cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of viral infection on the relationships between airway cytokines and lung function in asthmatic children

Few longitudinal studies examine inflammation and lung function in asthma. We sought to determine the cytokines that reduce airflow, and the influence of respiratory viral infections on these relationships. Children underwent home collections of nasal lavage during scheduled surveillance periods and self-reported respiratory illnesses. We studied 53 children for one year, analyzing 392 surveillance samples and 203 samples from 85 respiratory illnesses. Generalized estimated equations were used to evaluate associations between nasal lavage biomarkers (7 mRNAs, 10 proteins), lung function and viral infection. As anticipated, viral infection was associated with increased cytokines and reduced FVC and FEV1. However, we found frequent and strong interactions between biomarkers and virus on lung function. For example, in the absence of viral infection, CXCL10 mRNA, MDA5 mRNA, CXCL10, IL-4, IL-13, CCL4, CCL5, CCL20 and CCL24 were negatively associated with FVC. In contrast, during infection, the opposite relationship was frequently found, with IL-4, IL-13, CCL5, CCL20 and CCL24 levels associated with less severe reductions in both FVC and FEV1. In asthmatic children, airflow obstruction is driven by specific pro-inflammatory cytokines. In the absence of viral infection, higher cytokine levels are associated with decreasing lung function. However, with infection, there is a reversal in this relationship, with cytokine abundance associated with reduced lung function decline. While nasal samples may not reflect lower airway responses, these data suggest that some aspects of the inflammatory response may be protective against viral infection. This study may have ramifications for the treatment of viral-induced asthma exacerbations.
Leksell Radiosurgery for Movement Disorders.

Tremor is the most prevalent movement disorder in adults. Patients who are refractory to medical management can explore surgical intervention. Deep-brain stimulation (DBS) and radiofrequency thalamotomy (RFT) are surgical procedures for intractable tremor that target the ventralis intermedius (VIM) nucleus to relieve contralateral tremor. For patients who are not candidates for surgical procedures, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a minimally invasive management option for tremor relief. SRS has been used for the elderly, those considered high surgical risk for other surgical procedures, those who are unresponsive to either DBS or RFT, and those who prefer a less invasive option. Radiosurgical thalamotomy is performed using a central dose of 130–140 Gy delivered to the VIM nucleus of the thalamus. The critical aspect of the dose planning procedure is the selection of the target, which requires a neurosurgeon experienced with movement disorder surgery. More than 90% of patients experience improvements in their tremor and quality of life after radiosurgical thalamotomy. Adverse radiation effects rates are low (4%). In selected cases, staged bilateral procedure can also be performed to relieve bilateral refractory tremor. In patients with tremor-predominant Parkinson’s disease, VIM thalamotomy is also effective.
Transitions, Suicidality, and Underappreciated Autism Spectrum Disorder in a High School Student.

CASE Alex is a 14-year-old Portuguese-American boy with a psychiatric history starting at age 5 who presents to your primary care practice after an insurance change.He was delivered prematurely at 32 weeks and diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism at the age of 6 weeks and growth hormone deficiency at the age of 2 years; he is in active treatment for both. He otherwise met developmental milestones on time yet continues to have significant fatigue despite adequate sleep and vitamin D supplementation.His family history is remarkable for maternal anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and previous attempted suicide, as well as anxiety, alcoholism, depression, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the extended family.Alex has had multiple psychiatric diagnoses by sequential providers. He was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and ADHD by 5 years of age, major depressive disorder by 11 years of age, persistent depressive disorder by 12 years of age, and ultimately disruptive mood dysregulation disorder because of severe and persistent temper outbursts associated with negative mood and behavioral dysregulation, leading to recurrent crisis evaluations. He has been psychiatrically hospitalized twice, in the fifth and seventh grade, for suicidal ideation (SI) and elopement from home, respectively. He recently completed a 2-week acute residential placement, during which no medication changes were made. Current medications include escitalopram 20 mg daily, guanfacine 1 mg 3 times daily, sustained release bupropion 100 mg twice daily, levothyroxine, vitamin D, and a weekly somatropin injection. He has not been able to tolerate psychostimulants or nonstimulant agents because of treatment-emergent SI.Now in the ninth grade, he continues to be easily distracted by peers, with impulsive behaviors and reduced self-regulation. Despite receiving special education services since the fifth grade, his academic performance has been poor, and he has limited motivation. Previous testing indicated average in an intelligence quotient test, with relative deficits in working memory compared with above average strength in fluid reasoning. He dislikes school and has few friends. He has always been noted to be "immature." He displays temper tantrums at home and school around transitions and behavioral expectations and has complained of feeling "different" and misunderstood by peers in addition to having difficulty reading social cues. His interests include acting and playing Fortnite and other video/computer games. His screen time is limited to 1 to 2 hr/d by the family.As the new clinician, you raise the possibility of undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder as a unifying/underlying diagnosis with his mother, who disagrees and does not consent to additional workup despite your recommendations. How would you proceed with next steps to best support your patient and his family in obtaining further clarifying evaluation?
Applications of Three-Dimensional Geoscientific Mapping and Modeling Systems to Hydrogeological Studies

Three-dimensional Geoscientific Information Systems (GSIS) are being evaluated in support of 3-D ground-water modeling activities at several scales and for a variety of hydrogeologic conditions. The complexity of the ground-water flow systems may be more readily modeled and understood if a 3-dimensional ground-water modeling approach is integrated with a true 3-dimensional geologic model. The process of hydrogeological analysis may be considered in terms of four fundamental modules: 1) subsurface characterization; 2) three-dimensional GSIS; 3) statistical evaluation and sensitivity analysis; and 4) ground-water flow and transport modeling.
Ongoing Curriculum Lessons

The final chapter gives a brief summary by highlighting elements of the book through an examination of how the sources consulted help us rethink assumptions and re-examine the details of everyday lives in classrooms. This chapter also allows for an opportunity to reconsider how we might adopt more historically conscious ways of approaching the educational spaces we inhabit and act in a manner that shapes more equitable educational opportunities for all students. As a result, what emerges is a challenge to engage in a dynamic professional practice that connects teachers across time and place through the creative nature of their work allowing for the past to inform and shape the present and the future in historically conscious educational spaces.
Fever in a traveler returning from Ethiopia.

His symptoms began about 10 days after returning and had been going on for 11 days. What was the cause?
A New Kharoṣṭhī Document from Kucha in the Hetian County Museum Collection

This article presents a previously unpublished Kharoṣṭhī document from the collection of the Hetian County museum in the Xinjiang Autonomous Uyghur Region, China. Although the document was in all likelihood found in the Niya area, its contents make clear that it stems from the ancient kingdom of Kucha. The document is formed by a sealed pair of tablets that out of conservation concerns have not been opened yet and an attached external tablet: this article will only deal with the contents of the latter, for which I provide transcription, a tentative translation, notes, glossary, and a tentative transcription of what is visible of the exterior surface of the main double tablet in appendix. The document can be firmly dated to the later half of the third century because it mentions a certain Sagamoi, who is well known from the Niya corpus. In spite of the brevity of the document and the uncertainties involved in its reading, the document provides many new bits of information, like the name of an early king of Kucha (Pitrṛbhakta), evidence that the term nuava was the ancient name of Shan-shan, and possibly Tocharian and Iranian words.
Adaptive Locally Low Rank and Sparsity Constrained Reconstruction for Accelerated Dynamic MRI

Globally low rank and sparsity (GLRS) constrained techniques perform well under high acceleration factors, but may blur spatial details. Locally low rank and sparsity (LLRS) constrained techniques preserve the spatial details better, but are sensitive to the size of the local patches. We propose a novel adaptive locally low rank and sparsity (ALLRS) constrained reconstruction for accelerated dynamic MRI that preserves the spatial details in heterogeneous regions, and smooths preferentially in homogeneous regions by adapting the local patch size to the level of spatial details. Results from in vivo dynamic cardiac and liver MRI demonstrate that ALLRS achieves improved sharpness as well as peak signal-to-noise ratio and visual information fidelity index with suppressed under-sampling artifacts for up to 16-fold undersampling.
The Year in Review for Renal Cancer.

The treatment of kidney cancer has made some remarkable strides over the last few years. Two regimens received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, multiple biomarkers were reported to show promise, and further enhancement and refinement of the prognostic characteristics occurred. The combinations of anti-angiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors with immune checkpoint inhibitors have rapidly become the preferred therapies in the front-line setting of advanced renal cancer.
The endoscopic supraorbital translaminar approach: a technical note

Resection of lesions located within the third ventricle presents a surgical challenge. Several approaches have been developed in an attempt to obtain maximal resection, while minimizing brain retraction. In this work, we assess the surgical exposure and maneuverability of the endoscopic supraorbital translaminar approach (ESTA), a potential alternative to fenestrate the lamina terminalis and approach the third ventricle by using the endoscope through a keyhole supraorbital-eyebrow craniotomy. Five cadaveric heads were used to assess the corridor depth, area of exposure, and viewing angles offered by the ESTA. One additional utilized specimen provided a stepwise dissection of the approach. The ESTA was successfully performed in all specimens. Depth of the surgical corridor from the craniotomy to the ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA), lamina terminalis, and contralateral carotid were 70.7 ± 2.9 mm, 73.2 ± 2.9 mm, and 78.9 ± 4.1 mm, respectively. Viewing angle referenced to the ipsilateral ICA was 6.5 ± 4.2°, while the viewing angle for the lamina terminalis was 25.8 ± 4.3°. The surgical exposure provided by the ESTA was 1655 ± 255 mm2. The ESTA provides a wide surgical view of the lamina terminalis and may be potentially used to approach lesions located in the anterior third of the third ventricle. As a pure endoscopic approach, the ESTA requires minimal brain retraction, while affords good visualization of targeted lesions around the lamina terminalis. The ESTA uses an anterolateral approach and so provides a short and straightforward approach to these structures.
Using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in peripheral blood for the follow up of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients treated with daratumumab-based combination therapy.

Abstract Background Daratumumab-based combination therapies have shown high rates of complete response (CR) and minimal residual disease negativity in patients with multiple myeloma. However, daratumumab, an IgGκ monoclonal antibody, interferes with electrophoretic techniques making it difficult to reliably define residual disease versus CR, especially in patients with IgGκ multiple myeloma. Methods Enrichment with polyclonal sheep antibody-coated magnetic microparticles combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis was used to detect M−proteins in serial samples from newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients treated with daratumumab-based therapy. The performance of the MALDI-TOF MS assay was compared to that of a routine test panel (serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), immunofixation (IFE) and serum free light chain (FLC)). Results Comparison of MALDI-TOF MS to SPEP/IFE/FLC showed a concordance of 84.9% (p Conclusion MALDI-TOF MS is useful in assessing CR in patients treated with monoclonal antibody-based therapies.
Age-based perceptions of a reversing regional sound change

Abstract Sound changes in progress can be examined in apparent time through differences in production across speaker age groups. Additionally, perceptions of sound changes in progress have been shown to be influenced by listener characteristics, including listener age, in ways that mirror production patterns. However, relatively little is known about the ways in which sound changes that have moved from advancing to reversing in production over time are perceived by community members. This paper examines how listeners of various ages within one U.S. community in Chicago produce and perceive vowels implicated in the region’s characteristic Northern Cities Vowel Shift (NCS), which is undergoing reversal over time. Findings from a vowel categorization task show that significant age differences emerged in the opposite direction from those in production—younger participants show significantly more NCS-like perceptual boundaries than older speakers for just those features for which they are reversing the NCS in production. Results suggest that sociolinguistic perception is not simply a reflection of an individual’s static social position within a community, from which matched production and perceptual patterns are derived. Instead, a listener’s own positionality, experience and ideas about others in their community may condition their sociolinguistic expectations.
Traditional and Applied Clinical Ethics: Contemporary and Evolving Challenges

This chapter outlines the history of bioethics in the USA and the relationship between the law and ethics, and addresses the issues that most commonly raise ethical dilemmas and challenge the provider-patient relationship in the ICU – informed consent, surrogate decision-making, parental authority and pediatric patient advocacy, attempted suicide, death, organ donation, the rationing of treatment, and, increasingly, moral distress.
Image-Guided Spine Tumor Ablation: Where Do We Stand?

Minimally invasive percutaneous spine thermal ablation technologies, often combined with vertebral augmentation, have proven safe and effective in management of selected patients with spinal metastases. Special attention to procedure techniques including choice of ablation modality, thermal protection measures, adequacy of treatment, and post-ablation imaging is essential for improved patient outcomes.
Propulsion-induced effects caused by out-of-ground effects

Propulsion induced effects encountered by moderate- to high-disk loading STOVL or VSTOL aircraft out-of-ground effect during hover and transition between hover and wing-borne flight are discussed. Descriptions of the fluid flow phenomena are presented along with an indication of the trends obtained from experimental investigations. In particular, three problem areas are reviewed: (1) the performance losses sustained by a VSTOL aircraft hovering out-of-ground effect, (2) the induced aerodynamic effects encountered as a VSTOL aircraft flies on the combination of powered and aerodynamic lifts between hover and cruise out-of-ground effect, and (3) the aerodynamic characteristics caused by deflected thrust during maneuvering flight over a wide range of both angle of attack and Mach number.
Can We Assess Blood Alcohol Levels of Attendees Leaving Professional Sporting Events

BACKGROUND: We measured blood alcohol content (BAC) levels of attendees at professional sporting events and assessed the factors associated with higher BACs. METHODS: We conducted BAC tests of 362 adult attendees following 13 baseball games and three football games. We ran multivariate analyses to obtain factors associated with the risk of having a higher BAC. RESULTS: In this assessment, 40% of the participants had a positive BAC, ranging from 0.005 to 0.217. Those who reported tailgating before the event had 14 times the odds of having a BAC > 0.08 and those under age 35 had nearly 8 times the odds of having a BAC > 0.08 (both compared to a zero BAC). Attendees of Monday night football games were more likely to have positive BACs compared to attendees at all other games. CONCLUSIONS: We found that it is feasible to assess BAC levels of attendees at professional sporting events. Our findings suggest that a significant number of attendees at professional sporting events may have elevated BAC levels, particularly young adults and those who participated in tailgating activities. Further research using a representative sample is warranted to confirm the findings from this preliminary study. Language: en
Comparing gene expression data from formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissues and qPCR with that from snap-frozen tissue and microarrays for modeling outcomes of patients with ovarian carcinoma.

Previously, we have used clinical and gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to model a pathway-based index predicting outcomes in ovarian carcinoma. This data were obtained from snap-frozen tissue measured with the Affymetrix U133 platform. In the current study, we correlate the data used to model with data derived from TaqMan qPCR both snap frozen and paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples. To compare the effect of preservation methods on gene expression measured by qPCR, we assessed 18 patient and tumor sample matched snap-frozen and FFPE ovarian carcinoma samples. To compare gene measurement technologies, we correlated qPCR data from 10 patients with tumor sample matched snap-frozen ovarian carcinoma samples with the microarray data from TCGA. We normalized results to the average expression of three housekeeping genes. We scaled and centered the data for comparison to the Affymetrix output. For the 18 specimens, gene expression data obtained from snap-frozen tissue correlated highly with that from FFPE samples in our TaqMan assay (r > 0.82). For the 10 duplicate TCGA specimens, the reported microarray data correlated well (r = 0.6) with our qPCR data, and ranges of expression along pathways were similar. Gene expression data obtained by qPCR from FFPE serous ovarian carcinoma samples can be used to assess in the pathway-based predictive model. The normalization procedures described control variations in expression, and the range calculated along a specific pathway can be interpreted for a patient’s risk profile.
The Elbs Reaction

Diaryl ketones having a methyl or methylene substituent adjacent to the carbonyl group often suffer cyclodehydration when submitted to pyrolysis and afford a certain amount of the corresponding anthracene derivative. The reaction is usually carried out by heating the ketone without catalyst or solvent at the reflux temperature or at a temperature in the range of 400-450 degrees until the water is no longer evolved. The main hydrocarbon reaction product may not be that normally expected based on the starting material. A product of the Elbe condensation usually require extensive purification. The mechanism of the condensation is not known. Keywords: Elbs reaction; anthracene; ketones; pyrolysis; side reactions; anthracene homologs; diketones; chloroanthrene; experimental conditions
Scattering diagrams in seismic imaging: More insights into the construction of virtual events and internal multiples

Abstract The key processes in marine seismic imaging include (i) removing from seismic data all seismic events (free-surface multiples and ghosts) which contain at least one reflection at the sea surface in their wave-propagation path, and leaving those with no reflection at the free surface (internal multiples and primaries), (ii) removing events with at least two reflections in the subsurface (internal multiples), and leaving events with only one reflection in the subsurface (primaries), and then (iii) locating the scattering points and reflectors inside the subsurface which are the sources of primaries and internal multiple events. All these processes are here explained, derived, and optimized via scattering diagrams (diagrammatica) in a way similar to the way the quantum field theory is often explained via Feynman diagrams. Our discussion of the removal of events with free-surface reflections from the data will be brief, as the diagrammatica of these events are now well understood. The main focus of this paper is the diagrammatica of internal multiples and primaries. Although these events do not contain any reflection at the sea surface, it is important to reconstruct them with scattering points near the sea surface, where seismic data are recorded. So our diagrammatica of primaries and internal multiples include events which are not directly recorded in seismic data but which can be constructed from seismic data. These events have allowed us to construct scattering diagrams of primaries and internal multiples with scattering points near the sea surface. Furthermore, these new diagrammatica of internal multiples and primaries can be used to remove internal multiples from the data.
Early Adolescent Alcohol Use in Context: How Neighborhoods, Parents and Peers Impact Youth

Developmental-ecological models are useful for integrating risk factors across multiple contexts and conceptualizing mediational pathways for adolescent alcohol use, yet these comprehensive models are rarely tested. This study used a developmental-ecological framework to investigate the influence of neighborhood, family, and peer contexts on alcohol use in early adolescence (N = 387). Results from a multi-informant longitudinal cross-lagged mediation path model suggested that high levels of neighborhood disadvantage were associated with high levels of alcohol use 2 years later via an indirect pathway that included exposure to delinquent peers and adolescent delinquency. Results also indicated that adolescent involvement with delinquent peers and alcohol use led to decrements in parenting, rather than being consequences of poor parenting. Overall, the study supported hypothesized relationships among key microsystems thought to influence adolescent alcohol use, and thus findings underscore the utility of developmental-ecological models of alcohol use.
High throughput sequential ELISA for validation of biomarkers of acute graft-versus-host disease.

Unbiased discovery proteomics strategies have the potential to identify large numbers of novel biomarkers that can improve diagnostic and prognostic testing in a clinical setting and may help guide therapeutic interventions. When large numbers of candidate proteins are identified, it may be difficult to validate candidate biomarkers in a timely and efficient fashion from patient plasma samples that are event-driven, of finite volume and irreplaceable, such as at the onset of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a potentially life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Cyclic nucleotides and aggressive behavior.

Cyclic nucleotides, particularly cyclic AMP, have been implicated as second messengers in neuronal activity. Attempts to demonstrate an association between endogenous cAMP or cGMP levels and rodent aggressive behavior have been only partially successful. Low levels of cAMP in rodent brain appear associated with lower levels of affective aggression. Consistent with this possible relationship is our finding that the infusion of dibutyryl CAMP into rodent cerebroventricles decreases aggressive behavior. The infusion of dibutyryl cyclic GMP, conversely, facilitates shock-induced fighting in the rat.
Some frequency response methods in feedback control of linear time varying and nonlinear systems

Frequency response methods are very useful in the design of linear, time-invariant systems with parameter uncertainty, such that the system response satisfies specified bounds. These methods are highly transparent permitting the designer to make intelligent trade-offs between sensitivity, complexity of compensation and bandwidth. Schauder's fixed point theorem permits these same techniques to be used in linear time-varying and nonlinear systems with significant parameter uncertainty. Frequency response methods have also provided precise synthesis techniques for oscillating adaptive systems and for using nonlinear compensation to reduce feedback loop bandwidths.
Spatial and temporal patterns of myosin heavy chain expression in developing rat extraocular muscle

The present study describes transitions in myosin heavy chain expression in the extraocular muscles of rats between the ages of E17 and adult. The unique phenotype of the extraocular muscle is reflected in its fibre type composition, which is comprised by six distinct profiles, each defined by location (orbital versus global layer) and innervation pattern (single versus multiple terminals). During extraocular muscle myogenesis, developmental myosin heavy chains were expressed in both primary and secondary fibres from embryonic day E17 through the first postnatal week. At this time, the downregulation of developmental myosin heavy chain isoforms began in the global layer in a fibre type-specific manner, reaching completion only after the first postnatal month. By contrast, developmental isoforms were retained in the overwhelming majority of orbital layer fibres into adulthood and expressed differentially along the length of these fibres. Fast myosin heavy chain was detected pre- and postnatally in developing secondary fibres and in all of the singly innervated fibre types and one of the multiply innervated fibre types in the adult. As many as four fast isoforms were detected in maturing extraocular muscle, including the extraocular muscle-specific myosin heavy chain. Slow myosin heavy chain was expressed in primary fibres throughout development and in one of the multiply innervated fibre types in the adult. In contrast, the pure fast-twitch retractor bulbi initially expressed slow myosin heavy chain in fibres destined to switch to the fast myosin heavy chain developmental programme. Based upon spatial and temporal patterns of myosin heavy chain isoform transitions, we suggest that epigenetic influences, rather than purely myogenic stage-specific factors, are critical in determining the unique extraocular muscle phenotype.
Escape-energy distribution for particles in an extremely underdamped potential well

The average kinetic energy, at the barrier, of particles escaping out of an extremely underdamped potential well is calculated and compared with computational data. This energy approaches zero as the well damping is allowed to vanish.
Applied Geometry:Discrete Differential Calculus for Graphics

Geometry has been extensively studied for centuries, almost exclusively from a differential point of view. However, with the advent of the digital age, the interest directed to smooth surfaces has now partially shifted due to the growing importance of discrete geometry. From 3D surfaces in graphics to higher dimensional manifolds in mechanics, computational sciences must deal with sampled geometric data on a daily basis-hence our interest in Applied Geometry. In this talk we cover different aspects of Applied Geometry. First, we discuss the problem of Shape Approximation, where an initial surface is accurately discretized (i.e., remeshed) using anisotropic elements through error minimization. Second, once we have a discrete geometry to work with, we briefly show how to develop a full- blown discrete calculus on such discrete manifolds, allowing us to manipulate functions, vector fields, or even tensors while preserving the fundamental structures and invariants of the differential case. We will emphasize the applicability of our discrete variational approach to geometry by showing results on surface parameterization, smoothing, and remeshing, as well as virtual actors and thin-shell simulation. Joint work with: Pierre Alliez (INRIA), David Cohen-Steiner (Duke U.), Eitan Grinspun (NYU), Anil Hirani (Caltech), Jerrold E. Marsden (Caltech), Mark Meyer (Pixar), Fred Pighin (USC), Peter Schroder (Caltech), Yiying Tong (USC).
Swaps, expectations, and exchange rates

Abstract This paper explores the influence of expectations of a significant subset of the foreign exchange market, viz., the U.S. commercial banks, on foreign exchange rates. For this purpose, conventional swap transaction was utilized in a refined framework to enable more accurate extraction of the U.S. commercial banks' expectations from their observed behavior. Statistical results suggest that although riskless arbitrage opportunities were fully exploited in this market, the group under observation either influenced the pound sterling exchange rates in a significant manner or had superior market timing skills.
The cell cycle dependence of protein synthesis during Xenopus laevis deveopment

Abstract The regulation of early embryonic development in the amphibian Xenopus laevis depends largely upon translational and post-translational regulatory mechanisms to direct the complex cytodifferentiations that take place during early cleaage and blastula formation. The cell cycle dependence of protein synthesis was examined in developing Xenopus embryos as well as in cycling cell-free lysates from Xenopus eggs. In both cases M-phase and the activation of the M-phase kinase were found to be correlated with an inhibition of translation. Translation in both the rough endoplasmic reticulum and cytosolic-free ribosomes were affected by this inhibition. Since elongation was found to be unaffected by M-phase, shifts in the polysome profiles during M-phase indicated that the inhibition affected initiation processes. The activity of the M-phase kinase may inhibit initiation through the modification of initiation factors or some other component during this process. The cell cycle dependence of translation may affect developmental mechanisms controlled by the titration of regulatory proteins.
Better, less expensive health care: technological opportunities and the organizational challenge

The technology exists to make health care better, safer, and less costly. The major barrier to successful integration and application of existing technology is organizational. The model presented here is that of procedural medicine, defines as nonpharmacological interactions between medical technology and patients. Our hypothesis is that an academia-based effort primarily focused on blending enabling technologies will not only provide the ideal environment for the clinical champion, industry and government, but will create a critical mass to more rapidly and systematically transfer technologies among disciplines. The impact on healthcare will be much greater, soon and broader than any individual effort. The clinical champion can be exposed to a wider field of technologies and applications, and specialties work together allowing a broader impact. Through this structure, representatives from industry can access a wider range of clinical specialties. Success will depend on creating centers of excellence to provide leadership and nurturing strategic alliances.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Prevention of platelet adhesion to porous surfaces

Porous samples of cellulose diacetate/nitrate CAN (millipore filter), polycarbonate PC (nuclepore filter), cellulose diacetate Ca, and polydimethyl siloxane SR of various pore sizes were immersed in stirred heparinized human blood while being perfused with lactated Ringer's solution at various rates. Control samples were exposed to the blood in the absence of perfusion. The control tests showed that CAN and PC adhered platelets rapidly to plateau levels of 1--5 X 10(6)/cm2 in approximately 4 min, while CA and SR remained platelet-free. The critical perfusion rate vp* to prevent adhesion of platelets (and all formed elements) to the CAN and PC was approximately 0.1 cc/min cm2 at a shear rate of approximately 620 sec-1 independent of pore size tested. vp* increased slightly with stirring rate. A simplified diffusion-convection model was used to qualitatively account for the effects observed.
Surface lifetime degradation in Si and Ge under low energy electron irradiation

Abstract The bombardment of n-type Ge and Si by 10–30 keV electron beams is shown to reduce the surface lifetime τ P of minority carriers but not to affect mobility μ P or diffusion constant D P . For experiments, the electron beam in a scanning electron microscope is replaced a chopped light source to perform modified Haynes-Shockley experiment, and the measurements is used to calculate μ, D and τ. The reduction in τ is interpreted in terms of an increase in surface recombination velocity s . At a dose of approximately 10 17 electrons cm −2 for Ge and 10 15 electrons cm −2 for Si, a saturation value for s appears to be reached after which further bombardment has no effect. The values of τ obtained from both light and SEM Haynes-Shockley experiments performed in vacuum agree within approximately 5% both prior to and after bombardment. The initial values of lifetime can be restored by etching the samples.
Food and feeding habits of the king crab Paralithodes camtschatica near Kodiak Island, Alaska

Stomach contents from 809 king crabs, Paralithodes camtschatica (Tilesius), from 6 areas near Kodiak Island, Alaska, and 9 sampling periods (1978–1979) were exammed quantitatively; 713 (88%) contained food. Mollusca (mainly the bivalves Nuculana spp., Nucula tenuis, and Macoma spp.) and Crustacea (mainly barnacles) were the dominant food groups in terms of percentage wet weight and frequency of occurrence; fishes were the next most important group of prey. No significant differences in feeding between sexes occurred; however, significant differences were apparent in the quantity of food consumed from different sampling periods, areas, depths, size groups, and crab molt-classes. Consumption was greater in spring and summer and in offshore locations at depths of 126 to 150 m. In addition, king crabs <140 mm carapace length (CL) consumed more food than crabs ≧140 mm CL. Adult, newshell (individuals that molted during the last molting period) females greater than 95 mm CL, and newshell males greater than 100 mm CL, each contained more food than did juvenile, newshell females <120 mm CL.
Occurrence and function of prairie rattlesnake mouth gaping in a non‐feeding context

Mouth gaping by rattlesnakes has been observed primarily during feeding sequences and interpreted as functioning to stretch the jaw in preparation for swallowing prey. However, exposure of prairie rattlesnakes to conspecific sociochemical signals elicited increased mouth-gaping actions, and the latter were sequentially followed by tongue flicks at significant levels. Mouth gaping may function to facilitate vomeronasal olfaction independent of jaw-stretching effects.
Alternative inner projections of the superoperator resolvent

A diagram-conserving decoupling of the electron propagator is derived using the superoperator formalism. The self-energy contribution is derived through third order using a HF reference state and is shown to avoid the large matrix dimensions inherent in previously used decouplings. Applications to the water molecule are reported. 31 references.
A decline in the levels of progesterone receptor coactivators in the pregnant uterus at term may antagonize progesterone receptor function and contribute to the initiation of parturition

The molecular events that lead to the onset of labor in humans and in other mammalian species remain unclear. We propose that a decline in coactivators containing histone acetylase activity in myometrium may contribute to the onset of labor by impairing the function of the progesterone–progesterone receptor (PR) complex. As assessed by semiquantitative and real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblotting, expression of the PR coactivators cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB)-binding protein and steroid receptor coactivators 2 and 3 was decreased in fundal uterine tissue of women in labor. Using the mouse as an animal model, we also found decreased coactivator levels in uterine tissues at term. In both human and mouse, the levels of acetylated histone H3 were also decreased in uterine tissues at term. Administration of trichostatin A, a specific and potent histone deacetylase inhibitor, to pregnant mice late in gestation increased histone acetylation and delayed the initiation of parturition by 24–48 h, suggesting the functional importance of the decline in histone acetylation in the initiation of labor. These findings suggest that the decline in PR coactivator expression and in histone acetylation in the uterus near term may impair PR function by causing a functional progesterone withdrawal. The resulting decrease in expression of PR-responsive genes should increase sensitivity of the uterus to contractile stimuli.
Affect intensity and empathic emotions: an individual difference measure of advertising response

This study examined the manner in which audience characteristics (individual dif ferences in affect intensity) and one situation factor (the emotional/non-emotional execution style of advertising appeals) interact to enhance persuasion. Affect inten sity refers to the strength of the emotions with which individuals respond to daily life events and affect-laden stimuli. The results showed that high affect intensity individuals experienced significantly more intense empathic emotions in response to emotionally charged advertising appeals, but not in response to non-emotional advertisements: Since affect intensity was significantly related to empathic emotions rather that cognitive empathy, regression analyses showed that it was the empathic emotions which served as the mechanism through which affect intensity influenced the desire to help. Finally, it was found that while high and low affect intensity indi viduals showed no significant differences in attitudes towards the advertisements, the arousal of stro...
Anomia in rural women: a longitudinal comparison of two measures.

3-yr. longitudinal interview data for 58 rural women support the greater reliability and stability of the nine-item Robinson and Shaver (1973) instrument than the original Srole (1956) Anomia instrument. Three-year test-retest correlations were .56 and .45, respectively. These suggest adequate stability for research purposes. Both measures indicated a low degree of alienation for these rural women.
Development of a Two-Way Coupled Model for Two Phase Rarefied Flows

Based on a previously published model for momentum and energy transfer to a spherical solid particle from a locally free molecular gas, a procedure is outlined for the simulation of one-way coupled two phase flows involving a nonequilibrium gas and a dilute solid particle phase. Following a simple analysis of interphase collision dynamics, the procedure is extended for use with a range of nonspherical particles. An extensive modification to this method is proposed to allow the modeling of two-way coupled flows, and a representative test case is used to verify that momentum and energy are conserved. The method described here is thought to be the first to allow for the simulation of two-way coupled two phase rarefied flows, and holds promise as a tool in the analysis of a variety of high altitude plume flows.
Short-term potentiation of carotid sinus nerve inputs to neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract.

Reflex studies have shown that the effects of afferent stimulation can persist beyond the period of stimulation. To determine if some form of `short-term potentiation' occurs during the initial integration of afferent inputs within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), the synaptic responses of NTS neurons to high frequency carotid sinus nerve (CSN) stimulation were examined in anesthetized rats. In extracellular recording experiments, high frequency CSN stimulation (1–3 sec, 100–300 Hz) increased the number of action potentials evoked by 30 CSN stimuli from 31±3 to 38±4 (P<0.05, n=11). In this population, evoked discharge was enhanced in six cells, not altered in three cells and reduced in two cells. Spontaneous discharge was increased in the five cells in which it was present (P<0.05). In intracellular recording experiments, high frequency CSN stimulation increased EPSP amplitude from 5.1±0.4 to 6.1±0.4 mV (P<0.01, n=21). In this population, amplitude was enhanced in 13 cells, not altered in four cells and reduced in four cells. The enhanced EPSP occurred in the absence of any change in membrane potential in five cells and during a 3–5 mV depolarization in eight cells. In both the intra- and extra-cellular experiments, the effects of high frequency stimulation were over within 5 min. The results indicate that brief, intense periods of visceral afferent activation can alter the responses of NTS neurons to subsequent afferent inputs.
Modulation of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in salivary gland and other tissues in mice by moderate treadmill exercise

The current experiments were designed to study the effect of moderate treadmill training exercise on lipid peroxides and antioxidant enzyme activity in various tissues of ICR mice. Three-month-old female mice were trained on a treadmill to run daily from 45 to 50 minutes, at 1 km per hour, 6 days a week for a total of 8 weeks. At the end of the 8-week endurance-training period, both sedentary control (SC) and exercise-trained (ET) mice were sacrificed, and various tissues were collected to measure antioxidant enzyme activity. The results showed weight gain and serum lipid peroxides significantly decreased in ET mice compared to SC mice. Also, although lipid peroxide levels in kidney and salivary glands were found to be significantly decreased in ET mice, these mice showed higher lipid peroxide levels in the liver compared to SC mice. No change was observed in heart and calf muscle tissue of the ET mice. Exercise was also noted to increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in kidney, heart, and calf muscle homogenates. Increases in catalase activity were present in liver, heart, calf muscle, and salivary gland homogenates of ET mice compared to their SC counterparts. Exercise was also shown to increase glutathione peroxidase activity in liver, kidney, and heart homogenates, as well as glutathione transferase activity in liver and salivary gland homogenates. In addition, exercise training was found to increase reduced and total glutathione levels in heart, calf muscle, and salivary gland. These results indicate that moderate exercise is beneficial to the lowering of lipid peroxides and the increasing of antioxidant enzyme activity specifically in the salivary gland, and also in various organs. However, its beneficial effect on elevation of antioxidant enzymes and suppression of lipid peroxide, varies from organ to organ.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha and the Roles it Plays in Homeostatic and Degenerative Processes Within the Central Nervous System

Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a prototypic pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the innate immune response. TNF-α ligation and downstream signaling with one of its cognate receptors, TNF-RI or TNF-RII, modulates fundamental processes in the brain including synapse formation and regulation, neurogenesis, regeneration, and general maintenance of the central nervous system (CNS). During states of chronic neuroinflammation, extensive experimental evidence implicates TNF-α as a key mediator in disease progression, gliosis, demyelination, inflammation, blood–brain-barrier deterioration, and cell death. This review explores the complex roles of TNF-α in the CNS under normal physiologic conditions and during neurodegeneration. We focus our discussion on Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, relaying the outcomes of preclinical and clinical testing of TNF-α directed therapeutic strategies, and arguing that despite the wealth of functions attributed to this central cytokine, surprisingly little is known about the cell type- and stage-specific roles of TNF-α in these debilitating disorders.
Enteral Nutrition in Acute Pancreatitis

A recent prospective and randomized study comparing enteral nutrition with total parenteral nutrition has shown that enteral nutrition may be a cost-effective alternative to total parenteral nutrition in patients with acute pancreatitis.
A topographical model of μ‐opioid and brain somatostatin receptor selective ligands NMR and molecular dynamics studies

We have refined the 1H NMR-based conformations of the mu-opioid receptor selective peptides related to somatostatin of general formula Xxx-Yyy1-Cys-Zzz-D-Trp-Lys(Orn)5-Thr-Pen-Thr8- NH2, where Xxx, Yyy, Zzz are 0, D-Phe and Tyr for 1; 0, D-Tic and Tyr for 2; Gly, D-Tic and Tyr for 3; and 0, D-Phe and Tic for 4, respectively, (Kazmierski et al., J. Am. Chem. 113, 2275-2283), using a molecular-dynamics approach. We present evidence that the NMR data are compatible with beta II'-, gamma- and gamma'-turns for the central tetrapeptide Tyr-D-Trp-Lys/Orn-Thr. Based on detailed structural and topographical considerations, we suggest that the mu-opioid receptor selectivity of 2 is due to a particular spatial arrangement of aromatic side chains of D-Tic1 and Tyr3 (7.5 A), and that the opioid receptor recognition domain is located in the N-terminal part of the peptide while the somatostatin receptor recognition domain is determined by the central, turn forming part of this class of cyclic peptides. A model for a mu-opioid selective ligand has emerged from these studies that shows excellent structural similarities to rigid opioid alkaloids.
Sources of Post-Communist Party System Consolidation Ideology Versus Institutions

What are the causes of party system consolidation in the postcommunist democracies? It is frequently hypothesized that differences in electoral systems and presidential powers help to explain variation in party system consolidation. In addition, it can be argued that the numbers and support levels of political parties should be affected by the ideological peculiarities of different countries' voting publics. Population size might also be expected to affect the ease with which additional party organizations can be developed and maintained. As far as the availability of data permit, we construct relevant institutional and ideological measures for all 23 post-communist democracies. Regression analysis shows that ideological concentration of electorates is the most consistent and powerful determinant of party system consolidation. Proportionality of electoral systems has a weaker tendency to reduce party system consolidation, while strength of the presidency and population size appear to have little or no imp...