cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reducing length of stay with the direct oral anti-coagulants in low and intermediate risk pulmonary embolism: a single center experience.

Direct oral anti-coagulants (DOACs) reduce hospital length-of-stay (LOS) in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in clinical trials. There is a paucity of literature describing real world utility of DOACs, particularly in intermediate-risk patients. To evaluate if the utilization of DOACs vs. non-DOACs in acute PE patients, reduces LOS without a difference in safety in patients defined as low and intermediate-risk of mortality by the European Society of Cardiology. This was a retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data from a single center registry of consecutive adult outpatients diagnosed with acute PE who survived to hospital discharge. Primary outcome was median hospital LOS. Secondary outcomes were 30-day readmission, survival, and incidence of major and minor bleeding. There were 307 outpatients admitted with acute PE 88 (28.7%) low-risk, 213 (69.4%) intermediate-risk, and 6 (2.0%) high-risk. Two hundred and twenty-six (73.6%) received a DOAC. There was a statistically significant shorter median LOS in all patients treated with a DOAC (2.9 days, IQR 1.8–4.7) vs non-DOAC (4.9 days, IQR 3–8.9) (Generalized Linear Model p < 0.001). There was a shorter median LOS between intermediate-risk patients treated with a DOAC (3.6 days, IQR 2–5.8) vs non-DOAC (5, IQR 3–9). There was no difference in 30-day readmission, survival, or bleeding complications in both cohorts. There was a reduction in LOS in low and intermediate risk patients treated with a DOAC without a difference in 30-day safety and efficacy. Treating acute PE patients with DOACs including intermediate-risk patients, compared to conventional anticoagulation, may facilitate early discharge, and potentially reduce hospital costs.
Stroke effort and relative lung volume influence heart rate in diving sea lions.

The dive response, bradycardia (decreased heart rate) and peripheral vasoconstriction, is the key mechanism allowing breath-hold divers to perform long-duration dives while actively swimming and hunting prey. This response is variable and modulated by factors such as dive duration, depth, exercise and cognitive control. This study assesses the potential role of exercise and relative lung volume in the regulation of heart rate (fH) during dives of adult female California sea lions instrumented with ECG, depth, and 3-axis acceleration data loggers. A positive relationship between activity (minimum specific acceleration) and fH throughout dives suggested increased muscle perfusion associated with exercise. However, apart from late ascent, fH during dives was still less than or equal to resting heart rate (on land). In addition, the activity-fH relationship was weaker in long, deep dives consistent with prioritization of blood oxygen conservation over blood oxygen delivery to muscle in those dives. Pulmonary stretch receptor reflexes may also contribute to fH regulation as fH profiles generally paralleled changes in relative lung volume, especially in shallower dives and during early descent and late ascent of deeper dives. Overall, these findings support the concept that both exercise and pulmonary stretch receptor reflexes may influence the dive response in sea lions.
An essential role for MEF2C in the cortical response to loss of sleep

Neuronal activity and gene expression in response to the loss of sleep can provide a window into the enigma of sleep function. Sleep loss is associated with brain differential gene expression, an increase in pyramidal cell mEPSC frequency and amplitude, and a characteristic rebound and resolution of slow wave sleep-slow wave activity (SWS-SWA). However, the molecular mechanism(s) mediating the sleep loss response are not well understood. We show that sleep-loss regulates MEF2C phosphorylation, a key mechanism regulating MEF2C transcriptional activity, and that MEF2C function in postnatal excitatory forebrain neurons is required for the biological events in response to sleep loss. These include altered gene expression, the increase and recovery of synaptic strength, and the rebound and resolution of SWS-SWA, which implicate MEF2C as an essential regulator of sleep function.
Managing rheumatic diseases during COVID-19

Rheumatology practice, during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has faced multifaceted challenges. Rheumatologists routinely prescribe immunosuppressant medications to their patients with multisystem autoimmune rheumatic diseases who are concerned about the increased risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection and are anxious to know if they should continue or hold these medications. Rheumatologists are often inundated by calls from their patients and physician colleagues caring for COVID-19 patients in hospitals, about how to manage the immunosuppression. Physicians face the challenging task of keeping up with the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. There are uncertainties about the mode of spread, clinical features, management options as well as long-term complications of COVID-19. Data are rapidly evolving and different studies on treatment options are showing contradictory results. It is known that viral illnesses can trigger a flare-up of underlying rheumatic disease that was previously in remission. To further complicate the scenario, some of the immunosuppressants have shown to have antiviral properties. This has created dilemma in the light of current COVID-19 crisis, as whether to continue or stop the immunosuppressive agents which could be essential to prevent complications of the rheumatic diseases including organ failure but also there is concern about acquiring COVID-19 or developing serious infection. Until we get an effective vaccine, immunosuppressant management for rheumatic diseases as well as other autoimmune diseases and transplants will pose difficult questions. This article is an attempt to review and understand COVID-19 and its impact on the immune system with special emphasis on managing medications used for autoimmune rheumatic diseases. We have provided general guidance about decision making, in regards to the immunosuppressive agents used in rheumatology practice with an understanding that this may change in near future.
Virtual Surgical Planning and Digital Workflow for Concomitant Temporomandibular Replacement and Maxillomandibular Advancement Surgery

Use of virtual surgical planning technologies and processes has transformed modern-day orthognathic surgeries by obviating significant time requirements in the preparation of complex concomitant orthognathic and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) prostheses cases. These procedures can now be safely combined into a single-stage procedure, significantly aided by current virtual imaging technology when employed in concert with 3D modeling and optimized digital workflows. These processes significantly bolster both accuracy and expediency of treatment planning and the effectiveness of the procedure itself. Replication of a simulated virtual surgery into a stereolithic model (STL) obviates need for manual positioning and its associated margin of error. Flexibility in total joint prosthesis positioning is beneficial to prevent the need to recontour the lateral aspect of the rami. Process-enhancing surgical simulation tools can translate to improved intraoperative visualization as well as improved postoperative patient follow-up capable of more accurate comparisons to baseline data. This chapter presents a new refined treatment protocol for application of computer-assisted surgical simulation (CASS) in CTOS cases requiring reconstruction with patient-fitted total joint prostheses. The traditional and new CTOS protocols are described and compared. The new refined CTOS protocol helps decrease the preoperative workup time and increase the accuracy of model surgery.
Quantitative muscle ultrasound and electrical impedance myography in late onset Pompe disease: A pilot study of reliability, longitudinal change and correlation with function.

Abstract Background/objectives Late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) is slowly progressive, making it difficult to assess clinical change and response to interventions. In this study, quantitative muscle ultrasonography (QMUS) and electrical impedance myography (EIM) were evaluated as potential biomarkers. Methods 25 patients with confirmed LOPD were recruited from the Duke Pompe Clinic and evaluated with standard clinical measures, QMUS, standard EIM (sEIM) and hand-held EIM (hEIM). Patients were evaluated at baseline, 12 months and 24 months. MUS, sEIM and hEIM were compared with the clinical data. Five patients were given hEIM devices to perform measurements at home. Results QMUS and hEIM had good reliability as measures of muscle structure and conduction properties. Home, patient-performed hEIM measurements did not differ significantly from those performed in the clinic setting. Thirteen patients completed all follow-up measures. Most measures did not change over the study period, however, vastus lateralis echointensity increased 27%, a sign of declining muscle health. Additionally, significant correlations between QMUS, hEIM and measures of muscle strength and function were present. Conclusions QMUS and hEIM may provide useful outcome measures for future studies in LOPD with hEIM providing an opportunity to collect data at home. Larger, multicenter studies are needed to explore these possibilities.
Systematized Discrimination: Linguistic, Racial and Cultural Differences Can Equal Mathematics Success

Researchers analyzed quantitative data from the Education Longitudinal Study (2002–2004) to investigate the relationship between the highest mathematics course taken and the achievement of 12th-grade students minoritized by their racial-ethnic and language backgrounds in urban schools. Employing hierarchical linear models, researchers analyzed the effects of student linguistic minority (LM) status, English-language proficiency, and school urbanicity on mathematics achievement. Findings suggest an interdependent relationship between (a) students’ English-language and racial-ethnic backgrounds, (b) college-preparatory mathematics course-taking, (c) the urban school context, and (d) mathematics achievement. Researchers suggest promising education policies and pedagogical practices for improving LMs’ inequitable achievement outcomes by maximizing students’ opportunities-to-learn in college preparatory courses and facilitating the academic language of mathematics.
Abstract W P289: Hyper Acute Stroke Nurse Initiative Improves Time to Initiation of Reperfusion Therapy

Background: Following Primary Stroke Center designation in 2008, several factors contributed to our hospital9s influx of stroke patients. In 2010, the Emergency Medical System covering our county began diverting stroke patients to our facility. In 2011, our 400+ bed medical center became the only organization capable of providing endovascular treatments in the region. This catalyzed another surge of stroke patients transferred to our hospital from outside facilities. Nurses and physicians in the ED noted increased workloads in an attempt to deliver stroke care in a timely manner. In May 2013, the innovative Hyper Acute Stroke (HAS) nurse was created to meet the time sensitive needs of our expanding stroke population. Purpose: The purpose of this initiative is to show the addition of the HAS nurse would improve time to IV tPA and endovascular intervention in stroke care, as well as physician and nurse satisfaction. Methods: With strong administrative and medical support, the Stroke Program Director and 15 critical care neuroscience nurses formed the HAS team. Initial training for the HAS nurse comprised of NIHSS certification and enhancement of neuroscience knowledge. Orientation included training with the Stroke Program Director on inter-facility transfer processes, response to ED Code Strokes, and formation of stroke care algorithms. Upon training completion, daily rotation ensured 24/7 HAS nurse coverage. Pre and post HAS nurse performance measures for IV tPA door to needle (DTN) and door to endovascular intervention times were analyzed. Physician and nursing satisfaction was also surveyed pre- and post HAS nurse involvement. Results: Data refers to the 12 months pre HAS compared to data post HAS nurse. When comparing pre HAS to post HAS time periods, DTN decreased from an average of 82 minutes to 38 minutes, while door to endovascular intervention decreased from an average of 136 to 111 minutes. Physician and nurse satisfaction improved since the institution of the HAS nurse. Conclusions: In conclusion, when responding to Code Strokes or assisting with transfers requiring emergent endovascular intervention, HAS nurse involvement improved time to intervention, and physician/nurse satisfaction.
Diploglossus fasciatus Gray, 1831 (Diploglossa: Anguidae). Primer registro para el Parque Nacional y Área Natural de Manejo Integrado Madidi

Localidad: Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia, Departamento de La Paz, Provincia Franz Tamayo, Municipio Apolo, Parque Nacional y Area Natural de Manejo Integrado Madidi, TCO Pueblo Indigena de San Jose de Uchupiamonas, Campamento Corazon del Madidi, cerca de encuentro al arroyo Eslabon y rio Tuichi (14°32'32.58"S 67°45'44.91"W; 288 m.s.n.m.). Colectores: Jesus Martinez y Mileniusz Spanowicz. 15 de Marzo del 2013. Macho (SVL: 180 mm; LT: 379 mm; Peso: 130 g). Depositado en la Coleccion Boliviana de Fauna (CBF 3699), La Paz, Bolivia.
Maternal hepatitis B and hepatitis C carrier status and perinatal outcomes

Background and aims: To examine the association between maternal hepatitis B and C mono- and co-infections with singleton pregnancy outcomes in the state of Florida. Methods: We analysed all Florida births from 1998 to 2007 using birth certificate records linked to hospital discharge data. The main outcomes of interest were selected pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth, low birth weight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA), fetal distress, neonatal jaundice and congenital anomaly. Results: The study sample consisted of 1 670 369 records. Human immunodeficiency virus co-infection and all forms of substance abuse were more frequent in mothers with hepatitis B and C infection. After using multivariable modelling to adjust for important socio-demographical variables and obstetric complications, women with hepatitis C infection were more likely to have infants born preterm [odds ratio (OR), 1.40; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.15–1.72], with LBW (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.11–1.74) and congenital anomaly (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.14–2.11). In addition, women with hepatitis B infection were less likely to have infants born SGA (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66–0.95). Conclusions: Our findings provide further understanding of the association between maternal hepatitis B or C carrier status and perinatal outcomes. Infants born to women with hepatitis C infection appear to be at risk for poor birth outcomes, including preterm birth, LBW and congenital anomaly.
Preserving the cultural identity of a World Heritage Site: the impact of Chichen Itza's souvenir vendors.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of the Maya-descent souvenir vendors in sustaining the socio-cultural heritage of Chichen Itza, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site (WHS). The study aims to understand the souvenir vendors’ social and economic position within the diverse stakeholder groups involved in the tourist attraction and their impact on visitors. Design/methodology/approach – The exploratory study applied a combination of unobtrusive participant observation and photography methods conducted throughout the site’s monuments. The data were complemented with an analysis of social media comments posted by the WHS visitors. Findings – The findings revealed that the excessive retail presence throughout the site, coupled with the souvenir vendors’ continual harassment, have negatively impacted the patrons’ visiting experience. The vendors’ retail activity was not regarded as culturally authentic and did not contribute ...
Behavioral Economics, Neurophysiology, Addiction and the Law

Has science anything to tell us about responsibility? Addiction is a particularly interesting test case. Two fields of science, behavioral economics and neurophysiology have lately given us a great deal of information about addiction, much of which may be useful to the law. When it comes to addiction, unfortunately, the two fields seem to point in opposite directions. Economics has provided us with models of addictive behavior based upon the supposition that addiction is the result of choice, a development that appears to support the conclusion that addictive behavior is not the product of "non-volitional forces." If addictive behavior can be fully accounted for in terms of the addict's choices, and if there is no need to postulate the existence of forces overwhelming the addict's will, is there any reason not to hold the addict fully responsible for what he does? Neurophysiology, on the other hand, has demonstrated that substance abuse causes significant changes in brain physiology, which appears to support the conclusion that addiction is a disease. If addiction corresponds to physical changes in the nervous system, then addiction is a disease, and addictive behavior is merely a symptom of the disease. We may be responsible for contracting a disease, but can we be held responsible for the symptoms once we have it? Science does have a good many things to tell us about addiction, but so far whether or not the addict is responsible for what he does is not among them. The fact that choice theories - rational addiction, behavioral economics - can develop models in which addiction is the result of choice should not surprise us: Did anyone ever believe that addicts did not intend to do what they were doing? Did anyone ever believe that addicts did not choose to do what they did? The question has always been whether those choices were free, and whether the addict was fully in control of his choices. That is the question that the law must deal with, and in this paper I argue that choice theories have nothing to say to that question. Neurophysiology, on the other hand, has made remarkable strides in tracing down the effects of heavy drug use on the brain. But that behavior should effect brain changes is not by itself remarkable, and does not entail that behavior is not fully voluntary. There are three possible conclusions. The first is that although science has yielded no results so far, we may hope for results in the future. The general nature of the arguments against drawing conclusions about responsibility from the existing literature makes that, if not entirely a vain hope, at least implausible. The second is that responsibility is simply one of the areas of human experience that is cut off from science; there must, therefore, be other ways of knowing what we do about addiction, control, and responsibility. And the third conclusion may be the most pessimistic of all, namely that responsibility itself is a confused notion, and that we should be skeptical about its role in the law.
Withdrawal of Life Support

Decisions regarding the limitation or withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies for critically ill children are intellectually and emotionally difficult. A working knowledge of the basic principles of biomedical ethics and their compassionate application are needed to guide the decision-making process. Health professionals and families must work together to achieve that which is in the best interest of the child. Optimal care during limitation or withdrawal of life support places a strong emphasis on palliation, which includes assessing the impact of each device, medication, and procedure on the comfort of the child. Additionally, the physical and emotional environment of the PICU can influence patients’ and families’ level of comfort at the time of death. Parents and families suffer greatly after the loss of a child. Follow-up of parents and families after a child’s death is an important part of end-of-life care.
An Empirical Study on Causal Relationships between Perceived Enjoyment and Perceived Ease of Use

Causality is critical for our understanding of user technology acceptance. However, findings regarding the causal relationship between perceived enjoyment (PE) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) are not conclusive. PE has been theorized and empirically validated as either an antecedent or a consequence of PEOU. Covariance-based methods such as the widely used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), albeit robust in examining causal connectedness, are limited in detecting causal direction and therefore cannot provide additional evidence for one view or the other. This study provides an alternative statistical method, Cohen's path analysis to explore causal relationship. Empirical results from two studies support that the PE-PEOU causal direction is stronger than the PEOU-PE direction for utilitarian systems.
Contact model based on TCAD-experimental interactive algorithm

This work demonstrated a novel method utilizing Sentaurus Technology Computer Aided Design simulation along with experiments to intermediately extract Schottky barrier height and contact resistance in FinFETs. The proposed algorithm can automatically calibrate contact model based on measurement data. This interactive contact model is also capable of prediction of contact resistance sensitivity including key process features such as implant energy, dose and thermal process based on a design of experiment splits. This robust, physical and efficient contact model provides insightful understandings of the metal-semiconductor contact in FinFETs. It can be easily implemented in simulation tools for device design in state-of-art semiconductor technology development.
A comparative study of pulse interactions in optical fiber transmission systems with different modulation formats

One of the principal problems in the design of high-data rate optical fiber communications systems is the choice of the modulation format. The conventional non-return-to-zero (NRZ) format was the first format employed in optical fiber communications, and it remains the predominant modulation scheme at this time. The NRZ format has evolved into the chirped return-to-zero (CRZ) format, where both phase and amplitude modulation are used to improve the system performance. At the same time, there has been a considerable amount of work done to investigate the possibility of using classical solitons in optical fiber communications. The classical soliton format eventually evolved into the dispersion-managed soliton (DMS) format. Classical and dispersion-managed solitons are similar in important respects. For example, the balance between chromatic dispersion and nonlinearity is the key condition for the existence of periodically stationary dispersion-managed solitons. By contrast, the CRZ pulse shape is not periodic and the pulse evolution is mostly determined by the dispersion. However, we find that with respect to nonlinear pulse interactions, the DMS and CRZ systems resemble each other and their behavior differs dramatically from that of classical soliton systems. We stress that in our work here, when we refer to a DMS system, we mean a periodically-stationary DMS system, rather than a quasilinear DMS system. The quasilinear DMS systems resemble CRZ systems more than they resemble the periodically-stationary DMS systems. We demonstrate that in the DMS and CRZ systems, the performance degrades as the number of frequency channels increases, as opposed to classical soliton systems, where adding channels does not affect the performance.
Students' Accuracy of Measurement Estimation: Context, Units, and Logical Thinking

This study examined students' accuracy of measurement estimation for linear distances, different units of measure, task context, and the relationship between accuracy estimation and logical thinking. Middle school students completed a series of tasks that included estimating the length of various objects in different contexts and completed a test of logical thinking ability. Results found that the students were not able to give accurate estimations for the lengths of familiar objects. Students were also less accurate in estimating in metric units as compared to English or novel units. Estimation accuracy was dependent on the task context. There were significant differences in estimation accuracy for two- versus three-dimensional estimation tasks. There were no significant differences for estimating objects with different orientations or embedded objects. For the tasks requiring the students to estimate in English units, the embedded task and the three-dimensional tasks were correlated with logical thinking. For estimation tasks with novel units, three-dimensional and two-dimensional estimation tasks were significantly correlated with the logical thinking. In order to interact effectively with our environment it is essential to possess an intuitive grasp of both dimension and scale and to be able to manipulate such information. Estimation, approximating and measuring are all components of such intuition (Forrester, Latham, & Shire, 1990, p. 283).
Using Student Course Evaluations: Findings, Issues, and Recommendations

Abstract Although university administrators widely use student course evaluations (SCEs) in evaluating faculty performance, faculty members are skeptical about what SCEs actually measure. Faculty lack information about SCE reliability and validity and whether administrators use them fairly in making personnel decisions. This article reports research findings on factors that threaten the reliability and validity of SCEs. It provides recommendations for minimizing these threats. It reports findings of a recent survey of social work deans on their opinions about and use of SCEs. The article also presents recommendations to enhance the use of SCEs.
Effect of changing the initial excitation spatial profile on the radiation emitted from a slab of two-level atoms

Abstract For the purpose of investigating the effect of the initial spatial distribution of the excited atoms in a slab on its emission characteristics, I compute, for different configurations of a 1D system consisting initially of equal number of atoms in the excited and ground states, the emitted field at both the front-end and back-end of the slab. I show that depending on the spatial configuration of the excited atoms/ground states atoms in the slab, the system may be at later times in a metastable state, emits equally from both end faces or emits preferentially from only one of these. These qualitatively distinct states of the system are due to the different spatial coherence present in each case, and/or the difference in the strong inter-modal coupling present and resulting from the nonlinearity in the Maxwell–Bloch equations.
Potentiation of LSD-induced stimulus control by fluoxetine in the rat

The present investigation examined the interaction between fluoxetine enantiomers and LSD in rats trained with LSD as a discriminative stimulus. The dose response relationships for LSD alone and in combination with either (+)- or (-)-fluoxetine were determined. In both instances, the LSD dose response relationship was shifted to the left. However, statistical significance was observed only for the (+)- enantiomer. It is concluded that the effects of LSD as a discriminative stimulus are potentiated by the acute administration of fluoxetine. These results are consistent with anecdotal reports of interactions between LSD and acutely administered SSRIs in humans.
Abstract LB-212: Ionizing radiation selectively promotes invasion of ErbB2-expressing breast cancer cells via regulation of FoxM1

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL ErbB2 is frequently amplified in premalignant breast cancers including ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS); however, little is known about the signals or pathways it modulates in the progression into the invasive/malignant state. Radiotherapy is often used to treat early premalignant lesions regardless of ErbB2 status. Here we show that clinically relevant doses of ionizing radiation (IR) induce cellular invasion of ErbB2-expressing breast cancer cells, such as SKBR3 and BT-474, as well as MCF10A cells transduced to express ErbB2. This effect is specific to ErbB2 expression, as ErbB2-negative breast cancer cells, such as MCF7 and T47D, do not invade following treatment with IR, nor do parental MCF10A cells or MCF10A cells overexpressing EGF receptor alone. Exposure of cells to X-rays leads to ErbB2 phosphorylation at Y877 in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and activates signaling pathways, including Src and PI3K/Akt. Inhibition of these pathways, as well as inactivation of IR-induced reactive oxygen species with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine, prevented invasion. Activation of ErbB2-dependent signaling resulted in the upregulation of the transcription factor, FoxM1, a member of the forkhead family which has previously been shown to have a role in invasion, in part through transcriptional regulation of MMP2. Indeed, we have seen upregulation of MMP2 in irradiated ErbB2-expressing breast cancer cells, which is abolished when Src or ErbB2 is inhibited. Inhibition of FoxM1 by shRNA abrogated the increase in MMP2 level and prevented induction of invasion by IR, and overexpression of FoxM1 alone in MCF10A cells was sufficient to promote IR-induced invasion. Our data show that low level IR stimulates invasion of ErbB2-expressing breast cancer cells in a FoxM1-dependent manner. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-212. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-212
THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF EX VIVO EXPANDED ENDOTHELIAL PROGENITOR CELLS FOR MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA

Background—We investigated the therapeutic potential of ex vivo expanded endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) for myocardial neovascularization. Methods and Results—Peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from healthy human adults were cultured in EPC medium and harvested 7 days later. Myocardial ischemia was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in male Hsd:RH-rnu (athymic nude) rats. A total of 106 EPCs labeled with 1,1′-dioctadecyl-1 to 3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate were injected intravenously 3 hours after the induction of myocardial ischemia. Seven days later, fluorescence-conjugated Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin I was administered intravenously, and the rats were immediately killed. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that transplanted EPCs accumulated in the ischemic area and incorporated into foci of myocardial neovascularization. To determine the impact on left ventricular function, 5 rats (EPC group) were injected intravenously with 106 EPCs 3 hou...
Hormonal regulation of inflammatory cell cytokine transcript and bioactivity production in response to endotoxin.

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 1 (IL-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) are central mediators of the inflammatory response. We investigated the modulation of these cytokines by hormones in vitro. Murine adherent peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) were exposed to various concentrations of hormones followed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 μg/ml). TNF, IL-1 and IL-6 production were assessed by bioassays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) or Western blot, and specific RNA transcripts by Northern blot. Hydrocortisone in concentrations as low as 10 ng/ml had dramatic inhibitory effects on supernatant levels of TNF and IL-1 and on TNF, IL-1 and IL-6 transcript number. Supernatant levels of IL-6 were only slightly diminished by hydrocortisone. Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and insulin increased supernatant levels of TNF bioactivity in response to LPS, while each decreased available TNF-α gene transcripts. Thus TNF protein production was affected at a post-transcriptional level. ACTH and insulin increased supernatant levels of IL-6 produced in response to LPS without altering available transcripts. Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), epinephrine and glucagon had no effect on supernatant levels of cytokine. Thus, physiological and pharmacological concentrations of hydrocortisone had dramatic inhibitory effects on the supernatant levels of TNF and IL-1, and on the number of available TNF, IL-1 and IL-6 transcripts in PEC exposed to LPS, but had minimal effects on supernatant levels of IL-6 bioactivity. This hydrocortisone action may be a specific negative feedback system for IL-1 and TNF, with relative sparing of IL-6.
Laminar Flow Over Wavy Walls

The boundary layer over a wavy wall and fully-developed flow in a duct with a wavy wall are considered. Numerical solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations have been obtained to provide insights into the various steady flow regimes that are possible, and to illustrate the nuances of predicting flows containing multiple separation and reattachment points.
Resonant tunneling and intrinsic bistability in GaSb-based double barrier heterostructures

The two main consequences of resonant tunneling in semiconductor heterostructures are the existence of negative differential resistance and of bistability in their current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. While the presence of the former validated the first experimental claim of resonant tunneling in semi-conductors [Chang et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 24, 593 (1974)] and has been the trademark of the phenomenon ever since, intrinsic bistability has been much more elusive. Bistability has been observed in GaAsGaAlAs heterostructures, but the assertion that the observation is intrinsic to the resonant-tunneling process and not due to extrinsic effects such as parasistic series resitance has been disputed [Goldman et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 1622 (1987); Sollner, Phys. Rev. Lett. 59, 1622 (1987)]. The application of a magnetic field to asymmetric heterostructures has firmly established that intrinsic bistability can be observed [Zaslavsky et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 53, 1408 (1988)] and seems to have put the controversy to rest. But, on the other hand, under more conventional conditions (no magnetic field, symmetric structures) it is difficult to decide on the origin of bistability, at least in GaAsGaAlAs resonant-tunneling diodes. We demonstrate here that, because of their unique band structure, such an ambiguity does not exist in GaSbAlSb diodes: the observed bistability is unequivocally intrinsic.
Isolation and characterization of dolichols from Tetrahymena pyriformis

Dolichols of Tetrahymena pyriformis were isolated and characterized by TLC, HPLC and mass spectrometry. Four strains of Tetrahymena were studied and found to have relatively small amounts of dolichol, from 0.26 to 2.60 mg dolichol/kg wet weight. All four strains had approximately the same relative proportions of isoprenologs, dolichol-13 (2%), dolichol-14 (74%), dolichol-15 (23%), and dolichol-16 (less than 1%). Tetrahymena dolichols were found mainly in the mitochondrial subcellular fraction (86%). The pellicle fraction contained 9% and the microsomal fraction, 5% of the remaining dolichol. Free dolichol has also been found in the mitochondrial fraction of four other organisms. We were not able to demonstrate dolichyl esters in these organisms, but their presence is inferred, because reduced yields of dolichol were obtained if the lipid extracts were not saponified prior to HPLC assay.
Why SAFE Is Better Than FAST: The Relatedness of a Word's Meanings Affects Lexical Decision Times

Abstract Past lexical decision studies investigating the number of meanings (NOM) effect have produced mixed results. A second variable, the relatedness among a word's meanings, has not been widely studied. In Experiment 1, Relatedness (High or Low), NOM (Many or Few), and nonword condition (legal nonwords or pseudohomophones) were manipulated in lexical decision. No significant effects of NOM or Relatedness were observed in the legal nonword condition. However, in the pseudohomophone condition, Relatedness and NOM both produced significant main effects, and an interaction. Words with few, unrelated meanings produced the slowest response times (RTs); all other words produced statistically equivalent RTs. Results of the pseudohomophone condition of Experiment 1 were replicated in Experiment 2, except the main effect of NOM was not significant. The overall unreliability of NOM effects in these (and previous) experiments lead us to question the contribution of NOM to the observed interaction. NOM metrics are often confounded with relatedness; words with many meanings tend to have highly related meanings. The results show that relatedness among meanings can influence lexical decision performance; the challenge is now to explore alternative measures, other than simple enumeration, to adequately describe word meanings.
Recognition of the patient unsuitable for aesthetic surgery

There are definable risk-benefit ratios in every surgical procedure, and assessment of a patient's risk-benefit is a particularly important and complex responsibility of the aesthetic surgeon. If someone seeks an aesthetic operation and the surgeon carefully determines that everything about the patient's circumstances warrants the procedure and that the patient is properly motivated and understands the risks, a positive risk/benefit ratio then exists. There is a high probability that the end result will be successful. On the other hand, if the surgeon determines that the patient does not meet either the physical or psychological criteria for the procedure, or if there is simply a “gut feeling” that says, “No,” then the safest course is to decline treatment. If the physician proceeds with surgery regardless of indications to the contrary, no matter the quality of the final result in the surgeon's eyes, the situation is likely to produce an unhappy, troublesome patient.1 There is little disagreement between aesthetic surgeons and mental health professionals that patients who exhibit even mild signs of a variety of psychiatric disorders are dubious candidates for aesthetic surgery. Unfortunately, most of those patients appear in the consultation suite in various “shades of gray” without labels on their lapels. Many surgeons, after their arduous climb to clinical excellence, tend to be focused more intensely on maintaining their surgical skills and knowledge than on the variable human equations that motivate their patients. Thus they often fail to distinguish between those who will be ecstatic over their surgical results and those who will prove to be unhappy regardless of the excellence of the improvement, a dilemma that can lead to serious consequences for the surgeon. Aesthetic surgeons expose themselves to risks that no other practicing physician assumes. They are not treating sick or injured patients to make them well, …
Moderate resolution profile structure of the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane under low temperature conditions for the transient trapping of E1 approximately P.

The calcium uptake reaction kinetics of isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles have previously been shown to be at least biphasic over a range of temperatures (26 to 10 degrees C) with a fast phase identified with the formation of E1 approximately P and calcium occlusion and a slow phase with Ca2+ translocation across the membrane and turnover of the Ca2+ ATPase ensemble. At "low" temperatures, namely 0 degrees C or lower, E1 approximately P formation is slowed and E1 approximately P is transiently trapped for at least several seconds, as indicated by the absence of the slow phase for 6 s or more. We now report that a reversible, temperature-induced structural transition occurs at about 2–3 degrees C for the isolated SR membrane. We have investigated the nature of this structural transition utilizing meridional and equatorial x-ray diffraction studies of the oriented SR membrane multilayers in the range of temperatures between 7.5 and -2 degrees C. The phase meridional (lamellar) diffraction has provided the profile structure for the SR membrane at the highest vs. lowest temperature at the same moderate resolution of 16–17 A while the equatorial diffraction has provided information on the average lipid chain packing in the SR membrane plane in the two cases. To identify the contribution of each membrane component in producing the differences between the profile structures at 7.5 and -2 degrees C, step-function models have been fitted to the moderate resolution electron density profiles. Lipid lateral phase separation may be responsible for inducing the structural change in the Ca2+ ATPase, thereby resulting in the slowing of E1 approximately P formation and the transient trapping of E1 approximately P at the "lower" temperatures.
Adaptive control of uncertain systems using function approximations and adaptive bounding

This paper presents a robust adaptive control design method for a class of multi-input multi-output uncertain nonlinear systems in the presence of parametric and non-parametric uncertainties and bounded disturbances. Using the linear in parameters approximation of unknown nonlinearities and the adaptive bounding technique, the developed controller achieves asymptotic convergence of the tracking error to zero, while ensuring boundedness of parameter errors. The algorithm does not assume the knowledge of any bound on the unknown quantities in designing the controller, and uses the recently developed integral technique to achieve continuity of it. Theoretical developments are illustrated via simulation results.
Fifty Ways to Love Your Lever: Myosin Motors

S. M. B. thanks Ken Holmes, Rasmus Schroder, and Don Winkelmann for help in preparing the illustrations, and Roger Cooke, Mike Geeves, Mark Mooseker, Kathy Trybus, David Warshaw, and Don Winkelmann for generously discussing and sharing their results in advance of publication. This work was supported by a grant from the NIGMS.
Effect of Roentgen, Cyclotron Neutron, or Mixed Neutron-Photon Fractionated Irradiation of Mice: LD50/4 day values

(1977). Effect of Roentgen, Cyclotron Neutron, or Mixed Neutron-Photon Fractionated Irradiation of Mice: LD50/4 day values. Acta Radiologica: Therapy, Physics, Biology: Vol. 16, No. 6, pp. 525-528.
Topographic controls on the regional-scale biodiversity of the south-western USA

Aim Topography is a fundamental geophysical observable that contains valuable information about the geodynamic, tectonic and climatic history of a region. Here, we extend the traditional uses of topographic analysis to evaluate the role played by topography in the distribution of regional-scale biodiversity in the south-western USA. An important aspect of our study is its ability to provide a way to quantify characteristics of the topographic fabric and to construct predictive models that can be used to test hypotheses that relate topography and biodiversity. Location South-western USA region of the North American Cordillera. Methods Our approach begins with a quantitative analysis of the topography and the construction of a predicted biodiversity map based on measurable topographic quantities: organization, roughness, slope aspect, grain orientation and mean elevation. We then make a quantitative comparison between the predicted and observed biodiversity, based on the assumption that land-cover diversity is a plausible measure of regional-scale biodiversity. Land-cover information used for this study was collected as part of the U.S.G.S. global land cover characteristics (GLCC) project and is derived from satellite (AVHRR) imagery. Results To a first order, the predicted regional-scale biodiversity based on our topographic model shows a good correlation with the observed biodiversity (as estimated from the land-cover diversity). Our model overestimates the biodiversity in many parts of the Colorado Plateau, Rio Grande Rift, and the low desert regions of the Southern Basin and Range, suggesting that in these provinces a biodiversity estimate based solely on topography is an oversimplification. However, much of the Madrean Archipelago and Sierra Madre provinces, which are centres of high biodiversity in this region, show excellent agreement between the observed and predicted biodiversity. Main conclusions While we acknowledge that many other factors in addition to topography have an important influence on biodiversity (particularly on a local scale), we conclude that topography plays a primary role in the regional to continental-scale biodiversity, particularly in regions characterized by insular mountain fabrics.
On the Danger and Necessity of Democratisation: trade-offs between short-term stability and long-term peace in post-genocide Rwanda

Abstract This paper argues that the Rwandan government's reconciliation strategy will need to be accompanied by a process of democratisation if it is to achieve its objective of fostering long-term peace. If the discourse of national unity is not reflected in an effective sharing of political power and economic resources, it is likely to be perceived with suspicion or even rejection by the country's largely Hutu population, and could contribute to aggravating ethnic tensions. Last time Rwanda—under pressure from the international community—undertook a democratisation process, however, this contributed to exacerbating the ethnic tensions that led to the genocide. Today Rwanda and its international donors thus face a stark trade-off between short-term stability and long-term peace: the longer the country puts off necessary democratic reform for fear of upsetting stability, the greater the risk of a rejection of government policies by the population and of a renewed manipulation of ethnicity in the future.
Ultimate State of Samples of Ellipsoids under Different Stress Paths

The ultimate state of granular material was investigated by the discrete element method. This paper discusses a series of numerical triaxial tests on samples of two kinds of ellipsoids. Samples of three different densities were loaded along various stress paths. The ellipsoids were mixed in the proportions 50:50 by weight. The longer particles have an aspect ratio (major length/minor length) of 1.5 and the other particles have an aspect ratio of 1.2. The samples were generated by deposition under gravity to simulate the air-pluviation sample preparation technique. Then they were consolidated isotropically. Fourteen stress-path controlled triaxial tests were conducted numerically for each sample. They are sheared to the ultimate state to determine the friction angle and void ratio at the ultimate state. When samples of different densities were sheared along the same loading path, a unique ultimate state was observed. The initial density does not affect the ultimate state. However, when different loading paths are applied to the same numerical specimen, they do not always arrive at the same critical state in the void-mean stress space.
At Play in the Field of Possibles

This essay focuses on questions central to Husserl’s essential methodology, specifically his notion of ‘free-fantasy variation,’ which he regarded as his ‘fundamental methodological insight.’ At the heart of this ‘vital element of phenomenology’ is what he often terms ‘as-if experience’ thanks to which anything whatever (actual or possible) can be considered either for its own sake or as an example of something else. Further analysis explores the act of exemplification, the act of feigning (termed possibilizing) and the shifts of attention and orientation that ground free-fantasy variation. Exemplification and possibilizing are then examined in daily life to discern what makes the complex act of feigning at all possible. An examination of the phenomenon of upsets (of what is typically expected) brings the core sense of possibilizing to light. A focus on the dramatic force intrinsic to these experiences, and the essential place of reflective awareness inherent to them, makes apparent how the rudimentary sense of self begins to emerge, and there follows an analysis of this self-referentiality of possibilizing. The analysis then concludes with a brief examination of Husserl’s so-called ‘zig-zag’ method of constitutive phenomenology.