients. Once the patient and the physician understand how to use the techniques for monitoring the degree of airways obstruction, they become a key in medical management decisions.
Visibility of microvessels in Optical Coherence Tomography angiography depends on angular orientation

Optical Coherence Tomography angiography (OCTA) is a widespread tool for depth-resolved imaging of chorioretinal vasculature with single microvessel resolution. To improve the clinical interpretation of OCTA, the conditions affecting visualization of microvessels must be defined. Here we inject a scattering plasma tracer (Intralipid) during OCTA imaging of the anesthetized rat eye. In the retina, we find that interlaminar (vertical) vessels that connect laminae have one-fourth to one-third the OCTA red blood cell to tracer (RBC-to-tracer) signal ratio of intralaminar (horizontal) vessels. This finding suggests that the OCTA signal from microvessels depends on angular orientation, making vertically-oriented vessels more difficult to visualize using intrinsic contrast alone. Clinicians should be aware of this potential artifact when interpreting OCTA.
Comparison of serological methods and real time RT-PCR in detection of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome Bunyavirus

Objective To compare serological methods with real time RT-PCR in detection of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome Bunyavirus.Method Serum of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome was collected in Penglai and Laizhou in Yantai.Anti-severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome Bunyavirus (SFTSV) IgM was detected using gold colloid and ELISA,nucleic acid of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome Bunyavirus was detected by real-time PCR.Statistics of the results were done using SPSS 18.0.Result The coincidence of ELISA and gold colloid was 96.97％ and the kcoefficient was 0.933 ;the course of disease influences the results notablely both gold colloid and real-time PCR(P ＜ 0.05) and real-time PCR was not influenced by patients age or sex(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion When the course of disease less than 12 days,real-time PCR was recommended and when the course of disease more than 16 days,serological methods can use to detect the anti-SFTSV IgM. Key words: Serological test; Gold Colloid; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Polyomerase chain reaction; Bunyavirus
Limitations on Postoperative Opioid Prescriptions and Effects on Health Care Resource Use Following Elective Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Objective To curb the misuse of postoperative prescription opioids, the state of North Carolina enacted the Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention (STOP) Act of 2017 limiting the duration of initial postoperative opioid prescriptions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the STOP Act’s effect on health care resource use by comparing patient outcomes and opioid prescribing practices following elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Methods Outcomes and opioid prescribing data were retrospectively evaluated for Pre-Law (January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017) and Post-Law (January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018) elective 1- to 4-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion patient cohorts. Outcome measures included hospital and clinic resource use in the form of emergency department visits, readmissions, major postoperative complications, number of clinic visits, or number of clinic phone calls by patients reporting uncontrolled pain or requesting new opioid prescriptions. Opioid-prescribing practices in the form of discharge prescription number of pills and total morphine milliequivalents also were recorded. Results Surrounding the STOP Act’s implementation, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in emergency department visits, readmissions, major complications, number of postoperative clinic visits, or number of clinic phone calls for uncontrolled pain or new prescription requests. There was a significant decline in mean discharge prescription number of pills (89.7 vs. 67.0, P Conclusions This may reflect overprescribing in this population, where larger opioid prescriptions were likely not needed to manage pain that would otherwise require a return to care.
Evaluation of time to antibiotic administration for suspected late-onset sepsis in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A quality improvement project

Abstract Late-onset sepsis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, with mortality increasing by 8–9% for each hour delay in antibiotics. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the time to antibiotic administration for late-onset sepsis after implementation of a newly developed process for performing sepsis evaluations. A retrospective chart review was conducted utilizing electronic medical records to obtain data for select time points within the sepsis evaluation process. There were 42 patients evaluated prior to the quality improvement project (Group 1) and 59 patients evaluated after (Group 2). The average time to antibiotic administration was 2 h and 48 min in Group 1 and 1 h and 7 min in Group 2 (p
Economic perspective of ethanol and biodiesel coproduction from industrial hemp

Abstract In this study, the economics of producing biofuels from an industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) genotype – 19m96136 was investigated. A lignocellulosic biofuel plant, hourly consuming 85 metric tons of hemp biomass was modeled in SuperPro Designer®. The integrated bioenergy plant produced hemp biodiesel and bioethanol from lipids and carbohydrates, respectively. The structural composition of the industrial hemp plant was analyzed in a previous study. The data obtained was used to simulate feedstock composition in SuperPro Designer®. The simulation results indicated that Hemp containing 2% lipids can yield up to 3.95 million gallons of biodiesel annually. On improving biomass lipid content to 5 and 10%, biodiesel production increased to 9.88 and 19.91 million gallons, respectively. The breakeven unit production cost of hemp biodiesel with 2, 5, and 10% lipid containing hemp was $18.49, $7.87, and $4.13/gallon, respectively. The biodiesel unit production cost when utilizing 10% lipid-containing hemp was comparable to soybean biodiesel at $4.13/gallon. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis revealed the possibility of a 7.80% reduction in unit production cost upon a 10% reduction in hemp feedstock cost. Furthermore, industrial hemp was capable of producing between 307.80 and 325.82 gallons of total biofuels per hectare of agricultural land than soybean.
Research fatigue in unconventional oil and gas boomtowns: Perceptions, strategies and obstacles among social scientists collecting human subjects data

Abstract Shale Energy development in the United States has made the community-level impacts of new energy technologies a national concern, resulting in a boom in attention from academics, journalists, and others seeking to learn from the community experiences. A meta-analysis by Walsh et al. (2020) depicts the uneven geographical footprint of research performed in these communities, possibly leading to a phenomenon of research fatigue in communities that have hosted a high number of social science research attempts. In order to better understand and address research fatigue, especially in energy boom communities, we use focus groups and an online-survey of Shale Energy community social scientists to explore the perceived scope, causes, and consequences of and solutions to research fatigue in social research on energy boomtowns. The results show that research fatigue is indeed a major barrier for many researchers in energy impacted communities, but significant geographical variability exists. Furthermore, respondents indicated numerous mitigation strategies to prevent or otherwise reduce research fatigue through better research design and community outreach; however, they also emphasize that real barriers in the nature of scholarly research and the structure of academia prevent the implementation of these strategies. Many of the respondents supported online trainings or forums to inform new energy social science scholars of ways to reduce or mitigate research fatigue and design effective community outreach programs.
Blockchain Functionality: How Smart Contracts Can Save Small Farms

Everyone has to eat. Food is nourishment required for human survival and small farms account for roughly 90 percent of all farms in the United States. However, these small farms are struggling because of larger industrial agricultural businesses dominating the industry. One of the main challenges hindering small farmers from staying in operation and expanding is the inability to adapt alongside new digital technology; blockchain-based smart contracts may help small farmers stay relevant. Blockchains are decentralized, distributed ledgers that constitute smart contracts when they are used to enforce the performance of transactions in legal agreements without involving third parties. Smart contracts can orchestrate the sale of goods, manage supply chain logistics, and control the passage of ownership in real property, giving small farmers an invaluable opportunity to catch up and stay on top in the dynamic agriculture industry. Without improved access to modern legal technology and corresponding education, small farms will continue to struggle until their demise. This Note contends that smart contracts equip small farmers with the tools necessary to save their livelihood.
Motoneuron histogenesis and the development of limb innervation.

Publisher Summary Recent experiments have shown that certain motoneurons do selectively innervate particular groups of limb muscles after the normal relationships between nerves and muscles have been perturbed in the embryo. This chapter describes the anatomical organization of the motor pools supplying limb muscles and shows how this organization can be viewed as a continuous representation of the position of the muscle precursors within the developing limb bud. It discusses the development of limb innervation at two levels of precision. The chapter considers the problem of how specific patterns of connections are formed between the clusters of motoneurons that make up the lateral motor columns and the limb muscles. This includes consideration of both normal development and experimental perturbations of the normal relationships between motor pools and muscle. A major issue is the possible relationship between pattern formation and cell death. The chapter also attempts to synthesize the present knowledge about the development of limb innervation and propose a theory to account for the experimental observations. It deals with the development of limb innervation in several species, but concentrates on the chick embryo because more detailed information is available about the chick than about other species.
A functional description of the Hearsay-II speech understanding system

A description of the September, 1976, version of the Hearsay-II system is given at the knowledge-source level, indicating the actions of each knowledge-source and their interactions.
Advanced technology: impact on financial industry and financial markets

The author focuses on advanced technology and its impact on financial markets. The author provides an overview of case studies and findings about fractal market analysis of financial markets, use of neural networks for trading and stock selection, the use of genetic algorithms for optimization of trading strategies, applications of fuzzy logic for portfolio management, and new market hypotheses and paradigms about the behavior of financial markets.
The Value of Quality Improvement Process in the Detection and Correction of Common Errors in Echocardiographic Hemodynamic Parameters in a Busy Echocardiography Laboratory.

Background Accurate assessment of cardiac structures, ventricular function, and hemodynamics is essential for any echocardiographic laboratory. Quality improvement (QI) processes described by the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) and the Intersocietal Commission (IAC) should be instrumental in reaching this goal. Methods All patients undergoing transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) followed by cardiac catheterization within 24 hours at Christiana Care Health System in 2011 and 2012 were identified, with 126 and 133 cases, respectively. Hemodynamic parameters of diastolic function and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) on TTE correlated poorly with catheterization in 2011. An educational process was developed and implemented at quarterly QI meetings based on ASE and IAC recommendations to target frequently encountered errors and provide methods for improved performance. The hemodynamic parameters were then reexamined in 2012 postintervention. Results Following the QI process, there was significant improvement in the correlation between invasive and echocardiographic hemodynamic measurements in both systolic and diastolic function, and PASP. This reflected in significant better correlations between echo and cath LVEF [R = 0.88, ICC = 0.87 vs. R = 0.85, ICC = 0.85; P < 0.001], average E/E′ and of left ventricle end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) [R = 0.62 vs. R = 0.09, P = 0.006] and a better correlation for PASP [R = 0.77, ICC = 0.77 vs. R = 0.30, ICC = 0.31; P = 0.05] in 2012 compared to 2011. Conclusion The QI process, as recommended by ASE and IAC, can allow for identification as well as rectification of quality issues in a large regional academic medical center hospital.
The involvement of ankyrin in the regulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-mediated internal Ca2+ release from Ca2+ storage vesicles in mouse T-lymphoma cells

Mouse T-lymphoma cells contain a unique type of internal vesicle which bands at the relatively light density of 1.07 g/cc. These vesicles do not contain any detectable Golgi, endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane, or lysosomal marker protein activities. Binding of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) to these internal vesicles reveals the presence of a single, high affinity class of IP3 receptor with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 1.6 +/- 0.3 nM. Using a panel of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against IP3 receptor, we have established that the IP3 receptor (approximately 260 kDa) displays immunological cross-reactivity with the rat brain IP3 receptor. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of first-strand cDNAs from both mouse T-lymphoma cells and rat brain tissues reveals that the IP3 receptor transcript in mouse T-lymphoma cells belongs to the short form (non-neuronal form) and not the long form (neuronal form) detected in rat brain tissue. Scatchard plot analysis shows that high affinity binding occurs between ankyrin and the IP3 receptor with a Kd of 0.2 nM. Most importantly, the binding of ankyrin to the light density vesicles significantly inhibits IP3 binding and IP3-induced internal Ca2+ release. These findings suggest that the cytoskeleton plays a pivotal role in the regulation of IP3 receptor-mediated internal Ca2+ release during lymphocyte activation.
Benjamin M. GASUL (1898-1962).

Abstract Various data gathered in the last 20 years, particularly those of phonocardiography, have enriched and improved auscultation. 1. 1. A revision of the concept of the classic “auscultatory areas” is needed, and the data obtained through auscultation should be considered with an open mind. 2. 2. The mechanism of the normal first sound has been clarified by recent experimental studies. Three components are present in the normal first sound; the first two are related to the modality of left ventricular tension, the third to aortic tension. Right ventricular and pulmonary artery events contribute little to the normal first sound but may do so in right ventricular or pulmonary hypertension and even in isolated pulmonary artery dilatation. The first two components of the first sound are responsible for the “close splitting,” which can be observed in normal subjects. The first and third components cause a “wide splitting,” which is more often encountered in dilatation of the large arteries, caused by either valvular stenosis or hypertension. 3. 3. The prolongation of the Q-1 interval in systemic and left ventricular hypertension and in mitral stenosis is analyzed and discussed. 4. 4. The cause of the delayed and louder first sound in mitral stenosis is discussed. The faint and muffled first sound in myocarditis, after myocardial infarct and in mitral and aortic insufficiency is attributed to changes in rapidity of contraction and of rise in left ventricular pressure. 5. 5. Erroneous conceptions of the past about the second sound are quoted. 6. 6. The mechanism of the second sound has been clarified by recent experimental studies. In addition to the two best known components (aortic and pulmonary), another (component x ) may be observed. This precedes the A component and seems related to abrupt onset of left ventricular relaxation. 7. 7. Splitting of the second sound is a complex phenomenon, which can be influenced by various factors. Respiratory and postural splitting are described and discussed, (a) Systolic or diastolic overload of one ventricle, particularly the latter, causes prolongation of systole and delay of the respective component of the second sound, (b) Failure of one ventricle nearly always causes further delay of the respective component, (c) Valvular obstruction delays the respective component by creating an abnormal relationship between ventricular and arterial pressures. Thus, one can observe normal splitting, single sound, or paradoxic splitting due to the combination of various factors. Changes of the second sound in mitral insufficiency, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary stenosis, systemic hypertension, aortic stenosis, atrial septal defect, bundle branch blocks, ventricular septal defect, several complex congenital malformations and common arterial trunk are discussed.
Magnetic Percolation Effect on the Spontaneous Hall Resistivity and Magnetoresistance of La(1-x)A(x)CoO(3) (A = Ca, Sr; 0.1 <= x <= 0.5)

Abstract The Hall resistivity and magnetoresistance of La 1−x A x CoO 3 ( A = Ca , Sr ) are investigated. The spontaneous Hall coefficient reaches maximum near the Curie temperature for each doping level, and achieves the largest magnitude near the magnetic percolation threshold. The physical significance of these results are discussed.
Neuroprotective and immune effects of active forms of vitamin D3 and docosahexaenoic acid in Alzheimer disease patients

Neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer disease (AD), afflict an increasing proportion of the older population with aging. Decreased exposure to sunlight and decreased consumption of fish, fruits, and vegetables, are two epidemiological factors that appear to be related to the pandemic of AD. In addition to replacing simple with complex carbohydrates and avoiding saturated fat, two nutritional components, vitamin D (acting through the endogenous hormonal form 1α,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, 1,25D) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (acting through the docosanoid lipidic modulators resolvins and neuroprotectins) have high potential for prevention of Alzheimer disease. 1,25D is a neuroprotective, it acts both directly and indirectly in neurons by improving the clearance of amyloid-beta by macrophages/microglia. Resolvins and neuroprotectins inhibit amyloidogenic processing of amyloid-precursor protein, inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis. It is likely that the increased consumption of vitamin D and fish oil could prevent neurodegeneration in some subjects by maintaining adequate endocrine, paracrine, and/or autocrine production of 1,25D and the DHA-derived lipidic modulators. Before firm recommendations of the dosage can be proposed, however, the in vivo effects of vitamin D3 and DHA supplementation should be investigated by prospective studies. Key words : Alzheimer disease, vitamin D3, DHA, fish oil
Piezoelectric microgenerator - current status, challenges, and applications

Piezoelectric energy harvesters are projected to be suitable energy sources for sensors and associated electronics used in industrial health monitoring, and aircraft structural health monitoring. This manuscript outlines the progress in developing the energy harvesting prototypes. It compares the progress made in the realization of piezoelectric microgenerators with that of electromagnetic and electrostatic generators and identifies the parameters that need to be reported in subsequent publications for rationale comparison.
Periodic availability: factors affecting alcohol selection in rats.

Abstract The joint influence of alcohol availability conditions and alcohol concentration on the acquisition and maintenance of alcohol selection was examined in non-alcohol preferring Sprague-Dawley rats. Relative alcohol selection increased gradually in rats given periodic access to 10% alcohol but was immediately apparent in rats given periodic access to 5% alcohol. Rats given continuous access to alcohol (either forced or choice) did not show similar increases in alcohol selection until switched to the periodic schedule. The increases were not sustained in any group when alcohol became continuously available. Comparable increases in alcohol selection were evident in rats given periodic access to alcohol on various fixed schedules or on a random schedule. Several factors appear to influence the degree of alcohol selection under conditions of periodic availability: (a) alcohol concentration, (b) nature of prior experience with alcohol, (c) the frequency of access to alcohol, (d) the regularity of the periodic access to alcohol, and (e) differences in individual responsivity to the schedule variable.
Veno-occlusive disease of the liver after high-dose mitomycin C therapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation.

Twenty-nine patients with refractory malignancies underwent intensive therapy with mitomycin C (60, 75, or 90 mg/m2 IV) and autologous bone marrow transplantation. Six patients developed the clinical syndrome of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) characterized by progressive abnormalities in liver function, abdominal pain, and ascites 15–70 days after mitomycin C therapy. Postmortem material was available in 16 patients, including four patients who had the clinical syndrome. VOD of the central and sublobular hepatic veins was noted in these four patients. VOD was discovered incidentally at autopsy in one of 12 patients without antemortem clinical evidence of disease. Two patients with abnormalities of liver function but without ascites or right upper quadrant pain had no evidence of VOD at autospy. Although not statistically significant, there was a greater incidence of VOD with increasing doses of mitomycin C. When bone marrow toxicity of mitomycin C was overcome by autologous bone marrow transplantation, the development of VOD appeared to be the limiting factor in dose escalation.
Effect of dimenhydrinate on autonomic activity in humans

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of dimenhydrinate on resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), the vestibulosympathetic reflex, and the baroreflexes. Sixteen subjects participated in two double-blinded studies that measured mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and MSNA responses before and after oral administration of dimenhydrinate (100 mg) or a placebo. In study one, 3 min of head-down rotation (HDR) was performed to engage the otolith organs. Dimenhydrinate (n = 10) did not alter resting MSNA, MAP, or HR. HDR increased MSNA before (Delta5 +/- 1 bursts/min; P < 0.01) and after (Delta4 +/- 1 bursts/min; P < 0.01) drug administration, but these responses were not different from the placebo (n = 6). In study two, 4 min of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) at -30 mmHg was performed. During the third min of LBNP, HDR was performed. MSNA increased during the first 2 min of LBNP before (Delta13 +/- 2 bursts/min; P < 0.01) and after (Delta14 +/- 2 bursts/min; P < 0.01) dimenhydrinate. HDR combined with LBNP increased MSNA further during the third min of LBNP (Delta18 +/- 2 bursts/min before and Delta17 +/- 2 bursts/min after dimenhydrinate; P < 0.01). These responses were not significantly different from the placebo. In contrast, HR responses to LBNP during the dimenhydrinate trial were increased when compared to all other trials (Delta5 +/- 1 beats/min; P < 0.01). These results indicate that dimenhydrinate augments heart rate responses to baroreceptor unloading, but does not alter resting MSNA, the sympathetic baroreflexes, or the vestibulosympathetic reflex.
ESI FT-ICR mass spectral analysis of coal liquefaction products

Abstract We have applied electrospray ionization (ESI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) to analyze the pyridine soluble fraction of a distillation resid and a further processed liquid product in a coal liquefaction process. The inherent high resolving power ( m /Δ m 50% >300,000, in which Δ m 50% is full mass spectral peak width at half-maximum peak height) and mass accuracy (
Activation of acetaminophen oxidation in rat liver microsomes by caffeine

Abstract Addition of caffeine in vitro stimulated the oxidative metabolism of acetaminophen by rat liver microsomes, resulting in (a) increased formation of acetaminophen-glutathione (GSH) conjugates and (b) increased covalent binding of acetaminophen to microsomal protein. This metabolic enhancement by caffeine was most prominent using liver microsomes from phenobarbital (PB)-treated rats. Liver microsomes obtained from rats treated with ethanol-oxidized acetaminophen at much faster rates than microsomes from control, PB-treated or 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC)-treated animals. The stimulatory effect of caffeine was, however, minimal in liver microsomes obtained from ethanol-treated rats.
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone accelerates fetal mouse lung ultrastructural maturation via stimulation of extra thyroidal pathway.

Maternal administration of TSH-releasing hormone (TRH) in the euthyroid mouse accelerates fetal lung ultrastructural maturation. However, the mechanism(s) of TRH in fetal lung development remains unclear; it could be due to its neuroendocrine and/or neurotransmitter effects. Although the neuroendocrine effect of TRH is mediated via stimulation of the fetal pituitarythyroid axis, the neurotransmitter effect is mediated via stimulation of fetal autonomic nervous system activity. In the hyt/hyt mouse there is a point mutation in the β subunit of the TSH receptor in the thyroid gland of the Balb-c mouse. In these mice TSH does not bind to its receptors, leading ultimately to the development of primary hypothyroidism, which is transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. A maturational delay in the lung ultrastructure of the hyt/hyt mouse fetus has been observed. This investigation was undertaken to study the effect of maternal TRH treatment on lung ultrastructural maturation in the hyt/hyt mouse fetus. If the effect of TRH is mediated via stimulation of fetal pituitary-thyroid axis, TRH treatment should not enhance lung maturity in the hyt/hyt fetus and vice versa. Adult hyt/hyt mice made euthyroid by triiodothyronine supplementation were mated to carry hyt/hyt pups. Saline or TRH (0.4 or 0.6 mg/kg/dose) was administered to the mother (i.p.) on d 16 and 17 (b.i.d.) and on d 18 pregnancy 1 h before killing (term, ≈20 d). The fetal lung electron micrographs were subjected to ultrastructural morphometric analysis of the number of lamellar bodies and glycogen/nuclear ratio in type II cells, and the alveolar/parenchymal ratio by Chalkley point counting with an interactive computerized image analyzer (Optimas, Bioscan). Fetal lungs exposed to the lower dose of TRH (n = 7) showed no significant difference in their ultrastructural maturation when compared with saline-treated controls (n = 5). However, fetal lungs exposed to a higher dose of TRH (n = 6) showed increased numbers of lamellar bodies per type II cell, an increase in the alveolar/parenchymal ratio, larger air spaces, thinner alveolar septa, presence of tubular myelin, and increased numbers of air-blood barriers. We conclude that the effect of TRH in accelerating fetal mouse lung maturation is at least in part mediated via stimulation of extra thyroidal pathways.
Increased sensitivity to alprazolam in females with a paternal history of alcoholism.

Rationale: Few studies have directly examined the effects of benzodiazepines in individuals with a family history of alcoholism, particularly women, to determine whether they are differentially sensitive to their effects. Objectives: To determine whether females with a confirmed paternal history of alcoholism (FHP; n=14) were differentially sensitive to the mood and performance effects of alprazolam and buspirone compared with females without a first-degree family history of alcoholism (FHN; n=14). Methods: The acute effects of placebo, alprazolam (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 mg), and buspirone (5, 10, 15 mg) were evaluated using a double-blind, placebo-controlled outpatient design. Drug effects were assessed using performance tasks, observer ratings of drug effect, and subjective ratings of mood, drug strength, and drug liking. Results: Alprazolam impaired performance in a dose-related manner on all performance tasks for both groups of females, whereas buspirone had minimal effects on performance. The highest dose of alprazolam impaired the response to the digit symbol substitution test (DSST), digit recall, and word memory more in FHP females than in FHN females. Further, performance on the DSST and immediate word recall was able to accurately predict family history status. Correspondingly, FHP women reported greater increases in "difficulty concentrating" and "unmotivated" and greater decreases in items such as positive mood following alprazolam than FHN women. In contrast, alprazolam produced similar dose-related increases in subject-rated and observer-rated drug strength ratings in both groups of females. Lastly, there was no evidence of an increase in ratings of drug liking in either group following alprazolam. Conclusions: In contrast to many previous findings with FHP males, these results suggest that FHP females may be more sensitive to the performance-impairing effects and negative subjective effects of alprazolam.
Two-photon production processes at high energy. III

We discuss the production of pairs of heavy leptons and pairs of heavy spinless mesons in ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ colliding beams. The two-photon production cross section of these particles is large in the energy region covered by the new machines at DESY and SLAC, and competes favorably with the one-photon production cross section. Leptonic decays of the new particles are incorporated in the analysis. We present both total cross sections and distributions in several important variables. Backgrounds from the regular two photon reaction ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ are also discussed.
Neologistic jargon aphasia: a case report.

Abstract This study examined aspects of speech produced by an aphasic subject with neologistic jargon. Grammatical category, syllabic structure, and phonemic characteristics of neologisms, paraphasias, and correct productions were analyzed and compared. Results tended to confirm an anomic component in this type of aphasia and to support a role for the postactivation of phonemic units from prior utterances in the phonemic composition of some neologistic productions. In opposition to prior claims, however, the results also showed a striking similarity between neologisms and paraphasias, suggesting that similar mechanisms may be involved in both types of aphasic error.
A Quantitative Study of the Similarity Factor in Retroactive Inhibition

Resume Les etudes anterieures de l'inhibition retroactive ont montre que des activites interpolees entre l'apprentissage et le rappel empěchent ce rappel. Le degre de cet empěchement varie avec nombre de facteurs, parmi lesquels le degre de similarite entre la premiere matiere a apprendre et la matiere interpolee semble important. Cette etude a considere le facteur similarite quantitativement par la methode de duree de memoire comma employee par Robinson dans son etude recente de ce facteur (Amer. J. Psychol., 1927, 39, 297–312). On a employe deux sortes de matieres (consonnes et chiffres) et 5 degres de similarite. On a presente visuellement une liste de 8 membres. Les quatre premiers membres ont ete toujours consonnes et ont correspondu a la premiere matiere a apprendre. Les quatre seconds membres ont ete consideres comme matiere interpolee et ont ete composes de groupes de consonnes et de chiffres variant de “0- a 4-encommun” avec la premiere matiere, c'est-a-dire, de 0 a 4 consonnes. Il a fallu six li...
Pleistocene sediments beneath the Ross Ice Shelf

We report here the results of new micropalaeontological studies of sediments collected from beneath the Ross Ice Shelf at RISP site J9 (82°22′S, 168°38′W). RISP sediments hold the key to understanding the history of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, dynamics of marine-based ice sheets, sedimentation processes that operate beneath ice shelves and perhaps the early glacial history of Antarctica. RISP sediments were formerly assigned an age of late middle Miocene on the basis of their diatom flora. Our diatom analyses do not support this age assignment: diatoms in RISP cores are of mixed ages ranging from Miocene to late Quaternary, thus indicating that the sediments record a history of reworking, the most recent of which could have occurred no earlier than late Pleistocene. These results support our previous work with Ross Sea sediments but throw considerable doubt on a recent hypothesis concerning Miocene palaeogeographical evolution of the Ross Sea region.