cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microsurgical Technique for Basilar Apex Aneurysm Clipping: Two-Dimensional Video.

We present the case of a 57-year-old female with hypertension, current smoker status, and recent headaches. Imaging studies showed an unruptured 8-mm basilar apex wide neck aneurysm located 4 mm above posterior clinoid ( Figure 1 ) with a 3-mm anterior communicant artery aneurysm. No contraindications were encountered for endovascular treatment, although after we evaluated endovascular and surgical options, surgical clipping was considered also a safe and favorable option based on anterior projection of aneurysm, height of the basilar artery bifurcation, small and elongated posterior communicant artery, and available space between posterior clinoid and basilar artery (4 mm). The presence of a second aneurysm increased the patient's interest in a more definitive treatment, as we mentioned the possibility of its treatment if considered safe intraoperatively. A cranio-orbito-zygomatic craniotomy, anterior clinoidectomy, and sylvian fissure dissection was performed with electrophysiology monitoring. The exposure was enhanced by sphenoparietal sinus ligation, and the anterior clinoidectomy allowed working spaces at optic-carotid and carotid-oculomotor spaces for Liliequist membrane dissection, without need for posterior clinoid removal ( Figure 2 ). Brief temporary clipping at basilar trunk below superior cerebellar arteries at perforating free zone was performed. Two clips were applied, obliterating adequately the aneurysm respecting perforating vessels. After the basilar apex aneurysm clipping, we proceeded in a standard fashion to clip the additional anterior communicant artery aneurysm. Micro-Doppler and intraoperative angiogram confirmed aneurysm exclusion and patent parent vessels ( Video 1 ). The patient developed minimal ptosis due to partial right oculomotor nerve palsy that recovered completely in 2 weeks; otherwise, her neurologic exam was normal. At 1-year follow up, computed tomography angiography showed complete aneurysm exclusion.
On the failure of canonical factorization in ℓAp

Abstract It is shown by construction that for some values of p, there exists a polynomial f ∈ l A p such that f fails to factorize as f = J G , where J is p-inner, and G is analytic and nonvanishing in the open unit disk D . In this situation, any p-inner function J vanishing at the roots of f in D , with multiplicities taken into account, must also vanish at some other point of D . It is shown that any such “extra zeros” of J must lie close to the boundary of the disk.
Munc18-1 is crucial to overcome the inhibition of synaptic vesicle fusion by αSNAP.

Munc18-1 and Munc13-1 orchestrate assembly of the SNARE complex formed by syntaxin-1, SNAP-25 and synaptobrevin, allowing exquisite regulation of neurotransmitter release. Non-regulated neurotransmitter release might be prevented by αSNAP, which inhibits exocytosis and SNARE-dependent liposome fusion. However, distinct mechanisms of inhibition by αSNAP were suggested, and it is unknown how such inhibition is overcome. Using liposome fusion assays, FRET and NMR spectroscopy, here we provide a comprehensive view of the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory functions of αSNAP, showing that αSNAP potently inhibits liposome fusion by: binding to syntaxin-1, hindering Munc18-1 binding; binding to syntaxin-1-SNAP-25 heterodimers, precluding SNARE complex formation; and binding to trans-SNARE complexes, preventing fusion. Importantly, inhibition by αSNAP is avoided only when Munc18-1 binds first to syntaxin-1, leading to Munc18-1-Munc13-1-dependent liposome fusion. We propose that at least some of the inhibitory activities of αSNAP ensure that neurotransmitter release occurs through the highly-regulated Munc18-1-Munc13-1 pathway at the active zone. Munc18-1 and Munc13-1 are key for the exquisite regulation of neurotransmitter release. Here biophysical experiments show how αSNAP inhibits liposome fusion mediated by the neuronal SNAREs and how Munc18-1 overcomes this inhibition, ensuring that release depends on Munc18-1 and Munc13-1.
Pain Management in Multiple Sclerosis: a Review of Available Treatment Options.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease with no curative treatment available. While recent years have ushered in many effective new disease-modifying therapies for MS, they have not obviated the need for symptomatic treatments for MS-related pain. In this review, we discuss available approaches to control pain, which is one of the most common complaints MS patients have. The most recent research in this topic is directed towards non-pharmacologic interventions including water exercises, yoga and cannabis. More trials are being conducted on neuromodulation for MS-related neuropathic pain, including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Pain control for MS patients is challenging, considering the progressive and relapsing remitting nature of the disease, however, it is a very important aspect of it’s management, as it improves mobility, exercise tolerance, concomitant depression and overall quality of life. Future research should focus on the use of neuromodulation in controlling MS pain.
Signs of Air in the Biliary System

The following chapter will serve as a Q&A guide for medical students about imaging signs of air in the biliary system. The most clinically relevant topics will hopefully be illustrated for students, including differences between air in the biliary system and other similar imaging findings. Further reading should be performed to better understand the significance, diagnosis, and management of the conditions discussed in these sections.
The 35th Meeting of the Professors of Instructional Design & Technology: A Special Report

The Professors of Instructional Design and Technology (PIDT) recently celebrated its 35th year. The meeting of this organization, typically referred to as an “unconference,” offers intimate and informal conversations among faculty on matters that are impacting the field of instructional design and technology. This article discusses the importance and history of PIDT, as well as the common themes that participants discussed throughout the years (based on reports from attendees). Additionally, it highlights the most recent meeting held in 2019 in St. Augustine, Florida.
Controlling and Preventing Occupational Illness and Infection

The chapter sets the stage for a grounding in the critical elements in an occupational infection prevention and control plan. It describes important employee vaccination and immunization plans. The concepts of the industrial hygiene hierarchy of controls are introduced. The hierarchy is an evidence-based method to help readers build, design, and evaluate preventive strategies that provide the highest and most productive levels of protection. It also provides information on workers’ rights, whistleblowing, and personnel-based opportunities for change.
Inhibition of polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) facilitates reactivation of gamma-herpesviruses in B-cell lymphomas and their elimination

Both Kaposis sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) establish the persistent, life-long infection primarily at the latent status, and contribute to certain types of tumors, including B cell lymphomas, especially in immuno-compromised individuals, such as people living with HIV (PLWH). Lytic reactivation of these viruses can be employed to kill tumor cells harboring latently infected viral episomes, through the viral cytopathic effects and the subsequent antiviral immune responses. In this study, we identified that polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is induced by KSHV de novo infection as well as lytic switch from KSHV latency. We further demonstrated that PLK1 depletion or inhibition facilitates KSHV reactivation and promotes cell death of KSHV-reactivated lymphoma cells. Mechanistically, PLK1 regulates Myc that is critical to both maintenance of KSHV latency and support of cell survival, and preferentially affects the level of H3K27me3 inactive mark both globally and at certain loci of KSHV viral episomes. Lastly, we recognized that PLK1 inhibition synergizes with STAT3 inhibition to efficiently induce KSHV reactivation. Furthermore, we also confirmed that PLK1 depletion or inhibition yields the similar effect on EBV reactivation and cell death of EBV-reactivated lymphoma cells. Additionally, we noticed the PLK1 in B cells is elevated in the context of HIV infection and by HIV Nef protein, which would favor KSHV/EBV latency. Above all, our findings illustrated that PLK1 is a novel host target that can be inhibited to benefit the viral oncolysis to eliminate KSHV/EBV-infected lymphoma cells, particularly for PLWH.
Neuroimmunology of cancer and associated symptomology.

Evolutionarily the nervous system and immune cells have evolved to communicate with each other to control inflammation and host responses against injury. Recent findings in neuroimmune communication demonstrate that these mechanisms extend to cancer initiation and progression. Lymphoid structures and tumors, which are often associated with inflammatory infiltrate, are highly innervated by multiple nerve types (e.g. sympathetic, parasympathetic, sensory). Recent preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate that targeting the nervous system could be a therapeutic strategy to promote anti-tumor immunity while simultaneously reducing cancer-associated neurological symptoms, such as chronic pain, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. Sympathetic nerve activity is associated with physiological or psychological stress, which can be induced by tumor development and cancer diagnosis. Targeting the stress response through suppression of sympathetic activity or activation of parasympathetic activity has been shown to drive activation of effector T cells and inhibition of myeloid derived suppressor cells within the tumor. Additionally, there is emerging evidence that sensory nerves may regulate tumor growth and metastasis by promoting or inhibiting immunosuppression in a tumor-type specific manner. Since neural effects are often tumor-type specific, further study is required to optimize clinical therapeutic strategies. This review examines the emerging evidence that neuroimmune communication can regulate anti-tumor immunity as well as contribute to development of cancer-related neurological symptoms.
Epidemiology of endemic bovine viral infections

Epidemiology unravels the mechanisms of disease distribution in populations and relates them to disease control strategies. There are concepts of viral epidemiology which impact on the diagnosis and handling of outbreaks, vaccination decisions, and discussions of control of bovine viral diseases. Consideration of the epidemiology of bovine viral diseases requires a temporary shift in thinking to allow control considerations to overshadow individual treatment. Control emphasis is necessary because few viral chemotherapeutic agents are available and because viral infections are acute and subtle, so effective individual treatment (if available) would likely be too late. In addition, the economic impact of viral infections frequently follows inapparent primary infection and is not observed until after the viral infection has subsided.
Intentional Diagram Design: Using Gestalt Perceptual Grouping in Cladograms to Tackle Misconceptions

People have many incorrect beliefs about evolutionary relationships among living things, in part due to the prominence people place on observable similarities as an indicator of such. Consider two examples: (a) a highly detrimental misconception surrounding the current pandemic—that COVID-19 is like the common flu—is based on the similarity of the visible symptoms; (b) people think mushrooms are more closely related to plants than to animals because mushrooms and plants both grow in the ground. Our research asked whether it is possible to combat misconceptions using compelling visual representations. Previous research found that the Gestalt principles of perceptual grouping affect reasoning with evolutionary trees. We explored the potential of designing such trees as a “myth buster” tool to target biological misconceptions. More specifically, we tested the hypothesis that students would judge misconception-based inferences to be weaker when the perceptual grouping of the branches looked less consistent, as opposed to more consistent, with the misconception. The results showed that our manipulation of perceptual grouping affected students’ propensity to make inferences consistent with their misconceptions, in the direction predicted, for six separate misconceptions.
A Data-Driven Reinforcement Learning Solution Framework for Optimal and Adaptive Personalization of a Hip Exoskeleton

Robotic exoskeletons are exciting technologies for augmenting human mobility. However, designing such a device for seamless integration with the human user and to assist human movement still is a major challenge. This paper aims at developing a novel data-driven solution framework based on reinforcement learning (RL), without first modeling the human-robot dynamics, to provide optimal and adaptive personalized torque assistance for reducing human efforts during walking. Our automatic personalization solution framework includes the assistive torque profile with two control timing parameters (peak and offset timings), the least square policy iteration (LSPI) for learning the parameter tuning policy, and a cost function based on a transferred work ratio. The proposed controller was successfully validated on a healthy human subject to assist unilateral hip extension in walking. The results showed that the optimal and adaptive RL controller as a new approach was feasible for tuning assistive torque profile of the hip exoskeleton that coordinated with human actions and reduced activation level of hip extensor muscle in human.
Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of crude oil and natural gas from the Delaware Basin

Abstract Development of the Permian Basin in recent years has disrupted the global trade of oil and gas. As of January 2020, it was producing more than five million barrels of oil and 20 billion cubic feet of gas per day, with the greatest growth coming from the Delaware Basin sub-play. In this investigation, we report the results of a novel process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with oil and gas products from the Delaware Basin, employing extensive operational data including direct measurements of methane emissions. We find that if 1% of the gross gas produced is flared, then the upstream carbon intensity of crude oil is 19.5 kg CO2eq per barrel of crude oil - substantially lower than “global average” intensities reported in the literature. Moreover, the carbon intensities of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel refined from Delaware Basin crudes are approximately 10% less than the U.S. EPA and Department of Energy baselines when a 1% flaring rate is achieved. The life cycle GHG reductions are also a consequence of the physical and chemical properties of Delaware Basin crudes relative to the average crude blend for the U.S., resulting in reduced refinery GHG emissions. We also find that life cycle GHG emissions associated with natural gas from the Delaware Basin are similar to those reported for U.S. shale gas.
Integrase Inhibitor Prodrugs: Approaches to Enhancing the Anti-HIV Activity of β-Diketo Acids

HIV integrase, encoded at the 3'-end of the HIV pol gene, is essential for HIV replication. This enzyme catalyzes the incorporation of HIV DNA into human DNA, which represents the point of "no-return" in HIV infection. Integrase is a significant target in anti-HIV drug discovery. This review article focuses largely on the design of integrase inhibitors that are β-diketo acids constructed on pyridinone scaffolds. Methodologies for synthesis of these compounds are discussed. Integrase inhibition data for the strand transfer (ST) step are compared with in vitro anti-HIV data. The review also examines the issue of the lack of correlation between the ST enzymology data and anti-HIV assay results. Because this disconnect appeared to be a problem associated with permeability, prodrugs of these inhibitors were designed and synthesized. Prodrugs dramatically improved the anti-HIV activity data. For example, for compound, 96, the anti-HIV activity (EC50) improved from 500 nM for this diketo acid to 9 nM for its prodrug 116. In addition, there was excellent correlation between the IC50 and IC90 ST enzymology data for 96 (6 nM and 97 nM, respectively) and the EC50 and EC90 anti-HIV data for its prodrug 116 (9 nM and 94 nM, respectively). Finally, it was confirmed that the prodrug 116 was rapidly hydrolyzed in cells to the active compound 96.
CRIMES AND OFFENSES Dangerous Drugs: Penalties for Anabolic Steroids Increased

The Act defines anabolic steroids and provides greater penalties for the distribution of, or the intent to distribute, anabolic steroids.
The Role of Adoptively Transferred CD8 T Cells and Host Cells in the Control of the Growth of the EG7 Thymoma: Factors That Determine the Relative Effectiveness and Homing Properties of Tc1 and Tc2 Effectors

We had previously examined the factors that regulate the response of OVA-specific TCR-transgenic CD8 T cells to the B16 OVA melanoma, growing as lung metastases. We examine here whether the same parameters operate for EG7, growing intradermally. Tc1 or Tc2 CD8 effector cells from OT-1 mice were injected either mixed with the tumor or i.v. at day 0 or 7. Tc2 were one-fifth to one-tenth as effective as Tc1 when injected with the tumor, in controlling tumor growth, but were only 1/20 to 1/100 injected i.v. Tc1 injected i.v. entered the draining lymph nodes faster than Tc2 and caused a faster accumulation of host cells. Both caused an abrupt termination of host cell entry into lymph nodes and spleen after tumor elimination, but this occurred earlier for Tc1 than for Tc2. Host responses were ineffective in the absence of adoptive transfer but were essential after transfer. Perforin expression in the donor cells plays no role in adoptively transferred Tc1 or Tc2 control of the tumor, and neither IL-4 nor IL5 is needed for Tc1 or Tc2 function. Tc1 cells from mice lacking IFN-gamma, however, control tumor growth less well, whereas Tc2 effectors lacking IFN-gamma are unaffected. Tc1 from IFN-gamma-deficient mice attract fewer host cells to the draining lymph node, whereas Tc1 cells from perforin-deficient donors are unimpaired. We conclude that host cell recruitment is a crucial element in adoptive immunotherapy. The differences between the EG7 and the previous B16 melanoma model are discussed.
Determination of a minimum soiling level to affect photovoltaic devices

Soil accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) modules presents a challenge to long-term performance prediction and lifetime estimates due to the inherent difficulty in quantifying small changes over an extended period. Low mass loadings of soil are a common occurrence, but remain difficult to quantify. In order to more accurately describe the specific effects of sparse soil films on PV systems, we have expanded upon an earlier technique to measure the optical losses due to an artificially applied obscurant film. A synthetic soil analogue consisting of AZ road dust and soot in acetonitrile carrier solvent was sprayed onto glass coupons at very brief intervals with a high volume, low pressure pneumatic sprayer. Light transmission through the grime film was evaluated using a QE test stand and UV/vis spectroscopy. A 0.1 g/m2 grime loading was determined to be the limit of mass measurement sensitivity, which is similar to some reports of daily soil accumulation. Predictable, linear decreases in transmission were observed for samples with a mass loading between 0.1 and 0.5 g/m2. Reflectance measurements provided the best means of easily distinguishing this sample from a reference.
Master's Thesis Award Paper, 1964: AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE‐USE EFFICIENCY IN NORTH WESTERN SASKATCHEWAN1

Adjustments of farm organization can or should be made to improve farm income within the Medstead and related areas. Empirical findings, supported by value judgments emanating from knowledge of the areas and agriculture in general, form the basis of the policy recommendations. Such recommendations, however, should be periodically re-assessed in terms of the changing supply and demand relationships for agricultural products.
Genetic diversity affects testicular morphology in free-ranging lions (Panthera leo) of the Serengeti Plains and Ngorongoro Crater

Reduced genetic variability is known to adversely affect ejaculate quality in inbred lions (Panthera leo) physically isolated in the Ngorongoro Crater compared with outbred lions inhabiting the adjacent Serengeti Plains in East Africa. This study compared the histomorphology of testicular biopsies from these two lion populations. Ngorongoro Crater lions had fewer (P 0.05) between populations. Interstitial areas were greater (P < 0.05) in Crater than in Plains lions, but no qualitative differences were evident, suggesting that proportionately less testicular area was occupied by seminiferous tubules in Crater lions. None of the lions in either population had evidence of testicular degeneration. Overall results suggest that inbred Crater lions have reduced spermiogenesis and less total seminiferous tubular area per testis. These data further support the premise that genetic homogeneity compromises reproductive traits in free-living, male African lions.
Proxy Viewpoints Model-based Requirements engineering

This paper addresses the problem of the "missing requirements" in software requirement specification (SRS) expressed in natural language. Due to rapid changes in technology and business frequently witnessed over time, the original SRS documents often experience the problems of missing, not available, and hard-to-locate requirements. One of the flaws in earlier solutions to this problem has no consideration for missing requirements from multiple viewpoints. Furthermore, since such SRS documents represent an incomplete domain model, manual discovery (identification and incorporation) of missing requirements is highly labor intensive and error-prone. Consequently, deriving and improving an efficient adaptation of SRS changes remain a complex problem. In this paper, we present a new methodology entitled "Proxy Viewpoints Model-based Requirements Discovery (PVRD)". Through the requirements discovery and analysis process, PVRD methodology provides ways to construct proxy viewpoints model from legacy status requirements. Requirements term expansion technique facilitates the retrieval process of requirements of interest based on the improved requirements representation space in proxy viewpoints model. The PVRD methodology provides an integrated environment that supports requirements discovery process as well as efficient management.
The Demand for Information and the Distribution of Income.

Abstract : The income of an individual is the sum of income derived from the sale of labor and income derived from the return on wealth. The increment of wealth in any period is the excess of total income over consumption. Therefore, the inequality of income among the members of a population depends at a moment of time on the inequality in labor income, the inequality in property income, and the covariance between them. However, the inequality in the holdings of wealth is to some extent derived from the inequality in past labor income. This paper takes the inequality in labor income as a fact. However, it is well known that the inequality in property income is considerably greater proportionately. It would be natural to assume that saving (excess of income over consumption) is proportional to income. In that case, if it is assumed that labor income comes first, the inequality in wealth should be equal to the inequality in income. Wealth and income are closely related, in that those with high incomes tend to be those with large accomulations of property. But the relation is far from linear. It is well known that the proportion of wealth held by the high income recipients is much higher proportion of income that they receive.
Evaluation of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-β Levels in Prostatic Carcinoma

Sera of patients with prostatic malignancy were assayed for human chorionic gonadotropin-β (HCG-β). The levels of HCB-β are negligible in the patients and in a control group with benign prostatic hype
Obesity and asthma

Obesity is an important public health problem. An increasing body of data supports the hypothesis that obesity is a risk factor for asthma. These data include numerous large cross-sectional and prospective studies performed in adults, adolescents, and children throughout the world. With few exceptions, these studies indicate an increased relative risk of asthma in the obese and overweight and demonstrate that obesity antedates asthma. Obesity appears to be a particularly important issue for severe asthma. Studies showing improvements in asthma in subjects who lose weight, as well as studies showing that obese mice have innate airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) as well as increased responses to certain asthma triggers also suggest a causal relationship between obesity and asthma. The mechanistic basis for this relationship has not been established. It may be that obesity and asthma share some common etiology, such as a common genetic predisposition, common effects of in utero conditions, or that obesity and asthma are both the result of some other predisposing factor such as physical activity or diet. However, there are also plausible biological mechanisms whereby obesity could be expected to either cause or worsen asthma. These include co-morbidities such as gastroesophageal reflux, complications from sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), breathing at low lung volume, chronic systemic inflammation, and endocrine factors, including adipokines and reproductive hormones. Understanding the mechanistic basis for the relationship between obesity and asthma may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treatment of this susceptible population.
Refinement of fast wavelet-based algorithms for linear initial value problems

It is commonly acknowledged that there is a tradeoff between schedule quality and schedule robustness. In general terms, schedules that are of high quality tend to be of low robustness, and schedules that are robust tend to be of low quality. To better manage the robustness/quality tradeoff, we have developed an algorithm that implements what we call 'Just-in-Case' scheduling; this algorithm explicitly considers the way in which scheduled actions might fail and how such failures can impact the executability of a schedule. 'Just-in-Case' scheduling is able to build schedules that are robust and of high quality. The 'Just- In-Case' algorithm is motivated in this paper by a specific telescope scheduling problem, and the paper presents the results of an experiment, carried out using real telescope scheduling data, that illustrates the performance improvement one can expect from using it.
Influence of bone mineral density, age, and strain rate on the failure mode of human Achilles tendons

Objective. To examine the influence of strain rate, bone mineral density, and age in determining the mode by which human Achilles tendons fail. Design. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and mechanical testing of excised Achilles tendon-calcaneus specimens. Background. The Achilles tendon can fail by tendon rupture or bony avulsion. These injuries are caused by similar loading mechanisms and can present similar symptoms. It is important to understand when each mode of injury is likely to occur so that accurate diagnoses can be made and appropriate treatments selected. Methods. Excised human Achilles tendons were loaded to failure at strain rates of 1% s−1 and 10% s−1 following dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry examination to determine bone mineral density near the tendon insertion. Calcaneal bone mineral density, donor age, and strain rate were compared between specimens that failed by avulsion and those that failed by tendon rupture. Results. While strain rate was not observed to affect failure mode, the calcaneal bone mineral density of specimens that failed by avulsion was significantly lower than the bone mineral density of specimens that failed by tendon rupture (P=0.004). There was a significant decrease in bone mineral density with age (P=0.004), and the difference in age between the avulsed and ruptured specimens was close to statistical significance (P=0.058). For the avulsed specimens, there was a significant linear relationship between failure load and bone mineral density squared (P=0.002). Logistic regression indicated that the effect of age on failure mode is secondary to the primary effect of bone mineral density. Conclusions. The avulsions were primarily “premature” failures associated with low bone mineral density. Since bone mineral density decreases with age, older individuals are more likely to experience avulsions while younger individuals are more likely to experience tendon ruptures. Relevance Since Achilles tendon rupture and avulsion of the posterior tuberosity of the calcaneus can present similar symptoms but require different treatments, the physician should understand when each type of injury may occur so accurate diagnoses can be made and appropriate treatments selected.
A Proposed Medical Physics Curriculum: Preparing for the 2013 ABR Examination

The upcoming ABR examination format for radiology residents is undergoing significant changes in 2013. This requires adaptation of the didactic curriculum for radiology residents entering in July 2010 to meet these changes. Physics will now be incorporated into the core (qualifying) examination during the third year of residency, instead of being tested as a separate examination that was often taken earlier in residency training in past years. In this article, the authors discuss the past, present, and future of medical physics instruction and outline a revised medical physics curriculum for radiology residents that has been internally approved for implementation at the authors' institution and has not been advocated by any society or by the ABR. Starting with this article, the authors hope to encourage a discussion of physics curriculum revision with other institutions.
GABA and GABA amide metabolism in the brain

We studied glutamine utilization and GABA formation in brain mitochondria from rats that were subjected to aluminum intoxication under conditions of activation or inhibition of phosphate-activated glutaminase (PAG). Phosphate did not influence the activities of rats intoxicated with aluminum. GABA formation from glutamine after inhibition of PAG with 6-diazo-5-oxo-norleucine was similar to the normal level. Intoxication increased glutamine utilization and the formation of GABA and its amide. GABA amide produced more ammonia in rats after intoxication. In the presence of ATP and ammonia sulfate we observed more intense GABA usage after its addition to mitochondria. These data support our hypothesis that GABA formation from glutamine via GABA amide may occur and indicates the higher resistance of the GABA-ergic systems as compared to the glutamatergic systems.
Treatment of Unresectable Cholangiocarcinoma with Gemcitabine-Based Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE): A Single-Institution Experience

Background Survival for patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma is reported to range from only 5–8 months without treatment. Systemic chemotherapy has not been shown to significantly improve survival, but newer regimens involving gemcitabine have shown increased response rates. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been shown to prolong survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients, but experience using TACE in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma is limited. We report our experience treating cholangiocarcinoma with TACE using chemotherapeutic regimens based on the well-tolerated drug gemcitabine.
Visual guidance of smooth pursuit eye movements: sensation, action, and what happens in between

Smooth-pursuit eye movements transform 100 ms of visual motion into a rapid initiation of smooth eye movement followed by sustained accurate tracking. Both the mean and variation of the visually driven pursuit response can be accounted for by the combination of the mean tuning curves and the correlated noise within the sensory representation of visual motion in extrastriate visual area MT. Sensory-motor and motor circuits have both housekeeping and modulatory functions, implemented in the cerebellum and the smooth eye movement region of the frontal eye fields. The representation of pursuit is quite different in these two regions of the brain, but both regions seem to control pursuit directly with little or no noise added downstream. Finally, pursuit exhibits a number of voluntary characteristics that happen on short timescales. These features make pursuit an excellent exemplar for understanding the general properties of sensory-motor processing in the brain.
Effect of nonfat dry milk and major whey components on interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 production in human intestinal epithelial-like Caco-2 cells

Abstract Bovine nonfat dry milk (NDM) and major whey components (lactose, α-lactalbumin, and β-lactoglobulin) were evaluated for their effects on IL-6 and IL-8 production in human intestinal-like Caco-2 cells unstimulated or stimulated with IL-1β. All the whey components investigated and NDM induced IL-6 production by Caco-2 cells; the most significant increase was observed with β-lactoglobulin. In the case of IL-1β–stimulated cells, neither NDM nor the major whey components investigated contributed to the induction of IL-6 production after they were stimulated. Induction of IL-8 production by both α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin was higher than that by lactose and NDM; α-lactalbumin was a more potent inducer of IL-8 than β-lactoglobulin and IL-1β alone in both unstimulated and stimulated cells. In Caco-2 cells that were stimulated with IL1-β, NDM and all the major whey components investigated had a synergistic effect on induction of IL-8 production, indicating that IL-8 induction was amplified by prior stimulation of cells by IL-1β. This synergistic effect was not observed with IL-6. Our results suggest that immunomodulatory properties of milk components may be affected by other complex events in the gut.
Experimental autoimmune meningitis: a novel neurological disease in CD28-deficient mice.

Abstract C57BL/6 mice develop T-cell-mediated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) after immunization with the neuroantigen myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. (MOG). We immunized CD28-deficient C57BL/6 mice to determine the role of T cell costimulation in the immune response to MOG. CD28−/−mice developed experimental autoimmune meningitis (EAM). EAM is a fatal, acute disease characterized by simultaneous weakness in all limbs, photophobia, irritability, and spatial disorientation. Histologically, EAM consisted of an infiltrate of myeloid, monocytic, and lymphocytic leukocytes within the leptomeninges. In contrast, the brain parenchyma was unaffected. EAM was mediated by CD4+T cells since CD4 depletion prevented the disease. Upon rechallenge, mice in which EAM was prevented by CD4+cell depletion developed EAE not EAM. Therefore, the presence or absence of CD28 determines the initial phenotype of the immune response to MOG. EAM, which develops in the absence of CD28, is a unique experimental model for immune-mediated aseptic meningitis.
Revisiting the Impact of Participative Decision Making on Public Employee Retention The Moderating Influence of Effective Managers

A large body of management research has linked participation by employees in organizational decision making to employee-level outcomes such as job satisfaction, with nearly all studies finding posi...
The Modular Nature of All-Ferrous Edge-Bridged Double Cubanes

Two all-ferrous, edge-bridged 8Fe-8S clusters, one capped with carbenes (2) and the other with phosphenes (3), have been characterized by (57)Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy. The clusters have diamagnetic ground states that yield spectra consisting of one quadrupole doublet with a large splitting (25% of absorption) and one (3) or two (2) doublets with much smaller splittings (75% of absorption). These patterns closely resemble those observed for all-ferrous 4Fe-4S clusters. Structurally, the 4Fe-4S fragments of 2 and 3 are remarkably similar to all-ferrous 4Fe-4S clusters, sharing with them the characteristic 3:1 pattern of the iron sites, a differentiation that has been shown previously to reflect spontaneous distortions of the cluster core. These spectroscopic and geometric similarities suggest that the diamagnetic ground state of the 8Fe-8S cluster results from antiferromagnetic exchange coupling of two identical 4Fe-4S modules, each carrying spin S(4Fe) = 4. The iron atoms with the largest quadrupole splittings are located at the opposite ends of the body diagonal containing the bridging sulfides.
The response of urban canyon energy budgets to variable synoptic weather types— A simulation approach

Abstract The response of urban canyon energy budgets to variable synoptic weather types is examined via a numerical simulation model. Urban canyon energy budgets for an asymmetrical east-west-oriented urban canyon are simulated for a characteristic day from six synoptic groups previously identified by a synoptic weather typing scheme. For warm weather synoptic types the urban canyon was a daytime net source and night-time net sink for the substrate heat flux and turbulent flux of sensible heat, respectively. For cold weather synoptic types the urban canyon provided a continuous net sink for the substrate heat flux and net source for the turbulent flux of sensible heat, because of anthropogenic heat production. Individual energy balance terms exhibited varying degrees of sensitivity to synoptic conditions when examined on an absolute and relative basis. The results are considered indicative of the continuum of urban canyon energetic patterns obtained under stratified synoptic weather regimes.
Ion heating via turbulent ion acoustic waves.

The ion acoustic turbulence in the turbulent-heating experiment reported is excited by the ion-ion beam instability. Graphs are presented, showing the spatial evolution of the parallel ion beam energy and the spatial evolution of the ion acoustic turbulent wave spectrum. The observed characteristics of test waves in a turbulent beam-plasma imply that wave saturation is a dynamic balance between the emission of waves by the beam and the destruction or damping of wave coherence by the turbulent diffusion of particle orbits.
Lightning as an embryonic source of VLF hiss

The characteristics of hiss emissions triggered by lightning-generated whistlers are studied based on observations of the DE-1 satellite obtained between December 28, 1986 and January 18, 1987. The results suggest that these emissions may constitute the dominant wave activity in the 1.5-6-kHz range on L shells of 3.5-3 in the afternoon sector during geomagnetically quiet periods. The lightning-generated waves may play a dominant role in the loss of 0.5-50-keV electrons trapped on these field lines in the afternoon sector, and may also provide a loss mechanism for ring current protons.
Tearin' Up My Heart: Proteolysis in the Cardiac Sarcomere

Proteolysis within the cardiac sarcomere is a constantly evolving area of research. Three major pathways of proteolysis have been identified as being active within the cardiac sarcomere, namely the ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy, and the calpain system. The role of ubiquitin-proteasome system-mediated proteolysis in cardiovascular health and disease has been known for some time; however, it is now apparent that other proteolytic systems also aid in the stabilization of cardiac sarcomere structure and function. This minireview focuses on the individual as well as cooperative involvement of each of these three major pathways of proteolysis within the cardiac sarcomere.
Cognitive theories of human fear: An empirically derived integration

Abstract The predictions of four cognitive theories of fear and avoidance behavior were evaluated (Bandura, 1977, 1988; Beck, 1976; Beck & Clark, 1988; Beck & Emery, 1985; Kirsch, 1985, 1990; Reiss & McNally, 1985; Reiss, Peterson & Gursky, 1987). Ninety-four snake fearful subjects completed measures of danger expectancy, danger sensitivity, anxiety expectancy, anxiety sensitivity, fear tolerance, and self-efficacy. Half of the subjects received a motivational incentive to increase their performance. They were then asked to attempt tasks on a snake approach hierarchy and to rate the amount of fear they experienced during each step. The incentive significantly increased self-efficacy and approach behavior but did not alter anxiety expectancy or self-reported fear. A path analysis indicated that behavior was influenced by self-efficacy and fear tolerance, and fear was predicted by anxiety expectancy. Self-efficacy was predicted by anxiety expectancy and fear tolerance, and anxiety expectancy was predicted b...
HistoStitcher©: An interactive program for accurate and rapid reconstruction of digitized whole histological sections from tissue fragments

Abstract We present an interactive program called HistoStitcher © for accurate and rapid reassembly of histology fragments into a pseudo-whole digitized histological section. HistoStitcher © provides both an intuitive graphical interface to assist the operator in performing the stitch of adjacent histology fragments by selecting pairs of anatomical landmarks, and a set of computational routines for determining and applying an optimal linear transformation to generate the stitched image. Reconstruction of whole histological sections from images of slides containing smaller fragments is required in applications where preparation of whole sections of large tissue specimens is not feasible or efficient, and such whole mounts are required to facilitate (a) disease annotation and (b) image registration with radiological images. Unlike manual reassembly of image fragments in a general purpose image editing program (such as Photoshop), HistoStitcher © provides memory efficient operation on high resolution digitized histology images and a highly flexible stitching process capable of producing more accurate results in less time. Further, by parameterizing the series of transformations determined by the stitching process, the stitching parameters can be saved, loaded at a later time, refined, or reapplied to multi-resolution scans, or quickly transmitted to another site. In this paper, we describe in detail the design of HistoStitcher © and the mathematical routines used for calculating the optimal image transformation, and demonstrate its operation for stitching high resolution histology quadrants of a prostate specimen to form a digitally reassembled whole histology section, for 8 different patient studies. To evaluate stitching quality, a 6 point scoring scheme, which assesses the alignment and continuity of anatomical structures important for disease annotation, is employed by three independent expert pathologists. For 6 studies compared with this scheme, reconstructed sections generated via HistoStitcher © scored higher than reconstructions generated by an expert pathologist using Photoshop.
Effect of some oil-insecticide combinations on coffee leaf miner.

The coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella (Guerin-Meneville), has been the major insect pest of coffee in Guatemala for the past 10 years. Losses occur as a result of premature falling of mined foliage. Populations generally increase during the dry season when both rainfall and temperature become important influencing factors. Damage is especially severe in plantations at 1800 to 3500 feet elevation. Experimentation with oil-insecticide spray combinations was initiated with the concept of utilizing the oil as a penetrant of the larval mine. Paraffinic- and naphthenic-based oils having superior oil ratings were used alone and in combination with insecticides. It was established that the dosage rate of insecticides could be reduced to 50% of the normal concentration when the insecticide was used in combination with oil at 1% by volume. The combinations also lengthened the residual activity of treatment; fenthion and Bidrin® (3-hydroxy- N, N -dimethyl- cis -crotonamide dimethyl phosphate) were especially effective and long lasting. Ethion and dimethoate were promising. There was no evidence of significant differences in effectiveness between the paraffinic and naphthenic-based oils. Oils in the 58-70 second viscosity range were superior to kerosene or 30-second oil but they were not significantly different than the one 145-second oil used.
A Novel Approach for the Increased Delivery of Pharmaceutical Agents to Peritoneum and Associated Lymph Nodes

A novel method for prolonging the retention of liposomes in the peritoneum while increasing liposome deposition in lymph nodes that drain the peritoneum is described. An aliquot (1 ml) of technetium-99m ((99m)Tc)-biotin-liposomes encapsulating blue dye was injected intraperitoneally in rats. Thirty minutes after administration of the (99m)Tc-blue-biotin-liposomes, five rats (experimental) were administered avidin (5 mg) intraperitoneally, whereas the remaining five rats served as controls. Scintigraphic images were acquired at baseline and 1 and 24 h after the liposome injection followed by a tissue biodistribution study. Images at 24 h clearly demonstrated very different distributions between the experimental and control animals. In experimental rats, most of the activity was visualized in the abdominal region, and in abdominal and mediastinal lymph nodes. The percentage of the injected dose (% ID) in the blood was significantly higher in the control group than in the experimental group (14.0 +/- 1.7 versus 0.17 +/- 0.03%; P < 0.001). The % ID in the spleen was also significantly greater for controls (23.3 +/- 3.9%) compared with the experimental group (0.78 +/- 0.8%; P = 0.001). Significant (99m)Tc activity was detected in blue-stained abdominal nodes (4.7%) and mediastinal nodes (2.3%) from the experimental animals, whereas no blue-stained nodes were detectable in the control animals. The intraperitoneal biotin-liposome/avidin delivery system described in this study could potentially be used for delivery of liposome-encapsulated drugs to disease processes that become disseminated in the peritoneum such as metastatic ovarian, gastric, and colorectal cancer, as well as infectious peritonitis.
Familial aggregation of nasal polyps among asthmatics

Abstract Rationale Previous work has suggested a hereditary factor in the development of nasal polyps. The purpose of this study is to further evaluate this topic among a subset of asthmatic patients and their nuclear families. Methods A total of 120 families were studied. Families were ascertained by the presence of asthma in two siblings and if both parents were living. All subjects answered a validated asthma questionnaire, had a methacholine challenge and/or reversibility study using albuterol inhalation, and received prick skin testing to a set of common allergens. The determination of nasal polyps was made by self-report on the questionnaire. Results The frequency of nasal polyps among the total population (including all family members) was 4.9%, compared to a frequency of 11.9% among the asthmatic sibling pairs. Of the 120 families studied, 3 had sibling pairs in which both had nasal polyps, 106 had sibling pairs in which neither had polyps and 11 were discordant for nasal polyps. A chi-square test was used to test for familial aggregation. This level of concordance was statistically significant (p value of Conclusions The familial clustering seen in this study suggests that heredity may have a role in the development of nasal polyps among asthmatics.
Optical interference coatings and the growth of opto-electronic industry in Taiwan

Optical interference coating technology plays a key role in the growth of Taiwan's opto-electronic industry. OIC-related research works in universities and research organizations and R/D programs of market-oriented technologies in industry are reported.