cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atorvastatin is associated with reduced cisplatin-induced hearing loss

BACKGROUNDCisplatin is widely used to treat adult and pediatric cancers. It is the most ototoxic drug in clinical use, resulting in permanent hearing loss in approximately 50% of treated patients. There is a major need for therapies that prevent cisplatin-induced hearing loss. Studies in mice suggest that concurrent use of statins reduces cisplatin-induced hearing loss.METHODSWe examined hearing thresholds from 277 adults treated with cisplatin for head and neck cancer. Pretreatment and posttreatment audiograms were collected within 90 days of initiation and completion of cisplatin therapy. The primary outcome measure was a change in hearing as defined by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE).RESULTSAmong patients on concurrent atorvastatin, 9.7% experienced a CTCAE grade 2 or higher cisplatin-induced hearing loss compared with 29.4% in nonstatin users (P 0.05).CONCLUSIONSOur data indicate that atorvastatin use is associated with reduced incidence and severity of cisplatin-induced hearing loss in adults being treated for head and neck cancer.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03225157.FUNDINGFunding was provided by the Division of Intramural Research at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (1 ZIA DC000079, ZIA DC000090).
Discrete-time modeling of Li-ion batteries with electrochemical overpotentials including diffusion

Abstract A battery equivalent circuit model (ECM) is proposed using a novel physics-based diffusion component and N resistor–capacitor (RC) pairs, hence its name the ‘DNRC model’. The DNRC model characterizes ohmic, charge transfer, and diffusion overpotentials in the time domain with physically-meaningful circuit elements. Unlike the Warburg impedance, the diffusion component has no need for frequency-domain data and is formulated entirely in the time domain. Physical interpretability is validated by comparison with physics-based model (PBM) generated data. Experimental validation is performed at a wide range of state of charge (SoC) and state of health (SoH) using pulse injection and drive cycle data. The mean absolute percent error is below 0.3% using 5 circuit elements for 4 min of an arbitrary current load. The DNRC model is grounded in physical principles, suitable for real-time estimation, and may form the basis for new approaches to degradation reduction or diagnosis in battery management systems.
Ethnic identity and self‐esteem among Asian and European Americans: When a minority is the majority and the majority is a minority

Three studies were conducted to examine the impact of being a numeric majority or minority in Hawai'i and U.S. mainland on the ethnic identity and self-esteem of Asian and European Americans. Results of Study 1 (N = 214, M age = 19.85 years) and Study 2 (N = 215, M age = 18.20 years) showed that Asian Americans who grew up on the U.S. mainland, where they are a numeric minority, reported higher ethnic identity than did Asian Americans who grew up in Hawai'i, where they are a numeric majority. In addition, ethnic identity was significantly associated with self-esteem for Asian Americans from the U.S. mainland and European Americans from Hawai'i (numeric minority), but not for Asian Americans from Hawai'i and European Americans from the U.S. mainland (numeric majority). Study 3 (N = 88, M age = 18.12) examined ethnic identity and self-esteem among Asian and European Americans who had moved from the U.S. mainland to attend a university in Hawai'i over a 1 year time period. The results showed significant relations between ethnic identity and self-esteem for Asian Americans when they initially moved to Hawai'i, but this relation decreased after they had lived in Hawai'i for 1 year. The findings highlight contextual variations in ethnic identity and self-esteem for members of both minority and majority groups in the U.S. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Historic Bread Riot in Virginia City

"The purpose of this paper is to show the sudden rise in the price of flour, the results that followed the exploitation of the miners by speculators and the sudden return to normal conditions as soon as the melting of the snows in the mountains opened the roads to the freight trains."
Learning from opportunity

ABSTRACT A recent shift in perspective on planning has focused new attention on the issue of plan execution. This change of focus has opened the door to the study of execution-time issues such as opportunism and learning from expectation failure. In this paper, we present a model of opportunistic planning that uses planning-time reasoning about the opportunities that might arise during plan execution. Along with the elements of the planner that capitalize on perceived opportunities, there is a component that learns the plans for the current conjunct of goals. In earlier work (Hammond 1989a), we proposed a mechanism for learning from execution-time plan failure. Here, we suggest a corollary notion of learning from execution-time planning opportunities.
Protein kinase C-site phosphorylation of cardiac myosin binding protein-C decreases cross-bridge kinetics (1081.5)

Cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) phosphorylation is necessary for the regulation of sarcomeric structure and myocardial contractility in vivo. Different from skeletal isoforms, cMyBP-C has M-domain phosphorylation motifs in which three serines, Ser273, 282 and 302, are known to be substrates for several kinases. Phosphorylation of these M-domain sites regulates the interaction of cMyBP-C with thick and thin myofilaments during muscle contraction. While protein kinase C (PKC) is known to phosphorylate Ser273 and Ser302, the precise functional consequences of PKC-mediated cMyBP-C phosphorylation are not fully characterized. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine how PKC-mediated phosphorylation at Ser273/302 might control the function of cMyBP-C in the context of thick and thin myofilament regulation and sarcomere contraction. Using recombinant proteins and yeast-2-hybrid (Y2H) clones expressing Ser273-Ser282-Ser302 (cMyBP-CWT), Ala273-Asp282-Ala302 (cMyBP-CADA) or Asp273-Ala282-A...
Legislation and statutory interpretation

Suitable for students or practitioners, this authoritative overview of the legislative process and statutory interpretation moves smoothly and understandably between the theoretical and the practical. You'll find in-depth discussion of such topics as theories of legislation and representation, electoral and legislative structures, extrinsic sources for statutory interpretation, and substantive canons of statutory interpretation. Reap the benefits of the authors' experience, opinions, and insight and gain a working knowledge of the area.
Experiments on improving the compression of special data types

Summary form only given. This paper, reports on experiments with two data compression schemes. The first seeks to improve the fidelity of reconstructed images through the parallel application of lossless and lossy compression to disjoint fields of image pixels. The second experiment is based on the observation that many relational database records exhibit a strong locality behavior, i.e., consecutive characters (within the same attribute) tend to be of the same type (alphabets, digit, trailing blanks, successive zeros, etc.). Adaptive compression schemes may not be quick enough in capturing and adapting to the transition from one field to the next. These can be modified by splitting the original alphabet into two or more smaller alphabets. >
The transforming domain alone of the latent membrane protein of Epstein-Barr virus is toxic to cells when expressed at high levels.

Abstract A previously unrecognized activity has been associated with the product of the BNLF-1 gene of Epstein-Barr virus. This gene encodes the latent membrane protein of Epstein-Barr virus. When the gene was expressed at high levels, it was toxic to all cell lines tested, which included six human B-lymphoid lines as well as BALB/3T3, 143/EBNA-1, and HEp-2 cells. The BNLF-1 gene was previously shown to induce anchorage-independent and tumorigenic growth in Rat-1 and BALB/3T3 cells. We demonstrate here that only those mutations in the BNLF-1 gene that score positively in the anchorage-independent growth assay were cytotoxic when expressed at high levels. It is therefore possible that the same activities of the latent membrane protein that are necessary to induce anchorage-independent growth of some rodent cell lines also confer toxicity to many cell lines when expressed at high levels.
Rundown of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate channels during whole‐cell recording in rat hippocampal neurons: role of Ca2+ and ATP.

1. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) channel activity was studied on cultured rat hippocampal neurons in whole-cell voltage-clamp mode. NMDA responses were evoked by rapid application of NMDA and the cytosol was modified using pipette dialysis and intracellular perfusion. 2. In the presence of 2 mM [Ca2+]o with 2.4 mM BAPTA (1,2-bis(O-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) and 0.4 mM Ca2+ in the whole-cell pipette, the response evoked by regular applications of 10 microM NMDA gradually decreased during prolonged whole-cell recording. After 25 min the peak current was reduced to 56 +/- 1.6% of control. Channel 'rundown' could be prevented by inclusion of an ATP regenerating solution in the pipette. 3. Rundown did not occur in Ca(2+)-free medium even in the absence of added ATP regenerating solution. Rundown was also prevented by increasing [BAPTA]i to 10 mM whereas raising [Ca2+]i by inhibiting the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger or by perfusing the patch pipette with high [Ca2+]i (15-1000 microM) reversibly inhibited the NMDA current. By contrast, the rundown of kainate responses was Ca(2+)-independent. 4. The rate and reversibility of rundown was use-dependent. Rundown did not occur with infrequent NMDA applications (0.2/min). Following channel rundown in Ca(2+)-containing medium, a 5 min pause in agonist applications or adding ATP regenerating solution by intracellular perfusion resulted in complete recovery. However, rundown did not recover following large currents evoked by 300 microM NMDA or when 10 mM EGTA was used as the intracellular buffer. Protease inhibitors did not prevent irreversible rundown. 5. ATP-gamma-S (4 mM) was less effective than the ATP regenerating solution in preventing rundown. Likewise, intracellular dialysis with alkaline phosphatase, phosphatase 1 or calcineurin did not induce rundown and addition of phosphatase inhibitors also did not block rundown. Thus receptor dephosphorylation did not appear to be primarily responsible for channel rundown. 6. The mean open time and unitary conductance of the NMDA channel were unaffected by rundown as estimated by fluctuation analysis. The conductance was 42.8 +/- 2.9 nS before and 43.7 +/- 2.8 nS after rundown. The mean open times were 17.3 and 4.0 ms before and 15.9 and 4.0 ms after rundown. However the open probability was reduced following rundown as determined by the onset of MK-801 block of steady-state NMDA currents. 7. Our results suggest that an increase in intracellular calcium leads to channel rundown during whole-cell recording by reducing the open probability of the NMDA channel.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Fatty acids filamentous green algae

Abstract Fatty acid analyses of several filamentous green algae were conducted using gas-liquid chromatography. Two bryophytes were also examined. Qualitatively, the genera of algae studied were divided into two groups: (A) algae that have significant amounts of polyunsaturated C 20 fatty acids and (B) algae that lack or only have very small amounts of the C 20 acids. On the basis of fatty acid content, the algae of Group A more closely resemble the bryophytes than do the algae of Group B . Culture age was shown to cause quantitative but not qualitative variations in fatty acid content. It is evident from this study that extrapolation to land plants, from studies on the fatty acid content of the green algae, should include the filamentous forms.
Manipulation of spatiotemporal photon distribution via chromatic aberration

We demonstrate a spatiotemporal laser-pulse-shaping scheme that exploits the chromatic aberration in a dispersive lens. This normally harmful effect transforms the phase modulation into a beam-size modulation at the focal plane. In combination with the intricate diffraction effect via beam apodization, this method provides a spatiotemporal control of photon distribution with an accuracy of diffraction limit on a time scale of femtoseconds.
The Endo-Trans and Poly-Trans Implants—A Solution to the Problem of Masticatory Stresses on Implants

The endo-trans and poly-trans implants simulate the long, divergent, multirooted teeth in the natural dentition. The design of the implants causes the masticatory stresses to fall within the supporting divergent legs of the implants, thus enabling the implants to withstand the stresses.
DDT contamination of benthic macroinvertebrates and sediments from tributaries of Wheeler Reservoir, Alabama.

Residues of DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane) were measured quarterly during 1983–84 in bottom sediments and benthic macroinvertebrates from heavily contaminated sections of Huntsville Spring Branch (HSB) and Indian Creek (IC), backwater streams on Wheeler Reservoir (Alabama). Bottom muds from both channel and overbank locations contained mean concentrations of DDTR (DDT and its metabolites) ranging from 12 to 2,730 ppm (dry weight). Sediment DDTR were highest in HSB at stations closest to the original DDT source. Stations in IC, downstream from HSB, had progressively lower DDTR as distance from the DDT source increased. Macroinvertebrate DDTR measured from several stations suggested bioaccumulation of residues mainly through food webs; however, at the most contaminated locations, substrate and mode of life appeared to override trophic level effects in determining DDTR in the benthos. There is apparently an upper limit to the amount of DDTR these organisms usually accumulate. For example, detritivore DDTR from channel sediments at two stations just downstream from the DDT source averaged 125.1 and 157.9 ppm, respectively, although sediment DDTR at these two sites averaged 2,730 ppm and 96 ppm, respectively. Benthic macroinvertebrates in the highly contaminated sediments of HSB and IC apparently acquire DDTR from water, sediments, and food.
Allergy and epilepsy.

SUMMARY As observed by Foster Kennedy 40 years ago, cases of allergic epilepsy are “dramatic and rare”. But perhaps less rare than he supposed, and now increasing for reasons outlined. A re-examination of the role of allergy in epileptogenesis is currently warranted. Among the infinite causes of epilepsy, allergic reaction is one which under certain circumstances should be sought for. Laboratory tests may be helpful, but a comprehensive and carefully directed history is the most valid source of data. Some cases of late epilepsy will be found to be due to allergic epilepsy, represented by a single seizure only. But the severity of allergic reactions of the central nervous system varies through a broad range, and reflects a variety of neuropathological processes, some progressive and some even fatal. A condensed classification of possible clinical patterns is offered. These six cases again demonstrate the varied etiologies of epilepsy, and the need for the clinicians' relentless pursuit of possible causative or precipitating factors in the individual patient. They demonstrate also compelling reasons for an individualized therapeutic program. A stereotyped diagnostic or therapeutic approach to convulsive disorders is pre-doomed to failure. REASUMEA Comme Foster Kennedy le faisait remarquer il y a 40 ans, les cas d'epilepsie allergique sont ‘rares et dramatiques’. Il est cependant possible qu'ils soient moins rares qu'on ne le suppose et peut-eCtre meCme que leur freAquence augmente actuellement. Il est done justifieA d'envisager aG nouveau le roCle de l'allergie en matieGre d'eApilepsie. Parmi les causes infinies d'eApilepsie, la reAaction allergique est une de celles auxquel-les il faut penser dans certaines circonstances. Les tests de laboratoire peuvent eCtre utiles en la matieGre, mais un interrogatoire compreAhensif et bien dirigeA demeure la source d'information la plus valide. Quelques cas d'eApilepsie tardive seront ainsi reconnus comme reAsultant d'une eApilepsie allergique repreAsenteAe par une crise unique. Mais la graviteA des reAactions allergiques du systeGme nerveux central varie treGs largement et reApond aG une grande varieAteA de processus neuropathologiques dont quelques uns sont progressifs et d'autres eAventuellement fatals. Une classification reAsumeAe des aspects cliniques possibles est preAsenteAe. Ces six cas fournissent aussi une preuve des eAtiologies varieAes de l'eApilepsie et de la neAcessiteA pour le clinicien de continuer aG rechercher les facteurs responsables et precipitants chez certains patients en particulier; ils deAmontrent encore la neAcessiteA d'un programme theArapeutique individualiseA. Une approche steAreAotypeAe du diagnostic et du traitement des manifestations convulsives serait en effet destineeA aG l'eAchec.
NOTES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE PALE-MANDIBLED ARAÇARI

Abstract The little-known Pale-mandibled Aracari is endemic to wet forests of western Ecuador. I quantified population density, feeding ecology, reproductive biology, and vocalizations. Population density in the study area was one group (nine individuals) per 333 ha. They were observed to consume fruits of 34 species of plants, of which Lauraceae and Palmae were the most important. Pale-mandibled Aracaris fed their young fruits from at least eight species of plants, insects from five orders, adult and nestling birds, and bird eggs. Nests were made in cavities within live trees, typically Carapa guianensis, and clutches consisted of at least two eggs. At one nest, incubation lasted approximately 17 d. Nestling care in one nest lasted at least 44 d, and was shared by the female, the male and at least one helper. Pale-mandibled Aracaris roosted in groups of up to seven individuals. Ninety-five percent of primary forest in the range of this species had been cut by 1988, and less than 1% of its original habita...
Ten-year results of the treatment of early-stage breast carcinoma in elderly women using breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation

Purpose: The optimal management of breast cancer in elderly women is not well established. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the outcome of breast cancer in elderly women treated with breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation. Methods and Materials: An analysis was performed of 558 women age 2 50 years treated with breastconserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation for Stages I-II invasive carcinoma of the breast. Of the 558 total women, there were 173 elderly women age 2 65 years and a comparison group of 385 women age 50-64 years. Treatment for all women included complete gross excision of the primary tumor, pathologic axillary lymph node staging, and definitive breast irradiation. Adjuvant systemic chemotherapy was used in 18% (102 out of 558) of the overall group. Adjuvant tamoxifen was used in 17% (94 out of 558) of the overall group. The median follow-up after treatment was 6.2 years (mean = 6.4 years; range = 0.1-15.4 years). Results: Elderly patients age 2 65 years and patients age 50-64 years were both found to have tumors withverse prognostic features, including clinical T2 lesions (43 vs. 34 % , respectively; p = 0.055), estrogen receptor negativity (9 vs. 16%, respectively; p = 0.13), and progesterone receptor negativity (17 vs. 21%, respectively; p = 0.50). Pathologic axiIlary lymph node staging showed that 24% of the elderly women were node positive, including 8% with four or more positive nodes, which was not different from women age 50-64 years (p = 0.23). There was no difference between the two age groups for the rate of deaths from breast cancer at 10 years (13 vs. 13%, respectively; p = 0.71). However, there was a significant difference between the two age groups for the rate of deaths from intercurrent disease at 10 years (11 vs. 2%, respectively; p = 0.0006). There were no differences between the two age groups for the lo-year rates of overall survival (77 vs. 85%, respectively; p = 0.14), relapse-free survival (64 vs. 70%, respectively; p = 0.16), freedom from distant metastases (83 vs. 78%, respectively; p = 0.45), or local failure (13 vs. 12%, respectively; p = 0.60). Conclusions: These results have shown that breast carcinomas in elderly women are not indolent and have a number of adverse prognostic features. Breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation in elderly women age 2 65 years achieves good outcomes for survival, freedom from distant metastases, and local control, which are comparable to women age 50-64 years. The causes of deaths in elderly women age 2 65 years are from both breast cancer and intercurrent disease. Breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation should continue to be considered as a standard treatment option for appropriately selected elderly women with early-stage breast cancer. Breast cancer, Radiation therapy, Elderly women, Breast-conservation treatment.
The Influence of Insecticides and Vegetation in Structuring Formica Mound Ant Communities (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Maine Lowbush Blueberry

Assessing the influence of new, reduced-risk insecticides on natural enemies within agroecosystems is essential to developing integrated pest management strategies. Three species of mound-building Formica ants are abundant throughout Maine lowbush blueberry fields (Formica exsectoides Forel, F. glacialis Wheeler, and F. ulkei Emery). All three species have been described in the literature as predaceous, with research demonstrating that F. exsectoides preys on major pest insects of lowbush blueberry. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of common-use and newly introduced insecticides on Formica sp. ant communities in lowbush blueberry fields. Laboratory assays indicated that the commonly applied insecticide phosmet is toxic to F. exsectoides, even after 8 d of field weathering (P < 0.05). Species comparisons indicated that susceptibility varied with exposure to residues in the field. However, some of the reduced-risk biorational insecticides, such as acetamiprid, had little effect on survival of all three species. Abundance of each species in the field varied with lowbush blueberry pesticide-use strategy and amount of nonblueberry vegetation. Both F. exsectoides and F. glacialis were most abundant in organic fields; however, overall F. glacialis was the most abundant in fields of all management types. Field surveys support laboratory results suggesting that phosmet is highly toxic to these species and influences their spatial pattern. Manipulation of the crop to conserve natural enemies in lowbush blueberry is difficult because the crop is not planted; therefore, we must look closely at the incorporation of low toxicity insecticides with natural enemies to efficiently control pest insects.
High-Level Waste Glass

Glass is a good material in which to incorporate high-level radioactive waste (HLW) for permanent storage. HLW, a complex mixture of fission products and actinides, results from the reprocessing of...
Corrosion of aluminum alloys containing lithium

Abstract Aluminum alloys containing lithium exhibit high strength, high elastic modulus, and low density. These alloys contain a metastable, coherent δ′ (Al 3 Li) phase which forms by homogeneous decomposition of the solid solution. Efforts are made to improve the ductility by alloying and heat treatment. In this work the corrosion behavior of AlLi, AlLiMn, AlLiZr, AlLiMg, and AlLiCu alloys was investigated as a function of composition and aging and correlated with the microstructure. The tests were made in a 3.5% NaCl solution, and included potential, potentiodynamic and potentiostatic measurements, and weight loss determinations. The results show that aging to peak hardness had little effect on the corrosion resistance. Overaging of the AlLi, AlLiMn, and AlLiZr alloys generally increased the susceptibility to corrosion, which has been attributed to the formation of the stable (AlLi) phase. Mg-containing alloys showed less severe effect of overaging because of the formation of the Al 3 MgLi phase which tied up some of the lithium. In the Cu-containing alloy the supersaturation with lithium was low and overaging did not affect the corrosion resistance.
Investigation of a pulse compression technique for medical ultrasound: a simulation study

Pulse compression techniques that are capable of producing a large signal-to-noise (SNR) enhancement, have been used successfully in many different fields. For medical applications, frequency-dependent attenuation in soft tissue can limit the usefulness of this method. In the paper, this issue is examined through model-simulation studies. Frequency-modulation (FM) chirp, considered in the study, is just one form of pulse coding technique. Pulse propagation effects in soft tissue are modelled as a linear zero phase filter. A method to perform simulations and estimate the effective time-bandwidth product K is outlined. K describes the SNR enhancement attainable under limitations imposed by the soft-tissue medium. An effective time-bandwidth product is evaluated as a function of soft-tissue linear attenuation coefficient αo, scatterer depth z and the bandwidth of the interrogating FM pulse, under realistic conditions. Results indicate that, under certain conditions, K can be significantly lower than its expected value in a non-attenuating medium. It is argued that although limitations exist, pulse compression techniques can still be used to improve resolution or increase penetrational depth. The real advantage over conventional short-pulse imaging comes from the possibility that these improvements can be accomplished without increasing the peak intensity of the interrogating pulse above any threshold levels set by possible bio-effect considerations.
Density-dependent frequency shift of the hydrogen S2/1/ quadrupole line

An optical parametric oscillator pumped with an Nd:YAG laser was used in the investigations along with a White cell and a scanning spectrometer. The frequency of the S2(1) line was measured at a temperature of about 293 K over the density range from 1 to 4.3 amagat with the aid of a technique reported by Douglas and Sharma (1953). It was found that the obtained data are in good agreement with measurements conducted by Fink et al. (1965).
The Role of Automation and Labor in Determining Customer Satisfaction in a Telephone Repair Service Process

Telephone repair process and performance relationships are modeled using a structural equation approach. The basic structure of the causal model is a function of process flow. The data analysis and modeling approach advocated here can be applied to any manufacturing or service process that has a recurrent process flow and good internal and external performance data. Our primary objectives are to define quantitatively (1) how the performance of repair persons dispatched to the customers' premises is related to automatic testing and repair, and (2) how internal process performance is linked to external customer satisfaction. A secondary objective of this article is to explain briefly some of the practical problems of modeling process-level performance relationships. Results indicate that the structural equation models are statistically significant and have a meaningful interpretation. Examples of “what if” scenarios using these structural equation models are presented to help managers predict customer satisfaction levels given certain process performance improvements, set standards of performance, and better understand the interdependencies between labor and automation resources in this telephone repair process.
Ultrastructure and immunohistochemical identification of the extracellular matrix of the chinchilla cochlea.

Abstract The molecular composition and three-dimensional organization of the extracellular matrix (ECM) was studied by immunofluorescent microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy in three connective tissue structures of the cochlea: the spiral limbus, basilar membrane and spiral ligament. Type II collagen, fibronectin, tenascin, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, α v and β 1 integrins were immunolocalized in the ECM of these connective tissue structures. Electron micrographs showed a continuum of cross-striated collagen fibrils having a similar diameter and axial periodicity that spread from the spiral limbus via the basilar membrane and into the spiral ligament. Some of collagen fibrils were aggregated laterally into bundles. Bundle images, and their digital Fourier transformations, showed a major 67-nm axial D-repeat characteristic for collagen fibrils. Transmission electron microscopy showed numerous proteoglycans associated with the collagen fibrils. The spiral limbus, basilar membrane and spiral ligament demonstrated regional differences in molecular composition and structural organization of their ECM. The glycoproteins fibronectin, tenascin and α V integrin were immunolocalized mainly in the basilar membrane. Collagen fibrils of the spiral limbus and spiral ligament did not appear to be strongly oriented. However, most of the collagen fibrils in the basilar membrane were arranged into radially directed bundles. Collagen fibrils in the basilar membrane were also surrounded by a homogeneous matrix, which was immunoreactive to fibronectin and tenascin antibodies. A more complete understanding of the composition and structural organization of the ECM in these connective tissue structures in the cochlea provides a foundation upon which micromechanical models of cochlear function can be constructed.
Alteration of the human sperm surface during in vitro capacitation as assessed by lectin-induced agglutination

Human sperm incubated in vitro in BWW medium containing 35 mg/ml human serum albumin acquire the capacity to penetrate the human zona pellucida and to fuse with the zona-free hamster oocyte. We have studied changes in lectin-induced agglutination of human sperm during incubation in this medium to detect alterations in the sperm surface which may be correlated with the acquisition of these functions. Sperm incubated for 1, 6, or 24 hr were combined with two-fold dilutions of lectins for 30 min at 37°C, in 5% CO2, balance air. When pooled data from five donors were analyzed, the average sperm agglutination titer of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), phytohemagglutinin-E (PHA), Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), peanut agglutinin (PNA), and Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA) was found to increase significantly (P ≤ 0.06) with incubation in vitro, although there was considerable variation between ejaculates. Ulex europaeus and Dolichos biflorus agglutinins did not agglutinate human sperm (≤250 μg/ml). Results of this screening demonstrate the alteration of sperm surface components during in vitro incubation and suggest that WGA, PHA, LCA, and PSA may prove useful in efforts to correlate changes in the sperm surface with the ability of the sperm to fertilize the egg.
Regeneration of neural lobe-like neurovascular contact regions in explanted neural lobes placed in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial tract in the lateral retrochiasmatic area.

Abstract Neural lobes that had been explanted 30 days earlier were transplanted into retrochiasmatic lesions of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial tract 15 days before being observed by electron microscopy and neurophysin immunohistochemistry. Neurovascular contact regions consisting of microvascular networks surrounded by neurophysin-immunoreactive terminals developed in 86% of the grafted explants. The fine structure of such regions resembled that of the neural lobe, with palisades of neurosecretory axon terminals abutting the basal laminae associated with the microvessels and plexuses of neurosecretory axons occupying the spaces within the vascular network. Both continuous and fenestrated blood vessels were present. Lamellopodia from glial cells partially ensheathed both axons and terminals, and sometimes separated the terminals from the perivascular basal lamina. Profiles in which neurosecretory granulated vesicles were depleted and many microvesicles were present were interpreted as terminals from which hormones had been released. No regeneration occurred into explants that had been cryotreated to kill their pituicytes and other cells before transplantation. These observations demonstrate that neurosecretory axons severed in the hypothalamus can regenerate to form a new neural lobe-like structure when an appropriate microenvironment is available, and that neural lobes explanted 21 days earlier retain the elements required to supply that microenvironment. They also provide evidence that viable pituicytes are essential for regeneration of neurosecretory axons and terminals into transplanted explants.
The impact of manipulating surface topography on the hydrologic restoration of a forested coastal wetland

Abstract A wetland, converted to agriculture in the mid-1970s, was restored to re-establish a non-riverine wet hardwood forest community in eastern North Carolina. Three surface techniques were implemented during construction to determine their effect on successfully restoring target wetland hydrology. The surface treatments, replicated within a randomized complete block design, were: plugging field ditches without altering the land surface (PLUG), plugging the field ditches and roughening the surface (ROUGH), and plugging the field ditches and removing the field crown (CR). Hydrologic conditions for the restoration and a nearby reference site were evaluated based on three years of monitoring data. Daily water table depths between the restoration and reference were within 11 cm on average. An initial evaluation found inconsistencies of treatment effect between blocks, and an as-built survey later confirmed surface elevations within Block 3 deviated from the intended design and was excluded from further analysis. Water table and outflow conditions for the remaining treatment plots and the reference were evaluated using several hydrologic criteria. The CR treatment was found to produce the wettest surface conditions and exported the lowest volume of outflow. For the majority of criterion considered, CR also produced significantly wetter conditions than the reference. The PLUG and ROUGH treatments produced similar hydrologic conditions and tracked closely with the median hydrologic conditions in the reference. Based on the results of this study and several others in low lying coastal areas, plugging pre-existing field ditches may be adequate to restore jurisdictional wetland hydrology and match reference hydrologic conditions. However, surface roughening is low cost method to increase surface storage and introduce microtopographic diversity. For many areas, the removal of existing field crown may be cost-prohibitive and produce wetter than desired conditions. Crown removal should be reserved for sites which have borderline historic wetland hydrologic characteristics.
Dynamic changes of hypoglossal and phrenic activities by hypoxia and hypercapnia.

Abstract Steady-state responses of unanesthetized subjects to hypercapnia of hypoxia provide no evidence that chemoreceptor afferents are differentially distributed upon hypoglossal and busbospinal-phrenic neurons, as suggested by results in anesthetized animals. We hypothesized that dynamic changes in activities of phrenic and hypoglossal nerves might differ following sudden alterations of inspired gases. This hypothesis was based on the observation that episodes of obstructive apnea may follow central apnea. The obstruction might reflect phrenic activity increasing more quickly than that of the hypoglossal upon resumption of ventilation. In decerebrate, vagotomized, paralyzed and ventilated cats, we recorded phrenic and hypoglossal activities before and during abrupt, sustained exposure to hypocapnia, hypoxia and hypoxic hypocapnia, and following sudden withdrawal of these stimuli. For all such manoeuvres, activities of phrenic and hypoglossal nerves incresed or decreased in parallel fashion. Our findings rejection of the hypothesis of differing dynamic phrenic and hypoglossal responses to chemoreceptor stimuli. The concept that the ventilatory control system is well organized to prevent upper airway obstructions is discussed.
Are structural brain abnormalities associated with suicidal behavior in patients with psychotic disorders

Suicide represents a major health problem world-wide. Nevertheless, the understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of suicidal behavior remains far from complete. We compared suicide attempters to non-attempters, and high vs. low lethality attempters, to identify brain regions associated with suicidal behavior in patients with psychotic disorders. 489 individuals with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or psychotic bipolar disorder I and 262 healthy controls enrolled in the B-SNIP study were studied. Groups were compared by attempt history and the highest medical lethality of previous suicide attempts. 97 patients had a history of a high lethality attempt, 51 of a low lethality attempt and 341 had no attempt history. Gray matter volumes were obtained from 3T structural MRI scans using FreeSurfer. ANCOVAs were used to examine differences between groups, followed by Hochberg multiple comparison correction. Compared to non-attempters, attempters had significantly less gray matter volume in bilateral inferior temporal and superior temporal cortices, left superior parietal, thalamus and supramarginal regions, right insula, superior frontal and rostral middle frontal regions. Among attempters, a history of high lethality attempts was associated with significantly smaller volumes in the left lingual gyrus and right cuneus. Compared to non-attempters, low lethality attempters had significant decreases in the left supramarginal gyrus, thalamus and the right insula. Structural brain abnormalities may distinguish suicide attempters from non-attempters and high from low lethality attempters among individuals with psychotic disorders. Regions in which differences were observed are part of neural circuitries that mediate inhibition, impulsivity and emotion, visceral, visual and auditory perception.
Programming with(out) the GOTO

A brief history of the goto controversy (retention or deletion of the goto statement) is presented. After considering some of the theoretical and practical aspects of the problem, a summary of arguments both for and against the goto is given.
The Recognition of Nonallergic Asthma

1)"Nonallergic asthma" can occur from any condition in which there is a partial obstruction of the laryngotracheobronchial tree. It can also occur from sudden dilatation of the left ventricle. 2)We have discussed patients whose wheezing and dyspnea were due to (1) a leiomyoma of the trachea, (2) a carcinoma of the carina, (3) a substernal goiter, (4) silicosis of the lungs, (5) acute cardiac dyspnea (cardiac asthma), and (6) bronchiectasis. 3)We urge all allergists to become more proficient as internists, and also suggest that all internists learn enough about allergy so that they can make correct diagnoses and hurry the allergy surveys which are so important in the treatment of true allergic conditions.
Laparoscopic evacuation of mucinous ascites for palliation of pseudomyxoma peritonei.

Accumulation of mucinous ascites causes significant morbidity for patients with unresectable pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). The success of paracentesis for mucin evacuation is limited due to the presence of adhesions, disease burden, and the viscous nature of mucinous ascites. We sought to review our experience with laparoscopic evacuation of mucinous ascites for palliation of PMP. Records were reviewed for patients who underwent laparoscopy for carcinomatosis secondary to appendix or colon cancer from July 2007 to January 2014. Of 123 patients, 10 were identified who underwent 17 laparoscopic procedures for palliative evacuation of mucinous ascites. All patients had primary appendiceal cancers and all presented with symptomatic ascites causing abdominal distension and bloating. Pneumoperitoneum was established with a Veress needle or 5-mm optical viewing trocar in the majority of cases (n = 11). In the remaining six cases, an open technique was used and a 10-mm Hasson trocar was placed. There were no trocar-related complications. The median volume of mucin evacuated was 2.0 liters (range 1.7–8.0). All procedures were done as same-day surgeries; no patients required hospitalization. All patients reported symptomatic improvement following the procedure. One patient experienced a grade 1 complication of persistent drainage from one incision, which was managed in the outpatient setting. The median follow-up for all pts was 9.1 months. The median time to recurrent symptoms requiring repeat intervention was 5.3 months. Laparoscopic evacuation of mucinous ascites for select patients with PMP is feasible and results in significant, durable symptom control with minimal morbidity.
Epitaxial rotation of two-dimensional rare-gas lattices on Ag(111)

Low-energy electron-diffraction results from rare gases adsorbed on Ag(111) are presented. On the clean surface, the rare-gas overlayer lattices are always aligned with the substrate step direction, but when a small amount of a different adsorbate is put on the surface first, the overlayer grows in a rotated orientation at a nonsymmetry angle which depends on the rare gas and its exact lattice spacing and on the preadsorbate. These lattice rotation angles are not those predicted by the Novaco-McTague (NM) theory for epitaxial rotation, nor those predicted by any other model for epitaxial rotation. Molecular statics calculations for Xe/Ag(111) produce results in agreement with the NM prediction, not the experimental results. We speculate that atoms or molecules preadsorbed at step sites play an active role in the equilibrium rotation angles, possibly by changing the corrugation of the charge density in their vicinity.
The emergency management of headaches.

BACKGROUND—Sufferers of severe headaches present for emergent treatment when attacks are unusually severe or refractory to therapy. Secondary headaches must always be considered.REVIEW SUMMARY—Most severe attacks are due to migraine, but cluster headaches may present for emergent treatment as well.
Long-term morbidities associated with vocal cord paralysis after surgical closure of a patent ductus arteriosus in extremely low birth weight infants

Determine associations between left vocal cord paralysis (LVCP) and poor respiratory, feeding and/or developmental outcomes in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants following surgical closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). ELBW infants who underwent PDA ligation between January 2004 and December 2006 were identified. We compared infants with and without LVCP following ligation to determine relationships between LVCP and respiratory morbidities, feeding and growth difficulties and neurodevelopmental impairment at 18 to 22-month follow-up. Student's t-test, Fisher's exact test and multivariable regression analyses were used to determine associations. In all, 60 ELBW infants with a mean gestational age of 25 weeks and mean birth weight of 725 g had a PDA surgically closed. Twenty-two of 55 survivors (40%) were diagnosed with LVCP post-operatively. Infants with LVCP were significantly more likely to develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (82 vs 39%, P=0.002), reactive airway disease (86 vs 33%, P<0.0001), or need for gastrostomy tube (63 vs 6%, P<0.0001). LVCP as a complication of surgical ductal ligation in ELBW infants is associated with persistent respiratory and feeding problems. Direct laryngoscopy should be considered for all infants who experience persistent respiratory and/or feeding difficulties following PDA ligation.
A single reformatted oblique sagittal view as an adjunct to coronal computed tomography for the evaluation of orbital floor fractures.

Abstract Purpose We sought to determine whether it is beneficial to routinely include a single reformatted oblique sagittal view as an adjunct to coronal computed tomography (CT) for the evaluation and treatment of orbital floor fractures, when imaging is obtained on patients with orbital trauma. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis of 12 midface CT scans was performed. All of the patients included in the study had been determined by a staff radiologist to have radiographic evidence of orbital fractures. Five surgeons who treat orbital floor fractures, but do not routinely order oblique sagittal views, were asked to evaluate the selected CT scans without being given a clinical history. The surgeons were allowed to evaluate the reformatted coronal CT and were asked to rate their ability to determine the location and the size of the fracture in a medial-lateral dimension and an anterior-posterior dimension, volume of orbital contents herniated into the maxillary sinus, and radiographic evidence of inferior rectus entrapment. The surgeons were then allowed to evaluate a single reformatted oblique sagittal view through each orbit. They were asked the same questions and these 2 additional questions, “Do you think the oblique view gave you additional information, and would it change your treatment plan?” Results Confidence in determining the size and location of the fracture in a medial-lateral dimension was not improved with the addition of the reformatted oblique sagittal view; however, location and size of the fracture in an anterior-posterior dimension and volume displaced from the orbit into the maxillary sinus and evidence of inferior rectus entrapment were improved with the addition to the oblique sagittal view. Seventy-eight percent of responders said that the oblique sagittal view provided additional information, and 18% of the responders said that the additional information changed the treatment plan. Conclusion Routinely obtaining a single reformatted oblique sagittal view as an adjunct to coronal CT provides additional valuable information to the surgeon in treating orbital floor fractures. Reformatted views do not subject patients to additional radiation and the time to obtain these views is minimal.
Interdisciplinary Collaborative Training for School‐Based Health Professionals

: Changes in the nation's health and education systems have mandated that disciplines work together in a coordinated and collaborative manner to meet the complex health and educational needs of children and adolescents. This need for interdisciplinary collaborative training becomes even more of an issue for professionals providing services in school-based health centers. Although several foundation projects have focused on training health care professionals and other service disciplines, there are relatively few reports of interdisciplinary training of school health professionals. Two projects — the California State University Interprofessional Collaboration Training Project and the Catholic University of America School Nurse Practitioner Program — are reviewed and suggestions are presented for expanding interdisciplinary training of school-based health professionals in academic institutions