cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography and Low-Dose Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in Predicting Recovery of Left Ventricular Function After Coronary Revascularization in Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease

Background Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) can predict recovery of left ventricular function after myocardial infarction. DSE also has been shown to predict left ventricular functional recovery after revascularization in chronic ischemic heart disease, whereas MCE has not been evaluated in such patients. This study was performed to compare DSE and MCE in the prediction of left ventricular functional recovery after revascularization in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease. Methods and Results MCE and DSE were performed in 35 patients with chronic coronary artery disease and significant wall motion abnormalities (mean ejection fraction, 0.36±0.09). Regional wall motion was scored by use of a 16-segment model wherein 1=normal or hyperkinetic, 2=hypokinetic, 3=akinetic, and 4=dyskinetic. Each segment was evaluated for contractile reserve by DSE and perfusion by MCE. Revascularization (coronary artery bypass graft [n=13] and percutaneous translumi...
A thin‐layer multistrip polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis apparatus for ferguson plot analysis at the sub‐microgram load level

A procedure was developed for casting thin-layer multistrip polyacrylamide gels and using them for the simultaneous gel electrophoresis at several gel concentrations (Ferguson plot analysis) at the sub-microgram load level, using silver staining, autoradiography and, potentially, blotting for detection. The lower viscosity of polymerization mixtures, compared to agarose gelation mixtures, required the redesign of the multistrip cassette with separation of channels by rubber gaskets and the application of a cassette press. The lowered viscosity also required addition of 35% sucrose and an increased rate of polymerization in application to multistrip gels formed on a common NetFix backing. The present design allows one to obtain Ferguson plots exemplified by those of 32P-labeled DNA followed by autoradiographic detection.
Prognostic Implications of Lymphadenectomy in Esophageal Cancer After Neo-adjuvant Therapy: a Single Center Experience

Introduction The objective of this study is to explore the prognostic implications of lymphadenectomy in esophageal cancer patients after neo-adjuvant therapy.
Streptokinase in the management of arterial thrombosis in infancy.

Abstract Fourteen children with a mean age of 9.7 months (range 0.1–34.0 months) and a mean weight of 5.4 kg (range 2.5–10.0 kg) received intravenous streptokinase following arterial thrombosis. A median loading dose of 1000 U/kg (range 750–4000 U/kg) was given followed by an initial median infusion rate of 1000 U/kg/hr (range 750–1000 U/kg/hr). If thrombolysis did not occur and the fibrinogen level remained within the normal range (1.5–4.5 g/l) the infusion rate was increased to a maximum of 3000 U/kg/hr. Thrombolysis was achieved in all cases a mean of 16.7 hours (range 2–44 hours) after the start of treatment. The mean fibrinogen level at thrombolysis was 1.11 g/l (range 0.28–2.25 g/l) compared with pretreatment levels of 2.12 g/l (range 1.4–3.05 g/l). Minor bleeding from arterial puncture sites occurred in 6 children (43%). Streptokinase is a safe and effective treatment for arterial thrombosis in children.
Frequency switching time measurement using digital demodulation

A method for measuring frequency switching time in fast switching frequency synthesizers is described. The fast frequency switching waveform is digitized by an oscilloscope, and the switching transient is recovered by digital demodulation. The method can be used to measure the switching time for any fairly wide frequency steps within the acquisition bandwidth of the digitizing system, and it is insensitive to signal amplitude variations. Some results of measurements on a frequency agile signal simulator are presented. >
On Eyes That May Not See and Glands That May Not Secrete

I propose to make this after-dinner Presi? dential address to the American Society of Zoologists brief but not so much to any single point. I have deliberately chosen two aspects of organismal physiology, pe? ripheral to my specialized areas of interest in the biology of chemical mediation. This decision was based on my wish to say a couple of things, hopefully somewhat new, and to underline the fact that these points have been developed as a result of the multifocal concern of a comparative biolo? gist with endocrine and neuroendocrine mechanisms. In addition, I shall conclude with a few comments on university research, in general?derived from my reactions to having to decide on a subject for this address.
Influence of glomerular filtration rate upon the renal tubular reabsorption of sodium.

Summary1. When the plasma sodium concentration is progressively elevated in dogs by the administration of hypertonic saline, the rate of renal tubular reabsorption of sodium remains constant in those experiments where the glomerular filtration rate is not significantly affected. If the filtration rate increases or decreases in response to the hypertonic saline, the rate of sodium transport deviates in the same direction. Therefore, in experiments where the sodium level is elevated for a period of one hour or less, any alteration in the rate of sodium transport is dependent upon the concomitant change in filtration rate. 2. Hypertonic saline exerts a profoundly depressant effect upon the PAH Tm, and a significant but less marked influence upon the glucose Tm. This depression is believed to be nonspecific in nature and contra-indicates the use of these determinations as an index of effective tubular mass in experiments in which variations in sodium concentration are involved.
Aberrant expression of HMB-45 in traumatized melanocytic nevi

Background Assessment of histologic and immunohistochemical maturation (with HMB-45 and anti-Ki-67) may be helpful in differentiating benign melanocytic nevi (BMN) from malignant melanoma. Recently, we reported loss of maturation and aberrant immunohistochemical findings in melanocytic nevi after liquid nitrogen cryotherapy (Adeniran et al, J Am Acad Dermatol 2009;61:341-5). Herein we report a similar phenomenon identified in traumatized melanocytic nevi (TMN). Objective We sought to evaluate the histologic and immunohistochemical findings in early and late stages of traumatized nevi. Methods Twenty-four cases of TMN were retrieved from the pathology archives. These were then assessed by two pathologists (T.L. and A.H.D.) using HMB-45 and MIB-1 (for Ki-67) antibodies. Results TMN showed some of the following findings: epidermal changes (parakeratosis, ulceration, serum crust, flattening of the epidermis) and dermal changes including fibrosis and the presence of melanophages. In some cases, there was architectural disorder of the overlying melanocytes, with crowding in the basal layer, but without significant pagetoid spread. Occasionally, the dermal scar contained larger, more epithelioid-appearing melanocytes than those beneath the scar. Fifty-four percent of TMN lacked obvious immunohistochemical maturation with HMB-45, since nevus cells within the scar or directly beneath it were strongly labeled. None of the TMN showed appreciable labeling for Ki-67. Limitations The exact clinical duration between trauma and biopsy could not be determined. Conclusion Loss of maturation with HMB-45 in TMN can be a diagnostic pitfall in challenging cases. Concurrent evaluation of MIB-1 expression, along with the characteristic histologic features of trauma, should allow the correct diagnosis to be reached.
Sex differences on the Halstead-Reitan neuropsychological battery and on other neuropsychological measures

Evaluated differences in performance between adult males and females with respect to Halstead's Neuropsychological Battery, additional tests employed by Reitan (Trail Making Test, Aphasia Screening Test, Perceptual Examination, dynamometer), and other neuropsychological measures (Seashore Tonal Memory Test, Logical Memory and Visual Reproduction portions of the Wechsler Memory Scale). In evaluating differences, 47 matched pairs of non-neurologic males and females were employed. as well as 47 pairs of neurologic patients. A small number of statistically significant differences were found, all of which favored males. Some of these differences occurred with respect to tasks that have very strong motor components, and these differences were shown to be related to hand size. Others pertained to tasks that have strong visual-spatial components. In general, the differences were less prominent with the neurologic than the non-neurologic samples. The question was raised as to possible over-representation of male-superior components in these tests.
Analysis of The Structure Of Spiral Galaxies

AbstractDigital image processing of spiral galaxies may be performed for a variety of purposes: instrumental calibration and geometric correction, cosmetic processing, and analysis of specific scientific questions. This paper will discuss only the latter. The purpose is to illustrate a particular analysis procedure and to discuss the hardware and software required to facilitate the ever changing needs of the astronomer performing thistype of investigation. The specific illustration is the analysis of stellar populations inM83 by use of UEV photographic images.Introduction The UEV photometric analysis of individual stars, and especially groups of stars in clusters or associations, is a well established investigative tool. It may be used to study the age of the group and interstellar extinction along the line of sight. Less wellit provides indicators of relative amounts of heavy elements. Galaxies also nave been studied with the UBV photometric system. Because they are extended objects they present special problems. Distant ones of small angular size may bestudied with aperature photometry in a manner very similar to individual stars. For those
Inference Is Bliss: Using Evolutionary Relationship to Guide Categorical Inferences

Three experiments, adopting an evolutionary biology perspective, investigated subjects’ inferences about living things. Subjects were told that different enzymes help regulate cell function in two taxa and asked which enzyme a third taxon most likely uses. Experiment 1 and its follow-up, with college students, used triads involving amphibians, reptiles, and mammals (reptiles and mammals are most closely related evolutionarily) and plants, fungi, and animals (fungi are more closely related to animals than to plants). Experiment 2, with 10th graders, also included triads involving mammals, birds, and snakes/crocodilians (birds and snakes/crocodilians are most closely related). Some subjects received cladograms (hierarchical diagrams) depicting the evolutionary relationships among the taxa. The effect of providing cladograms depended on students’ background in biology. The results illuminate students’ misconceptions concerning common taxa and constraints on their willingness to override faulty knowledge when given appropriate evolutionary evidence. Implications for introducing tree thinking into biology curricula are discussed.
Purification of surfactant from lung washings and washings contaminated with blood constituents.

A rapid and simple method capable of purifying surfactant from rabbit alveolar washings and from washings contaminated with serum has been developed. The sample, containing 16% NaBr, is placed beneath a two-layer discontinuous gradient of NaBr. After centrifugation, the surfactant is found near the top of the gradient tube at a density of 1.085 at 4 C while the contaminating material remains near the bottom. The lipid composition of surfactant from lung washings of normal animals isolated by this method compares quite favorably with surfactant isolated by much more elaborate and time consuming methods. Surfactant purified from mixtures of3H-palmitate labeled rabbit serum and lung washings (1.6 mg serum phospholipid: 1 mg washing phospholipid) contained less than 3% of the phospholipid radioactivity. The phospholipid composition of this band was quite similar to that of surfactant from normal lung washings, but the protein content was much higher. A second density gradient centrifugation removed 90% of this protein resulting in a surfactant fraction with a phospholipid to protein ratio similar to that of surfactant from normal lung washings. These findings demonstrate that this purification method is capable of removing a large proportion of both serum phospholipids and proteins from lung washings contaminated with serum, making this method uniquely suitable for evaluation of surfactant in pathologic conditions of the lung.
"Don't Think Paralysis Takes Away Your Womanhood": Sexual Intimacy After Spinal Cord Injury

Sexuality and intimacy are important components of health and well-being. Issues surrounding sexuality and intimacy are equally important for men and women living with physical disabilities, including spinal cord injury (SCI). Yet, women's sexuality after SCI remains largely unexamined. This article presents the findings from an in-depth qualitative investigation of the sexual and reproductive health experiences of 20 women with SCI in or around Detroit, MI. Findings echo existing literature documenting the sexual consequences of life after SCI and suggest new areas of inquiry important for better addressing sexual concerns across the lifespan. Specifically, findings suggest a need to consider the variable effects of SCI on sexual intimacy in relation to a person's developmental trajectory, the appropriate timing of sexual education, the need to expand conceptualizations of sexual intimacy, and the ways SCI may affect sexuality in later life.
Structuration theory: its potential impact on logistics research

While the physical paths that goods traverse are being simplified, the capture, storage, processing and dissemination of information associated with logistics has become considerably more complex. Logistics researchers need to better understand the behavioral and managerial issues created by information technology implementation. The paper suggests that structuration theory, a research approach derived from sociology that has become well established in the study of information systems, can contribute to that understanding. This paper introduces logistics researchers to structuration theory as a useful theoretical framework that can help understand the relationship between technologies, the people who interpret them, and the patterns of use that stem from that interpretation.
The Challenges Facing American Citizenship Today

In the 19th century, the greatest questions concerning American citizenship were whether this new modern experiment in large-scale republican self-governance could work at all, and whether its initial reliance on slavery could be overcome. The answers proved to be that a large-scale republic centered on commercial, not martial aspirations could indeed endure, and that it could achieve the elimination of chattel slavery, though not without enormous costs. In the 20th century, the major issues became whether formally equal citizenship could be extended to all adults, regardless of race and gender. The answer proved to be that women and non-whites could gain genuine possession of the franchise and access to public office, even if only through great civic struggles, and even if those gains still left the nation far short of achieving practical equality in many spheres of public and private life. Though much remains to be explored in regard to those past developments, it is obviously timely now to ask, “What are the major issues facing American citizenship in the 21st century?” It is also tempting to speculate about how laws and public policies will deal with them, though that quest of course carries us out over even thinner ice.
The mitogenic activities of phosphatidate are acyl-chain-length dependent and calcium independent in C3H/10T1/2 cells.

Abstract Phosphatidates (PA or phosphatidic acid) were shown to have mitogenic properties, including the stimulation of DNA synthesis and calcium mobilization in C3H/10T1/2 cells. Their continuous presence for a minimum of 7 h induced DNA synthesis with kinetics similar to that observed when 10% fetal bovine serum was used as a mitogen. PAs with long chain saturated fatty acid moieties were more mitogenic, in a dose-dependent fashion, than PAs with short saturated or unsaturated fatty acid moieties. When compared with lysostearoyl-PA (LSPA), distearoyl-PA (DSPA) was as potent with respect to the induction of DNA synthesis. Lysooleoyl-PA (LOPA) was slightly more potent than dioleoyl-PA (DOPA), but much weaker than DSPA and LSPA. Preincubation with dilauroyl-PA (DLPA) reduces the mitogenic effect of DSPA by 85%. The pattern of mitogenic inhibition suggests that a chain-length-independent, yet PA-specific, mechanism is involved. Both DSPA and DLPA are equally taken up by the cells after 30 min. LOPA, but not LSPA, produced a large calcium transient (1.3 microM), which we found to be derived from intracellular sources. DSPA, the most mitogenic PA tested, produced a weaker transient (0.6 microM). Interestingly, LSPA did not produce any detectable calcium transient. These results suggest that the chain-length-specific step in the signaling mechanism of PA occurs after the initial chain-length-independent partitioning and/or binding to the membrane and that the induction of DNA synthesis is not related to the observed calcium transients.
The routinisation of genomics and genetics: implications for ethical practices

Among bioethicists and members of the public, genetics is often regarded as unique in its ethical challenges. As medical researchers and clinicians increasingly combine genetic information with a range of non-genetic information in the study and clinical management of patients with common diseases, the unique ethical challenges attributed to genetics must be re-examined. A process of genetic routinisation that will have implications for research and clinical ethics, as well as for public conceptions of genetic information, is constituted by the emergence of new forms of genetic medicine, in which genetic information is interpreted in a multifactorial frame of reference. Although the integration of genetics in medical research and treatment may be a helpful corrective to the mistaken assumptions of genetic essentialism or determinism, the routinisation of genetics may have unintended consequences for the protection of genetic information, perceptions of non-genetic information and the loss of genetic research as a laboratory for exploring issues in research and clinical ethics. Consequently, new ethical challenges are presented by the increasing routinisation of genetic information in both biomedical and public spheres.
Performance analysis of DS/CDMA systems with shadowing and flat fading

Abstract A new method is developed for evaluating the error probability ( P e ) for direct sequence, code division multiple access (DS/CDMA) wireless systems that includes the effects of shadowing and fading. The method is based on saddle point integration (SPI) of the test statistic's moment generating function (MGF) in the complex plane. The SPI method is applicable to both ideal and wireless channels. For wireless channels, a Pade approximation (PA) of the MGF, which is derived from the moments of the channel's shadowing and fading distributions, allows efficient evaluation of the P e . The SPI method can be used to model independent channels using separate shadowing and fading moments for each individual channel. The relative error between the probability density function (PDF) of the composite variate representing log-normal shadowing and Rayleigh fading and the PDF found from the inverse Laplace transform of the PA is negligible. Results show that log-normal shadowing increases the P e by 100–1000% compared to channels exhibiting fading only.
Free recall and recognition in a network model of the hippocampus: simulating effects of scopolamine on human memory function

Free recall and recognition are simulated in a network model of the hippocampal formation, incorporating simplified simulations of neurons, synaptic connections, and the effects of acetylcholine. Simulations focus on modeling the effects of the acetylcholine receptor blocker scopolamine on human memory. Systemic administration of scopolamine is modeled by blockade of the cellular effects of acetylcholine in the model, resulting in memory impairments replicating data from studies on human subjects. This blockade of cholinergic effects impairs the encoding of new input patterns (as measured by delayed free recall), but does not impair the delayed free recall of input patterns learned before the blockade. The impairment is selective to the free recall but not the recognition of items encoded under the influence of scopolamine. In the model, scopolamine blocks strengthening of recurrent connections in region CA3 to form attractor states for new items (encoding impaired) but allows recurrent excitation to drive the network into previously stored attractor states (retrieval spared). Neuron populations representing items (individual words) have weaker recurrent connections than neuron populations representing experimental context. When scopolamine further weakens the strength of recurrent connections it selectively prevents the subsequent reactivation of item attractor states by context input (impaired free recall) without impairing the subsequent reactivation of context attractor states by item input (spared recognition). This asymmetry in the strength of attractor states also allows simulation of the list-strength effect for free recall but not recognition. Simulation of a paired associate learning paradigm predicts that scopolamine should greatly enhance proactive interference due to retrieval of previously encoded associations during storage of new associations.
Health-related Quality of Life and Survival in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Rationale: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive disease with high morbidity and mortality despite advances in medical therapy. The relationship between patient-related outcomes, such as health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and survival is not well described.Objective: To assess the relationship between HRQOL and outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.Methods: Consecutive patients with right heart catheterization–proven pulmonary arterial hypertension who completed the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 survey (SF-36) were included. Demographic, clinical, physiological, and hemodynamic data were collected at baseline. Survival was assessed from the time of diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to assess the relationship between HRQOL and transplant-free survival.Measurements and Main Results: Eighty-seven patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension were enrolled and followed prospectively for a median of 3.8 year...
Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) in Solid Organ Transplant Patients

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) and the two herpes simplex viruses (HSV) are human α-herpesviruses that establish life-long latency in neural ganglia after initial primary infection. In the solid organ transplant (SOT) population, manifestations of VZV or HSV may be seen in up to 70% of recipients if no prophylaxis is used, some of them life and organ threatening. While there are effective vaccines to prevent VZV primary infection and reactivation in immunocompetent adults, these vaccines are contraindicated after SOT because they are live-virus vaccines. For HSV, prevention has focused primarily on antiviral strategies because the immunologic correlates of protection and control are different from VZV, making vaccine development more challenging. Current antiviral therapy remains effective for the majority of clinical VZV and HSV infections.
A New Formulation for Shape from Shading for Non-Lambertian Surfaces

Lamberts model for diffuse reflection is a main assumption in most of shape from shading (SFS) literature. Even with this simplified model, the SFS is still a difficult problem. Nevertheless, Lamberts model has been proven to be an inaccurate approximation of the diffuse component of the surface reflectance. In this paper, we propose a new solution of the SFS problem based on a more comprehensive diffuse reflectance model: the Oren and Nayar model. In this work, we slightly modify this more realistic model in order to take into account the attenuation of the illumination due to distance. Using the modified non-Lambertian reflectance, we design a new explicit Partial Differential Equation (PDE) and then solve it using Lax-Friedrichs Sweeping method. Our experiments on synthetic data show that the proposed modeling gives a unique solution without any information about the height at the singular points of the surface. Additional results for real data are presented to show the efficiency of the proposed method . To the best of our knowledge, this is the first non-Lambertian SFS formulation that eliminates the concave/convex ambiguity which is a well known problem in SFS.
Hyperactivity and the CNS An Etiological and Diagnostic Dilemma

The “hyperactive child” syndrome presents many problems with respect to diagnosis and research. Several theoretical formulations about the relationship of the CNS to hyperactivity suggest it may be due to a disruption in the cortical excitation-inhibition cycle. However, there is as yet little conclusive evidence linking specific neuronal events to the overt behavior. There is a need to be aware of the complex, multifaceted nature of the etiology of hyperactivity.
Outliers, Level Shifts, and Variance Changes in Time Series

Outliers, level shifts, and variance changes are commonplace in applied time series analysis. However, their existence is often ignored and their impact is overlooked, for the lack of simple and useful methods to detect and handle those extraordinary events. The problem of detecting outliers, level shifts, and variance changes in a univariate time series is considered. The methods employed are extremely simple yet useful. Only the least squares techniques and residual variance ratios are used. The effectiveness of these simple methods is demonstrated by analysing three real data sets.
Synovial inflammation in patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy: molecular characterization and relationship to symptoms.

Objective Traumatic and degenerative meniscal tears have different anatomic features and different proposed etiologies, yet both are associated with the development or progression of osteoarthritis (OA). In established OA, synovitis is associated with pain and progression, but a relationship between synovitis and symptoms in isolated meniscal disease has not been reported. Accordingly, we sought to characterize synovial pathology in patients with traumatic meniscal injuries and determine the relationships between inflammation, meniscal and cartilage pathology, and symptoms. Methods Thirty-three patients without evidence of OA who were undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy for meniscal injuries were recruited. Pain and function were assessed preoperatively; meniscal and cartilage abnormalities were documented at the time of surgery. Inflammation in synovial biopsy specimens was scored, and associations between inflammation and clinical outcomes were determined. Microarray analysis of synovial tissue was performed, and gene expression patterns in patients with and those without inflammation were compared. Results Synovial inflammation was present in 43% of the patients and was associated with worse preoperative pain and function scores, independent of age, sex, or cartilage pathology. Microarray analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed a chemokine signature in synovial biopsy specimens with increased inflammation scores. Conclusion Our findings indicate that in patients with traumatic meniscal injury undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy without radiographic evidence of OA, synovial inflammation occurs frequently and is associated with increased pain and dysfunction. Synovia with increased inflammation scores exhibit a unique chemokine signature. Chemokines may contribute to the development of synovial inflammation in patients with meniscal pathology; they also represent potential therapeutic targets for reducing inflammatory symptoms.
Habit Reversal as a Function of Length of Partial Delay of Reinforcement

While the effects of delay of reinforcement on response acquisition are well known ( 6 ) , there is comparatively little information regarding its effects upon resistance to extinction. Recently, Fehrer ( 3 ) has demonstrated that a constant delay of reinforcement produces an instrumental response that is more resistant to extinction than when reward is immediately forthcoming. In the case of partially delayed reinforcement, in which delay of reward is imposed on a fraction of the training trials, there is considerable evidence (1, 8, 9, 10, 11) that delay of reinforcement enhances resistance to extinction. In addition Logan, et al. ( 7 ) have shown that that effect of partially delayed reinforcement is directly related to the length of delay. When the magnitude of partial delay was increased to 30 sec., the partially delayed Ss ran more rapidly during extinction than control Ss with either no delay or a partial delay of 9 sec. Since all these studies of partially delayed reinforcement have used runways, it appears desirable to investigate the generality of some of these findings in a more complex situation. In the present study a selective learning situation, a single unit T-maze, is employed, and the time required to achieve reversal in a position response constitutes the index of response strength. Some advantages of this criterion of response strength have been pointed out elsewhere ( 5 ). The purpose of the present investigation is then to determine whether or not the acquisition and reversal of a T-maze position response are affected by the length of partially delayed reinforcement.
The Bait Industry as a Potential Vector for Alien Crayfish Introductions: Problem Recognition by Fisheries Agencies and a Missouri Evaluation

Abstract “Bait-bucket introductions” related to the fishing bait industry are the suspected primary cause of alien (non-indigenous) crayfish introductions that have damaged North American aquatic ecosystems. Our 2008 survey of U.S. and Canadian fisheries agencies revealed that 49% of respondents reported aquatic resource problems that were believed to have been caused by bait-bucket introductions of alien crayfishes. Most respondents reported existing regulations designed to address those problems; however, only 4% prohibited the use of live crayfish bait. Our 2002–2007 examination of Missouri bait shops revealed sales of illegal and invasive alien crayfishes by bait shop proprietors who could not identify the species they were selling. Fisheries agencies should consider more effective bait regulations and education to prevent negative impacts to aquatic biodiversity, habitat, and fisheries that can result from alien crayfish introductions.
EFFECT OF METABOLIC SYNDROME ON THE RESPONSE TO ARTERIAL INJURY

Abstract Background Metabolic syndrome is now an epidemic in the United States population. Intimal hyperplasia remains the principal lesion in the development of restenosis after vessel wall injury. The aim of this study is to characterize the changes induced in wall morphology in the developing intimal hyperplasia within a murine model in the presence of diabetes (type 1) and metabolic syndrome. Methods Control (wild type B6), Non Obese Diabetic, and metabolic syndrome (RCS-10) mice were used. The murine femoral wire injury model was used in which a micro wire is passed through a branch of the femoral and used to denude the common femoral and iliac arteries. Specimens were perfusion fixed and sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Movat stains such that dimensional and compositional morphometry could be performed using an ImagePro system. Additional stains for proliferation and apoptosis were used. Results In control mice, the injured femoral arteries develop intimal hyperplasia, which is maximal at 28 d and remains stable to day 56. Sham-operated vessels do not produce such a response. In diabetic mice, the intimal response increased 5-fold with a 2-fold increase in proteoglycan deposition, whereas in the metabolic syndrome mice there was a 6-fold increase in the intimal response and a similar increase in proteoglycan deposition. Collagen deposition was different with a 22-fold increase over control in collagen deposition in diabetes and a 100-fold increase over control in collagen deposition in metabolic syndrome as compared with the control injury mice. Maximal vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation was decreased in both diabetes and metabolic syndrome compared with controls, whereas early cell apoptosis in both diabetes and metabolic syndrome was sustained over a longer period of time compared with wild-type mice. Conclusions These data demonstrate that development of intimal hyperplasia is markedly different in diabetes and metabolic syndrome compared with controls, with an increase in collagen deposition, a reduction in VSMC proliferation, and an increase in early VSMC apoptosis. These findings suggest that preventative strategies against restenosis must be tailored for the diabetic and metabolic syndrome patients.
Drug Induced Acute Kidney Injury

1. Many cases of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized patients are multifactorial, with epidemiologic studies estimating that nephrotoxic drugs contribute to 19% to 25% of cases in critically ill patients. 2. Risk factors for drug-induced AKI may be patient, disease, or medication specific. Established risk factors include age greater than 60 years, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, heart or liver failure, dehydration, sepsis, concomitant nephrotoxin exposures, cardiac surgery, and nonrenal solid organ transplantation. 3. The four most common mechanisms of drug-induced nephrotoxicity include vasoconstriction, altered intraglomerular hemodynamics, direct tubular toxicity, and acute interstitial nephritis. 4. Antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and proton pump inhibitors are common causes of acute interstitial nephritis, although many medications including anticonvulsants, antivirals, and histamine-2 receptor blockers, are potential causes. 5. Although the physical examination and basic laboratory studies may help evaluate the severity of AKI and occasionally provide clues to the mechanism of drug-induced nephrotoxicity, a thorough history and review of medication exposure is paramount for determining the cause of AKI. Renal biopsy is reserved for cases of prolonged renal injury without apparent cause or with suspected glomerular disease. 6. The classic triad of eosinophilia, rash, and fever is encountered in less than 10% of cases of acute interstitial nephritis. CONTINUED
Endoscopic Surgery Training: Application of an in Vitro Trainer and in Vivo Swine Model

The development of endoscopic surgical procedures is changing general surgery, with many operations such as cholecystectomy, appendectomy, and hernia repair being performed using laparoscopic surgical techniques. Training and credentialing of surgeons are key issues for the safe and ethical introduction of these new procedures. This article reviews techniques employed at our institution for laparoscopic surgical training and certification including didactic instruction, an in-vitro model for learning instrumentation and hand-eye coordination, and in-vivo training using the porcine animal model.
Addressing Service Challenges to Improve Sales Training

Sales training is an educational service provided to new and existing salespersons to improve their performance. Higher-level evaluation helps reduce the incidence of service-related problems and results in higher quality sales training being provided. The purpose of this research is to make recommendations for improving the process of evaluating sales training services by examining an empirical evaluation attempted at a global firm in Egypt and the deconstructing problems that limited effective higher-level evaluation. After discussing each assessment problem area, sales managers and sales trainers are offered recommendations for reducing future evaluation problems.
Group lasso regularized multiple kernel learning for heterogeneous feature selection

We propose a novel multiple kernel learning (MKL) algorithm with a group lasso regularizer, called group lasso regularized MKL (GL-MKL), for heterogeneous feature selection. We extend the existing MKL algorithm and impose a mixed l 1 and l 2 norm constraint (known as group lasso) as the regularizer. Our GL-MKL determines the optimal base kernels, including the associated weights and kernel parameters, and results in a compact set of features for comparable or improved recognition performance. The use of our GL-MKL avoids the problem of choosing the proper technique to normalize the feature attributes collected from heterogeneous domains (and thus with different properties and distribution ranges). Our approach does not need to exhaustively search for the entire feature space when performing feature selection like prior sequential-based feature selection methods did, and we do not require any prior knowledge on the optimal size of the feature subset either. Comparisons with existing MKL or sequential-based feature selection methods on a variety of datasets confirm the effectiveness of our method in selecting a compact feature subset for comparable or improved classification performance.
NONDETERMINISTIC CIRCUIT MINIMIZATION PROBLEM AND DERANDOMIZING ARTHUR-MERLIN GAMES

We investigate the complexity of strong nondeterministic circuit minimization problem (SNCMP in short) in relation to derandomizing Arthur-Merlin games. We show derandomization results for Arthur-Merlin games under both easiness and hardness assumptions about the complexity of SNCMP. Assuming SNCMP is non-uniformly easy, we present derandomization of Arthur-Merlin games using weaker hardness assumptions than what is currently known. On the other hand, we show that establishing SNCMP is hard for SAT or Graph Isomorphism problem under certain natural reductions will show that Graph Nonisomorphism problem has subexponential proofs of membership. We combine known constructions of pseudorandom and hitting set generators to prove our results.
The Case Of ABC Tech And Its Variable Interest Entities: When Is Consolidation Required?

In this case, students interpret GAAP requirements with respect to the accounting for variable interest entities. The case requires students (who take on the role of an audit manager) to critically apply GAAP requirements to the fact situation facing a fictitious technology company. The fictitious company is highly leveraged and has two large variable interest entities and the CEO of the company is determined to keep these entities off of his companys financial statements. The case requires critical thinking and judgment to determine if one or both of the companys variable interest entities must be consolidated according to current GAAP. Students are to summarize their findings in a memo to the audit partner in charge of the local office.
Ultrasound Guidance Versus Electrical Stimulation for Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Perineural Catheter Insertion

Electrical stimulation (ES)- and ultrasound-guided placement tech-niques have been described for infraclavicular brachial plexus perineural cathetersbut to our knowledge have never been previously compared in a randomizedfashion, leaving the optimal method undetermined. We tested the hypothesis thatinfraclavicular catheters placed via ultrasound guidance alone require less time forplacement and produce equivalent results compared with catheters placed solelyvia ES.
Plausibility Judgments in Conceptual Change and Epistemic Cognition.

Plausibility judgments rarely have been addressed empirically in conceptual change research. Recent research, however, suggests that these judgments may be pivotal to conceptual change about certain topics where a gap exists between what scientists and laypersons find plausible. Based on a philosophical and empirical foundation, this article presents a theoretical model of the role of plausibility judgments in conceptual change (PJCC) with implications for epistemic cognition. The PJCC moves beyond the limitations of cold cognitive processing by incorporating the warmer constructs of affect, motivation, and motivated reasoning. We review recent research in plausibility judgments that informed the PJCC's development and discuss components of the model. Of particular note is the importance of using explicit critical evaluation to reappraise plausibility judgments that may have been originally made through implicit cognitive processes. We also suggest potentially productive areas of future research based on ...
Charge order and antiferromagnetism in epitaxial ultrathin films of EuNiO 3

On a road towards applications and devices based on functional oxides with correlated electrons, the crucial element is uncovering the effects of the reduced dimensionality on the electronic phase transition into a multiordered ground state. Towards this goal, we present a study of reduced dimensionality on charge and antiferromagnetic orderings in ultrathin ${\mathrm{EuNiO}}_{3}$ films on ${\mathrm{NdGaO}}_{3}$ substrates using hard and soft resonant x-ray scattering to investigate the presence of electronic and magnetic orderings. Despite the ultrathin nature of the films, they exhibit the bulklike order parameters up to room temperature, suggesting that the spontaneously coherent Mott ground state in the highly distorted rare-earth nickelates can be successfully sustained even when constrained towards two-dimensionality. The presence of charge ordering at room temperature and below opens prospects for their use in novel electric-field-controlled devices.
Silica-polypeptide composite particles: controlling shell growth.

A method is presented for preparing core−shell silica−polypeptide composite particles with variable and controllable shell growth. The procedure is demonstrated using poly(carbobenzoxy-l-lysine) and poly(benzyl-l-glutamate); after deprotection, these can lead to the most common basic and acidic homopolypeptides, poly(l-lysine) and poly(l-glutamic acid). Control over shell thickness is made possible by sequential addition of N-carboxyanhydride peptide monomer to surfaces that have been functionalized with an amino initiator combined with a surface passivation agent. This results in a series of particles having different shell thicknesses. Variation of shell thickness was evident both in light scattering and in thermogravimetric assays. The shells were visible by transmission electron microscopy; these images along with light scattering measurements suggest the polymers in the shells are highly solvated.
Effects of Drought Stress on Photosynthetic Pigment Content and Gas Exchange in Leaves of Six Wild Flowers

In order to provide a theoretical basis for application of wild drought tolerant flowers in city greening,photosynthetic pigment content and gas exchange changes of leaves were determined by pot culture method under the conditions of control,5 days under drought stress,temporary wilting and permanent wilting in greenhouse,taking six wild drought tolerant flowers from Yanshan areas as materials. The results showed that there were significant and very significant differences among total chlorophyll contents,carotene contents and ratios of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b in the flowers under the conditions,except Securinega suffruticosa,Elaeagnus multiflora,Euonymu phellomanus. With water content in soil decreased,transpiration rate,net photosynthetic rate and stomata conductance of six flowers declined on the whole. The decreased degree order of transpiration rate from high to low under the condition of permanent wilting was E. multiflora,Myripnois dioica,Celastrus orbiculatus,Grewia biloba,S. suffruticosa,E. phellomanus,that of net photosynthetic rate was G. biloba,S. suffruticosa,M. dioica,C. orbiculatus,E. multiflora,E. phellomanus,and that of stomata conductance was M. dioica,S. suffruticosa,G. biloba,C. orbiculatus,E. multiflora,E. phellomanus. The results indicated that the six wild flowers had different drought tolerant mechanisms.
Kinetics of fiber digestion from in vitro gas production.

In vitro gas production, measured by computer-interfaced pressure sensors, was used to follow the digestion of a crystalline processed cellulose, a bacterial cellulose, and mixtures of these substrates by mixed ruminal bacteria. A first-order, substrate limited model (simple exponential with lag) and two bacterial growth models (logistic, Gompertz) were tested to fit these data. No single pool model gave an optimal fit to all substrates, but dual pool versions of both the logistic and Gompertz models fitted the data extremely well. Derivations of these models in the context of gas production are presented. The dual pool version of the exponential model commonly used to analyze fiber digestion was not able to reproduce the slope variations seen with mixed substrates. A modified dual pool logistic equation, with a single lag value, was selected to model the in vitro digestion of these substrates. The model was able to predict adequately both the input composition and the kinetic parameters for a defined mixture and gave a good fit (r2 > .995) to data from all the single and mixed substrates tested. This model may be useful for interpreting gas accumulation from natural feedstuffs.
Analysis of state and federal regulatory regimes potentially governing the extraction of water from carbon storage reservoirs in the United States

Abstract Extracted water—water brought to the surface of the ground during carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects to create additional room for carbon dioxide injection—exists in a murky legal environment. As part of a broader attempt to identify the complex interactions between water resource policies and CCS, an analysis was undertaken at both the state and the federal level to scope the policy environments surrounding extracted water policies and laws. Six states (California, Illinois, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, and Texas) were chosen for this analysis because either active CCS work is currently underway, or the potential exists for future work. Although regulation of extracted waters could potentially occur at many points along the CCS life cycle, this paper focuses on regulation that may apply when the water is withdrawn—that is, accessed and removed from the saline aquifer—and when it is re-injected in a close but unconnected aquifer. It was found that no regulations exist for this source specifically. In addition, greater input is needed from regulators and policy makers in terms of defining this resource. In particular, regulation of extracted waters (and CCS activities broadly) often overlaps with the management of fluids produced during oil and gas development. Many regulations would apply to extracted waters if they were classified as such. Therefore, correct categorization is key as the industry in this space continues to grow.