cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene therapy for hemophilia: Progress to date and challenges moving forward.

Abstract Over the past decades hemophilia has been transformed from a debilitating disease to a manageable condition. However, the current treatment options are expensive, complex, and inaccessible to a large portion of the global population. Moreover, the development of antibodies to replacement factors, termed inhibitors, is a common complication that not only renders conventional prophylaxis regimens ineffective but also increases the annual bleeding rate in affected patients. Fortunately, much progress has been made toward developing a curative gene therapy treatment for hemophilia and these efforts have led to a series of human trials with promising results. This review seeks to address some of the new issues raised by recent progress in the field, including the differences between available recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors, the etiology of transaminitis following vector administration, and techniques to induce long-term factor expression. We also address other unresolved questions, including strategies to overcome pre-existing neutralizing antibodies to AAV, approaches that can make vector re-administration possible, and whether gene therapy can be used to induce factor tolerance and treat inhibitors. Finally, we discuss logistical and ethical issues related to hemophilia gene therapy including how to accurately measure therapeutic outcomes, when to consider treatment of pediatric patients, and how to equitably price the medication to ensure fair compensation while maximizing accessibility. As the field marches forward from clinical trials towards clinical application, answers to these questions will determine the future of gene therapy for hemophilia.
Optic Nerve Sheath Ultrasonography: Should We Be Using It for Bedside Diagnosis of Increased Intracranial Pressure?

In their systematic review, Koziarz and colleagues examine optic nerve ultrasonography for diagnosing increased intracranial pressure in children and adults. The editorialists encourage cautious in...
Quasi-Limiting Behavior of Drifted Brownian Motion

A Quasi-Stationary Distribution (QSD)for a Markov process with an almost surely hit absorbing state is a time-invariant initial distribution for the process conditioned on not being absorbed by any given time. An initial distribution for the process is in the domain of attraction of some QSD $\nu$ if the distribution of the process a time $t$, conditioned not to be absorbed by time $t$ converges to $\nu$. In this work study mostly Brownian motion with constant drift on the half line $[0,\infty)$ absorbed at $0$. Previous work by Martinez et al. identifies all QSDs and provides a nearly complete characterization for their domain of attraction. Specifically, it was shown that if the distribution a well-defined exponential tail (including the case of lighter than any exponential tail), then it is in the domain of attraction of a QSD determined by the exponent. In this work we 1. Obtain a new approach to existing results, explaining the direct relation between a QSD and an initial distribution in its domain of attraction. 2. Study the behavior under a wide class of initial distributions whose tail is heavier than exponential, and obtain no-trivial limits under appropriate scaling.
Analysis of the Chemotherapy-Free Interval following Image-Guided Ablation in Sarcoma Patients.

One way to enhance quality of life for patients with metastatic sarcoma is to maximize time off chemotherapy-a chemotherapy-free interval. While image-guided ablation of sarcoma metastases may reduce the need for chemotherapy, it remains unknown how long ablation could extend the chemotherapy-free interval. The purpose of our study was to determine the chemotherapy-free interval in comparison to overall survival and progression-free survival in sarcoma patients who undergo ablation procedures. An IRB-approved, single institution, HIPAA compliant database was queried for sarcoma patients who underwent image-guided ablation procedures between 2007 and 2018. Patient demographics, histologic subtype, and other clinical characteristics were recorded. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to compute median overall survival, median progression-free survival (local and distant), and the median chemotherapy-free interval (systemic and cytotoxic) after ablation. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the log-rank test and Cox proportional-hazards model, respectively. A total of 100 sarcoma patients were included in the analysis. The most common histologic subtype was leiomyosarcoma (38%). Median overall survival after ablation of sarcoma metastases was 52.4 months (95% CI: 46.9-64.0 months). The median systemic chemotherapy-free interval following ablation of sarcoma metastases was 14.7 months (95% CI: 8.6-34.3 months). The median cytotoxic chemotherapy-free interval following ablation of sarcoma metastases was 81.3 months (95% CI: 34.3-median not reached). In conclusion, ablation of sarcoma metastases can provide an extended systemic chemotherapy-free interval of greater than 1 year. Ablation of sarcoma metastases may improve patient quality of life by extending the chemotherapy-free interval.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced inflammatory arthritis: a qualitative study identifying unmet patient needs and care gaps

Patients treated for cancer with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) may develop autoimmune adverse events, including ICI-induced inflammatory arthritis (IA). ICI-induced IA treatment requires balancing immune activation to fight cancer and immune modulation to control autoimmunity. Our objective was to learn how patients experience ICI-induced IA and potentially conflicting treatment decisions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants with rheumatologist-diagnosed ICI-induced IA recruited from a longitudinal cohort. The interview guide probed the experience of diagnosis and treatment, symptoms and impact of ICI-induced IA, coping mechanisms, and treatment decision-making. Two researchers used an iterative coding process to identify themes through inductive thematic analysis and consensus. An overarching conceptual framework was derived from the qualitative analysis to identify care gaps perceived by patients, and inform future research. Fourteen patients with ICI-induced IA participated in semi-structured interviews. Five overarching themes were identified: an awareness gap leading to delay in diagnosis of IA, descriptors of ICI-induced IA and relationship to other adverse events, emotional and quality-of-life impact of IA, fear and decision-making, and contextual factors including social support. As reported by patients, ICI-induced IA had a significant functional and emotional impact, even as compared to cancer and other ICI-induced side effects. Increasing awareness and integrated care of ICI-induced IA, and increasing social support are key targets for improving patient care. Additionally, more data on cancer outcomes in patients requiring immunomodulation for ICI-induced IA would help address fear and uncertainty for patients, and better support them through therapeutic decisions.
Effects of an exoskeleton-assisted gait training on post-stroke lower-limb muscle coordination

Objective.Powered exoskeletons have been used to help persons with gait impairment regain some walking ability. However, little is known about its impact on neuromuscular coordination in persons with stroke. The objective of this study is to investigate how a powered exoskeleton could affect the neuromuscular coordination of persons with post-stroke hemiparesis.Approach.Eleven able-bodied subjects and ten stroke subjects participated in a single-visit treadmill walking assessment, in which their motion and lower-limb muscle activities were captured. By comparing spatiotemporal parameters, kinematics, and muscle synergy pattern between two groups, we characterized the normal gait pattern and the post-stroke motor deficits. Five eligible stroke subjects received exoskeleton-assisted gait trainings and walking assessments were conducted pre-intervention (Pre) and post-intervention (Post), without (WO) and with (WT) the exoskeleton. We compared their gait performance between (a) Pre and Post to investigate the effect of exoskeleton-assisted gait training and, (b) WO and WT the exoskeleton to investigate the effect of exoskeleton wearing on stroke subjects.Main results.While four distinct motor modules were needed to describe lower-extremity activities during stead-speed walking among able-bodied subjects, three modules were sufficient for the paretic leg from the stroke subjects. Muscle coordination complexity, module composition and activation timing were preserved after the training, indicating the intervention did not significantly change the neuromuscular coordination. In contrast, walking WT the exoskeleton altered the stroke subjects' synergy pattern, especially on the paretic side. The changes were dominated by the activation profile modulation towards the normal pattern observed from the able-bodied group.Significance.This study gave us some critical insight into how a powered exoskeleton affects the stroke subjects' neuromuscular coordination during gait and demonstrated the potential to use muscle synergy as a method to evaluate the effect of the exoskeleton training.This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT03057652).
Lightweight Thermal Insulation Systems in Medical Delivery Drones

Current medical delivery drones lack dedicated thermal insulation systems. While the lack of dedicated thermal insulation is acceptable for the short flights these drones currently operate, scaling up these operations will require a different system. This project's aim is to determine if other lightweight materials, like polyisocyanurate and polyurethane, could be used in lieu of polystyrene for a more robust thermal insulation system. To test, the drones were modeled as rectangular containers of the same thickness, blood products were modeled as saline solution, and the climate in Sub-Saharan Africa was modeled by a heated chamber at 40°C. Combinations of polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, and polyurethane were tested against a control of only polystyrene, which is the material used for the body of the drones today. Polyisocyanurate was shown to be the most effective at insulating heat without adding a noticeable amount of weight to the overall drone. Limitations to this experiment include the various parts of the drones that were modeled using easily sourced parts instead of the actual parts used on the drone.
Remediation of contaminated sediments containing both organic and inorganic chemicals using ultrasound and ozone nanobubbles

Abstract Most river sediments are contaminated with organic and inorganic pollutants and cause significant environmental damage and health risks. This research is evaluated an in-situ sediment remediation method using ultrasound and ozone nanobubbles to remove organic and inorganic chemicals in contaminated sediments. Contaminated sediment is prepared by mixing synthetic fine sediment with an organic (p-terphenyl) and an inorganic chemical (chromium). The prepared contaminated sediment is treated with ultrasound and ozone nanobubbles under different operating conditions. For the samples with the maximum initial concentration of 4211 mg/kg Cr and 1875 mg/kg p-terphenyl, average removal efficiencies are 71% and 60%, respectively, with 240 min of sonication with 2-min pulses, whereas 97.5% and 91.5% removal efficiencies are obtained for the same, respectively, as a single contaminant in the sediment. For the same maximum concentrations, the highest removal of p-terphenyl is 82.7% with 127.2 J/ml high energy density, and for Cr, it is 77.1% using the highest number of the treatment cycle and ozone usage with 78.75/ml energy density. The Cr highest removal efficiency of 87.2% is recorded with the reduced initial concentration of 1227 mg/kg with the highest treatment cycles. The Cr removal efficiency depends on the availability of oxidizing agents and the number of washing cycles of sediments, whereas P-terphenyl degradation is most likely influenced by the combined effects of oxidation and ultrasound-assisted pyrolysis and combustion of organics.
An interolog-based barley interactome as an integration framework for immune signaling

The barley MLA nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich-repeat (NLR) receptor and its orthologs confer recognition specificity to many cereal diseases, including powdery mildew, stem and stripe rust, Victoria blight, and rice blast. We used interolog inference to construct a barley protein interactome (HvInt) comprising 66133 edges and 7181 nodes, as a foundation to explore signaling networks associated with MLA. HvInt was compared to the experimentally validated Arabidopsis interactome of 11253 proteins and 73960 interactions, verifying that the two networks share scale-free properties, including a power-law distribution and small-world network. Then, by successive layering of defense-specific 9omics9 datasets, HvInt was customized to model cellular response to powdery mildew infection. Integration of HvInt with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) enabled us to infer disease modules and responses associated with fungal penetration and haustorial development. Next, using HvInt and an infection-time-course transcriptome, we assembled resistant (R) and susceptible (S) subnetworks. The resulting differentially co-expressed (R-S) interactome is essential to barley immunity, facilitates the flow of signaling pathways and is linked to Mla through trans eQTL associations. Lastly, next-generation, yeast-two-hybrid screens identified fifteen novel MLA interactors, which were incorporated into HvInt, to predict receptor localization, and signaling response. These results link genomic, transcriptomic, and physical interactions during MLA-specified immunity.
Rawlsian Constructivism in Moral Theory

Since his article, ‘Outline for a Decision Procedure in Ethics’, John Rawls has advocated a coherentist moral epistemology according to which moral and political theories are justified on the basis of their coherence with our other beliefs, both moral and nonmoral (1951: 56, 61).l A moral theory which is maximally coherent with our other beliefs is in a state which Rawls calls ‘reflective equilibrium’ (1971: 29). In A Theory of Justice Rawls advanced two principles of justice and claimed that they are in reflective equilibrium. He defended this claim by appeal to a hypothetical contract; he argued that parties in a position satisfying certain informational and motivational criteria, which he called ‘the original position’, would choose the following two principles of justice to govern the basic structure of their society.
Switches of hydrogen bonds during ligand-protein association processes determine binding kinetics.

The importance of protonation states and proton transfer in pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP)-chemistry can hardly be overstated. Although experimental approaches to investigate pKa values can provide general guidance for assigning proton locations, only static pictures of the chemical species are available. To obtain the overall protein dynamics for the interpretation of detailed enzyme catalysis in this study, guided by information from solid-state NMR, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the PLP-dependent enzyme tryptophan synthase (TRPS), whose catalytic mechanism features multiple quasi-stable intermediates. The primary objective of this work is to elucidate how the position of a single proton on the reacting substrate affects local and global protein dynamics during the catalytic cycle. In general, proteins create a chemical environment and an ensemble of conformational motions to recognize different substrates with different protonations. The study of these interactions in TRPS shows that functional groups on the reacting substrate, such as the phosphoryl group, pyridine nitrogen, phenolic oxygen and carboxyl group, of each PLP-bound intermediate play a crucial role in constructing an appropriate molecular interface with TRPS. In particular, the protonation states of the ionizable groups on the PLP cofactor may enhance or weaken the attractions between the enzyme and substrate. In addition, remodulation of the charge distribution for the intermediates may help generate a suitable environment for chemical reactions. The results of our study enhance knowledge of protonation states for several PLP intermediates and help to elucidate their effects on protein dynamics in the function of TRPS and other PLP-dependent enzymes.
Immigrant family businesses: social capital, network benefits and business performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to look at immigrant family business through the framework of social capital by investigating how the social capital of immigrant family business owners helps them obtain network benefits and improve business performance. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents an empirical investigation of 170 immigrant family business owners. The authors examine social capital as a multidimensional construct and focus on two attributes of social capital: structural embeddedness and relational embeddedness. In addition, this study examines how social capital influences business performance through the mediating effect of network benefits. Finally, the constructs of family capital and immigrant community capacity are also investigated. Findings – The results suggest that the two attributes of social capital differed in their effects on network benefits, and that network benefits mediated the influence of social capital attributes on family business performance. Specifically...
From Witness Box to the Hot Tub: How the â€œHot Tubâ€ Approach to Expert Witnesses Might Relax an American Finder of Fact

The concurrent evidence procedure, informally known as â€œhot tubbing,â€ is a method of eliciting expert witness testimony that efficiently aims to educate the finder of fact so a just conclusion of the case is obtained.Â With experts from both sides of the litigation testifying at the same time, opportunities abound for such result.Â The basic practice starts with each expertâ€™s opening statement of findings, judges then elicit answers from the expertâ€™s directly, the experts have an opportunity to question each other and challenge the otherâ€™s findings, and finally, the attorneys from either side have an opportunity to clarify and cross-examine all the experts.Â This paper explores the possibility of the procedures usefulness under the scope and structure of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Evidence in federal courtrooms across America.
A reconstruction theorem for Connes–Landi deformations of commutative spectral triples

Abstract We formulate and prove an extension of Connes’s reconstruction theorem for commutative spectral triples to so-called Connes–Landi or isospectral deformations of commutative spectral triples along the action of a compact Abelian Lie group G , also known as toric noncommutative manifolds. In particular, we propose an abstract definition for such spectral triples, where noncommutativity is entirely governed by a deformation parameter sitting in the second group cohomology of the Pontryagin dual of G , and then show that such spectral triples are well-behaved under further Connes–Landi deformation, thereby allowing for both quantisation from and dequantisation to G -equivariant abstract commutative spectral triples. We then use a refinement of the Connes–Dubois-Violette splitting homomorphism to conclude that suitable Connes–Landi deformations of commutative spectral triples by a rational deformation parameter are almost-commutative in the general, topologically non-trivial sense.
Economic Regulations, Red Tape, and Bureaucratic Corruption

Should state regulatory involvement in the economy necessarily generate corruption? While excessive regulatory burden is often treated as a cause of corruption, this paper argues otherwise. It disentangles the economic effects of regulatory policy from those of regulatory implementation and offers a more nuanced argument about the relationship between state regulatory policy and the resulting regulatory environment. The analysis of business survey data covering 26 post-communist economies demonstrates that mechanisms of regulatory implementation, rather than heavy-handed regulatory policy, are responsible for bribery. This paper finds that high levels of bureaucratic discretion boost the creation of bureaucratic red tape, those costs often rival the official regulatory burden. Analysis shows that high levels of bureaucratic red tape, rather than the official regulatory burden, exacerbate bureaucratic corruption. This draws attention to the theoretical distinction between different types of regulatory hurdles and their differential effects on business-state relations.
Gender Equity And Education: Examining Preservice Teachers' Perceptions

This article reports on a study which examined the perceptions of preservice teachers in regards to gender equity. Research on gender equity in the field of education has stalled in recent years, while existing literature often hinges on the assumption that teachers recognize gender equity as a relevant issue and are willing to initiate remedies to inequities in classrooms and content. This is an interesting assumption given the fact that young, American educators have been raised during an era in which gender equity is largely assumed to have been achieved, despite the fact that a significant gender gap still exists. Specifically, this study asked the following questions: How do preservice teachers perceive gender equity? How have these perceptions been informed by the participants’ individual life experiences? Findings suggest that participants do not perceive gender and/or issues of gender equity to be particularly relevant to their personal or professional lives; however, all of the participants acknowledged influences of gender in the classroom and in their professional practice.
Language essentialism and social hierarchies among Giriama and Swahili

Abstract Scholars have widely recognized essentialist discourse as a potentially pernicious means of conceptualizing categories of ‘race’ and ethnicity. What has not been so rigorously explored is the way in which socially differentiated languages may themselves be essentialized to similar ends. Indeed, the few scholars who have discussed essentialism and language have tended to allude to rather different patterns. This plurality of approaches indicates that essentialist modes of representation can inform cultural ideas of language in a variety of complex ways. In this paper, I consider six different ways in which cultural actors may apply essentialism to languages, and I explore how these varieties of language essentialism obtain among high status Swahili and subaltern Giriama in the township of Malindi on the coast of Kenya. I argue that such essentialisms are vital to local ethnic politics, including Swahili efforts to shore up an “authentic” ethnic identity, while screening out interlopers, and Giriama efforts to partake of the power and prestige of other ethnic groups. My broader contention is that fine-grained attention to language essentialisms can help elucidate the relationship between language ideology and social hierarchies in other contexts.
Effects of fluoride on photosynthesis and respiration of some South-East American forest trees

Abstract Experiments with three pine and six hardwood species revealed consistent effects of added fluoride on gas exchange processes of detached pine needles and hardwood leaves. Apparent photosynthesis was commonly depressed when foliage was allowed to take up NaF solutions ranging from 10 −4 to 10 −2 M (1·9 − 190 ppm F). Dark respiration was commonly stimulated at low levels of NaF (10 −4 to 10 −3 M) and higher levels either stimulated the process further (in most hardwoods) or inhibited it (in the pines and some hardwoods). Pines were generally more sensitive than hardwoods and current-year needles were more sensitive than one-year-old needles. Concurrent stimulation of dark respiration and inhibition of apparent photosynthesis suggest that growth reduction could occur in trees accumulating low levels of foliar fluoride.
Adoption and mental health: A theoretical critique of the psychopathological model.

The extant research on adoption and mental health is reviewed, and an alternative interactionist perspective is offered that acknowledges the social embeddedness of experiences of adoption and infertility. While cultural factors enter into the etiology and medical definition of all mental health problems, the particular importance of considering cultural components when addressing the needs of individuals who hold a stigmatized social status is emphasized.
Conformational Plasticity of the Coiled-Coil Domain of BmrR Is Required for bmr Operator Binding: The Structure of Unliganded BmrR

The multidrug-binding transcription regulator BmrR from Bacillus subtilis is a MerR family member that binds to a wide array of cationic lipophilic toxins to activate the transcription of the multidrug efflux pump gene bmr. Transcription activation from the sigma(A)-dependent bmr operator requires BmrR to remodel the nonoptimal 19-bp spacer between the -10 promoter element and the -35 promoter element in order to facilitate productive RNA polymerase binding. Despite the availability of several structures of BmrR bound to DNA and drugs, the lack of a BmrR structure in its unliganded or apo (DNA free and drug free) state hinders our full understanding of the structural transitions required for DNA binding and transcription activation. Here, we report the crystal structure of the constitutively active, unliganded BmrR mutant BmrR(E253Q/R275E). Superposition of the ligand-free (apo BmrR(E253Q/R275E)) and DNA-bound BmrR structures reveals that apo BmrR must undergo significant rearrangement in order to assume the DNA-bound conformation, including an outward rotation of minor groove binding wings, an inward movement of helix-turn-helix motifs, and a downward relocation of pliable coiled-coil helices. Computational analysis of the DNA-free and DNA-bound structures reveals a flexible joint that is located at the center of the coiled-coil helices. This region, which is composed of residues 94 through 98, overlaps the helical bulge that is observed only in the apo BmrR structure. This conformational hinge is likely common to other MerR family members with large effector-binding domains, but appears to be missing from the smaller metal-binding MerR family members. Interestingly, the center-to-center distance of the recognition helices of apo BmrR is 34 A and suggests that the conformational change from the apo BmrR structure to the bmr operator-bound BmrR structure is initiated by the binding of this transcription activator to a more B-DNA-like conformation.
Activating elements in the promoter region of the chicken β-actin gene

We have examined the chicken cytoskeletal actin gene for promoter activity and for the presence of cis-acting gene transcription activating sequences. Plasmids were constructed with the beta-actin promoter or other fragments of the beta-actin gene adjacent to either the truncated Herpes simplex virus (HSK)-tk promoter driving the neo gene or the enhancerless simian virus 40 (SV40) promoter driving the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. The neo plasmids were tested for frequency of transformation of mammalian cells to G418 resistance. The CAT constructions were tested for CAT expression in both transient and stable expression systems. We find that the beta-actin promoter is very strong in all of the assay systems and is as strong as any promoter we have tested. Also, we find that there are sequences in the vicinity of the beta-actin promoter which act like an enhancer sequence in activating transcription from the truncated HSV-tk promoter and the enhancerless SV40 promoter. Constructs with these actin sequences augment the transformation frequency of the neo plasmids, and stimulate the level of CAT expression from the CAT plasmids after stable chromosome insertion but not during the transient expression phase.
Effect of diisopropylfluorophosphate and soman on rat skeletal muscle contracture during tetanic stimulation

A number of reports have documented the myopathy that accompanies exposure to irreversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. However, less information is available on the functional consequences of the myopathy. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) and soman on skeletal muscle contracture. Rats were given daily doses of DFP or soman, and the tetanic contracture of the triceps surae muscles was recorded at various exposure periods up to 20 d. DFP decreased tetanic contracture during 5‐Hz stimulation. Increased stimulation up to 50 Hz did not enhance the effect. The muscles showed the greatest deficit on d 5. Continued dosing produced a slightly attenuated effect. Soman produced a frequency‐dependent increase in muscle contracture. The increase was greatest on d 2 and 4, but remained elevated over the 20‐d study. These results show that two drugs that presumably both raised levels of transmitter in the synaptic cleft as a result of esterase inhibition can p...
Scientific information centers in the United States

A critical survey of the current state of development of information centers; their functions, how they are implemented and who uses them. The results of a recent survey of information services in the United States, supported by the National Science Foundation, are analyzed.
A PREVENTIVE INTERVENTION PROGRAM FOR BEREAVED CHILDREN: Problems of Implementation

A brief, standardized intervention program to facilitate children's adjustment to the terminal illness and death of a parent posed the following implementation problems: estimation of patient life expectancy; engagement of the family in crisis; adhesion to the parental guidance model; and termination of formal clinical intervention. Resolution of these issues is described, and adaptation of such programs to other high-risk populations is considered.
Amino acids in rat neostriatum: Alteration by kainic acid lesion

Abstract Unilateral stereotaxic injection of 10 nmol of the glutamomimetic substance, kainic acid into the rat striatum caused permanent, significant decreases in the levels of glutamate (40–50%), aspartate (35–40%), taurine (20–30%) and GABA (60–70%). There were initial, transient decreases in serine, glycine and alanine which returned to normal values within 16–32 days after injection. Glutamine levels were not altered in lesioned striatum. This coincided with a 55% increase in glutamine synthetase activity in the lesioned striatum compared either to the non-injected striatum or controls injected with saline. The high affinity uptake of choline by synaptosomal preparations of lesioned striatum was decreased by 70% compared to controls whereas that of glutamate/aspartate was either unchanged or somewhat increased on a per mg protein basis. This latter point may be illusory in that, because of widespread neuronal destruction, the total ‘synaptosomal’ protein obtained from the lesioned striata was only about 50% that from control tissue. The biochemical data are consistent with the histological and behavioral effects of kainic acid administration. The unchanging glutamine levels and increase in glutamine synthetase activity are consistent with the widespread gliosis and the lack of change in glutamate/aspartate high affinity uptake is consistent with a sparing of afferent terminals. The large decrease in glutamate and aspartate is consistent with hypotheses concerning the intraneuronal localization of a major pool of these amino acids, especially in GABAergic neurons. The decrease in taurine suggests that a portion of this amino acid in striatum is probably associated with neurons destroyed by kainic acid. The bulk of the taurine, however, is therefore associated either with glial cells or the afferents to the striatum.
Using the CAS Standards in Assessment Projects.

This chapter provides an overview of the use of professional standards of practice in assessment and of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS). It outlines a model for conducting program self-studies and discusses the importance of implementing change based on assessment results.
Sensation seeking, impulsivity and the balance between behavioral approach and inhibition

Impulsivity and sensation-seeking questionnaire measures are correlated and in one form of the SSS (in the ZKPQ) Imp and SS items form a reliable major factor named Impulsive Sensation-seeking (ImpSS). The correlations between impulsivity (low control) and sensation-seeking are almost entirely mediated by shared genetic factors. Biological markers for sensation-seeking, like augmenting of the evoked potential, and testosterone are also related to impulsivity. The enzyme MAO-B is related to sensation-seeking and is low in clinical disorders characterized by both traits including antisocial and borderline personality disorders and alcohol and drug disorders and bipolar disorder. High sensation-seeking is postulated to reflect strong approach and weak inhibition mechanisms in response to approach-avoidance conflicts. The former is a function of dopaminergic and the latter to serotonergic systems. The likelihood of risky behavior, as in driving, sports, drug abuse, volunteering, and sex depends upon the balance between the two systems.
Non-Abelian fluid dynamics in Lagrangian formulation

Non-Abelian extensions of fluid dynamics, which can have applications to the quark-gluon plasma, are given. These theories are presented in a symplectic or Lagrangian formulation and involve a fluid generalization of the Kirillov-Kostant form well known in Lie group theory. In our simplest model the fluid flows with velocity $\mathbf{v}$ and, in the presence of non-Abelian chromoelectric or magnetic ${\mathbf{E}}^{a}/{\mathbf{B}}^{a}$ fields, the fluid feels a Lorentz force of the form ${Q}_{a}{\mathbf{E}}^{a}+(\mathbf{v}/c)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{Q}_{a}{\mathbf{B}}^{a},$ where ${Q}_{a}$ is a space-time local non-Abelian charge satisfying a fluid Wong equation $[{(D}_{t}+\mathbf{v}\ensuremath{\cdot}\mathbf{D})Q{]}_{a}=0$ with gauge covariant derivatives.
Ultrastructural changes in the median eminence of the rat following deafferentation of the basal hypothalamus.

This report concerns a light and electron microscopic investigation of the median eminence and dorsal infundibular stem of the rat following surgical isolation (deafferentation). Using a modification of the Halasz technique, the basal hypothalamus, including the arcuate nucleus and median eminence were surgically isolated from surrounding structures. Special attention was directed to the contact (external) zone of the median eminence and rostral infundibulum where tuberohypophyseal axons as well as ependymal cell processes abut upon the abluminal basement membrane of the portal perivascular space. The results of this study to date suggest that 9, 20, and 40 days following surgical isolation, there is a distinct increase in the population of tuberohypophyseal dense core vesicles. It is suggested that deafferentation abolishes inhibitory and excitatory input that serves to modify the cellular dynamics of tuberohypophyseal neurosecretory elements. Comments are also made on the presence of cistern-like structures in the lateral median eminence; the presence of vesicle-like inclusions in terminal ependymal processes is discussed in relationship to the role that ependyma may play in linking the third ventricle with the adenohypophysis.
A discussion of various approaches to the identification/approximation problem

The identification/approximation of a linear system by poles and residues from a measured finite length input-output record of the system is discussed. The objective of this paper is to illustrate that several different formulations for characterizing the impulse response of a system yield the same set of poles.
On the effective content of asymptotic verifications of Edgeworth's conjecture

Abstract This paper examines the extent to which asymptotic verifications of Edgeworth's Conjecture for sequences of exchange economies; ES= { E n =〈 a j , > j 〉 j , M n |A n | , ζ( E n )} n can be verified effectively . The main result of the paper, Theorem 3, utilizes a model-theoretic argument due to Compton (1980) within the finitary setting of asymptotic combinatorics and the theory of connected and component-closed graphs to show that if A⊆= A P × R L ×[0,1] is an abstract, compact-admissible, differentiable economy, whose markets M ⊆ A are regular in the sense of Debreu (1970), and if {M n } n is a monotone increasing sequence of markets in A with | M n |→∞ in the limit, then the determination of whether the sequence of markets { Mn } n ω ⊆ A admits of a limit-verification of Edgeworth's Conjeture by the convergence of the cores { ζ ( M n )} n ω associated with the sequence of markets M n n ω ⊆ A is effectively undecidable . We argue for the truth of this theorem by letting ψ( υ 1 , υ 2 ) be the statement in l Bin , the language of binary relations, that witnesses that A admits a limit verification from the convergence of the cores { ζ ( M n )} n ω associated with an arbitrary sequence of markets { M n } n ω ⊆ A . A local version of the Borel-Cantelli Lemma in the manner of Fagin (1976) is invoked to show that the asymptotic truth of Ψ( υ 1 , υ 2 ) given by υ(ψ(υ 1 υ 2 ))= lim n→∞ d n (ψ) b n is either 0 or 1 in terms of the ratio d n ( ψ )/ b n defined on classes of structures in { M n } n ω of cardin n . However, the assertion υ(ψ(υ 1 υ 2 ))= lim n→∞ d n (ψ) b n ≠0 is effectively undecidable .
Synthesis of organically-capped metallic zinc nanoparticles using electrical explosion of wires (EEW) coupled with PIERMEN

Abstract In this study zinc nanoparticles (ZNPs) were produced using electrical explosion of wires (EEW) with NP size around 100 nm. The explosion chamber was constructed from Teflon to withstand the shockwave, to allow growth and reaction of the incipient ZNPs in various organic solvents, and to allow a constant flow of argon creating an inert atmosphere. We utilized polymerization initiation by electron-rich metallic nanoparticles (PIERMEN) as the capping technique for the reactive ZNPs. Epoxides and alkenes served as the capping monomers. Epoxide caps underwent oligomerization on the surface of the NPs to form a protective polyether cap which renders the particles stable, non-pyrophoric in air, and dispersible in organic solvents. We investigated various Zn to monomer molar ratios varying from 1:1 to 10:1. Polyethylene glycol was also used as a capping agent and was found to give the smallest average Zn core sizes with the metal core diameters varying from 15 to 20 nm. Several solvents were used to study differences in resultant particle size and we observe toluene to give the smallest metal cores. Transmission electron microscopy shows the spherical particles with the metallic core embedded in a polymer matrix. The sample consists of predominantly smaller particles, but there was also a broad size distribution giving a range of 20–150 nm. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) was used to confirm the identity of the metallic NPs. The capping agents were characterized using both attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infra-red (ATR-FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies. There was no evidence for formation of zinc oxide with appropriate organic capping agents and solvent combinations; thus, this is the first report of production of pure metallic zinc nanoparticles with an organic cap using EEW.
Reconstitution of oxidative phosphorylation in submitochondrial particles by a soluble protein phosphoryl transferase.

Abstract A protein designated phosphoryl transferase has been isolated from beef heart mitochondria and has been found to increase the ability of Submitochondrial particles, oxidizing either NADH or succinate, to synthesize ATP from ADP and inorganic orthophosphate. Increases in the value of P:O ratios between 0.45 and 1 have been observed with succinate as substrate. Phosphoryl transferase was released from beef heart mitochondria by sonic disruption in the presence of EDTA and was then purified by fractionation with ammonium sulfate, chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, and recycling molecular sieve chromatography on polyacrylamide gel (BioGel P-200). The isolated phosphoryl transferase displayed a single peak in the analytical ultra-centrifuge and a single band in strip electrophoresis. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 124,000; its isoelectric point, pH 5.7. The absorption spectrum of the protein showed a maximum at 278–280 mμ, a minimum at 250 mμ, and a shoulder at 290 mμ. At pH 13 two distinct maxima appeared at 282 mμ and 288.5 mμ. Increases in the P:O ratios of Submitochondrial particles, induced by purified phosphoryl transferase, were observed only at the site of energy conservation between reduced coenzyme Q and cytochrome c . The protein has also been isolated from phosphorylating Submitochondrial particles. During recycling gel filtration, a protein was separated from the phosphoryl transferase which inhibited the ATPase activity of Submitochondrial particles and counteracted the effect of the phosphoryl transferase in increasing the P:O ratio.
Don’t Believe Everything You Read in the Patient’s Chart

A medical error is defined as the ‘failure of a planned action to be completed as intended or use of a wrong plan to achieve an aim.’1 Some types of errors are familiar to most clinicians, while others are not. Errors that result in catastrophic harm to the patient and those that are egregious deviations from the standard of care, such as surgery on the wrong side of the body, are easy to recognize as errors and receive much attention from the media as well as hospital accreditation organizations. However it is important to realize that errors can occur in a wide variety of domains in patient care, and many such errors are unrecognized and underreported. Errors of commission are often easier to recognize than errors of omission. In this month’s issue, Carroll et al2 report how frequently residents working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) committed errors of documenting patient weights, intravascular catheters, and medications. They found at least 1 documentation error in 62% of randomly selected progress notes in their unit over a 4-month period. What are the lessons and implications of this study? … Address correspondence to Gautham Suresh, MD, DM, MS, Department of Pediatrics, Given Building, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05405. E-mail: gautham.suresh{at}vtmednet.org
Use of labeled lectins to investigate cell wall surfaces of the entomogenous hyphomycete Nomuraea rileyi

Nomuraea rileyi is an entomogenous fungus infecting lepidopterous defoliators; host range of the pathogen varies according to strain. Identifying surface components of infectious stages of different strains of the fungus may be an important step in understanding host-parasite interactions. A variety of fluorescein and ferritin-conjugated lectins, including concanavalin A, peanut, soybean, winged pea and wheat germ were used to investigate surface components on germ tube and hyphal body walls from two strains (FL 74, FL 78) of N. rileyi. Binding was observed on outer wall layers when both Con A and wheat germ agglutinin conjugates were tested. There was no apparent difference in binding between the two strains or between germ tubes and hyphal bodies. These results indicate the presence of mannose (and/or glucose) residues (Con A specifity) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues (wheat germ agglutinin specifity) on outer wall surfaces. Extracellular sheath material especially noticeable on germ tubes from the FL 74 strain was not labeled by any of the lectins tested, but was well stained with ruthenium red, indicating the presence of polysaccharides.
The gravest words: sudden-death notifications and emergency care.

Abstract [Iserson KV. The gravest words: sudden-death notifications and emergency care. Ann Emerg Med. July 2000;36:75-77.]
OSCILLATION FREQUENCIES OF DROPLETS HELD PENDANT ON A NOZZLE

Abstract Small-amplitude oscillations of liquid droplets held pendant on a nozzle and surrounded by either air or another liquid were investigated experimentally. The oscillations were induced by mechanical means, and the natural frequencies of oscillations were visually determined. Results are compared to existing related theories of Miller and Scriven and of Strani and Sabetta. As may be expected, the presence of the solid support causes measured oscillation frequencies for the lowest oscillation mode to deviate greatly from the Miller and Scriven low viscosity approximation (n = 2) for free spherical drops. Experiments are in qualitative agreement with the first (n = 1) mode predicted by Strani and Sabetta, with the best correspondence occurring under circumstances where the ratio of nozzle to drop radii is small. The difference between the experimental results and the theory of Strani and Sabetta can be attributed to the restrictive boundary conditions of their analytic model. Thus, better theoretical...
Extreme-ultraviolet lensless Fourier-transform holography

We demonstrate 100-nm-resolution holographic aerial image monitoring based on lensless Fourier-transform holography at extreme-UV (EUV) wavelengths, using synchrotron-based illumination. This method can be used to monitor the coherent imaging performance of EUV lithographic optical systems. The system has been implemented in the EUV phase-shifting point-diffraction interferometer recently developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Here we introduce the idea of the holographic aerial image-recording technique and present imaging performance characterization results for a 10× Schwarzschild objective, a prototype EUV lithographic optic. The results are compared with simulations, and good agreement is obtained. Various object patterns, including phase-shift-enhanced patterns, have been studied. Finally, the application of the holographic aerial image-recording technique to EUV multilayer mask-blank defect characterization is discussed.
The Role of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disturbances in Cancers of the Colon, Prostate, and Pancreas

Recent evidence indicates that obesity and related metabolic abnormalities are associated with increased incidence or mortality for a number of cancers, including those of the colon, prostate, and pancreas. Obesity, physical inactivity, visceral adiposity, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia are relatively consistent risk factors for colon cancer and adenoma. Also, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have a higher risk of colon cancer. For prostate cancer, the relationship to obesity appears more complex. Obesity seems to contribute to a greater risk of aggressive or fatal prostate cancer but perhaps to a lower risk of nonaggressive prostate cancer. Furthermore, men with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Long-standing type 2 diabetes increases the risk of pancreatic cancer by approximately 50%. Furthermore, over the past 6 years, a large number of cohort studies have reported positive associations between obesity and pancreatic cancer. Together with data from prediagnostic blood specimens showing positive associations between glucose levels and pancreatic cancer up to 25 years later, sufficient evidence now supports a strong role for diabetes and obesity in pancreatic cancer etiology. The mechanisms for these associations, however, remain speculative and deserve further study. Hyperinsulinemia may be important, but the role of oxidative stress initiated by hyperglycemia also deserves further attention.