cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of Higher Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels With Reduced Thrombosis Risk in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has a primary role in the prophylaxis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and may be protective against thrombosis in SLE. Optimal weight-based dosing of HCQ is unknown. This study was undertaken to examine the usefulness of HCQ blood monitoring in predicting thrombosis risk in a longitudinal SLE cohort. METHODS HCQ levels were serially quantified from EDTA whole blood by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The mean HCQ blood levels calculated prior to thrombosis or until the last visit were compared using t-tests between patients with and those without thrombosis. Pooled logistic regression was used to analyze the association between rates of thrombosis and HCQ blood level. Rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. RESULTS In 739 patients with SLE, thrombosis occurred in 38 patients (5.1%). The mean ± SD HCQ blood level was lower in patients who developed thrombosis versus those who did not develop thrombosis (720 ± 489 ng/ml versus 935 ± 580 ng/ml; P = 0.025). Thrombosis rates were reduced by 13% for every 200-ng/ml increase in the most recent HCQ blood level (RR 0.87 [95% CI 0.78-0.98], P = 0.025) and by 13% for mean HCQ blood level (RR 0.87 [95% CI 0.76-1.00], P = 0.056). Thrombotic events were reduced by 69% in patients with mean HCQ blood levels ≥1,068 ng/ml versus those with levels <648 ng/ml (RR 0.31 [95% CI 0.11-0.86], P = 0.024). This remained significant after adjustment for confounders (RR 0.34 [95% CI 0.12-0.94], P = 0.037). CONCLUSION Low HCQ blood levels are associated with thrombotic events in SLE. Longitudinal measurement of HCQ levels may allow for personalized HCQ dosing strategies. Recommendations for empirical dose reduction may reduce or eliminate the benefits of HCQ in this high-risk population.
Two Cases of Spontaneous Bleeding in Lung Transplant Recipients Treated with Systemic Anticoagulation for COVID-19

Introduction COVID-19 promotes inflammation and a hypercoagulable state. Antithrombotic therapies may be administered for thromboprophylaxis in those with severe infection requiring hospitalization. Spontaneous bleeding is an infrequent, yet life-threatening complication in patients receiving systemic anticoagulation. Case Report Two bilateral lung transplant recipients - 77-year-old female with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (patient A) and 69-year-old male with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (patient B) - each presented with several days’ history of dyspnea, cough, and fatigue at 29-months and 11-months post-transplant, respectively; RT-PCR was positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection in both. Over the course of the next few days, patient A rapidly deteriorated with need for intubation despite initial treatment with antibiotics and corticotherapy. Patient B experienced gradual worsening of respiratory symptoms, which required high-flow oxygen supplementation and IV antibiotics. Inflammatory markers were elevated in both patients, and CT of the chest was consistent with atypical pneumonia in each. Patient A received convalescent plasma as a rescue therapy, and patient B received remdesivir with convalescent plasma. Given the hypercoagulable state in each, patient A and B received enoxaparin and IV heparin, respectively. Slowly, hemoglobin and platelet counts dropped in both patients, with need for transfusion and hemodynamic support. CT of the abdomen revealed a left gluteal intramuscular hematoma in patient A; CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed a spontaneous chest wall hematoma and small area of retroperitoneal bleeding in patient B (Figure 1A and B). Summary These cases raise awareness for the viral-induced hypercoagulable state observed during the disease course. Clinicians should be cautious to avoid any hemorrhagic complications associated with thromboprophylaxis in selected cases, particularly in at-risk immunosuppressed patients.
Epithelial skin stem cells

Major progress in understanding epithelial skin stem cells has been accomplished. This has been possible by developing new methods for labeling, tracking, isolating, and characterizing enriched populations of stem cells. This chapter summarizes in vivo and in vitro assays that are currently employed to analyze skin epithelial stem cells. Despite progress, the definition of a stem cell is currently a functional one. Unambiguous identification of a stem cell in intact tissue is still not possible. These limitations hamper molecular studies aimed at unraveling the cellular mechanisms operating in the stem cell compartment. This chapter emphasizes current methods for analyzing hair follicle stem cells, as opposed to other epithelial compartments, because the hair follicle has been most intensively studied up to date.
Neorepublican Freedom and Public Administration

(2014). Neorepublican Freedom and Public Administration. Administrative Theory & Praxis: Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 119-124.
MIF mediation of sepsis.

The individual searches for a natural antagonist of cortisol and for critical mediators of sepsis have converged in the finding that MIF is an important mediator of septic shock. The intersection of these two efforts reminds us that progress in scientific research often comes from surprising directions (164−170).
The synthesis of Sendai virus polypeptides in infected cells. III. Phosphorylation of polypeptides.

Abstract Phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms of the membrane polypeptide (M) and the nucleocapsid polypeptide (NP) of Sendai virus have been identified in both infected cells and virions. Polypeptide B, found previously in infected cells, has been shown to be a phosphorylated form of M by peptide mapping, by conversion of M to B by phosphorylation in both pulse-chase experiments in infected cells and in vitro by a virion-associated protein kinase and, conversely, by conversion of B to M through the loss of phosphate in cell lysates. Although very little of the phosphorylated form was found in virions, B and M were found in similar proportions in infected cells after a 30-min pulse, suggesting that the nonphosphorylated form is preferentially incorporated into virions or that phosphate is removed during the maturation process. The finding of phosphorylation of M and NP in cells suggests that this may play a role in virus replication or assembly. Two phosphorylated forms of the nucleocapsid polypeptide (NPP1 and NPP2) have been found, but the unphosphorylated NP is the predominant form in both cells and virions. The similarity of these three polypeptides, except for their phosphate content, has been shown by peptide mapping. The membrane polypeptides B and M were separated by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels in the absence of urea, but in the presence of 4 M urea they comigrated. In contrast to these results with polypeptides B and M, polypeptides NP, NPP1 and NPP2 were resolved in gels in the presence of 4 M urea but comigrated in its absence. Thus, the behavior of viral phosphopolypeptides in different polyacrylamide-gel systems varies depending on the polypeptides. Possible biological roles of phosphorylation of the virus polypeptides are discussed.
Controlling fusion yield in tokamaks with spin polarized fuel, and feasibility studies on the DIII-D tokamak

The march towards electricity production through tokamaks requires the construction of new facilities and the inevitable replacement of the previous generation. There are, however, research topics that are better suited to the existing tokamaks, areas of great potential that are not sufficiently mature for implementation in high power machines, and these provide strong support for a balanced policy that includes the redirection of existing programs. Spin polarized fusion, in which the nuclei of tokamak fuel particles are spin-aligned and favorably change both the fusion cross-section and the distribution of initial velocity vectors of charged fusion products, is described here as an example of a technological and physics topic that is ripe for development in a machine such as the DIII-D tokamak. Such research and development experiments may not be efficient at the ITER-scale, while the plasma performance, diagnostic access, and collaborative personnel available within the United States’ magnetic fusion research program, and at the DIII-D facility in particular, provide a unique opportunity to further fusion progress.
On the completeness of attack mutation algorithms

An attack mutation algorithm takes a known instance of an attack and transforms it into many distinct instances by repeatedly applying attack transformations. Such algorithms are widely used for testing intrusion detection systems. We investigate the notion of completeness of a mutation algorithm: its capability to generate all possible attack instances from a given set of attack transformations. We define the notion of a /spl Phi/-complete mutation algorithm. Given a set of transformations /spl Phi/, an algorithm is complete with respect to /spl Phi/, if it can generate every instance that the transformations in /spl Phi/ derive. We show that if the rules in /spl Phi/ are uniform and reversible then a /spl Phi/-complete algorithm exists. Intuitively speaking, uniform and reversible transformations mean that we can first exclusively apply transformations that simplify the attack, then exclusively apply transformations that complicate it, and still get all possible instances that are derived by the rules in /spl Phi/. Although uniformity and reversibility may appear severe restrictions, we show that common attack transformations are indeed uniform and reversible. Therefore, our /spl Phi/-complete algorithm can be incorporated into existing testing tools for intrusion detection systems. Furthermore, we show that a /spl Phi/-complete algorithm is useful, not only for testing purposes, but also for determining whether two packet traces are two different mutations of the same attack.
Mechanical function of the patella.

The patella contributes to the knee extension moment arm through the entire range of knee motion. Its contribution increases with progressive extension. In terms of extension moment, special modifications of transverse repair have no advantage over simple transverse approximation of the patellar lig
Rapid Method for Measurement of Oxygen in Human Blood

The "Lex-O2-Con" (Lexington Instrument) for measuring oxygen in blood is technically simpler to use and three times as rapid as the traditional Van Slyke instrument. Results obtained with both instruments for 90 blood samples from 18 patients were satisfactory ( r = .997). The coefficient of variation for the Lex-O2-Con instrument was 0.6%.
“To laugh or not to laugh”: Understandings of the appropriateness of humour and joking in the workplace

In order for joking to actually have a function in the workplace, it must have a forum. There are many pieces of empirical research on humour in the workplace, however the notion of the appropriateness of joking behaviour is often overlooked. The time, place, and circumstances of when joking does or does not occur is related to the situated and contextual nature of humour and issues linked to the private/public domain often will delineate when humour is acceptable or not. When, where, and, most importantly, the permission to joke is important to the understanding of the functional nature of humour. In order to gain an understating of how workers understand the notion of appropriateness, a qualitative study of a very unusual group of workers, crime scene investigators, was undertaken. Tacit personal and organisational belief systems related to culture and learned normative behaviours help determine when and where joking is allowed or forbidden.
Predictive value of serum anti-C1q antibody levels in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis

Components of the complement cascade and circulating immune complexes play important roles in both experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis and myasthenia gravis in humans. Thus far, no serological factor has been identified to predict the clinical severity of either myasthenia gravis. Upon immunization with acetylcholine receptor, levels of complement factors C1q, C3 and CIC increase with time in sera from C57BL/6 (B6) mice. Both these and plasma samples from myasthenia gravis patients also contain anti-C1q antibodies. The serum levels of anti-C1q antibodies but not C1q, C3 and CIC are significantly correlated with the clinical severity in the experimental myasthenia mice. However, this correlation is not observed in myasthenia gravis patients.
The vitamin D3 analog, ILX-23-7553, enhances the response to adriamycin and irradiation in MCF-7 breast tumor cells.

Ionizing radiation and the anthracycline antibiotic, Adriamycin, generally fail to promote a primary apoptotic response in experimental breast tumor cell lines. Similarly, the primary response of breast tumor cells to vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) and vitamin D3 analogs such as EB 1089 is growth inhibition. Previous studies have demonstrated that pretreatment of MCF-7 breast tumor cells with vitamin D3 or EB 1089 can increase sensitivity to both Adriamycin and irradiation. Purpose: The capacity of the vitamin D3 analog, ILX 23-7553, to enhance the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of Adriamycin or irradiation and to promote apoptosis in MCF-7 breast tumor cells was assessed in the present study. Results: Pretreatment of MCF-7 cells with ILX 23-7553 followed by Adriamycin or irradiation decreased viable cell numbers by 97% and 93%, respectively. Cell numbers were reduced by 56%, 74% and 75% by ILX 23-7553, Adriamycin and irradiation alone. Pretreatment with ILX 23-7553 also shifted the dose response curve for clonogenic survival, increasing sensitivity to Adriamycin 2.5-fold and sensitivity to radiation fourfold. In addition, ILX 23-7553 pretreatment conferred sensitivity to Adriamycin- or irradiation-induced DNA fragmentation and resulted in morphological changes indicative of apoptotic cell death in MCF-7 cells. Statistical analysis demonstrated that ILX 23-7553 interacts additively and not synergistically with both Adriamycin and irradiation. Conclusions: ILX 23-7553 enhances the effects of Adriamycin and irradiation in MCF-7 breast tumor cells by decreasing viable cell numbers, reducing clonogenic survival and inducing apoptotic cell death. Current studies are focused on elucidating the mechanisms underlying the induction of apoptosis as well as understanding the nature of the interactions between ILX 23-7553 and Adriamycin or irradiation.
Stem Cells: Time to Check Our Premises

Summary A recent meeting titled "Conserved Mechanisms of Stem Cell Control and Regeneration" was held at the Biopharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTCI) in Madison, Wisconsin. The diversity of stem cells and biological contexts discussed highlight the field's rapid progress in deciphering the molecular basis of stem cell functions and emphasize the challenges facing the future exploitation of these cells as therapeutic vectors.
Treatment of Traumatic Optic Neuropathy with Corticosteroids

We treated 21 patients (22 eyes) with traumatic optic neuropathy by using intravenous megadose methylprednisolone (13 patients) or high-dose dexamethasone (eight patients). Of 13 patients treated with megadose methylprednisolone, 12 had improved visual function, as did seven of nine eyes treated with intravenous dexamethasone. This difference was not significant (P = .3). Initial total blindness, mechanism of injury, or time from injury to treatment did not correlate with visual improvement.
The value of money in a dynamic equilibrium model

This paper studies the pricing of money in an infinite-horizon economy with heterogeneous agents, incomplete financial markets and arbitrary borrowing restrictions. Purchases of the consumption good are subject to a cash-in-advance constraint. Under general conditions I show that the price of money is equal to its fundamental value, where this value is defined over all state-price processes that are compatible with the existence of no-arbitrage opportunities. This equality implies that the cash-in-advance constraint is binding infinitely often for all agents in the economy. The analysis highlights certain differences in the determination of the price of money with respect to models with money in the utility function that bear on the optimal implementation of economic policies.
A model for compressive coating stresses in the scratch adhesion test

Abstract Despite the widespread use of the scratch adhesion test, there is no model available to determine the critical coating stress for initiating interfacial failure, so that ranking the coating–substrate adhesion of coated systems with different mechanical properties is impossible. In this study, a mathematical model is developed to calculate the distribution of compressive stresses in a thin coating induced by a scratch indenter. For ease of use in practice, a simple equation, σ Sm =0.15 ( P c H f / H ) 0.5 E f 0.3 E 0.2 / R , is then derived from the model, where σ Sm is the critical mean compressive stress in the coating for interfacial failure, P c is the critical normal load measured from the scratch adhesion test, H f and E f are the hardness and Young's modulus of the coating, H and E are the hardness and Young's modulus of the substrate, and R is the indenter radius. This equation is useful for ranking the coating–substrate adhesion of different coated systems, or, for estimating the critical mean coating stress for interfacial failure.
Quality of life of adult survivors of germinomas treated with craniospinal irradiation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life (QOL) of a group of patients treated for intracranial germinoma with biopsy followed by prophylactic whole-neuraxis radiation therapy. METHODS: The Short-form-36 and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy QOL questionnaires were completed by 22 of 27 eligible adults treated with whole-neuraxis irradiation for biopsy-proven, marker-negative intracranial germinomas between 1976 and 1996. In addition, data were obtained regarding height and weight, medications, ability to work, and educational achievement. RESULTS: The patients' QOL was generally good. All of the patients are in or have completed high school; nine are in or have completed college, and five have advanced degrees. Patients rated themselves lower on the physical composite scale of the Short-form-36 (average, 46 versus 54 in a normal population). On the mental composite scale, patients rated themselves more favorably than the normal population (average, 54 versus 49 in a normal population). Patients were normally proportioned for height and weight, but female patients tended to be short. Age at radiation did not correlate with QOL. CONCLUSION: The QOL of adults treated for marker-negative germinoma with prophylactic whole-neuraxis irradiation is generally good. These data should serve as a benchmark for newer treatment protocols eliminating or reducing radiation.
Large pericardial effusions in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

The increasing importance of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) as a cause of large, clinically significant pericardial effusions has not been well documented. To determine the frequency and characteristics of large AIDS-associated pericardial effusions, we reviewed the records of 50 consecutive patients undergoing pericardiocentesis between 1985 and 1990; AIDS was the most common underlying illness and was present in 14 patients (28 percent). The pericardial fluid was diagnostic in three (21 percent) of the 14 cases (one bacterial, one positive for acid-fast bacilli, and one lymphoma). Of the 11 patients with nondiagnostic fluid, one underwent a pericardia] biopsy which revealed granuloma consistent with mycobacterial disease, four had active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), and two responded clinically to anti-TB therapy. Thus, in 8 (57 percent) of the 14 patients with AIDS, there was either definitive or suggestive evidence of mycobacterial disease. We conclude that AIDS is now a common underlying illness associated with large pericardial effusions and that mycobacteria] disease may frequently be the etiology.
On the mechanism of amphetamine potentiation by iprindole.

Iprindol verstarkt und verlangert die psychomotorische Aktivitat vond-Amphetamin in der Ratte, eine Potenzierung, die mit erhohter Konzentration und verlangerter Halbwertszeit vond-Amphetamin in Gehirn und Korper einhergeht. Iprindol scheint ahnlich wie die Antidepressiva der Imipramin-Klasse den Stoffwechsel von Amphetamin in vivo zu hemmen.
The 15N NMR Knight Shift and Electronic Structure of SrMoO2.6N0.4 in the Pauli Paramagnetic State

Abstract The temperature-independent part ( K 0 ) of the Knight shift, K , of SrMoO 2.6 N 0.4 in the Pauli paramagnetic state as determined from the 15 N NMR spectrum is K 0 = (2.87 ± 0.01) × 10 -4 , with respect to the external solid reference, ( 15 NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 . The fit of the spin-lattice relaxation time, T 1 , to the Korringa relation confirms that nuclear spin-electron spin is the dominant relaxation mechanism. The probability density of conduction electrons, P r = 0.066 A -3 and the density of electron states per unit volume per unit energy for spin-up and -down electrons at the Fermi surface, P ± ( e 0 ) = 0.87 (cV A 3 ) -1 were deduced from the experimental results. By combining these data with the magnetic susceptibility an electronic structure model of SrMoO 2.6 N 0.4 is proposed.
Haiti earthquake photo tagging: Lessons on crowdsourcing in-depth image classifications

Facilitated by the latest advances of information technologies, online human computing resources provide researchers unprecedented opportunities to resolve a class of real-world problems that are challenging even to the computer algorithms, and yet manageable to human intelligence if working units are well organized. A problem in this category is image labeling, recognizing and categorizing targets in the images. In this paper, we describe an online platform that leverages human computation resources to resolve an image labeling task - classifying damage patterns in post-disaster photos. The underlying information valuable to us is not only the existence of damage in the image, but also its patterns and severity. We hope this study can provide new perspectives to enhance the design of crowdsourcing projects in future.
Community Violence Victimization and Depressed Mood The Moderating Effects of Coping and Social Support

The objectives of the current study were to (a) determine how lifetime community violence (CV) victimization, coping behavior, social support (SS), and depressed mood are related in young adults, and (b) assess whether the relationship between CV victimization and depressive reactions is moderated by perceived SS and coping style. Five hundred fifty college students (160 men, 355 women) completed questionnaires measuring lifetime experiences with violence, current depressed mood, perceptions of SS from family and friends, and general coping styles. Results of a series of hierarchical regressions indicated a positive relationship between frequency of CV victimization and depressed mood. Low levels of perceived SS and problem-focused coping and high levels of disengagement coping were associated with increased depression scores overall, but there was an interaction effect such that high disengagement coping strengthened the relationship between CV and depressed mood. Moreover, when controlling for the effect of posttraumatic stress, high-perceived friend support and low disengagement coping served as protective factors for depressed mood. These results were particularly strong in individuals whose last CV experience occurred within the previous 2 years. Findings suggest that perceptions of support and ability to actively cope with stressors are very important in the adjustment to CV victimization.
U.S. and Canada Cross Border Pipelines: Regulatory Environment

The expanding oil sand production regions in Canada are bringing new sources of crude oil to market. Further, there’s strong momentum to construct an Alaska natural gas pipeline crossing Canada on it’s way to the US bringing new natural gas resources to the lower 48 states. What does this activity mean for the regulatory environment? The author intends to discuss recent U.S. regulatory actions taken to facilitate cross border pipelines and increase throughput in existing pipelines.
Arterial gene transfer of naked DNA for therapeutic angiogenesis: early clinical results

Patients with critical limb ischemia constitute a potential target population for therapeutic angiogenesis. Because the growth of new collateral vessels can be achieved in a time interval of 1 month or less, these patients are suitable candidates for treatment with non-viral vectors intended to yield short-term gene expression. Accordingly, we applied naked plasmid DNA encoding for vascular endothelial growth factor, a secreted endothelial cell mitogen, to the hydrogel polymer coating of an angioplasty balloon. The balloon was then used to perform arterial gene transfer to the arterial circulation of the ischemic lower extremity. Using a dose-escalating strategy, it was possible to document that naked DNA was sufficient to generate evidence of new collateral growth by both magnetic resonance angiography and contrast angiography in the affected limb. These findings establish that the use of naked DNA may be suitable for gene therapy when the gene product is actively secreted from transfected cells.
Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer After Breast Cancer: A Population-Based Study of Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Survival Outcomes in 3529 Women

Introduction Annually, 1.4 million women worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) and are at risk for another common malignancy: non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). No large population-based study has examined subsequent survival. Methods Women with histologically confirmed NSCLC after BC (BC-NSCLC, n = 3529) were identified in SEER-18 registries (1988–2009). Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival outcomes were compared among women with first primary NSCLC (NSCLC-1, n = 151,628). Cox regression analyses were adjusted for patient, BC, and NSCLC factors. Results BC-NSCLC was diagnosed at earlier stages (34% localized, 30% regional, 36% distant) than NSCLC-1 (22%, 28%, and 50%, respectively; p p p p p p = 0.016) and distant ( p Conclusions BC survivors are more likely to be diagnosed with earlier stage NSCLC versus first primary NSCLC patients, perhaps reflecting heightened surveillance compared with the general population. In contrast to prior studies of NSCLC in survivors of lymphopoietic malignancies, BC history does not appear to adversely affect OS after NSCLC.
Studies on Cholesterol and Cholesterol Esters in Skin Surface Fats1

The ability of the skin to synthesize cholesterol from two-carbon fragments has been well demonstrated (1, 2). There is even some indication that skin may be one of the most efficient organs in synthesizing cholesterol (1). Also, as has been shown by Kooyman (3), free cholesterol is esterified by epidermal tissues.
On a counterexample of Garofalo - Lin for a unique continuation of Schrödinger equation

Garofalo and Lin have given a counterexample for which unique continuation fails for the Schrodinger equation −Δu
Statecraft ,Trade and Strategy: Toward a New Global Order

The international institutions that have governed global trade since the end of World War II have lost their effectiveness, and global trade governance is fractured. The need for new institutions is obvious, and yet, few proposals seem to be on offer. The key to understanding the global trading order lies in uncovering the relationship between trade and the State, and how the inner constitution of statecraft drives the architecture of the global order and requires structural changes as the State traverses successive cycles. The current trade order, focused on the liberalisation of trade in goods and services and the management of related issues, is predicated on policies and practices that were the product of a global trading order of the 20th century modern nation-states. Today, a new form of the State – the post-modern State – is evolving. In this article, the authors propose a new trade norm – the enablement of global economic opportunity – and a new institution – the trade council – to overhaul the global trading order.
Comparison of radio-labeled butanol and iodoantipyrine as cerebral blood flow markers.

Abstract Cerebral blood flow (CBF) techniques based on the principle of indicator fractionation rely upon free diffusibility of the blood flow indicator into brain (i.e. complete cerebral extraction). Extraction of two commonly-used indicators, iodoantipyrine and n-butanol, was evaluated in rats by measuring torcular venous efflux after systemic injection of the indicator under conditions of normal and high CBF. The extraction of n-butanol was found to be virtually complete at all blood flows examined; iodoantipyrine, on the other hand, was completely extracted only at flows under 180 ml/100 g/min, despite the fact that the oil; water partition coefficient for iodoantipyrine exceeds that for n-butanol. Brain uptake indices for the two indicators were also measured: brain uptake of n-butanol was greater than that of iodoantipyrine, and the difference was more marked if the indicator entered brain mixed with blood than if it entered as a bloodless bolus. Blood components may thus interact with iodoantipyrine to retard its movement across the blood-brain barrier and thereby limit extraction of this lipid-soluble substance. Inasmuch as iodoantipyrine is diffusion-limited at blood flows above 180 ml/100 g/min, butanol is a more accurate CBF indicator above the normal flow range in the rat.
Some aspects of negative ion chemistry

Abstract In a classic early review on ion-molecule reactions, a table of negative ion-neutral reactions for which quantitative data were available had 9 entries. In a recent review on negative ion-neutral reactions alone, tables of negative ion-neutral reaction rate constants included 174 reactions, reflecting the increase in knowledge in this field in a little over one decade. In this paper some of the negative ion-neutral reaction studies done at Boulder in a flowing afterglow system are discussed. Some of the current research on both positive and negative ions in the recently developed Flow-Drift Tube are discussed, including both mobility and reaction rate constant measurements.
Regeneration of whole plants from callus culture of diverse genetic lines of Pisum sativum L.

Sixteen genetic lines of peas were screened for their ability to regenerate whole plants from callus cultures. Epicotyl sections from germinating seeds were placed on callus-inducing medium; the resulting callus was subcultured monthly and was tested every other month for its regeneration ability. Six lines were found that would regenerate after 2 months' growth as callus. Four of these continued to regenerate after 4 months and, of these, two after 6 months. The cultivars “Frosty” and “Alaska” were among the lines that would not regenerate at all.
Novel Function of Cardiac Protein Kinase D1 as a Dynamic Regulator of Ca2+ Sensitivity of Contraction

Although the function of protein kinase D1 (PKD) in cardiac cells has remained enigmatic, recent work has shown that PKD phosphorylates the nuclear regulators HDAC5/7 (histone deacetylase 5/7) and CREB, implicating this kinase in the development of dysfunction seen in heart failure. Additional studies have shown that PKD also phosphorylates multiple sarcomeric substrates to regulate myofilament function. Initial studies examined PKD through adenoviral vector expression of wild type PKD, constitutively active PKD (caPKD), or dominant negative PKD in cultured adult rat ventricular myocytes. Confocal immunofluorescent images of these cells reveal a predominant distribution of all PKD forms in a non-nuclear, Z-line localized, striated reticular pattern, suggesting the importance of PKD in Ca2+ signaling in heart. Consistent with an established role of PKD in targeting cardiac troponin I (cTnI), caPKD expression led to a marked decrease in contractile myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity with an unexpected electrical stimulus dependence to this response. This desensitization was accompanied by stimulus-dependent increases in cTnI phosphorylation in control and caPKD cells with a more pronounced effect in the latter. Electrical stimulation also provoked phosphorylation of regulatory site Ser916 on PKD. The functional importance of this phospho-Ser916 event is demonstrated in experiments with a phosphorylation-defective mutant, caPKD-S916A, which is functionally inactive and blocks stimulus-dependent increases in cTnI phosphorylation. Dominant negative PKD expression resulted in sensitization of the myofilaments to Ca2+ and blocked stimulus-dependent increases in cTnI phosphorylation. Taken together, these data reveal that localized PKD may play a role as a dynamic regulator of Ca2+ sensitivity of contraction in cardiac myocytes.
A NEW APPROACH TO WIRELESS CHANNEL MODELING USING FINITE MIXTURE MODELS

This paper presents a new approach to modeling a wireless channel using finite mixture models (FMM). Instead of the conventional approach of using non mixtures (single) probability distribution functions, FMMs are used here to model the channel impulse response amplitude statistics. To demonstrate this, a FMM based model of Ultrawideband (UWB) channels amplitude statistics is developed. In this research, finite mixture models composed of combinations of constituent PDFs such as Rayleigh, Lognormal, Weibull, Rice and Nakagami are used for modeling the channel amplitude statistics. The use of FMMs is relevant because of their ability to characterize the multimodality in the data. The stochastic expectation maximization (SEM) technique is used to estimate the parameters of the FMMs. The resultant FMMs are then compared to one another and to non-mixture models using model selection techniques such as Akaike’s Information Criteria (AIC). Results indicate that models composed of a mixture of Rayleigh and Lognormal distributions consistently provide good fits for most of the impulses of the UWB channel. Other model selection techniques such as Minimum Description Length (MDL) and Accumulative Predictive Error (APE) also confirmed this finding. This selection of FMM based on Rayleigh and Lognormal distributions is true for both the industrial as well as the university environment channel data
Fabrication and Immobilization of 2D Colloidal Photonic Crystals

A dielectrophoretic, DEP, force induced assembly technique was used to achieve close-packed 2D colloidal photonic crystals on a substrate. The experimental tests were conducted on 5.3 μm carboxyl fictionalized polystyrene (PS) particles at a 6 AC Voltage and 1 MHz frequency. After the crystal was completely formed at the center of electrodes, a polyacrylamide solution was added to the system to immobilize the photonic crystals.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Procedure to predictably seat multiple, hexed abutments onto endosseous implants: A clinical report

Abstract The use of implants to restore the dentition of partially edentulous patients has increased over the past several years. Optimal esthetic results depend on satisfactory implant placement. Occasionally, implants are placed in less than optimal positions, which may require modification in the prosthesis design and increase the technical difficulty. In these instances, preangled or customized abutments can be used. If more than one of these abutments has to be used, accurate orientation of the hexed components to the implants and each other may be a problem. This clinical report illustrated a simple, inexpensive procedure to transfer the orientation of two or more hexed abutments from a master cast to the mouth. This procedure reduced the time needed to orient the hexed abutments correctly in laboratory and clinical situations. It may also reduce the chances of the patient aspirating or swallowing abutments or screws.
In vitro moxifloxacin drug interaction with chemotherapeutics: implications for retinoblastoma management.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a common malignant intraocular tumor primarily affecting children. Multidrug resistance (MDR) proteins (P-gp and MRPs) mediated chemoresistance have been considered as a major cause of treatment failure in treatment of RB. Ocular cells have shown good tolerability against moxifloxacin (MFX). Hence, the aim of present study was to investigate the effect of moxifloxacin on the functionality of MDR proteins. Furthermore, we have also examined an interaction of MFX with anticancer agents (Topotecan, etoposide and vinblastine) for RB treatment. For interaction of MFX with efflux transporter, model cell lines transfected with the efflux transporters (MDCK-MDR1 and MDCK-MRP2) were used to perform uptake and bi-directional transport experiments. Modulation of anticancer induced cell cytotoxicity, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) release and caspase-3 enzyme activity in presence of MFX was also evaluated. Result indicates that MFX is a substrate of both MDR1 and MRP2 efflux transporters. Furthermore elevation of anticancer uptake and bi-directional transport, reduction in IC50 cytotoxic value and modulation of antiproliferative and cytokines release in presence of MFX by anticancer agents was observed. Our results demonstrate that MFX may not only modulate the permeability of anticancer agents at efflux sites but it may also potentiate antiproliferative activity of anticancer agents in retinoblastoma cells. This study may be further extended to explore in vivo outcome of this finding.
Social marketing and advocacy

Social Marketing in the 21st Century, by Alan R. Andreasen. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage, 2006. 280 pp., $72.95 cloth, $36.95 paper.
Analysis of high-performance liquid chromatography bonded stationary phases using thermogravimetry

A thermogravimetric method was developed for determining the C-18 bonded phase content of reversed phase high performance liquid Chromatographic stationary phases. The method yielded data that were comparable to the sum of carbon and hydrogen content. Excellent agreement between the two methods was achieved by heating the stationary phase samples to 150°C in order to remove adsorbed species prior to elemental analysis.
Biosynthetic processing of the Pro-α1(V)2Pro-α2(V) collagen heterotrimer by bone morphogenetic protein-1 and furin-like proprotein convertases

The low abundance fibrillar collagen type V is incorporated into and regulates the diameters of type I collagen fibrils. Bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1) is a metalloprotease that plays key roles in regulating formation of vertebrate extracellular matrix; it cleaves the C-propeptides of the major fibrillar procollagens I–III and processes precursors to produce the mature forms of the cross-linking enzyme prolysyl oxidase, the proteoglycan biglycan, and the basement membrane protein laminin 5. Here we have successfully produced recombinant pro-α1(V)2pro-α2(V) heterotrimers, and we have used these to characterize biosynthetic processing of the most prevalent in vivo form of type V procollagen. In addition, we have compared the processing of endogenous pro-α1(V) chains by wild type mouse embryo fibroblasts and by fibroblasts derived from embryos doubly homozygous null for the Bmp-1 gene and for a gene encoding the closely related metalloprotease mammalian Tolloid-like 1. Together, results presented herein indicate that within pro-α1(V)2pro-α2(V) heterotrimers, pro-α1(V) N-propeptides and pro-α2(V) C-propeptides are processed by BMP-1-like enzymes, and pro-α1(V) C-propeptides are processed by furin-like proprotein convertases in vivo.
Transient measurement of feedback control systems

Transient measurement techniques permit rapid determination and comparison of the operational characteristics of feedback control systems. Instrumentation is described which introduces a repetitive step function to a system and visually displays its dynamic response. Provision is made for precisely measuring response magnitude as a function of time and obtaining permanent records for future reference. Refinements necessary for accurate determination of the response of carrier systems is discussed. Examples of system response patterns are given.
Efficacy and safety of Minipress XL, a new once-a-day formulation of prazosin

The efficacy and safety of prazosin GITS (gastrointestinal therapeutic system), a new extendedrelease once-a-day formulation, were assessed both as mohotherapy in mild essential hypertension and in combination with a diuretic in moderate essential hypertension in two multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Prazosin GITS (Minipress XL) given once daily in doses of either 10 or 20 mg significantly reduced sitting and standing systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with placebo in both mild and moderate essential hypertension. There were minimal, clinically insignificant changes in heart rate following prazosin-GITS treatment (2.5, 10, and 20 mg) compared with placebo treatment. Prazosin GITS was well tolerated; the most common adverse experiences reported were headache, dizziness, and fatigue. All adverse experiences in the moderate hypertension group and the majority (91 percent) in the mild hypertension group were mild-to-moderate in severity. The results from these multicenter trials demonstrate the efficacy and safety of this new extended-release once-a-day formulation of prazosin in the treatment of patients with mild and moderate essential hypertension.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION UNCERTAINTY AND COMMON STOCK RETURNS IN THE UNITED STATES

There is substantial evidence on the influence of political outcomes on the business cycle and stock market. We further hypothesize that uncertainty about the outcome of a U.S. presidential election should be reflected in pre-election common stock returns. Prior research pools returns based on the party of the winning candidate, assuming that the outcome of the election is known a priori. We use candidate preference (i.e., polling) data to construct a measure of election uncertainty. We find that if the election does not have a candidate with a dominant lead, stock market volatility (risk) and average returns rise.
Alcohol Use Accelerates HIV Disease Progression

Abstract The effects of alcohol abuse on HIV disease progression have not been definitively established. A prospective, 30-month, longitudinal study of 231 HIV+ adults included history of alcohol and illicit drug use, adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), CD4+ cell count, and HIV viral load every 6 months. Frequent alcohol users (two or more drinks daily) were 2.91 times (95% CI: 1.23–6.85, p = 0.015) more likely to present a decline of CD4 to ≤200 cells/μl, independent of baseline CD4+ cell count and HIV viral load, antiretroviral use over time, time since HIV diagnosis, age, and gender. Frequent alcohol users who were not on ART also increased their risk for CD4 cell decline to ≤200 cells/mm3 (HR = 7.76: 95% CI: 1.2–49.2, p = 0.03). Combined frequent alcohol use with crack-cocaine showed a significant risk of CD4+ cell decline (HR = 3.57: 95% CI: 1.24–10.31, p = 0.018). Frequent alcohol intake was associated with higher viral load over time (β = 0.259, p = 0.038). This significance was maintained i...
Direct Observation and Analysis of CuO2 Shear Defects in La2-xSrxCuO4.

Direct observations of CuO 2 sheet defect structures in superconducting La 2-x Sr x CuO 4 , with x in the range 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.15, are reported. Electron microscopy shows that extended line defects are generated in {010} planes, along crystallographic directions, by a pure shear mechanism along the edge of the octahedral copper-oxygen units. The line defects are partial screw dislocations, with characteristic displacement vectors of the type a /2), 0, ( c /6)>, bounding the stacking faults. The existence of this type of defect demonstrates that there is an oxygen deficiency within the CuO 2 layers. However, unlike the open ReO 3 type-related structures, the packing density of the K 2 NiF 4 structure necessarily requires that anion defects be accompanied by the loss of cations of the A type (lanthanum, strontium). Under identical synthesis conditions, no defects are observed in the parent compound La 2 CuO 4 .
Hyperspectral sensing using the Linear Etalon Imaging Spectral Array

The Linear Etalon Imaging Spectral Array (LEISA) represents a new class of hyperspectral cameras which use non- dispersive thin film filters as wavelength selective elements. The simplicity and versatility of these instruments make them attractive for spaceflight use. LEISA currently operates in the shortwave IR spectral region, but the design is adaptable to operation at wavelengths from visible to longwave IR.
Hurricane heat engines

A hurricane's path is quite easy to forecast, but its intensity is not. A new model, which takes into account the interaction of the storm and ocean-surface temperature, gives remarkably accurate retrospective simulations.
Pathologic findings in the neonatal period.

Summary An adequate cause of death was demonstrated at autopsy in forty-three of fifty infants dying during the neonatal period. Asphyxia, intraventricular hemorrhage, and bronchopneumonia were the leading causes of death. Twenty-five of the fifty infants showed inflammatory lesions which, in most instances, were attributable to infection, but in only fourteen of these was infection believed to be the principal cause of death.
Differential Visual Field-Interhemispheric Transfer: Can it Explain Sex and Handedness Differences in Lateralization?:

Summary.-104 men and women were tested for visual field-hemispheric uansfer of sparial information on a dot-localization task. Right-handed subjects showed significant improvement when stimuli were presented to the left visual field of the right hemisphere (LVF-RH) after practice on the same task presented co the right visual field of the left hemisphere (RVF-LH) first. No improvement was found when the task was presented in the reverse order (LVF-RH first followed by RVF-LH). It was concluded that, for righthanders, transfer of spatial information co the right hemisphere is facilitated while transfer to rhe left hemisphere is inhibited. Left-handed subjects demonstrated no significant improvement in either condition, suggesting inhibition or lack of transfer of spatial information in either direction. No sex differences were fouud in either right-handed or left-handed subjects. The findings suggest that there may be different mechanisms underlying the similarities in functional lateralization of women and left-handers. It is by now widely accepted that, in humans, the left and right cerebral hemispheres differ in function. In right-handed individuals (dextrals) and also the vast majority of left-handers (sinistrals), the left hemisphere is more involved with verbal processing while the right hemisphere is more involved in nonverbal tasks. There is also general agreement (Hardyck & Petrinovich, 1977; Hicks & Kinsbourne, 1978) that sinistrals are somewhat less lateralized than dextrals, i.e., they evidence more symmetric spatial and verbal processing across the two hemispheres. It has also been suggested that women may be less lateralized than men. Much research on sex differences in cerebral asymmetry has been conducted; see reviews by Harris ( 1981 ) and McGlone ( 1980). However, the presence of sex differences in human brain function is by no means completely established or accepted. While performance differences in verbal and/or spatial tasks between men and women have often been reported, with men evidencing greater visuospatial skill and women greater verbal skill, the basic factors underlying differential performance remain an issue of considerable controversy. In the Peer Commentary section of McGlone's (1980) review, over 30 experts in the field commented on the evidence for differential cerebral organization. While a number of cornmentors agreed with McGlone's analysis that evidence suggests greater asymmetry in men's