cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Liposomal Bupivacaine Parasternal Intercostal Block for Sternotomy.

Background Optimal pain control continues to be a concern in cardiac surgery. Current strategies for postoperative pain management often yield suboptimal results. The superiority of Exparel (Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Parsippany, NJ) in providing postoperative pain control and opioid sparing is equivocal. This prospective, randomized, double-blind study examines the efficacy of Exparel as a novel single-dose application parasternal nerve block in postoperative pain control and opioid sparing. Methods This single-surgeon study included 79 patients undergoing median sternotomy for coronary revascularization. Study participants were randomized to either the drug or a control arm. Each participant received Exparel or normal saline placebo administered as a parasternal nerve block. Postoperative pain was rated according to the nonverbal pain scale or numeric rating scale. Total amount of narcotic pain medication used and patients’ pain scores within the first 72 hours postoperatively were compared. Secondary outcomes compared the intensive care unit length of stay, hospital length of stay, time to extubation, time to return of bowel function, and time to return to work or daily activities. Results The primary endpoint of pain levels between the two groups demonstrated no significant difference when analyzing the individual time points postoperatively. However, overall pain levels were significantly lower in the study drug group (p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in the amount of analgesics required postoperatively or in secondary endpoints between the groups. Conclusions Exparel does not provide an opioid-sparing benefit or any secondary outcome benefit compared with placebo. Exparel may be associated with a marginal decrease in postoperative pain levels. (Parasternal Nerve Bock in Cardiac Patients; NCT01826851 .)
Chapter II : 18 – THE VELOCITY OF SOUND BEHIND STRONG SHOCK WAVES IN 2024 Al*

Rarefaction waves were produced by impacting a target with a thin plate. An optical technique was used to determine where the rarefaction from the back surface of the impactor overtook the shock wave induced in a step wedge target. Bromoform was placed on the front surface. When the shock reached the liquid it radiated steadily until the rarefaction from the impactor overtakes it. The times when this occurred were used to determine where the rarefaction just overtook the shock in the target, and thus the sound velocity. The leading edge of this rarefaction wave travels at longitudinal sound velocity in solids. This velocity increases smoothly with pressure until shock heating causes the material to melt. The data indicate that melting on the Hugoniot of 2024 Al begins at about 125 GPa and is completed at 150 GPa.
Practical Approaches to Simulating Obstetric Emergencies

Obstetric emergencies can arise suddenly and may catch the team by surprise. Simulation has become a valuable tool for maintaining the clinical team’s preparedness for these events. As resident work hour restrictions limit their exposure to the number of obstetric patients, and in turn to rare cases, such as uterine inversion, vaginal breech, and shoulder dystocia, simulation may fulfill some of these missed learning opportunities. Other scenarios amenable to simulation include emergent cesarean section, multidisciplinary team preparation for failed operative vaginal delivery (OVD), and impacted fetal head at cesarean which can follow failed OVD (Manning et al., Obstet Gynecol Surv 70:719–724, 2015).
'Reducing Delays In Vaccination' (REDIVAC) trial: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a web-based, individually tailored, educational intervention to improve timeliness of infant vaccination.

Introduction Increasing numbers of children are failing to receive many recommended vaccines, which has led to significant outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in the USA and worldwide. A major driver of undervaccination is parental vaccine hesitance. Prior research demonstrates that mothers are the primary decision maker for infant vaccination, and that their vaccination attitudes form primarily during pregnancy and early in their infant’s life. Methods and analysis This manuscript describes the protocol for an ongoing three-armed randomised controlled trial done at Kaiser Permanente Colorado (KPCO). The trial aims to test the efficacy of provided tailored, individualised information via the Internet to pregnant and new mothers versus untailored information versus usual care on the timeliness of infant vaccination. The primary outcome to be assessed is vaccination status, which is a dichotomous outcome (up to date vs not) assessed at age 200 days, reflecting the time when infants should have completed the first set of vaccine provided (at age 2, 4 and 6 months). Infants with one or more age-appropriate recommended vaccines at least 30 days delayed are categorised as not up to date whereas all other infants are considered up to date. Secondary outcomes include vaccination status at age 489 days, reflecting receipt of recommended vaccines at age 12–15 months, as well as vaccination attitudes, hesitancy and intention. Vaccination data will be derived from the electronic medical record and the state immunisation registry. Other secondary outcomes will be assessed by online surveys. Ethics and dissemination The study activities were approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the University of Colorado, KPCO and the University of Michigan. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed manuscripts and conference presentations. Trial registration number NCT02665013; Pre-results.
Abstract 4347: Differentially expressed genes and molecular pathways in an autochthonous mouse prostate cancer model

Prostate cancer remains a major public health problem and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in the United States. Despite widespread screening efforts and advancement in therapeutic regimens, incidence of prostate cancer remains steady in the past two decades. Although serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been used as a screening test for prostate cancer for over two decades, the practice remains controversial. As a screening test for prostate cancer, PSA lacks sensitivity and specificity as early detection marker. Furthermore, screening may lead to unnecessary biopsies, over-detection, and overtreatment. There is a need for specific and sensitive biomarker(s) which can differentiate between cancer and non-cancer utilized for screening and early detection. The present study aims to comprehend the molecular pathways of prostate cancer which is essential for early detection and treatment. Dorso-lateral prostate from 20 week transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice, which spontaneously develops prostate cancer and recapitulates human disease and age-matched non-transgenic littermates were utilized for microarray analysis. Network and pathway analyses were mapped using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), and the database for annotation, visualization and integrated discovery. In total, 136 differentially expressed genes, including 32 downregulated genes and 104 upregulated genes were identified in the dorso-lateral prostate of TRAMP mice, compared to non-transgenic. A subset of differentially expressed genes were validated by QRT-PCR. Among these genes, 36% genes were connected to the nucleic acid binding especially ribosomal proteins which play important roles in protein synthesis, and is the most enriched pathway in the development of prostate cancer. Moreover, the results also suggest deregulation of the metabolic process and an imbalance between extracellular matrix components and adherens junction proteins could induce cancer progression. Taken together, the present study evaluated the underlying pathways and its connection to human cancer, which may further help to assess the risk of prostate cancer detection and its progression to identify potential targets of adjuvant treatment. Citation Format: Shiv Verma, Sanjeev Shukla, Mitali Pandey, Gregory T. MacLennan, Sanjay Gupta. Differentially expressed genes and molecular pathways in an autochthonous mouse prostate cancer model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4347.
La maduración del gobierno del Perú en la década de 1560

El lector de la correspondencia gubernamental que va del Peru a Espafia en los primeros afios del decenio de 1560 que da sorprendido por la irresolucion miedosa que demuestran estas cartas. "Yo espero en Dios que estos reinos estaran en paz; mas en esta tierra no hay que tener confianza de una hora a otra'', escribe el virrey Conde de Nieva al rey en di ciembre de 1562. "Esta tierra es de manera que diez hom bres que se junten en alguna parte ponen en cuidado", ad vierte el mismo virrey al secretario Francisco de Eraso, en otra carta de aquel afio. Refiriendose a las mercedes otorga das a muchos pobladores del Peru por el virrey Marques de Cafiete (1555-1560), observan en mayo de 1562 Nieva y los tres comisarios de la perpetuidad de la encomienda: "No nos atrevemos segun el estado en que estan las cosas en el tiempo presente a quitarles sus entretenimientos".1 Se po drian multiplicar los ejemplos.
RNA Binding Protein CELF2 Regulates Signal-Induced Alternative Polyadenylation by Competing with Enhancers of the Polyadenylation Machinery.

The 3' UTR (UTR) of human mRNAs plays a critical role in controlling protein expression and function. Importantly, 3' UTRs of human messages are not invariant for each gene but rather are shaped by alternative polyadenylation (APA) in a cell state-dependent manner, including in response to T cell activation. However, the proteins and mechanisms driving APA regulation remain poorly understood. Here we show that the RNA-binding protein CELF2 controls APA of its own message in a signal-dependent manner by competing with core enhancers of the polyadenylation machinery for binding to RNA. We further show that CELF2 binding overlaps with APA enhancers transcriptome-wide, and almost half of 3' UTRs that undergo T cell signaling-induced APA are regulated in a CELF2-dependent manner. These studies thus reveal CELF2 to be a critical regulator of 3' UTR identity in T cells and demonstrate an additional mechanism for CELF2 in regulating polyadenylation site choice.
Emerging precarity among international students in Singapore: experiences, understandings and responses

In this paper, I explore precarity as experienced by international students studying in the honours college of a public university in the city–state of Singapore. Precarity for this group emanates ...
Building Purposeful Superintendent and School Board Relationships Through Examining the Historical Narrative of Evolving Roles

The author presents a summary of the changing role of the traditional superintendent within the United States through the lens of how this work can be challenged or encouraged by the relationship with her or his respective board. The author emphasizes how the evolving roles of both the superintendent and school board member have contributed to the lack of clarity around their respective responsibilities that has influenced relational factors between these two groups. The importance of building, nurturing and sustaining relationships between the superintendent and school board in order to be proactive and prepared to encounter the many issues that school districts face daily is integral to this conversation. School boards and superintendents must understand how to collaborate beyond simply abiding by their delegated role at the time to flourish and support a successful school district.
Transorbital postcaruncular endoscopic surgery as an alternative to orbital exploratory surgery: A cadaveric study and case report in a dog with an orbital sarcoma

Objective To describe a postcaruncular approach for transorbital endoscopy as an alternative, minimally invasive technique to access the orbital apex. Study design Ex vivo and prospective clinical case report. Animals A 12-year-old male castrated cocker spaniel and three cadaver heads (one large breed dolichocephalic, one medium-sized breed mesocephalic, and one small breed brachycephalic). Methods Transorbital endoscopy was performed to obtain biopsies of an orbital apex mass by using a postcaruncular approach. A 2.7-mm 30° rigid endoscope fitted with a cystoscope working sheath was used with the aid of a blunt suction-dissector and fluid ingress. This procedure was first performed on three cadavers to assess feasibility and later performed in a clinical case. Results By using a transorbital postcaruncular approach, it was possible to visualize and obtain biopsies from structures within the orbital apex with minimal perioperative morbidity. Dissection and expansion of the working space was facilitated with the aid of fluid ingress; however, judicious use of fluids is recommended because secondary orbital edema and chemosis can occur. Conclusion Transorbital endoscopy via a postcaruncular approach is feasible. Clinical significance This technique should be considered in cases in which a histological diagnosis is required prior to definitive treatment as a method to obtain biopsy samples of the orbital apex region without major surgical dissection.
Large-Signal Stability Criteria in DC Power Grids With Distributed-Controlled Converters and Constant Power Loads

The increasing adoption of power electronic devices may lead to large disturbance and destabilization of future power systems. However, stability criteria are still an unsolved puzzle, since traditional small-signal stability analysis is not applicable to power electronics-enabled power systems when a large disturbance occurs, such as a fault, a pulse power load, or load switching. To address this issue, this paper presents for the first time the rigorous derivation of the sufficient criteria for large-signal stability in DC microgrids with distributed-controlled DC-DC power converters. A novel type of closed-loop converter controllers is designed and considered. Moreover, this paper is the first to prove that the well-known and frequently cited Brayton-Moser’s mixed potential theory (published in 1964) is incomplete. Case studies are carried out to illustrate the defects of Brayton-Moser’s mixed potential theory and verify the effectiveness of the proposed novel stability criteria.
Development of an Analytical Method for Quantitation of 2,2'-Dimorpholinodiethyl Ether (DMDEE) in Rat Plasma, Amniotic Fluid and Fetal Homogenate by UPLC-MS-MS for Determination of Gestational and Lactational Transfer in Rats.

2,2'-Dimorpholinodiethyl ether (DMDEE) is a specialty amine catalyst used in the production of flexible foams, adhesives, and coatings. The potential for occupational exposure to DMDEE is high, but toxicity data are very limited. The objective of this work was to develop a method to quantitate DMDEE in biological matrices to assess gestational and lactational transfer of DMDEE in rats following exposure of dams. The method used protein precipitation, followed by removal of phospholipids and analysis of supernatant by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Rat fetuses were homogenized in water prior to protein precipitation and delipidation procedures. The method was evaluated in male Sprague Dawley (SD) rat plasma over the concentration range 5 to 1000 ng/mL. The method was linear (r ≥ 0.99), accurate (mean relative error (RE) ≤ ± 11.9%) and precise (relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤ 2.7%). The mean absolute recovery was 106%. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.262 ng/mL. Standards as high as ~ 100,000 ng/mL could be successfully diluted into the calibration range (mean %RE = -14.9; %RSD = 0.5). The method was evaluated in SD rat dam plasma, post-natal day (PND) 4 pup plasma, gestational day (GD) 18 amniotic fluid and fetal homogenate (mean %RE ≤ ± 11.9; %RSD ≤ 2.3). Concentrations of DMDEE in rat dam plasma, amniotic fluid, and fetal homogenate stored for at least 29 days and in pup plasma for at least 18 days at -80°C were within 87.7 to 99.5% of Day 0 concentrations, demonstrating that DMDEE is stable in these matrices. The method was used to quantitate DMDEE in rat plasma, amniotic fluid, and fetus samples from a dose range finding toxicology study in which dams were dosed via gavage with DMDEE from GD 6 at doses of 0 (control), 62.5 and 250 mg/kg/day. DMDEE concentration increased with the dose in all matrices examined. The concentration in GD 18 fetuses was almost two-fold higher than GD 18 dams demonstrating gestational transfer of DMDEE. However, the concentration in PND 4 pup plasma was more than an order of magnitude lower than corresponding dam plasma suggesting less potential for transfer of DMDEE from dams to pups via lactation. There was no significant difference in concentration for male and female pup plasma.
Development of numerical model for simulating resistivity and hydroelectric properties of fractured rock aquifers

Abstract Studying fractured aquifers have been always a challenging subject due to the complexity of their physical and hydrogeological properties. In this study, it is therefore aimed to investigate the electrical conductivity of the saturated fractures as conductive zones and the role of these zones in changing and reducing the host rock resistivity. To achieve this goal and estimate the hydro-electrical characteristics of these aquifers, a 3D numerical modeling (Comsol Multiphysics Model, CMM) was developed for simulating the resistivity and hydro-electrical properties of these aquifers by applying the Vertical Electrical Sounding technique (VES). The calibration between the analytical solution and numerical model showed an error percentage less than 0.03%. The resulted VES-curves depending on porosity increasing, which in its turn is depending on increasing in fractures density, distribution and their orientation, confirmed that the resistivity of fractured aquifer decreases with increasing the fractures density and porosities. The results were considerably representative exhibiting the nature of the relationship between porosity and resistivity of fractured aquifers. This relationship was found to be linear and inverse with high evidence and correlation results. Corresponding to these findings the resulted empirical equation can be used in predicting the porosity with taking into account the saturated weathered and fractured basement rocks resistivity which ranges between 7-85 Ω.m. The error percentages should also ranging between 0.0015%–0.0668%. Accordingly, this model produces reliable solutions of the resistivity method forward problem for arbitrary electrical resistivity in the subsurface depending on the fractures density and porosity of fractured aquifers. The apparent resistivity curve obtained from this model was compared with the measured field apparent resistivity curve of the fractured aquifer. The results are consequently testifying the effectiveness of Comsol Multiphysics Model in studying, solving, and understanding the different electrical and hydrogeological conditions of these aquifers.
Periprocedural Peritonitis Prophylaxis: A Summary of the Microbiology and the Role of Systemic Antimicrobials.

Background Peritonitis is a leading complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). One strategy that the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) has used to help mitigate the morbidity and mortality associated with peritonitis is through prevention, including antibiotic prophylaxis utilization in high-risk situations. The aim of this study is to summarize our current understanding of postprocedural peritonitis and discuss the existing data behind periprocedural antibiotic prophylaxis, focusing primarily on PD catheter insertion, dental procedures, colonoscopies, upper endoscopies with gastrostomy, and gynecologic procedures. Summary The ISPD currently recommends intravenous antibiotics prior to PD catheter insertion, colonoscopies, and invasive gynecologic procedures, though prophylaxis has only demonstrated benefit in a prospective, randomized control setting for PD catheter insertion. However, multiple retrospective studies exist that support the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for the other 2 procedures. No specific antibiotic regimen has been established as most optimal to prevent peritonitis for any of the 3 procedures. Antibiotic coverage should include the Enterobacteriaceae family, as well as Gram-positive organisms commonly found on the skin flora for PD catheter insertion, anaerobes for colonoscopies, and common organisms from the urogenital flora in gynecologic procedures. Additionally, the ISPD currently recommends oral amoxicillin prior to dental procedures. There is currently no ISPD recommendation to provide antibiotic prophylaxis prior to an upper endoscopy with or without gastrostomy, though this is a potential area for research. Key messages PD patients are at high risk for developing peritonitis after typical procedures. Antibiotic prophylaxis is a potential strategy that the ISPD utilizes to prevent these infections. However, further research needs to be done to determine the optimal antibiotic regimen.
K-12, college/university, and mass shootings: similarities and differences

In a 2003 study, we examined five antecedents of school shootings – a history of rejection, acute rejection experience, history of psychological problems, fascination with death or violence, and fa...
Lectures on cylindric set algebras

These notes are a corrected and revised version of notes which accompanied lectures given at the Banach Center in the fall of 1991. The intent is to give a self-contained introduction to cylindric algebras from the concrete point of view. I hope that after these lectures the reader will be able to digest the basic works on this subject (Henkin, Monk, Tarski [4], [5] and Henkin, Monk, Tarski, Andreka, Nemeti [6]) more easily, and that even research articles in this area will be readable by one who studies these notes carefully. As the title of the lectures indicates, we are mainly concerned with the topics in [6], which appear in a condensed form in [5]. One of the frightening things about both of these books is that they begin with a mass of definitions and proceed with very detailed discussion of the interrelationships of the defined notions. We are going to introduce just a few of these definitions, little by little, giving important (but not highly technical) results about them as we go along. And we will try to motivate the notions from logic. Cylindric algebras form the most developed form of algebraic logic. In general, algebraic logic is concerned with algebraic structures which correspond to logics of various sorts. Cylindric algebras correspond to ordinary first-order logics and to certain straightforward modifications of these logics. Other algebraic structures have a similar relationship to first-order logic; the most developed of these are relation algebras (in Tarski’s sense) and polyadic algebras. We will not be concerned with these, but the reader should be able to study them more easily after reading these notes. We will describe only the concrete aspect of cylindric algebras. The axiomatic version, fully developed in [4], will play only a minor role. Also, we will not deal with applications. Such applications exist in several other fields, such as combinatorics and theoretical computer science.
Berlin Professor: 1892–1917

During Frobenius’ initial years in Berlin (1867–1875), the mathematical leaders, Kummer, Weierstrass, and Kronecker, had worked together in personal and intellectual harmony as illustrated in Chapter 5; but during the 1880s, personal and philosophical differences between Kronecker and Weierstrass emerged. Weierstrass saw Kronecker’s intuitionist views on mathematics as a threat to his own life’s work in analysis, which was based on foundations rejected by Kronecker.
How to manage the intensity of comparison in comparative advertising over time

Despite the popularity of comparative advertising (CA) over the past three decades, few studies have explored how to develop this strategy outside the USA. This study reports the results of experim...
Digital technology and mental health interventions: opportunities and challenges

The growth of the Internet, mobile phones, social media and other digital technologies has changed our world in many ways. It has provided individuals with information that was previously only available to a select few. An example of the reach of technology is data that as of October 2012, there are over 6 billion phones worldwide (BBC, 2012). The availability of data in real time has presented hopes of intervening more efficiently and managing health problems by leveraging limited human resources. It also has an impact in changing the roles of providers and patients and in legal and ethical issues including privacy in digital health interactions. This paper will discuss why digital technology has received recent attention in the area of mental health, present some applications of technology for mental health to date, explore the challenges to full implementation in clinical settings, and present future opportunities for digital technologies.
Whisper and Phonation: Aerodynamic Comparisons Across Adduction and Loudness.

Summary Introduction Whisper is known to be produced by different speakers differently, especially with respect to glottal configuration that influences glottal aerodynamics. Differences in whisper production and phonation types imply important linguistic information in many languages, are identified in vocal pathologies, are used to communicate mood and emotion, and are used in vocal performance. Objective The present study focused on investigating the aerodynamic differences between whisper and phonation at different loudness and adduction levels. Methods Three men and five women between 20 and 40 years of age participated in the study. Smooth syllable strings of the syllable /baep:/ were whispered and phonated at three different loudness levels (soft, medium, and loud) and three voice qualities (breathy, normal, and pressed). The voice qualities are associated with different adduction levels. This resulted in 18 treatment combinations (three adduction levels × three loudness levels × two sexes). Results A regression analysis was performed using a PROC MIXED procedure with SAS statistical software. Under similar production conditions, subglottal pressure was significantly lower in whisper than in phonation in 10 of 18 combinations, mean glottal airflow was significantly higher in whisper than in phonation in 13 of 18 combinations, and flow resistance was significantly lower in whisper than in phonation in 14 of 18 combinations, with the female subjects demonstrating these trends more frequently than the male subjects do. Of importance, in general, compared with phonation under similar production conditions, whisper is not always accompanied by lower subglottal pressure and higher airflows. Conclusion Results from this study suggest that the typical finding of lower subglottal pressure, higher glottal airflow, and decreased flow resistance in whisper compared with phonation cannot be generalized to all individuals and depends on the "whisper type." The nine basic production conditions (three loudness levels and three adduction levels) resulted in data that may help explain the wide range of variation of whisper production reported in earlier studies.
Human Subjects Research, Ethics, Family, and Pedigree Studies

Introduction Genetic Research on Human Populations Potential Harms for Subjects Enrolled in Family Pedigree Studies Genetic Discrimination Impact of Susceptibility Gene Identification Unintended Consequences of the Research Process Breeches of Confidentiality Future Use of Research Samples Professional Challenges for the Conduct of Research Recruitment and Ascertainment Ensuring and Maintaining Confidentiality Disclosure Future Use of Samples Informed Consent Keywords: human subjects research; ethics
Issues in Water Quality Trading: Introduction to Featured Collection1

Heberling, Matthew T., 2011. Issues in Water Quality Trading: Introduction to Featured Collection. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(1):1-4. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2011.00510.x
Links Between Demographic and Kinship Transitions

The demographic transition is also a kinship transition. This insight is obvious for certain types of kin-as fertility falls parents have fewer children for instance-but its broader implications for communities remain unexplored. Prior work on this topic has focused on how the demographic transition reshapes the availability of living kin within a society over time to the neglect of how differences in the demographic transition lead to differences in kinship networks between communities. In this article I examine survey data (for rural Thailand) and use microsimulation methods to test how different pathways through the demographic transition affect kinship networks in communities. My results show that different routes through the demographic transition can substantially alter kinship network size and entirely through the mechanism of demographic change have indirect effects on community integration. These effects persist long after the demographic transition has ended. I theorize reasons that community-level differentiation in kinship networks owing to the demographic transition are an important mechanism linking the demographic transition to modernity.
Field Evaluation of Soybean Engineered with a Synthetic cry1Ac Transgene for Resistance to Corn Earworm, Soybean Looper, Velvetbean Caterpillar (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and Lesser Cornstalk Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

A transgenic line of the soybean ‘Jack’, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, expressing a synthetic cry1Ac gene from Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki (Jack-Bt), was evaluated for resistance to four lepidopteran pests in the field. Jack-Bt and genotypes serving as susceptible and resistant controls were planted in field cages and artificially infested with larvae of corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hubner), in 1996, 1997, and 1998, and also with soybean looper, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), in 1996. Susceptible controls included Jack (1996–1998), ‘Cobb’ (1996), and Jack-HPH (1996). GatIR 81–296 was used as the resistant control in all 3 yr. Compared with untransformed Jack, Jack-Bt showed three to five times less defoliation from corn earworm and eight to nine times less damage from velvetbean caterpillar. Defoliation of GatIR 81–296 was intermediate between that of Jack and Jack-Bt for corn earworm, and similar to that of Jack for velveltbean caterpillar. Jack-Bt exhibited significant, but lower resistance to soybean looper. Jack-Bt also showed four times greater resistance than Jack to natural infestations of lesser cornstalk borer, Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller), in conventional field plots at two locations in 1998. Data from these experiments suggest that expression of this cry1Ac construct in soybean should provide adequate levels of resistance to several lepidopteran pests under field conditions.
Incidence and management of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty-induced venous rupture in the "fistula first" era.

Purpose Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA)–induced venous rupture is a common complication of hemodialysis access interventions. The authors sought to determine if venous rupture rates and management differed between grafts and fistulas, and in the fistula subset, between transposed and nontransposed fistulas. Materials and Methods Patients experiencing venous rupture during hemodialysis PTA over a 5-year period were identified. Of 1,985 hemodialysis interventions, 75 ruptures occurred in 69 patients (46 women) with a mean age of 63 years (range, 31–88 y). Rupture rates, proportion of successful treatments, and treatment type and number (ie, balloon tamponade, stent, covered stent) were determined. Results Rupture was more common in fistulas overall (5.6%, 39 of 693) compared with grafts (2.8%, 36 of 1,292; P = .002), in transposed (10.7%, 20 of 187) compared with nontransposed fistulas (3.8%, 19 of 506; P = .001), and in transposed fistulas compared with grafts ( P = .0001). There was no significant difference between nontransposed fistulas and grafts. Treatment success (ie, resolution of extravasation) was the same among groups: 69% (27 of 39) in fistulas overall, 70% (14 of 20) in transposed fistulas, 68% (13 of 19) in nontransposed fistulas, and 72% (26 of 36) in grafts. There was a greater need for stents in grafts (38.9%, 14 of 36) compared with fistulas (12.8%, five of 39; P = .003). Conclusions PTA-induced rupture is more common in fistulas than grafts, and this effect seems nearly entirely driven by transposed fistulas. Although rupture treatment in fistulas of all types yielded similar success to grafts, and graft ruptures were more difficult to treat than fistula ruptures, the high rupture rates in transposed fistulas attest to the increased difficulty of treating this subset of fistulas.
High-resolution x-ray imaging with a Gd2O3(Eu) transparent ceramic scintillator

A liquid nitrogen cooled CCD TV camera from Astromed, Ltd., has been used for quantitative x-ray medical imaging. The CCD is coupled to a Gd2O3(Eu) transparent ceramic scintillator on loan from the Ceramics Division of the General Electric Research Laboratories with an 80 mm f 1.3 oscilloscope camera lens optimized for 2:1 demagnification. High-resolution single-energy x-ray images have been acquired of lead bar patterns, human heel bones, and human teeth. Dual-energy bone-mineral densitometry images have been acquired of the foot and the femur of a rat.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A top-down strategy with temporal and spatial partition for fault detection and diagnosis of building HVAC systems

Abstract This paper presents a top-down strategy for detecting faulty HVAC units across different levels. Energy flow models of HVAC units are developed while the energy is the main feature extracted from the vast amount of real-time data of the HVAC system in a building. A temporal and spatial partition strategy for analyzing HVAC units is proposed. The partition takes into account of architectural, environmental, and human factors. The partition strategy leads to more appropriate thresholds for fault detection. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the detection of a systemwide fault and a fault at the VAV level.
Effects of chromium(III) picolinate on cortisol and DHEAs secretion in H295R human adrenocortical cells.

Dietary chromium(III) picolinate (CrPic) effects on circulating steroid hormones have been reported in various experimental animals. However, direct effects of CrPic on adrenocortical steroidogenesis are uncertain. Therefore, the objective was to determine the effects of CrPic on cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAs) secretion from H295R cells. In experiment 1, a 24-h exposure to CrPic (0 to 200 μM) had both linear (p < 0.001) and quadratic (p < 0.001) effects on cortisol secretion from forskolin-stimulated cells with the highest cortisol secretion at 0.1 μM of CrPic and the lowest at 200 μM of CrPic. In experiment 2, a 48-h exposure to CrPic (200 μM) decreased cortisol (p < 0.07) release from forskolin-stimulated cells during a 24-h collection period. In experiment 3, a 48-h exposure to CrPic (100 μM) decreased cortisol (p < 0.05) and DHEAs (p < 0.01) from forskolin-stimulated cells during a 24-h sampling period. In experiment 4, a 24-h exposure to forskolin followed by a 24-h exposure to both forskolin and CrPic (100 and 200 μM) decreased both cortisol and DHEAs secretion (p < 0.01). This study suggests that at high concentrations, CrPic inhibits aspects of steroidogenesis in agonist-stimulated adrenocortical cells.
Surface-induced perturbation of LVV Auger spectra.

Measurements of LVV Auger-electron spectra from a Si(111) surface before and after Ge deposition reveal that atoms at the surface have a qualitatively different Auger line shape than atoms in the bulk. In particular, the redistribution of electron density at the Si(111) surface enhances the ratio of pp to sp contributions to the LVV line shape. This surface effect is expected to be a general property of LVV spectra from all surfaces, which must be considered when comparing theory to experimental data.
Nucleotide sequence of a region of the herpes simplex virus type 1 gB glycoprotein gene: Mutations affecting rate of virus entry and cell fusion

The tsB5 isolate of herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) enters host cells more rapidly than does KOS, an independent isolate of HSV-1, and this rate-of-entry determinant is located between prototypic map coordinates 0.350 and 0.360 (1). The nucleotide sequence of strain tsB5 has now been determined between prototypic map coordinates 0.347 and 0.360. Comparison of the tsB5 sequence to the homologous KOS sequence revealed that the rate-of-entry difference between these two HSV-1 strains may be due to the single amino acid difference observed within these sequences (0.350 to 0.360). A cell fusion determinant in tsB5 is located between coordinates 0.345 and 0.355 and to the left of the rate-of-entry determinant (1). Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed a second amino acid difference between tsB5 and KOS at coordinate 0.349. The cell fusion determinant was tentatively assigned to this location.
HCV Eradication: Implications for Disease Resolution

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of liver-related death worldwide. The evolution of hepatitis C therapy has made serologic eradication of HCV RNA a reality for many patients. Although it is debated whether undetectable virus in the serum represents a cure with complete clearance of viral RNA from the host, improved clinical outcomes have been shown after successful treatment in patients who achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR). Specifically, patients with SVR have longer survival, reduced progression and, in some cases, regression of fibrosis, decreased likelihood of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, and improvement of many extrahepatic manifestations of HCV. This review discusses viral kinetics on therapy leading to eradication, identification, and clinical significance of occult HCV infection and clinical outcomes after successful treatment.
Responsiveness of 2 Procedures for Measurement of Temporal and Spatial Gait Parameters in Older Adults

Objective To determine the responsiveness of the GAITRite system and a stopwatch-footfall count technique for measurement of walking speed, cadence, and stride length during comfortable and fast-paced walking. Design Criterion standard. Setting Research laboratory in a physical therapy education program. Participants Twenty-four healthy volunteers (13 men, 11 women; mean age 74.5 years) without lower extremity injury or history of falls. Interventions Participants walked across a GAITRite mat with embedded pressure sensors at their self-selected comfortable and fast walking speeds. Simultaneously, an examiner, using a stopwatch, recorded the elapsed time necessary to cross the mat and counted the number of complete footfalls. Main Outcome Measure(s) Walking speed, cadence, and stride length were compared between the GAITRite system and the stopwatch-footfall count technique for both comfortable and fast walking speeds. Responsiveness values for each procedure were described by the 95% minimal detectable change (MDC). Results During comfortable self-paced walking, MDC values for the stopwatch-footfall count technique ranged from 10% to 65% greater than those obtained for the GAITRite system. During fast self-paced walking MDC values for the stopwatch-footfall count technique ranged from 26% to 65% larger than those measured by the GAITRite system for the temporal and spatial gait performance parameters. Conclusions When measured by the GAITRite system, the 95% MDC values for temporal and spatial gait parameters of older community-dwelling adults were more responsive to change than those obtained by the stopwatch-footfall technique. Clinicians should recognize that self-selected walking speed, cadence, and stride length when obtained by an instrumented walkway must be equal to or exceed 12.6 cm/s, 8.4 steps/min, or 7 cm, respectively, for the change to be considered real change and not from measurement error.
Elevated glucocorticoids during ovine pregnancy increase appetite and produce glucose dysregulation and adiposity in their granddaughters in response to ad libitum feeding at 1 year of age.

Objective Synthetic glucocorticoids (sGCs) are administered to women threatening preterm labor. We have shown multigenerational endocrine and metabolic effects of fetal sGC exposure. We hypothesized that sGC exposure would alter the second filial generation (F2) offspring neonatal leptin peak that controls development of appetitive behavior with metabolic consequences. Study Design F0 nulliparous ewes were bred to a single ram. Beginning at day 103 of gestation (term 150 days), dexamethasone (DEX) ewes received 4 injections of 2 mg DEX intramuscularly, 12 hours apart. Control ewes received saline. Ewes lambed naturally. At 22 months of age, F1 offspring were mated to produce F2 offspring. At 10 months of age, F2 female offspring were placed on an ad libitum feeding challenge for 12 weeks. Results DEX F2 female offspring did not show a postnatal leptin peak and their plasma cortisol concentration was elevated in the first days of life. During the feeding challenge, DEX F2 offspring consumed 10% more feed and gained 20% more weight compared with control F2 offspring. At the end of the feeding challenge, DEX F2 offspring had greater adiposity compared with control F2 offspring. F2 sGC offspring showed impaired insulin secretion in response to an intravenous glucose tolerance test. Conclusion sGC administration to F0 mothers eliminates the neonatal leptin peak in F2 female offspring potentially by inhibition caused by elevated cortisol in the DEX F2 offspring. F2 offspring showed increased appetite, weight gain, and adiposity during an ad libitum feeding challenge accompanied by decreased insulin response to an intravenous glucose tolerance test.
Relationship of Pulmonary Arterial Capacitance and Mortality in Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Relationship of Pulmonary Arterial Capacitance and Mortality in Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionSrijoy Mahapatra, Rick A. Nishimura, Paul Sorajja, Stephen Cha, Michael D. McGoonWe sought ...
Absence of toxic effects in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice following subchronic administration of chromium picolinate monohydrate

Chromium picolinate monohydrate (CPM) is a synthetic compound heavily marketed to consumers in the United States for use as a dietary supplement for muscle building and weight loss. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) tested the toxicity of this compound based on the potential for widespread consumer exposure and lack of information about its toxicity. Groups of 10 male and 10 female F344/N rats and B6C3F(1) mice were exposed to 0, 80, 240, 2000, 10,000, or 50,000 ppm CPM in feed for 13 weeks. CPM administration produced no effect on body weight gain or survival of rats or mice. Organ weights and organ/body weight ratios in exposed animals were generally unaffected by CPM. No compound-related changes in hematology and clinical chemistry parameters were observed. There were no histopathological lesions attributed to CPM in rats or mice.
Enhancement of 4-year-old children's memory span for phonologically similar and dissimilar word lists

Previous research suggests that preschool children are deficient in rehearsal and that stimulus list repetitions can improve their recall, presumably by substituting for the products of rehearsal. However, the previous research included interitem or postlist retention intervals of several seconds or more. We examined the utility of list repetitions with reference to an ordinary span task in which spoken words were presented 1 s apart for immediate recall. Lists with phonologically similar versus dissimilar items were included, to determine if the overall pattern of recall could be made more similar to what is ordinarily obtained in older children. Cumulative repetition was found to cause a moderate increase in both memory span and the phonological similarity effect. Other types of list repetition provided more insight into types of stimulus redundancy that were helpful (e.g., repeated serial order information) or not helpful (e.g., forced articulatory coding) to children attempting to recall spoken lists. The underlying mnemonic processes are discussed.
Peanut oil extraction using compressed CO2

Abstract Supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) extraction of oil from peanuts is an alternative to hexane extraction or the mechanical oil press. Oil was successfully extracted using SCCO2 at temperatures of 25–120°C and pressures of 140–690 bar. Pressure, temperature, and extraction vessel orientation affected the extraction of oil. In the range studied, the highest values of temperature and pressure gave the highest extraction rates. Above about 400 bar, increasing the temperature significantly improved the extraction rate, while below 400 bar increasing the temperature reduced the rate. Decreasing the particle size increased the extraction rate and the total oil recovered.
Photo-Booklets for English Language Learning: Incorporating Visual Communication into Early Childhood Teacher Preparation

Teachers can integrate discussion and writing about photographs into the early childhood curriculum to build speaking, reading, and writing skills in any language. Although little available research focuses on photography and early childhood education as related specifically to English Language Learners, several current teacher resources do focus on uses of photography in classrooms for young children. What is lacking, however, is substantial reference to the planned use of language along with image creation through photography for the language development of English Language Learners (ELLs) in the early childhood classroom. Teacher training, too, devotes insufficient attention to either visual literacy or visual communication. This article provides a discussion of the role of the visual in English language development as a basis for a sample photography project that can be incorporated into a course for pre-service teachers in methods of teaching ELLs. Pre-service teachers thus experience the project first-hand in terms of image creation and the planning of appropriate content, language, and visual literacy objectives. The resulting visual products then function as teaching resources themselves; however, effective visual learning for ELLs requires that teachers possess such an informed understanding of the techniques that structure and assist language development.
General relation between entanglement and fluctuations in one dimension

In one dimension very general results from conformal field theory and exact calculations for quantum spin chains have established universal scaling properties of the entanglement entropy between two parts of a critical system. Using both analytical and numerical methods, we show that if particle number or spin is conserved, fluctuations in a subsystem obey identical scaling as a function of subsystem size in one dimension. We investigate the effects of boundaries and subleading corrections for critical spin and bosonic chains.