cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory neurons modulate spontaneous signaling in cultured cortical neurons: density-dependent regulation of excitatory neuronal signaling.

Cortical neuronal activity depends on a balance between excitatory and inhibitory influences. Culturing of neurons on multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) has provided insight into the development and maintenance of neuronal networks. Herein, we seeded MEAs with murine embryonic cortical/hippocampal neurons at different densities ( 1000 cells mm−2) and monitored resultant spontaneous signaling. Sparsely seeded cultures displayed a large number of bipolar, rapid, high-amplitude individual signals with no apparent temporal regularity. By contrast, densely seeded cultures instead displayed clusters of signals at regular intervals. These patterns were observed even within thinner and thicker areas of the same culture. GABAergic neurons (25% of total neurons in our cultures) mediated the differential signal patterns observed above, since addition of the inhibitory antagonist bicuculline to dense cultures and hippocampal slice cultures induced the signal pattern characteristic of sparse cultures. Sparsely seeded cultures likely lacked sufficient inhibitory neurons to modulate excitatory activity. Differential seeding of MEAs can provide a unique model for analyses of pertubation in the interaction between excitatory and inhibitory function during aging and neuropathological conditions where dysregulation of GABAergic neurons is a significant component.
Determination of tryptamine in rat brain by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Abstract Tryptamine (TA) occurs in trace levels in the brain, but its role in the central nervous system is not clear. However, there is evidence that TA may be a neuromodulator since it binds to specific binding sites in the brain. TA was measured as a diheptafluorobutyryl derivative in rat whole brain by capillary gas chromatography—mass spectrometry using negative chemical ionization (NCI) and single ion monitoring (SIM). d 4 -TA was used as the internal standard. The ions m/z 532 and m/z 536 were monitored to identify TA and d 4 -TA, respectively and to calculate the concentration of TA in rat whole brain which was found to be 0.19 ± 0.08 ng g −1 ( n = 8). The results confirm the earlier TA concentrations measured by GC—MS using positive electron impact ionization. However, NCI improved the signal/noise ratio of the method increasing its sensitivity for TA.
Idiopathic orthostatic hypotension: Circulatory dynamics in chronic autonomic insufficiency☆

Idiopathic orthostatic hypotension offers a unique opportunity to study the effect of chronic autonomic insufficiency on circulatory dynamics in man. Evidence of abnormal cardiac performance was found in eight patients with idiopathic orthostatic hypotension secondary to efferent adrenergic dysfunction. Compared with normal subjects these patients had a lower cardiac output (2.37 liters/min per m2, P < 0.001), faster heart rate (83 beats/min, P < 0.001), smaller stroke volume (30 ml/ m2, P < 0.001) and slower rate of left ventricular ejection (107 ml/sec per m2, P < 0.001). Intravascular volume was also reduced (90 percent of normal), (P < 0.01), but this reduction could not by itself account for the marked decrease in cardiac output (75 percent of normal) since there was no correlation between the two variables (r − 0.269, not significant). The ratio of stroke volume to cardiopulmonary volume was reduced (P < 0.025), thus suggesting that impaired myocardial contractility might be partly responsible for the defective cardiac performance. Although failure of peripheral resistance is the basic mechanism in idiopathic orthostatic hypotension, our results indicate that impaired cardiac function possibly related to cardiac denervation may also contribute to the poor circulatory adjustments in this disease.
Nanostructured electrodes for efficient gas ionization

We investigate Tungsten (W) nanorod electrodes as gas ionizers. These W nanorods having square-base pyramidal apexes are grown using a glancing angle sputter deposition technique with substrate rotation. We show that few tens of volts of anode voltage applied to the W nanorods are sufficient to ionize a range of different gas species including Ar, CO 2 , N 2 and O 2 . A distinct ionization onset voltage is observed for each individual gas specie, which suggests that these nanostructured ionization devices may be useful for gas sensing applications. In addition, the low anode voltage and high ion currents observed in this study indicates that the gas ionization devices could be operated using commercially available off-the-shelf batteries.
A human resource rightsizing model for the twenty-first century

Organizations must take steps to rightsize effectively. Downsizing and restructuring continue to occur, but organizations depend on their people to make them successful. This article proposes a twelve-step model to help organizations consider the human resource component during rightsizing. Rightsizing is defined as a proactive approach to downsizing and restructuring organizations on a continuous basis. Kozlowski (1991) states that when a decision to downsize is followed by proactive planning, the organization is more likely to achieve its goal. According to Solomon (1992), employees are loyal to organizations when they have employment security. Thus, the model seeks to support both the organization's needs and the individual's employment goals.
Biosynthesis of alkane-2,3-diols: Chemical synthesis of 3-hydroxy-[3-14C] octadecane-2-one and its reduction to [3-14C]octadecane-2,3-diol in the uropygial glands of ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus)☆

Abstract Acyloin has been proposed to be an intermediate in the biosynthesis of long chain alkane-2,3-diols. In order to test this possibility, specifically labeled 3-hydroxyoctadecane-2-one (acyloin) was synthesized by coupling 2-methyl-1,3-dithiane with [1- 14 C]hexadecanal followed by cleaving of the thioketal. Injection of the synthetic 3-hydroxy [3- 14 C]octadecane-2-one into the uropygial gland of the ring-necked pheasant resulted in the formation of labeled octadecane-2,3-diol. Chemical degradation of this diol showed that all of the 14 C was contained in C-3 of the diol showing direct conversion of acyloin to the diol. These observations support the hypothesis that alkane-2,3-diols might be biosynthesized by reduction of the acyloin derived from a condensation between hydroxyethyl thiamine pyrophosphate and fatty aldehyde. Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of the alkane-2,3-diols, as their isopropylidene derivatives, of the pheasant strongly suggests that they are of the erythro -configuration; however, alkane-2,3-diol enzymatically formed from the racemic acyloin injected into the gland contained 59.5% erythro - and 40.5% threo -diastereoisomers. This distribution was identical to that produced by chemical reduction of the synthetic racemic acyloin. These results clearly show that the reduction step does not show a preference for either of the enantiomers of the acyloin and that the stereospecificity in diol biosynthesis probably resides in the condensation step.
Weight and Hatchability of Aedes aegypti Eggs (Diptera: Culicidae)

At laying, eggs of Aedes aegypti (L.) weighed about 5 μ g. As the embryo developed and the eggs became conditioned, weight increased to 12 ± .03 μ g. Conditioned eggs subjected to various relative humidities showed a progressive loss in weight and a corresponding decrease in hatchability. “Optimally” conditioned eggs held at 0% relative humidity at 25° ± 2° C. decreased in weight to near 3.5 μ g in 72 clays at which time hatching ceased. Suboptimally conditioned eggs of the same initial weight decreased to the same extent in about 55, 80, 150, 205, and 230 clays in relative humidities of approximately 0%, 30%, 60%, 75%, and 90% respectively. A high correlation between the changes in weight and hatchability is demonstrated.
The neutrino mass and the monopole—Anti-monopole dumb-bell system in the SO(10) grand unified model

Abstract A model is constructed which is based on the gauge group of SU(2) × [U(1)] 3 embedded into the SO(10) model. In this model, the right-handed and the left-handed neutrinos belong to different SU(2) doublets, and a doublet Higgs scalar is extracted from the 16-plet Higgs scalar which is responsible for the breaking of SO(10) down to SU(5). The classical solution obtained in this model is a dumb-bell system which consists of a monopole and an anti-monopole connected by an SU(5)-singlet string with a width ≲ (10 16 GeV) −1 . The fermion number violating effect might be induced by this dumb-bell system, causing the transition between the right-handed and the left-handed neutrinos. Therefore, such a dumb-bell system (or monopolium) might cause a change in the neutrino mass.
Thin film growth of TiO2 and Ti2O3 by the new method of liquid injection CVD investigated using optical interferometry, XRD and AFM

The method of liquid injection chemical vapour deposition (LICVD) is a new technique, which is being developed for its potential to allow new material compositions and simpler and more flexible deposition schemes. The potential advantage of this technique is that it is possible to fix the precursor composition(s) in the injection solvent, permitting a simpler injection scheme compared to the current need for bubblers or gaseous precursors in CVD. In our system the precursor solution is rapidly volatilised into a carrier gas stream, which is then passed over the heated substrate. In this initial study we use the single component titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) dissolved in THF for the injection solution, and investigate the behaviour of the deposition with in situ optical reflectometry and ex situ XRD and AFM. The data gained gives information on the growth rate, morphology and crystalline properties of the films. The characteristics of our deposition system are that we find a flux controlled growth mode, changes in the rate of deposition as a function of thickness, which are related to the surface morphology and the growth of Ti2O3 at temperatures above 450 °C. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Disturbances in hepatic heme metabolism in rats administered alkyl halides.

Abstract Liver tissue from rats administered 13 different alkyl halides and 4 other hepatotoxins were assayed for indices of hepatic heme synthesis. These included aminolevulimic acid (ALA)-dehydratase activity, porphyrin content, microsomal cytochrome P-450 and reduced glutathione content. Consistent decreases in ALA-dehydratase activity (14 of 17 compounds) and cytochrome P-450 content (14 of 17 compounds) were found. Significant changes in glutathione and prophyrin content also occurred after exposure to some compounds, but were not consistent. Alkyl halides are a class of toxicologically important compounds which have been found to exert an influence on hepatic heme synthesis.
Prevalence and predictors of surgical intervention in trauma patients activated by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma guidelines

Study objectives: We determine the frequency in which trauma activations were associated with operative management by a trauma surgeon and whether currently used American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT) guidelines of out-of-hospital variables could predict such findings to help better prioritize the urgency of trauma surgeon presence during trauma activations. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively recorded trauma registry of all trauma activations from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2002. Univariate analyses of out-of-hospital variables recorded in the trauma registry were evaluated in a university-based Level I trauma center serving a region of approximately 3 million people, with an annual emergency department census of 53,000 patients. All trauma activations were analyzed to determine whether operative management was performed. Subjects were then subdivided into 3 groups, defined as emergency (operative management 1 to 4 hours). In all cases, the surgical specialist and disposition were noted. Out-of-hospital variables were evaluated to determine predictive values of emergency and urgent surgical intervention. Results: There were 5,001 trauma activations during the study period. Thirty percent went to the operating room, with 4% emergency, 8% urgent, and 18% semiurgent. Orthopedics performed operative management on 37% of all cases, followed by general surgery at 32%. For emergency cases, general surgery performed operative management on 69%, followed by neurosurgery on 11%. For urgent cases, general surgery performed operative management on 38% and neurosurgery on 25%. For semiurgent cases, orthopedics took 53%, and general surgery took 22%. Predictors of emergency operative management include systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg (RR 3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.0 to 4.4 mm Hg); penetrating trauma (RR 8.0; 95% CI 6.1 to 10.6), and blunt trauma (RR 0.12; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.17). Predictors of urgent operative management include penetrating trauma (RR 2.30; 95% CI 1.88 to 2.82). Variables not correlated with operative management were pulse rate, respiratory rate, Glasgow Coma Scale score, blunt trauma, and age. Conclusion: Although eventual operative management of trauma activations is common, emergency operative management occurred in only 4% of patients. Predictors of emergency operative management were systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg and penetrating trauma. Currently accepted ACS-COT trauma guidelines of out-of-hospital variables poorly predicted the need for emergency, urgent, and semiurgent operative management. Upcoming further multivariate and classification and regression tree analysis is necessary to better classify trauma patients into various risk categories for any urgent surgical intervention.
Oriental Forms in American Architecture 1800–1870

THE Romantic Movement in Europe during the later eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries was a cult that idealized the remote. Its architecture was expressed in Greek and Gothic) Italian and Oriental forms. Although by no means the most popular) Oriental form was peculiarly fitted to the current tendency to identify beauty with the exotic. In reality, the Oriental phase encompassed as many or more styles than those forming the balance of the Movement. The inspiration from Asia and Africa drew upon some of the world's oldest and most highly developed cultures. However, the various styles of Oriental art in Europe were interpreted freely and combined indiscriminatively. A few notable exceptions show the attempt (however unsuccessful!) to reproduce consistent Oriental buildings) but usually a faint Eastern flavor on an otherwise European building was enough to satisfy the tastes of the romantics. The purposes of Orientalized buildings as such were: (1) for giving architectural interest to the natural garde...
The relationship between consumption and worker productivity: Nutrition and economic approaches

That better fed, healthier individuals work harder may seem intuitively appealing but there is surprisingly little rigorous evidence to support the hypothesis. There are numerous problems in establishing a causal link between production and consumption due to difficulties in measuring the productivity of workers, misinterpretation of simple correlations between production and consumption, and jointly determined production and consumption variables. The extent to which research findings can be generalized to larger populations often is jeopardized by sample attrition and sample selection. It is the purpose of this article to explain how these empirical and experimental difficulties arise, their implications for research results, how they may be overcome, and to access what is known about the consumption-production relationship. The field of nutrition contributes understanding of the biological relationship between energy intake and energy expenditure, necessary measurement skills, and clinical evidence supporting the consumption-production hypothesis. Economists contribute understanding of the larger social context in which the biological relationship takes place and empirical techniques necessary to overcome measurement and data problems.
Changing the waveform of circadian rhythms: considerations for shift-work.

Circadian disruption in shift-work is common and has deleterious effects on health and performance. Current efforts to mitigate these harms reasonably focus on the phase of the circadian pacemaker, which unfortunately in humans, shifts slowly and often incompletely. Temporal reorganization of rhythmic waveform (i.e. the shape of its 24 h oscillation), rather than phase, however, may better match performance demands of shift-workers and can be quickly and feasibly implemented in animals. In fact, a bifurcated pacemaker waveform may permit stable entrainment of a bimodal sleep/wake rhythm promoting alertness in both night and daylight hours. Although bifurcation has yet to be formally assessed in humans, evidence of conserved properties of circadian organization and plasticity predict its occurrence: humans respond to conventional manipulations of waveform (e.g., photoperiodism); behaviorally, the sleep/wake rhythm is adaptable; and finally, the human circadian system likely derives from the same multiple cellular oscillators that permit waveform flexibility in the rodent pacemaker. In short, investigation into untried manipulations of waveform in humans to facilitate adjustment to challenging schedules is justified.
Orthosymplectic integration of linear Hamiltonian systems

The authors describe a continuous, orthogonal and symplectic factorization procedure for integrating unstable linear Hamiltonian systems. The method relies on the development of an orthogonal, symplectic change of variables to block triangular Hamiltonian form. Integration is thus carried out within the class of linear Hamiltonian systems. Use of an appropriate timestepping strategy ensures that the symplectic pairing of eigenvalues is automatically preserved. For long-term integrations, as are needed in the calculation of Lyapunov exponents, the favorable qualitative properties of such a symplectic framework can be expected to yield improved estimates. The method is illustrated and compared with other techniques in numerical experiments on the Henon-Heiles and spatially discretized Sine-Gordon equations.
Predictive priority for light rail transit: University light rail line in Salt Lake County, Utah

The goal of this paper is to assess the operational implementation of strategies for predictive light rail priority through microsimulation. A 2-mi corridor in Salt Lake County, Utah, where the University Line of light rail line operates, was studied. The study used VISSIM microsimulation models to analyze light rail operations and the effects that light rail priority has on transit and vehicular traffic. Results showed that although the existing priority strategies had no effects on vehicular traffic along the corridor, they reduced train travel times by 20% to 30%. Left turns along the main corridor were slightly affected by the priority. Although the priority strategies could have minor to major effects on vehicular traffic along side streets through increased delays, they reduced train delays by 2.5 min along the corridor. Enabling priority at the 700 E intersection (where the priority was currently not active) would help reduce delays for trains by an additional 10%, with a small increase in vehicle ...
Framing environmental change in Africa: cross-scale institutional constraints on progressing from rhetoric to action against vulnerability

Abstract The reconciliation of national development plans with global priority to mitigate environmental change remains an intractable policy controversy. In Africa, its resolution requires integrating local knowledge into impact assessments without compromising the scientific integrity of the assessment process. This requires better understanding of the communication pathways involved in progressing from frame construction to political action on various environmental issues. The impacts of environmental factors on human health are a common concern in Africa, and it is examined here as a platform for negotiating controversies surrounding the arrogation of global support for local assessments of vulnerability and mitigation. The study focused on the particularities of projected impacts of climate change, and specifically on considerations of the health sector within the context of multivalent international agreements to conduct and use environmental assessments. The analysis addresses limitations of cross-scale communication nodes that are embedded in boundary institutions such as the Country Study Program which is hosted by industrialized nations. The translation of rhetoric into action frames through dynamic vulnerability assessments and critical frame reflection can equally engage indigenous and aided capacity for adapting to environmental change.
Wild-Type and Mutant Hemagglutinin Fusion Peptides Alter Bilayer Structure as Well as Kinetics and Activation Thermodynamics of Stalk and Pore Formation Differently: Mechanistic Implications

Viral fusion peptides are short N-terminal regions of type-1 viral fusion proteins that are critical for virus entry. Although the importance of viral fusion peptides in virus-cell membrane fusion is established, little is known about how they function. We report the effects of wild-type (WT) hemagglutinin (HA) fusion peptide and its G1S, G1V, and W14A mutants on the kinetics of poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)-mediated fusion of small unilamellar vesicles composed of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine, dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin, and cholesterol (molar ratio of 35:30:15:20). Time courses of lipid mixing, content mixing, and content leakage were obtained using fluorescence assays at multiple temperatures and analyzed globally using either a two-step or three-step sequential ensemble model of the fusion process to obtain the rate constant and activation thermodynamics of each step. We also monitored the influence of peptides on bilayer interfacial order, acyl chain order, bilayer free volume, and water penetration. All these data were considered in terms of a recently published mechanistic model for the thermodynamic transition states for each step of the fusion process. We propose that WT peptide catalyzes Step 1 by occupying bilayer regions vacated by acyl chains that protrude into interbilayer space to form the Step 1 transition state. It also uniquely contributes a positive intrinsic curvature to hemi-fused leaflets to eliminate Step 2 and catalyzes Step 3 by destabilizing the highly stressed edges of the hemi-fused microstructures that dominate the ensemble of the intermediate state directly preceding fusion pore formation. Similar arguments explain the catalytic and inhibitory properties of the mutant peptides and support the hypothesis that the membrane-contacting fusion peptide of HA fusion protein is key to its catalytic activity.
Identification of integrin αMβ2 as an adhesion receptor on peripheral blood monocytes for Cyr61 (CCN1) and connective tissue growth factor (CCN2): immediate-early gene products expressed in atherosclerotic lesions

Cysteine-rich 61 (Cyr61, CCN1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, CCN2) are growth factor–inducible immediate-early gene products found in blood vessel walls and healing cutaneous wounds. We previously reported that the adhesion of endothelial cells, platelets, and fibroblasts to these extracellular matrix–associated proteins is mediated through integrin receptors. In this study, we demonstrated that both Cyr61 and CTGF are expressed in advanced atherosclerotic lesions of apolipoprotein E–deficient mice. Because monocyte adhesion and transmigration are important for atherosclerosis, wound healing, and inflammation, we examined the interaction of THP-1 monocytic cells and isolated peripheral blood monocytes with Cyr61 and CTGF. THP-1 cells and monocytes adhered to Cyr61- or CTGF-coated wells in an activation-dependent manner and this process was mediated primarily through integrin αMβ2. Additionally, expression of αMβ2 on human embryonic kidney 293 cells resulted in enhanced cell adhesion to Cyr61. Consistent with these data, a GST-fusion protein containing the I domain of the integrin αM subunit bound specifically to immobilized Cyr61 or CTGF. We have also investigated the requirement of cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) as coreceptors for monocyte adhesion to Cyr61. Pretreatment of monocytes with heparin or heparinase I resulted in partial inhibition of cell adhesion to Cyr61. However, monocytes, but not fibroblasts, were capable of adhering to a Cyr61 mutant deficient in heparin binding activity. Collectively, these results show that activated monocytes adhere to Cyr61 and CTGF through integrin αMβ2 and cell surface HSPGs. However, unlike fibroblast adhesion to Cyr61, cell surface HSPGs are not absolutely required for this adhesion process.
Inhibition by capsaicin of NADH-quinone oxidoreductases is correlated with the presence of energy-coupling site 1 in various organisms

The NADH-ubiquinone reductase activity of the respiratory chains of several organisms was inhibited by capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, which are the pungent principles of red pepper. This inhibition was correlated with the presence of an energy transducing site in this segment of the respiratory chain. Where the NADH-quinone oxidoreductase segment involved an energy coupling site (e.g., in Paracoccus denitrificans, Escherichia coli, and Thermus thermophilus HB-8 membranes and bovine heart mitochondria), capsaicin acted as an inhibitor of ubiquinone reduction by NADH. In contrast, where this energy coupling site was absent (e.g., in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria and Bacillus subtilis membranes), there was no inhibition of NADH-ubiquinone reductase activity by capsaicin. The capsaicin inhibition of Paracoccus membranes was reversed by washing the membranes with medium containing bovine serum albumin. In the E. coli and Paracoccus membranes and bovine submitochondrial particles, capsaicin acted as a noncompetitive inhibitor for ubiquinone-1 at lower concentrations of ubiquinone-1 (less than 20 microM) and as a competitive inhibitor at higher concentrations of ubiquinone-1 (greater than 50 microM). In addition, the concentrations of capsaicin required for 50% inhibition of NADH oxidase activity of bovine submitochondrial particles were increased when ubiquinone-10 was added to the particles. The mechanism by which capsaicin inhibits the energy-transducing NADH-quinone oxidoreductase is discussed.
Distances to a point of reference in spatial point patterns

Abstract Motivated by a study of social spider behavior, we discuss the distribution of the distances from all the events in a spatial point pattern to a point of reference that has a known location at a given moment of time. The distribution depends on both the shape of the region and the location of the point of reference. The empirical CDF is used to describe the distribution of the distances and compare it to the CDF derived under complete spatial randomness. Empirical distributions are then compared through time focusing on the case in which the point of reference changes with time.
Holographic interferometry of the corneal surface

Previous attempts to analyze the corneal surface have been limited to geometric interpretation of ring displacement (Placido disc technology). Use of holographic interferometry allows real time optical measurement of the corneal surface. Clinical examples of holographic interferometry are presented.
From civil defence to civil protection – and back again

Civil protection, or emergency preparedness as it is known in the USA, has grown in response to the need to protect populations against natural and technological disasters. Over the past two decades it has partially supplanted civil defence, which is primarily concerned with civilian response to armed aggression. This article traces the evolution of both fields and analyses their often uneasy relationship. It discusses the probable long‐term effect of the US terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 on emergency management policies around the world and considers the implications of the probable changes in terms of citizen’s rights and expectations in disaster situations. With the new emphasis on anti‐terrorism measures, and a new spirit of authoritarianism, civil defense appears to be becoming resurgent at the expense of the more democratic forms of crisis management inherent in modern civil protection arrangements.
Mediated information retrieval in Web searching

This study investigated whether the existence of either the mediated condition through a collection in a specific domain or the combined display of a clustered structure and a linear ranked list of search results would affect the three main measures of the user's Web searching behaviors: effectiveness, efficiency, and usability. That is, mediated access through a structured collection helps the user explore a small well-structured document collection covering a specific subject domain in order to clarify her/his information needs before search on the World Wide Web. The results of the study demonstrated that all the measures had interesting results via the adaptive process on the system and the search task. The findings of this research contribute to a better understanding of how the mediation system or the combined display supports a Web information user.
A FORTRAN decoder and evaluator for use at operation time

Abstract Except for normative components, the calculation of which is sufficiently involved to require a separate subroutine, the compositional “derived variables” of chemical petrology may be cast readily in the form of simple arithmetic expressions. With regard to the design of petrographic data bases and their associated information systems, the practical question is whether these should be processed by the base builder, so that the values of each derived variable are incorporated in the base, by an ad hoc subroutine linked to the information system prior to each retrieval or reduction, or by permanent elements of the information system. The third option requires intrinsic capability for decoding and evaluating expressions received as character strings at operation time. Subroutines DKDXPR and EVLXPR provide that capability. Calling program IMDEVL provides a convenient conversational device for testing DKDXPR and EVLXPR.
Noninvasive muscle oxygenation to guide fluid resuscitation after traumatic shock.

Abstract Background Three different protocols tested the hypothesis that hind limb muscle tissue O2 saturation (StO2), measured noninvasively with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), is as reliable as invasive systemic oxygenation indices to guide fluid resuscitation. Methods In series 1, swine (n = 30) were hemorrhaged, then received either no fluid, a fixed volume of colloid (15 mL/kg), or shed blood plus lactated Ringer's (LR) titrated to MAP >60 mm Hg. In series 2, swine (n = 16) received a penetrating femur injury, a 47% to 55% hemorrhage to determine a median lethal dose (LD50) then shed blood plus LR titrated to MAP >60 mm Hg. In series 3, swine (n = 5) received the femur injury plus LD50 hemorrhage, and were resuscitated with LR titrated to StO2 >50%. Results In series 1, StO2 tracked mixed venous O2 saturation (SvO2), but discriminated between 3 survivor groups better than SvO2, arterial lactate, or arterial base excess. In series 2, StO2 tracked SvO2 but discriminated between 2 survivor groups better than SvO2, arterial lactate, or arterial base excess. In series 3, animals survived to extubation when resuscitated to an StO2 target. Conclusions Noninvasive muscle StO2 determined by NIRS was more reliable than invasive oxygenation variables as an index of shock. Because muscle StO2 can be easily monitored in emergency situations, it may represent an improved method to gauge the severity of shock or the adequacy of fluid resuscitation after trauma.
Concerted vs Stepwise Mechanisms in Dehydro-Diels–Alder Reactions

The Diels–Alder reaction is not limited to 1,3-dienes. Many cycloadditions of enynes and a smaller number of examples with 1,3-diynes have been reported. These “dehydro”-Diels–Alder cycloadditions are one class of dehydropericyclic reactions which have long been used to generate strained cyclic allenes and other novel structures. CCSD(T)//M05-2X computational results are reported for the cycloadditions of vinylacetylene and butadiyne with ethylene and acetylene. Both concerted and stepwise diradical routes have been explored for each reaction, with location of relevant stationary points. Relative to 1,3-dienes, replacement of one double bond by a triple bond adds 6–6.5 kcal/mol to the activation barrier; a second triple bond adds 4.3–4.5 kcal/mol to the barrier. Product strain decreases the predicted exothermicity. In every case, a concerted reaction is favored energetically. The difference between concerted and stepwise reactions is 5.2–6.6 kcal/mol for enynes but diminishes to 0.5–2 kcal/mol for diynes....
Precision electroweak results from neutrino-nucleon scattering at CCFR/NuTeV

Abstract We present a precise measurement of the neutral current couplings to quarks derived from the ratio of neutral-current to charged-current cross-sections in νN deeply inelastic scattering with the CCFR detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. A value of sin2 θω(on-shell) = 0.2236 ± 0.0028(expt.) ± 0.0030(model) for mtop = 175 GeV, mHiggs = 150 GeV is extracted; this is equivalent to Mω = 80.35 ± 0.21 GeV. The good agreement of the measurement with the Standard Model excludes additional ννqq contact interactions at a mass scale of 1–8 TeV (depending on the interaction), at 95% confidence. Preliminary results and prospects for the sensitivity of the successor Fermilab neutrino experiment, NuTeV (FNAL-E815), are also presented.
How cautious should we be when assessing apathy with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale?

Current practice often assesses apathy with a single item from the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS, item 4). Yet, the relationship between the UPDRS item 4 and the validated Apathy Scale (AS) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the operating characteristics of UPDRS item 4 in relation to the AS. Three hundred and one patients with PD were administered the AS and the UPDRS. We compared the UPDRS item 4 to the standard AS classification of ≥14 as apathetic. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was obtained, and sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive power were calculated. The ROC curve showed area under the curve as 0.75. A cut-off of 1 had good sensitivity (81%) but poor specificity (53%; high false positive rate). A cut-off point of 2 had acceptable specificity (87%) but poor sensitivity (52%, high false negative rate). Continuing to increasing the cut-off point (e.g., 3, 4) continues to increase specificity at the expense of dramatically reducing sensitivity. These findings suggest the use of caution when screening for apathy with item 4 due to its poor sensitivity in relation to the AS.
Alcohol use in male spouse abusers and their female partners

Patterns of alcohol use of 181 maritally violent and maritally nonviolent men and their female partners differed on subscales of the Quantity-Frequency Index. Two abuser groups (43 uncounseled and 46 counseled) drank significantly greater amounts and for different psychological reasons than two nonabuser groups (50 satisfactorily married and 42 discordant). However, group frequency rates did not vary. The abuser groups had experienced and observed significantly more violence during childhood than the nonabuser groups; further, they reported significantly more current life stress. The female partners of the abusers did not differ in global alcohol use; however, they drank substantially more than their counterparts. They were especially prone to drink in response to battering. About one fourth of the abusers and one fifth of their wives drank frequently during abusive episodes. Stressors and depressors most likely precipitated both drinking and battering, with strain, hostility, and alcohol myopia (altered perception) serving as intervening variables. Results clarify contradictory reports concerning the role of alcohol in family violence.
Venous saturation and the anaerobic threshold in neonates after the Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Abstract Background . Reduction in oxygen delivery can lead to organ dysfunction and death by cellular hypoxia, detectable by progressive (mixed) venous oxyhemoglobin desaturation until extraction is limited at the anaerobic threshold. We sought to determine the critical level of venous oxygen saturation to maintain aerobic metabolism in neonates after the Norwood procedure (NP) for the hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Methods . A prospective perioperative database was maintained for demographic, hemodynamic, and laboratory data. Invasive arterial and atrial pressures, arterial saturation, oximetric superior vena cava (SVC) saturation, and end-tidal CO 2 were continuously recorded and logged hourly for the first 48 postoperative hours. Arterial and venous blood gases and cooximetry were obtained at clinically appropriate intervals. SVC saturation was used as an approximation of mixed venous saturation (SvO 2 ). A standard base excess (BE) less than −4 mEq/L (BElo), or a change exceeding −2 mEq/L/h (ΔBElo), were used as indicators of anaerobic metabolism. The relationship between SvO 2 and BE was tested by analysis of variance and covariance for repeated measures; the binomial risk of BElo or ΔBElo at SvO 2 strata was tested by the likelihood ratio test and logistic regression, with cutoff at p Results . Complete data were available in 48 of 51 consecutive patients undergoing NP yielding 2,074 valid separate determinations. BE was strongly related to SvO 2 (model R 2 = 0.40, p 2 was 30% or below ( p Conclusions . Analysis of acid-base changes revealed an apparent anaerobic threshold when SvO 2 fell below 30%. Clinical management to maintain SvO 2 above this threshold yielded low mortality.
Characterization of phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate, and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry: a mechanistic study.

Structural characterization of phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI-4P), and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI-4,5-P2) by collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization is described. In negative ion mode, the major fragmentation pathways under low energy CAD for PI arise from neutral loss of free fatty acid substituents ([M - H - R x CO2H]−) and neutral loss of the corresponding ketenes ([M - H - R ′ CH=6=C=O]−), followed by consecutive loss of the inositol head group. The intensities of the ions arising from neutral loss of the sn-2 substutient as a free fatty acid ([M - H - R2CO2H]−) or as a ketene ([M - H - R2CH=C=O]−) are greater than those of ions reflecting corresponding losses of the sn-1 substutient. This is consistent with our recent finding that ions reflecting those losses arise from charge-driven processes that occur preferentially at the sn-2 position. These features permit assignment of the position of the fatty acid substituents on the glycerol backbone. Nucleophilic attack of the anionic phosphate onto the C-1 or the C-2 of the glycerol to which the fatty acids attached expels sn-1 (R1CO 2 − ) or sn-2 (R2CO 2 − ) carboxylate anion, respectively. This pathway is sterically more favorable at sn-2 than at sn-1. However, further dissociations of [M - H - R x CO2H - inositol]−, [M - H -R x CO2H]−, and [M - H - R − CH=C=O]− precursor ions also yield RxCO 2 − T ions, whose abundance are affected by the collision energy applied. Therefore, relative intensities of the RxCO 2 − ions in the spectrum do not reflect their positions on the glycerol backbone and determination of their regiospecificities based on their ion intensities is not reliable. The spectra also contain specific ions at m/z 315, 279, 259, 241, and 223, reflecting the inositol head group. The last three ions are also observed in the tandem spectra of the [M - H]− ions of phosphatidylinositol monophosphate (PI-P) and phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PI-P2), in addition to the ions at m/z 321 and 303, reflecting the doubly phosphorylated inositol ions. The PI-P2 also contains unique ions at m/z 401 and 383 that reflect the triply phosphorylated inositol ions. The [M - H]− ions of PI-P and PI-P2 undergo fragmentation pathways similar to that of PI upon CAD. However, the doubly charged ([M - 2H]2−) molecular ions undergo fragmentation pathways that are typical of the [M - H]− ions of glycerophosphoethanolamine, which are basic. These results suggest that the further deprotonated gaseous [M - 2H]2− ions of PI-P and PI-P2 are basic precursors.
Improving Transfer of Learning

This study investigates whether the processes associated with the use of business simulations can be structured to improve transfer of learning from the classroom environment to the workplace.The answer to this question is explored by investigating teaching methods used to introduce the simulation, the amount of time students spend on decisions, team decision-making characteristics, and student performance levels in the course. The results indicate that students have higher perceived transfer of learning when they learn the simulation by reading the student manual and from peers rather than from the instructor or from hands-on experience. Also, the results indicate that perceptions of time spent on strategic decisions, financial decisions, and student expectations of their final grade were related to perceived transfer of learning.
Prevention of the Disrupted Enamel Phenotype in Slc4a4-Null Mice Using Explant Organ Culture Maintained in a Living Host Kidney Capsule

Slc4a4-null mice are a model of proximal renal tubular acidosis (pRTA). Slc4a4 encodes the electrogenic sodium base transporter NBCe1 that is involved in transcellular base transport and pH regulation during amelogenesis. Patients with mutations in the SLC4A4 gene and Slc4a4-null mice present with dysplastic enamel, amongst other pathologies. Loss of NBCe1 function leads to local abnormalities in enamel matrix pH regulation. Loss of NBCe1 function also results in systemic acidemic blood pH. Whether local changes in enamel pH and/or a decrease in systemic pH are the cause of the abnormal enamel phenotype is currently unknown. In the present study we addressed this question by explanting fetal wild-type and Slc4a4-null mandibles into healthy host kidney capsules to study enamel formation in the absence of systemic acidemia. Mandibular E11.5 explants from NBCe1-/- mice, maintained in host kidney capsules for 70 days, resulted in teeth with enamel and dentin with morphological and mineralization properties similar to cultured NBCe1+/+ mandibles grown under identical conditions. Ameloblasts express a number of proteins involved in dynamic changes in H+/base transport during amelogenesis. Despite the capacity of ameloblasts to dynamically modulate the local pH of the enamel matrix, at least in the NBCe1-/- mice, the systemic pH also appears to contribute to the enamel phenotype. Extrapolating these data to humans, our findings suggest that in patients with NBCe1 mutations, correction of the systemic metabolic acidosis at a sufficiently early time point may lead to amelioration of enamel abnormalities.
Large-Scale Sprouting of Cortical Connections After Peripheral Injury in Adult Macaque Monkeys

Distributions of thalamic and cortical connections were investigated in four macaque monkeys with long-standing, accidental trauma to a forelimb, to determine whether the growth of new connections plays a role in the reorganization of somatosensory cortex that occurs after major alterations in peripheral somatosensory inputs. In each monkey, microelectrode recordings of cortical areas 3b and 1 demonstrated massive reorganizations of the cortex related to the affected limb. Injections of tracers in area 1 of these monkeys revealed normal patterns of thalamocortical connections, but markedly expanded lateral connections in areas 3b and 1. Thus, the growth of intracortical but not thalamocortical connections could account for much of the reorganization of the sensory maps in cortex.
Gas-phase Br2 production in heterogeneous reactions of Cl2, HOCl, and BrCl with halide-ice surfaces

In order to evaluate the relative importance of different heterogeneous mechanisms that may release gas-phase Br2 into the Arctic boundary layer, interactions of Cl2, HOCl, and BrCl with halide-containing ice surfaces were studied in the laboratory. Results are presented from experiments using a coated-wall, low-pressure flow tube coupled to a mass spectrometer. Gas-surface reaction probabilities were calculated from the first-order loss of Cl2, HOCl, or BrCl on bromide-ice surfaces at 233 K and on chloride/bromide-ice surfaces at 248 K. In all cases, the reactions were relatively fast, and the primary product was gas-phase Br2. To determine the main factors that influence the kinetics of these reactions, experiments were conducted over a range of temperatures, hydrogen ion concentrations in ice, and halide concentrations in ice. Cl2 reaction probability increases with increasing bromide concentration in the ice film, up to approximately 3% bromide. At this point, the ice surface is completely saturated w...
Timeliness of Service Delivery for Children With Later-Identified Mild-to-Severe Hearing Loss

Purpose In this study, the authors examined diagnostic and intervention services for children identified with hearing loss (HL) after the newborn period. Method The authors compared ages at service...
Virus-like particles in the nematode Romanomermis culicivorax (Mermithidae)

EARLY reports of virus infections of nematodes remain unconfirmed1,2, although more recently virus-like particles were reported occurring in the intestinal cells of a plant-parasitic nematode3. The only confirmed reports of viruses found inside nematodes are plant viruses which occur in the digestive tracts of their nematode vectors4. We report here the presence of virus-like particles in cells of the infective stages of the mosquito parasitic nematode, Romanomermis culicivorax.