cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The anticonvulsive actions of two lipophilic taurine derivatives

Abstract The taurine derivatives, 2-phthalimidoethanesulfon-N-isopropylamide (taltrimide) and 2-phthalimidoethanesulfonamide (MY-103), were tested intraperitoneally against genetic and experimentally produced seizures. In the genetically seizure-susceptible rat, taltrimide raised the threshold for audiogenic seizures and decreased seizure severity. MY-103 decreased seizure intensity in maximally-responding animals, but was otherwise without effect on sound-induced seizures. Taltrimide had a greater potency against maximal as compared to minimal seizures, and, at 150 mg/kg, it completely suppressed clonic and myoclonic seizures induced by intracerebroventricular injections of guanidinoethane sulfonate (9.2 μmol) in rats. MY-103, at doses up to 300 mg/kg, was ineffective against guanidinoethane sulfonate-induced seizures. In pentylene tetrazole-induced seizures in the rat, taltrimide (300 mg/kg) raised the threshold for seizures from 80 mg/kg pentylene tetrazole to 115 mg/kg. Taltrimide also raised the threshold for lead-exacerbated pentylene tetrazole-induced seizures. Taurine, being more lipophobic than taltrimide, was ineffective on intraperitoneal administration against pentylene tetrazole-induced seizures. The more lipophilic beta-alanine (8 mmol/kg) raised pentylene tetrazole-seizure threshold on intraperitoneal administration. Thus, lipophilic phthalimido analogs of taurine are effective on peripheral administration against both genetic and experimentally-induced seizures.
Cultural negotiation: A constructivist-based model for nursing practice

Combining abstract concepts from grand theories with the pragmatics of nursing practice presents a dilemma for nursing that is being addressed with the emphasis on middle-range theory. The philosophical perspective of constructivism is the foundation for a middle-range theory that links the nursing process to holism through the respective worlds and knowledge of the nurse and client. The nursing process is situated in the context of the cultural worlds of the nurse, client, and health care system and in the greater social context. This model allows the nursing process to be recast in new language that captures the interdependence of the client-nurse interaction. This model accommodates the social values and beliefs of both the health care system and the social context.
Rapid induction of specific mRNAs by auxin in pea epicotyl tissue

DNA sequences complementary to three indoleacetic acid (IAA)-inducible mRNAs in pea epicotyl tissue were isolated by differential plaque filter hybridization of cDNA libraries constructed in the vector lambda gt10. Clone pIAA6 hybridized to an mRNA encoding the previously identified translational product polypeptide 6 (Mr 22,000), and clone pIAA4/5 hybridized to one or two mRNAs, encoding polypeptides 4 and 5 (Mr 23,000 and 25,000, respectively). The cDNA clones were subsequently used to characterize the hormonally mediated mRNA accumulation. The induction of the mRNAs was rapid, within 15 minutes of exposure to the IAA, and specific to auxins. Anaerobiosis, heat and cold stress did not induce the mRNAs. Other plant hormones, such as gibberellic acid, kinetin, abscisic acid and ethylene were also unable to cause or interfere with the IAA-induced mRNA accumulation. The hormonally regulated mRNAs were induced at least 50 to 100-fold above control levels after two hours of treatment with IAA and the accumulation was (1) independent of protein synthesis, (2) completely abolished by alpha-amanitin, (3) not due to polyadenylylation of pre-existing RNAs, and (4) independent of IAA and fusicoccin-induced H+ secretion. The IAA-induced mRNAs returned to control levels within three hours after removal of IAA, and the hormonally regulated genes were primarily expressed in the third and second internode of the seven-day-old etiolated pea seedling. The data indicate that IAA increases the amount of specific mRNAs rather than alters the translatability of pre-existing mRNAs. Auxin-induced H+ secretion appears not to have a potential role in mediating the induction and perhaps is a consequence of the enhanced biosynthetic activity induced by the hormone. The IAA-mediated mRNA induction is the fastest known for any plant growth regulator and may represent a primary hormonal response to auxin.
Toxoplasma gondii: the enzymic defect of a mutant resistant to 5-fluorodeoxyuridine.

Abstract We have previously described a mutant of Toxoplasma gondii that was 100-fold more resistant to 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, as measured by growth in human fibroblast cultures. Various pyrimidine salvage enzymes were measured in the wild type and the mutant parasites to determine the biochemical basis for resistance to fluorodeoxyuridine. Both the resistant mutant and the wild type parasite had little or no uridine kinase, an enzyme readily detectable in the human fibroblast host cells. Uridine and deoxyuridine phosphorylases were found in both parasites while human fibroblasts had much less of these enzymes. The critical difference between the mutant and the wild type parasites proved to be a 100-fold lower concentration of uracil phosphoribosyltransferase in the fluorodeoxyuridine-resistant mutant. A back mutant of the resistant strain, selected for its ability to use uracil, simultaneously regained uracil phosphoribosyltransferase and sensitivity to fluorodeoxyuridine. This enzymic evidence together with previously published data show that in wild type T. gondii , deoxyuridine is incorporated into nucleic acids through a phosphorolysis to produce uracil which is then converted to uridylic acid by uracil phosphoribosyltransferase.
Methylator-induced, mismatch repair-dependent G2 arrest is activated through Chk1 and Chk2.

SN1 DNA methylating agents such as the nitrosourea N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) elicit a G2/M checkpoint response via a mismatch repair (MMR) system-dependent mechanism; however, the exact nature of the mechanism governing MNNG-induced G2/M arrest and how MMR mechanistically participates in this process are unknown. Here, we show that MNNG exposure results in activation of the cell cycle checkpoint kinases ATM, Chk1, and Chk2, each of which has been implicated in the triggering of the G2/M checkpoint response. We document that MNNG induces a robust, dose-dependent G2 arrest in MMR and ATM-proficient cells, whereas this response is abrogated in MMR-deficient cells and attenuated in ATM-deficient cells treated with moderate doses of MNNG. Pharmacological and RNA interference approaches indicated that Chk1 and Chk2 are both required components for normal MNNG-induced G2 arrest. MNNG-induced nuclear exclusion of the cell cycle regulatory phosphatase Cdc25C occurred in an MMR-dependent manner and was compromised in cells lacking ATM. Finally, both Chk1 and Chk2 interact with the MMR protein MSH2, and this interaction is enhanced after MNNG exposure, supporting the notion that the MMR system functions as a molecular scaffold at the sites of DNA damage that facilitates activation of these kinases.
Why the haves don't always come out ahead: Repeat players meet amici curiae for the disadvantaged

The question of who wins and loses in American courts has traditionally been viewed as one of the central questions in the study of judicial politics. State supreme courts are particularly important in this regard since they are the final arbiters for the vast majority of litigation in the nation. In this article we examine the relationship between the status of litigants, especially the comparison of repeat player “haves” to oneshotters who are ususally “have nots,‘ appearing as litigants in state supreme courts, and their rates of success in that forum. A quarter of a century ago, Galanter (1974) made a compelling case for the proposition that the ’‘haves’ tend to come out ahead in litigation.” Since then, studies have confirmed the advantages of repeat players in the context of a wide variety of courts. But none of these party capability studies have considered whether the oft-found advantages of repeat litigants can be offset by the addition of support for their opponents from organized groups appeari...
The use of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) in disinfection of airborne bacteria

Contamination of indoor air by microbial pollutants has been increasingly recognized as a public health problem, and may be responsible for building-related illness (BRI) and sick-building syndrome (SBS). Bioaerosols such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses in indoor air can cause allergic and irritant responses, infectious diseases, respiratory problems, and hypersensitivity reactions. People sensitive to indoor environmental problems complain of a wide variety of symptoms ranging from headache, fatigue, nausea, sinus congestion, to eye, nose, and throat irritations.
Reference at the commons: a case study

Purpose – This paper aims to examine whether relocating the reference desk closer to the main entrance has factored into increased reference activity at Regent University Library.Design/methodology/approach – Statistics from 1992/1993 through 2007/2008 were examined to see whether gate counts and questions asked went up, down or remained steady.Findings – Technology changes and user expectations have affected reference service at Regent University Library. Even though the number of patrons coming to the library has declined, the number of questions being asked through e‐mail and the telephone has risen slightly. Librarians have also seen an increase in students making appointments for extended assistance.Research limitations/implications – This case study examines the decline in gate counts and reference activity at one academic library during a period of enrollment growth. Changes to the layout and location of the reference desk resulted in an increase of in‐person reference transactions.Practical implic...
Using biofeedback to reduce left arm extensor EMG of string players during musical performance

Electromyographic (EMG) feedback offers a mechanism for helping musicians reduce specific muscle tension during performance. Nine intermediate to advanced level string players participated in a four-session, pretest/posttest design study to determine (1) if left forearm extensor EMG could be reduced using biofeedback, (2) if reductions in EMG would generalize to a no-feedback condition, and (3) if reductions in EMG would generalize from extensors to flexors. Results indicate that biofeedback did facilitate significant decreases in EMG, that the reductions in EMG did generalize to a no-feedback condition, and that generalization from extensors to flexors did not occur.
Opto-ultrasonic communications in wireless body area nanonetworks

Wirelessly interconnected nanorobots, i.e., engineered devices of sizes ranging from one to a few hundred nanometers, are promising revolutionary diagnostic and therapeutic medical applications that could enhance the treatment of major diseases. Each nanorobot is usually designed to perform a set of basic tasks such as sensing and actuation. A dense wireless network of nano-devices, i.e., a nanonetwork, could potentially accomplish new and more complex functionalities, e.g., in-vivo monitoring or adaptive drug-delivery, thus enabling revolutionary nanomedicine applications. Several innovative communication paradigms to enable nanonetworks have been proposed in the last few years, including electromagnetic communications in the terahertz band, or molecular and neural communications. In this paper, we propose and discuss an alternative approach based on establishing intra-body opto-ultrasonic communications among nanorobots. Opto-ultrasonic communications are based on the optoacoustic effect, which enables the generation of high-frequency acoustic waves by irradiating the medium with electromagnetic energy in the optical frequency range. We first discuss the fundamentals of nanoscale opto-ultrasonic communications in biological tissues, and then we model the generation, propagation, and detection of opto-ultrasonic waves.
On Taylor/Eddy solutions of approximate deconvolution models of turbulence

Abstract This article shows that so called general Green–Taylor solutions, also called Taylor solutions or eddy solutions, of the Navier–Stokes equations are also exact solutions to approximate deconvolution models of turbulence. Thus, these special structures in flows exist as exact features in the models studied and their persistence/transient behavior is exactly determined by their stability, not by the effects of modelling or truncation errors.
Proton Pump Inhibitor Use and Risk of Hip Fractures in Patients without Major Risk Factors

Study Objective. To estimate the relative risk of hip fracture associated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use in a population without major risk factors. Design. A two-phase, matched, nested case-control study. Data Source. United Kingdom General Practice Research Database (GPRD). Patients. Phase 1 identified 4414 case patients (aged 50–79 yrs) with an incident hip fracture between 1995 and 2005 who had at least 2 years of recorded history in the GPRD; each case was matched by age, sex, and index date (date of first-time hip fracture for cases, same date for matched controls) to up to 10 controls who did not have hip fracture. Phase 2 included the 1098 case patients identified as having no major medical risk factors for hip fracture (as assessed in phase 1) and a new set of 10,923 controls without major risk factors for hip fracture matched by sex, age, index date, and duration of history in the GPRD. Measurements and Main Results. In phase 1, we identified major medical risk factors for hip fracture. In phase 2, we restricted the study to case patients with none of these risk factors and matched them to new controls, who also had none of the risk factors. Data on use of PPIs were collected and compared between the groups. The relative risk (RR) for hip fracture among patients who received any PPI prescription was 0.9 (95% confidence interval 0.7-1.1) compared with those with no PPI prescription. We found no evidence of an increased risk of hip fracture with increased PPI use. The RR estimates were similar in both sexes and in all age subgroups. No specific PPI was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture. Conclusion. Use of PPIs does not increase the risk of hip fracture in patients without major risk factors. The difference in results between our study and that of another, which indicated that PPI use increases the risk of hip fracture, may be due to residual confounding or effect modification in the latter study.
Preface: Special Topic on Interfacial and Confined Water

This special topic on the chemical physics of interfacial and confined water contains a collection of original research papers that showcase recent theoretical and experimental advances in the field. These papers provide a timely discussion of fundamental aspects of interfacial and confined water that are important in both natural environments and engineered applications.
Photon scanning tunneling microscopy of optical channel waveguides

Abstract Photon scanning tunneling microscopy (PSTM) has been used to characterize optical channel waveguides. Both He Ne laser and semiconductor diode laser wavelengths are utilized in the measurement of the evanescent field intensity associated with the propagating modes of optical waveguides. A tapered optical fiber tip, and also a semiconductor heterostructure tip attached to an optical fiber are employed for detection. Local values of effective refractive index are calculated from measurements of both TE and TM polarizations and compared to model calculations.
Charge transfer in nucleic acids

A discussion is presented on the analysis of wave functions and energies obtained for fragments of B-DNA and Z-DNA. The fragments of B-DNA considered consist of two sugar, one phosphate, and one base unit (A, C, G or T); a fifth and larger fragment consists of three sugar, two phosphate, and two base (G and C) units. For Z-DNA one fragment equivalent in size to the largest one above was considered. The wave function computations (requiring a large basis set with about 1000 primitive Gaussian functions) have been obtained in the standard accuracy of SCF computations. The effects of the computed electronic charge transfer from the sugar units to the phosphates and to the bases are analyzed in the situation of Li+, Na+, and K+ interacting with B-DNA and Z-DNA. The charge transfer brings about a stabilization in the base positive ion interactions of about 10 kcal/mol for B-DNA and about 8 kcal/mol for Z-DNA. This example proves that reliable computations—even of qualitative nature—dealing with polynucleotides cannot ignore charge transfer. Problems related to different models for the determination of unit-to-unit interactions in nucleic acids are discussed, and an estimate of the relative stability of B-DNA and Z-DNA is presented. The results obtained for relative stabilities are given as preliminary, requiring additional testing, which at present is in progress.
A compact phased array antenna system based on dual-band Butler matrices

This paper presents a new architecture to minimize the size of conventional phased array antenna. The proposed size reduction of the phased array is achieved by designing the whole system to support dual-band operations. To verify the design concept, a novel dual-band phased array feeding network is designed based on a dual-band 4×4 Butler matrix. By integrating the proposed 4×4 dual-band feeding network with antennas, a total of eight radiation beams can be generated, indicating a size reduction of about 50%. The designed phased array feeding network is operating at 5 and 8GHz. Simulation results show the eight radiation beams as predicted by the design theory, which further validates our design concept.
Dynamics of bottom quark production in hadron collisions

Abstract Developments in the dynamics of heavy quark production are discussed. My focus is principally on bottom quark production. I present extensive calculations of cross sections and production spectra for both collider and fixed target energies. Available data are in excellent agreement with expectations of lowest order perturbative quantum chromodynamics. Uncertainties in the theoretical estimates are explored. The paper includes calculations and comments on charm and top quark production.
The Incidence and Significance of Birthmarks in a Cohort of 4,641 Newborns

An unselected cohort of 4,641 newborns was ascertained prospectively for the purpose of detecting any cutaneous lesion. These were catalogued into pigmented lesions, vascular lesions, and miscellaneous lesions. Several important findings were elucidated: congenital nevocellular nevi are speckled at their borders; no white newborn in the study had more than one cafe au lait mark; a hypopigmented tuft of hair was seen in one infant with tuberous sclerosis but is found more commonly in normal individuals; a previously undescribed lesion called zosteriform melanocytic nevus was seen as a normal pigmentary variant in blacks; and hypopigmented macules seen at birth are seen primarily in normal infants. It is hoped that these findings will allow the pediatrician and dermatologist to offer more meaningful prognostic information to their patients.
Gender, development, and sex work in Lesotho

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the intersections of gender, development and globalization through an investigation of the ways in which a large‐scale, internationally financed multi‐dam development project, the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), impacts gender relations through its physical presence in the highlands of Lesotho, Southern Africa.Design/methodology/approach – Field research including interviews with men and women impacted by the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) in Lesotho in 1997 and 2000‐2001.Findings – The paper finds that, by positioning themselves as sex workers for foreign development workers, non‐elite women are able to access development monies indirectly. The devaluation of women's labor on farms and in the household excludes them as legitimate receivers of “development”, reproducing male ownership and patriarchal authority, and ultimately pushing some women into work that is precarious, low wage, risky, and often demeaning.Research limitations/implicati...
Complex of fd gene 5 protein and double-stranded RNA

We report the formation of complexes of the single-stranded DNA binding protein encoded by gene 5 of fd virus, with natural double-stranded RNAs. In the first direct visualization of a complex of the fd gene 5 protein with a double-stranded nucleic acid, we show by electron microscopy that the double-stranded RNA complex has a structure which is distinct from that of complexes with single-stranded DNA and is consistent with uniform coating of the exterior of the double-stranded RNA helix by the protein. Circular dichroism spectral data demonstrate that the RNA double helix in the complex is undisrupted, and that perturbation of the 228-nm circular dichroism assigned to protein tyrosines can occur in the absence of intercalation of nucleotide bases with protein aromatic residues. Our findings emphasize the potential importance of interaction with the sugar-phosphate polynucleotide backbone in binding of the fd gene 5 protein to nucleic acids.
Isolation and primary culture of chicken intestinal epithelial cells retaining normal in vivo-like morphology

A procedure for the isolation and primary culture of epithelial cells from the mucosal region of the upper ileum in the chicken is described. When cells are isolated using this technique, normal in vivo-like morphology and viability are obtained and can be maintained in short-term as well as primary cultures exceeding 3 wk. This procedure for isolation of enterocytes is easily performed and provides access to primary mucosal epithelial cell cultures for pathologic and physiologic investigations of isolated chicken enterocyte function.
HPLC SEPARATION AND FT-IR ISOMER DIFFERENTIATION OF THE 1,2,4,7/1,2,4,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZODIOXIN ISOMER PAIR - A THEORETICAL/EMPIRICAL APPROACH TO DIBENZODIOXIN ISOMER ASSIGNMENT.

The 1,2,4,7-and 1,2,4,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD) isomers were separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with the use of a pyrene column. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) matrix isolation and vapor-phase spectra of the individual isomers were recorded. The spectra of the HPLC-separated isomers correlate well with spectral subtraction results and were found to be distinct in three spectral regions—one of which allows for isomer structural assignment. Ambiguities and differences in published TCDD isomer FT-IR assignments are discussed in terms of a qualitative valence-bond approach and empirically derived estimates of ether linkage asymmetric stretching frequencies.
Pseudoaneurysm of the Thoracic Aorta: A Late Complication of Umbilical Artery Catheterization

Pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta developed in an infant eight months following neonatal catheterization of the umbilical artery. Infection and placement of a stiff polyvinyl chloride catheter in the thoracic aorta appear to be the etiological factors. Preoperative diagnosis was posterior mediastinal tumor, and pseudoaneurysm was not included in the differential. Dacron graft patch angioplasty repair using partial cardiopulmonary bypass was successful. Postoperatively the patient has done well with no pressure gradient. Pseudoaneurysm should be suspected whenever a mediastinal mass appears in children who have had thoracic placement of umbilical artery catheters.
Spectroscopic and Kinetic Studies of the Reaction of Bromopropanesulfonate with Methyl-coenzyme M Reductase

Abstract Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) catalyzes the final step of methanogenesis in which coenzyme B and methyl-coenzyme M are converted to methane and the heterodisulfide, CoMS-SCoB. MCR also appears to initiate anaerobic methane oxidation (reverse methanogenesis). At the active site of MCR is coenzyme F430, a nickel tetrapyrrole. This paper describes the reaction of the active MCRred1 state with the potent inhibitor, 3-bromopropanesulfonate (BPS; I50 = 50 nm) by UV-visible and EPR spectroscopy and by steady-state and rapid kinetics. BPS was shown to be an alternative substrate of MCR in an ionic reaction that is coenzyme B-independent and leads to debromination of BPS and formation of a distinct state (“MCRPS”) with an EPR signal that was assigned to a Ni(III)-propylsulfonate species (Hinderberger, D., Piskorski, R. P., Goenrich, M., Thauer, R. K., Schweiger, A., Harmer, J., and Jaun, B. (2006) Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 45, 3602-3607). A similar EPR signal was generated by reacting MCRred1 with several halogenated sulfonate and carboxylate substrates. In rapid chemical quench experiments, the propylsulfonate ligand was identified by NMR spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography as propanesulfonic acid after protonolysis of the MCRPS complex. Propanesulfonate formation was also observed in steady-state reactions in the presence of Ti(III) citrate. Reaction of the alkylnickel intermediate with thiols regenerates the active MCRred1 state and eliminates the propylsulfonate group, presumably as the thioether. MCRPS is catalytically competent in both the generation of propanesulfonate and reformation of MCRred1. These results provide evidence for the intermediacy of an alkylnickel species in the final step in anaerobic methane oxidation and in the initial step of methanogenesis.
PearlTrees web-based interface for teaching informatics in the radiology residency

Radiology and imaging informatics education have rapidly evolved over the past few decades. With the increasing recognition that future growth and maintenance of radiology practices will rely heavily on radiologists with fundamentally sound informatics skills, the onus falls on radiology residency programs to properly implement and execute an informatics curriculum. In addition, the American Board of Radiology may choose to include even more informatics on the new board examinations. However, the resources available for didactic teaching and guidance most especially at the introductory level are widespread and varied. Given the breadth of informatics, a centralized web-based interface designed to serve as an adjunct to standardized informatics curriculums as well as a stand-alone for other interested audiences is desirable. We present the development of a curriculum using PearlTrees, an existing web-interface based on the concept of a visual interest graph that allows users to collect, organize, and share any URL they find online as well as to upload photos and other documents. For our purpose, the group of “pearls” includes informatics concepts linked by appropriate hierarchal relationships. The curriculum was developed using a combination of our institution’s current informatics fellowship curriculum, the Practical Imaging Informatics textbook 1 and other useful online resources. After development of the initial interface and curriculum has been publicized, we anticipate that involvement by the informatics community will help promote collaborations and foster mentorships at all career levels.
Balance among autonomic controls of heart rate in neonatal spontaneously hypertensive and borderline hypertensive rats.

Abstract The ontogeny of functional sympathetic neural, adrenal medullary, and extra-adrenal components of adrenergic control of heart rate was compared in neonatal Spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Borderline hypertensive (BHR) rats using combined sequential pharmacological blockade and surgical intervention. Baseline heart rate recorded from awake and unrestrained pups was lower in BHR than in WKY or SHR at 5 days of age. Tonic sympathetic neural control of heart rate was inferred from bradycardia after treatment with the adrenergic neuron-blocking agent, bretylium tosylate. Bradycardia after bretylium treatment was observed at 2, 5 and 8 days of age in all strains, suggesting tonic sympathetic neural control of heart rate during the first postnatal week. Parasympathetic control of heart rate was inferred from heart rate increase after treatment with the muscarinic receptor blocker, atropine methyl nitrate, in pups pretreated with bretylium. Tachycardia following atropine methyl nitrate was substantial in all 24-day-old pups. Control of heart rate by neurally mediated release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla was inferred from bradycardia following administration of the ganglionic blocking agent, hexamethonium, to pups pretreated with bretylium and atropine methyl nitrate. Heart rate decreases after hexamethonium were found in 2-day-old WKY and BHR pups, and at 5 and 8 days in all strains. Adrenalectomy was performed in additional animals to confirm the adrenal catecholamine influence on heart rate. The influence of residual circulating catecholamines on neonatal heart rate was inferred from bradycardia following administration of the β-adrenergic receptor blocking agent, atenolol, in pups pretreated with bretylium, methylatropine, and hexamethonium. Bradycardia was observed in pups of each strain and at all ages after atenolol treatment. Strain differences in autonomic controls of heart rate were most pronounced at 24 days of age. At 24 days of age both SHR and BHR pups showed increased adrenal catecholamine and parasympathetic influences on heart rate compared to WKY. Thus, prior to weaning, rats differing in their genetic predisposition to hypertension showed a unique pattern of autonomic control over heart rate which may be related to adult cardiovascular regulation.
A non-linear analysis of afferent modulatory activity in the cat somatosensory system

The effects of prior input on afferent activity in the somatosensory system of the cat have been studied using both twin-pulse experiments and random stimulus trains for which evoked activity is characterized by a set of mathematical functions known as kernels. The kernels quantitatively characterize transformational processes occurring in the system. The first-order kernel is analogous to a classical averaged evoked potential, but to temporally interacting stimuli; the second-order kernel may be likened to a generalized recovery function. Responses to superficial radial nerve stimulation were obtained at sensory (S1) cortex, thalamic n. ventralis posterolateralis (VPL), and the nucleus cuneatus of the dorsal column nuclei (DCN). Comparison of first-order kernels with averaged evoked potentials showed good agreement in chronic awake, chronic anesthetized, and acute anesthetized animals. Second-order kernels indicated complex interactions with an overall depression of subsequent response amplitudes. Comparison between second-order kernels and the results of the two-pulse experiments at both S1 cortex and VPL showed good agreement for early latency response components, but significant deviations for later components suggest higher than second-order non-linearities for this system.
The Financial Implications of EVAR in the Cost Containment Era

Background: Endoluminal revascularization has supplanted open techniques for aortoiliac occlusive disease. Today, patients undergo open surgery following multiple endovascular failures or complete aorto-iliac occlusions. Hostile abdomens, calcified aortic anatomy, and tenuous pelvic circulation with significant inferior mesenteric artery contribution make the abdominal reconstruction suboptimal. Given these constraints, and the high faliure rates of extra-anatomic bypass, we prefer a mini incision thoracic-bifemoral (mini-TBF) approach to aortic bypass. Technical Description: Mini-TBF were performed in high risk patients with aorto-iliac occlusive disease and critical limb ischemia. Workup involves CT imaging of the thoracic aorta through the lower extremities to determine suitability of inflow along with magnitude of femoral reconstruction. Non-invasive studies provide physiologic data to supplement imaging. Cardiac risk stratification along with pulmonary function tests are also performed. Anesthetic considerations include invasive monitoring, double lumen intubation with one lung ventilation and positioning with left chest elevation. Inflow is constructed fromthedistal descending thoracic aorta via a#8 cm thoracotomy. A left flank incision for retroperitoneal exposure and two inguinal incisions are also created. Once proximal anastamosis is established, the limbs of the bifurcated graft are delivered through the diaphragm and the left limb is tunneled retroperitoneal over the psoas. The right limb is tunneled posterior to the anterior abdominal fascia or subcutaneously below the umbilicus to the right groin. Standard femoral anastomoses are performed and further adjuncts such as endarterectomy are performed if needed. Hemostasis is achieved and the incisions are closed in the usual three layer fashion. The patient is then returned to a supine position and bronchoscopy is performed through both lumens of the endotracheal tube. The patient is then extubated and delivered to the ICU.
Mirtazapine may be useful in treating nausea and insomnia of cancer chemotherapy.

Mirtazapine is an antidepressant that has a receptor-binding profile that may suit it for use in controlling the nausea and insomnia of highly emetic cancer chemotherapy. Mirtazapine binds to and is antagonistic at the 5HT3 receptor, as are the group of medicines related to ondansetron. Mirtazapine is anxiolytic by virtue of its antagonism of the 5HT2 receptor, and is strongly sleep inducing. The resulting sleep quality tends to be superior to that induced by benzodiazapines. There has been concern about mirtazapine’s potential to suppress bone marrow function, so that further study is required before routine use in chemotherapy can be adopted.
Iron-55 and stable iron in oceanic aerosols: Forms and availability☆

Abstract Chemical dissolution investigations of baseline aerosols have demonstrated that much of the 55 Fe associated with aerosols input to the oceans is present as either an amorphous iron oxide or as extremely small particulate species attached to the surfaces of the large aerosol particles. Nearly all of the stable iron is bound in the mineral phase of these aerosol particles. This difference in the chemical and physical forms of the radioactive and stable iron isotopes causes the 55 Fe to be more biologically available to marine organisms than is the stable iron. This differential biological uptake of the radioactive element and its stable element counterpart emphasizes that natural levels of elements in the marine environment may not be useful in predicting the effects of anthropogenic inputs. The effectiveness of dilution by natural sources is dependent upon the chemical and physical forms of materials in both the source terms and the receiving environments.
Electrical Aspects of Adsorbing Colloid Flotation. XII. Floc Diffusion Rates in Nonideal Systems

Abstract The dynamics of the diffusion of charged floc particles to charged air-water interfaces is examined within the framework of a modified Gouy-Chapman model in which the finite volumes of floc particles and inert electrolytes were taken into account. The methods of Verwey and Overbeek were used to calculate the electrical free energy of the floc-interface interaction. For the cases considered, diffusion was found to be quite rapid. Fluid mechanical considerations were used to calculate the capture cross-sections of rising bubbles for suspended floc particles; bubbles in the creeping and inviscid flow regimes were considered. These results were used to calculate removal rates from batch and continuous-flow pool-type foam flotation devices.
Comparing the Validity of Alternative Cognitive Case Formulations: A Latent Variable, Multivariate Time Series Approach

This article describes a latent variables approach to empirically comparing the validity of independently generated, idiographic, cognitive case formulations (CCFs) of a single case. Each of two CCFs differed in the content of idiosyncratic cognitive schema (ICS) and their hypothesized relationships to distress. The CCFs were compared using multivariate time series ratings collected daily. First, the convergent and discriminant validity and dynamic structure of the ICSs hypothesized by each of the two clinicians were evaluated using confirmatory dynamic factor analysis. Second, the two CCFs were compared as to how well the ICSs predicted daily variability in latent distress variables. Compared to the novice clinician, the ICSs in the CCF of the clinician with expertise in CCF explained an average of twice the proportion of variance in the distress variables. This methodology permits the direct empirical comparison of the validity of alternative CCFs without appealing to external judges or criterion groups.
CO2 uptake by the cultivated hemiepiphytic cactus, Hylocereus undatus

Summary The climate of the native tropical forest habitats of Hylocereus undatus , a hemiepiphytic cactus cultivated in 20 countries for its fruit, can help explain the response of its net CO 2 uptake to environmental factors. Under wet conditions, about 85% of the total daily net CO 2 uptake occurs at night via Crassulacean acid metabolism, leading to a high water-use efficiency. Total daily net CO 2 uptake is reduced 57% by only 10 days of drought, possibly involving stomatal closure induced by abscisic acid produced in the roots, which typically occupy a small substrate volume. Total daily net CO 2 uptake for H. undatus is maximal at day/night air temperatures of 30/20° C, optimal temperatures that are higher than those for desert cacti but representative of ambient temperatures in the tropics; its total daily net CO 2 uptake becomes zero at day/night air temperatures of 42/32° C. Stem damage occurs at 45° C for H. undatus, whose photosynthetic cells show little acclimation to high temperatures compared with other cacti and are also sensitive to low temperatures, -1.5° C killing half of these cells. Consistent with its shaded habitat, total daily net CO 2 uptake is appreciable at a total daily PPF of only 2 mol m -2 day -1 and is maximal at 20 mol m -2 day -1 , above which photoinhibition reduces net CO 2 uptake. Net CO 2 uptake ability, which is highly correlated with stem nitrogen and chlorophyll contents, changes only gradually (halftimes of 2-3 months) as the concentration of applied N is changed. Doubling the atmospheric CO 2 concentration raises the total daily net CO 2 uptake of H. undatus by 34% under optimal conditions and by even larger percentages under adverse environmental conditions.
Native-range ecology and invasive potential of Cricetomys in North America.

African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys) are native to tropical Africa, where they range from Senegal and Gambia east across West Africa and the Congo Basin to the Indian Ocean coast of East Africa. Ecological niche models show that Cricetomys species differ in their invasive potential. Although neither of the presently recognized Cricetomys species appears to have genuinely broad distributional potential in North America, models predict that C. emini would have extremely restricted distributional potential, whereas C. gambianus would have a broader potential across the southeastern United States.
PREVAIL-EPL alpha tool electron optics subsystem

The IBM/Nikon alliance is continuing pursuit of an EPL stepper alpha tool based on the PREVAIL technology. This paper provides a status report of the alliance activity with particular focus on the Electron Optical Subsystem developed at IBM. We have previously reported on design features of the PREVAIL alpha system. The new state-of-the-art e-beam lithography concepts have since been reduced to practice and turned into functional building blocks of a production level lithography tool. The electron optical alpha tool subsystem has been designed, build, assembled and tested at IBM's Semiconductor Research and Development Center (SRDC) in East Fishkill, New York. After demonstrating subsystem functionality, the electron optical column and all associated control electronics hardware and software have been shipped during January 2001 to Nikon's facility in Kumagaya, Japan, for integration into the Nikon commercial e-beam stepper alpha tool. Early pre-shipment results obtained with this electron optical subsystem are presented.
Cause-Specific Risk of Hospital Admission Related to Extreme Heat in Older Adults

Extreme heat is the most common cause of severe weather fatalities in the United States,1 and these weather-related outcomes are expected to escalate2 as heat waves become more frequent, more intense, and longer lasting with climate change.3 Exposure to extreme heat can lead to a complex cascade of dysfunction in multiple organ systems resulting from the direct effects of heat and the body’s inflammatory response, causing altered mental status, renal failure, coagulopathy, and cardiovascular collapse.4,5 Older adults are particularly vulnerable to heat-related complications because of the declining ability of the body to thermo-regulate with age, as well as because of social/behavioral factors, such as increased likelihood of living alone, being homebound, or taking medications that interfere with fluid balance.4,6,7 Although extreme heat is known to adversely affect multiple physiological processes, previous studies of the health effects have examined only a few major categories of health outcomes, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases or well-known heat-related diseases, such as heat stroke or dehydration.8–10 Many studies, including multicity studies from the United States and Europe, have demonstrated that heat contributes to elevated mortality.11–15 However, the complete spectrum of health effects of extreme heat on multiple organ systems has not been characterized. We used the totality of Medicare inpatient claims data to systematically examine possible ways in which exposure to heat waves might be associated with serious illness requiring hospitalization in older adults. Our objectives were to (1) estimate the relative and absolute risks of hospitalization for all plausible heat-related diseases; (2) investigate whether these risks increase when heat waves are more extreme and longer lasting; and (3) characterize the time course of hospitalization for heat-related illnesses in the days immediately following exposure.
Mullite Joining by the Oxidation of Malleable, Alkaline‐Earth‐Metal‐Bearing Bonding Agents

Metallic Ba-Al-Si bonding agents have been used to produce all-ceramic, BaO-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-SiO{sub 2} bonds between plates of mullite (Al{sub 6}Si{sub 2}O{sub 13}). Ba-Al-Si tapes (200 {micro}m thick) were fabricated by compaction and rolling of mechanically alloyed powder. The Ba-Al-Si tapes were placed between mullite plates and then oxidized by heating to a peak temperature of 1,230 C in air. The oxidized tapes strongly adhered to the mullite plates at 25 and 1,000 C, as indicated by the fracture morphologies obtained from compressive shear tests. Electron microscopy (EPMA, TEM) revealed that the bulk of the oxidized Ba-Al-Si tapes (away from the interfaces with mullite) consisted largely of the compound BaAl{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 8}, along with some BaSiO{sub 3} and an amorphous, barium-rich aluminosilicate. The interface between the oxidized bonding agent and bulk mullite consisted of a mixture of BaAl{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 8}, Al{sub 6}Si{sub 2}O{sub 13}, Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, BaAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}, and an amorphous, barium-bearing aluminosilicate.
Engineering Production Functions

The problem, 507. — I. The scope of engineering analysis, 508. — II. Use of engineering data in economic analysis, 510. — III. Production-function analysis of pipeline transportation, 514; the technological relations, 514; cost functions, 517; conditions of equilibrium, 519. — IV. The use of engineering production functions: results of the present study, 526; further applications, 529; conclusions, 531.
Inhaled Insulin – A New Delivery for an Old Drug

Rates of diabetes continue to rise in the United States. It's estimated that more than 25 million people in the United States currently have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Insulin is the mainstay of treatment, and a new delivery option is available. In 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Afrezza® inhalation powder, a rapid-acting inhaled form of human insulin, to treat diabetes in adults. This article will provide an overview of the Afrezza system, indications for use, adverse reactions and implications for nurses who work with women with diabetes.
Reading the Political Tea Leaves A Forecasting Model of Contemporary Presidential Elections

Building on the work of previous forecasters, I develop a model of presidential elections that deviates from earlier work by including a measure of aggregate personal finances. The results of the a...
Ionization Chamber Survey Instrument

A wide range survey instrument is described. Ranges are 20 mr/hour to 20 r/hour full scale. The thin plastic ionization chamber is easily replaced if contaminated. A three-tube, negative feedback circuit with low battery drain is used. The input resistor selector switch is a new design with high insulation. It is nonmicrophonic and does not cause transients when changing ranges.
Isogeometric fluid–structure interaction analysis with emphasis on non-matching discretizations, and with application to wind turbines

Abstract In this paper we develop a framework for fluid–structure interaction (FSI) modeling and simulation with emphasis on isogeometric analysis (IGA) and non-matching fluid–structure interface discretizations. We take the augmented Lagrangian approach to FSI as a point of departure. Here the Lagrange multiplier field is defined on the fluid–structure interface and is responsible for coupling of the two subsystems. Thus the FSI formulation does not rely on the continuity of the underlying function spaces across the fluid–structure interface in order to produce the correct coupling conditions between the fluid and structural subdomains. However, in deriving the final FSI formulation the interface Lagrange multiplier is formally eliminated and the formulation is written purely in terms of primal variables. Avoiding the use of Lagrange multipliers adds efficiency to the proposed formulation. As an added benefit, the ability to employ non-matching grids for multi-physics simulations leads to significantly relaxed requirements that are placed on the geometry modeling and meshing tools for IGA. We show an application of the proposed FSI formulation to the simulation of the NREL 5 MW offshore wind turbine rotor, where the aerodynamics domain is modeled using volumetric quadratic NURBS, while the rotor structure is modeled using a cubic T-spline-based discretization of a rotation-free Kirchhoff–Love shell. We conclude the article by showing FSI coupling of a T-spline shell with a low-order finite element method (FEM) discretization of the aerodynamics equations. This combined use of IGA and FEM is felt to be a good balance between speed, robustness, and accuracy of FSI simulations for this class of problems.
Human Rights and Politicized Human Rights: A Utilitarian Critique

The article provides a utilitarian analysis to argue that the leading organizations of the International Human Rights Movement have lost sight of their own professed values. Instead of functioning to check and balance the power of nation-states which formulate policies based on political and economic interests, the leadership of Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Committee of the Red Cross follow the politicized United Nations. Their attention and resources have been diverted from where they are most needed and can do the most good. The problem is most evident in the disproportionate focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There are serious problems of distributive justice, fairness, and equality of treatment, in that the obsessive, lopsided scrutiny placed on Israel is concomitant with the neglect of the far more horrific human rights violations in the Arab world and beyond. There is a tragic opportunity cost in how the major humanitarian and human rights organizations se...