cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of tidal fluctuations of salinity on pericardial fluid composition of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica

Crassostrea virginica Gmelin were subjected to simulated tidal fluctuations of salinity, and the subsequent effects on osmotic and ionic composition of the pericardial fluid, body water and valve movements were investigated. Ambient salinity fluctuation patterns of 20-10-20‰, 15-10-15‰ and 10-5-10‰ were simulated during 24.8-h periods. An additional 10-5-10‰ S experiment was performed using a dilution water approximating the ionic composition of Mississippi River water with regard to Mg++, Ca++ and SO 4 = , instead of deionized water. Finally the effects of a 2-week diurnal fluctuation pattern between 20 and 10‰ S were investigated with respect to pericardial fluid composition. Pericardial fluid osmolality, concentrations of Cl-, Na+, Mg++, K+, Ca++ and ninhydrin-positive substances (NPS) were analyzed periodically throughout all experiments. Pericardial fluid osmolality was slightly hyperosmotic as ambient water salinity decreased during a cycle, and then became slightly hyposmotic as ambient salinity increased. In the 2-week experiment, pericardial fluid osmolality tracked ambient seawater closely through Day 5, but became more intermediate between high and low seawater values as the experiment progressed. Similar patterns during fluctuations of salinity were observed for Na+, Cl-, Mg++ and Ca++. Pericardial fluid K+ levels did not track ambient seawater as closely as did other ions. The ionic composition of dilution water had little effect on the osmotic or ionic response of the oyster's pericardial fluid. Pericardial fluid NPS level varied inversely with salinity during the 20-10-20‰ cycle. During the longterm fluctuation experiment, NPS values gradually decreased over the 2-week period compared to constant salinity control values. Percent body water also varied inversely with ambient salinity. Solute movement accounted for most of the change in pericardial fluid osmolality during the simulated cycles with water movement responsible for 1 to 11%. Water movement contributed more to the change of pericardial fluid osmolality during the decreasing salinity phase than the increasing phase of a given cycle. During 20-10-20‰ S cycles, oyster valves remained open 56% of the time (n=23). In contrast, when salinity was abruptly changed from 20 to 10‰ within 5 min, valve closure occurred in 4.8±0.3 min (n=20). Valves did not reopen for 19.3±1.2 h (n=15).
Investigation on the N eff reverse annealing effect using TSC/I-DLTS: Relationship between neutron induced microscopic defects and silicon detector electrical degradations

Abstract Neutron induced defect levels in high resistivity silicon detectors have been studied using a current-based macroscopic defect analysis system: thermally stimulated current (TSC) and current deep level transient spectroscopy (I-DLTS).These studies have been correlated to the traditional C—V I—V , and transient current and charge techniques (TCT/TChT) after neutron radiation and subsequent thermal anneals. It has been found that the increases of the space charge density, N eff in irradiated detectors after thermal anneals ( N eff reverse anneal) correspond to the increases of deep levels in the silicon bandgap. In particular, increases of the double vacancy center (V—V and V—V − … ) and/or C i −O i level have good correlations with the N eff reverse anneal. It has also been observed that the leakage current of highly irradiated ( Φ n > 10 13 n/cm 2 ) detectors increases after thermal anneals, which is different from the leakage current annealing behavior of slightly irradiated ( Φ n 13 n/cm 2 ) detectors. It is apparent that V—V center and/or C i —O i , level play important roles in both N eff and leakage current degradations for highly irradiated high resistivity silicon detectors.
Pricing milk in Ecuador: the impact of transport costs

Abstract Economic regulation of the dairy industry in the Republic of Ecuador was imposed to assure consumers of an adequate supply of high quality milk at reasonable prices. Although prices were fixed at the producer and consumer levels, and various differentials were established to reflect the economic value of milk, no provision was made to reflect differences in the value of milk according to its geographical location. The implications of pricing milk according to its geographical location are examined.
Triterpenoid Saponins From the Fruits of Aesculus pavia

The compounds, named aesculiosides Ia-Ie, IIa-IId, and IVa-IVc, were isolated from an ethanol extract of the fruits of North American Aesculus pavia, along with two known compounds. Their structures were characterized as polyhydroxyoleanene pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins by spectroscopic and chemical analyses. These saponins were divided into three elution zones by chromatography according to the polarity because of the acyl substitution at C-21 and C-22 of the aglycone saponins moiety. These are structurally different from those isolated from Eurasian Aesculus hippocastanum and Aesculus chinensis in their oligosaccharide moieties.
Optimization of environmental impact reduction and economic feasibility of solvent waste recovery using a new software tool

Abstract The environmental impact reduction and operating costs savings associated with the purification and recovery of solvent waste in the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API's) were investigated. A software toolbox has been developed that combines Aspen Plus ® process simulation with SimaPro ® and Ecosolvent life cycle assessment (LCA) databases. A LCA approach was used in order to consider the environmental impact beyond pharmaceutical production plant boundaries. The feasibility of a relatively small flexible equipment-skid capable of recovering multiple solvent waste streams was evaluated. Distillation and pervaporation were considered to separate binary waste solvent mixtures. Optimum distillation reflux ratio and feed stage were determined to maximize the environmental impact reductions and operating cost savings. The optimum reflux ratio was significantly higher than 1.2 times the minimum reflux ratio suggested by traditional heuristics. The emissions and cost reductions obtained were as much as 49% and 56% higher, respectively, as compared to using the conventional optimum reflux ratio. A comprehensive cash flow analysis showed that the recovery of low volume solvent waste streams is economically feasible, despite traditional thinking. Three case studies from Pfizer are presented to show how our software tool can aid in green engineering decision making.
Chloroplast DNA exists in two orientations

An almost universal feature of the circular chloroplast genome is a large inverted repeat sequence, some 10–25 kilobase pairs (kb) in size, which separates the remainder of the molecule into single copy regions of ∼80 kb and 20 kb1–3. A number of physical properties—formation of head-to-head dimers1, copy-correction between the inverted repeat segments1,3,4, resistance to intramolecular recombinational loss1–3, and maintenance of a highly stable chloroplast genome resistant to rearrangement2—have been attributed to the presence of this large inverted repeat. However, one property which an inverted repeat might be expected to confer—reversal of polarity of the single copy sequences located between the repeats1—has not yet been demonstrated for the chloroplast genome. I now show that chloroplast DNA prepared from a single plant of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) consists of two equimolar populations of molecules differing only in the relative orientation of their single copy sequences. A model is presented to explain these results, and comparisons are made to similar cases of inversion heterogeneity in 2-micrometre plasmid DNA from yeast5,6 and in herpes simplex virus DNA7,8.
Sex reannouncement in hereditary sex deformity: psychology and sociology of habilitation.

Abstract A case study of sex deformity and sex reannouncement illustrates the value of applied sociology in medical case management. Rehabilitation is based upon the principles of normalizing deviant characteristics and avoiding potential future stigmatization.
Infiltration of CD4+ T Cells into Cornea during Development of Onchocerca volvulus-Induced Experimental Sclerosing Keratitis in Mice

Sclerosing keratitis is the major cause of blindness due to onchocerciasis caused by the parasite Onchocerca volvulus. Although the importance of T cells in the pathogenesis of onchocerciasis has been suggested, their precise role in onchocercal sclerosing keratitis has not yet been defined. Using immunohistological techniques and a murine model of onchocercal sclerosing keratitis, we have performed a temporal analysis of the inflammatory T cells infiltrating into the cornea at Days 4, 7, and 21 following intrastromal challenge with soluble O. volvulus antigens into presensitized mice. The maximum number of CD3+ T cells were observed in the corneal stroma at Day 21 when sclerosing keratitis was most severe. The majority (> 85%) of the CD3+ T cells were CD4+ at all time points. A few infiltrating cells bore IL-2 receptors indicating possible activation of a small fraction of the T cells. These results suggest that CD4+ T cells play an important role in onchocercal sclerosing keratitis.
Grade, sex, and race differences in test anxiety.

Analyses of scores derived from an internally consistent 15-item measure of test anxiety for 181 students in Grade 4 and 258 in Grade 8 did not show significant mean differences across grade, but statistically higher scores were noted for girls and black students. The practical implications of the differences were considered limited.
High Frequency Adaptive Instability Suppression Controls in a Liquid-Fueled Combustor

This effort extends into high frequency (>500 Hz), an earlier developed adaptive control algorithm for the suppression of thermo-acoustic instabilities in a liquidfueled combustor. The earlier work covered the development of a controls algorithm for the suppression of a low frequency (~280 Hz) combustion instability based on simulations, with no hardware testing involved. The work described here includes changes to the simulation and controller design necessary to control the high frequency instability, augmentations to the control algorithm to improve its performance, and finally hardware testing and results with an experimental combustor rig developed for the high frequency case. The Adaptive Sliding Phasor Averaged Control (ASPAC) algorithm modulates the fuel flow in the combustor with a control phase that continuously slides back and forth within the phase region that reduces the amplitude of the instability. The results demonstrate the power of the method - that it can identify and suppress the instability even when the instability amplitude is buried in the noise of the combustor pressure. The successful testing of the ASPAC approach helped complete an important NASA milestone to demonstrate advanced technologies for low-emission combustors.
Patient and provider perceptions of diabetes: measuring and evaluating differences.

Abstract Objective This study measures diabetes care perceptions of patients and their providers, and examines perceptions differences of patient–provider pairs. Methods Patient and provider perceptions were assessed using the Diabetes Semantic Differential Scales (DSDS) which ask respondents to rate diabetes care concepts using contrasting adjective pairs. The DSDS was scored by two methods: using means and using factor analysis. Persons with diabetes 40-years-old or older were recruited. Using a “snowball” sampling strategy, potential provider participants were identified by their patients; 71 providers agreed. These providers represented 51% of the patient participants and created 138 patient–provider pairs. Results For the mean scores, there were significant differences between patients and providers for 5 of the 18 semantic differentials (28%). Similarly, the factor scores indicated significant differences for 14 of 54 factors (26%). The effect sizes indicated practical differences. Conclusion Significant differences exist between patient and provider perceptions. Generally, patients have the more positive diabetes perceptions. Practice implications During patient and provider discussions, participants can perceive diabetes concepts differently. The DSDS can determine perception differences. While it is best to use factor analyses to score the DSDS, mean scores are more easily calculated and indicate the broad conceptual areas where patient and provider differ.
Effects of a Theoretically Based Large-Scale Reading Intervention in a Multicultural Urban School District

In 1997, Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes partnered with Pueblo School District 60 (PSD60), a heavily minority urban district with many Title I schools, to implement a theoretically based initiative designed to improve Colorado Student Assessment Program reading scores. In this study, the authors examined achievement in Grades 3–5 during the years 1998–2003. PSD60 schools and schools statewide were compared through a series of repeated measures analyses of covariance controlling for school size, percentage of minority students enrolled, socioeconomic status, and the amount of time a school was included in the intervention. Statistically significant and increasing gains favoring the Lindamood-Bell reading intervention were found both overall and in analyses of Title 1 schools.
Furosemide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in renal transplantation

Furosemide was administered intravenously to four patients who had undergone renal transplantation in the past and four creatinine clearance--matched control subjects. Both patients who had undergone renal transplant and control subjects displayed similar pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior, as assessed by drug delivery to the urine and sodium excretion, respectively. Despite similar degrees of natriuresis, patients who had undergone renal transplantation demonstrated a clear defect in urine potassium excretion. This defect in potassium excretion was not related to altered responsiveness of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis because plasma renin activity increased in a normal fashion after furosemide in both control and transplant subjects. Although the plasma aldosterone response to increases in plasma renin activity was sluggish in patients undergoing renal transplantation, normal increases in plasma aldosterone levels were achieved in both groups, suggesting that there may be an intrinsic defect in distal tubular potassium secretion that can be unmasked by furosemide.
Fatigue behavior of a fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composite with a circular hole

Abstract The tensile fatigue behavior of an aluminosilicate glass-ceramic composite reinforced with silicon carbide fibers, SiC/1723, in the presence of a circular hole has been investigated. Two lay-ups were studied, [0°]8 and [0°/90°]2s. The ceramic composites with both lay-ups exhibited a dichotomous type of fatigue behavior. Specimens tested above 80% of ultimate strength failed in considerably less than one million cycles. Specimens tested below this level did not fail over one million fatigue cycles. In unidirectional laminates, the damage mechanism involved the initiation and growth of four cracks at the hole where the shear stress concentration was a maximum. Cross-ply laminates displayed transverse matrix cracks in the 90° plies, which coalesced at the 0°/90° interface leading to local delamination, and finally failure, in the 0° plies.
Comparative Study of Hematopoietic Differentiation between Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines

Directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into any desired cell type has been hailed as a therapeutic promise to cure many human diseases. However, substantial roadblocks still exist for in vitro differentiation of hESCs into distinct cell types, including T lymphocytes. Here we examined the hematopoietic differentiation potential of six different hESC lines. We compare their ability to develop into CD34+ or CD34+CD45+ hematopoietic precursor populations under several differentiation conditions. Comparison of lymphoid potential of hESC derived- and fetal tissue derived-hematopoietic precursors was also made. We found diverse hematopoietic potential between hESC lines depending on the culture or passage conditions. In contrast to fetal-derived hematopoietic precursors, none of the CD34+ precursors differentiated from hESCs were able to develop further into T cells. These data underscore the difficulties in the current strategy of hESC forward differentiation and highlight distinct differences between CD34+ hematopoietic precursors generated in vitro versus in vivo.
Expanding clinical empathy: an activist perspective.

BACKGROUND Discussions of empathy in health care offer important ways of enabling communication and interpersonal connection that are therapeutic for the patient and satisfying for the physician. While the best of these discussions offer valuable insights into the patient-physician relationship, many of them lack an action component for alleviating the patient’s suffering and emphasize the physician’s experience of empathy rather than the patient’s experience of illness.
Cholinergic modulation of stimulant-induced behavior ☆

Stimulant-induced stereotypy, presumably mediated by nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, can be altered by the administration of cholinergic agonists or antagonists. Cholinergic, striatal interneurons have been postulated as the site of these effects, although the specific site of interaction between cholinergic and dopaminergic systems is unknown. The study reported here examined the effects of the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine, and several other cholinergic and anticholinergic drugs, on stimulant-induced behavior. Stereotypy was inhibited by physostigmine to the same degree whether induced by direct (apomorphine) or by indirect acting (amphetamine and methylphenidate) stimulants. The results are interpreted as indicating that the site of cholinergic modulation of stimulant-induced stereotypy is postsynaptic to the dopaminergic neurons which mediate stereotypy.
Synthesis of Endosperm Proteins in Wheat Seed during Maturation

The time of synthesis, the molecular weight, and the relative glutamine-glutamate and proline to leucine ratios of the endosperm proteins of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Logan) were determined using a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel technique. In general, synthesis of most proteins occurred through much of the maturation of the seed, but past 20 days the rate of synthesis of the high molecular weight proteins declined more rapidly than those of lower molecular weight. The synthesis of at least one protein occurred only late in seed maturation. Several of the high molecular weight proteins had glutamate-glutamine to leucine ratios higher than the remainder of the proteins. No evidence for proteins of a polyglutamine-glutamate and/or proline nature was found.
Matrix solution of periodic mathieu equations

Abstract The application of matrix methods to periodic Mathieu equations is discussed, and it is shown that accurate solutions may be found for any real value of the parameter, including the asymptotic case.
Privatisation of state security and policing in Lithuania

This paper examines the dynamics of the privatisation of state security and policing in post-Soviet Lithuania. Two periods in the evolution of the industry, each with its distinct set of actors, dynamics and types of services offered are defined and analysed. In the early 1990s, the private security industry was characterised by competition, coercion and negotiations among private protection organisations (or criminal rackets) and four different factions of downsized ex-Soviet military, security and the police force personnel. Since the late 1990s, a consolidation and dramatic expansion of the industry has occurred as private security firms, national as well as transnational, emerged as the dominant institutional form of private security provision in the country. The paper argues that the restructuring and growth experienced by the security industry, since the late 1990s, are only indirectly related to a significant increase in crime throughout the region during the post-independence period. Broader socio...
Immunohistochemical evidence of the existence and localization of aromatase in human prostatic tissues

Estrogens may be involved in normal growth of the prostate and the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The location of estrogen production is still unclear, and there has never been a direct evidence for the existence of the aromatase system, which converts androgens to estrogens, in the prostate. Using an avidin-biotin technique with a polyclonal anti-human placental aromatase, we demonstrated the existence of aromatase in normal prostates of young men and BPH tissue from elderly men. The staining is more pronounced in the stroma. However, positive stains were also seen in the glandular epithelium. While evidence of the existence of an enzyme system does not equal demonstration of its activity in a specific tissue site, our findings suggest that local estrogen production in the stroma and/or epithelium of the prostate may play a role in the maintenance of normal growth and development of BPH.
Herbivore-induced changes in plant carbon allocation: assessment of below-ground C fluxes using carbon-14

Effects of above-ground herbivory on short-term plant carbon allocation were studied using maize (Zea mays) and a generalist lubber grasshopper (Romalea guttata). We hypothesized that above-ground herbivory stimulates current net carbon assimilate allocation to below-ground components, such as roots, root exudation and root and soil respiration. Maize plants 24 days old were grazed (c. 25–50% leaf area removed) by caging grasshoppers around individual plants and 18 h later pulse-labelled with14CO2. During the next 8 h,14C assimilates were traced to shoots, roots, root plus soil respiration, root exudates, rhizosphere soil, and bulk soil using carbon-14 techniques. Significant positive relationships were observed between herbivory and carbon allocated to roots, root exudates, and root and soil respiration, and a significant negative relationship between herbivory and carbon allocated to shoots. No relationship was observed between herbivory and14C recovered from soil. While herbivory increased root and soil respiration, the peak time for14CO2 evolved as respiration was not altered, thereby suggesting that herbivory only increases the magnitude of respiration, not patterns of translocation through time. Although there was a trend for lower photosynthetic rates of grazed plants than photosynthetic rates of ungrazed plants, no significant differences were observed among grazed and ungrazed plants. We conclude that above-ground herbivory can increase plant carbon fluxes below ground (roots, root exudates, and rhizosphere respiration), thus increasing resources (e.g., root exudates) available to soil organisms, especially microbial populations.
Impact of a metabolic screening bundle on rates of screening for metabolic syndrome in a psychiatry resident outpatient clinic.

Objective Although it is widely acknowledged that second-generation antipsychotics are associated with cardiometabolic side effects, rates of metabolic screening have remained low. The authors created a quality-improvement (QI) intervention in an academic medical center outpatient psychiatry resident clinic with the aim of improving rates of screening for metabolic syndrome in patients being prescribed antipsychotic medications.
Inverse Backscattering Problem for the Acoustic Equation in Even Dimensions

Abstract We show that the sound speed c ( x ) of the acoustic wave equation in any even dimension can be uniquely determined by the backscattering data provided that it is close to a constant. In the three-dimensional case, P. Stefanov and G. Uhlmann ( SIAM J. Math. Anal. 28, 1997, 1191–1204) have proved a similar result. Their method takes advantage of the inversion formula for the Radon transform in odd dimensions being a local operator. This is not true in even dimensions. Moreover, the odd-dimensional Lax and Phillips modified Radon transform fails to work in even dimensions. In this paper, we overcome these difficulties and prove an even-dimensional version of Stefanov and Uhlmann's result.
Collateral Growth in the Peripheral Circulation: A Review

Arterial occlusive diseases are a major cause of morbidity and death in the United States. The enlargement of pre-existing vessels, which bypass the site of arterial occlusion, provide a natural way for the body to compensate for such obstructions. Individuals differ in their capacity to develop collateral vessels. In recent years much attention has been focused upon therapy to promote collateral development, primarily using individual growth factors. Such studies have had mixed results. Persistent controversies exist regarding the initiating stimuli, the processes involved in enlargement, the specific vessels that should be targeted, and the most appropriate terminology. Consequently, it is now recognized that more research is needed to extend our knowledge of the complex process of collateral growth. This basic science review addresses five questions essential in understanding current problems in collateral growth research and the development of therapeutic interventions.
Diffusive and Convective Flow Across Membranes: Irreversible Thermodynamic Approach

The experimentally verified hydrodynamic approach to a description of diffusive and convective flow of solute across mutual membrane pathways is compared with the phenomenological equation resulting from the application of irreversible thermodynamics. Inherent nonlinearities in this equation severely, if not absolutely, limit its usefulness.
Presculpting of photoresists using additive lithography

In this paper we present the fabrication of refractive micro optical elements by additive sculpting of the photoresist using binary amplitude masking techniques. We also present the fabrication of micro optical elements by pre sculpting the photoresist before reflow. This enables the use of fewer masking patterns while allowing us to obtain smooth profiles on the resist. The resist can be pre sculpted into any shape by using a set of binary patterns thus allowing us to fabricate refractive beam shaping elements.
Use of a Disulfide Cross-linking Strategy to Study Muscarinic Receptor Structure and Mechanisms of Activation

To gain insight into the molecular architecture of the cytoplasmic surface of G protein-coupled receptors, we have developed a disulfide cross-linking strategy using the m3 muscarinic receptor as a model system. To facilitate the interpretation of disulfide cross-linking data, we initially generated a mutant m3 muscarinic receptor (referred to as m3′(3C)-Xa) in which most native Cys residues had been deleted or substituted with Ala or Ser (remaining Cys residues Cys-140, Cys-220, and Cys-532) and in which the central portion of the third intracellular loop had been replaced with a factor Xa cleavage site. Radioligand binding and second messenger assays showed that the m3′(3C)-Xa mutant receptor was fully functional. In the next step, pairs of Cys residues were reintroduced into the m3′(3C)-Xa construct, thus generating 10 double Cys mutant receptors. All 10 mutant receptors contained a Cys residue at position 169 at the beginning of the second intracellular loop and a second Cys within the C-terminal portion of the third intracellular loop, at positions 484–493. Radioligand binding studies and phosphatidylinositol assays indicated that all double Cys mutant receptors were properly folded. Membrane lysates prepared from COS-7 cells transfected with the different mutant receptor constructs were incubated with factor Xa protease and the oxidizing agent Cu(II)-(1,10-phenanthroline)3, and the formation of intramolecular disulfide bonds between juxtaposed Cys residues was monitored by using a combined immunoprecipitation/immunoblotting strategy. To our surprise, efficient disulfide cross-linking was observed with 8 of the 10 double Cys mutant receptors studied (Cys-169/Cys-484 to Cys-491), suggesting that the intracellular m3 receptor surface is characterized by pronounced backbone fluctuations. Moreover, [35S]guanosine 5′-3-O-(thio)triphosphate binding assays indicated that the formation of intramolecular disulfide cross-links prevented or strongly inhibited receptor-mediated G protein activation, suggesting that the highly dynamic character of the cytoplasmic receptor surface is a prerequisite for efficient receptor-G protein interactions. This is the first study using a disulfide mapping strategy to examine the three-dimensional structure of a hormone-activated G protein-coupled receptor.
The physician-scientist: an essential--and fragile--link in the medical research chain.

It was a singular honor for me to give the second annual James A. Shannon Lecture at the National Institutes of Health last October. Indeed, I would not have been there at all without Shannon. That is not because I knew him personally, but rather because of the NIH that he — more than anyone else — created between 1949 and 1968. Shannon’s intelligence, vision, decisiveness, single-mindedness, and political acumen, first as Associate Director for Research of the National Heart Institute and then as Director of NIH, produced a powerful magnet that attracted me to Bethesda in 1959. Forty years later, I had the opportunity to reflect on why preparing one’s self for a career in research, as epitomized by coming to NIH, was so clearly the thing for recent medical school graduates to do then and, just as clearly and paradoxically, is not the thing to do today. What follows are my reflections I offered in the Shannon lecture.
Optimized separation of β-blockers with multiple chiral centers using capillary electrochromatography–mass spectrometry

Abstract This work focuses on the simultaneous analysis of β-blockers with multiple stereogenic centers using capillary electrochromatography–mass spectrometry (CEC–MS) with a vancomycin stationary phase. The critical mobile phase variables (composition of organic solvents, acid/base ratios) as well as column temperature and electric field strength, effecting enantioresolution and analysis time were first optimized sequentially. Next, to achieve global optimum a multivariate D-optimal design was used. Although multivariate approach did not improve enantioresolution any further, analysis time was significantly reduced. Under optimum CEC–MS conditions, all stereoisomers were resolved with resolution in the range 1.0–3.1 in less than 60 min with an average signal-to-noise (S/N) greater than 1000. The developed CEC–MS method has the potential to emerge as a screening method for analysis of multiple chiral compounds using a single protocol using the same column and mobile phase conditions, thus reducing the operation time and cost.
Synthesis of 7-thiaarachidonic acid as a mechanistic probe of prostaglandin H synthase-2.

The mechanism by which prostaglandin synthase converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandin G2, creating five new chiral centers in the process, is still incompletely understood. The first radical intermediate has been characterized by EPR spectroscopy but subsequent proposed intermediates have not succumbed to detection. We report the synthesis of 7-thiaarachidonic acid designed to stabilize one of the proposed radical intermediates, which may allow its detection.
Epidermal growth factor activation of intestinal glutamine transport is mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinases.

Glutamine is an essential nutrient for gut functions, but the regulation of its uptake by intestinal mucosal cells is poorly understood. Given the pivotal role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in regulating gut metabolism, growth, and differentiation, this in vitro study was designed to investigate the intracellular signaling pathways involved in the regulation of EGF-mediated intestinal glutamine transport in intestinal epithelia. Continuous incubation with EGF (>30 hours, 100 ng/ml) stimulated glutamine transport activity across intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell apical membrane. Exposure to EGF for 48 hours resulted in an increase in transport activity (50%) and glutamine transport system B gene ATB(0) mRNA levels (ninefold). EGF stimulated glutamine transport activity by increasing the glutamine transporter maximal velocity (V(max)) without altering the transporter apparent affinity (K(m)). Furthermore, EGF stimulated both intracellular protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase MEK1/2 activities. The EGF-stimulated glutamine transport activity was attenuated individually by the specific protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine chloride and the mitogen-activated protein kinase MEK1 inhibitor PD 98059. These data suggest that EGF activates glutamine transport activity across intestinal epithelial membrane via a signaling mechanism that involves activation of protein kinase C and the mitogen-activated protein kinase MEK1/2 cascade. EGF activates glutamine transport via alterations in transporter mRNA levels and the number of functional copies of transporter units.
Postflashover fires — an overview of the research at the national research council of Canada (NRCC), 1970–1985

The NRCC model of fully developed compartment fires is discussed. Although the mathematics involved is quite simple, it allows a rather comprehensive simulation of the fire process. The model offers an explanation for the findings that ‘ventilation control’ is related to the pyrolysis mechanism and is not a result of scarcity of air in the fire compartment, and that thermal feedback is of secondary importance in the “burning” (pyrolysis) of cellulosic fuels. Another feature of the model is the introduction of the normalized heat load concept. The normalized heat load is a scalar quantity that depends on the total heat absorbed by the compartment boundaries during the fire incident, and is practically independent of the temperature history of the fire. A simple explicit formula has been proposed and proved experimentally to describe the normalized heat load for real-world fires with fair accuracy. The normalized heat load concept offers a simple means for converting fire severities into fire resistance requirements, and makes it possible to design buildings for prescribed levels of structural fire safety. The potential of fires to spread by convection and the expected characteristics of fires of noncharring plastics are also discussed.
The power of fear: Facial emotion analysis of CEOs to forecast firm performance

We present a framework to predict the firm performance based on CEO's facial emotion dynamics during video interviews. This is a challenging pattern recognition problem that involves robust detection of various emotional expressions in the uncontrolled environment and classification of spontaneous spatio-temporal data with different personal and biological signature traits. We assess the reliability of outcomes that result from the classification through noise suppression and information maximization with correlation analysis. The experimental results show the strong and positive reaction of firm performance merely to CEO's Fear emotion. We analyze the determinants that affect Fear emotion and find that Fear is more in newer CEO, and is more when CEO has less control over the board of the firm. These findings may contribute to prediction of the market value of firms and actions taken on effective investment.
Colonization and succession of benthic macroinvertebrates in Arcadia Lake, a South-Central USA reservoir,.

Colonization and succession of benthic macroinvertebrates in Arcadia Lake, an urban reservoir, were studied for four years. Physicochemical conditions including water temperature, dissolved oxygen concentrations, pH, specific conductance, and Secchi disc depth were also recorded. Colonization of the reservoir occured fairly rapidly through a sequence of three invasions. The first, and most significant, colonists were primarily facultative species already present in streams and ponds that were inundated by the impoundment. Later arrivals tended to be limnophilic species that probably came from other bodies of water. Of 30 species encountered in a pre-impoundment collection, only six were still present three years following impoundment. Thirty-three additional benthic macroinvertebrates species invaded the area following impoundment. Dominant taxa in the reservoir included Dero nivea, Limnodrilus sp., Chaoborus punctipennis, Chironomus sp., and Procladius sp. Pollutants accumulating in this urban reservoir, including metals and pesticides, and siltation probably have kept benthic populations relatively low and possibly reduced potential species diversity.
Planning and Social Media: A Case Study of Public Transit and Stigma on Twitter

Problem, research strategy, and findings: How media portray public transit services can affect the way voters and stakeholders think about future transit investments. In this study, I examine social media content about public transit from a large sample of Twitter comments, finding that they reflect more negative sentiments about public transit than do the comments about most other public services, and include more negative material about transit patrons. However, transit agencies may be able to influence the tone of those comments through the way they engage with social media. Transit agencies that respond directly to questions, concerns, and comments of other social media users, as opposed to merely “blasting” announcements, have more positive statements about all aspects of services and fewer slurs directed at patrons, independent of actual service quality. The interaction does not have to be customer oriented. Agencies using Twitter to chat with users about their experiences or new service also have s...
Slab-on-Grade versus Framed Slab

This paper presents comprehensive and practical engineering review (not mathematics or computer science paper) of the observed behavior of the two types of slabs that have been used for the bottom floor slabs, at grade and underground, of buildings in the United States and overseas. The typical design of the slab-on-grade (SOG) built in the United States is described. The design requires only nominal reinforcing steel, but modern day design also requires ground preparation and improvement as necessary, including underslab perforated drainage pipe network embedded in the granular subbase, riser pipes, and a series of pumps. Sealing at all slab isolation joints and waterproofing membrane or water barrier system are provided for water tightness. The framed slab is supported directly on the building framing and on the building foundation. The design can accommodate the soil and underground water pressure and in itself is watertight as the slab is cast monolithically with the structural walls and footings. The...
Renal insufficiency and altered postoperative risk in carotid endarterectomy

Abstract Purpose: Higher complication rates have been reported in patients with renal insufficiency (RI) undergoing peripheral vascular surgery. Little attention has been paid specifically to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with RI where the risk/benefit considerations are very sensitive to small increases in postoperative complications. Methods: One thousand one consecutive CEAs performed since 1990 were reviewed from our vascular registry, and 73 CEAs on patients with RI were identified. For comparison, two groups were established: group I (n = 928), normal renal function (creatinine level, Results: Differences in the nonfatal stroke rates and combined stroke and death rates were statistically significant ( P P P = .003), and total complications, 6.24% versus 36.1% ( P = .001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated pre-existing RI to be the only significant predictor for perioperative stroke and hematoma. Conclusion: Patients with preoperative RI are at a higher, but not prohibitive, risk for stroke and death after CEA than patients with normal renal function. They are also at risk for hematoma formation, cardiac morbidity, and overall complications. Care in selection of these patients for CEA must be emphasized. (J Vasc Surg 1999;29:1006-11.)
The Evolving Role of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients with high-risk markers such as del(17p) or those who have relapsed after multiple lines of therapy have a poor prognosis and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) has historically been the best opportunity for achieving long-term disease control. Recently, several new highly efficacious and well-tolerated small molecules targeting the B cell receptor (BCR) pathway and Bcl-2 have been approved or are in the late stages of development. These new agents are altering therapeutic paradigms in CLL, but unlike with alloHCT, information on long-term disease control is lacking. Here, we provide an overview of the data supporting the use of HCT in CLL and the promising results with the novel agents. We discuss the evolving role of alloHCT for CLL in the novel agent era, including identifying the patients most likely to benefit from transplantation and optimal transplantation timing, as well the use of novel agents in the post-transplantation setting.
A survey of policies and practices for hospitalization of children in Northern California

Summary Policies and practices for hospitalization of children in Northern California were studied by means of questionnaires sent to all hospitals and all practicing pediatricians in that area. A general evaluation of the answers showed that most hospitals and pediatricians are well aware of the problems related to children in hospitals. Small hospitals in rural areas make up for the lack of facilities conducive to proper adjustment of the child to hospitalization by having more flexible and liberal visiting rules.
Electrode extrusion through the tympanic membrane in a pediatric patient.

The medical literature contains an increasing number of reports that establish the safety of cochlear implantation in both adults and children. Complications, however, are not inexistent, with reported rates between 3% and 13% for major complications and 7% to 37% for minor complications. 1 Though the exact definitions vary between series, major complications are generally defined as those that require surgical intervention or result in permanent disability, whereas minor complications include those managed conservatively or with a simple procedure (eg, aspiration). 1-3 Although device exposure through the postauricular skin flap is not uncommon, only a limited number of reports describe extrusion of the electrode through the tympanic membrane. In this case report, we present a child who developed a retraction pocket with electrode extrusion six years after implantation. The patient is a 17-year-old girl who presented to our clinic at age 13, two years after right cochlear implantation at a different institution for progressive hearing loss. The patient was then lost to follow-up for three years when she presented with right otalgia. She denied any history of recent infections and had no signs of implant malfunction. Examination of her right ear revealed an anteriorinferior retraction pocket, with obvious visualization of the cochlear implant electrode through the tympanic membrane. After informed consent was obtained, the patient was taken back to the operating room for exploration. This revealed a retraction pocket with the electrode extruding through the membrane into the external canal in a loop fashion (Fig 1). The middle ear was full of granulation tissue. The stimulating electrode had advanced through the facial recess into the mesotympanum, eroding the malleus and the tympanic membrane and protruding into the canal (Fig 2). All 22 leads were still in the cochlea. The device was carefully freed of the surrounding scar tissue and repositioned back into the mastoid cavity. A cartilage tympanoplasty was then performed. The internal receiver was in place and did not require manipulation. One year after the procedure, the tympanic membrane appears intact with no evidence of retraction or cholesteatoma. DISCUSSION
SOME EFFECTS OF URANYL ACETATE ON PROXIMAL TUBULAR FUNCTION IN RABBIT KIDNEY.

Abstract Acute renal failure was studied in rabbits 2 days after the intravenous injection of uranyl acetate (0.2 mg uranium per kilogram body weight). The poisoned animals showed a decreased inulin clearance and even greater inhibition of mannitol and creatinine clearances. This finding implicates back-diffusion of tubular contents as a factor possibly contributing to the observed depression of glomerular filtration rate. Tubular function as measured by Tmg and TmPAH showed even more complete inhibition than glomerular function, indicating a cytotoxic effect on the renal tubule. Analysis of transport kinetics in tissues from poisoned animals in vitro permitted the localization of the major lesion in the PAH secreting system at the peritubular membrane. Efflux of PAH from cells into tubular lumen appeared unaffected. In agreement with the reduced PAH transport into cells, yet unchanged efflux from cells, the intracellular accumulation of PAH in vivo was grossly inhibited. Some implications of these findings for the mechanism of attack of uranium on the renal tubule are discussed.
Effects of exogenous glucagon on pancreatic and biliary ductal and sphincteric pressures in man demonstrated by endoscopic manometry and correlation with plasma glucagon

An endoscopic manometric technique was used to investigate the effects of glucagon on pancreatic duct, common bile duct, pancreatic duct sphincter, and bile duct sphincter pressures in 20 healthy volunteers. Glucagon was given by intravenous infusion at rates of 0.016, 0.0625, 0.25, 1.0, 4.0, and 16.0 μg/kg/hr and also as an intravenous bolus of 1 mg. Plasma glucagon was measured by radioimmunoassay. Glucagon significantly reduced peak bile duct sphincter pressure from 49.1±3.7 mm Hg (mean±sd) to 37.8±2.9 mm Hg (P<0.01) at a rate of 0.016 μg/kg/hr, reaching a maximum effect at rates of 0.25 μg/kg/hr and above. Reduction in pancreatic duct sphincter, pancreatic duct, and bile duct pressures; slowing of sphincter wave frequency; and shortening of wave duration occurred at infusion rates of 1.0 μg/kg/hr or greater when plasma concentrations were supraphysiological. We conclude that glucagon has a physiological action on the bile duct sphincter but that all other effects on this area are pharmacological.
Radial nerve palsy after humeral revision in total elbow arthroplasty.

Hypothesis The Mayo Clinic database was queried for all humeral component revision elbow arthroplasties complicated by radial nerve palsy. Materials and methods Multiple variables were analyzed to determine their impact on patient outcomes. Results Of 258 humeral component revisions, 7 (2.7%) were complicated by radial nerve palsy. The mean follow-up was 84 months (range, 24-233 months). Only 3 of 7 patients (43%) regained function. There was no recovery in 4 out of the 5 patients in whom power instruments or ultrasound was used for cement removal. Two of three patients who underwent exposure of the radial nerve had return of function at most recent follow-up. Conclusions Radial nerve palsy is an uncommon complication after humeral revision in total elbow arthroplasty but is not necessarily associated with full recovery. Return of function is less likely when power instruments or ultrasound is used for cement removal. Formal exposure and protection of the radial nerve are predictive of recovery.