cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temporal Trends in Resource Use, Cost, and Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in the United States.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the contemporary trends in outcomes and resource use associated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the United States. Methods We identified patients who underwent TAVR between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017, in the National Readmission Database. We assessed temporal trends in clinical outcomes, length-of-stay, non-home discharges, and cost of the index TAVR hospitalization. We also evaluated the changes in the burden of hospitalizations before and after TAVR. Results A total of 89,202 patients were included. In-hospital mortality decreased from 5.3% (188) in 2012 to 1.6% (484) in 2017 (adjusted odds ratio: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.46). Risk-adjusted incidences of new dialysis, vascular complications, blood transfusion, and mechanical ventilation decreased, but strokes and pacemaker implantations remained unchanged. Length of stay decreased from median of 7 (interquartile range [IQR]: 4 to 11) to 2 (IQR: 2 to 5) days (P Conclusion This study reflects the changes in the characteristics and outcomes of TAVR in the United States between 2012 and 2017. It also shows the temporal decrease in resource use, cost, and burden of hospitalizations among patients undergoing TAVR in the United States, but an increase in the overall expenditure on TAVR-related hospitalizations.
Modeling of spin metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor: A nonequilibrium Green’s function approach with spin relaxation

A spin metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (spin MOSFET), which combines a Schottky-barrier MOSFET with ferromagnetic source and drain contacts, is a promising device for spintronic logic. Previous simulation studies predict that this device should display a very high magnetoresistance (MR) ratio (between the cases of parallel and antiparallel magnetizations) for the case of half-metal ferromagnets (HMF). We use the nonequilibrium Green’s function formalism to describe tunneling and carrier transport in this device and to incorporate spin relaxation at the HMF-semiconductor interfaces. Spin relaxation at interfaces results in nonideal spin injection. Minority spin currents arise and dominate the leakage current for antiparallel magnetizations. This reduces the MR ratio and sets a practical limit for spin MOSFET performance. We found that MR saturates at a lower value for smaller source-to-drain bias. In addition, spin relaxation at the detector side is found to be more detrimental to MR than that at the injector side, for drain bias less than the energy difference of the minority spin edge and the Fermi level.
Energy-Dependent Single-Event Effects in Power MOSFETs from a Broad-Spectrum Neutron Beam

We present an approach to extract energy-dependent cross sections from broad-spectrum pulsed neutron beams using time-of-flight measurements. We include data for destructive single-event burnout in several n-channel power MOSFETs.
Unique molecular characteristics and microglial origin of Kv1.3 channel–positive brain myeloid cells in Alzheimer’s disease

Kv1.3 potassium channels, expressed by proinflammatory central nervous system mononuclear phagocytes (CNS-MPs), are promising therapeutic targets for modulating neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The molecular characteristics of Kv1.3-high CNS-MPs and their cellular origin from microglia or CNS-infiltrating monocytes are unclear. While Kv1.3 blockade reduces amyloid beta (Aβ) burden in mouse models, the downstream immune effects on molecular profiles of CNS-MPs remain unknown. We show that functional Kv1.3 channels are selectively expressed by a subset of CD11b+CD45+ CNS-MPs acutely isolated from an Aβ mouse model (5xFAD) as well as fresh postmortem human AD brain. Transcriptomic profiling of purified CD11b+Kv1.3+ CNS-MPs, CD11b+CD45int Kv1.3neg microglia, and peripheral monocytes from 5xFAD mice revealed that Kv1.3-high CNS-MPs highly express canonical microglial markers (Tmem119, P2ry12) and are distinct from peripheral Ly6chigh/Ly6clow monocytes. Unlike homeostatic microglia, Kv1.3-high CNS-MPs express relatively lower levels of homeostatic genes, higher levels of CD11c, and increased levels of glutamatergic transcripts, potentially representing phagocytic uptake of neuronal elements. Using irradiation bone marrow CD45.1/CD45.2 chimerism in 5xFAD mice, we show that Kv1.3+ CNS-MPs originate from microglia and not blood-derived monocytes. We show that Kv1.3 channels regulate membrane potential and early signaling events in microglia. Finally, in vivo blockade of Kv1.3 channels in 5xFAD mice by ShK-223 reduced Aβ burden, increased CD11c+ CNS-MPs, and expression of phagocytic genes while suppressing proinflammatory genes (IL1b). Our results confirm the microglial origin and identify unique molecular features of Kv1.3-expressing CNS-MPs. In addition, we provide evidence for CNS immunomodulation by Kv1.3 blockers in AD mouse models resulting in a prophagocytic phenotype.
Membrane-Facilitated Receptor Access and Binding Mechanisms of Long-Acting β2-Adrenergic Receptor Agonists.

The drugs salmeterol, formoterol, and salbutamol constitute the frontline treatment of asthma and other chronic pulmonary diseases. These drugs activate the β2-adrenergic receptors (β2-AR), a class A G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR), and differ significantly in their clinical onset and duration of actions. According to the microkinetic model, the long duration of action of salmeterol and formoterol compared with salbutamol were attributed, at least in part, to their high lipophilicity and increased local concentrations in the membrane near the receptor. However, the structural and molecular bases of how the lipophilic drugs reach the binding site of the receptor from the surrounding membrane remain unknown. Using a variety of classic and enhanced molecular dynamics simulation techniques, we investigated the membrane partitioning characteristics, binding, and unbinding mechanisms of the ligands. The obtained results offer remarkable insight into the functional role of membrane lipids in the ligand association process. Strikingly, salmeterol entered the binding site from the bilayer through transmembrane helices 1 and 7. The entry was preceded by membrane-facilitated rearrangement and presentation of its phenyl-alkoxy-alkyl tail as a passkey to an access route gated by F193, a residue known to be critical for salmeterol’s affinity. Formoterol’s access is through the aqueous path shared by other β2-AR agents. We observed a novel secondary path for salbutamol that is distinct from its primary route. Our study offers a mechanistic description for the membrane-facilitated access and binding of ligands to a membrane protein and establishes a groundwork for recognizing membrane lipids as an integral component in the molecular recognition process. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The cell membrane’s functional role behind the duration of action of long-acting β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) agonists such as salmeterol has been a subject of debate for a long time. This study investigated the binding and unbinding mechanisms of the three commonly used β2-AR agonists, salmeterol, formoterol, and salbutamol, using advanced simulation techniques. The obtained results offer unprecedented insights into the active role of membrane lipids in facilitating access and binding of the ligands, affecting the molecular recognition process and thus their pharmacology.
BioCrystal: An Ambient Tool for Emotion and Communication

In this paper the authors present the BioCrystal-a biofeedback device that uses physiological data to evaluate user's affective states in real-time and signals the states via an ambient display. The authors evaluated the BioCrystal during a 2-week, in situ multi-method study during which ten users collected over 115 hours of usable data. Users' comments suggested high utility of such a biofeedback device for self-awareness, stress-management and interpersonal communication. Quantitative data confirmed that the BioCrystal met the criteria of an ambient display, and significantly improved users' ability to control their stress. The authors discuss practical applications and suggest directions for future development.
A rapid, flexible approach to conceptual space mission tradespace definition and exploration

This paper provides an overview of the Mission Tradespace Tool (MTT), a methodology and software framework developed to improve JPL's early design process by offering a rapid, structured, and inexpensive way to identify feasible design architectures from a wide array of candidate architectures. There has been a growing consensus at JPL that to improve the quality of service offered to design customers it is desirable to explore a wide tradespace of candidate architectures prior to forming a conceptual design baseline. This paper describes the rationale behind the MTT's approach to meet this need. Notable features of the framework are introduced and explained.
Cdon promotes neural crest migration by regulating N-cadherin localization

Neural crest cells (NCCs) are essential embryonic progenitor cells that are unique to vertebrates and form a remarkably complex and coordinated system of highly motile cells. Migration of NCCs occurs along specific pathways within the embryo in response to both environmental cues and cell–cell interactions within the neural crest population. Here, we demonstrate a novel role for the putative Sonic hedgehog (Shh) receptor and cell adhesion regulator, cdon, in zebrafish neural crest migration. cdon is expressed in developing premigratory NCCs but is downregulated once the cells become migratory. Knockdown of cdon results in aberrant migration of trunk NCCs: crestin positive cells can emigrate out of the neural tube but stall shortly after the initiation of migration. Live cell imaging analysis demonstrates reduced directedness of migration, increased velocity and mispositioned cell protrusions. In addition, transplantation analysis suggests that cdon is required cell-autonomously for directed NCC migration in the trunk. Interestingly, N-cadherin is mislocalized following cdon knockdown suggesting that the role of cdon in NCCs is to regulate N-cadherin localization. Our results reveal a novel role for cdon in zebrafish neural crest migration, and suggest a mechanism by which Cdon is required to localize N-cadherin to the cell membrane in migratory NCCs for directed migration.
What kind of exposure reduces children's food neophobia? Looking vs tasting

To determine the relative effectiveness of two different types of exposure on young children's preference for initially novel foods, 51 two- to five-year-old children received either "look" or "taste" exposures to seven novel fruits. Foods were exposed five, 10 or 15 times, and one food remained novel. Following the exposures, children made two judgments of each of the 21 pairs: one based on looking, the other on tasting the foods. Thurstone Case V scaling solutions were correlated with exposure frequency, and these were significant for the visual judgments of the looked at foods (r = 0.91), the visual judgments of the tasted (and looked at) foods (r = 0.97) and the taste judgments of the tasted foods (r = 0.94). The only non-significant relationship was for the taste judgments of the looked at (but never tasted) foods (r = 0.24). The results indicate that to obtain significant positive changes in preference, experience with the food must include experience in the modality that is relevant for the judgments. While visual experience produced enhanced visual preference judgments, visual experience was not sufficient to produce significantly enhanced taste preferences. This finding is consistent with a "learned safety" interpretation of the exposure effects noted in the taste judgments: experiences with novel tastes that are not followed by negative gastrointestinal consequences can produce enhanced taste preference.
Characterizing the effects of metal oxide nanoparticle ingestion on intestinal function

Silicon Dioxide (SiO 2 ) and Titanium Dioxide (TiO 2 ) are engineered nanoparticles often ingested from food and food packaging. SiO 2 is a common additive, where it is used as a flow agent or to absorb extra water [1]. TiO 2 is commonly used as a pigment for foods including candy and medications, and is often found in cosmetic skin care products [2]. The effects of ingesting these materials, however, is not yet fully understood. The purpose of this study is to characterize the size and surface chemistry of 30 nm SiO 2 and TiO 2 nanoparticles following digestion and to determine how nanoparticle ingestion affects small intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity.
Stage I squamous cell cervical carcinoma in pregnancy: planned delay in therapy awaiting fetal maturity.

Abstract Purpose: It is not known whether intentional delay to allow fetal maturity in patients with Stage I cervical carcinoma diagnosed during pregnancy will affect the survival of these patients. The purpose of this study is to report our experience with invasive squamous cervical carcinoma after planned delay in therapy for fetal indications, to assess maternal morbidity due to treatment delay, and to report maternal and fetal survival. Methods: Between 1989 and 1994, eight pregnant women with Stage I squamous cervical carcinoma, who declined immediate therapy in order to improve fetal outcome, were prospectively followed until the late third trimester. Serial MRIs were used to follow the lesion in two patients. Results: Stage IB cervical cancer was diagnosed in seven pregnant women. All lesions were less than 2.5 cm. The mean diagnosis-to-treatment interval was 109 days (range, 21–201; median, 112). One woman conceived in the cycle after diagnosis and had a diagnosis-to-treatment interval of 282 days. All were delivered by cesarean section–radical hysterectomy late in the third trimester. There was no clinical progression of disease detected during any of the pregnancies. Serial MRI examination confirmed stable disease in one patient and suggested an increase in tumor volume in one patient that was not pathologically confirmed. All are alive and disease free after a mean follow-up of 37 months (range, 13–68; median, 33). Neonatal morbidity was encountered in one infant (spontaneous pneumothorax). Conclusions: With a median follow-up of 33 months, patient-requested delays in therapy between 3 and 40 weeks (mean, 19) did not affect progression.
On the oscillation and periodic character of a third order rational difference equation

We prove that every positive solution of the following difference equation: x n = 1 + x n -2/x n - 3, n = 0, 1,..., converges to a period two solution.
Chapter 14 Regulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor expression and function

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the regulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) expression and function when expressed from endogenous genes in cardiac cells and when expressed from heterologous genes in transfected cells in culture. Muscarinic receptors play a key role in the functioning of the central nervous system, where they have been implicated in such processes as memory, learning, and control of movement. Muscarinic receptors also modulate synaptic transmission in the ganglia of the autonomic nervous system and play a major role in regulating the functions of the target organs of the parasympathetic nervous system. The chapter describes several techniques of molecular and cellular biology to identify the factors that regulate the expression and function of mAChR in order to understand how cells regulate their ability to participate in cholinergic synaptic transmission. The regulation of expression of a luciferase reporter gene under the transcriptional control of a CAMP-regulated promoter is used to study the functional specificity of mAChR in transiently transfected cells.
Valuation of Permanent, Transitory, and Price-Irrelevant Components of Reported Earnings

Both the economic nature of events and extant accounting rules cause reported earnings to have different components, each with different valuation implications. The price-earnings link is described...
Breathing Life into Language

Rex Lee Jim Duchas/Taa Koo Dine:. Trilingual Poetry Collection in Navajo, Irish and English. Diarmuid O'Breaslain, Irish trans. Belfast: An Clochan, 1998. 84 pp.
Freeway Travel Time Prediction Using Takagi–Sugeno–Kang Fuzzy Neural Network

This article presents a Takagi–Sugeno–Kang Fuzzy Neural Network (TSKFNN) approach to predict freeway corridor travel time with an online computing algorithm. TSKFNN, a combination of a Takagi–Sugeno–Kang (TSK) type fuzzy logic system and a neural network, produces strong prediction performance because of its high accuracy and quick convergence. Real world data collected from US-290 in Houston, Texas are used to train and validate the network. The prediction performance of the TSKFNN is investigated with different combinations of traffic count, occupancy, and speed as input options. The comparison between online TSKFNN, offline TSKFNN, the back propagation neural network (BPNN) and the time series model (ARIMA) is made to evaluate the performance of TSKFNN. The results show that using count, speed, and occupancy together as input produces the best TSKFNN predictions. The online TSKFNN outperforms other commonly used models and is a promising tool for reliable travel time prediction on a freeway corridor.
The influence of device physical parameters of HEMT large-signal characteristics

The small- and large-signal high-frequency characteristics of submicrometer HEMTs (high-electron-mobility transistors) are analyzed by taking into account parasitic effects such as parallel conduction, fringing capacitances, and substrate leakage. The dependence of large-signal properties on device physical parameters is reported. This includes device gate length, donor layer thickness and doping, and spacer thickness. Satisfactory agreement is shown to exist between theoretically and experimentally obtained device characteristics. >
Non-platinum cathode catalyst layer composition for single Membrane Electrode Assembly Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Abstract The performance of nano-structured templated non-platinum-based cathode electrocatalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) was evaluated for different catalyst layer compositions. The effect of non-platinum catalyst, Nafion, and 35 wt% Teflon modified Vulcan XC-72 Carbon Blacks (XC-35) loadings were measured under H 2 /air and H 2 /O 2 conditions. Transport hindrances that occur in the catalyst layers are evaluated with Δ E vs. i analysis. It is shown that transport limitations in the cathode catalyst layer can limit the performance of the cell at relatively low current densities if the catalyst layer composition is not optimized. Further, a procedure is outlined here to aid in the implementation of non-traditional catalyst materials into fuel cell systems (i.e. templated electrocatalyst as compared to the standard supported material).
Implementation of single-photon three-qubit CNOT gates using spatial light modulators

We experimentally demonstrate linear single-photon three-qubit deterministic controlled-NOT (CNOT) gates implemented by a polarization-sensitive spatial light modulator. The polarization qubit controls the photon spatial-parity along the x and y directions.
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: Natural history in 241 cases☆

Two hundred forty-one patients with a monoclonal protein in the serum but initially no evidence of multiple myeloma, macroglobulinemia, amyloidosis or lymphoma were followed up for more than five years. At the conclusion of the studies the patients were classified as follows: Group 1, patients without significant increase in monoclonal protein, 57 per cent; group 2, patients with more than 50 per cent increase in monoclonal serum protein or development of monoclonal urine protein, 9 per cent; group 3, patients who died without five-year serum studies, 23 per cent; and group 4, patients in whom myeloma, macroglobulinemia or amyloidosis developed, 11 per cent. Initially, the hemoglobin level, size of serum monoclonal protein peak, number of plasma cells in the bone marrow and levels of normal immunoglobulins were not significantly different among the four groups. The median interval from recognition of the monoclonal protein to diagnosis of multiple myeloma was 64 months, of macroglobulinemia 103 months and of amyloidosis 92 months. A significant increase of the monoclonal protein or development of myeloma, macroglobulinemia or amyloidosis occurred in 18 per cent of the patients with monoclonal immunoglobulin G(IgG), in 28 per cent with immunoglobulin A (IgA) and in 25 per cent with immunoglobulin M (IgM). Retrospective analysis of age, sex, presence of organomegaly, hemoglobin level, size and type of serum monoclonal protein peak, presence of small amounts monoclonal light chain in the urine, serum albumin level, levels of uninvolved immunoglobulins, IgG subclass and level of plasma cells in the bone marrow did not show how to distinguish initially between stable benign disease and progressive disease. Therefore, periodic reexamination of patients with monoclonal gammopathy is essential.
Pleasure seeking and birdsong

Songbirds sing at high rates within multiple contexts, suggesting that they are highly motivated to communicate and that the act of singing itself may be rewarding. Little is known about the neural regulation of the motivation to communicate. Dopamine and opioid neuropeptides play a primary role in reward seeking and sensory pleasure. In songbirds, these neurochemicals are found within brain regions implicated in both motivation and reward, including the medial preoptic nucleus (mPOA) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). Several lines of research indicate that dopamine and opioids in these regions play a role in birdsong that differs depending upon whether song is used to attract females (female-directed song) or is not directed towards other individuals (undirected song). Evidence is reviewed supporting the hypotheses: (1) that distinct patterns of dopamine activity influence the motivation to produce undirected and female-directed song, (2) that undirected communication is intrinsically reinforced by immediate release of opioids induced by the act of singing, and (3) that directed communication is socially reinforced by opioids released as part of social interactions.
Spinal cord modularity: evolution, development, and optimization and the possible relevance to low back pain in man

The words of Hughlings Jackson in 1884 were inspired by a consideration of what was then the recent work of Darwin on evolution. In the quoted article he applied this perspective to CNS evolution, development and subsequent neurological damage. His overall framework likely remains relevant today. Our paper’s goal is to review current perspectives on motor modularity and its mechanisms, especially at the spinal level (for Jackson ‘well-organized’, ‘simpler’ and ‘more automatic’), but also beyond. Modularity can be defined as the use of designs employing standardized components or units, allowing easy assembly, repair and flexible arrangements of the components. The simplest modules in a system, from which other larger modules might be made, can be termed primitives. This term derives from a combination of the biological definition of primitive as ‘occurring in or characteristic of an early stage of development or evolution’, the definition of primitive as an element assumed as a basis, and the computer science definition of ‘a basic or fundamental unit of machine instruction’. Like Jackson, we will argue that these modules and primitives are in significant part already organized at birth. At the end of this review, we discuss how these issues in spinal modularity and protective reflex structure may relate to trunk control and low back pain mechanisms in humans.
Newcomers as change agents: Effects of newcomers' behavioral style and teams' performance optimism

Newcomers are often viewed as passive targets of influence, but they can be active sources of innovation as well. In this study, three‐person teams worked on a computer‐based air‐surveillance task for three shifts. Team performance in Shifts 1 and 2 was varied to manipulate members' performance optimism for Shift 3 (low, moderate, or high). At the beginning of Shift 3, a low‐status team member was replaced by a (confederate) newcomer who used either an assertive or non‐assertive behavioral style in suggesting that the team adopt a new task strategy. Teams' performance optimism and newcomers' behavioral style influenced teams' receptivity to newcomers' suggestions and evaluations of newcomers. Implications of the findings for understanding newcomer‐induced innovation are discussed. Thanks are extended to Hoon‐Seok Choi, Richard Moreland, and Janet Schofield for their helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper.
The Metastasis Suppressor NM23-H1 Possesses 3′-5′ Exonuclease Activity

NM23-H1 belongs to a family of eight gene products in humans that have been implicated in cellular differentiation and development, as well as oncogenesis and tumor metastasis. We have defined NM23-H1 biochemically as a 3′-5′ exonuclease by virtue of its ability in stoichiometric amounts to excise single nucleotides in a stepwise manner from the 3′ terminus of DNA. The activity is dependent upon the presence of Mg2+, is most pronounced with single-stranded substrates or mismatched bases at the 3′ terminus of double-stranded substrates, and is inhibited by both ATP and the incorporation of cordycepin, a 2′-deoxyadenosine analogue, into the 3′-terminal position. The 3′-5′ exonuclease activity was assigned to NM23-H1 by virtue of: 1) precise coelution of enzymatic activity with wild-type and mutant forms of NM23-H1 protein during purification by hydroxylapatite and gel filtration column high performance liquid chromatography and 2) significantly diminished activity exhibited by purified recombinant mutant forms of the proteins. Lysine 12 appears to play an important role in the catalytic mechanism, as evidenced by the significant reduction in 3′-5′ exonuclease activity resulting from a Lys12 to glutamine substitution within the protein. 3′-5′ Exonucleases are believed to play an important role in DNA repair, a logical candidate function underlying the putative antimetastatic and oncogenic activities of NM23-H1.
Quantitative Plasmodium sporozoite neutralization assay (TSNA)

The circumsporozoite (CS) protein is the major surface protein of Plasmodium sporozoites. Antibodies to the immunodominant repeat domain of CS immobilize sporozoites and prevent infection of hepatocytes. Plasmodium falciparum vaccines containing CS repeats are undergoing human trials in endemic areas, and proof of efficacy has been obtained. The correlates of protection are under investigation. Levels of anti-repeat antibodies in the serum of the human volunteers have been measured mostly by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and IFA. Assays that measure the effect of the serum antibodies on parasite infectivity (serum neutralization assays SNAs) are not usually performed because they require a susceptible host and P. falciparum sporozoites are highly infectious only to humans. To overcome this limitation, we developed a new assay named transgenic sporozoite neutralization assay (TSNA) that uses as neutralization target, a transgenic rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei that bears the P. falciparum CS repeats [CS(Pf)]. Following incubation with human serum, CS(Pf) infectivity of HepG2 cells is evaluated by real-time PCR. We have compared ELISA titers and TSNAs in a limited number of sera from humans immunized with (T1B)4 MAP, a peptide vaccine containing P. falciparum CS repeats. A comparison between the two assays did not reach significance (p=0.175) when analyzed by non-parametric Spearman correlation method. Ongoing human trials of CS-based vaccines should provide an opportunity to determine whether TSNAs will provide better correlates of protective immunity than ELISA assays.
Urinary concentrations of bisphenol A and phthalate metabolites and weight change: a prospective investigation in US women.

Urinary concentrations of bisphenol A and phthalate metabolites and weight change: a prospective investigation in US women
DISTRIBUTIONS OF INDEMNITIES FOR CROP‐INSURANCE PLANS: WITH APPLICATION TO GRAIN CROPS IN NEW SOUTH WALES

A review of crop-insurance schemes is followed by a discussion of a guaranteed-yield, crop-insurance plan. General formulae for the distribution function and mathematical expectation of indemnities for the insurance plan are presented in terms of the distribution of crop yields. Three special cases are considered in which the original yields, the square root of yields, and the logarithm of yields are normally distributed. The insurance plan is applied on a regional basis for wheat and sorghum production in N.S.W. Given distributional information on the crops obtained from a simulation model, expected indemnities are calculated for four different insurance plans.
Interpretation of Magnetic Force Microscopy Contrast Using Commercially Available Batch Tips for Investigation of Surface Magnetic Domain Structure in Polycrystalline Bulk Equiatomic L1 0 FePd

Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) is a useful technique for surface domain investigation; however, contrast interpretation can be difficult in situations in which imaging conditions are not ideal. The current work provides justification for a qualitative contrast interpretation framework, suitable for extracting physically meaningful information from MFM contrast obtained using commercially available batch tips for bulk equiatomic L10 FePd with several microstructures. Due to the large stray fields generated at the surface of bulk permanent magnet-type samples, the main complication in contrast interpretation is assumed to be due to the tip remagnetization effects. Although the framework does not adequately describe all of the contrast observed, it can be used to make reasonable conclusions about the underlying domain structures for complicated microstructures without the need for support from extensive modeling.
Humoral factors and the sodium-potassium pump in volume expanded hypertension.

Abstract Bioassay studies in the old and recent literature suggest the presence of an unknown slowly acting pressor agent in the blood of animals and man with volume expanded (low renin) hypertension. Recent studies in our laboratories suggest that the sodium-potassium pump activity of blood vessels is suppressed in animals with one-kidney, one wrapped, one-kidney, one clip, and one-kidney, DOCA, salt hypertension. Similar reduction of Na + , K + -ATPase activity has been observed in the left ventricle of animals with one-kidney, one clip and one-kidney, DOCA salt hypertension. The changes do not appear to result from increased pressure since they have also been observed in veins and right ventricle. Acute volume expansion of the normal rat with saline suppresses pump activity in the tail artery and plasma from these animals suppresses pump activity when applied to a tail artery from another rat. Data in the literature indicate that the adrenergic nerve terminals are depleted of norepinephrine. Suppression of pump activity, with ouabain for example, is known to activate cardiovascular muscle and reduce norepinephrine uptake by nerve terminals. These observations suggest a role for a slowly acting ouabain-like humoral agent, which acts directly on cardiovascular muscle to increase contractility and on nerve endings to reduce reflex compensation, in the genesis of volume expanded hypertension.
Anti-HIV Activity of Medicinal Herbs: Usage and Potential Development

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a result of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection which subsequently leads to significant suppression of immune functions. AIDS is a significant threat to the health of mankind, and the search for effective therapies to treat AIDS is of paramount importance. Several chemical anti-HIV agents have been developed. However, besides the high cost, there are adverse effects and limitations associated with using chemotherapy for the treatment of HIV infection. Thus, herbal medicines have frequently been used as an alternative medical therapy by HIV positive individuals and AIDS patients. The aim of this review is to summarize research findings for herbal medicines, which are endowed with the ability to inhibit HIV. In this article, we will emphasize a Chinese herbal medicine, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and its identified components (i.e., baicalein and baicalin), which have been shown to inhibit infectivity and replication of HIV. Potential development of anti-AIDS compounds using molecular modeling methods will also be discussed.
Hippocampal Y2 receptor-mediated mossy fiber plasticity is implicated in nicotine abstinence-related social anxiety-like behavior in an outbred rat model of the novelty-seeking phenotype.

Experimentally naive outbred rats display varying rates of locomotor reactivity in response to the mild stress of a novel environment. Namely, some display high rates (HR) whereas some display low rates (LR) of locomotor reactivity. Previous reports from our laboratory show that HRs, but not LRs, develop locomotor sensitization to a low dose nicotine challenge and exhibit increased social anxiety-like behavior following chronic intermittent nicotine training. Moreover, the hippocampus, specifically hippocampal Y2 receptor (Y2R)-mediated neuropeptide Y signaling is implicated in these nicotine-induced behavioral effects observed in HRs. The present study examines the structural substrates of the expression of locomotor sensitization to a low dose nicotine challenge and associated social anxiety-like behavior following chronic intermittent nicotine exposure during adolescence in the LRHR hippocampi. Our data showed that the expression of locomotor sensitization to the low dose nicotine challenge and the increase in social anxiety-like behavior were accompanied by an increase in mossy fiber terminal field size, as well as an increase in spinophilin mRNA levels in the hippocampus in nicotine pre-trained HRs compared to saline pre-trained controls. Furthermore, a novel, selective Y2R antagonist administered systemically during 1 wk of abstinence reversed the behavioral, molecular and neuromorphological effects observed in nicotine-exposed HRs. These results suggest that nicotine-induced neuroplasticity within the hippocampus may regulate abstinence-related negative affect in HRs, and implicate hippocampal Y2R in vulnerability to the behavioral and neuroplastic effects of nicotine in the novelty-seeking phenotype.
Computer-Aided Medical Instruction Using an Interactive Graphics Model of the Normal and Congenitally Defective Heart

The on-line interactive-graphics digital-computer model of the normal and congenitally defective heart was developed as a basic research and teaching tool. The interactive graphics capability of the simulation system provides the user great flexibility in selecting the types of defects he wishes to study, and in allowing him to progress at his own speed.
Current Management of Anal Fissure

Anal fissure is a common problem, with several different modalities of treatment. Although the diagnosis and evaluation of fissure is not complicated, there are many different accepted treatments. Initial conservative measures focus on normalizing stool bulk and avoiding constipation. Medical treatment with nitroglycerine, calcium channel blockers, and topical anesthetics/steroids have proven efficacy, as does botulinum injection. The current evidence is not sufficient to label one of these options as the preferred treatment for anal fissure. Surgical sphincterotomy and anoplasty should be reserved for refractory cases.
Female acoustic reply to variation in the male call in a duetting katydid, Scudderia pistillata

Female phaneropterinae katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) commonly reply to conspecific male attraction calls with a brief, broadband acoustic tick. In this paper we describe the complex interaction of the katydid Scudderia pistillata female tick response with the variation in male call, which comprises a bout of increasing length multisyllabic phrases. The female responds to each phrase in the bout with a variable number of ticks. She adjusts her tick response, ranging from 1 to 8, with the number of syllables the male presents, responding maximally to 7–9 syllables per phrase. Females reduce their number of ticks in response to later phrases when presented with to various manipulations of a male bout. By adjusting her ticks in response to variability in the male call, the female potentially provides information to the calling male on her preference for certain call characteristics. The temporal latency for the female to reply is not fixed, but is highly correlated with both the number of syllables she hears, as well as the number of ticks she produces.
Attention and prepulse inhibition: the effects of task-relevant, irrelevant, and no-task conditions

We investigated whether attentional modulation of prepulse inhibition (PPI) is due to increased protection of processing of attended lead stimuli, decreased protection of processing of ignored lead stimuli, or a combination of both processes. Task and no-task trials, pre-cued by red and blue dots on a computer screen, were randomly intermixed. College student participants were instructed to do a tone duration judgment task on trials preceded by one color (task condition) and to do nothing on trials preceded by the other color (no-task condition). On task condition trials participants were instructed to count the number of longer duration tones of a particular pitch (attended condition) and to ignore tones of a different pitch (ignored condition). White noise startle stimuli were presented at 60 ms and 120 ms lead intervals on some trials in each condition. Additional startle stimuli were presented during the inter-trial intervals to measure baseline (unmodified) startle response. PPI in the attended condition was reliably greater than that in both the ignored and no-task conditions. PPI did not differ between the ignored and no-task conditions. The results are consistent with the conclusion that attentional modulation of PPI is due to increased protection of attended stimuli and not to decreased protection of ignored stimuli. Possible reasons for robust attentional modulation at the 60 ms lead interval as well as the usual 120 ms lead interval are discussed.
Lateral Interactions Affect Cadherin Binding Kinetics and Function

Adhesion protein interactions between cell membranes (2D) are indispensable for the formation and maintenance of tissues in multicellular organisms. However, binding and organization of membrane proteins within these interfaces is not well understood at the molecular level. To address this question, we use cell-cell adhesion proteins Cadherins as our model. Cadherins form adhesive interactions by binding to identical proteins on opposite cells, but are also hypothesized to form clusters on a single membrane. The protein-protein bonds proposed to stabilize these “lateral” interactions were not detected in any solution binding studies (3D), and their existence as well as their relevance for establishing cell-cell junctions and transducing signals are not clearly known. We investigated the relevance of these lateral interactions using quantitative micropipette measurements of cadherin-mediated cell-cell binding kinetics. We found that classical E-cadherin exhibits kinetics that exhibit two distinct kinetic processes. This ‘biphasic’ kinetics is not consistent with kinetic models based on solution binding data, and suggested that one of the kinetic steps might be due to clustering of the confined proteins. In support of this interpretation, mutating the proposed lateral interaction sites eliminated the kinetic step that we attributed to clustering. We also demonstrated the functional significance of this putative lateral clustering step, by quantifying the leakiness of cell-cell junctions to macromolecules. Cell junctions formed by the cadherin mutants were leakier than WT E-cadherin. Wound healing assays also showed that cells expressing the mutants migrated faster than cells with WT protein. Together, these data reveal that cadherins in “2D” environments undergo additional interactions than in solution, and these alter the assembly of intercellular junctions. These findings might also be relevant to similar class of adhesion proteins, like nectins and CAMs.
Chronic Constrictive Tuberculous Pericarditis* Report of a Case with Pericardiectomy

1) The clinico-pathological aspects of constrictive pericarditis have been summarized. 2) A case of tuberculous constrictive pericarditis with partial pericardiectomy and apparent cure has been presented. 3) Freeing the heart from its fibrous encasement is the initial step in the relief of cardiac embarrassment. Postoperative supportive care of the weakened myocardium is important in the total therapy of the disease. 4) Streptomycin was used postoperatively. Its value will be determined by more extensive clinical studies.
Caregiver burden and outcomes of caregiving of spouses of patients who undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background Patients who undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery often rely on spouses for care during recovery. Although often meaningful, caregiving may be stressful and affect spouses’ ability to provide care to the patient. Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare burden and caregiving outcomes across three groups of spouses. Spouse groups varied by the interval of time between surgery and follow-up, which may have been 3, 6, or 12 months. Methods This cross-sectional comparative study recruited a convenience sample of 166 spouses on the basis of a power analysis. A total of 166 spouses completed caregiver surveys on burden and other caregiving outcomes. Results Total, objective, and subjective burden levels were low to moderate. Although no burden differences were found between groups, men had higher total burden but more positive caregiving outcomes. Future outlook and social activities were less positive in the 6-month group. Burden levels were not lower, nor were caregiving outcomes higher, in the 12-month group, suggesting a steady caregiving demand across the first year after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Conclusion Longitudinal investigations are needed to understand burden and caregiving outcomes over time and the impact of burden on spousal and patient recovery outcomes.
Information processing of visually presented picture and word stimuli by young hearing-impaired and normal-hearing children.

Eleven hearing-impaired children and 11 normal-hearing children (mean = four years 11 months) were visually presented familiar items in either picture or word form. Subjects were asked to recognize...
Oncogenes in cancer of the pancreas

A three-step immunoperoxidase staining technique was used in order to estimate the immunohistochemical expression of K-ras, c-fos, c-myc and c-erbB-2 oncoproteins, in paraffin sections of 20 patients, with histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. The two oncogenes that were found to be associated with pancreatic adenocarcinoma were K-ras and c-erbB-2. The expression was observed in 15 patients (75%) and four patients (20%), respectively. Positive immunostaining was intense, cytoplasmic and was noted in a great percentage of cancer cells. The same model of expression was observed in the examined cases of metastatic tissue from liver and lymph node metastases. The expression of myc and fos oncogenes was nuclear, weak and was observed in a small number of patients.
Perceptual Focus Effects in Choice

This article examines consumer choice as a function of the perceptual similarity of the options in the decision set. In particular, we examine a scenario in which a set of options is extended by adding alternatives that change its perceptual characteristics, increasing the salience of one of the options in the core set. In this context, we document that, contrary to normative predictions, perceptual focus can increase the choice share of one of the core options, even when the added alternatives are dominated by both options in the core set. We further show that the observed effect is a function of consumers' mode of information processing and is more pronounced in the context of intuitive (System 1) processing than analytic (System 2) processing.
Bioactive follicle-stimulating hormone release in nutritionally growth-retarded ovariectomized lambs: regulation by nutritional repletion.

Abstract The nutritionally growth-retarded ovariectomized lamb provides a model system to investigate the regulation of immunoreactive and bioactive FSH release in the absence of feedback effects of ovarian products. We examined the acute effects of nutritional repletion on FSH release in this model. Five March-born lambs were weaned at 7 weeks of age and placed on a limited diet. All were ovariectomized at 31 weeks. At 37 weeks, they were fed ad libitum for 14 days. Blood samples were collected at 12 min intervals for 4 h on day –1 (restricted) and days 2, 7, and 14 of ad libitum feeding, and serum FSH concentrations were measured by both RIA and a Sertoli cell aromatase in vitro bioassay. Mean concentrations of serum immunoreactive FSH (I-FSH) and the bioactive FSH (B-FSH) increased 2- and 3-fold, respectively, after ad libitum feeding for 14 days. Pulse analyses by two objective computerized programs, DETECT and CLUSTER, revealed the presence of FSH pulses (predominantly B-FSH) during the restricted ph...
Preparation and characterization of nano-composites with carbon nanotubes and core-shell type polyaniline for the conductive colloidal ink

Printing method for electronics elements fabrication has attractive advantages such as low material consumption, high speed fabrication, and low temperature process. The stable conductive ink is the most important factor for the fabrication of printed electronics elements with high resolution. These materials are widely used as fillers in conductive inks; metal particles, conductive polymers, and carbon materials. Among these materials, the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are extremely attractive filler for printed electronics due to its superior electrical properties, extra high mechanical properties, and excellent chemical stability. In this research, nano-composites which are composed of multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polyaniline core-shell type particles were synthesized and formulated into electrically conductive colloidal inks. The poly(acrylonitrile-co-itaconic acid-co-methylacrylate) nanoparticles were used as cores. And this core was coated with polyaniline. The surface treatments for MWCNTs were applied to make the stable nano-composites. The experimental conditions were optimized to achieve high miscibility between MWCNTs and polyaniline coated particles. Their structure and surface morphology of the nanocomposites were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy. And four point probe automatic resistivity meter was used to measure the conductivities of the nanocomposites.
The nucleus dorsalis myelencephali of snakes: relay nucleus between the spinal cord and the posterior colliculus (paratorus).

Abstract Nucleus dorsalis myelencephali is in the dorsolateral area of the caudal me dulla in snakes. The parvocellular area projects bilaterally to the paratorus and receives ipsilateral projections from the spinal cord. The magnocellular area projects bilaterally to the spinal cord. This nucleus has been only briefly described in snakes but not in any other reptilian group.
Display of discrete 3D binary objects: I—Shading

Abstract A method for the qualitative understanding of low-resolution binary objects is presented. To the observer the object appears as a pseudophotograph of a continuous object. A good impression of the 3D shape of the object is conveyed by the shaded planar image. By using a fast storage and boundary extraction scheme, the shaded image is produced quickly.