cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Virology and immunology of acute HIV type 1 infection

Primary or acute human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is the stage of disease when virus first disseminates throughout the body of newly infected individuals. This process results in the seeding of lymphoid tissue and the central nervous system, and the induction of a specific humoral and cellular immune response. The high level of viremia and associated immune response is often accompanied by an acute illness referred to as the acute retroviral syndrome. This syndrome often includes fever, myalgia, rash, sore throat, and lymphadenopathy. The diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of high levels of HIV in blood along with an undetectable or evolving humoral immune response. Identification of this syndrome allows for the interruption of transmission, early diagnosis and treatment, as well as the opportunity to analyze subjects at a time when the virus and immune system first interact. Studies of the virology and immunology of acute HIV infection, as well as the effect of therapy during this stage of disease has provided new insights into the pathogenesis of HIV infection. Moreover, these studies have advanced our understanding of the successes and failures of the immune response to HIV. Investigations of what constitutes an effective immune response to HIV will be vital to the success of vaccine development in the future.
Distribution Network Outage Data Analysis and Repair Time Prediction Using Deep Learning

This paper presents a statistical analysis for power outages in the distribution network. 6-year outage data in the service territory of one U.S. utility is used in the analysis, which includes several storms and hurricanes. The first part of this paper summarizes the outage data with a focus on weather event-related outages; the second part proposes a machine learning-based technique to predict the repair and restoration time after outages, which provides useful information for utilities' repair work scheduling and crew dispatching. A Deep Neural Network (DNN) is trained using supervised learning with 5-year outage data. The 6th year data is used to validate the performance of the trained DNN model.
Clintoncare and Obamacare: Lessons for Gridlock Theory

AbstractThe passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 marked a significant achievement for congressional health reform. Despite increased partisanship, decreased productivity, and increased ...
Laparoscopic assisted repair of strangulated obturator hernia-Way to go.

Abstract Introduction Obturator hernias are a rare subtype of intra-abdominal hernias that present with considerable challenges in both diagnosis and surgical repair. Delays in diagnosis and management significantly increases the Morbidity and Mortality. Presentation of case An elderly 70-year-old female presented with Lower abdominal pain radiating to the medial side of the left leg over a year that has become persistent and continuous over the 3 day period. Patient was found to have a Richter's type of strangulated obturator hernia on diagnostic laparoscopy. A laparoscopic assisted resection of the strangulated small bowel and repair of the Hernia was performed. Postoperatively patient had an uneventful recovery. Discussion Surgical treatment is the standard of care for an obturator Hernia. Increasing number of laparoscopic repairs are being performed in the recent past. Minilaparotomy greatly facilitates the resection and anastomosis of a dead bowel without jeopardizing cosmesis and mesh placement at the time of repair. Conclusion Heightened awareness of the condition combined with our proposition of a Hybrid repair achieves optimal results in an emergency setting. A Laparoscopic assisted repair of a strangulated hernia provides a durable repair and at the same time offers the patient benefits of minimally invasive surgery.
Blackbody-radiation shift in a 88Sr+ ion optical frequency standard

The blackbody-radiation (BBR) shift of the 5s–4d5/2 clock transition in 88Sr+ is calculated to be 0.250(9) Hz at room temperature, T = 300 K, using the relativistic all-order method where all single and double excitations of the Dirac–Fock wavefunction are included to all orders of perturbation theory. The BBR shift is a major component in the uncertainty budget of the optical frequency standard based on the 88Sr+ trapped ion. The scalar polarizabilities of the 5s and 4d5/2 levels, as well as the tensor polarizability of the 4d5/2 level, are presented together with the evaluation of their uncertainties. The lifetimes of the 4d3/2, 4d5/2, 5p1/2 and 5p3/2 states are calculated and compared with experimental values.
Application of transcatheter valves for aortic valve replacement in pediatric patients: A case series

Objectives To describe our initial experience with pediatric transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Background Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been approved and used to treat calcific aortic stenosis in adult patients. Select pediatric patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) who are poor candidates for conventional surgical aortic valve replacement can benefit from TAVR. Methods A retrospective review was performed to identify and describe pediatric patients with CHD who underwent transcatheter or hybrid aortic valve replacement using a Melody Valve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN), or Sapien S3/XT valve (Edwards Life sciences LLC, Irvine, CA). Patients in whom transcatheter valves were implanted on cardiopulmonary bypass were included. Imaging data, procedural elements, and clinical follow-up data were collected to evaluate acute and short-term results. Results A total of eight pediatric patients underwent treatment of aortic valvular disease using balloon expandable valves and delivery systems. Two patients had Melody valve implantation and six received a Sapien valve (one XT/five S3). In one patient, a Melody valve was placed surgically, failed, and was replaced with a Sapien valve 2 years later. Two patients were treated using a standard transfemoral route, four had the valve delivered on cardiopulmonary bypass via a median sternotomy, one was placed with a transapical approach, and one via a carotid cut down. Patients were followed for an average 16 months (range 1-208 weeks). There were no early or late deaths in this cohort. There were no embolic events, and all valves worked well in the immediate postoperative period. Both Melody implants developed moderate to severe regurgitation at 2 years and 4 years, respectively, and both required replacement at that time. One Sapien 3 valve developed a paravalvular leak that required reintervention within 6 months of implantation. Conclusions Transcatheter valves offer a reasonable alternative to traditional surgical aortic valve replacement in certain pediatric patients who are suboptimal surgical candidates. Hybrid approaches and valve delivery on cardiopulmonary bypass has been used in smaller patients. Long-term performance of these valves in young patients has not been studied.
Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of Xanthorrhizol on aeroallergens-induced biological responses in vitro and ex vivo

Inflammation and oxidative damage contribute to the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. Xanthorrhizol (XNT), a natural sesquiterpenoid from curcuma xanthorrhiza, has been shown to have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. The present study evaluated both anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of XNT on aeroallergens-induced biological responses in various cell culture models. XNT was firstly demonstrated to possess a free radical scavenging activity using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) cell-free assay, with lower potency but comparable efficacy as compared to the FDA-approved antioxidant agent Trolox. In LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cell line, XNT not only up-regulated anti-oxidant genes like heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), but also down-regulated inflammatory cytokines and chemokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and GM-CSF, particularly Th2 cytokines IL-33 and TSLP. In addition, XNT also inhibited aeroallergen house dust mite (HDM)-induced expression of pro-inflammatory genes in Raw cells. Furthermore, XNT suppressed steroid-resistant IL-27 and IL-6 protein production in mouse primary airway macrophages upon exposure of combined LPS/IFN-γ, which represents severe asthmatic challenge. Lastly, by using cell surface marker combined with intracellular cytokine staining, it was shown that XNT decreased intracellular Th2/Th17 cytokine frequencies of IL-5, IL-13 and IL-17 in the cell suspension from HDM and aspergillus fumigatus (AF)-exposed mouse lungs. Taken together, our findings reveal novel anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of XNT and implicate a new potential treatment to allergic asthma.
Problem solving flexibility across early development.

Abstract Cognitive flexibility allows individuals to adapt to novel situations. However, this ability appears to develop slowly over the first few years of life, mediated by task complexity and opacity. We used a physically simple novel task, previously tested with nonhuman primates, to explore the development of flexible problem solving in 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old children from a developmental and comparative perspective. The task goal was to remove barriers (straws) from a clear tube to release a ball. The location of the ball, and therefore the number of straws necessary to retrieve it, varied across two test phases (four of five straws and two of five straws, respectively). In Test Phase 1, all children retrieved the ball in Trial 1 and 83.61% used the most efficient method (removing only straws below the ball). Across Phase 1 trials, 4-year-olds were significantly more efficient than 2-year-olds, and solve latency decreased for all age groups. Test Phase 2 altered the location of the ball, allowing us to explore whether children could flexibly adopt a more efficient solution when their original (now inefficient) solution remained available. In Phase 2, significantly more 4-year-olds than 2-year-olds were efficient; the older children showed greater competency with the task and were more flexible to changing task demands than the younger children. Interestingly, no age group was as flexible in Phase 2 as previously tested nonhuman primates, potentially related to their relatively reduced task exploration in Phase 1. Therefore, this causally clear task revealed changes in cognitive flexibility across both early childhood and species.
Controlling the Operational Behavior of Complex Empirical Mode Decomposition

The Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) algorithm provides a way to decompose a signal into a set of signal components which allow for a significant amount of flexibility in the signal model. However, the exact details of the resulting decomposition depend greatly on the relative amplitudes and relative frequencies of the underlying signal components. In this paper, we extend previous work to describe the behavior of complex EMD. We then consider the use of additive and multiplicative tones to control the operational behavior of complex EMD to align to a particular signal analysis goal. Finally, we provide examples using our proposed methodology to demonstrate the approach.
Understanding Intimate Partner Violence among Immigrant and Refugee Women: A Grounded Theory Analysis

Immigrant and refugee women may experience considerable multifaceted and interrelated barriers that place them at heightened risk for intimate partner violence (IPV). The objective of this analysis...
Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) in clinical practice.

The objective of this literature review is to familiarize the reader with the clinical data on selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and antiestrogens currently in use in the US, excluding data on breast effects. Four compounds in the SERM and antiestrogen families are presently in clinical use in the US: clomiphene (CC), tamoxifen (TAM), toremifene (TOR), and raloxifene (RLX). The clinical database on these compounds is among the largest available. Each compound demonstrates a specific profile for its target tissue effects, and this may differ between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. CC is the most widely used agent for ovulation induction. TAM is indicated in the management of breast cancer and for prevention in women at high risk. TAM may have additional effects on the cardiovascular and skeletal systems. TOR also is used for its effects on breast tissue and may have positive cardiovascular effects. RLX is approved in the management of osteoporosis with data supporting favorable effects on the cardiovascular system and breast tissue. TAM and TOR appear to have stimulatory effects on the uterus and endometrium, whereas RLX is neutral. Few adverse events have been attributed to these agents, with hot flashes being the most common one. There appears to be an increased risk of thromboembolic events with continuous use of TAM, TOR, and RLX. SERMs and antiestrogens continue to be studied extensively. Their evolving profiles support key roles for these agents in modern day medicine, particularly in the management of postmenopausal women’s health.
Short Selling Bans and Limits to Regulatory Arbitrage in a Multi-Market Setting

We evaluate the role of foreign short-sale restrictions in muting the full return-response following negative earnings surprises for stocks cross-listed in unbanned markets. We update the global timeline of short-sale restrictions until the COVID-19 crisis period. Instead of regulatory price arbitrage, we surprisingly observe cross-border reach of bans manifested in a delayed price response, accompanied by a reduction in short interest and failures to deliver. Nonetheless, large profit opportunities result in price arbitrage and full return-response. Analysis of earnings management practices and CEO compensation structure reinforces the role of the profit opportunity in moderating the effects of short-sale restrictions.
Manufacturing Zero-Waste COVID-19 Personal Protection Equipment: a Case Study of Utilizing 3D Printing While Employing Waste Material Recycling

COVID-19 pandemic outbreak dictated the extensive use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by the majority of the population and mostly by frontline professionals. This need triggered a sudden demand that led to a global shortage of available PPEs threatening to have an immense contribution to the virus contamination spread. In these conditions, the need for a local, flexible, and rapid manufacturing method that would be able to cope with the increased demand for PPE fabrication arose. 3D printing proved to be such a manufacturing technique since its working principles make it an ideal technology for local, decentralized production of PPEs meeting the local demands. While considered to be more environmentally friendly than conventional fabrication techniques and aligning well with the principles of sustainability and circular economy, 3D printing can produce waste as the result of potential failed prints and material used for the fabrication of support structures. This paper describes the case of utilizing pre-existing FDM 3D printing equipment in an academic facility for the production of PPEs (face shields) and their distribution according to local demands. The plastic wastes produced were forwarded to a recycling process that led to their conversion to 3D filament that would be returned to the academic facility as raw material for future 3D printing operations. The followed procedure minimized 3D printing waste and led to a zero-waste fabrication case that was initiated in a pandemic for a greater-good cause (production of COVID-19 fighting PPEs) while assimilating the values of sustainability and circular economy.
Pro-Capitalist Trends in Muslim Attitudes: A Change-in-Change Analysis

Islam’s compatibility with Capitalism was debated extensively, albeit not conclusively, during the middle of the twentieth century, when several Muslim-majority countries gained their independence from Capitalist colonial powers. The global rise of anti-Capitalist sentiments in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis and ensuing Great Recession presented a natural experiment to study how Muslims’ views toward Capitalism are evolving relative to the rest of the world. I study data from Waves 5 and 6 of the World Values Survey, which bracketed the revolutionary waves of 2009–2011, using Athey and Imbens’s (2006) nonlinear difference-in-difference methodology to compare shifts in distributions of attitudes between Muslim-majority and various comparator groups of countries, as well as within the Muslim-majority group between Arab and non-Arab countries. I conclude that despite starting with strong attitudinal biases in favor of egalitarian distribution and a larger economic role for government, Muslim-majority (especially Arab) countries have exhibited relatively pro-Capitalist trends in their attitudinal transitions. Thus, I conclude that data dynamics during this recent episode support the view that Islam is empirically compatible with Capitalism.
Outpatient Botulinum Injections for Early Obstructive Symptoms in Patients with Hirschsprung Disease.

ABSTRACT Introduction Botulinum toxin (BT) injections may play a role in preventing Hirschsprung associated enterocolitis (HAEC) episodes related to internal anal sphincter (IAS dysfunction). Our aim was to determine the association of outpatient BT injections for early obstructive symptoms on the development of HAEC. Methods A retrospective review of children who underwent definitive surgery for Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) from July 2010 – July 2020 was performed. The timing from pull-through to first HAEC episode and to first BT injection was recorded. Primary analysis focused on the rate of HAEC episodes and timing between episodes in patients who did and did not receive BT injections. Results Eighty patients were included. Sixty patients (75%) were male, 15 (19%) were diagnosed with trisomy 21, and 58 (72.5%) had short-segment disease. The median time to pull-through was 150 days (IQR 16, 132). Eight patients (10%) had neither an episode of HAEC or BT injections and were not included in further analysis. Forty-six patients (64%) experienced at least one episode of HAEC, while 64 patients (89%) had at least one outpatient BT injection. Compared to patients who never received BT injections (n = 9) and those who developed HAEC prior to BT injections (n = 35), significantly fewer patients who received BT injections first (n = 28) developed enterocolitis (P Conclusion Outpatient BT is associated with decreased episodes of HAEC and increased interval between HAEC episodes requiring inpatient treatment. Scheduling outpatient BT injections to manage obstructive symptoms may be beneficial after pull-through for HSCR.
Differences in African Indigenous Rights Messaging in International Advocacy Coalitions

International Indigenous rights coalitions increasingly involve Indigenous and non-Indigenous civil society organizations (CSOs) with diverse backgrounds and interests. As these organizations more frequently interact and partner with one another, what issues are being emphasized in their advocacy efforts? This study utilizes content analysis of 60 Indigenous rights organizations’ websites, as well as interviews of several leaders and staff, to explore whether African Indigenous organizations emphasize different aspects of Indigenous rights in their messaging and advocacy than their other Indigenous and non-Indigenous coalition partners, We find that African Indigenous CSOs discuss issues of unequal treatment more frequently, and issues of self-determination and assimilation less frequently, than their coalition partners. The messaging of Indigenous organizations outside of Africa contained similar themes as that of non-Indigenous CSOs. This raises questions regarding why these messages differ: do African Indigenous groups have distinct concerns and/or are there other reasons for the variance in messaging across international Indigenous rights coalitions.
Utility of Remote Sensing in Predicting Crop and Soil Characteristics

Remote sensing during the production season can provide visual indications of crop growth along with the geographic locations of those areas. A grid coordinate system was used to sample cotton and soybean fields to determine the relationship between spectral radiance, soil parameters, and cotton and soybean yield. During the 2 years of this study, mid- to late-season correlation coefficients between spectral radiance and yield generally ranged from 0.52 to 0.87. These correlation coefficients were obtained using the green–red ratio and a vegetation index similar to the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) using the green and red bands. After 102 days after planting (DAP), the ratio vegetation index (RVI), difference vegetation index (DVI), NDVI, and soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) generally provided correlation coefficients from 0.54 to 0.87. Correlation coefficients for cotton plant height measurements taken 57 and 66 DAP during 2000 ranged from 0.51 to 0.76 for all bands, ratios, and indices examined, with the exception of Band 4 (720 nm). The most consistent correlation coefficients for soybean yield were obtained 89–93 DAP, corresponding to peak vegetative production and early pod set, using RVI, DVI, NDVI, and SAVI. Correlation coefficients generally ranged from 0.52 to 0.86. When the topographic features and soil nutrient data were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA), the interaction between the crop canopy, topographic features, and soil parameters captured in the imagery allowed the formation of predictive models, indicating soil factors were influencing crop growth and could be observed by the imagery. The optimum time during 1999 and 2000 for explaining the largest amount of variability for cotton growth occurred during the period from first bloom to first open boll, with R values ranging from 0.28 to 0.70. When the PCA-stepwise regression analysis was performed on the soybean fields, R 2 values were obtained ranging from 0.43 to 0.82, 15 DAP, and ranged from 0.27 to 0.78, 55–130 DAP. The use of individual bands located in the green, red, and NIR, ratios such as RVI and DVI, indices such as NDVI, and stepwise regression procedures performed on the cotton and soybean fields performed well during the cotton and soybean production season, though none of these single bands, ratios, or indices was consistent in the ability to correlate well with crop and soil characteristics over multiple dates within a production season. More research needs to be conducted to determine whether a certain image analysis method will be needed on a field-by-field basis, or whether multiple analysis procedures will need to be performed for each imagery date in order to provide reliable estimates of crop and soil characteristics.
ANTICHOLINERGIC POISONING: TREATMENT WITH PHYSOSTIGMINE

The increased incidence of poisoning by overdoses of commonly used drugs with anticholinergic properties (Table I) and the general lack of knowledge concerning a specific treatment for these poisons warrants a summary of the problem at this time. Some plants containing anticholinergic alkaloids are also included in this group as they may also be taken intentionally or accidentally. Drugs with anticholinergic properties primanly antagonize acetylcholine competitively at the neuroreceptor site. Cardiac muscle, exocrine glands, and smooth muscle are most markedly affected.1 Action of the inhibitors is overcome by increasing the level of acetylcholine naturally generated in the body through inhibiting the enzyme (choline esterase) which normally prevents accumulation of excess acetylcholine. It does this by hydrolyzing that compound to inactive acetic acid and choline. Agents which inhibit this enzyme, so that acetylcholine accumulates at the neuroreceptor sites, are called anticholine esterases. Physostigmine, one of the anticholine esterases which is a tertiary amine, crosses into the central nervous system and can reverse both central and peripheral anticholinergic actions2. Neostigmine and pyridostigmine are also anticholine esterases but they are quaternary amines and are capable of acting only outside the central nervous system because of solubility and ionization characteristics. The anticholinergic syndrome has both central and peripheral signs and symptoms. Central toxic effects include anxiety, delirium, disorientation, hallucinations, hyperactivity, and seizures.2 Severe poisoning may produce coma, medullary paralysis, and death. Peripheral taxicity is characterized by tachycardia, hyperpyrexia, mydriasis, vasodilatation, urinary retention, diminution of gastrointestinal motility, decrease of secretion in salivary and sweat glands, and loss of secretions in the pharynx, bronchi, and nasal passages.
The Distribution of Weight‐Related Risks Among Low‐Income Women During the First Postpartum Year

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the distribution of weight‐related risks (weight retention and overweight/obese status) during the first postpartum year and determine if risk distributions differ by race/ethnicity, time, age, or parity. Design Secondary analysis of a longitudinal data set from 1‐ to 3‐days to 12‐months postpartum. Setting Initial recruitment was from a community hospital. Participants Two hundred and forty‐seven (White, African American, or Hispanic) low‐income women. Results At 1‐ to 3‐days postpartum weight‐related risks were distributed as follows: 6.1% no risk, 17.0% significant postpartum weight retention, 12.1% overweight/obese, and 64.8% both weight‐related risks; at 12 months, the distribution was 32.4%, 8.9%, 16.6%, and 42.1%, respectively. Distributions differed by race/ethnicity at 6‐months (χ 2 =16.1, p =.013) and 12‐months postpartum (χ 2 =19.7, p =.003). Having both weight‐related risks (vs. not) at 12 months was 3.1 (odds ratio [OR]) times more likely (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6, 6.2) for African American and 2.4 (OR) times more likely (95% CI[1.3, 4.6]) for Hispanic than White women. Having two risks decreased significantly only between 1 to 3 days and 6 weeks ( p =.000). Maternal parity, but not age, was associated with weight‐related risk distributions on four of five time points. Conclusion Despite changes in the weight‐related risk distributions from 1‐ to 3‐days to 6‐weeks postpartum, the proportion of African American and Hispanic women with weight‐related risk (especially having two weight‐related risks) remains high at 12‐months postpartum.
Heuristics for Implementation of Wiki Technology in Higher Education Learning

This paper discusses the use of wiki technology in higher education. Wikis are simple online information systems which often serve user communities. In higher education, wikis have been used in a supporting function to traditional courses; however, there is little research on wikis taking on a larger role as learning environments. This paper explores how wikis support goals of constructivist learning environments, especially communal constructivism theory. Further, it summarizes results of current research using wikis in the classroom and considers elements which can improve the use of wikis for learning. The paper concludes with a proposal of nine guidelines to improve the use of wiki technology as learning environments in higher education.
Substrate-assisted catalysis of the PAR1 thrombin receptor. Enhancement of macromolecular association and cleavage.

Platelet activation and aggregation are mediated by thrombin cleavage of the exodomain of the PAR1 receptor. The specificity of thrombin for PAR1 is enhanced by binding to a hirudin-like region (Hir) located in the receptor exodomain. Here, we examine the mechanism of thrombin-PAR1 recognition and cleavage by steady-state kinetic measurements using soluble PAR1 N-terminal exodomains. We determined that the primary role of the PAR1 Hir sequence is to reduce the kinetic barriers to formation of the docked thrombin-PAR1 complex rather than to form high affinity ground-state interactions. In addition, the exosite I-bound Hir motif facilitates the productive interaction of the PAR138LDPR/SFL44 sequence with the active site of thrombin. This locking process is the most energetically unfavorable step of the overall reaction. The subsequent irreversible steps of peptide bond cleavage are rapid and allosterically enhanced by the presence of the docked Hir sequence. Furthermore, the C-terminal exodomain product of thrombin cleavage, corresponding to the activated receptor, binds tightly to thrombin. This would suggest that an additional role of the Hir sequence in the thrombin-activated receptor is to sequester thrombin to the platelet surface and modulate cleavage of other platelet receptors such as the PAR4 thrombin receptor, which lacks a functional Hir sequence.
Metastasis of Head and Neck Carcinoma to the Site of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy: Case Report and Literature Review

Background: Patients with head and neck cancer often need a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy to provide adequate nutrition because of inability to swallow after tumor radiation therapy. However, metastasis of the original tumor to the gastrostomy exit site may occur. Methods: We describe the case of a 61-year-old man with stage III (T2 N1) squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in whom a PEG tube was placed to circumvent anticipated difficulties in swallowing after radiation therapy. We also compare this case with similar cases in the literature. Results: Soreness and erythema near the gastrostomy site reported by the patient were diagnosed as cellulitis, and two courses of antibiotic treatment were prescribed. However, a biopsy showed that the original squamous cell carcinoma had metastasized to the gastrostomy exit site. The "pull" method of tube placement had been used in this patient and in all 19 cases of metastasis reported in the literature. Conclusions: Metastatic cancer should be considered in ...
Dopamine infusion does not alter LH levels before or after chronic cocaine exposure in female rhesus monkeys.

Abstract Cocaine stimulates release of luteinizing hormone (LH) in preclinical and clinical studies but the contribution of the indirect dopamine agonist actions of cocaine to its effects on LH are unclear. In the present study, we examined the effects of exogenous dopamine infusions on LH release in drug-naive, normally cycling, female rhesus monkeys. All studies were conducted during the mid-follicular phase (cycle days 6–8). Three successive 80-min dopamine infusions (10 μg/kg/min, intravenous) were alternated with 20- or 40-min interruptions of dopamine infusions. There were no significant changes in LH during or following dopamine infusions. Predopamine baseline LH levels averaged 30 ± 5.4 ng/ml. LH averaged 31.7 ± 1.3 ng/ml during dopamine infusions and 31.4 ± 1.3 ng/ml after dopamine infusions stopped. To determine whether chronic cocaine exposure influenced the effect of dopamine on LH, rhesus females were studied after more than 2 years of cocaine self-administration at an average dose of 6.5 ± 0.2 mg/kg/day. LH averaged 27.3 ± 3.3 ng/ml during baseline and 26.9 ± 0.7 ng/ml and 26.1 ± 0.7 ng/ml during dopamine infusions and interruptions, respectively. Similarly, during withdrawal from cocaine, baseline LH levels averaged 32.1 ± 4.5 ng/ml, and LH did not change significantly during dopamine infusions (31.2 ± 1.1 ng/ml) and infusion interruptions (32.1 ± 1.1 ng/ml). Under the conditions of the present study, dopamine administration did not change LH levels in gonadally intact rhesus monkeys, and these findings are consistent with previous studies in ovariectomized rhesus females. However, these data are not consistent with clinical reports, and some possible implications of this species difference are discussed. Moreover, these data suggest that the stimulation of LH by cocaine may not be explained by its indirect dopamine agonist actions.
Growth and longevity of the mud snail Batillaria attramentaria

Batillaria attramentaria (Sowerby), a recent introduction to North America from Japan, occurs on tidal mudflats from California to British Columbia. A population of this deposit-feeder was followed for 10 yr on Galiano Island, British Columbia by recovering marked individuals and by following shifts in size-frequency distributions. Growth as well as erosion pattern and age class analysis indicate that the average size of B. attramentaria in the first 6 yr of life is 3, 9, 12, 15, 17, and 18 mm in length and that longevity falls between 6 and 10 yr. Recruitment of young B. attramentaria occurred every year. The key to B. attramentaria's success must lie in its combination of both a relatively predictable annual recruitment and a moderately long longevity.
Interpretation of perceptron weights as constructed time series for EEG classification

Abstract The interpretation of weights in a neural network is seldom straightforward. Recently, we have shown perceptron-based learning to yield better brain-wave classification rates than learning based on averaging and optimal filtering. By virtue of our implementation, we are able to interpret the weights as a time series and to relate them to prototypes generated by averaging. In this paper, some results of four closely related linear models are shown. They are based on averaging, averaging with filtering, Tikhonov regularization, and a single-layer neural network. We then introduce this interpretation for a Tikhonov-regularized linear model and a single-layer neural network with a linear-transfer function. We show, using Tikhonov regularization as an example, how such an interpretation can be used to gain insight into the mechanisms of various perceptron-based methods.
Insights Into Sustaining a Plasma Jet: Boundary Layer Requirement

In this paper, we investigate the effects of various background gases on the formation and sustenance of a plasma jet. A helium plasma is ignited inside a dielectric tube and introduced into a vacuum chamber where the gas composition and pressure can be controlled. The gas composition inside the chamber is altered by separately injecting various background gases, such as air, nitrogen, and argon. Here, we report that, in order to sustain a plasma jet, there needs to be a physical boundary layer around the helium flow. This boundary can be in the form of a solid surface that encapsulates the flow, or a background gas other than helium. If only helium is present inside the chamber, no propagating jet is created; rather a diffuse plasma fills the chamber. If another gas is introduced, then the diffuse plasma reverts into a jet. Additionally, we discovered what can be considered as the signature emission line from a plasma jet operating with helium. This emission line is at 587.4 nm (He). This line appears in the emission profile only in the presence of a plasma jet, and disappears as the plasma transitions to a diffuse state at the same applied power parameters and pressure.
Comparative Regional and Subcellular Distributions of Histamine and Norepinephrine in the Hearts of Rats, Mice, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, and Dogs

The patterns of distribution of histamine and norepinephrine among the 4 chambers of the heart of rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits and among 15 portions of the dog heart were quite similar, except for the coronary ring of the dog, which was disproportionately high in histamine. In whole mouse hearts the separate chambers were not assayed; in the whole heart, the contents of the 2 amines did not correlate. The subcellular distribution of histamine in the rat and guinea pig heart was different from that of norepinephrine. Histamine was mostly associated with mast cell-like granules. Toluidine blue-staining granules of 2 widely different densities were found.
Localization of the voltage-sensor toxin receptor on KvAP.

A variety of venomous animals produce small protein toxins that impair the function of voltage-dependent cation channels by affecting the motions of the voltage-sensor domains and altering the ener...
Deuteration of indole and N-methylindole by Raney nickel catalysis

Indole and N-methylindole have been partially or fully deuterated by Raney nickel catalyzed 1H-2H exchange in a series of deuterated solvents. Perdeuterated indoles have been obtained in water and methanol while compounds that are preferentially deuterated at specific sites were obtained in chloroform, acetone, acetonitrile, ethanol, and isopropanol. The partially deuterated compounds are an important research tool for solid-state NMR studies on proteins. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Agreement Pressure and Opponent Strategies in Oligopoly Bargaining

Previous research has shown the softest strategy to be superior to tougher strategies in oligopoly bargaining. However, initial offer and subsequent strategy were confounded in previous research. Female students from introductory psychology classes played the role of buyers and bargained with programmed seller strategies under high or low agreement pressure. Subjects were afforded the opportunity to bargain with the strategy (seller) of their choice and to change sellers as they wished. As hypothesized, (a) high agreement pressure reduced the total amount of bargaining but produced more profit for the seller; (b) the soft initial strategy was more effective than the tough initial strategy; and (c) the advantage of the soft initial strategy was more pronounced under high agreement pressure. These results suggest that in oligopoly bargaining first impressions created by initial bargaining strategies have important consequences, especially under pressures to reach agreement quickly.
First Documentation of Mountain Redbelly Dace Chrosomus oreas in Pennsylvania

Abstract Two populations of Chrosomus species were found in two central Pennsylvania streams during electrofishing surveys in July and August of 2011. Analysis of sequence data from the cytochrome b region of the mitochondrial DNA confirmed visual observations that these fish were most closely related to C. oreas; a minnow-fish commonly occurring in Virginia drainages, but never documented in Pennsylvania. Limited genetic analysis suggests that the origin of these fish is either the result of human relocation from genetically uncharacterized native groups of C. oreas, or persistent relict populations. The documentation of this new fish to Pennsylvania, and uncertainty regarding their origin, underscores the need to perform a thorough phylogeographic assessment of C. oreas.
Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii) as a biological monitor of changes in soil metal loading related to past mining activity

Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) is the dominant tree species in many abandoned mine areas of the Rocky Mountains. It is long-lived, and therefore, may act as a long term biological monitor of changes in soil chemistry caused by past mining activity. In this study, laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) was used to analyze individual tree rings of Engelmann spruce for Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn, Pb and Sr concentrations. Cores were obtained from trees growing in tailings-impacted and control (non-tailings impacted) sites near the Waldorf mine (Waldorf, CO, USA). Zinc, Cu, Fe, Cd, Pb and Sr concentrations remained low and consistent over time in the control tree rings. However, in the tailings impacted cores, concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe and Cd increase significantly in post-mining rings. In addition, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Cd concentrations in pre-mining rings of both the control and tailings impacted cores are similar, indicating that present day soil concentrations of these elements in the control area are a reasonable estimation of background for this area. Lead and Sr concentrations in control and tailings-impacted rings remained similar and relatively constant through time and are not useful in determining changes in soil chemistry due to past mining activity.
A comment on the use of exponential decay models to test nonadditive processing hypotheses in multispecies mixtures of litter

AbstractMany studies testing hypotheses about the effects of leaf litter diversity on litter processing rates contain a systematic bias that stems from mathematically incorrect assumptions. Assuming that the mean of single-species processing rates adequately describes noninteracting mixed-species rates will consistently underestimate or miss positive interactions between species. Further, the slope of log-transformed mass loss of litter mixtures vs time is affected by the duration of the experiment. Simple solutions to these errors include separating species from litter mixtures after incubation, or comparing masses remaining rather than comparing slopes.
Gender differences in free radical homeostasis during aging: shorter-lived female C57BL6 mice have increased oxidative stress.

Summary Gender is a profound determinant of aging and lifespan,but little is known about gender differences in free radicalhomeostasis. Free radicals are proposed as key elementsin the multifactorial process of aging and it is predictedthat the longer-lived gender should have lower levels ofoxidative stress. While the majority of studies on aginghave included a single gender, recent studies in rats com-pared genders and found that females, the longer-livedsex, had lower oxidative stress and mitochondrial dys-function than males. We explored the associationbetween oxidative stress and gender-specific aging inC57BL6 mice, in which females are the shorter-lived gender.Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured in youngand old mice by confocal imaging of dihydroethidium(DHE) oxidation in the brain, and by electron para-magnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry of isolated brainmitochondria. Both genders exhibited significant age-dependent increases in ROS. However, females had agreater increase with age than males in DHE oxidation butnot mitochondrial EPR. Superoxide dismutase 1 (Sod1)and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) protein levels werelower in old females. To determine whether enhancingantioxidant defenses would eliminate gender differencesin lifespan, mice were treated chronically with a superoxidedismutase mimetic. Treatment blocked the age-dependentincrease in ROS, with a greater effect in females on DHEoxidation, but not mitochondrial EPR. Treatment alsoincreased lifespan to a greater degree in females. Ourresults indicate that differences in ROS homeostasis con-tribute to gender divergence in survival, but also suggestthat mitochondrial superoxide production may not beprimarily responsible for gender differences in lifespan.Key words: aging; free radicals; gender; mitochondria;oxidative stress.
Hydrogels as artificial matrices for human embryonic stem cell self-renewal

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the potential to differentiate into all cell types in the body and hold great promise for regenerative medicine; however, large-scale expansion of undifferentiated hESCs remains a major challenge. Self-renewal of hESCs requires culturing these cells on either mouse or human fibroblast cells (i.e., a feeder layer of cells), or on artificial extracellular matrices (ECMs) while supplementing the media with soluble growth factors. Here we report a completely synthetic ECM system composed of a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (sIPN), a polymer hydrogel, which was designed to allow the independent manipulation of cell adhesion ligand presentation and matrix stiffness. In the short term, hESCs that were cultured on the sIPN adhered to the surface, remained viable, maintained the morphology, and expressed the markers of undifferentiated hESCs. This was the first demonstration that a completely synthetic ECM can support short-term self-renewal of hESCs.
Current constraints on the cosmic growth history

We present constraints on the cosmic growth history with recent cosmological data, allowing for deviations from $\ensuremath{\Lambda}\mathrm{CDM}$ as might arise if cosmic acceleration is due to modifications to general relativity or inhomogeneous dark energy. We combine measures of the cosmic expansion history, from Type 1a supernovae, baryon acoustic oscillations, and the cosmic microwave background (CMB), with constraints on the growth of structure from recent galaxy, CMB, and weak lensing surveys along with integated Sachs Wolfe-galaxy cross correlations. Deviations from $\ensuremath{\Lambda}\mathrm{CDM}$ are parameterized by phenomenological modifications to the Poisson equation and the relationship between the two Newtonian potentials. We find modifications that are present at the time the CMB is formed are tightly constrained through their impact on the well-measured CMB acoustic peaks. By contrast, constraints on late-time modifications to the growth history, as might arise if modifications are related to the onset of cosmic acceleration, are far weaker, but remain consistent with $\ensuremath{\Lambda}\mathrm{CDM}$ at the 95% confidence level. For these late-time modifications we find that differences in the evolution on large and small scales could provide an interesting signature by which to search for modified growth histories with future wide angular coverage, large scale structure surveys.
Neural Development in Isogenic Organisms—A Summary Report

results reported to date have come from the studies on mice, in which the mutations seem to affect properties of individual cell types in such a way that other, presumably normal, cell types are found in altered posi? tions or degenerate during embryogenesis. This has been shown by Rakic and Sidman (1973) who have suggested that during the embryologic development of the cerebellum in certain mutant mice it is possible to observe the consequence of particular cellu? lar alterations on the migration of other cells. These authors have suggested that alterations in one cell type result in other cells being unable to migrate to their appointed position in a nervous system. In our laboratory, we have been studying the variations and similarities between dif? ferent animals in clones of genetically identical individuals. We are also studying the development with time of individually identified nerve connections in these ani? mals. The organisms used in our studies are the rotifer Asplanchna sieboldi, the crustacean Daphnia magna, and a small tropical fish, Poecelia formosa. All of these animals reproduce parthenogenetically (or gynogenetically in the case of the fish), and all are heterozygous diploids.
Progress and challenges in the theory and interpretation of X-ray spectra.

There has been dramatic progress over the past decade both in theory and in ab initio calculations of X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS). Rapid progress is now being made in understanding X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES). This presentation reviews the developments in this field by many groups leading up to the current state of the art. These developments have led to several ab initio codes, such as FEFF, which yield results comparable to experimental results for XAFS, and permit an interpretation of the spectra in terms of geometrical and electronic properties of a material. The review begins with a summary of the key theoretical developments that are essential for achieving a quantitative agreement with experiment for XAFS. The same high-order multiple-scattering (MS) theory of XAFS can also give an approximate treatment of XANES, but this approach can fail close to an edge, where full MS calculations are often necessary. However, a fully quantitative treatment of XANES remains challenging, largely as a result of a number of many-body effects, e.g. the approximate treatment of the core-hole, multiplet effects, the photoelectron self energy and inelastic losses. Finally, natural extensions of the theory to other spectroscopies, such as anomalous X-ray scattering, DAFS (diffraction anomalous fine structure) and XMCD (X-ray magnetic circular dichroism) are briefly discussed. These developments are illustrated with a number of applications.