cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decline in mild stroke presentations and intravenous thrombolysis during the COVID-19 pandemic: The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Multicenter Collaboration.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate overall ischemic stroke volumes and rates, specific subtypes, and clinical presentation during the COVID-19 pandemic in a multicenter observational study from eight states across US. METHODS: We compared all ischemic strokes admitted between January 2019 and May 2020, grouped as; March-May 2020 (COVID-19 period) and March-May 2019 (seasonal pre-COVID-19 period). Primary outcome was stroke severity at admission measured by NIHSS stratified as mild (0-7), moderate [8-14], and severe (>14). Secondary outcomes were volume of large vessel occlusions (LVOs), stroke etiology, IV-tPA rates, and discharge disposition. RESULTS: Of the 7969 patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke during the study period, 933 (12 %) presented in the COVID-19 period while 1319 (17 %) presented in the seasonal pre-COVID-19 period. Significant decline was observed in the mean weekly volumes of newly diagnosed ischemic strokes (98 ± 3 vs 50 ± 20,p = 0.003), LVOs (16.5 ± 3.8 vs 8.3 ± 5.9,p = 0.008), and IV-tPA (10.9 ± 3.4 vs 5.3 ± 2.9,p = 0.0047), whereas the mean weekly proportion of LVOs (18 % ±5 vs 16 % ±7,p = 0.24) and IV-tPA (10.4 % ±4.5 vs. 9.9 % ±2.4,p = 0.66) remained the same, when compared to the seasonal pre-COVID-19 period. Additionally, an increased proportion of patients presented with a severe disease (NIHSS > 14) during the COVID-19 period (29.7 % vs 24.5 %,p < 0.025). The odds of being discharged to home were 26 % greater in the COVID-19 period when compared to seasonal pre-COVID-19 period (OR:1.26, 95 % CI:1.07-1.49,p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: During COVID-19 period there was a decrease in volume of newly diagnosed ischemic stroke cases and IV-tPA administration. Patients admitted to the hospital had severe neurological clinical presentation and were more likely to discharge home.
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Use of Academic Library Resources

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted higher education, including academic libraries. This paper compares the use of library resources (including interlibrary loan, website and discovery tool pageviews, database use, patron interactions, etc.) at three university libraries before and after the pandemic. The latter part of the 2019 and 2020 spring semesters are the time frames of focus, although two control time frames from earlier in those semesters are used to determine how the semesters differed when the coronavirus was not a factor. The institutions experienced similar patterns of use across many metrics..
Fashion Industry Concepts and Skills in Secondary Education

For this pilot study, we measured the extent of coverage for five subject areas by high school Family and Consumer Sciences teachers in the fashion classroom. We also examined whether extent of subject coverage varied with course pathway affiliation or was related to teacher 1) age, 2) length of time teaching high school fashion courses, or 3) fashion industry experience. Thirty four high school teachers of fashion courses from three Midwestern states responded to an electronic questionnaire. For the sample as a whole, the subject area that was covered to the greatest extent was apparel and other textile product construction. We found no difference in extent of subject coverage between teachers of pathway affiliated and unaffiliated courses. However, as teacher fashion industry experience increased, coverage for the topics of fashion design or illustration and fashion merchandising or general apparel-related topics became more extensive.
Rorty and the philosophical tradition: comment on professor Szubka

I am grateful to Professor Szubka for the stimulus of his paper 1 and the op� portunity it presents to think about the relationship between Richard Rorty's later "pragmatic" philosophy and the socalled "analytic" tradition he came to repudi� ate. I am in agreement with Professor Szubka's central thesis, namely, that there is a "partial" continuity between the Rorty of Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature and his later writing, and the Rorty of the 1960s: Rorty was not the diehard "analytic" philosopher who then, suddenly and inexplicably, gave up on the whole business. His metaphilosophical work in that decade, especially as exemplified in The Lin� guistic Turn, signaled quite clearly his misgivings about the philosophical project typically associated with the analytic tradition (which at that time, at least, was not yet moribund). I will offer some additional support for Professor Szubka's thesis drawn from Neil Gross's recent biography of Rorty, which illuminates both Rorty's education at Chicago and Yale in the 1940s and 1950s and the context in which he became a kind of "analytic" philosopher at Princeton in the 1960s 2 . I shall then suggest that the more striking question about Rorty is not why he gave up on "analytic" philosophy, but why he gave up on philosophy , that is, on a two� thousand year tradition stretching back to antiquity, one which nothing in his pre� Princeton education and experience would have led us to expect. Rorty's "radical break" was not with 'analytic' philosophy — a point often obscured in popular presentations of his work — but with philosophy itself. And it is that that demands some explanation. As Neil Gross demonstrates, the two formative influences in Rorty's phi� losophical education were the historical orientation of the University of Chicago (especially under the tutelage of Richard McKeon), where he was an undergradu� ate, and the "metaphysical" and even "theological" orientation of the Yale Univer� sity department, where he was a graduate student. Indeed, speculative metaphys�
Modeling complex effects of exposure to particulate matter and extreme heat during pregnancy on congenital heart defects: A U.S. population-based case-control study in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study

Abstract Background/objective Research suggests gestational exposure to particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) and extreme heat may independently increase risk of birth defects. We investigated whether duration of gestational extreme heat exposure modifies associations between PM2.5 exposure and specific congenital heart defects (CHDs). We also explored nonlinear exposure-outcome relationships. Methods We identified CHD case children (n = 2824) and non-malformed live-birth control children (n = 4033) from pregnancies ending between 1999 and 2007 in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a U.S. population-based multicenter case-control study. We assigned mothers 6-week averages of PM2.5 exposure during the cardiac critical period (postconceptional weeks 3–8) using the closest monitor within 50 km of maternal residence. We assigned a count of extreme heat days (EHDs, days above the 90th percentile of daily maximum temperature for year, season, and weather station) during this period using the closest weather station. Using generalized additive models, we explored logit-nonlinear exposure-outcome relationships, concluding logistic models were reasonable. We estimated joint effects of PM2.5 and EHDs on six CHDs using logistic regression models adjusted for mean dewpoint and maternal age, education, and race/ethnicity. We assessed multiplicative and additive effect modification. Results Conditional on the highest observed EHD count (15) and at least one critical period day during spring/summer, each 5 μg/m3 increase in average PM2.5 exposure was significantly associated with perimembranous ventricular septal defects (VSDpm; OR: 1.54 [95% CI: 1.01, 2.41]). High EHD counts (8+) in the same population were positively, but non-significantly, associated with both overall septal defects and VSDpm. Null or inverse associations were observed for lower EHD counts. Multiplicative and additive effect modification estimates were consistently positive in all septal models. Conclusions Results provide limited evidence that duration of extreme heat exposure modifies the PM2.5-septal defects relationship. Future research with enhanced exposure assessment and modeling techniques could clarify these relationships.
Stacking Layers by Layer Doubling

Once the individual layer diffraction matrices are known (as obtained by any of the methods described in Chaps. 5–7), the total diffraction by a stack of such layers can be calculated by either the Layer Doubling method described below or the Renormalized Forward Scattering method (Chap. 9).
Clinical Progression to Castration-Recurrent Prostate Cancer

Since Huggins and Hodges proved unequivocally that prostate cancer (CaP) regresses in the castrate state, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been the cornerstone of treatment for advanced CaP (Huggins and Hodges 1941). This treatment strategy has taken many forms. Bilateral orchiectomy reliably diminishes androgen production and was the mainstay of treatment in the 1940s. In 1941, Huggins and Hodges published their seminal work showing that therapy with estrogen, in the form of diethylstilbestrol (DES), was as effective as orchiectomy (Huggins and Hodges 1941). Chemical castration via DES was widely used until the mid-1960s, when the estrogen formulation was directly compared to other strategies, including bilateral orchiectomy. DES was associated with an improved cancer-related mortality but worse overall survival, due primarily to increased cardiovascular side effects (The Veterans Administration Co-operative Urological Research Group 1967). Despite attempts to find a less toxic but effective dose, DES fell out of favor as an alternative to orchiectomy. In the 1980s, long-acting, synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists were developed (Tolis et al. 1982). These agents have emerged as the predominant method for achieving castrate levels of androgen.
The Use of the Isotropic Sodium Chloride Acoustic Velocity Ratio in Ultra High Pressure Physics

The isotropic velocity ratio is an intensive variable which can be obtained directly from experimental data in very high pressure experiments. Up to now it may be the only intensive variable directly measurable in the massive optically opaque pressure devices in the pressure range greater than 100 kbar. The information it provides presents untried potentialities in the understanding of the high pressure state. Our purpose is to discuss its use as a means of comparison, between experiments in which different methods are used to measure the pressure dependence of the elastic properties of a material, or between experimental results and theoretical predictions, as a continuous pressure scale, and as a means of obtaining the equation of state of a material as a function of pressure. Regarding the last point we present results of a study in which we used finite deformation elasticity.
Prelude or requiem for the ‘Mozart effect’?

Rauscher et al.1 reported that listening to ten minutes of Mozart's music increased the abstract reasoning ability of college students, as measured by IQ scores, by 8 or 9 points compared with listening to relaxation instructions or silence, respectively1. This startling finding became known as the ‘Mozart effect’, and has since been explored by several research groups. Here I use a meta-analysis to demonstrate that any cognitive enhancement is small and does not reflect any change in IQ or reasoning ability in general, but instead derives entirely from performance on one specific type of cognitive task and has a simple neuropsychological explanation.
A TRP among the astrocytes

Abstract TRP channels were first identified as membrane proteins mediating phototransduction in fruit flies. Astrocytes were initially referred to as the silent elements of the nervous system. At the time these discoveries were made, few would have suspected TRP channels and astrocytes could contribute significantly to our understanding of brain signalling. Recent findings, however, put TRP channels and astrocytes in the spotlight, describe their ability to modulate the activity of specific sets of synapses, and raise some interesting questions. What makes astrocytes capable of exerting cell-specific effects on interneuronal signals? How do different synapses respond to changes in astrocytic function and in the local micro-structure of the neuropil? Can astrocytes be considered good candidate targets for therapeutic intervention to treat neurological diseases? Here I discuss the recent developments on TRP channels and astrocytes that have made us aware of the many structural and functional features of synapses that still need to be discovered and that could lead a new avant-garde in decoding the cellular and molecular basis of brain (dys)function.
Experimental toxic cirrhosis in the rat. Kinetics of hepatocyte proliferation during intermittent carbon tetrachloride intoxication.

Abstract The present paper describes an experiment in which cirrhosis was induced in rats by the repeated injection of carbon tetrachloride. It was the purpose of the experiment to evaluate the parameters of a stochastic model of hepatocyte renewal. The order of magnitude of the cell populations involved was evaluated in relation to histological determinations of the hepatocyte populations of resulting cirrhotic pseudolobules. Birth-rate data were obtained from determinations of the mean fraction of hepatocytes labelling with 3 H-thymidine, and of the standard deviation of the labelling fraction. As 3 H-thymidine labelling was very variable, but uncorrelated with the timing of carbon tetrachloride injections, a birth-rate function was constructed showing random fluctuations of appropriate magnitude about the mean. A death-rate function was similarly constructed. These functions, with the initial size of the population, constituted the stochastic model. This model is an example of a non-homogeneous birth-and-death process. Its behaviour was studied by Monte Carlo computer simulation. This showed that an initial population of 1,000 cells subjected to the birth-and-death process described will undergo considerable random fluctuations in population size. Accordingly a contribution by anomalous hepatocyte renewal to the abnormal morphology of cirrhosis cannot be excluded in the experimental system described.
The impact of oil-export dependency on a developing country: The case of Algeria

Abstract What is the effect of reliance on oil exports on development in Third World countries? A large oil export sector is often considered to be a potential spur to diversification and full modernization, especially when a central government controls and plans the use of oil revenues with such goals in mind. We evaluate this proposition by developing a 12-equation Keynesian econometric model of the Algerian economy. The model's equations, estimated using ordinary least squares, are robust with strong R-squares, significant t-tests for the independent variables, and reasonable Durbin-Watson statistics. Historical simulations track the true variables rather closely. Our RMSEs (percentage) are in general better than those in most studies of less-developed countries, ranging from 7 to 21%. Our results indicate that there has been a growing dependency of most major economic sectors on oil revenues, both before and after nationalization. Improvements in oil exports will, ceteris paribus , lead to elastic increases in luxury imports and domestic consumption, and inelastic increases in domestic investment. Thus, the goals of diversification, modernization and industrialization will not be met under the current set of policies in Algeria.
Quantitative proteomic analysis of the Salmonella -lettuce interaction

Summary Human pathogens can internalize food crops through root and surface uptake and persist inside crop plants. The goal of the study was to elucidate the global modulation of bacteria and plant protein expression after Salmonella internalizes lettuce. A quantitative proteomic approach was used to analyse the protein expression of Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis and lettuce cultivar Green Salad Bowl 24 h after infiltrating S. Infantis into lettuce leaves. Among the 50 differentially expressed proteins identified by comparing internalized S. Infantis against S. Infantis grown in Luria Broth, proteins involved in glycolysis were down-regulated, while one protein involved in ascorbate uptake was up-regulated. Stress response proteins, especially antioxidant proteins, were up-regulated. The modulation in protein expression suggested that internalized S. Infantis might utilize ascorbate as a carbon source and require multiple stress response proteins to cope with stresses encountered in plants. On the other hand, among the 20 differentially expressed lettuce proteins, proteins involved in defense response to bacteria were up-regulated. Moreover, the secreted effector PipB2 of S. Infantis and R proteins of lettuce were induced after bacterial internalization into lettuce leaves, indicating human pathogen S. Infantis triggered the defense mechanisms of lettuce, which normally responds to plant pathogens.
Partial Purification and Properties of a Trehalase from Streptomyces hygroscopicus

The enzyme α,α′-glucoside 1-glucohydrolase, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of trehalose, was isolated from Streptomyces hygroscopicus and was purified approximately 80-fold. The enzyme was completely specific for trehalose as substrate. None of the other naturally occurring glucose disaccharides exhibited any significant activity. The pH optimum for enzymatic activity was found to be 6.5 and the Km was estimated to be approximately 1.8 × 10−2m. The product of the reaction was identified as d-glucose by chemical, chromatographic, and enzymatic methods. The presence of this enzyme was demonstrated in several species of Streptomyces and related organisms.
Session 9: UUVs and UAVs

This session included five presentations on recent results on various aspects of autonomous flying robots and autonomous underwater robots, with the ultimate goal to increase the robustness and capabilities for these systems.
Fault Tolerant Cache Schemes

Most of modern microprocessors employ on-chip cache memories to meet the memory bandwidth demand. These caches are now occupying a greater real es- tate of chip area. Also, continuous down scaling of transistors increases the possi- bility of defects in the cache area which already starts to occupies more than 50% of chip area. For this reason, various techniques have been proposed to tolerate defects in cache blocks. These techniques can be classified into three different cat- egories, namely, cache line disabling, replacement with spare block, and decoder reconfiguration without spare blocks. This chapter examines each of those fault tol- erant techniques with a fixed typical size and organization of L1 cache, through extended simulation using SPEC2000 benchmark on individual techniques. The de- sign and characteristics of each technique are summarized with a view to evaluate the scheme. We then present our simulation results and comparative study of the three different methods.
Stabilization of coupled hyperbolic equations in series for a higher dimensional space by energy absorbing boundaries

Energy decay estimates for a system of two hyperbolic equations coupled in series with boundary dissipation are studied. It is shown that under certain conditions in the joined surface of the two bounded domains of the equations in the space of R/sup n/, the energy of the system will decay uniformly and exponentially. >
Unfinished Nation: Indonesia Before and After Suharto

Unfinished Nation: Indonesia Before and After Suharto Max Lane (London: Verso, 2008) Unfinished Nation: Indonesia Before and After Suharto, by Australian researcher and activist Max Lane, is excell...
Antimicrobial Activity of SCH 27899, Oligosaccharide Member of the Everninomycin Class with a Wide Gram-Positive Spectrum

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of SCH 27899 (everninomycin), a novel oligosaccharide compound of the everninomycin class, was compared with vancomycin, chloramphenicol, clinafloxacin, teicoplanin and doxycycline against 428 clinical strains of bacteria. Everninomycin base exhibited the greatest antimicrobial activity compared to other formulations against all strains tested (MIC90: 0.25 μ/ml) followed by clinafloxacin and teicoplanin (MIC90: 0.5 μg/ml), vancomycin (MIC90: 2 μg/ml), and doxycycline (MIC90: 16 μg/ml). Everninomycin demonstrated the best activity against Streptococcus spp. (serogroups A, B, C, F, G) and Streptococcus pneumoniae, and lower activity against coagulase-negative staphylococci (MIC90: 0.5 μg/ml). All enterococci had an everninomycin MIC of 0.5 μg/ml or less. Everninomycin had no measurable antimicrobial activity against gram-negative aerobic organisms except Flavo-bacterium meningosepticum (MIC50: 2 μg/ml). Some everninomycin activity was observed against Clostridium spp., Peptostreptococcus spp., and the Prevotella bivius-disiens group. Everninomycin showed excellent activity (MIC90: 0.25 μg/ml) against the fluoroquinolone-resistant strains and all gram-positive strains resistant to vancomycin (MICs 4 μg/ml). The MBC/MIC ratios and killing curve data suggest that everninomycin is not uniformly or rapidly bactericidal. These in vitro data indicate that everninomycin could be useful against emerging gram-positive strains resistant to other contemporary antimicrobials.
A Mixed-Methods Study of Patient–Provider E-Mail Content in a Safety-Net Setting

To explore the content of patient-provider e-mails in a safety-net primary care clinic, we conducted a content analysis using inductive and deductive coding of e-mail exchanges (n = 31) collected from January through November 2013. Participants were English-speaking adult patients with a chronic condition (or their caregivers) cared for at a single publicly funded general internal medicine clinic and their primary care providers (attending general internist physicians, clinical fellows, internal medicine residents, and nurse practitioners). All e-mails were nonurgent. Patients included a medical update in 19% of all e-mails. Patients requested action in 77% of e-mails, and the most common requests overall were for action regarding medications or treatment (29%). Requests for information were less common (45% of e-mails). Patient requests (n = 56) were resolved in 84% of e-mail exchanges, resulting in 63 actions. These results show that patients in safety-net clinics are capable of safely and effectively using electronic messaging for between-visit communication with providers. Safety-net systems should implement electronic communications tools as soon as possible to increase health care access and enhance patients' involvement in their care.
Tyr-MIF-1 attenuates development of tolerance to spiperone-induced catalepsy in rats

Abstract Because the tripeptide MIF-1 (Pro-Leu-Gly-NH 2 ) is known to attenuate the effects of neuroleptic-induced catalepsy as well as neuroleptic-induced proliferation of dopamine (DA) receptors, we studied the related naturally occurring peptide, Tyr-MIF-1 (Tyr-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH 2 ) for similar properties. Male rats were treated SC for 11 consecutive days with either the DA D 1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 HC1 (0.50 mg/kg per day), the DA D 2 receptor antagonist spiperone HCl (0.30 mg/kg per day), or vehicle. Half the rats were cotreated daily with Tyr-MIF-1 (1.0 mg/kg per day). The cataleptic effects of SCH 23390 were not altered by Tyr-MIF-1. Tolerance to SCH 23390-induced catalepsy did not develop during the 11-day treatment, and Tyr-MIF-1 had no effect on SCH 23390-induced catalepsy. However, tolerance developed to spiperone-induced catalepsy, and Tyr-MIF-1 attenuated this development of tolerance ( p 1 and D 2 agonists, SKF 39393 (3.0 mg/kg) and quinpirole (3.0 mg/kg) were not affected by Tyr-MIF-1 after treatment with the DA antagonists was discontinued. Tyr-MIF-1 did not alter the B max or K d for in vitro binding of [ 3 H]SCH 23390 and [ 3 H]spiperone to homogenates of the striatum. These findings indicate that Tyr-MIF-1 is able to selectively affect the development of receptor tolerance to a DA D 2 receptor antagonist, and that this effect is unrelated to changes in affinity or numbers of D 2 receptors.
Metabolism of vitamin D3 in nephrectomized pigs given pharmacological amounts of vitamin D3.

The metabolism of vitamin D3 was studied in bilaterally nephrectomized pigs and control pigs maintained for 8–10 days by daily peritoneal dialysis. Two or three pharmacological doses of vitamin D3 were given im, one on day 0 and the others on days 4, 6, or 7 of the 8- to 10-day experimental periods. Nephrectomized pigs had extremely high plasma concentrations of 24,25-dihydroxyvitarnin D3 [24,25-(OH)2D3] and 25,26- (OH)2D3 at the end of the 8- to 10-day periods; similar levels were present in control pigs. However, nephrectomized pigs had no detectable increase in plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (250HD3)-26,23-lactone concentrations throughout the experiment, in contrast with the high plasma concentrations of 25OHD3-26,23-lactone in the control pigs. Much higher plasma 25OHD3 concentrations were present in the nephrectomized pigs than in the control pigs. Plasma 1,25-(OH)2D concentrations in nephrectomized and control pigs were similar during most of the experiment, except the anephric pigs usually had signif...
Time course of the photoperiod-induced change in sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to testosterone feedback in castrated male hamsters.

ABSTRACT. Exposure to short days [6 h of light/24 h (LD 6: 18)] for 10 weeks renders the hypothalamic-pituitary axis of the castrated male golden hamster extremely sensitive to the negative feedback effect of testosterone. The present study investigated the time course of this change in sensitivity to steroid feedback, in both animals shifted from a stimulatory to a nonstimulatory photoperiod and animals shifted from a nonstimulatory to a stimulatory photoperiod. Hamsters were castrated and maintained on LD 14:10 for 60 days and then implanted sc with either empty or testosteronefilled Silastic capsules that were 4, 8, or 20 mm long. Half of theanimals remained on LD 14:10 and half were transferred to LD 6:18. In animals maintained on LD 14:10, the 4-mm testosterone implants had no effect on serum levels of LH and FSH, while the larger doses of testosterone induced a reduction in serum gonadotropin levels. The effect of testosterone on serum gonadotropin levels in LD 14:10 animals did not vary from 10 day...
Correction of cone index for soil water content differences in a coastal plain soil

Soil penetration resistance (cone index) varies with water content. The field variation of water content could mask treatment differences. The correction of cone index data to a single water content would help prevent this. We used equations from TableCurve™ software and from the literature to correct cone indices for differences in soil water contents. Data were taken from two field experiments where cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was grown using conventional and conservation tillage without irrigation, and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were grown using conventional tillage with microirrigation. Boundary conditions based on hard, dry and soft, wet soils were imposed on the equations. Equations fit the data with coefficients of determination ranging from 0.55 to 0.92 and error mean squares from 1.37 to 6.35. After correction, cone index dependence on water content was reduced. A single-equation correction did not always fit the data across all treatments. Separate corrections, based on treatment, might be required. When corrections required multiple equations, differences may be real or may be a manifestation of the correction differences. In this case, the correction may not be feasible (unless some future work can coordinate different equations and assure a uniform correction).
A Meta-mathematical Approach Toward an Explanation of Entanglement: A Topological Model

The intent of this brief article is to answer the logical question, “What sort of mathematics could be used to explain how non-locality (entanglement) happens?” The interest here is that, although physicists agree that entanglement is a real phenomenon, thus far no physical or mathematical explanations of this phenomenon have been put forward. The present article takes a logical meta-mathematical approach searching for a plausible explanation. A Moebius topology is used to describe the relationship between matter and anti-matter, thereby pointing to an explanation of non-locality. What are the physical implications of this topology? How would it show up in the laboratory?
Laser capture microdissection and real-time reverse transcriptase/ polymerase chain reaction of bronchiolar epithelium after bleomycin.

Terminal airways are affected in many lung diseases and toxic inhalations. To elucidate the changes in terminal airways in these diverse situations it will be helpful to profile and quantify gene expression in terminal bronchiolar epithelium. We used laser capture microdissection (LCM) to collect terminal bronchiolar epithelial cells from frozen sections of lungs of mice subjected to intratracheal bleomycin. The RNA from these cells was used for analysis of select messenger RNAs (mRNAs) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In parallel, we used real-time PCR to analyze mRNAs in whole-lung homogenates prepared from other mice given intratracheal bleomycin. We found reductions of Clara cell–specific protein and keratinocyte growth factor receptor mRNAs in both terminal bronchiolar epithelium and whole-lung homogenates 7 d after bleomycin. In contrast, terminal bronchiolar epithelial transforming growth factor (TGF)- α mRNA was reduced but whole-lung TGF- α mRNA was not changed, whereas ...
How flat is Tibet

High-resolution digital topography (three arc-second grid) for most of Tibet provides new information to characterize the relief of the highest and largest plateau on Earth. The arid to semiarid central and northern part of the plateau interior has low relief (average slopes of ∼; over 250 m windows) and a mean elevation of 5023 m above sea level. At moderate wavelengths of ∼m, relief is ∼or less for most of Tibet, as opposed to the much higher relief of up to 6 km on the plateau edges, where glacial and fluvial dissection is greater because of higher levels of precipitation. The only faults manifesting significant topographic relief are the relatively small scale, generally north-trending graben systems, primarily in southern Tibet, and several large-scale fault systems near the edges of Tibet. The flatness of Tibet implies that (1) there has been little deformation (especially shortening) of the uppermost crust north of the graben systems during the late Cenozoic, and (2) shallow crustal isostatic compensation has been acting to level the surface of the plateau.
Re-evaluation of lisuride pharmacology: 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptor-mediated behavioral effects overlap its other properties in rats.

Abstract Rationale. There is substantial evidence that lisuride can produce effects linked to 5-HT1A receptor occupancy. Nevertheless, this action has generally been ignored in the mechanism of action of lisuride, in favor of an exclusive role for dopamine receptors in considering its antiparkinsonian effects, or an exclusive role of 5-HT2A/2C receptor activation in hallucinogenesis. These conclusions are surprising when one considers that the potent interaction of lisuride with 5-HT1A receptors has been demonstrated in several different laboratories and that activation of 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors can modulate dopaminergically mediated responses. Objective. The lack of full substitution of lisuride for lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in drug discrimination experiments and induction of a pronounced 5-HT syndrome by this compound at relatively low doses convinced us to execute two series of experiments that might explain the primary mechanism responsible for lisuride-mediated biological effects and its paradoxical classification as a dopamine agonist in the literature. Results. In drug discrimination studies, lisuride fully mimicked the 5-HT1A agonist LY 293284, only partially substituted for LSD and DOI, and failed to substitute for (+)-amphetamine. Lisuride produced a significant dose-related increase in flat body posture, forepaw treading, and lower-lip retraction which reflect a modulation of behavior by action at central 5-HT1A receptors. Only pMPPI [4-iodo-N-[2-[4-(methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-2-pyridynyl-benzamide hydrochloride], a selective 5-HT1A antagonist, was effective in inhibiting all 5-HT syndrome behaviors produced by lisuride, whereas pMPPI was without effect on any behavior induced by LSD. Lisuride dose dependently decreased body temperature in rats with a potency similar to that of the selective 5-HT1A agonist LY 293284. The hypothermic effect of lisuride was prevented by pre-injection of pMPPI, but not by ketanserin or haloperidol. Conclusion. We have demonstrated that the behavioral effects of low doses of lisuride are clearly mediated by stimulation of 5-HT1A receptors.
Biosynthetic studies of marine lipids 16. De novo sterol biosynthesis in sponges. Incorporation and transformation of cycloartenol and lanosterol into unconventional sterols of marine and freshwater sponges

Abstract Cycloartenol and lanosterol, the sterol precursors of photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic organisms respectively, were transfromed into the 4,4,14-demethyl sterols in most but not all, of a variety of marine and freshwater sponges. Symbiotic cyanobacteria found in many sponges are apparently not involved in the observed biosynthesis. We conclude that while some sponges obtain sterols from the diet, the majority synthesize them de novo .
Estimation for a class of simple queueing networks

Maximum likelihood estimators of the parameters of an open Jackson network are derived, and their joint asymptotic normality is established. The problem of estimation for tandem queues is discussed as a special case of the Jackson system. These results are valid when the system is not necessarily in equilibrium.
X-chromosome inactivation in mammals.

+ y2a). The immune response to trinitrophenol-Ficoll, a T-cell-independent type II antigen, has been analyzed at the B-cell level (Mongini et al., JEM 755, 884-902, 1982). Following hyperimmunization with trinitrophenol-Ficoll, B-cell clones were isolated by the splenic focus technique in irradiated nude mouse recipients. All B-cell clones expressed mu, and a significant fraction expressed one or more other isotypes. The statistical frequencies of isotypes expressed by in vitro-cultured B-cell clones were observed to follow the C,, gene order (that is, IgM > lgGs > IgG, > IgG*b > IgGn,). T cells were found to increase the amount of lgG2. antibody preferentially. It is difficult to be certain, however, that successive CH switches originate from a single B cell in this system. Moreover, myeloma and hybridoma cell lines have been shown to switch CH genes spontaneously at a low frequency. In the case of MPC-11 (a y2b-producing plasmacytoma), the expressed y2b gene of the parental cell is specifically deleted upon switching to the y2a gene (Eckhardt et al., PNAS 79,3006-3010, 1982). This deletion event encompasses the S,, Syab and C+b regions. The X63 hybridoma has been observed to undergo three forward switches spontaneously (yl + y2b + y2a) and an unexpected backswitch (y2a + yl) at lOO-fold higher frequency (-10e5 versus -10m7 per cell per generation) (Beyreuther et al., ICN-UCLA Symposia 20, 229-244, 1981). Forward switches are correlated with J,, and C, gene rearrangements and deletions (Beyreuther et al., op. cit.). Thus, if we assume that CH deletions are responsible for forward switches, transhomologous chromosome exchange has been invoked to explain the y2a+ yl switch revertant. This latter phenomenon could alsobe explained by tandemly duplicated pairs of C, genes in the X63 hybridoma. It remains to be demonstrated that the phenomena observed in tissueculture cell lines reflect normal B-cell switching events. The molecular requirements and mechanism or mechanisms of regulation of C&gene switching in normal B cells remain important problems. Different steps in class switching could be modulated directly or indirectly by T lymphocytes or their products. T helper factors, which appear to induce or select specific CH isotypes in populations of normal B cells (Isakson et al., JEM 755, 734-748, 1982) conceivably could be used to dissect dynamic steps of CHgene switching. Gene-transfer experiments with multiCH-gene substrates and normal B cells (which express multiple surface isotypes and/or display CH switching potential upon mitogenic stimulation) may also reveal hidden regulatory aspects of this complex biological phenomenon.
Price discrimination in the housing market

There is little credible evidence on whether price discrimination exists in the housing market. Using a large sample of single-family home sales from Florida where both the race of the seller and buyer are known, we present evidence using the traditional and Harding et al. [HRS, Harding, J.P., Rosenthal, S., Sirmans, D.F., 2003. Establishing bargaining power in the market for existing homes. The Review of Economics and Statistics 85, (1) 178–188] approaches to empirical estimation. Omitted variable bias is found to plague the traditional approach. Results from following the HRS approach indicate that price discrimination exists by whites and Hispanics against blacks and Asians. Price discrimination against blacks is restricted to non-majority black neighborhoods and is smaller in magnitude in neighborhoods containing younger and more educated homeowners.
Adjuvant chemotherapy of lung cancer: Methodologic issues and therapeutic advances

This article discusses methodologic issues relevant to the interpretation of recent studies focusing on adjuvant chemotherapy of lung cancer. It also attempts to conclude where we currently stand in this field.
The study of oxazolidone formation from 9,10-epoxyoctadecane and phenylisocyanate

The formation of oxazolidone from 9,10-epoxyoctadecane and phenylisocyanate was studied. One branch of epoxidized vegetable oil with one epoxy group per chain corresponds to 9,10-epoxyoctadecane. This model could explain the probability of oxazolidone formation from natural oil-derived epoxides. Epoxidized natural oils are TG consisting of glycerin and three FA with or without one to three epoxy groups in the middle of the chain. To study oxazolidone formation from an internal epoxy group without possible interference from the side reactions on the ester group, 9,10-epoxyoctadecane was selected as the most appropriate model compound. Epoxy groups in the middle of allong aliphatic chain are of low reactivity toward isocyanates, and preparation of oxazolidones requires fairly harsh conditions such as high temperatures and catalysts, which also promote side reactions. The dominant side reaction is rearrangement of the epoxy groups. We found that the direction and magnitude of the rearrangement and the yield of any particular product depended on the catalyst used. Lithium chloride, aluminum trichloride, and zinc iodide catalyzed oxazolidone formation, along with the catalysis of side reactions such as ketone and carbonate formation. Aluminum trichloride showed the highest conversion of 9,10-epoxyoctadecane to oxazolidone. Aluminum triisopropoxide, triphenylantimony iodide, and imidazole did not catalyze the formation of oxazolidone. They were effective as catalysts of epoxy group rearrangement and promoted the formation of hydroxyl, ketone, and carbonate compounds. Hydroxyl groups reacted with isocyanate to produce urethane.
Cross-validation of the 20- versus 30-s Wingate anaerobic test

The 30-s Wingate anaerobic test (30-WAT) is the most widely accepted protocol for measuring anaerobic response, despite documented physical side effects. Abbreviation of the 30-WAT without loss of data could enhance subject compliance while maintaining test applicability. The intent of this study was to quantify the validity of the 20-s Wingate anaerobic test (20-WAT) versus the traditional 30-WAT. Fifty males (mean ± SEM; age = 20.5 ± 0.3 years; Ht = 1.6 ± 0.01 m; Wt = 75.5 ± 2.6 kg) were randomly selected to either a validation (N = 35) or cross-validation group (N = 15) and completed a 20-WAT and 30-WAT in double blind, random order on separate days to determine peak power (PP; W kg−1), mean power (MP; W kg−1), and fatigue index (FI; %). Utilizing power outputs (relative to body mass) recorded during each second of both protocols, a non-linear regression equation (Y 20WAT+10 = 31.4697 e−0.5[ln(X second/1174.3961)/2.63692]; r 2 = 0.97; SEE = 0.56 W kg−1) successfully predicted (error ∼10%) the final 10 s of power outputs in the cross-validation population. There were no significant differences between MP and FI between the 20-WAT that included the predicted 10 s of power outputs (20-WAT+10) and the 30-WAT. When derived data were subjected to Bland–Altman analyses, the majority of plots (93%) fell within the limits of agreement (±2SD). Therefore, when compared to the 30-WAT, the 20-WAT may be considered a valid alternative when used with the predictive non-linear regression equation to derive the final power output values.
SAACS Community Service with a Competitive Edge

The student clubs of all the departments housed in the Physical Sciences Building at Eastern Illinois University united in November of 1996 for a worthy, philanthropic cause and some friendly competition. The Psychology, Physics, Geoscience, and Chemistry Clubs held a coin war to raise money for the Charleston Food Pantry. Each club earned points from the money placed in their department;s container. Pennies placed in a container counted as positive points whereas all other coins and bills counted as negative points. Point values equaled the face value of the money. During the two-day event, students, staff, and faculty showed tremendous spirit and support for their departments. A total of $122.81 was collected, including over $60 in pennies alone. Every cent of the money collected went to the food pantry to help feed needy families during the holiday season.
Localized Ca2+ and calcium-activated potassium conductances in terminals of a barnacle photoreceptor.

Localized Ca2+and calcium-activated potassium conductances in terminals of a barnacle photoreceptor
Power and geographic scale: comments on Morrill

Abstract Morrill generalizes that decisions are usually made at the highest level of national geographic scale, because this is the level at which the most powerful social groupings operate most effectively. In actuality, however, contradictory social forces cause this to be only a partially correct generalization. Historically in the United States the power of the center has ebbed and flowed. In particular, Morrill's example of Hanford seems to contradict his argument, as Hanford's present situation reflects a move away from the absolute power that the federal government formerly possessed at this site. Finally Hanford indicates why people feel most excluded from decision-making in areas where substantial benefits flow from the federal presence.
Morphine physical dependence in the hibernator: central nervous system mechanisms underlying the development of dependence remain functional during depression induced by pentobarbital anesthesia.

Earlier work suggested that adaptive mechanisms of the hibernating brain may also block the development of morphine physical dependence. To test an alternate view that CNS depression itself might be the major factor in the failure of dependence to develop, we compared the strength of dependence produced by morphine (two 75-mg pellets, s.c.) given for 12 hr in the presence, versus in the absence, of continuous pentobarbital anesthesia in nonhibernating ground squirrels (Citellus lateralis) and, in addition, in rats. Dependence was measured by the naloxone (5 mg/kg, s.c.) evoked abstinence syndrome in the awake state. The results demonstrated that pentobarbital-induced general anesthesia does not significantly reduce the development of morphine dependence in either species. We conclude that CNS depression alone does not account for the hibernation-related reduction in morphine physical dependence.
p21-activated Kinase 1 (PAK1) Interacts with the Grb2 Adapter Protein to Couple to Growth Factor Signaling

A variety of intracellular signaling pathways are linked to cell surface receptor signaling through their recruitment by Src homology 2 (SH2)/SH3-containing adapter molecules. p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is an effector of Rac/Cdc42 GTPases that has been implicated in the regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics, proliferation, and cell survival signaling. In this study, we describe the specific interaction of PAK1 with the Grb2 adapter protein both in vitro and in vivo. We identify the site of this interaction as the second proline-rich SH3 binding domain of PAK1. Stimulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in HaCaT cells enhances the level of EGFR-associated PAK1 and Grb2, although the PAK1-Grb2 association is itself independent of this stimulation. A cell-permeant TAT-tagged peptide encompassing the second proline-rich SH3 binding domain of PAK1 simultaneously blocked Grb2 and activated EGFR association with PAK1, in vitro and in vivo, indicating that Grb2 mediates the interaction of PAK1 with the activated EGFR. Blockade of this interaction decreased the epidermal growth factor-induced extension of membrane lamellae. Thus Grb2 may serve as an important mechanism for linking downstream PAK signaling to various upstream pathways.
Web Survey Design: Balancing Measurement, Response, and Topical Interest

Using data from Survey2001, we analyze how visual images embedded in a web-based survey can (1) reduce nonresponse in the specific case that a respondent prematurely terminates the survey and (2) preserve measurement validity. Page-by-page progression through the survey is modeled as a survival process with early termination seen as failure. While images had no apparent effect on the termination process, respondent interest in the survey topic was linked to early termination. These results highlight the importance of placing interest-related questions early in the survey to better control for the effects of interest-driven attrition. Moreover, these findings suggest that an interactional information system approach, one that not only collects data but also pushes relevant information to respondents, may serve to generate or maintain interest and in the process reduce survey attrition.