cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF INTERPLEURAL BUPIVACAINE ON PLEURAL CHEST TUBE REMOVAL PAIN: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

BACKGROUND Moderate to severe pain associated with the removal of pleural chest tubes is poorly controlled with opioids. New methods are needed to manage the pain associated with this procedure. OBJECTIVES To compare the effects of interpleural injections of 0.25% bupivacaine without epinephrine to those of normal saline on chest tube removal pain in cardiothoracic surgery patients. METHODS A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was used, with a repeated measures design. Pain intensity and distress were measured before, immediately after, and 1 hour after chest tube removal. Pain sensations and affect were evaluated immediately after chest tube removal. The experimental group (n = 21) received bupivacaine and the control group (n = 20) received normal saline. RESULTS In both groups pain intensity and distress scores were significantly higher at the time of chest tube removal than immediately before or 1 hour after. No significant differences in pain intensity, distress, sensation, or affect scores were found between the two treatment groups. The 13 patients who received intramuscular ketorolac an average of 3.5 hours before the procedure, independent of the study design, had significantly lower pain intensity scores at the time of chest tube removal than the 26 who did not. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that chest tube removal pain is of moderate to severe intensity and that pleural chest tube injections of bupivacaine were not effective in decreasing chest tube removal pain. However, the decrease in pain associated with the administration of ketorolac warrants future study.
Cd20 (pan‐B cell) antigen is expressed at a low level on a subpopulation of human T lymphocytes

Despite the previous description of the leukocyte differentiation antigen CD20 as B cell restricted, the findings reported here indicate that a small subset of human T cells expresses low levels of CD20 or a cross-reacting antigen. Three different CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAb), Leu16, B1, and 1F5, reacted with the T cell subset. B cells that expressed CD20 were CD20bright and constituted an average of 9.2 +/- 3.3% of adult PBL. Meanwhile, T cells that expressed CD20 were CD20dim and represented 2.4 +/- 1.5% of the PBL. This population may have been overlooked in previous studies due to the low level of CD20 expression per T cell and the small size of the subset in most individuals. Blocking studies indicated that CD20 mAb binding to CD3+ cells was due to the antigen-reactive regions of the CD20 antibodies and was not a result of Fc receptor binding, or non-specific fluorochrome or protein binding. The T cell nature of the CD20dim CD3+ cells was confirmed by the rapid rise in the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) of CD20dim cells observed following treatment with CD3 mAb but not following treatment with anti-human immunoglobulin (Ig). Extensive three-color immunophenotypic analyses indicated that CD20dim T cells were phenotypically heterogeneous and displayed a leukocyte differentiation profile that was slightly different than that of CD20- T cells. Thus, the CD20dim T cells were more likely than CD20- T cells to be gamma/delta T cell antigen receptor positive (14% vs. 3.4%), CD8+ (57% vs. 33%), and CD45RO+ (82% vs. 51%); fewer were CD38+ (5% vs. 24%) or CD4+ (35% vs. 61%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Optimal helices for wireless power transfer via magnetic resonance

Wireless powering efficiency of systems based on the strongly Coupled Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) depends on the design of the SCMR elements. This paper analytically derives the equations that can be used to design optimal SCMR systems based on helical elements. The analytical results are verified by comparison with simulations.
On the specific depressotypic nature of excessive reassurance-seeking

Abstract Excessive reassurance-seeking has been proposed as a key variable in the development of a depressive spiral in which a dysphoric individual increasingly alienates significant others and thereby compounds his or her own depressive symptoms. Whereas previous research has substantiated an association between reassurance-seeking and depression, this study sought to establish that this relationship is specific to depressive symptoms, rather than generalized psychopathology. One hundred and seventy-eight undergraduate students completed measures assessing reassurance-seeking behavior; current symptoms of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders; and personal and family history of diagnosed mental illness and suicide attempts. Partial correlations between reassurance-seeking and depression and suicide (controlling for other psychopathology) were compared with partial correlations between reassurance-seeking and other disorders (controlling for other psychopathology, including depression). Results generally supported depressotypic specificity of reassurance-seeking behaviors.
Communication: Decoherence in a nonequilibrium environment: An analytically solvable model

We describe an analytically solvable model of quantum decoherence in a nonequilibrium environment. The model considers the effect of a bath driven from equilibrium by, for example, an ultrafast excitation of a quantum chromophore. The nonequilibrium response of the environment is represented by a nonstationary random function corresponding to the fluctuating transition frequency between two quantum states coupled to the surroundings. The nonstationary random function is characterized by a Fourier series with the phase of each term starting initially with a definite value across the ensemble but undergoing random diffusion with time. The decay of the off-diagonal density matrix element is shown to depend significantly on the particular pattern of initial phases of the terms in the Fourier series, or equivalently, the initial phases of bath modes coupled to the quantum subsystem. This suggests the possibility of control of quantum decoherence by the detailed properties of an environment that is driven from thermal equilibrium.
Feature attention evokes task-specific pattern selectivity in V4 neurons.

A hallmark of visual cortical neurons is their selectivity for stimulus pattern features, such as color, orientation, or shape. In most cases this feature selectivity is hard-wired, with selectivity manifest from the beginning of the response. Here we show that when a task requires that a monkey distinguish between patterns, V4 develops a selectivity for the sought-after pattern, which it does not manifest in a task that does not require the monkey to distinguish between patterns. When a monkey looks for a target object among an array of distractors, V4 neurons become selective for the target ∼50 ms after the visual latency independent of the impending saccade direction. However, when the monkey has to only make a saccade to the spatial location of the same objects without discriminating their pattern, V4 neurons do not distinguish the search target from the distractors. This selectivity for stimulus pattern develops roughly 40 ms after the same neurons’ selectivity for basic pattern features like orientation or color. We suggest that this late-developing selectivity is related to the phenomenon of feature attention and may contribute to the mechanisms by which the brain finds the target in visual search.
Investigation of drug metabolism using capillary electrophoresis with photodiode array detection and online mass spectrometry equipped with an array detector.

The application of capillary electrophoresis (CE) with photodiode array detection (DAD) and on-line CE-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) equipped with a position and time resolved (PATRICtm) focal plane detector for analysis of both in vitro and in vivo drug metabolism is demonstrated. Separation of metabolites derived from the neuroleptic drug haloperidol, by CE, using a simple, volatile run buffer containing 50 mM ammonium acetate with 10% methanol and 1% acetic acid is reported. The potential utility of CE-DAD for screening drug metabolite mixtures derived from hepatic microsomal incubations is demonstrated for haloperidal (HAL). Also the potential problems associated with using this technology to screen human urine samples for HAL metabolites is discussed. Furthermore, the usefulness of CE-MS and CE-electrospray ionization skimmer collision induced dissociation-MS (CE-ESI-CID-MS) in identification and structure elucidation of HAL metabolites derived from both a guinea pig hepatic microsomal incubation and urine from a patient treated with 0.5 mg/day of HAL is shown. The utility of such an approach in the general area of clinical pharmacology is also discussed.
Mutator mutations enhance tumorigenic efficiency across fitness landscapes.

Background Tumorigenesis requires multiple genetic changes. Mutator mutations are mutations that increase genomic instability, and according to the mutator hypothesis, accelerate tumorigenesis by facilitating oncogenic mutations. Alternatively, repeated lineage selection and expansion without increased mutation frequency may explain observed cancer incidence. Mutator lineages also risk increased deleterious mutations, leading to extinction, thus providing another counterargument to the mutator hypothesis. Both selection and extinction involve changes in lineage fitness, which may be represented as “trajectories” through a “fitness landscape” defined by genetics and environment. Methodology/Principal Findings Here I systematically analyze the relative efficiency of tumorigenesis with and without mutator mutations by evaluating archetypal fitness trajectories using deterministic and stochastic mathematical models. I hypothesize that tumorigenic mechanisms occur clinically in proportion to their relative efficiency. This work quantifies the relative importance of mutator pathways as a function of experimentally measurable parameters, demonstrating that mutator pathways generally enhance efficiency of tumorigenesis. An optimal mutation rate for tumor evolution is derived, and shown to differ from that for species evolution. Conclusions/Significance The models address the major counterarguments to the mutator hypothesis, confirming that mutator mechanisms are generally more efficient routes to tumorigenesis than non-mutator mechanisms. Mutator mutations are more likely to occur early, and to occur when more oncogenic mutations are required to create a tumor. Mutator mutations likely occur in a minority of premalignant lesions, but these mutator premalignant lesions are disproportionately likely to develop into malignant tumors. Tumor heterogeneity due to mutator mutations may contribute to therapeutic resistance, and the degree of heterogeneity of tumors may need to be considered when therapeutic strategies are devised. The model explains and predicts important biological observations in bacterial and mouse systems, as well as clinical observations.
Ignore your partners’ current Facebook friends; beware the ones they add!

Abstract In this study, we examined two behaviors that could evoke Facebook jealousy and cause relationship problems among romantic partners: (1) Facebook solicitation behaviors (i.e., making or accepting friend requests with romantic interests) while in the current relationship, and (2) having romantic interests on existing Facebook friends lists. In our sample of 148 undergraduates, those who had lower commitment to their partners were more likely to make and accept Facebook friend requests with romantic interests during their relationship. However, commitment was unrelated to the number of romantic alternatives contained on one’s Facebook friends list or the frequency of Facebook solicitation while single. Additionally, attachment anxiety predicted Facebook solicitation behaviors, but this relationship was mediated by Facebook jealousy. Our findings confirm that Facebook is used to solicit connections with romantic interests both while single and during committed relationships; however, it is only those connections that are made during the relationship that are markers of lower commitment. Moreover, our study adds to a growing body of research that connects face-to-face relationship theories to the virtual environment.
Growth Functions Associated with Biological Development.

When an organism is growing under optimal conditions it may be assumed that its growth rate, and that of its parts, is governed by internal, inherited factors. The growth function of the organism is a function f such that f(t) is the number of cells in the organism at time t. In the last few years such growth functions have been actively studied by some researchers interested in mathematical models for biological development. We report on some of the results obtained.
Improved temperature control of the Technicon tissue processor paraffin bath.

Modifications of the AutoTechnicon Tissue Processor Paraffin Bath are described. The modifications are a combination of electrical and mechanical changes that will ensure long-term reliability of the unit and dependable temperature maintenance of the paraffin. Extensive testing has verified that modified units are able to stabilize temperature within a range of 0.25C over many months of continuous operation.
Glioblastoma multiforme: The terminator

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive of the gliomas, a collection of tumors arising from glia or their precursors within the central nervous system. Clinically, gliomas are divided into four grades; unfortunately, the most aggressive of these, grade 4 or glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is also the most common in humans. Because most patients with GBMs die of their disease in less than a year and essentially none has long-term survival, these tumors have drawn significant attention; however, they have evaded increasingly cleaver and intricate attempts at therapy over the last half-century. The paper by Gromeier et al. (1) in this issue of PNAS is the newest chapter in this saga, describing a hybrid virus that infects and kills clonal human glioma cell lines, in culture and implanted in athymic mice, without affecting nonneoplastic cells within the brain. For those viewing this battle from a distance, the continued unsuccessful attempts at novel therapies for this disease may be difficult to understand. However, for those treating these patients, and certainly for the patients themselves, the importance and urgency of each attempt is clear.
Deformation stacking faults in face-centered cubic thorium and cerium

Abstract The deformation stacking fault probabilities were calculated from the peak shifts of X-ray diffraction lines for thorium and cerium deformed at room temperature. The values of 0.018–0.031 for cerium and 0.019 for thorium are considered to be high, indicating that these metals have low stacking fault energies.
Socially mediated Zeigarnik effects as a function of sentiment, valence, and desire for goal attainment ☆

Abstract In a previous study, Hornstein et al. (1971) explored anonymous and unrewarded facilitation of a stranger's goal attainment under various conditions of sentiment. Continuing to investigate this area, the term “promotive tension arousal” is introduced to label the process by which one person's tension arousal is coordinated to another's interrupted goal attainment. The present natural field experiment amplifies the work of Lewin, Deutsch, and Horwitz to confirm the following predictions: more helping occurs when a liked other approaches a positive than a negative goal; for a liked other with a strong desire for this positive goal, helping increases as the goal is approached, while for a liked other with a strong desire for a negative goal, helping decreases as the goal is neared. These results are interpreted as clearly evidencing approach and avoidance gradients operating within a relationship that allows for the arousal of promotive tension.
Echocardiographic features of pheochromocytoma of the heart.

Echocardiography, particularly TEE, disclosed a characteristic appearance of primary cardiac pheochromocytoma (ovoid, granular tumors within the atrioventricular groove adjacent to the epicardial coronary arteries). These characteristic tumor features should be considered extremely typical of cardiac pheochromocytoma and should prompt necessary anatomic and biochemical confirmation as well as assist in the decision between surgical or medical management.
Phospholipase D and the Maintenance of Phosphatidic Acid Levels for Regulation of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR)

Phosphatidic acid (PA) is a critical metabolite at the heart of membrane phospholipid biosynthesis. However, PA also serves as a critical lipid second messenger that regulates several proteins implicated in the control of cell cycle progression and cell growth. Three major metabolic pathways generate PA: phospholipase D (PLD), diacylglycerol kinase (DGK), and lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAAT). The LPAAT pathway is integral to de novo membrane phospholipid biosynthesis, whereas the PLD and DGK pathways are activated in response to growth factors and stress. The PLD pathway is also responsive to nutrients. A key target for the lipid second messenger function of PA is mTOR, the mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin, which integrates both nutrient and growth factor signals to control cell growth and proliferation. Although PLD has been widely implicated in the generation of PA needed for mTOR activation, it is becoming clear that PA generated via the LPAAT and DGK pathways is also involved in the regulation of mTOR. In this minireview, we highlight the coordinated maintenance of intracellular PA levels that regulate mTOR signals stimulated by growth factors and nutrients, including amino acids, lipids, glucose, and Gln. Emerging evidence indicates compensatory increases in one source of PA when another source is compromised, highlighting the importance of being able to adapt to stressful conditions that interfere with PA production. The regulation of PA levels has important implications for cancer cells that depend on PA and mTOR activity for survival.
The Solar Wind and the Sun in the Past

Exposure to the solar wind can have significant long term consequences for planetary atmospheres, especially for planets such as Mars that are not protected by global magnetospheres. Estimating the effects of solar wind exposure requires knowledge of the history of the solar wind. Much of what we know about the Sun’s past behavior is based on inferences from observations of young solar-like stars. Stellar analogs of the weak solar wind cannot be detected directly, but the interaction regions between these winds and the interstellar medium have been detected and used to estimate wind properties. I here review these observations, with emphasis on what they suggest about the history of the solar wind.
Seller-Broker Relationship as a Double Moral Hazard Problem

Abstract This paper studies the seller-broker relationship as a double moral hazard problem where the probability of selling the property is determined by the unobservable efforts of both the seller and the agent. The objectives of the paper are twofold. One is to examine the importance and the implications of strategic interaction between the seller′s and the agent′s efforts. The other is to study the efficiency and incentive effects of the percentage commission system under a general class of matching technologies, and to check whether the previous results of the literature are robust to a change in the matching technology. The analysis of the paper is also extended to the flat-fee and net listing commission systems.
Electromagnetic modeling of microwave and RF plasma sources

Summary form only given, as follows. Low-pressure/high-density and moderate-pressure plasma sources are finding increased use in a variety of materials processing applications. Several design variations have been developed using microwave and RF excitation of the plasma discharges. The modeling of these sources requires the solution of the electromagnetic fields, plasma discharge physics and chemistry, and plasma-surface interactions. This paper focuses on the self-consistent solution of the electromagnetic fields and plasma discharge physics in microwave and RF plasma sources. Two techniques used for the electromagnetic field solutions are: (1) the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) solution of Maxwell's equations and (2) the finite-difference solution of the vector Helmholtz equation. Implementations of both solution techniques for the solution of a variety of plasma sources have been developed. Specific sources modeled include unmagnetized microwave plasma sources, multipolar permanent magnet ECR plasma sources, divergent field ECR plasma sources, and RF inductively coupled plasma sources. The electromagnetic fields are solved by the two techniques in both two or three dimensions. The methods for coupling of the electromagnetic solutions to the plasma discharge behavior using both particle and fluid descriptions have also been investigated and will be reported on. This paper will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each of the two methods for solving the electromagnetic fields in rf and microwave plasma sources. Examples will be, presented of the modeled power absorption profiles, electric field strengths, and plasma uniformities in a variety of plasma sources.
The House Discharge Procedure and Majoritarian Politics

This paper discusses the details of the discharge procedure in the House of Representatives and their implications for theories of legislative politics. While the discharge procedure is frequently cited as the tool by which committee obstruction within the House can be overcome, I argue that, under close examination, the procedure actually is far from purely majoritarian. Specifically, I argue that the details of the discharge procedure imply that the support of either the Speaker of the House or a majority of the Rules Committee is necessary to ensure floor consideration for a bill. Accordingly, in a de jure sense, the House's discharge procedure is irrelevant.
Accumulation of protoporphyrin-IX by the chlorophyll-less y-y mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Abstract A pigment accumulating in a Mendelian mutant ( y - y ) of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , which has essentially no chlorophyll and lacks inner chloroplast membranes in the light and dark, was isolated and characterized. It was identified as protoporphyrin-IX (PROTO) by spectral analysis using two different methods of extraction and fractionation. The amount of PROTO was estimated to be 10 7 molecules per cell. Since PROTO was the only intermediate of chlorophyll biosynthesis that accumulated, we conclude the y - y lesion in the pathway is after PROTO.
Compositional Heterogeneity in Ternary Models for the Cell Membrane

Ternary models for the cell membrane including cholesterol plus high- and low-melting temperature lipids exhibit rich phase behavior as a function of temperature and composition. Of particular interest is a region of coexisting ordered and disordered fluid phases thought to indicate how lipids organize to promote protein function in the cell membrane. We have used Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to investigate two ternary mixtures bSM (porcine brain sphingomyelin)/DOPC (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphatidylcholine)/Chol and bSM/POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine)/Chol at high compositional resolution. We have confirmed liquid coexistence for bSM/DOPC/Chol at 15 and 25C that melts by 35C, but in contrast to one published study (Frazier et al.) we detected no fluid-phase compositional heterogeneity for bSM/POPC/Chol from 5-35C. If domains exist in the POPC-containing mixtures, they must be smaller than the approx. 5 nm sensitivity provided by the fluorescent lipid analogs we employed. We subsequently used electron spin resonance (ESR) to investigate local environment. Order and rotational diffusion parameters were extracted by simulating spectra measured at 9.5 GHz. Similar trends in ESR parameters were observed along approximate tieline trajectories through the expected liquid coexistence region where macroscopic phase domains occur in bSM/DOPC/Chol and where no macroscopic domains are seen in bSM/POPC/Chol, providing support for liquid-liquid heterogeneity in bSM/POPC/Chol.
Perceived stress among police officers: an integrative model of stress and coping

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose an original model of stress and coping as a complex interactive process between an individual and his or her environment. Design/methodology/approach – A preliminary test of the model is conducted using data from a meta-analysis of perceived occupational stress among police officers. Collapsing correlates into predictor domains that mirror the proposed model of stress and coping allowed for a preliminary analysis of some of the constructs in the proposed model. Findings – The findings suggest that each domain contributes to the perception of stress and that knowledge in this area might best be advanced by recognizing the importance of each in shaping an interactive process of stress and coping rather than attempting to rank individual correlates. Research limitations/implications – The data do not provide definitive conclusions that personal characteristics or job characteristics, for example, are more important than others in shaping stress perception amo...
Inhibition of interferon induction in mice by mycoplasmas and mycoplasmal fractions.

SummaryThe injection of both viable and sonified nonviable preparations of M. arthritidis, M. pulmonis, and A. laidlawii into mice suppressed the interferon response of the animals to challenge with Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The inhibitory effect was dependent upon the numbers of organisms injected. The suppression of the interferon response was first apparent 14 hr postinjection and reached a maximum 1 and 3 days postinjection. High doses of organisms produced an inhibitory effect through 6 days. The mycoplasma component responsible for induction of hyporeac-tivity appeared to reside in the membrane fraction of the organisms. Heat treatment of mycoplasma preparations abolished the effect except at very high inocula.
Some small unipotent representations of indefinite orthogonal groups

Abstract We study a family of small unitary representations of indefinite orthogonal groups. These representations arise as analytic continuations of the discrete series and were studied extensively by Knapp in [K3]. We complete Knapp's analysis by proving that they are irreducible. In order to do so we prove that the representations are unipotent and have irreducible associated cycles in which all multiplicities are exactly one. Moreover, we prove that the K -type structure of each representation matches (up to a shift) the K -type structure of the ring of functions on the closure a nilpotent K C orbit on p .
Characterization of the Ruggedness of Instant Coffee Particle Shape by Natural Fractals

The ruggedness of individual instant coffee particle shapes was quantified in terms of the natural Fractal dimension of the silhouettes from their SEM micrographs. The latter was determined from the slope of the Richardson plot covering the range between about 4 - 20% of the particle's maximum length. The Fractal dimension in this range was on the order of 1.05 to 1.2.
RefSeq Refinements of UniGene-Based Gene Matching Improve the Correlation of Expression Measurements Between Two Microarray Platforms

Matching genes across microarray platforms is a critical step in meta-analysis. Standard practice uses UniGene to match genes. Numerous studies have found poor correlations between platforms when using UniGene matching. We profiled samples from 33 breast cancer patients on two different microarray platforms (Affymetrix and cDNA) and investigated gene matching. Our results confirmed that UniGene-based matching led to poor correlations of gene expression between platforms. Using RefSeq, a database maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), we developed and implemented a new method to refine gene matching. We found that the correlations between gene expression measurements were substantially higher after the RefSeq matching. Our approach differs from previously reported sequence-matching approaches and retains useful expression measurements. It is a sensible approach for matching probes across platforms. We conclude that UniGene alone is insufficient to match genes across platforms. Refined matching based on RefSeq significantly improves the quality of matches.
Realizing Large-Scale Interactive Network Simulation via Model Splitting

This paper presents the model splitting method for large-scale interactive network simulation, which addresses the separation of concerns between network researchers, who focus on developing complex network models and conducting large-scale network experiments, and simulator developers, who are concerned with developing efficient simulation engines to achieve the best performance on parallel platforms. Modeling splitting divides the system into an interactive model to support user interaction, and an execution model to facilitate parallel processing. We describe techniques to maintain consistency and real-time synchronization between the two models. We also provide solutions to reduce the memory complexity of large network models and to ensure data persistency and access efficiency for out-of-core processing.
Transesophageal Defibrillation: Animal Studies and Preliminary Clinical Observations

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) that fails to respond to transthoracic defibrillation leaves the clinician with few alternatives. The purpose of this study was to develop a technique of rescue defibrillation by use of transesophageal electrodes. Fourteen anesthetized dogs (20-30 kg) were investigated in this study. Two electrodes (300 mm2) were mounted 8 cm apart on an esophageal probe and inserted approximately 40 cm from the mouth. VF was induced using AC current delivered to the myocardium. Defibrillation was then performed between the distal electrode (anode) and anterior skin patch (cathode). After 15 seconds of induced VF, transesophageal and transthoracic defibrillation thresholds (DFTs) were determined in random order. The esophageal DFT (90 +/- 15 joules) tended to be lower than the transthoracic DFT (115 +/- 35 joules), though this difference was not statistically significant. One dog could not be defibrillated by transthoracic defibrillation but responded to transesophageal defibrillation. Esophageal electrodes were also useful for arrhythmia discrimination and ventricular pacing (pacing threshold of 38 +/- 5 mA at a pulse duration of 2.5 msec). Following transesophageal DFT determination, in ten dogs (total energy of 600 +/- 150 joules), acute esophageal histopathology demonstrated mild to severe focal injury to the mucosa and/or muscular layers. However, esophagi in four chronic dogs (total energy of 470 +/- 110 joules) showed no gross evidence of mucosal damage, perforation, or stricture 4 weeks following defibrillation. Histopathology showed only focal myocyte atrophy and repair. As a last resort, transesophageal defibrillation was performed in the emergency room on four patients with out-of-hospital refractory VF who failed > 6 high energy transthoracic shocks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Corn residue removal impact on soil aggregates in a no-till corn/soybean rotation.

Many questions have surfaced regarding short- and long-term impacts of corn (Zea mays L.) residue removal for use in the biofuels industry. To address these concerns, a field study was established in eastern South Dakota in 2000 using no-till soil management within a 2-yr corn/soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of three residue removal treatments of low (corn harvested for grain; all residues remain on soil surface), medium (corn harvested for grain; residue raked, baled, and removed), and high (aboveground corn biomass and grain removed) on soil quality, measured through particulate organic matter (POM), soil organic matter (SOM), wet aggregate stability (WAS), and dry aggregate size distribution (DASD). Following four complete rotational cycles, when residue was removed from the soil surface there was a consistent decrease in the amount of SOM and all fractions of POM regardless of aggregate size class, indicating a possible decrease in soil quality. This was further indicated by the near doubling of the erodible fraction in the high removal treatment compared to the low removal treatment. Potential further degradation of the soil structure is indicated by a shift in DASD among the residue removal treatments. Within this study, removal of corn residue had a negative impact on the soil physical and chemical properties measured, potentially illustrating the importance of crop residue to maintain our soil resource. Additional research is needed to incorporate other soil chemical and biological indicators before recommendations can be made.
Sol-gel synthesis of magnesium oxide-silicon dioxide glass compositions

MgO-SiO2 glasses containing up to 15 mol pct MgO, which could not have been prepared by the conventional glass melting method due to the presence of stable liquid-liquid immiscibility, were synthesized by the sol-gel technique. Clear and transparent gels were obtained from the hydrolysis and polycondensation of silicon tetraethoxide (TEOS) and magnesium nitrate hexahydrate when the water/TEOS mole ratio was four or more. The gelling time decreased with increase in magnesium content, water/TEOS ratio, and reaction temperature. Magnesium nitrate hexahydrate crystallized out of the gels containing 15 and 20 mol pct MgO on slow drying. This problem was partially alleviated by drying the gels quickly at higher temperatures. Monolithic gel samples were prepared using glycerol as the drying control additive. The gels were subjected to various thermal treatments and characterized by several methods. No organic groups could be detected in the glasses after heat treatments to approx. 800 C, but trace amounts of hydroxyl groups were still present. No crystalline phase was found from X-ray diffraction in the gel samples to approx. 890 C. At higher temperatures, alpha quartz precipitated out as the crystalline phase in gels containing up to 10 mol pct MgO. The overall activation energy for gel formation in 10MgO-90SiO2 (mol pct) system for water/TEOS mole ratio of 7.5 was calculated to be 58.7 kJ/mol.
Differential ionization of Ar by positron and electron impact

Abstract Coincidences between recoil ions–ejected electrons, and recoil ions–scattered projectiles were used to study the kinematics of electron and positron impact ionization. Differential studies, recently performed at the University of Missouri-Rolla, for 500 eV electron and positron impact on Ar are presented. The positron and electron beams are produced by means of a 22 Na source and an electron gun respectively. The target is a simple gas jet. An electrostatic energy analyzer and a position sensitive detector measure the post-collision projectile energies and scattering angles. A channeltron counts recoil ions which are extracted by means of an electric field. In the opposite direction, a channelplate detector records low energy electrons emerging from the collision volume.
EXPERIMENTAL EOSINOPHILIA. VII. LYMPH NODE RESPONSES TO ALTERED GAMMA GLOBULINS.

Abstract The production of inflammatory cell infiltrations within popliteal lymph nodes regional to challenged subcutaneous foot pad sites served as an experimental model for evaluating possible eosinotactic stimuli in the guinea pig. The following were studied: purified native serum gamma globulins of bovine (BGG), rabbit (RGG), and guinea pig (GPGG) origins; chemically altered gamma globulins in aggregated states (AgBGG, AgRGG, AgGPGG) and in urea-treated denatured forms (DeBGG, DeRGG); preformed soluble BGG antigen-antibody complexes; and BGG antigen-rabbit antibody systems in passive sensitization procedures. Cellular responses were evaluated by microscopic study of lymph node smear preparations and by histologic sections. Significant degrees of eosinophil granular leukocyte infiltrations were found in the sinuses of lymph nodes of guinea pigs receiving AgGG of both foreign and homologous species origins, DeBGG and DeRGG, soluble antigen-antibody complexes, and of those subjected to antigen-antibody reactions. Lesser degrees of involvement demonstrated in animals receiving native gamma globulins were attributed to the content of altered forms in these preparations. Specific in vivo antigen-antibody reactions were additionally characterized by associated polymorphonuclear granular leukocyte responses within cell infiltrates. The emergence of eosinophilia did not depend upon any potential associated role for the inflammatory stimulus as an immune reactant. These findings suggest that eosinotactic influences of antigen-antibody union may be related to the presence of antigen-antibody complexes in the form of molecular aggregates.
Across Lydekker's Line – first report of mite harvestmen (Opiliones : Cyphophthalmi : Stylocellidae) from New Guinea

Opiliones (harvestmen) in the suborder Cyphophthalmi are not known to disperse across oceans and each family in the suborder is restricted to a clear biogeographic region. While undertaking a revisionary study of the South-east Asian family Stylocellidae, two collections of stylocellids from New Guinea were noted. This was a surprising find, since the island appears never to have had a land connection with Eurasia, where the rest of the family members are found. Here, 21 New Guinean specimens collected from the westernmost end of the island (Manokwari Province, Indonesia) are described and their relationships to other cyphophthalmids are analysed using molecular sequence data. The specimens represent three species, Stylocellus lydekkeri, sp. nov., S. novaguinea, sp. nov. and undescribed females of a probable third species, which are described and illustrated using scanning electron microscope and stereomicroscope photographs. Stylocellus novaguinea, sp. nov. is described from a single male and it was collected with a juvenile and the three females of the apparent third species. Molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that the new species are indeed in the family Stylocellidae and they therefore reached western New Guinea by dispersing through Lydekker’s line – the easternmost limit of poor dispersers from Eurasia. The New Guinean species may indicate at least two episodes of oceanic dispersal by Cyphophthalmi, a phenomenon here described for the first time. Alternatively, the presence in New Guinea of poor dispersers from Eurasia may suggest novel hypotheses about the history of the island.
The effect of multiple reminders on long-term retention in human infants

The present series of experiments compared the effects of single- and multiple-reminder procedures on the long-term memory of 3-month-old human infants. Subjects were trained in the mobile conjugate reinforcement paradigm, and the reminder treatment was a brief, noncontingent exposure to the moving mobile. In Experiment 1, independent groups received one or two reminder treatments during the 3 weeks following the conclusion of training. Independent groups were tested 1, 3, 7, 14, or 22 days following the last (or only) reminder (i.e., 21-42 days after the end of training). Although retention was equivalent 1 day after one or two reminder treatments, subsequent retention was significantly prolonged by the second reminder treatment: infants receiving a single reminder treatment demonstrated no evidence of retention 7 days after the reminder, but infants receiving two reminder treatments demonstrated perfect retention as long as 14 days later. In Experiment 2, retention was observed 14 days after two reminder treatments irrespective of whether the treatments were presented during the first and second or the third and fourth weeks following the conclusion of training. In Experiment 3, the effect of three reminder treatments on retention was examined. Although retention was excellent when infants were tested 1 day after the third reminder, retention after longer intervals was no better than that observed after a single reminder treatment.
Acth-independent Cushing's syndrome: bilateral cortisol-producing adrenal adenomas.

ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome (CS) usually results from a solitary adrenocortical adenoma. We recently encountered a patient with ACTH-independent CS associated with bilateral adrenal enlargement. The evaluation led us to consider some rare but interesting entities. The patient was a 69 year-old woman who had a 10-15 year history of controlled hypertension, back pain associated with osteoporosis, easy bruising, and truncal obesity. Her medications included conjugated estrogens. Physical examination revealed classical features of CS. She had a raised blue lesion on her buccal mucosa. Plasma cortisol concentrations were elevated at 36 (a.m.) and 38 (p.m.) microg/dL. Urinary free cortisol was normal at baseline (65 microg/24 hours) but failed to suppress adequately in response to the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (75 microg/24 hours). The plasma ACTH concentration was undetectable. Plasma cortisol concentrations failed to suppress (37 microg/dL) with an 8 mg overnight dexamethasone test. A CT scan of the abdomen revealed bilateral adrenal masses. The possibilities of food-induced CS and primary pigmented nodular adrenal disease were excluded by a lack of marked stimulation in cortisol secretion to a mixed-meal and dermatologic confirmation of the buccal mucosa lesion as an angioma and not a blue nevus. Adrenal venous sampling showed cortisol secretion from both adrenals. The patient underwent bilateral adrenalectomy with pathology confirming bilateral adenomas. This case illustrates an unusual application of selective venous sampling in the CS evaluation and raises questions about the pathogenesis of cortisol-secreting adrenocortical adenomas.
Quantifying effects of UV-B, temperature, and pH on eDNA degradation in aquatic microcosms

Abstract Environmental DNA (eDNA) degradation is a primary mechanism limiting the detection of rare species using eDNA techniques. To better understand the environmental drivers of eDNA degradation, we conducted a laboratory experiment to quantify degradation rates. We held bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) tadpoles in microcosms, then removed the tadpoles and assigned the microcosms to three levels each of temperature, ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation, and pH in a full factorial design. We collected water samples from each microcosm at six time steps (0 to 58 days). In all microcosms, most degradation occurred in the first three to 10 days of the experiment, but eDNA remained detectable after 58 days in some treatments. Degradation rates were lowest under cold temperatures (5 °C), low UV-B levels, and alkaline conditions. Higher degradation rates were associated with factors that contribute to favorable environments for microbial growth (higher temperatures, neutral pH, moderately high UV-B), indicating that the effects of these factors may be biologically mediated. The results of this experiment indicate that aquatic habitats that are colder, more protected from solar radiation, and more alkaline are likely to hold detectable amounts of eDNA longer than those that are warmer, sunnier, and neutral or acidic. These results can be used to facilitate better characterization of environmental conditions that reduce eDNA persistence, improved design of temporal sampling intervals and inference, and more robust detection of aquatic species with eDNA methods.
A regiospecific and stereospecific route to enol carbonates and carbamates: closer look at a “naked anion”

Abstract A fluoride ion catalyzed reaction which affords the title compounds in good yield from enol silyl ethers is described.
Human monoclonal antibody that recognizes the V3 region of human immunodeficiency virus gp120 and neutralizes the human T-lymphotropic virus type IIIMN strain.

Abstract We describe a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody (N701.9b) derived by Epstein-Barr virus transformation of B cells from a human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive asymptomatic donor. This antibody was shown to recognize the principal neutralizing domain contained within the V3 region of gp120 of the MN strain of human immunodeficiency virus and MN-like strains, as determined by binding to the PB-1 fragment of MN gp120 and to synthetic peptides corresponding to the V3 region of MN and related virus strains. The epitope identified by monoclonal antibody N701.9b was mapped to a segment of V3 containing at least 7 amino acids (amino acids 316-322), which is located in the "tip" and "right" side of the V3 loop of the MN strain. Furthermore, this antibody manifested potent type-specific fusion-inhibitory activity against the MN strain but not against the IIIB or RF virus strains. This antibody also neutralized four virus isolates that had MN-like V3 region sequences and failed to neutralize three other strains containing unrelated V3 region sequences. Our findings confirm that the V3 region stimulates type-specific neutralizing antibody during natural human immunodeficiency virus infection in humans. The potential clinical use of this antibody is discussed.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage model in the rat: Modification of the endovascular filament model

The present study describes modifications to the endovascular filament model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats. Specifically, we sought to improve the percentage yield of SAH, reduce mortality rates and better simulate human cerebral aneurysmal rupture. Instead of using a 4-0 prolene suture to induce SAH in the existing endovascular filament model, a hollow and flexible polyetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tube was maneuvered into the proximal anterior cerebral artery (ACA) to ensure that advancement occurred without producing trauma to the vessels. SAH was induced by advancing a tungsten wire through this tube, perforating the ACA at the desired location. These modifications produced significant improvements over the endovascular filament model. Mortality rate declined from 46 to 19%, and SAH was produced more frequently. With the prolene suture, only 48% of our attempts produced a SAH, and unsuccessful attempts typically resulted in an acute subdural hematoma (ASDH). In contrast, the wire/tubing technique was 90% successful at inducing SAH, and led to a significant reduction of ASDH incidence from 44 to 6%. Additionally, the modified technique produced vasospasm in basilar and middle cerebral arteries post-SAH as well as pseudoaneurysms in the proximal ACA which indicated the location of vessel perforation.
Auxiliary-field Monte Carlo methods

I discuss Monte Carlo algorithms for quantum many-body systems that employ an auxiliary field to linearize a two-body interaction. These reduce the evaluation of the partition function to sampling many one-body evolutions in a fluctuating field. Fermions and bosons are treated on an equal footing. Applications to potential models and to quantum spin systems are discussed.
Depolymerization and chemical modification of lignite coal byPseudomonas cepacia strain DLC-07

Coal metabolizingPseudomonas cepacia DLC-07 was isolated from soil and shown to use soluble lignite coal as a carbon/energy source.Pseudomonas modified coal residues were characterized by FT-IR, HPLC, elemental analysis, and13C-NMR. P.cepacia DLC-07 depolymerized lignite, as shown by HPLC. FT-IR analysis showed fewer carbonyl and carboxyl groups, decreased etheric oxygen, and fewer aromatic and conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds in modified, compared to control coal.13C-NMR indicated a decrease in carbonyls and heteroaromatic carbons containing N, O, and S, a decrease in unsubstituted aromatic carbons, and an increase in long chain methylenes in treated coal. Elemental analysis supported the spectral data concerning metabolism of the coal polymer. P.cepacia cometabolized coal model compounds and utilizedp-hydroxy substituted benzoic or cinnamic acids or aldehydes as sole carbon and energy sources.