cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ACTION OF BONE HÆMODYNAMICS ON LACUNÆ-WALL CALCIFICATION

Abstract Increase in the venous pressure of a limb produced by venous ligation or by the creation of an arteriovenous fistula accelerates fracture consolidation and bone growth. In contrast, factors which should reduce the bony intramedullary venous pressure, such as paralysis, bed rest, or exposure to zero gravity, tend to decalcify bone or retard its growth. It is suggested that changes in a limb venous pressure produce alterations in bone calcium deposition. An increase in venous pressure should increase capillary filtration. This would cause œdema in most organs. Bone, because of its rigid structure, cannot swell; therefore, excess interstitial fluid production in this organ should produce an increase in interstitial-space pressure. Changes in the pressure of a crystallising solution would alter the rate of crystal formation and dissolution. Therefore, increases in the bony interstitial-space pressure should increase the crystallisation-rate at the lacunae wall, and lowering the lacunae pressure by a reduction in limb venous pressure should induce crystal dissolution. This hypothesis will only be valid if all other factors involved in bone metabolism (i.e., hormonal, ionic, &c.) are present and functioning normally.
Sexual Dimorphism in the Expression of Mitochondria-Related Genes in Rat Heart at Different Ages

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Moreover, sex and age are considered major risk factors in the development of CVDs. Mitochondria are vital for normal cardiac function, and regulation of mitochondrial structure and function may impact susceptibility to CVD. To identify potential role of mitochondria in sex-related differences in susceptibility to CVD, we analyzed the basal expression levels of mitochondria-related genes in the hearts of male and female rats. Whole genome expression profiling was performed in the hearts of young (8-week), adult (21-week), and old (78-week) male and female Fischer 344 rats and the expression of 670 unique genes related to various mitochondrial functions was analyzed. A significant (p<0.05) sexual dimorphism in expression levels of 46, 114, and 41 genes was observed in young, adult and old rats, respectively. Gene Ontology analysis revealed the influence of sex on various biological pathways related to cardiac energy metabolism at different ages. The expression of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism was significantly different between the sexes in young and adult rat hearts. Adult male rats also showed higher expression of genes associated with the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex compared to females. In young and adult hearts, sexual dimorphism was not noted in genes encoding oxidative phosphorylation. In old rats, however, a majority of genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation had higher expression in females compared to males. Such basal differences between the sexes in cardiac expression of genes associated with energy metabolism may indicate a likely involvement of mitochondria in susceptibility to CVDs. In addition, female rats showed lower expression levels of apoptotic genes in hearts compared to males at all ages, which may have implications for better preservation of cardiac mass in females than in males.
Serum histaminase and calcitonin levels in medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.

Abstract A comparison was made of serumhistaminase activity and calcitonin levels in forty-two patients with localised and metastatic medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Thirty-three patients were members of families in which the disease was inherited. Half of the patients were found to have abnormally high serum-histaminase activity when compared with sixty-two controls. Twenty-six family members who did not have the disease had serum-histaminase activities within the normal range. Of the patients with metastatic tumour, 70% had high enzyme activity, with the highest activity in patients with pulmonary metastases. Serum-histaminase activity fell after removal of neck tumour in fourteen out of twenty patients, but did not fall to normal levels in six patients, four of whom had evidence of metastatic tumour. Basal serum-calcitonin levels were measured in thirty-one patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma and were above normal in twenty-nine. Calcitonin fell to low or undetectable levels in all but three of the patients who had neck tumour removed. These results suggest that measurements of serum-histaminase activity may be useful in the search for metastases and the detection of residual tumour after surgery. However, measurement of basal serum-calcitonin levels seems to be a more reliable test for early detection of localised medullary thyroid tumour.
Correlations between diffuse and global insolation for the Pacific Northwest

Abstract Correlations between diffuse and global insolation averaged over 1, 5, 10, 15, and 30 days are presented for six locations in Oregon and Idaho. Data collected over a 2-to 4-yr period was used to obtain the correlations. The statistical accuracy of the correlations for data averaged over 10, 15, and 30 days was improved through the use of moving averages. Linear regression fist appear adequate for all but the daily data. The correlations obtained do not appear to be influence by climatic conditions or altitude. However, a repeating semi-annual pattern is present.
Automatic attitudes and alcohol: Does implicit liking predict drinking?

Addictive behaviour has qualities that make it ideal for study using implicit techniques. Addictive behaviours are mediated in part by automatic responses to drug cues, and there is sometimes social pressure to distort self-reports. However, relationships between implicit attitudes and addictive behaviours have been inconsistent. Using a new implicit measure, the affect misattribution procedure (AMP), we found consistent evidence that drinking-related behaviours are systematically related to implicit attitudes. The procedure predicted a behavioural choice to drink beer and self-reported typical drinking tendencies, including hazardous drinking and alcohol-related problems. The AMP showed larger relationships with drinking behaviour than other implicit measures, and explained unique variance in drinking beyond those measures and beyond explicit measures. Though self-presentation distorted self-reports, it did not affect AMP scores. These studies highlight the importance of automatic affective responses in ...
Silent Inward Rectifier K+ Channels in Hypercholesterolemia

See related article, pages 1064–1071 Hypercholesterolemia is an independent risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease1 and has been demonstrated to impair endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilatation.2 However, the mechanisms responsible for changes in vascular reactivity and impaired blood flow regulation induced by hypercholesterolemia remain unclear. Previous studies in cultured endothelial cells have shown that cholesterol impairs whole-cell KIR currents.3 Levitan and colleagues4 in this issue of Circulation Research extend these findings to show that exposure of endothelial cells to pathophysiologically relevant concentrations of acetylated low density lipoprotein (LDL) or very low density lipoprotein (vLDL) leads to membrane cholesterol enrichment, and also inhibits endothelial KIR channel currents and shear stress–induced activation of these channels. More importantly, the authors show, for the first time, that in freshly isolated endothelial cells from hypercholesterolemic pigs, KIR channel currents are impaired, and that this inhibition can be reversed by methyl-β-cyclodextrin. Thus, hypercholesterolemia can be added to the list of pathophysiological states that appear to inhibit the function of vascular KIR channels, including hypertension and diabetes.5 What remains unclear is the mechanism by which elevated membrane cholesterol silences endothelial KIR channels, the generality of these findings to KIR channels expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells, and the significance of cholesterol modulation of endothelial or smooth muscle KIR channels in resistance arteries and arterioles, vessels that participate in the regulation of blood pressure and blood flow. A number of ion channels, in addition to KIR channels,6 appear to associate with cholesterol-rich lipid rafts, and changes in membrane cholesterol content have been shown to modulate the function of several ion channels.7,8 However, the mechanisms responsible for targeting channels to lipid rafts and how cholesterol modulates channel function have not been …
Microseizures and the spatiotemporal scales of human partial epilepsy

Focal seizures appear to start abruptly and unpredictably when recorded from volumes of brain probed by clinical intracranial electroencephalograms. To investigate the spatiotemporal scale of focal epilepsy, wide-bandwidth electrophysiological recordings were obtained using clinical macro- and research microelectrodes in patients with epilepsy and control subjects with intractable facial pain. Seizure-like events not detectable on clinical macroelectrodes were observed on isolated microelectrodes. These ‘microseizures’ were sparsely distributed, more frequent in brain regions that generated seizures, and sporadically evolved into large-scale clinical seizures. Rare microseizures observed in control patients suggest that this phenomenon is ubiquitous, but their density distinguishes normal from epileptic brain. Epileptogenesis may involve the creation of these topographically fractured microdomains and ictogenesis (seizure generation), the dynamics of their interaction and spread.
Carbonic anhydrase in congenital heart disease.

SummaryIn an attempt to determine the possible adaptive mechanism in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease, the carbonic anhydrase level of the blood was determined in 18 patients of different ages with proved congenital heart disease of the cyanotic type. The values found were compared with those obtained on six patients with congenital heart disease of the acyanotic type, 13 normal newborn infants and 27 patients with no cardiac disease who varied in age from one week to 20 years.It was found that the carbonic anhydrase as determined routinely was elevated in all of the patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease as compared with that of patients with acyanotic congenital heart disease or with no heart disease. When corrected for the increased hematocrit, the blood carbonic anhydrase of the cyanotic patients did not differ significantly from that of the acyanotic subjects of similar ages.The findings by Stevenson of excessively low values for carbonic anhydrase in the blood cells of normal...
Expression of the Nicotiana protein kinase (NPK1) enhanced drought tolerance in transgenic maize

Drought is one of the most important abiotic stresses affecting the productivity of maize. Previous studies have shown that expression of a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) gene activated an oxidative signal cascade and led to the tolerance of freezing, heat, and salinity stress in transgenic tobacco. To analyse the role of activation of oxidative stress signalling in improving drought tolerance in major crops, a tobacco MAPKKK (NPK1) was expressed constitutively in maize. Results show that NPK1 expression enhanced drought tolerance in transgenic maize. Under drought conditions, transgenic maize plants maintained significantly higher photosynthesis rates than did the non-transgenic control, suggesting that NPK1 induced a mechanism that protected photosynthesis machinery from dehydration damage. In addition, drought-stressed transgenic plants produced kernels with weights similar to those under well-watered conditions, while kernel weights of drought-stressed non-transgenic control plants were significantly reduced when compared with their non-stressed counterparts.
Data reuse and sensemaking among novice social scientists

We know little about the data reuse practices of novice data users. Yet large scale data reuse over the long term depends in part on uptake from early career researchers. This paper examines 22 novice social science researchers and how they make sense of social science data. Novices are particularly interested in understanding how data: 1) are transformed from qualitative to quantitative data, 2) capture concepts not well-established in the literature, and 3) can be matched and merged across multiple datasets. We discuss how novice data users make sense of data in these three circumstances. We find that novices seek to understand the data producer's rationale for methodological procedures and measurement choices, which is broadly similar to researchers in other scientific communities. However we also find that they not only reflect on whether they can trust the data producers' decisions, but also seek guidance from members of their disciplinary community. Specifically, novice social science researchers are heavily influenced by more experienced social science researchers when it comes to discovering, evaluating, and justifying their reuse of other's data.
Research Productivity in Social Psychology

Research productivity in social psychology was reviewed for the JO-year period 1978-1987. The study assessed the adequacy of basing productivity ratings on a single criterion by examining research productivity across three journals in social psychology. Composite productivity scores were compared with a single index based on publications in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology for the years 1978-1987. To assess changes in productivity over time, comparisons were made between productivity rankings based on publication in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology for the years 1970-1975, 1976-1985, and 1978-1987. Author descriptions from Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin were also used to examine graduate student productivity in this journal. The results revealed a relatively strong relationship between the single-criterion rankings based on the APA journal and the standardized composite productivity rankings. The relative utility of such information for selection of graduate pro...
Multiuser detection of synchronous code-division multiple-access signals by perfect sampling

Code-division multiple-access (CDMA) is a multiplexing technique that shows significant advantages over analog and conventional time-division multiple access (TDMA) systems. This technology has become a driving force behind the rapidly advancing communications industry. In order to recover the transmitted signal at the receiver in a CDMA system, demodulating techniques are engaged, where a prominent role is played by the multiuser detector. We introduce a class of novel Bayesian multiuser detectors that are constructed by employing perfect sampling algorithms: the sandwiched CFTP and the Gibbs coupler. We show that the detector based on the sandwiched CFTP can be applied to systems with negative cross-correlations, whereas the Gibbs coupler detector can be used without restrictions. A salient feature of the proposed detectors is the use of exact (perfect) samples from posterior distributions. This feature provides them with several advantages over detectors based on the Gibbs sampler. Simulation results on systems with and without near-far resistance demonstrate improved performance of the proposed detectors over some other popular detectors. We also discuss some important computational issues of the proposed detectors.
Dissecting impulsivity and its relationships to drug addictions

Addictions are often characterized as forms of impulsive behavior. That said, it is often noted that impulsivity is a multidimensional construct, spanning several psychological domains. This review describes the relationship between varieties of impulsivity and addiction-related behaviors, the nature of the causal relationship between the two, and the underlying neurobiological mechanisms that promote impulsive behaviors. We conclude that the available data strongly support the notion that impulsivity is both a risk factor for, and a consequence of, drug and alcohol consumption. While the evidence indicating that subtypes of impulsive behavior are uniquely informative--either biologically or with respect to their relationships to addictions--is convincing, multiple lines of study link distinct subtypes of impulsivity to low dopamine D2 receptor function and perturbed serotonergic transmission, revealing shared mechanisms between the subtypes. Therefore, a common biological framework involving monoaminergic transmitters in key frontostriatal circuits may link multiple forms of impulsivity to drug self-administration and addiction-related behaviors. Further dissection of these relationships is needed before the next phase of genetic and genomic discovery will be able to reveal the biological sources of the vulnerability for addiction indexed by impulsivity.
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor complex.

The heterorneric unliga nded aryl hydrocarbon receptor complex (AHRC) con­ ta ins the aryl hydrocarbon receptor monomer (AHR). Binding of polycyclic or ha loge nated aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH and HAH) ligand causes release of AHR, which then associates with the AHR nuclear translocator protein (ARNT) to generate the heterodimeric "transformed" AHRC, AHR and ARNT belong to a novel subclass of basic helix-loop-helix -containing transcription factors. The transformed AHRC binds xenobiotic responsive elements in re­ sponsive genes and turns on their transcr iption, Certain of these genes encode enzymes involved in the metabol ic activation of PAHs to mutagenic deriva­ tives. HAHs are not genotoxic: Their pathogen icity depends on the AHRC but not on their metab olism. Current rese arch includes investigations dir ected towards delineating the pathways of HAH pathogenesis, ascer taining whether AHR can mediate signal transduction independently of DNA binding, under­ standing the mechanism of transcriptional activation, and investigating the potential roles of AHR and ARNT in development.
Unusual spectral behavior of charge-density waves with imperfect nesting in a quasi-one-dimensional metal

Low-temperature electronic properties of the charge-density-wave system NbSe3 are reported from angle-resolved photoemission at 15 K. The effect of two instabilities q(1) and q(2) on the k-resolved spectral function is observed for the first time. With a pseudogap background, the gap spectra exhibit maxima at Delta*(1) approximately 110 meV and Delta*(2) approximately 45 meV. Imperfectly nested sections of the Fermi surface lack a Fermi-Dirac edge, and show the signature of a dispersion that is modified by self-energy effects. The energy scale is of the order of the effective gap 2 Delta*(2). The effect disappears above T2, suggesting a correlation with the charge-density-wave state.
Distributing Layered Content using Network Coding

Motivated by the application of streaming multimedia to heterogeneous clients, in this paper we examine the problem of distributing layered content in a network. The source content is represented by multiple description layers that provide incremental refinement; a layer is useful only when all previous layers have been received. For such layered content, a distribution method based on linear network coding is presented. This method represents a simplification of the "pollution treatment" approach proposed for the general multi-session network coding problem. In this method, each link is partitioned into a number of pipes. The first pipe is used for transmitting packets that are functions of the base layer only; the second pipe is used for transmitting packets that are functions of the base layer and the first refinement layer, and so on. The capacities of the pipes are treated as optimization variables. We present a sufficient condition (in the form of flow conditions) that characterizes whether a certain traffic demand can be fulfilled in a network.
Long-timescale simulation methods

The outstanding challenges in computer simulations of biological macromolecules are related to their complexity. Part of the complexity of biological systems concerns their physical size. Enumerating atoms ranging from a few in small signal molecules to the millions of particles in biological complexes is an obvious example of biological hierarchy. Another aspect is the extremely broad range of timescales of life science processes (many orders of magnitude); this adds another dimension of complexity. This extended range of timescales may even be observed for a single biomolecular process. Consider, for example, the R to T transition in hemoglobin. The complete conformational change occurs in tens of microseconds. However, the system has more than one timescale. Considerable activity occurs on a range of timescales before the final event (heme relaxation, picoseconds; tertiary relaxation, nanoseconds; ligand escape from the protein matrix and rebinding, hundreds of nanoseconds and so on). Whereas the basic time-step of atomically detailed simulations is about a femtosecond, it is not difficult to find molecular processes in biology that span more than ten orders of magnitude of relevant times, making the straightforward simulation of these events very difficult. Several techniques have been developed in recent years to address these problems.
3D MRI studies of neuroanatomic changes in unipolar major depression: the role of stress and medical comorbidity

Increasing evidence has accumulated for structural brain changes associated with unipolar recurrent major depression. Studies of neuroanatomic structure in early-onset recurrent depression have only recently found evidence for depression-associated structural change. Studies using high-resolution three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are now available to examine smaller brain structures with precision. Brain changes associated with early-onset major depression have been reported in the hippocampus, amygdala, caudate nucleus, putamen, and frontal cortex, structures that are extensively interconnected. They comprise a neuroanatomic circuit that has been termed the limbic-cortical-striatal-pallidal-thalamic tract. Of these structures, volume loss in the hippocampus is the only consistently observed change to persist past the resolution of the depression. Possible mechanisms for tissue loss include neuronal loss through exposure to repeated episodes of hypercortisolemia; glial cell loss, resulting in increased vulnerability to glutamate neurotoxicity; stress-induced reduction in neurotrophic factors; and stress-induced reduction in neurogenesis. Many depressed patients, particularly those with late-onset depression, have comorbid physical illnesses producing a high rate of hyperintensities in deep white matter and subcortical gray matter and brain damage to key structures involved in the modulation of emotion. Combining MRI studies with functional studies has the potential to localize abnormalities in blood flow, metabolism, and neurotransmitter receptors and provide a better integrated model of depression.
Regional anesthesia for management of acute pain in the intensive care unit

Pain is a major problem for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. Despite numerous improvements it is estimated that as many as 70% of the patients experience moderate-to-severe postoperative pain during their stay in the ICU. Effective pain management means not only decreasing pain intensity, but also reducing the opioids' side effects. Minimizing nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, and sedation may indeed facilitate patient recovery and it is likely to shorten the ICU and hospital stay. Adequate postoperative and post-trauma pain management is also crucial for the achievement of effective rehabilitation. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that effective acute pain management may be helpful in reducing the development of chronic pain. When used appropriately, and in combination with other treatment modalities, regional analgesia techniques (neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks) have the potential to reduce or eliminate the physiological stress response to surgery and trauma, decreasing the possibility of surgical complications and improving the outcomes. Also they may reduce the total amount of opioid analgesics necessary to achieve adequate pain control and the development of potentially dangerous side effects.
Transport Measurements of Individual Bi Nanowires

Transport properties are reported for Bi nanowires, prepared by the filling of an alumina template with molten Bi. The temperature dependence of the resistance is presented for such arrays of Bi nanowires with diameters in the 40 to 200nm range. The data are understood qualitatively on the basis of a model for a quantum-confined system. Finally, a 4-point measurement is performed on an individual Bi nanowire prepared by using an electron beam lithography technique. Techniques for handling the practical issues of non-ohmic contacts and wire burn-out are given. The physical significance of the final results of the measurements are discussed in light of various scattering mechanisms in the nanowire.
Where are we on the "fend off the alligators - drain the swamp" continuum?

Summary form only given, as follows. Over the past ten years, we have seen many useful developments in software specification tools, languages, processes, and practices as well as the creation of a number of excellent requirements management tools. Numerous books and articles have been produced on requirements elicitation and development. We have leamed to explicitly specify complex synchronous and asynchronous processes using Petri nets, state diagrams, and structured decision tables. We are exploring the use of fuzzy logic and imprecise probabilities to improve our management of uncertainty in the design process. But, WAIT JUST A MINUTE! Where is the industry with respect to all of this? In spite of this dramatic progress, are there remaining holes and/or opportunities in our practice of Requirements Engineering? We find the industry to be all over the map as the answer to the former and an emphatic YES as an answer to the latter. We take a friendly look at the industry in terms of 1) requirements practices already in place - from none to some to plenty, 2) what the industry means by "requirements," and 3) what companies say to their stockholders and customers versus what their end products reflect. We will suggest a few simple ideas for enhancing the value of requirements over the full life cycle of the product. We will propose a more moderate strategy for realizing, in a practical way, greater opportunity through requirements engineering. We feel that, with modest but consistent effort, we can experience relatively large benefits. We suggest charming the alligators.
Creep resistance of wood‐filled polystyrene/high‐density polyethylene blends

Creep, the deformation over time of a material under stress, is one characteristic of wood-filled polymer composites that has resulted in poor performance in certain applications. This project was undertaken to investigate the advantages of blending a plastic of lower-creep polystyrene (PS) with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) at ratios of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100. These various PS-HDPE blends were then melt blended with a short fiber-length wood flour (WF). Extruded bars of each blend were examined to measure modulus of elasticity and ultimate stress. Increasing the ratio of WF increased modulus of elasticity in all composites, except between 30 and 40% WF, whereas the effect of WF on ultimate stress was variable, depending on the composite. Scanning electron microscopic images and thermal analysis indicated that the wood particles interacted with the PS phase, although the interactions were weak. Finally, creep speed was calculated by using a three-point bending geometry with a load of 50% of the ultimate stress. Creep decreased only slightly with increasing WF content but more significantly with increasing PS content, except at pure PS. The WF/75PS-25HDPE blend showed the least creep.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF AGKISTRODON PISCIVORUS LACEPEDE (SQUAMATA, SERPENTES, VIPERIDAE, CROTALINAE)

Aspects of the reproductive biology of male and female Agkistrodon piscivorus are described using histological techniques, reviewed, and compared with historical data on A. piscivorus. These include anatomical description at the macro and microscopic levels, and correlation of the male and female urogenital cycles to the reproductive life history of A. piscivorus. New anatomical descriptions and discussion of the efferent ducts, including the ductuli efferentes, proximal and distal ductuli epididymides, ductus deferens, and ampulla ductus deferens, are also presented here at the light and electron microscopy levels. Morphology of all distinct regions of the male and female urogenital systems are discussed and compared with historical investigations on other squamates. In comparison to other snakes, A. piscivorus possesses some unique reproductive characters, whereas others are more conserved. In terms of the reproductive cycle, the ability of males and females to store sperm allows the dissociation of reproductive event timing between the sexes. Thus, the only event that must be coordinated between the sexes is copulation, which is proposed to occur in the fall and the spring in A. piscivorus. In females, the atrophy and activity of the reproductive organs (e.g., secretory activity) varies concurrently with vitellogenesis and the mating seasons. In males, spermatogenesis peaks in the summer, independent of the mating season, except in Louisiana where a spring and fall peak of spermatogenesis occur, and where the spring and fall mating seasons overlap. Renal sexual segment hypertrophy in males peaks in the fall and spring in more southern populations (Alabama and Louisiana) concurrent with fall and spring mating seasons. In Georgia, only a fall peak is observed. Secretory activity of the male excurrent ducts also peaks during times of mating activity in one population studied (Louisiana).
Improved Animal Model for Vibration Injury Study

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome is a debilitating condition that affects millions of power-tool users in theÂ U.S. Research into its etiology has been hampered by deficiencies in animal models used for vibration studies.Â Our objective was to design an animal vibration injury model that: 1) vibrates only the studied limb, notÂ the body; and 2) avoids anaesthesia, thus allowing purer focus on physiological effects of vibration whileÂ reducing pain and distress for the animals, thereby enhancing their well-being. We compared advantagesÂ and disadvantages of several models, studying body temperature, body weight, tissue perfusion, vascularÂ pathohistology, and general animal condition. Our model uses an apparatus that limits vibration to oneÂ body part and a specially designed cage that minimizes animal stress and suffering, eliminating the need forÂ anaesthesia. It is ideal for the study of vibration injury, providing tissue damaged purely by vibration thatÂ can be used for pathohistology and biochemical study.Â
Enhancement of Animal Well-being Through Commodity Quality Assurance Programs1

Animal Welfare – Food Safety – Consumer Confidence – these terms represent important concerns in animal agriculture and will be determinants of continued or increased use of animal products in the future. Essentially all animal commodity organizations have implemented quality assurance education programs (QAEPs) designed to maintain or increase food safety, wholesomeness, and quality. QAEPs are generally based on total quality management (TQM) or hazard analysis and critical control points concepts (HACCP). The programs are producer driven and funded; they are designed to reinforce the attitude whereby animal producers accept responsibility as food producers. But QAEPs also enhance animal well-being by necessitating an even greater direct consideration of the animal. Essentially each step in QAEPs, although primarily oriented toward increasing food safety and carcass quality, also positively influences some aspect of animal well-being. The interdisciplinary approach in the formulation and conduct of QAEPs is essential: it involves engineers, nutritionists, animal handling and care specialists, meat scientists, management specialists, and veterinarians. All of the programs are based on increasing the use and effectiveness of the veterinarian/client/patient relationship. Regardless of the depth and breadth of these programs, success will be measured by increased safety, wholesomeness, and quality of the products. There are definite indications in the beef, veal, and swine industries that the programs are being used effectively.
Okadaic acid, insulin, and denervation effects on glucose and amino acid transport and glycogen synthesis in muscle

Effects of okadaic acid (OKA) and calyculin A, cell-permeating specific inhibitors of phosphoprotein phosphatases-1 and -2A, were studied in isolated rat hemidiaphragms. OKA stimulated glucose transport (half-maximum = approximately 0.1 microM; maximum = approximately 1 microM) but was less effective than 6 nM insulin. Insulin and OKA effects were not additive. OKA diminished or abolished glucose transport-stimulation by insulin. System A amino acid transport was also stimulated by OKA, insulin was more effective, and preexposure to OKA inhibited insulin stimulation. Calyculin A affected both transport systems similarly to OKA. OKA did not affect basal glycogen synthesis but abolished its stimulation by insulin. Denervated muscles develop post-receptor insulin resistance. Glucose transport and glycogen synthesis were essentially unresponsive to insulin 3 days postdenervation; however, glucose transport was stimulated by OKA similarly to controls. OKA did not affect glycogen synthesis in denervated muscle except for abolishing a small insulin effect. The data suggest similar acute regulation of glucose and system A amino acid transport in muscle. Enhanced Ser/Thr phosphorylation of unidentified protein(s) stimulates both processes but inhibits their full stimulation by insulin. Postdenervation insulin resistance likely reflects impaired signal transduction.
Abstract Rule Learning: The Differential Effects of Lesions in Frontal Cortex (PD7.007)

Objective: To evaluate whether lesions in progressively more anterior portions of lateral frontal cortex selectively impair the acquisition of progressively more abstract action rules. Background Simple 1st-order stimulus-response rules (e.g. a mapping between a color and a button press) are less abstract than 2nd-order rules (e.g. a mapping between a color and a button press that varies with context). Dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) and pre-premotor cortex (prePMd) have been implicated in the execution of 1st and 2nd-order rules, respectively. We predicted that subjects with lesions of the prePMd would demonstrate impaired learning of 2nd-order but not 1st-order rules. Design/Methods: In this behavioral and functional MRI study, 18 subjects with a history of brain injury (14 with a history of stroke, 3 with traumatic brain injury, and 1 status post tumor resection) were tested in a learning paradigm with two conditions: one in which only simple 1st-order stimulus-response relationships could be learned, and one in which 2nd-order relationships were also available. The primary behavioral outcome measure was accuracy at the end of learning. Secondary measures included changes in connectivity between lateral prefrontal cortical regions as measured by functional MRI. Planned statistical analyses included paired T-tests for accuracy between 1st and 2nd-order rule conditions, and standardized multivariate statistical analysis of fMRI data. Results: Subjects with prePMd lesions were unable to acquire 2nd-order rules. Unexpectedly, they identified alternate 1st-order rules that allowed them to perform better than other subjects when 2nd-order rules were available (delta(accuracy) = 0.10, T(7) = 5.35, p = 0.001). Across all subjects, a reduction in functional connectivity between left pre-PMd and adjacent regions in the hierarchy correlated with improved performance. Conclusions: These findings support the theory that specific regions within lateral frontal cortex shapes the search for relevant stimulus-response mappings. Supported by: National Institutes of Health. Disclosure: Dr. Kayser has nothing to disclose. Dr. D9Esposito has nothing to disclose.
Accumulation of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in human brain during therapeutic administration.

In vivo l9fluorine nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure the brain concentration offluoxetine and norfluoxetine in five patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder and three with major depression. The mean brain:plasma ratio of the parent drug plus the metabolite was significantly elevated to 2.6 (SD=1.O) (95% confidence interval=1.9-3.3). This accumulation may have implications for understanding both the therapeutic and the toxic effects of fluoxetine. (Am J Psychiatry 1992; 149:1592-1594) T he potential that in vivo nuclear magnetic mesonance spectroscopy (MRS) holds for research in psychiatry has been the subject of recent reviews ( 1, 2). From a psychopharmacological perspective, MRS offers a means of noninvasively measuring the brain levels of those drugs which are MRS-visible. These agents include lithium and psychotropic medications that contain fluorine. To date, in vivo brain nesonances have been detected in human subjects taking lithium, tnifluopemazine, fluphenazine, and fluoxetine (3-5). The rationale for this work lies in the hypothesis that a knowledge of the brain levels of these drugs may contribute to an understanding of both their therapeutic and their toxic effects. Unfortunately, except for lithium, it has been difficult to quantitate brain drug levels on to correlate these values with comesponding plasma levels. Additionally, reports of spectra derived from subjects taking fluorinated psychotropic agents have generally consisted of data from a single subject taking unusually high doses of medica
Der Einfluß von Morphin, Dromoran und Laevallorphan auf die Funktion des Atemzentrums

Klinische Dosen von Morphin und Dromoran losen eine leichte Atemdepression aus. Die Reizschwelle des Atemzentrums wird erhoht. Die Erregbarkeit ist nicht signifikant verandert. Das Laevallorphan zeigt, allein gegeben, eine ahnliche, nur wesentlich schwachere Wirkung. Nach der voraufgehenden Verabfolgung von Morphin oder Dromoran wirkt es antagonistisch auf die Atemdepression durch eine Senkung der erhohten Reizschwelle. In einigen Fallen verstarkte das Laevallorphan die leichte Atemdepression uber eine zusatzliche Erhohung der Reizschwelle. Eine Indikation fur die Verabfolgung von Laevallorphan ist gegeben, wenn eine tiefe, durch hohe Opiatdosen ausgeloste Atemdepression, vorliegt.
Malnutrition, hunger, and behavior. II. Hunger, school feeding programs, and behavior.

Although hard to quantify, school feeding programs are reported to improve learning and behavior of students who come to school hungry. Some of the behavioral studies are reviewed and discussed.
Systemic effects of low-dose dopamine during administration of cytarabine:

PurposeLow-dose dopamine has been utilized to improve renal blood flow, urine output, and reduce drug-induced nephrotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in renal function, card...
Wind and Wind Loadings

Although forces induced by winds account for only about 15% of the total forces acting on most offshore structures during periods of intense wind, water wave and current excitation, it is useful to review many of the salient features of wind loadings for two reasons. First, there may be some structures for which the wind loadings dominate the loading pattern and second, many of the wind effects are also present in the case of surface water waves and thus a knowledge of the wind effects serve as a proper introduction to surface water wave excitation.
Santiago, the Sun King

At the beginning of October 1585 news reached Alonso Ponce, the comisario general of the Franciscan order in New Spain, that the fleet bearing the new viceroy and his family had docked in Vera Cruz. Ponce decided to meet the viceregal party, on its slow progress from the coast to Mexico City, in Tlaxcala. In the meantime he continued his visitation of Franciscan convents. Finally, on Thursday 24 October, in Cholula, he heard that the viceroy would enter Tlaxcala amidst elaborate celebrations the following Sunday. Leaving early on Saturday, Ponce arrived in Tlaxcala in time to eat in the convent that evening.
A preliminary evaluation of trust and shared decision making among intensive care patients' family members

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to preliminarily evaluate ICU family members' trust and shared decision making using modified versions of the Wake Forest Trust Survey and the Shared Decision Making-9 Survey. Methods Using a descriptive approach, the perceptions of family members of ICU patients (n=69) of trust and shared decision making were measured using the Wake Forest Trust Survey and the 9-item Shared Decision Making (SDM-9) Questionnaire. Both surveys were modified slightly to apply to family members of ICU patients and to include perceptions of nurses as well as physicians. Results Overall, family members reported high levels of trust and inclusion in decision making. Family members who lived with the patient had higher levels of trust than those who did not. Family members who reported strong agreement among other family about treatment decisions had higher levels of trust and higher SDM-9 scores than those who reported less family agreement. Conclusion The modified surveys may be useful in evaluating family members' trust and shared decision making in ICU settings. Future studies should include development of a comprehensive patient-centered care framework that focuses on its central goal of maintaining provider–patient/family partnerships as an avenue toward effective shared decision making.
Acute kidney injury associated with concomitant use of vancomycin with piperacillin-tazobactam: a focused review and meta-analysis

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs frequently during the administration of certain medications in hospitalized patients and increases morbidity and mortality. The vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam combination is one of the most commonly used empiric antibiotic regimens in hospitalized patients to provide adequate coverage of drug-resistant pathogens. Recent studies suggest that this combination may be associated with more AKI than vancomycin monotherapy or vancomycin in combination with other antibiotics. We performed a literature review with a meta-analysis of published studies to evaluate the possible association between combination therapy with vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam and higher rates of AKI. Although the studies were heterogeneous, the meta-analysis suggests a higher rate of AKI with the concurrent use of piperacillin/tazobactam and vancomycin compared to vancomycin monotherapy or vancomycin combination with cefepime or meropenem. Prospective, randomized studies with larger sample sizes across multiple centers, controlling for potential confounding factors, are needed to validate this association.
New Insights into Aldol Reactions of Methyl Isocyanoacetate Catalyzed by Heterogenized Homogeneous Catalysts

The Hayashi–Ito aldol reaction of methyl isocyanoacetate (MI) and benzaldehydes, a classic homogeneous Au(I)-catalyzed reaction, was studied with heterogenized homogeneous catalysts. Among dendrimer encapsulated nanoparticles (NPs) of Au, Pd, Rh, or Pt loaded in mesoporous supports and the homogeneous analogues, the Au NPs led to the highest yield and highest diastereoselectivity of products in toluene at room temperature. The Au catalyst was stable and was recycled for at least six runs without substantial deactivation. Moreover, larger pore sizes of the support and the use of a hydrophobic solvent led to a high selectivity for the trans diastereomer of the product. The activation energy is sensitive to neither the size of Au NPs nor the support. A linear Hammett plot was obtained with a positive slope, suggesting an increased electron density on the carbonyl carbon atom in the rate-limiting step. IR studies revealed a strong interaction between MI and the gold catalyst, supporting the proposed mechanism...
Working to define professionalism in pediatric anesthesiology: a qualitative study of domains of the expert pediatric anesthesiologist as valued by interdisciplinary stakeholders.

SummaryBackground Unprofessional behavior is a significant problem throughout graduate medical education programs and medical centers. Some authors have suggested that professionalism curricula should be focused toward faculty, not trainees, to interrupt the modeling of unprofessionalism. Developing such curricula requires a needs assessment and is challenging given data indicating that the definition of professionalism varies based on medical specialty. Thus, a specialty-specific definition of professionalism is needed as a first step in any curriculum development. Aim The aim of this study was to define professionalism in pediatric anesthesiology. Methods This is a qualitative study using focus groups for data collection and a grounded theory approach for analysis. Four relevant stakeholder groups, pediatric surgeons and endoscopists, perioperative nurses, pediatric anesthesiologists, and parents of children who had undergone surgery at our facility, were recruited for participation. De-identified transcripts were analyzed and coded to derive major domains and component themes relevant to the definition of professionalism for pediatric anesthesiology. Member checking with participants from our stakeholder groups was used to validate thematic development and increase the trustworthiness of our findings. Results Focus group participants included 20 individuals, 14 of whom were female. Analysis of transcripts identified 11 major domains across the four groups: Patient Ownership, Specialty Expertise, Continuous Team Improvement, Expressive Communication, Active Listening, Care Coordination, Medical Hierarchy, Leadership, Teamwork, Personality Traits, and Physical Image. The data uncovered several controversies for future study. Conclusion A composite of these 11 domains may give a more complete image of what surgical and nursing colleagues, patient families, and anesthesiologist partners expect of the pediatric anesthesiologist. Despite some overlap and interdependence between domains, this research may contribute to the creation of future educational curricula and provides domains for evaluation of professionalism in pediatric anesthesiology.