cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Successful Use of an Expert System to Teach Diagnostic Reasoning for Antibody Identification

A previously reported study indicated that, when used by an instructor as a tool to assist with tutoring in a class laboratory setting, use of the Transfusion Medicine Tutor (TMT) resulted in improvements in antibody identification performance of 87-93% (p<.001). Based on input from teachers requesting that TMT be designed for use without the presence of an instructor, a new study on the use of TMT without instructor assistance found that performance improved by 64-66% (p<.001). Finally, based on the results of these two studies, TMT was mailed to 7 sites for beta-testing. In exchange for a free copy of the kit, the instructors (and their students) were asked to fill out questionnaires. Results of these questionnaires are summarized.
Cholecystokinin inhibits gastric motility and emptying via a capsaicin-sensitive vagal pathway in rats

The pathway by which cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) inhibits motility of the proximal stomach and the role of this pathway in the CCK-induced delay in gastric emptying of a liquid meal has been studied in rats by selective destruction of vagal afferent C-fibers using bilateral perineural application of the sensory neurotoxin, capsaicin, 3 or 4 days prior to the experiment. The capsaicin treatment significantly attenuated the decrease in intragastric pressure in urethan-anesthetized rats in response to CCK-8 (0.1-100 pmol iv) compared with vehicle-treated controls. Removal of the celiac-superior mesenteric ganglion completely abolished the inhibitory action of CCK-8 on gastric motility in these rats. In contrast, only celiac ganglionectomy in combination with vagotomy abolished the CCK-8 effect in vehicle-treated controls. Intravenous injection of CCK-8 (300 pmol) 5 min before intragastric administration of a methylcellulose solution decreased gastric emptying by 55% in conscious control or vehicle-treated rats. Perivagal capsaicin treatment abolished the delay in gastric emptying induced by CCK-8. In addition, capsaicin treatment alone significantly increased gastric emptying. These results demonstrate that CCK-8 decreases gastric motility in the gastric corpus and delays gastric emptying by a capsaicin-sensitive vagal afferent pathway. These same afferent fibers may also play a physiological role in the gastric emptying of liquids.
Measuring changing spatial complexity in ventricular fibrillation using the Karhunen-Loeve decomposition of 506-channel epicardial data

The Karhunen-Loeve (K-L) decomposition was used to describe quantitatively changes in spatial organization during extended episodes of ventricular fibrillation (VF). VF was induced by premature stimulation in 5 pigs. Unipolar epicardial electrograms were simultaneously recorded with a 22/spl times/23 array of electrodes spaced 1.12 mm apart. Data consisting of epicardial potentials during VF, as well as during sinus rhythm, were decomposed into orthogonal spatial modes using the K-L method. In sinus rhythm, 3-4 K-L modes were required to account for 90% of the total variance, compared to 5-28 during VF. As VF progressed from 1 to 3 seconds the number of modes, M*, required to reach the 90% threshold increased in, every animal. From 5 seconds to 60 seconds M* always decreased. These differences were significant with p >
Jaundice in Congenital Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis

Congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is usually initially noticed by the onset of vomiting, frequently in the first to third weeks of life. Cases have been reported in which vomiting does not begin until several weeks after birth.
Recurrent-proximal linear differential systems with almost periodic coefficients

On considere un systeme d'equations differentielles lineaires x˙=A(ω,t)x, parametrisees par un point ω∈T 2 , le 2-tore, ou (ω,t)→ω•t est un flot irrationnel de rotation sur T 2 . On montre que si le nombre rotation de ce flot est bien approchable par des rationnels, alors residuellement plusieurs equations presentent un comportement recurrent proximal
Perceptions about Complementary Therapies Relative to Conventional Therapies among Adults Who Use Both: Results from a National Survey

National survey data do not support the view that use of complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapy in the United States primarily reflects dissatisfaction with conventional care. Adults w...
Exact second order theories for electron-atom scattering

Abstract Second order effects are known to be important in several areas of atomic physics. In spite of the importance of second order effects, most second order calculations have resorted to simplifying approximations of questionable validity. We have recently developed the capability for evaluating arbitrary second order amplitudes exactly for elastic scattering and atomic excitation by electron impact. With this capability one can evaluate second order distorted wave amplitudes for arbitrary distorting potentials and arbitrary distorted Green's functions in the interaction operator. In this paper, we will first discuss the various types of possible second order amplitudes and then we will give an overview of our results for the excitation of hydrogen by electron impact.
Innateness as Closed Process Invariance

Controversies over the innateness of cognitive structures play a persistent role in driving research in philosophy as well as cognitive science, but the appropriate way to understand the category of the innate remains in dispute. The invariantist approaches of Stich and Sober face counterexample cases of traits that, though developing invariantly across different environments, nonetheless are not held by nativism partisans to count as innate. Appeals to canalization (Ariew) or to psychological primitiveness (Samuels) fail to handle this liberalism problem. We suggest a novel approach to innateness: closed process invariantism.
Stress evolution to steady state in ion bombardment of silicon

Abstract Low temperature ion bombardment of initially crystalline, defect-free silicon with 700 eV ion beam energy creates a highly-damaged stressed layer a few nanometers thick on the surface. An apparent steady state in structure is achieved at a fluence of 2 × 10 14 –3 × 10 14 ions/cm 2 . In this work, the stresses are computed using the interatomic force definition of stress. The stress evolution is studied as a function of argon implantation into the target. Stress per implanted argon atom is observed to reach a nearly constant value between 20 MPa and 25 MPa at a fluence of 1.2 × 10 14 ions/cm 2 .
President’s page: Cardiologists without borders

In the week following the September 11 attack, I presented a lecture to members of the Japanese College of Cardiology in Hiroshima. But I never left Indianapolis. My flight had been cancelled, so I turned to my information technology guru at Indiana University, who, with the help of his counterpart
Deamidation During Treatment of Soy Protein with Protease

When soy protein was treated with protease in phosphate buffer, ammonia was generated in addition to the occurrence of peptide bond hydrolysis. The source of the ammonia was likely the nonenzymatic deamidation of glutamine in the hydrolysate because free glutamine was found to deamidate in phosphate buffer with or without protease. Both the glutamine deamidation and the deamidation during enzymatic proteolysis of soy protein were catalyzed by certain anions. Of the anions investigated, phosphate and bicarbonate were by far the most effective in that regard, borate only slightly effective, and acetate not effective at all.
Democratic Responsiveness? Untangling the Links Between Public Opinion and Policy

Abundant evidence has been produced to demonstrate substantial empirical relationships between public opinion (in the sense of survey-measured collective policy preferences) and public policy in the United States and elsewhere. Policy outputs—what governments do—tend to correspond fairly closely with what surveys say their citizens want them to do. In my view, however, a number of important research questions remain largely open. Answers to some of them are crucial to deciding what, if anything, opinion-policy congruence has to do with democratic theory.Open Questions1. How much impact does public opinion actually have on policy making? In particular, how much of the observed relationship is causal rather than spurious, and how much causal impact proceeds from opinion to policy rather than the reverse? If public opinion simply tends to swing into line behind whatever policies decision makers come up with, or if some third force drives both opinion and policy, the implications for democratic theory are rather different from what they would be if public opinion exerted a powerful influence on government action.2. Under what circumstances is this impact larger or smaller? What kinds of political systems are most responsive to their citizens? How much difference do free elections make? High levels of economic development, education, and communications? Vigorous party competition? Parliamentary versus presidential systems? Federalism?
Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy of the o-, m-, and p- Benzyne Negative Ions. Electron Affinities and Singlet−Triplet Splittings for o -, m -, and p -Benzyne

The 351 nm photoelectron spectra of the negative ions of o-, m-, and p-benzyne (1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-dehydrobenzene, respectively) and their perdeuterated isotopomers have been obtained. The o-benzyne ions were generated by the reaction of benzene and benzene-d6 with O-, while the m- and p-benzyne ions were prepared by the gas-phase reaction between the corresponding 3- and 4-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl anions and molecular fluorine, F2. The photoelectron spectra of the benzyne anions each contain two features, corresponding to formation of the singlet and triplet states of the biradicals. The electron affinities of o- and p-benzyne are found to be 0.564 ± 0.007 and 1.265 ± 0.008 eV, respectively, while the electron affinities of deuterated o- and p-benzyne are found to be 8 and 5 meV lower, respectively. The electron affinity of m-benzyne could not be determined from the photoelectron spectrum because the origin peak could not be assigned unequivocally. For o- and p-benzyne, the singlet−triplet energy splittin...
Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor downregulates expression of adhesion molecules and infiltration of inflammatory cells after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Abstract Background/Purpose: This study examined whether heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF) like growth factor (HB-EGF), a proven intestinal cytoprotective molecule, exerts its protective effects through modulation of adhesion molecule expression and inflammatory cell infiltration, important pathogenic mediators of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods: Total midgut I/R injury in rats was achieved by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for 90 minutes followed by reperfusion. Rats were treated intraluminally with 600 μg/kg HB-EGF or with PBS 45 minutes after the onset of ischemia. Four- or 24-hours post-I/R, ileum was harvested and processed for immunhistochemical detection of P-/E-selectins, intercellular adhesion molecule–1 (ICAM-1)/vascular cell adhesion molecule–1 (VCAM–1), and polymorphonuclear cells (PMN)/macrophages (MΦ). Results: P-/E-selectins were significantly induced in vascular endothelia 4 hours after I/R injury compared with normal intestine. HB-EGF treatment significantly down-regulated the expression of P-/E-selectins. I/R-injured intestine displayed overexpression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, which were significantly down-regulated by HB-EGF treatment. Lastly, I/R injury caused significant infiltration of PMN and MΦ into wounded tissue 24 hours after I/R compared with normal intestine. HB-EGF treatment significantly decreased PMN and MΦ infiltration into the injured tissue. Conclusions: HB-EGF intestinal cytoprotection is mediated, in part, by down-regulation of expression of adhesion molecules and infiltration of PMN and MΦ after intestinal I/R injury. J Pediatr Surg 38:434-439. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Challenges to Quantum Chromodynamics: Anomalous Spin, Heavy Quark, and Nuclear Phenomena

A remarkable claim of theoretical physics is that virtually all aspects of hadron and nuclear physics can be derived from the Lagrangian density of Quantum Chromo-dynamics (QCD):
Degradative enzymes of cartilage. Effects of freeze-thawing of the tissue prior to extraction, and of protease inhibitors, on proteoglycanx extracted with iso-osmotic neutral salt and 4 M guanidinium chloride

Abstract • The effects of freeze-thawing of the tissue, and of protease inhibitors, on proteoglycans extracted sequentially from pig laryngeal cartilage with 0.15 M sodium acetate and 4 M guanidinium chloride were examined. Freeze-thawing of the tissue prior to extraction resulted in an increase in the proportion of smaller-sized proteoglycans in the sodium acetate extracts and a decrease in the proportion of aggregated proteoglycans in 4 M guanidinium extracts. In addition, a slight decrease in the hydrodynamic size of purified disaagregated proteoglycans was noted after freeze-thawing of the cartilage. • When the protease inhibitors EDTA, 6-aminohexanoic acid and benzamidine hydrochloride were added to the sodium acetate buffer the yields of proteolycans from fresh and freeze-thawed cartilage were diminished, but the inhibitors had no effect on the hydrodynamic size of the proteoglycans extracted with sodium acetate. Addition of the protease inhibitors to the 4 M guanidium solvent increased the proportion of proteoglycans present in aggregates. The highest proportion of aggregated proteoglycans was obtained when fresh tissue was extracted in the presence of the inhibitors.
Classically conditioned eye blink and changes in activity in the pericruciate cortex and thalamus in the cat.

Abstract The conditioned blink to a click using the glabellar tap as the unconditioned stimulus shows average latencies of 14 to 21 ms. This study investigated the hypothesis that in a conditioned response with such short latencies some of the integrative functions may be occurring in subcortical areas such as the thalamus. Nine female cats were prepared with chronic electrodes to record electromyographic activity in the orbicularis oculis, cortical responses in the pericruciate cortex, and activity at a number of subcortical sites. The animals were then classically conditioned to blink to a 70-db click (conditioned stimulus) using a glabellar tap as the unconditioned stimulus. Recordings were made of the averaged evoked gross potentials in the naive, conditioned (700 to 800 conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus pairings) and extinguished (at least 1000 unconditioned stimulus-conditioned stimulus presentations) animal. Amplitude shifts in the evoked responses to the click were noted depending on the stage of conditioning. Cortical response increased upon conditioning and decreased with extinction. Subcortical potentials varied with the nuclei studied. Some sites showed changes in the amplitude of evoked response with conditioning, generally increasing with conditioning and decreasing with extinction. These sites centered in the medial thalamus, especially the centromedian and the medial dorsal nucleus of the thalamus and the mesencephalic reticular formation. It is suggested that regions showing very short latency (less than 10 ms) potential changes may play an integrative role.
Aggravated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress as a Basis for Enhanced Glioblastoma Cell Killing by Bortezomib in Combination with Celecoxib or Its Non-Coxib Analogue, 2,5-Dimethyl-Celecoxib

The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (Velcade) is known to trigger endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via the accumulation of obsolete and damaged proteins. The selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor celecoxib (Celebrex) causes ER stress through a different mechanism (i.e., by causing leakage of calcium from the ER into the cytosol). Each of these two mechanisms has been implicated in the anticancer effects of the respective drug. We therefore investigated whether the combination of these two drugs would lead to further increased ER stress and would enhance their antitumor efficacy. With the use of human glioblastoma cell lines, we show that this is indeed the case. When combined, bortezomib and celecoxib triggered elevated expression of the ER stress markers GRP78/BiP and CHOP/GADD153, caused activation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase and ER stress-associated caspase-4, and greatly increased apoptotic cell death. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of the protective ER chaperone GRP78/BiP further sensitized the tumor cells to killing by the drug combination. The contribution of celecoxib was independent of the inhibition of COX-2 because a non-coxib analogue of this drug, 2,5-dimethyl-celecoxib (DMC), faithfully and more potently mimicked these combination effects in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our results show that combining bortezomib with celecoxib or DMC very potently triggers the ER stress response and results in greatly increased glioblastoma cytotoxicity. We propose that this novel drug combination should receive further evaluation as a potentially effective anticancer therapy.
Boundary Value Problem with Unbounded, Fast Oscillatory Random Flows

Abstract We use Tartar's weak convergence method in conjunction with a variational principle to prove a sharp homogenization theorem for diffusion in steady random flows. The flow has a stationary and square integrable stream matrix. The key of our approach is introducing approximate correctors by means of a saddle point variational principle. We also obtain the two-term asymptotics.
Secondary structure of splice sites in adenovirus mRNA precursors

In order to investigate the possible role of RNA secondary structure in determining the efficiency and specificity of mRNA splicing, the structures of sequences at three acceptor splice sites in adenovirus were studied. Transcripts spanning intron-exon junctions were synthesized using SP6 RNA polymerase and analyzed using single and double-strand specific nucleases. Distinctive patterns of nuclease cleavage were observed for each of the 3 sites examined. At both sites in the E2a region sequences adjacent to the splice sites were particularly susceptible to digestion with T1 and S1 nucleases. In contrast, a splice site for hexon mRNA was largely resistant to these nucleases. The results obtained suggest that the conformation of the RNA at some, but not all, acceptor sites may enhance the accessibility of these sites to factors involved in splicing nuclear RNA and confirm the presence of a large, previously predicted hairpin structure centered on the acceptor site at 67 map units.
Hypergammaglobulinæmia in Mink initiated by a Cell-free Filtrate

ALEUTIAN disease in mink is a spontaneous, transmissible disease which can be used as a model for studying the pathogenetic mechanisms in certain immunological and connective tissue diseases2. Hypergammaglobulinaemia is a constant feature of the disease1,3,5, and the severity of the natural and experimental disease appears to parallel the rise in γ-globulin2,5. The histological5,6 and histochemical7 changes resemble those of the connective tissue diseases of man. A genetic predisposition2 as well as a familial occurrence3 have been demonstrated.
Critical capillary column examination of the relationship between separation number and height equivalent to a theoretical plate and their dependence on temperature

Abstract Separation numbers (TZ values) for the homologous pair C11–C12 were determined using a capillary column at 40, 60 and 80°C, as was the height equivalent to a theoretical plate, h, for each hydrocarbon at various linear velocities. Increasing temperatures produced both decreasing TZ and h values, indicating decreased column resolution but suggesting an increase in the number of theoretical plates and hence at a contradictory improved column efficiency. The optimum linear velocity required for producing maximum TZ was shown to be the expected average of that required to produce hmin for C11 and C12. Van Deemter-type plots further suggested an inverse relationship between h and TZ. The following equation was derived: TZ = (L/5.54) 1 2 · [(t1r − tbr)/(tbrh 1 2 r + tabh 1 2 a)] − 1, where tr is the retention time of consecutive homologues a and b and L is the column length. Results using this equation were compared with those obtained with TZ = [(tbr − tar)/(wa0.5 + wb0.5)] − 1, where w0.5 is the peak width at half-height. The excellent agreement using the data from this study and previous reports clearly shows the concept of TZ to be based on sound chromatographic principles.
Social wasps: discrimination between kin and nonkin brood.

In experiments in which nest boxes were switched, colony foundresses of the social wasp Polistes fuscatus accepted sisters9 combs with little brood destruction but destroyed younger brood in the combs of less closely related females and sometimes deserted these combs. Discrimination between related and unrelated brood does not appear to depend on prior brood contact or environmentally acquired cues.
2010 Carl Ludwig Distinguished Lectureship of the APS Neural Control and Autonomic Regulation Section: Central Neural Pathways for Thermoregulatory Cold Defense

Central neural circuits orchestrate the homeostatic repertoire to maintain body temperature during environmental temperature challenges and to alter body temperature during the inflammatory response. This review summarizes the research leading to a model representing our current understanding of the neural pathways through which cutaneous thermal receptors alter thermoregulatory effectors: the cutaneous circulation for control of heat loss, and brown adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and the heart for thermogenesis. The activation of these effectors is regulated by parallel but distinct, effector-specific core efferent pathways within the central nervous system (CNS) that share a common peripheral thermal sensory input. The thermal afferent circuit from cutaneous thermal receptors includes neurons in the spinal dorsal horn projecting to lateral parabrachial nucleus neurons that project to the medial aspect of the preoptic area. Within the preoptic area, warm-sensitive, inhibitory output neurons control heat production by reducing the discharge of thermogenesis-promoting neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus. The rostral ventromedial medulla, including the raphe pallidus, receives projections form the dorsomedial hypothalamus and contains spinally projecting premotor neurons that provide the excitatory drive to spinal circuits controlling the activity of thermogenic effectors. A distinct population of warm-sensitive preoptic neurons controls heat loss through an inhibitory input to raphe pallidus sympathetic premotor neurons controlling cutaneous vasoconstriction. The model proposed for central thermoregulatory control provides a platform for further understanding of the functional organization of central thermoregulation.
Innate immune cell populations function as initiators and effectors in Th2 cytokine responses

The recent identification of previously unrecognized innate cell populations, termed natural helper cells (NHCs), multi-potent progenitor type 2 (MPP(type2)) cells, nuocytes, and innate type 2 helper (Ih2) cells has provided new insights into our understanding of the cellular mechanisms that lead to the development of CD4(+) Th2 cell-dependent immunity and/or inflammation at mucosal sites. In this review, we focus on the functional significance, similarities, and differences between NHCs, MPP(type2) cells, nuocytes and Ih2 cells. All four cell populations are activated by interleukin (IL)-25 and/or IL-33 and are capable of promoting Th2 cytokine responses. Collectively, the identification of these cell populations might illuminate ancient evolutionary conserved pathways that are involved in the development of Th2 cytokine responses, and could be of benefit in the development of therapeutic approaches that target helminth infections and allergic diseases.
Attempts to Establish and Change a Western Boundary

Abstract. The Arizona-Utah boundary follows 37° north latitude. This boundary is a good example of how a Western boundary was established, and, once it had been drawn, what techniques were used to have it changed. Western boundaries were drawn by Eastern congressmen who had little understanding of the physical and cultural geography of the area, and, for the sake of convenience, usually used lines of longitude and latitude as boundaries. These congressmen were much more interested in national issues and concerns (in drawing 37° that interest was slavery) than in the needs and desires of local residents. It is understandable why few were happy with the resultant boundaries. Thirty-seven degrees developed as one such boundary, and soon after it was drawn there were attempts to change it. Nevada was successful in having that boundary eliminated along its westernmost end; but Utah, though it had good arguments to have the boundary shifted, and tried many times under several different circumstances, and with v...
Biodegradation of crystal violet (hexamethyl-p-rosaniline chloride) by oxidative red yeasts.

Description de la biodegradation de ce colorant par les levures rouges oxydatives (Rhodotorula sp. et Rhodotorula rubra). Role des levures et des champignons inferieurs semblables aux levures dans l'elimination des contaminants de l'environnement. Etude de la souche fermentative S. Cerevisiae comme mutant pour les futures etudes sur les colorants
Community respiratory viral infections in the immunocompromised host: past, present, and future directions.

Clinicians first became interested in infectious complications in immunocompromised hosts in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Three major medical advances stimulated this interest: successes in renal transplantation, effective chemotherapeutic regimens with curative potential against a few malignant diseases, and the availability of antimicrobial agents with activity against gram-negative bacilli. Bacterial infections were the major cause of mortality in those early years, so much attention centered on management of these infections. Fungal infections were also recognized as a complication in some immunocompromised hosts, such as those with acute leukemia. Most of these infections occurred in leukemia patients who were not responding to chemotherapy, and progress in this area was thwarted by difficulties in diagnosis and limited therapeutic options.
Cross Spectral Measurements in a Quiescent Magnetoplasma

The low frequency cross spectrum of electron density fluctuations in a weakly ionized magnetoplasma is measured with two Langmuir probes aligned transverse to the static magnetic field. The shapes of the observed cross spectra are exponentionally damped cosines as predicted by theory. However, the frequency of the first zero crossing of the cross spectra is strongly dependent on probe bias.
Demonstration of Depressed Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Function in Nonviremic FeLV-Infected Cats

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from healthy, normal control cats and FeLV-infected cats were analyzed for differences in phagocytic capabilities. One week after experimental infection, PMNs from FeLV-infected cats exhibited a marked decrease in phagocytic function as determined by the luminol-dependent chemiluminescent response. Depressed PMN function was observed in these cats during the viremic stage of infection and subsequently remained depressed after the cessation of viremia. The data presented here suggest that while nonviremic cats are reported as clinically normal, they may in fact be exhibiting a suppressed PMN function.
A consensus primer to amplify both α and β chains of the human T cell receptor

The use of reverse transcriptase in conjunction with the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has proven invaluable in the analysis of the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire of different populations of T cells. However, the presence of a variable region in the T cell receptor has hindered the design of primers for the 5' end of the TCR cDNA. We describe the design and use of a degenerate consensus primer that allows amplification of both the alpha and beta chains of the human TCR. We have used this primer in the analysis of the TCR distribution of T cell clones, peripheral blood lymphocytes and lymphocytes residing in tissue. In addition, the primer has allowed the identification of an alternative splice site in the beta chain constant region which cannot translate into a functional constant region. We have found the primer to be easy to use, sensitive and specific.
The Stomach in Diabetes: From Villain to Ally

The stomach is commonly the source of chronic digestive symptoms in patients with diabetes mellitus; erratic stomach emptying may result in poor glycemic control. On the other hand, medications that mimic or enhance the function of the endogenous incretins retard gastric emptying to enhance glycemic control. In patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes, bariatric procedures alter food intake and weight; however, effects on glycemic control precede and are out of proportion with the degree of weight loss. The mechanisms responsible for the improved glycemic control after bariatric surgery are the subject of ongoing research, and include increased circulating incretins stimulated by the delivery of nutrients to the intestine, contributing to weight loss and independently to glycemic control. The stomach is not always a villain, but is an ally in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Characterization of Cell Lines Allowing Tightly Regulated Expression of Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein

A tetracycline-regulated system was used to generate cell lines allowing tightly controlled expression of a hepatitis C virus (HCV) cDNA comprising the 5' noncoding, the core, and part of the E1 regions. Production of 21-kDa processed nucleocapsid protein could be regulated over a broad range by the concentration of tetracycline present in the culture medium. Induction ratios of over 1,000-fold were found using an HCV core-luciferase fusion construct. Core protein had an intracellular half-life of 9 hr and corresponded to the product of 173 amino-terminal amino acids of the HCV open reading frame. Sequential immunofluorescence microscopy revealed the presence of core antigen first in a predominantly perinuclear fine-reticular staining pattern and subsequently also in cytoplasmic granules and vesicles. By immunoelectron microscopy core protein was found on the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and on the surface of cytoplasmic lipid droplets. Growth rate analyses and colony formation efficiency assays showed no major cytotoxic effect of HCV core protein expression per se. HCV gene expression could be inhibited by an antisense oligonucleotide targeting a region immediately downstream of the translation initiation codon. These cell lines represent important tools to investigate structural and functional properties of HCV core protein and may be useful to evaluate gene therapeutic strategies against HCV in a cellular system.
Does the Fed beat the foreign-exchange market?

Abstract This paper’s estimates and tests of Fed intervention profits are the first that explicitly adjust for foreign-exchange risk premia; failure to adjust may grossly affect estimated profits. Profits appear economically and statistically significant, whether risk premia are modeled as time-constant or as appreciation’s market beta depending on Fed intervention. The estimates are sensitive to the method of risk adjustment and to the periods used. Because a key variable, cumulative intervention, is I (1), test statistics may have non-standard distributions, a problem affecting past tests; this paper’s tests account for non-standard distributions. Possible explanations of these profits have mixed empirical support in the literature.
Improving the Care of Elderly Adults Undergoing Surgery in Michigan

Objectives To determine whether failure to rescue, as a driver of mortality, can be used to identify which hospitals attenuate the specific risks inherent to elderly adults undergoing surgery. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting State-wide surgical collaborative in Michigan. Participants Older adults undergoing major general or vascular surgery between 2006 and 2011 (N = 24,216). Measurements: Thirty-four hospitals were ranked according to risk-adjusted 30-day mortality and grouped into tertiles. Within each tertile, rates of major complications and failure to rescue were calculated, stratifying outcomes according to age (<75 vs ?75). Next, differences in failure-to-rescue rates between age groups within each hospital were calculated. Results: Failure-to-rescue rates were more than two times as high in elderly adults as in younger individuals in each tertile of hospital mortality (26.0% vs 10.3% at high-mortality hospitals, P < .001). Within hospitals, the average difference in failure-to-rescue rates was 12.5%. Nine centers performed better than expected, and three performed worse than expected, with the largest differences exceeding 25%. Conclusion: Although elderly adults experience higher failure-to-rescue rates, this does not account for hospitals' overall capacity to rescue individuals from complications. Comparing rates of younger and elderly adults within hospitals may identify centers where efforts toward complication rescue favor, or are customized for, elderly adults. These centers should be studied as part of the collaborative's effort to address the disparate outcomes that elderly adults in Michigan experience.
Alkylphosphonic acid esters as insecticides.

A large number of alkyl p -nitrophenyl alkylphosphonates and their sulfur analogs have been prepared and examined for insecticidal activity. A large majority of these compounds were extremely effective against the house fly, Musca domestica L., in spite of wide variations in both alkyl groups. The insecticidal activity of these compounds appears to be largely a function of the reactivity of the molecule.
Decreased water: increased solids: distorted serum concentrations

Serum, in which there is a pathological ratio between its percentage of water and total solids concentration is a relatively frequent occurrence in a clinical chemistry laboratory. These two factors bear an inverse relationship to each other because as the solids increase, the water decreases in fixed volumes of serum. These solid classes are comprised of proteins, lipids and crystalloids, the latter being the smaller dissolved molecules distinguished in part by their ability to go from vascular sites to the tissues as with posture changes unlike serum proteins which remain in their vascular environment during such positional changes. Of the three solids classes, only the proteins and lipids can cause significant alterations in the distribution ratios where the lipids, especially the triglycerides appear to be the major offenders among these classes of compounds. When proteins or triglycerides are markedly elevated, some sera are obviously different in appearance as elevated triglycerides result in hazy to milky sera whereas elevated proteins are a more insidious presence in that serum retains the same yellowish color and clarity much as is seen in the normal circumstances. Mathematical corrective information is available for both excessive protein and triglyceride concentrations but they appear to be infrequently used. Similarly, clearing mechanisms due to triglyceride excesses are available, but except for kits where somewhat helpful detergent action is incorporated, most disturbed results rejected by automated instrumentation may either be rejected through instrument calibration or reported incorrectly if for some reason they are not asterisked by the instrumentation. The purpose of the present report is to describe the difficulties in obtaining accurate determinations of analyte concentrations in which there are creations of pseudo-hypo-findings along with the corrective actions that can be taken including a novel clearing mechanism when excess triglycerides create a problem such as a spectrophotometric perturbation. The rationale for terms such as water dilution or electrolyte exclusion with excess protein concentrations and plasma dilution with excess triglyceride concentrations will be suggested.
Donor and Recipient Cell Surface Colony Stimulating Factor-1 Promote Neointimal Formation in Transplant-Associated Arteriosclerosis

Objective— Transplant-associated arteriosclerosis manifests as progressive vascular neointimal expansion throughout the arterial system of allografted solid organs, and eventually compromises graft perfusion and function. Allografts placed in colony stimulating factor (CSF)-1-deficient osteopetrotic ( Csf1 op /Csf1 op ) mice develop very little neointima, a finding attributed to impaired recipient macrophage function. We examined how CSF-1 affects neointima-derived vascular smooth muscle cells, tested the significance of CSF-1 expressed in donor tissue, and evaluated the contribution of secreted versus cell surface CSF-1 isoforms in transplant-associated arteriosclerosis. Methods and Results— CSF-1 activated specific signaling pathways to promote migration, survival, and proliferation of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. Tumor necrosis factor-α addition increased CSF-1 and CSF-1 receptor expression, and tumor necrosis factor-α-driven proliferation was blocked by anti-CSF-1 antibody. In a mouse vascular allograft model, lack of recipient or donor CSF-1 impaired neointima formation; the latter suggests local CSF-1 function within the allograft. Moreover, reconstitution of donor or recipient cell surface CSF-1, without secreted CSF-1, restored neointimal formation. Conclusion— Vascular smooth muscle cells activation, including that mediated by tumor necrosis factor-α, can be driven in an autocrine/juxtacrine manner by CSF-1. These studies provide evidence for local function of CSF-1 in neointimal expansion, and identify CSF-1 signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells, particularly cell surface CSF-1 signaling, as a target for therapeutic strategies in transplant-associated arteriosclerosis.
Analgesic Rebound Headache in Children and Adolescents

For more than a decade, the frequent use of analgesics has been recognized to lead to daily headaches in adults. To date, no studies on the occurrence of analgesic rebound headache have been done on the pediatric population. We retrospectively reviewed all charts of patients with the diagnosis of headache seen in our pediatric headache clinic between January 1996 and May 1997. Among the 98 patients seen, 46 (47%) suffered from daily or near daily headaches; 30 of them were consuming daily analgesics. Twenty-four patients (mean age 12.1 years, and mean follow-up 6.2 months) successfully discontinued their analgesics. Twenty-two patients were also placed on amitriptyline. A significant reduction in the frequency (80%), severity (47%), and number of school days missed (74%) were seen. In conclusion, this data is comparable to previous observations reported in adults, and suggests that the daily use of analgesics might result in daily or near daily headaches in the pediatric population. Discontinuing daily analgesics, with the concomitant use of amitriptyline, is an effective treatment for analgesic rebound headache in this population.
A Rehabilitation of Monetary Policy in the 1950's

Monetary policy in the United States in the 1950s was remarkably modern. Analysis of Federal Reserve records shows that policymakers had an overarching aversion to inflation and were willing to accept significant costs to prevent it from rising to even moderate levels. This aversion to inflation was the result of policymakers' beliefs that higher inflation could not raise output in the long run, that the level of output that would trigger increases in inflation was only moderate, and that inflation had large real costs in the medium and long runs. Furthermore, both narrative and empirical analysis indicates that policymakers were not wedded to free reserves or other faulty indicators in their implementation of policy. Empirical estimates of a forward-looking Taylor rule show that policymakers in the 1950s raised nominal interest rates more than one-for-one with increases in expected inflation, and suggests that monetary policy in the 1950s was more similar to policy in the 1980s and 1990s than to that in the late 1960s and 1970s. One implication of these findings is that the inflation of the late 1960s and 1970s must have been the result of a change in the conduct of policy.
The Role of Information and Institutional Arrangements in Stemming the Stratifying Effects of School Choice

The design and implementation of school choice programs have emerged as critical issues in debates about how to reform American schools. At the core of these debates are issues of equity and fairness. For example, does the introduction of school choice lead to greater stratification along racial and socio-economic dimensions? Do all parents have equal access to the choice programs available to them? In this study I investigate such questions by first reviewing previous research that examines how school choice affects the equality of educational opportunities and then developing a framework and a set of testable hypotheses that provide a better understanding of how institutional, demographic, and contextual factors affect potential inequities in those who participate in school choice. In applying this framework to evaluate the public school choice programs of two inner-city New York districts, I find that institutional arrangements and information play a critical role in the distribution of educational opportunity. In East Harlem's District 4, the gap in participation levels among advantaged and disadvantaged parents has been bridged not only by the maturity of the choice program and the institutional structures that are in place to disseminate and facilitate the flow of information, but also because the district culture and norms reinforce choice behavior among parents.
Bioturbation: minimal effects on the magnetic fabric of some natural and experimental sediments

Magnetic fabric measurements have been performed on three suites of sediment samples to contrast biologically disturbed and undisturbed sediments. The first of these analyses includes samples from laminated, relatively undisturbed and bioturbated, totally disturbed horizons found in an Athabasca Oil Sand core. The second includes samples from biologically undisturbed sediments from Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. The third includes evaluation of the evolution of a magnetite horizon which was established by the author in December of 1982 in a biologically active tidal flat on Sapelo Island, Georgia. Changes in this magnetite horizon were monitored by periodic subsampling. Results from these suites of samples indicate that the measured magnetic fabric in bioturbated sediments may exhibit primary sedimentary characteristics similar to undisturbed sediments. Such primary indicators include the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) parametersV used by Graham, always greater than 45°,Q used by Rees and Hamilton, always less than 0.69, and a subhorizontal magnetic foliation plane. I infer that the presence of apparently primary fabric distributions in these bioturbated sediments indicates that physical, not biological factors are responsible for the observed fabric. These factors include dewatering and simple, low magnitude compaction. The data indicate that it cannot be assumed, a priori, that poor fabric distributions are the result of bioturbation. On the contrary, for the Sapelo Island experiments, the magnetic fabric actually improved with bioturbation and the Athabasca bioturbated magnetic fabric is very similar to that from the Athabasca laminated sediment. Data from the Sapelo Island, Georgia, tidal flat experiment are interpreted to indicate that long-axis AMS alignments develop within the sediment. Such alignments are the result of water movement through sediment which exhibits increased porosity due to high rates of burrowing. It is also observed that RM precision improves during the experiment in spite of bioturbation.
Relativistic computations of the electronic states of the superheavy element 114 and 114

Abstract Relativistic complete active space multi-configuration interaction followed by multi-reference configuration interaction computations are carried out for the electronic states of the newly discovered superheavy element 114 and 114 + . Many unusual periodic trends in the energy separations of the electronic states of the element 114 and 114 + and unusual features in electronic state compositions are found due to relativistic effects.
On the generation of high-amplitude wall-pressure peaks in turbulent boundary layers and spots

The coupling between high-amplitude wall-pressure peaks and flow structures, especially in the near-wall region, was studied for a zero-pressure-gradient turbulent-boundary-layer flow and for the flow in the interior of artificially generated turbulent spots. By use of an ‘enhanced’ conditional averaging technique it was shown that buffer region shear-layer structures are to a high degree responsible for the generation of large positive wall-pressure peaks. The relation was proved to be bi-directional in that strong shear layers were shown to accompany positive pressure peaks and correspondingly that large pressure peaks were associated with shear-layer structures detected in the buffer region. This also indicates a link between the wall-pressure peaks and turbulence-producing mechanisms. The pressure-peak amplitude was found to scale linearly with the velocity amplitude of the generating flow structure, indicating that a dominating role here is played by the so-called turbulence – mean shear interaction. The large negative wall-pressure peaks were found to be associated primarily with sweep-type motions. All essential features of the relation between wall-pressure peaks and flow structures in artificially generated spots in a laminar boundary layer were found to be identical to those in the equilibrium turbulent boundary layer.
A persistent pattern of varying pituitary responsivity to exogenous growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone in GH-deficient children: evidence supporting periodic somatostatin secretion.

The pattern and degree of variation in pituitary responsivity to GHRH was examined in four GH-deficient children (two boys and two girls, aged 4 3/12 to 10 4/12 yr). All children were studied before and on multiple (three to six per child) occasions during long term GHRH therapy (1 or 2 μg/kg, sc, every 3 h) in an identical fashion. Each study comprised withdrawal of blood for serum GH measurements every 20 min between 2000 and 0800 h. All subjects received GHRH at 2000, 2300, 0200, and 0500 h as well as at 0800, 1100, 1400, and 1700 h throughout the long term treatment period (6–18 months). Although all children had low level (<7.0 μg/L) pulsatile GH secretion during baseline studies, the maximal peak values occurred at times other than 0500 h. Before GHRH treatment, serum GH levels rose significantly in response to 91% (62 of 68) of the GHRH doses administered. GH pulse amplitudes varied throughout the studies in all children, and this variability persisted despite 1300-3600 consecutive doses in each ch...