cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of a commercially available clinical information system with other methods of measuring critical care outcomes data.

Abstract Purpose: To compare the quality of data recorded by a commercially available clinical information system (CIS) to other commonly used methods for obtaining large amounts of patient data. Materials and methods: Five sets of clinical patient data were chosen as a cross-section of all the data collected by a CIS in our intensive care unit (ICU): 1) Length of stay in the ICU, 2) Vital signs, 3) Days of mechanical ventilation, 4) medications, and 5) diagnoses. Data generated by our ICU CIS was compared with other parallel data sets commonly used to obtain the same data for clinical research. Results: When compared with our CIS, the hospital database recorded a length of stay at least 1 day longer than the actual length of stay 53% of the time. A search of 139,387 sets of vital signs showed less than 0.1% rate of suspected artifact. When compared to direct observation, our CIS correctly recorded days of mechanical ventilation in 23 of 26 patients (88%). Two other data sets, medical diagnoses and medications given showed significant differences with other commonly used databases of the same information collected outside the ICU (billing codes and pharmacy records respectively Conclusions: Compared to other commonly used data sources for clinical research, a commercially available CIS is an acceptable source of ICU patient data.
New partial difference sets in p-groups

Latin square type partial difference sets (PDS) are known to exist in R × R for various abelian p-groups R and in ℤt. We construct a family of Latin square type PDS in ℤt × ℤ2ntp using finite commutative chain rings. When t is odd, the ambient group of the PDS is not covered by any previous construction. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 10: 394–402, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jcd.10029
Laser-induced scleral shrinkage for refractive surgery

We investigate the laser refractive scleroplasty (LRS) as a potential minimal-invasive method for correcting post-operative astigmatism. The scleral shrinkage near limbus was induced on 6 cadaver eyes using a 200 micrometers fiber optic probe coupled to a pulsed Ho:YAG laser. The diameter of the treatment spot was 0.8 mm. The output energy measured at tip was 60.2+/- 0.6 mJ. The treatments consisted of multiple sector patterns placed along the major axis of astigmatism parallel to the limbus, and round patterns placed along the limbus. Three treatment spots were applied on each side of the sector. The separation among sectors and limbus is 1 mm. Keratometry and topography of the cornea were measured after each sector or round pattern treatment. Effect of 5 and 10 pulses at each treatment spot were compared. Histology was performed to evaluate laser tissue damage. The major axis of astigmatism was shifted 90 degrees after the sector pattern treatment and amount of dioptric change increased when adding a new treatment or using more treatment pulses. However, the spherical equivalent of the eyes was essentially unchanged. The keratometry of the corneas remained the same after the round pattern treatment. Laser refractive scleroplasty may be applied for the correction of post-operative astigmatism.
Abstract A36: Treatment of established dermal murine B16F10 melanoma with an attenuatedToxoplasma gondiieliminates the treated tumor and stimulates systemic antitumor immunity.

While the surgical removal of dermal melanoma cures that lesion, it does nothing to stimulate antitumor immunity that could potentially identify and eliminate occult metastatic disease. An immune based treatment that eliminates the primary dermal melanoma could also potentially generate systemic immunity that will protect against metastatic disease. We have utilized an attenuated strain of Toxoplasma gondii (cps) to break tumor-mediated immunosuppression, stimulate an antitumor immune response that eliminates the dermal tumor, and generate systemic antitumor immunity that leads to rejection of subsequent dermal or intravenous challenges with B16F10. T. gondii is an obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasite that infects virtually any mammalian species. The cps strain is a uracil auxotroph that can be grown in vitro but is unable to replicate in vivo. Despite its lack of infectivity, it enters cells and stimulates a strong T-cell mediated immune response characterized by long lasted CD8 effector cells. The presence of cps in the tumor microenvironment modifies the phenotype of tumor infiltrating leukocytes, and along with the expected anti-Toxoplasma immune response there is antigen-spreading so that tumor antigens are responded to and the immune system recognizes subsequent tumor challenges when there is no associated cps. The treatment requires CD8 and NK cells for efficacy but does not require CD4 cells. The treatment also requires that the host express IL-12 and Ifn-g. The treatment requires live cps for efficacy and is effective in mice that are latently infected with another strain of T. gondii, so it could function in the high percentage of humans with latent T. gondii infection and an established immune response against T. gondii. Citation Format: Steven Fiering, Jason R. Baird, Katelyn Byrne, Patrick Lizotte, David Mullins, Mary Jo turk. Treatment of established dermal murine B16F10 melanoma with an attenuated Toxoplasma gondii eliminates the treated tumor and stimulates systemic antitumor immunity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology: Multidisciplinary Science Driving Basic and Clinical Advances; Dec 2-5, 2012; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A36.
THEORETICAL COMPARISON OF TWO LOADING METHODS IN FIBER PULL-OUT TESTS

Abstract The loading fixture influences the fiber pull-out stress in fiber-reinforced composites. Single fiber pull-out tests can be performed either by fixing the bottom surface or by restraining the top surface of the specimen. Theoretical analyses show that in comparison with the fixed-bottom tests, the restrained-top test method results in a lower stress being required for fiber pull-out. However, the difference in full-out stresses between these two test methods decreases with the increasing ratio of the radius of the matrix to that of the fiber. When this ratio is sufficiently large, the difference in pull-out stresses due to different loading methods can be ignored.
The role of chronobiology in sleep disorders medicine

This review is concerned with circadian (approximately 24 h) aspects of chronobiology, and how they relate to sleep disorders medicine. We begin with an introduction to the key concepts and paradigms of circadian rhythms research in general, including a description of homeostatic and circadian determinants of sleep timing. This is followed by a brief history of chronobiology in relation to sleep disorders medicine. Both animal and human circadian rhythm studies are considered. We trace historical changes in the relative emphasis placed on social contacts, light, and melatonin in human circadian rhythms research. Special attention is given to free-running, forced desynchrony, and ultra-short sleep/wake cycle findings of particular relevance to sleep disorders medicine. The latter part of the review comprises a description of the circadian rhythm sleep disorders, highlighting insights derived from basic circadian rhythms research, including recent advances in molecular genetics. We conclude that the role of chronobiology in sleep disorders medicine is profound and pervasive, and that the two disciplines will move ever closer as a natural function of important new insights into sleep and sleep disorders provided by basic circadian rhythms research.
Uniqueness of a Constitutive Shear Modulus Surface for Unsaturated Soils

AbstractThe measurement of shear modulus at small strains in unsaturated soil is critical to evaluating the deformation behavior of soils at working loads. However, little has been done to determine if the small-strain shear modulus surface is unique during variation in either net mean stress or matric suction. In this context, uniqueness is defined as similar samples subjected to different stress paths that converge to the same stress state. Research is presented herein in which a unique constitutive shear modulus surface was established by independently controlling mean net and matric suction stress in a modified resonant column apparatus. Uniqueness was also investigated using data extracted from literature studies. Uniqueness of the shear modulus surface was shown for single-direction stress and hydraulic paths, by the convergence of modulus and by the agreement between predicted and measured modulus. The presence of a unique shear modulus surface allows for the use of a constitutive relationship base...
Cell kinetics of irradiated experimental tumors. Relationship between the proliferating and the nonproliferating pool.

The role of nonproliferating cells in tumor regeneration has been studied after subcurative doses of low L.E.T. irradiation. Radiation was applied in a single dose at three different levels, 0–47, 0–94 and 1–88 krad. Studies included estimation of the absolute number of cells per tumor, differential cell counts, and autoradiographic determination of kinetic variables, employing transplantable mouse mammary adenocarcinoma DBAH. Quantitative changes of morphologically denned proliferating and non-proliferating cell pools were followed at different time intervals after irradiation. Irradiation resulted in reduction of the number of cells in both pools, with apparent sparing of nonproliferating cells. The regenerative period started with a gradual increase in the number of cells in the proliferating pool, whereas the number of cells in the nonproliferating pool continued to fall in tumors irradiated with 0–94 and 1 -88 krad. In the late phase of tumor regrowth, the increasing number of cells in the non proliferating pool corresponded to its replenishment by cell transition from the proliferating pool. In an effort to clarify whether cell transition from the nonproliferating to the proliferating pool may take place during the regrowth of radiation perturbed tumors, cell loss rates from both pools were estimated using experimental data. In addition to cell losses from the tumor as a whole, the ‘net loss rate’ of the non-proliferating pool reflects the rate of cell transition from the nonproliferating to the proliferating pool, minus the rate of transition in the opposite direction. A similar definition applies to cell loss rates from the proliferating pool. The results showed: (1) high losses in both pools, with excess losses in the proliferating during the early phase after irradiation; (2) in the early stage of regrowth after irradiation, the cell net loss rate for the nonproliferating pool increased, in contrast to the behavior of cell loss rate for the proliferating pool and the average cell loss rate for the tumor as a whole; (3) in the late stage of regrowth a decrease in net loss rate for the nonproliferating pool reflects the excess production of nonproliferating cells over control tumors. These results suggest that cell transition from the nonproliferating to the proliferating pool takes place at the beginning of tumor regrowth after subcurative single-dose irradiation.
THE SUCCINATE-LINKED NICOTINAMIDE-ADENINE DINUCLEOTIDE REDUCTION IN SUBMITOCHONDRIAL PARTICLES. II. STUDIES WITH INHIBITORS.

Abstract The influence of inhibitors of electron and energy-transfer reactions on the rate of and lag in the succinate-linked NAD + reduction in submitochondrial particles has been studied. An ATP-dependent cytochrome b reduction has been demonstrated. From selective inhibition of sites of oxidative phosphorylation with guanidine derivatives and the absence of a lag phase in the ATP-dependent cytochrome b reduction, it is concluded that this cytochrome b reduction preceeds NAD + reduction. The implications for the antimycin A sensitivity of the reaction are discussed. It is suggested that a soluble mitochondrial factor, previously isolated from mitochondria, reacts very near the electron-transfer chain.
The CD45RB-Associated Epitope Defined by Monoclonal Antibody CZ-1 Is an Activation and Memory Marker for Mouse CD4 T Cells

Abstract Monoclonal antibody CZ-1 defines a novel sialic acid-dependent CD45RB-associated epitope. The CZ-1 antigen is expressed on the subpopulation of CD4 T cells that proliferate in response to IL-2. Because IL-2 responsiveness often denotes T cell activation, we examined the expression of the CZ-1 antigen on CD4 T cells taken from mice at various times during an infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). The blast-sized CD4 T cells at Day 6 postinfection were CZ-1 + . Further cell surface phenotyping showed that those blast cells activated at Day 6 postinfection were CD45RB dim Pgp-1 bright MEL-14 − . This contrasts with the CZ-1 − CD45RB bright Pgp-1 bright/dim MEL-14 + resting cell population prior to infection. To determine if memory CD4 T cells continued to express the CZ-1 epitope long after resolution of the LCMV infection, CD4 + CZ-1 + and CD4 + CZ-1 − populations were purified by cell sorting and placed in an in vitro proliferation assay with LCMV-infected antigen-presenting cells. It was found that the CD4 + CZ-1 + population contained virtually all of the virus-specific memory. The CZ-1 epitope is therefore both an activation and a memory marker for murine CD4 T cells.
Impaired egress rather than increased access: An important independent predictor of erosive oesophagitis

Oesophagitis severity is related to total oesophageal acid exposure, which is in turn dependent upon both the number reflux events and the rate of refluxate clearance. This study examined differences in the frequency of reflux events and the characteris- tics of oesophageal acid exposure in asymptomatic controls and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) patients both with and without oesophagitis. Nine controls and 38 patients with GORD were studied. All patients underwent upper endoscopy, videofluoroscopy, determination of resting lower oesophageal sphincter pressure (LOSP) and 24 h pH monitoring. Analysis was performed with subjects grouped as controls, non-erosive GORD and oesopha- gitis. A second analysis was performed with subjects grouped by hiatal hernia size. Statistical comparisons were made using ANOVA and unpaired t-tests. Patients with oesophagitis had significantly larger hiatal her- nias, greater oesophageal acid exposure, more pro- longed episodes of reflux and longer acid clearance times than did controls and patients with non-erosive GORD. No significant difference was seen in the number of reflux events. Increasing hiatal hernia size was significantly associated with increasing oesopha- geal acid exposure, number of prolonged reflux events and prolonged acid clearance times. Oesophagitis patients have significantly greater oesophageal acid exposure than subjects with non-erosive GORD. Increased oesophageal acid exposure in oesophagitis is attributable to impaired acid clearance and the greatest impairments in refluxate clearance occur in patients with large hiatal hernias.
Formal fibers at height one prime ideals

Abstract Let (T,M) be a complete local (Noetherian) unique factorization domain with dimension at least two, |T/M|≥c where c is the cardinality of the real numbers, and p a nonmaximal prime ideal of T such that p intersected with the prime subring of T is the zero ideal. Furthermore, suppose F is a nonempty set of nonmaximal, incomparable prime ideals of T such that |F| , and for every q∈F, q⊄p, q intersected with the prime subring of T is the zero ideal, and ht p+1≥ ht q . Then there exists a local unique factorization domain A such that the completion of A is T, p∩A=(0), Q∩A≠(0) for all prime ideals Q of T such that ht Q> ht p , and A∩q=z q A for all q∈F where z q is a nonzero prime element of T . Moreover, if q,q′∈F then A∩q=A∩q′ if and only if q=q′ . Therefore, the dimension of the generic formal fiber ring of A is equal to the height of p and the dimension of the formal fiber ring at the prime ideal z q A is greater than or equal to the height of q−1 . We also show that this result leads to interesting examples of some easily describable generic formal fibers.
Electromagnetic-wave excitation in a large laboratory beam-plasma system

The mechanism by which unstable electrostatic waves of a beam-plasma system are converted into observed electromagnetic waves is of current interest in space physics and in tokamak fusion research. The process involved in the conversion of electrostatic to electromagnetic waves at the critical layer is well understood. However, the radiation from uniform plasmas cannot be explained on the basis of this process. In connection with certain difficulties, it has not yet been possible to establish the involved emission processes by means of experimental observations. In the considered investigation these difficulties are overcome by employing a large laboratory plasma in a parameter range suitable for detailed diagnostics. A finite-diameter electron beam is injected into a uniform quiescent afterglow plasma of dimensions large compared with electromagnetic wavelengths. The considered generation mechanism concerning the electromagnetic waves is conclusively confirmed by observing the temporal evolution of an instability
A procedure for pyrogen decontamination of Sephacryl S-300.

Abstract A procedure is described for eliminating pyrogens and pyrogen-producing organisms from a carbohydrate-based chromatographic support. Pyrogen contamination in a sample of enzyme prepared for replacement therapy trials was traced to an apparent bacterial colonization of a Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration column employed in the final steps of purification. Sequential washing of the column with 70% ethanol to eliminate pyrogen-producing organisms and 4 m urea to remove matrix-bound pyrogenic materials reduced pyrogen levels in column eluates from 2.2 ng/ml to 0.1 ng/ml. This decontamination approach should be applicable to various polysaccharide-based chromatographic matrices which are often avoided in the preparation of materials for parenteral administration because of their propensity for colonization.
Diatomaceous earth as a possible alternative to chemical insecticides

Abstract Chemical insecticides are known to be often hazardous to many life forms within the natural environment. To preserve the planet's productivity it is vital that less potent insecticides be developed and utilized worldwide. This paper reviews one possible alternative to chemical insecticides by examining the evidence for the potential of diatomaceous earth, a nontoxic naturally occurring material, as a pest control agent. Tests conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture have shown that diatomaceous earth can be more effective than malathion in controlling a variety of insects, including the lesser grain borer, rice weevil, and confused flour beetle. It is possible that with proper climatic conditions and application techniques diatomaceous earth could be effectively used on field crops as well, thus reducing the amount of chemical residues in water, soil, and atmosphere. Diatomaceous earth is not a miracle cure to the insect problem, but it does have many attractive features that should be considered by the world's agriculturalists.
Surface forcing of interannual variations in the radiation balance over North Africa part I: Partitioning the surface and cloud forcing

Previous research has shown that most significant interannual variability of the net radiation balance is confined to a few distinct centers at low latitudes. North Africa is the only continental region within this zone which undergoes large amplitude interannual changes. This two part study focuses on the origins of the North African radiation balance variability, its relationship to precipitation processes, and the potential impact of confined regional variations on global climate. Part I investigates how net radiation perturbations can be decomposed into surface induced components and cloud induced components. The methodology is based on lengthy time series of satellite derived radiation budget and cloudiness quantities in conjunction with a technique derived from the Cess et al. (1982) study involving the formulation of a climate sensitivity parameter.
Metabolic responses to acute handling by fingerling inland and anadromous striped bass

Fed and 3-day fasted inland (average mass: 6.97 g) and anadromous (average mass: 6.54 g) striped bass Morone saxatilis fingerlings were held in dipnets above water for 5 min in groups of six. Severity of the response to this handling was measured by whole-body glucose, glycogen, and lactic acid in non-handled bass (considered control level), and then at 30 min, 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h recovery. At resting levels, both fed and fasted inland bass showed significantly higher concentrations of the whole body variables than anadromous bass. All four groups of bass showed an increase in lactic acid and glucose immediately after handling, with a concomitant decrease in glycogen. Peak levels of glucose and lactic acid were similar in the four groups. Fasting did not have an effect on the glucose and lactic acid responses, but did affect the glycogen response. The two fasted groups did not return to control glycogen concentrations during the 48-h recovery period. By 48 h, both glucose and lactic acid had returned to control levels. It is concluded that inland and anadromous strains of fingerling striped bass do not differ in their sensitivity to an acute handling stress. Recovery of glycogen energy stores following handling is much better if fish are not fasted before handling.
Hypercube joyce: An implementation of a portable compiler for concurrent architectures

A compiler for the language Joyce, creating code for the Intel iPSC/2 hypercube, is described. A specialized intermediate language, the spawning stack machine, is used to allow efficient translation to the parallel target machine. This intermediate language is an architecture-independent description of parallel or distributed computation, and should prove useful in construction of portable compilers for many types of parallel computers. >
Incorporating rigid structures in non-rigid registration using triangular b-splines

For non-rigid registration, the objects in medical images are usually treated as a single deformable body with homogeneous stiffness distribution. However, this assumption is invalid for certain parts of the human body, where bony structures move rigidly, while the others may deform. In this paper, we introduce a novel registration technique that models local rigidity of pre-identified rigid structures as well as global non-rigidity in the transformation field using triangular B-splines. In contrast to the conventional registration method based on tensor-product B-splines, our approach recovers local rigid transformation with fewer degrees of freedom (DOFs), and accurately simulates sharp features (C0 continuity) along the interface between deformable regions and rigid structures, because of the unique advantages offered by triangular B-splines, such as flexible triangular domain, local control and space-varying smoothness modeling. The accurate matching of the source image with the target one is accomplished through the use of a variational framework, in which a composite energy, measuring the image dissimilarity and enforcing local rigidity and global smoothness, is minimized subject to pre-defined point-based constraints. The algorithm is tested on both synthetic and real 2D images for its applicability. The experimental results show that, by accurately modeling sharp features using triangular B-splines, the deformable regions in the vicinity of rigid structures are less constrained by the global smoothness regularization and therefore contribute extra flexibility to the optimization process. Consequently, the registration quality is improved considerably.
Mesopelagic fish zoogeography in the central tropical and subtropical Pacific Ocean: species composition and structure at representative locations in three ecosystems

Mesopelagic fish species are not uniformly distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical Pacific Ocean. There are reasonably clear-cut faunal assemblages with characteristics species. The geographic ranges of the assemblages conform to those patterns shown by zooplankton. As part of a 5 yr (August 1969-March 1974), seven-cruise, ecological study, replicate sampling in central gyral waters included additional quantitative sampling at a point along the equator at 155°W to compare species composition and structure at this location with points in the central gyres. These comparisons show that the distribution of individuals among species displays similar structure in all three areas, but species composition and the relative abundances of shared species differ. There are species restricted to the low-productivity central gyres, and subgroups of these are restricted to specific gyres. The gyral faunas differ markedly from the high-productivity species assemblage found along the equator. With the exception of the eastern tropical Pacific, where low oxygen concentrations probably limit species distributions, the primary productivity regime is the most likely factor defining the distributions of most mesopelagic fishes in the tropical and subtropical Pacific. The mechanisms for the maintenance of these geographic patterns are not clear, but the correlation of the patterns with the productivity regime leads one to hypothesize that the ultimate factor is food.
Geography, nature, and the question of development:

During the last decade, geography has gained new salience as a development factor in the public imagination and policy realms, through the work of scholars located outside the discipline. Jared Dia...
Equal and Proportional Frequency Squares

Abstract The relationship between the class of Latin, Graeco-Latin and Hyper-Graeco-Latin squares which can be formally classified as orthogonal fractional replicate plans and the totality of Latin, Graeco-Latin and Hyper-Graeco-Latin squares is discussed. A vXv square for which the t letters of the alphabet that represents the treatments each occur k times in every row and column, so that v = tk, is defined to be an equal frequency square. The properties of these squares are discussed and compared with the properties of k Latin, Graeco-Latin or Hyper-Graeco-Latin squares of side t. A vXv square for which the t < v letters occur in each row and column with frequencies proportional to the number of times they occur in the entire square is defined to be a proportional frequency square. The structure of the analysis of variance for several proportional frequency squares is developed and illustrated with an example of the analysis of data from three 5×5 proportional frequency squares with three treatments.
Generalizable class solutions for treatment planning of spinal stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Purpose Spinal stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) continues to emerge as an effective therapeutic approach to spinal metastases; however, treatment planning and delivery remain resource intensive at many centers, which may hamper efficient implementation in clinical practice. We sought to develop a generalizable class solution approach for spinal SBRT treatment planning that would allow confidence that a given plan provides optimal target coverage, reduce integral dose, and maximize planning efficiency. Methods and Materials We examined 91 patients treated with spinal SBRT at our institution. Treatment plans were categorized by lesion location, clinical target volume (CTV) configuration, and dose fractionation scheme, and then analyzed to determine the technically achievable dose gradient. A radial cord expansion was subtracted from the CTV to yield a planning CTV (pCTV) construct for plan evaluation. We reviewed the treatment plans with respect to target coverage, dose gradient, integral dose, conformality, and maximum cord dose to select the best plans and develop a set of class solutions. Results The class solution technique generated plans that maintained target coverage and improved conformality (1.2-fold increase in the 95% van't Riet Conformation Number describing the conformality of a reference dose to the target) while reducing normal tissue integral dose (1.3-fold decrease in the volume receiving 4 Gy (V 4Gy ) and machine output (19% monitor unit (MU) reduction). In trials of planning efficiency, the class solution technique reduced treatment planning time by 30% to 60% and MUs required by ∼20%: an effect independent of prior planning experience. Conclusions We have developed a set of class solutions for spinal SBRT that incorporate a pCTV metric for plan evaluation while yielding dosimetrically superior treatment plans with increased planning efficiency. Our technique thus allows for efficient, reproducible, and high-quality spinal SBRT treatment planning.
Gordonia araii Infection Associated with an Orthopedic Device and Review of the Literature on Medical Device-Associated Gordonia Infections

Gordonia infections in humans are rare and usually affect immunocompromised patients. We present the first case of Gordonia araii infection associated with a medical device in an immunocompetent patient. Sequencing was required for conclusive identification. We compared our case to the 16 Gordonia species-associated medical device infections reported to date.
Digital Inequality and Participation in the Political Process: Real or Imagined?

This study analyzes whether greater levels of Internet access closed the participation gap between individuals of lower and higher socioeconomic status (SES) in the early stages of the 2012 presidential campaign. Our analysis of data from the Pew Research Center demonstrates that greater levels of access to the Internet are significantly associated with greater political knowledge and engagement for low SES individuals, but not high SES individuals. We explain our results in the context of incidental learning among the disengaged public during high-profile political events, such as a presidential election.
The rat lumbosacral spinal cord adapts to robotic loading applied during stance.

Load-related afferent information modifies the magnitude and timing of hindlimb muscle activity during stepping in decerebrate animals and spinal cord–injured humans and animals, suggesting that th...
Amygdala response to smoking-cessation messages mediates the effects of serotonin transporter gene variation on quitting

The amygdala is critically involved in detecting emotionally salient stimuli and in enhancing memory for emotional information. Growing evidence also suggests that the amygdala plays a crucial role in addiction, perhaps by strengthening associations between emotionally-charged drug cues and drug-seeking behavior. In the current study, by integrating functional MRI (fMRI), genetics, and outcome data from a large group of smokers who completed a smoking-cessation intervention and attempted to quit, we show that the amygdala also plays a role in quitting. Specifically, we demonstrate that the amygdala response to smoking-cessation messages in smokers trying to quit is a predictor of their post-intervention quitting outcome. We further show that the amygdala response is modulated by genetic variation in the serotonin transporter and mediates the impact of this genetic variation on quitting. These results point to a gene-brain-behavior pathway relevant to smoking cessation, and add to our understanding of the role of the amygdala in nicotine addiction.
La Quina Lithic Collections Assembled by the American School of Prehistoric Research atthe Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History

Abstract This report examines lithics from the Mousterian site of La Quina in southwestern France housedin the collections at the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University. In 1921 the American School of Prehistoric Research, newly founded by George Grant MacCurdy, went to LaQuina and excavated cultural material, a portion of which was brought back to New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Here the lithic samples from that expedition — including additional La Quinalithics obtained by Yale Peabody Museum through exchange — are described using both metricand nonmetric characters, analyzed for differences as a function of excavation level, and compared to earlier published findings.
Lactoferrin expression in the mouse reproductive tract during the natural estrous cycle: correlation with circulating estradiol and progesterone

Lactoferrin (LTF), an iron-binding glycoprotein present in most exocrine secretions and in the secondary granules of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN), is regulated by estrogen in the mouse reproductive tract. We investigated the expression of LTF mRNA and protein during the natural estrous cycle to increase our understanding of how this uterine secretory protein is regulated under physiological conditions. There was a positive correlation between LTF mRNA expression in the genital tract and serum estradiol (E2) concentrations. When E2 peaked in proestrus, LTF mRNA and protein were expressed in the uterus; however, during metestrus, when both E2 and progesterone levels were high, LTF mRNA was expressed, while LTF protein was decreasing. LTF protein expression may be hindered by progesterone or some other local factor in the endometrial epithelium after ovulation. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated two distinct staining patterns for LTF in the vaginal and endometrial epithelium. In one staining pattern, the colorimetric reaction was noted over the cytoplasm, and in the other, the nuclear region stained more intensely. This suggests the possibility that in addition to its known role as a secretory protein, LTF may be transported to the nucleus, serving an autocrine role. Our results also indicated that LTF protein is a useful marker for tracking PMN. Nonproliferating epithelial cells in the vagina and endometrium may synthesize chemotactic and/or adhesion molecules for PMN.
The time lag in the development of bronchial arteries.

Reconstruction of the pulmonary and aortic trunks, together with adjacent structures in a 41 mm human embryo of the Carnegie Collection, demonstrates that as late as the ninth week after ovulation the bronchial artery is still a tiny vessel, arising ventrolaterally from the descending aorta at the level of the third pair of dorsal aortic-intercostal arteries, and that any extension of it along the bronchial tree must still be of capillary calibre since no visible branches can be followed into the root of the lung. In sum, bronchial arteries arise later, more slowly and from a lower position than has hitherto been assumed. By contrast, the anomalous systemic pulmonary artery that supplies the right posterior basal bronchopulmonary segment in this fetus and which now arises from the aorta just above the celiac artery, is a robust vessel. Such systemic pulmonary arteries must arise very early, at the level of the definitive pulmonary arteries, and keep pace with them in growth, whether or not their stems descend along the aorta with the migrating celiac artery.
Stress and the Goal of Improved Amorphous Silicon Stability

The stability of amorphous silicon-based solar cells is related to the i-layer carrier mobilities as these determine the carrier densities under illumination. Materials with high mobilities quickly diffuse the carriers to high recombination regions such as the contacts and interface regions. The quick out diffusion of carriers lowers the i-layer carrier densities and therefore the driving force for defect generation. Increased compressive stress appears to be correlated to increased electron mobility and is related to the hydrogen content. Solar cell configurations also play a role in the i-layer carrier density. For example, factors that increase the V∝ tend to decrease the stability because the associated decrease in interface recombination results in increased i-layer carrier densities. Factors that reduce the blue response such as increased interface recombination tend to increase the stability as these results in reduced i-layer carrier densities.
Cardiac-specific Hexokinase 2 Overexpression Attenuates Hypertrophy by Increasing Pentose Phosphate Pathway Flux

BackgroundThe enzyme hexokinase‐2 (HK2) phosphorylates glucose, which is the initiating step in virtually all glucose utilization pathways. Cardiac hypertrophy is associated with a switch towards i...
Singular PDEs and the single-step formulation of feedback linearization with pole placement

The present work proposes a new formulation and approach to the problem of feedback linearization with pole placement. The problem under consideration is not treated within the context of geometric exact feedback linearization, where restrictive conditions arise from a two-step design method (transformation of the original nonlinear system into a linear one in controllable canonical form with an external reference input, and the subsequent employment of linear pole-placement techniques). In the present work, the problem is formulated in a single step, using tools from singular PDE theory. In particular, the mathematical formulation of the problem is realized via a system of first-order quasi-linear singular PDEs and a rather general set of necessary and sufficient conditions for solvability is derived, by using Lyapunov's auxiliary theorem. The solution to the system of singular PDEs is locally analytic and this enables the development of a series solution method, that is easily programmable with the aid of a symbolic software package. Under a simultaneous implementation of a nonlinear coordinate transformation and a nonlinear state feedback law computed through the solution of the system of singular PDEs, both feedback linearization and pole-placement design objectives may be accomplished in a single step, effectively overcoming the restrictions of the other approaches by bypassing the intermediate step of transforming the original system into a linear controllable one with an external reference input.
Dual A1/A2B Receptor Blockade Improves Cardiac and Renal Outcomes in a Rat Model of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is prevalent and often accompanied by metabolic syndrome. Current treatment options are limited. Here, we test the hypothesis that combined A1/A2B adenosine receptor blockade is beneficial in obese ZSF1 rats, an animal model of HFpEF with metabolic syndrome. The combined A1/A2B receptor antagonist 3-[4-(2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-7H-purin-8-yl)-1-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanyl]propanoic acid (BG9928) was administered orally (10 mg/kg/day) to obese ZSF1 rats (n = 10) for 24 weeks (from 20 to 44 weeks of age). Untreated ZSF1 rats (n = 9) served as controls. After 24 weeks of administration, BG9928 significantly lowered plasma triglycerides (in mg/dl: control group, 4351 ± 550; BG9928 group, 2900 ± 551) without adversely affecting plasma cholesterol or activating renin release. BG9928 significantly decreased 24-hour urinary glucose excretion (in mg/kg/day: control group, 823 ± 179; BG9928 group, 196 ± 80) and improved oral glucose tolerance, polydipsia, and polyuria. BG9928 significantly augmented left ventricular diastolic function in association with a reduction in cardiac vasculitis and cardiac necrosis. BG9928 significantly reduced 24-hour urinary protein excretion (in mg/kg/day: control group, 1702 ± 263; BG9928 group, 1076 ± 238), and this was associated with a reduction in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, tubular dilation, and deposition of proteinaceous material in the tubules. These findings show that, in a model of HFpEF with metabolic syndrome, A1/A2B receptor inhibition improves hyperlipidemia, exerts antidiabetic actions, reduces HFpEF, improves cardiac histopathology, and affords renal protection. We conclude that chronic administration of combined A1/A2B receptor antagonists could be beneficial in patients with HFpEF, in particular those with comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemias.
Projecting potential adoption of genetically engineered freeze-tolerant Eucalyptus in the United States.

Development of commercial Eucalyptus plantations has been limited in the United States because of the species’ sensitivity to freezing temperatures. Recently developed genetically engineered clones of a Eucalyptus hybrid, which confer freeze tolerance, could expand the range of commercial plantations. This study explores how freeze-tolerant Eucalyptus might be adopted as a preferred land use based on comparative returns and a real options land-use switching model. Climate factors other than freezing are assumed to limit potential adoption to the southeastern region of the United States. Comparison of returns indicates that Eucalyptus would probably not compete with cropland but could be competitive with forest uses, especially planted pine. Real options analysis, using both geometric Brownian motion and mean reverting models of stochastic returns, indicates that switching could be expected on a portion of planted pine forestland. Models predict about 0.8 –1.4 million acres of Eucalyptus plantations (5–9% of the current area of planted pine). Extending the analysis to also consider the current area of naturally regenerated pine results in as much as 2.8 million acres of Eucalyptus. Actual adoption will probably depend on uncertain future markets for cellulose, especially for bioenergy feedstock.
Learning Objects: Using Language Structures to Understand the Transition from Affordance Systems to Intelligent Systems

There has, of recent, been a marked interest in the utilization of learning objects, specifically on the potential of granularity and reusability to make instructional development more efficient, and learning experiences more customized and meaningful . Juxtaposition of affordance systems and intelligent systems reveals powerful possibilities for granularity and reusability. Biology, architecture and language are investigated as systems to explore the role of granularity and reusability, in the quest to better define current perceptions of learning objects in the realm of design and technology in instruction. The notion of subsystems, and the rules that apply within each system (intra-systemic rules) and between subsystems (inter-systemic rules) as it extends to holistic purposes, defines the role of granularity. The inverse relationship between granular reusability and learning-objective specificity is addressed. In conclusion, learning objects within the virtual context are evaluated to identify commonalities and patterns to inform the design and development of future learning objects, and to clarify granularity and how it impacts the scale and scope of reusability.
Upregulation of 8-Lipoxygenase in the Dermatitis of IκB-α-Deficient Mice

Neonatal mice deficient in IκB-α, an inhibitor of the ubiquitous transcription factor NF-κB, develop severe and widespread dermatitis shortly after birth. In humans, inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis are associated with accumulation in the skin of the unusual arachidonic acid metabolite 12 R -hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12 R -HETE), a product of the enzyme 12 R -lipoxygenase. To examine the etiology of the murine IκB-α-deficient skin phenotype, we investigated the expression of lipoxygenases and the metabolism of exogenous arachidonic acid in the skin. In the IκB-α-deficient animals, the major lipoxygenase metabolite was 8 S -HETE, formed together with a minor amount of 12 S -HETE; 12 R -HETE synthesis was undetectable. Skin from the wild-type littermates formed 12 S -HETE as the almost exclusive lipoxygenase metabolite. Upregulation of 8 S -lipoxygenase (8-LOX) in IκB-α-deficient mice was confirmed at the transcriptional and translational level using ribonuclease protection assay and western analysis. In immunohistochemical studies, increased expression of 8-LOX was detected in the stratum granulosum of the epidermis. In the stratum granulosum, 8-LOX may be involved in the terminal differentiation of keratinocytes. Although mouse 8 S -lipoxygenase and human 12 R -lipoxygenase are not ortholog genes, we speculate that in mouse and humans the two different enzymes may fulfill equivalent functions in the progression of inflammatory dermatoses.
Catecholamine-mediated diuresis in turkeys.

AbstractA catecholamine-mediated mechanism that may operate in water homeostasis of turkeys is described. Administration of epinephrine to turkeys in dosages that had few, or no, pressor or chronotropic effects (<4.0 μg. kg body wt-1) stimulated urine flow. Increases in GFR and an unchanged urine to plasma inulin ratio were temporally related to the diuresis. These data suggest that epinephrine increases the number of functioning reptilian-type nephrons. Since this population of nephrons has little capacity for concentrating the glomerular filtrate the number of nephrons that are functional at a given time is important for water balance. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine produced diuresis, but epinephrine was most potent.
Atrioventricular Block: Mechanism, Clinical Presentation, and Therapy

The mechanism of AV block and bifascicular block and the role of His bundle electrocardiography in localizing the site of AV block are reviewed. The clinical presentation and therapy of the different types of AV block and the indications for permanent pacing are discussed.
Seizures Complicating Bacterial Meningitis

The clinical data of 116 patients, 1 month to <5 years of age, admitted for bacterial meningitis, and grouped according to those with and without seizures during hospitalization, were compared in a study at Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and other centers in Taiwan.
Clinical Significance of Serum IL-18 and IFN-γ in Children with Viral Myocarditis

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of cytokine,interleukine-18(IL-18)and interferon-γ(IFN-γ)in children with viral myocarditis(VM).Methods:The levels of serum cytokine IL-18 and IFN-γ were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)in 72 children with acute VM(VM group)and 25 healthy children(control group).Results:(1)The levels of serum cytokine IL-18 and IFN-γ were significantly higher in VM group compared to those of control group(P 0.05).The level of IL-18 was significantly higher in CKMB abnormal group compared to that of CKMB normal group(P 0.05).There was no significant difference in level of IFN-γ between two groups(P 0.05).(2)The level of serum IL-18 had positive correlation with the level of serum CKMB(r = 0.46,P 0.05).(3)The levels of serum cytokine IL-18 and IFN-γ were significantly decreased after treatment in VM group(P 0.05).Conclusion:Cytokine IL-18 and IFN-γ played roles in the VM pathogenesis.The level of serum IL-18 level could be one of index for diagnosing of VM.The changes of serum IL-18 and IFN-γ in the VM patients after therapy can be used to evaluate prognosis and the effect of therapy.