cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Timing of enterostomy closure for neonatal isolated intestinal perforation.

Abstract Purpose No consensus guidelines exist for timing of enterostomy closure in neonatal isolated intestinal perforation (IIP). This study evaluated neonates with IIP closed during the initial admission (A1) versus a separate admission (A2) comparing total length of stay and total hospital cost. Methods Using 2012 to 2017 Pediatric Health information System (PHIS) data, 359 neonates with IIP were identified who underwent enterostomy creation and enterostomy closure. Two hundred sixty-five neonates (A1) underwent enterostomy creation and enterostomy closure during the same admission. Ninety-four neonates (A2) underwent enterostomy creation at initial admission and enterostomy closure during subsequent admission. For the A2 neonates, total hospital length of stay was calculated as the sum of hospital days for both admissions. A1 neonates were matched to A2 neonates in a 1:1 ratio using propensity score matching. Multivariate models were used to compare the two matched pair groups for length of stay and cost comparisons. Results Prior to matching, the basic demographics of our study population included a median birthweight of 960 g, mean gestational age of 29.5 weeks, and average age at admission of 4 days. Eighty-seven pairs of neonates with IIP were identified during the matching process. Neonates in A2 had 91% shorter total hospital length of stay compared to A1 neonates (HR: 1.91; 95% CI for HR: 1.44–2.53; p Conclusion Neonates with IIP have a 28 day shorter hospital length of stay, $75,000 or 24% lower total hospital costs, and a 22 day shorter post-operative course following enterostomy closure when enterostomy creation and closure is performed on separate admissions. Type of Study Prognosis Study. Level of Evidence Level II.
187 – Atrolysin C

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the activity, specificity and structural chemistry of atrolysin C. Atrolysin C is used to describe the two weakly hemorrhagic zinc metalloproteinase isoenzymes. The peptidase activity of atrolysin C can be assayed with the quenched fluorescence substrate Abz-Ala-Gly-Leu-Ala-nitrobenzylamide or using protein substrates such as dimethylcasein. The proteolytic and hemorrhagic activity of atrolysin C is inhibited by EDTA, 1,10-phenanthroline and a2-macroglobulin. Atrolysin C cleaves the bait region of α2-macroglobulin. Various amino acid hydroxamates, chloromethyl esters and thermolysin inhibitor phosphoramidon can inhibit atrolysin C with Ki values in the millimolar to micromolar range. A naturally occurring peptide in the venom of Crotalus atrox has been observed in the active site of atrolysin C, form D, and acts as an inhibitor. The peptide bond specificity of atrolysin C has been probed using the oxidized B chain of insulin and short synthetic peptides. Atrolysin C is capable of degrading basement membrane preparations, although less rapidly than the highpotency hemorrhagic toxins, atrolysins A and E. The pattern of degradation of fibrinogen by atrolysin C is similar to that of the other weak hemorrhagic toxin, atrolysin B.
COVID-19 Infections and Deaths among Connecticut Nursing Home Residents: Facility Correlates.

Objective: To determine the associations of nursing home registered nurse (RN) staffing, overall quality of care, and concentration of Medicaid or racial and ethnic minority residents with COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths by April 16, 2020 among Connecticut nursing home residents. Design: Cross-sectional analysis on Connecticut nursing home (n=215) COVID-19 report, linked to other nursing home files and county counts of confirmed cases and deaths. Multivariable two-part models determined the associations of key nursing home characteristics with the likelihood of at least 1 confirmed case (or death) in the facility, and with the count of cases (deaths) among facilities with at least 1 confirmed case (death). Results: The average number of confirmed cases was 8 per nursing home (zero in 107 facilities), and the average number of confirmed deaths was 1.7 per nursing home (zero in 131 facilities). Among facilities with at least 1 confirmed case, every 20 minutes (per resident day) increase in RN staffing was associated with 22% fewer confirmed cases (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68-0.89, p<0.001); compared to 1- to 3-star facilities, 4- or 5-star facilities had 13% fewer confirmed cases (IRR=0.87, 95% CI 0.78-0.97, p<0.015); and facilities with high concentration of Medicaid residents (IRR=1.16, 95% CI 1.02-1.32, p=0.025) or racial/ethnic minority residents (IRR=1.15, 95% CI 1.03-1.29, p=0.026) had 16% and 15% more confirmed cases, respectively, than their counterparts. Among facilities with at least 1 death, every 20 minutes increase in RN staffing significantly predicted 26% fewer COVID-19 deaths (IRR=0.74, 95% CI 0.55-1.00, p=0.047). Other focused characteristics did not show statistically significant associations with deaths. Conclusions: Nursing homes with higher RN staffing and quality ratings have the potential to better control the spread of the novel coronavirus and reduce deaths. Nursing homes caring predominantly for Medicaid or racial and ethnic minority residents tend to have more confirmed cases.
A Joint Declaration?: Justification as Theosis in Aquinas and Luther

In the wake of the Lutheran-Catholic Joint Declaration on Justification, this essay attempts to explore ecumenical convergences in the writings of Thomas Aquinas and Martin Luther on the question of justification. Specifically, this essay takes the recent Finnish uncovering of the theme of theosis in Luther's work and probes Aquinas' Summa Theologiae for similar themes of ontological participation of the human in the divine. I first display Aquinas' doctrine of God and show how human participation in the Trinitarian life is written into the structure of his account of God. I then show how Aquinas' understanding of participation informs his analysis of the virtues. Finally, I present some of the Finns' findings on Luther and examine covergences with Aquinas. Overall, I suggest that language of participation can help overcome the overdrawn contrast between Aquinas' account of the virtues and the forensic interpretation of Luther.
Identifying therapeutic drug targets using bidirectional effect genes.

Prioritizing genes for translation to therapeutics for common diseases has been challenging. Here, we propose an approach to identify drug targets with high probability of success by focusing on genes with both gain of function (GoF) and loss of function (LoF) mutations associated with opposing effects on phenotype (Bidirectional Effect Selected Targets, BEST). We find 98 BEST genes for a variety of indications. Drugs targeting those genes are 3.8-fold more likely to be approved than non-BEST genes. We focus on five genes (IGF1R, NPPC, NPR2, FGFR3, and SHOX) with evidence for bidirectional effects on stature. Rare protein-altering variants in those genes result in significantly increased risk for idiopathic short stature (ISS) (OR = 2.75, p = 3.99 × 10−8). Finally, using functional experiments, we demonstrate that adding an exogenous CNP analog (encoded by NPPC) rescues the phenotype, thus validating its potential as a therapeutic treatment for ISS. Our results show the value of looking for bidirectional effects to identify and validate drug targets. Prioritising genes as potential drug targets is challenging and often unsuccessful once testing efficacy in humans. Here, the authors propose an approach to identifying drug targets that uses evidence from gain- or loss-of-function mutations associated with bidirectional effects on phenotypes.
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL TRANSPORT IN FLOWING SODIUM SYSTEMS.

In a pumped sodium-cooled reactor, material will be removed from the fuel cladding by the corrosive action of the flowing sodium. Previous work has shown that stainless steel corrosion rates are low enough to permit operation to about 1200°F.(1) Much theoretical and experimental analysis of this corrosion process has been reported in the literature.(2,3,4)
Promotion to partner

Purpose – This longitudinal study seeks to advance the understanding of consultant relationship competencies and interpersonal style in promotions to partner.Design/methodology/approach – The relationship management survey (RMS), 360‐degree competency assessment and FIRO‐B interpersonal style instrument were completed by 382 principals in two global professional service firms (PSFs) as part of their professional development. Client assessments of competencies in the areas of building relationships, trust, and collaboration, and self‐assessed interpersonal style, were used to predict promotion to partner over a five‐year period.Findings – Interpersonal style preferences for expressing inclusion towards others, and wanting openness from others, are linked to clients' perceptions of relationship competencies each of which predicts promotion to partner (multiple R2=0.474).Practical implications – PSFs need to select and develop people who have interpersonal style preferences that support the relationship comp...
Endoscopic Management of Esophageal Anastomotic Leaks After Surgery for Malignant Disease.

Background Esophageal anastomotic leaks after cancer surgery remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic interventions, including covered metal stents (cSEMS), clips, and direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (dPEJ) tubes are increasingly used despite limited published data regarding their utility in this setting. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of a multimodality endoscopic approach to anastomotic leak management after operation for esophageal or gastric cancer. Methods We performed a retrospective review of prospectively maintained databases of gastric and esophageal operations at our hospital between January 2003 and December 2012. Included patients had an operation for esophageal or gastric cancer, demonstrated evidence of an anastomotic leak at the esophageal anastomosis, and underwent attempted endoscopic therapy. Healing was defined as clinical and radiographic leak resolution. Results Forty-nine patients with leaks underwent endoscopic management. Of the 49 patients, 31 (63%) received cSEMS, 40 (82%) had dPEJ tubes inserted, and 3 (6%) received clips. Twenty-three (47%) patients underwent a combined approach. Overall, 88% of patients achieved healing in a median of 83 days. Twenty-two of 23 patients (96%) who underwent a multimodality endoscopic approach healed. Only 1 patient had a major complication associated with stent erosion into the pulmonary artery, which was successfully treated with operative repair. Conclusions Esophageal anastomotic leaks after esophageal and gastric cancer operations can be managed successfully and safely with endoscopic therapy. Combining cSEMS for leak control and dPEJ tube placement for nutritional support was highly effective in achieving healing, without the need for surgical repair.
REACTION MECHANISMS OF NITRIC OXIDE WITH BIOLOGICALLY RELEVANT METAL CENTERS

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews certain substitution and redox-mechanism studies involving the interaction of nitric oxide (NO) with transition-metal complexes with a view toward illustrating how these may be relevant to the known biological functions of NO in mammalian biology. NO is also very reactive with redox active metal centers, especially if these are ligand substitution labile. Substitution reactions of NO on metal centers as well as reactions with radical species generally display kinetic-rate laws that show a first-order dependence on [NO]. With respect to the bioregulatory roles of NO in blood-pressure control and neurological function, the principal action centers on the reaction with a metal center to form a nitrosyl complex, namely the activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) by reaction with the iron(II) site of that ferroheme enzyme. There is also considerable biological interest in reactions of NO with ligands coordinated to a redox-active metal.
Therapeutic Potential of a Drum and Dance Ceremony Based on the African Ngoma Tradition

Abstract Objective: Ngoma ceremonies are used throughout Central and South Africa to help people address “difficult issues,” including medical illness. They are examples of ceremonies that use strong rhythms and dance for this purpose in indigenous cultures throughout the world. This study sought to modify an ngoma ceremony to make it appropriate for biomedical use and to determine its acceptance and potential for benefit for people living in the United States. Methods: The Congolese Zebola ceremony, an African healing practice, was modified to be religion-neutral and to involve only moderate exercise. Seventeen participants were recruited for the current study. Most participants were living with a chronic illness (n=15), and a few had no medical diagnoses (n=2). Participants spent 10 minutes in a focused activity, such as meditation, yoga, or prayer. They then danced to the Congolese rhythm Zebola for an hour and a half, with a rest every 20 minutes. Afterward, they indicated whether the experience was p...
Through the Looking Glass and Back Again: The Following Exercise

Summary Defamiliarization and an examination of the means by which students refamiliarize themselves are the goals of this two part experiential exercise that seeks to engage and illuminate the implicit culture-bound categories informing the classroom experience of an introductory course in anthropology. The exercise is designed to take place outside the classroom and is modeled on the contributions of Simmel and others, especially the notion of the looking-glass self as developed by Cooley.
Loss of an Essential Function of Escherichia coli by Deletions in the thyA Region

In an attempt to obtain deletions in the thyA gene, an abnormal lysogen of lambda having the prophage inserted between the thyA and lysA genes was induced, and the surviving cured cells were examined for Thy(-) and Lys(-) mutants. In nearly 10,000 cured cells, 184 Lys(-) but no Thy(-) mutants were found. At the same time, the induced lambda phage contained an approximately equivalent number of lambdathyA(+) and lambdalysA(+) transducing particles. By contrast, in a strain with the genotype F' thyA(-)lysA(+)/ thyA(+)lysA(+), induction of the abnormal lambda lysogen gave rise to many Thy(-) mutants in the cells cured of the prophage. In these Thy(-) mutants it was not possible to eliminate the episome with acridine orange, although the episome could be removed in control cultures with a thyA(+) allele in the resident gene. Therefore, it was suggested that deletion of a gene in the region of the chromosome from the position of the insertion of the lambda prophage through the thyA gene caused loss of an essential and diffusible function.
Alternative modes of deficit financing and endogneous monetary and fiscal policy in the U.S.A. 1923–1982

This paper first investigates the effects of alternative modes of deficit financing on the unemployment rate, the inflation rate and the real interest rate, within the framework of a small complete macroeconomic model. Secondly, it examines the nature of monetary and fiscal reaction functions. The two periods 1923–1960 and 1961–1982 are considered, with substantial differences in behaviour and policy being shown to exist between them. The most important conclusion is that long-run monetary neutrality properties shown to exist over the latter period are not intrinsic to the U.S. economy, but rather are the result of the stabilization policies being conducted over that period.
External human fertilization: an evaluation of policy

In vitro fertilization, in its first 5 years of use, has met minimum standards for efficacy and safety, as judged by published clinical reports. It is becoming more widely available as an approach for overcoming sterility in married couples and appears also to be gaining social acceptance in that context. Several technical options presented by the procedure, particularly storage of frozen embryos and embryo transfers involving third-party contributions, are less fully evaluated clinically and raise social, ethical, and legal questions that go beyond the original medical model for therapeutic intervention. The clinical success of in vitro fertilization and the options it affords call for careful policy consideration. Estimates of costs and of potential demand for and supply of services are provided and the current status of relevant policy in the United States and abroad is discussed.
Molecular column densities in selected model atmospheres

From an examination of predicted column densities, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) The SiO ought to be visible in carbon stars which were generated from triple alpha burning, but absent from carbon stars generated from the CNO bi-cycle. (2) Variation in the observed relative strengths of TiO and ZrO is indicative of real differences in the ratio Ti/Zr. (3) The TiO/ZrO ratio shows a small variation as C/O and effective temperature is changed. (4) Column density of silicon dicarbide (SiC2) is sensitive to abundance, temperature, and gravity; hence all relationships between the strength of SiC2 and other stellar parameters will show appreciable scatter. There is however, a substantial luminosity effect present in the SiC2 column densities. (5) Unexpectedly, SiC2 is anti-correlated with C2. (6) The presence of SiC2 in a carbon star eliminates the possibility of these stars having temperatures greater than or equal to 3000 K, or being produced through the CNO bi-cycle.
On a certain value of the Kauffman polynomial

IfF L (a, x) is the Kauffman polynomial of a linkL we show thatF L (1, 2 cos 2π/5) is determind up to a sign by the rank of the homology of the 2-fold cover of the complement ofL. This value corresponds to a certain Wenzl subfactor defined by the Birman-Wenzl algebra, which we describe in simple terms. There also corresponds a “solvable” model in statistical mechanics similar to the 5-state Potts model. It is the 5-state case of a general model of Fateev and Zamolodchikov.
The unsatisfactory margin in breast cancer surgery

Abstract Background: Surgical margin involvement with breast cancer usually results in obligatory reexcision or mastectomy. While unalterable occult host and pathologic factors may interfere with margin clearance during the initial excision, it is possible that alterations in surgical technique might increase the likelihood of obtaining satisfactory margins. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-five patients who were candidates for breast conservation therapy were identified for 1991 and 1996 using the Tumor Registry. Margins were defined as “unsatisfactory” if there was microscopic involvement with tumor or the margin was close at initial excisional biopsy and the surgeon opted for reexcision. Multiple logistic regression analyses of factors associated with margin status were performed. Results: One hundred thirty-two (56%) patients had positive or close (unsatisfactory) margins; this rate increased from 51% in 1991 to 59% in 1996. Patients with unsatisfactory margins underwent more procedures (mean 2.0 versus 1.2; P Conclusion: These data show that technical factors in the surgical management of breast cancer, as well as biological factors such as EIC, can influence the success of breast conservation.
Children with special health-care needs: Access to care

ECENT AND RAPID advances in the application of scientific knowledge in the clinical setting have resulted in a growing population of children with special health-care needs. Two decades ago, these children were cared for in institutional settings. Today, children with special healthcare needs are generally cared for by their families, with varying degrees of support, in their own homes and communities. During the last decade, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Federal Health Resources and Services Administration developed and implemented a series of strategies to ensure that services for children with special health-care needs, and their families, are accessible in a community-based system of care. A central tenet of this strategy is that every child with a special health-care need will have a medical home as
Microsurgical treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. A consecutive surgical experience consisting of 450 aneurysms treated in the endovascular era

Abstract Background With the progressive refinement of endovascular techniques, fewer IAs are being treated with open microsurgery. There is limited information regarding the impact of this trend on the ability of younger neurosurgeons to achieve proficiency in the surgical management of IAs. We describe a consecutive series of patients with unruptured IAs treated by a neurosurgeon initiating a dedicated cerebrovascular practice in the “endovascular era.” Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients who had undergone surgical repair of a saccular IA by one neurosurgeon upon completion of neurosurgical training in July 1997 until April 2005. Patients with ruptured IAs were excluded from review. Results Of the 1450 patients with IAs treated during this period, 376 underwent microsurgical repair of 450 unruptured IAs. Microsurgical aneurysm neck clipping was possible in most cases, although distal revascularization with proximal occlusion was used in many of the more complicated aneurysms. Major complications occurred in 6 (1.60%) patients, and 1 (0.27%) patient died. At the time of 6-month follow-up, 4 (1.06%) patients were left with a new focal neurologic deficit related to surgery. Conclusions Despite the growing role of endovascular therapy in the management of IAs, it is possible for young neurovascular surgeons to achieve acceptable results with open microsurgical treatment of IAs. The factors that were deemed important in achieving success in this series included a collaborative approach with endovascular colleagues, careful surgical judgment, continual reanalysis of personal results, and early support from experienced mentors.
Demonstration and Implications of Lysozyme and Immunoglobulins in Human Ear Wax

HUMAN cerumen (ear wax) occurs in two phenotypic forms, wet and dry, believed to be controlled by a single pair of genes in which the wet allele is dominant over the dry. Mongoloid peoples, including American Indians, characteristically have high frequencies of the dry allele, whereas among Caucasians and Negroes the wet allele predominates1–3. Although no reason for this genetic dimorphism has been found4,5, the extreme variations in frequencies of the two alleles among human populations suggest some adaptive value, possibly with respect to disease resistance. In this study, dry and wet cerumen was examined for the presence of lysozyme and immunoglobulins which are known to be present in nasal secretions, tears, saliva, and to play a role in resistance to infection6–8.
Gas-phase acidities of acrolein and methyl acrylate

Gas-phase acidities of acrolein and methyl acrylate were measured by bracketing in a flowing afterglow/SIFT apparatus. For acrolein ΔG°acid = 369 ± 4 kcal mol−1 and for methyl acrylate ΔG°acid = 373 ± 4 kcal mol−1. These acidities are substantially lower than those of the saturated analogs propionaldehyde and methyl acetate, respectively, even though hydrogens attached to sp2-hybridized carbon are intrinsically more acidic than those attached to sp3-hybridized carbon. Resonance stabilization of the neutral form by conjugation of the CC double bond with the carbonyl group and allenic destabilization of the anionic form of the two acids can account for the relatively low acidities.
Hepatocyte growth factor up-regulates SGLT1 and GLUT5 gene expression after massive small bowel resection

Abstract Background/Purpose: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), originally known to stimulate hepatocyte DNA synthesis, also has been shown to stimulate growth of intestinal epithelial cells in vitro. The authors recently demonstrated that HGF can dramatically increase substrate absorption beyond the normal adaptive response after massive small bowel resection in the rat. However, the mechanism for this enhanced substrate absorption is unknown. This study was designed to determine if up-regulation of gene expression by HGF of the Na + /glucose cotransporter SGLT1 and the facilitative glucose transporter GLUT5 is a possible mechanism of action. Methods: Young adult Sprague-Dawley rats underwent an 80% small bowel resection and jejunostomy tube placement. Seven days later, an osmotic minipump was connected to the subcutaneously placed jejunostomy tube. The rats were divided into two groups based on the contents in the minipumps: group 1, saline (control, n=5); and group 2, HGF at 75 μg/kg/d (n = 5). After a 14-day infusion, biopsy specimens of the small bowel mucosa were obtained. After total RNA extraction, Northern blot analysis was performed with SGLT1 and GLUT5 cDNA probes. Auto radiographs were quantitated by image analysis. Results: SGLT1 mRNA levels were significantly up-regulated in the HGF-treated animals (121% increase, P P Conclusions: These data, demonstrating that HGF up-regulates intestine epithelial glucose transporter gene expression after massive small bowel resection, may elucidate a mechanism of action for the enhanced carbohydrate absorption after HGF administration. This growth factor may be useful for patients with short bowel syndrome.
Optimal wavefront estimation and control using adaptive techniques

Space-based coronagraphs for earth-like planet detection will require focal plane wavefront control to achieve the necessary contrast levels. These correction algorithms are iterative and require an estimate of the electric field at the science camera. In order to maximize science time the correction time must be minimized, which means reducing the number of exposures required for correction. This also means minimizing the number of iterations and the number of exposures per iteration to achieve a targeted contrast. The ideal choice is to use fewer exposures to estimate the electric field with the same level of accuracy. We demonstrate an optimal estimator that uses prior knowledge to create the estimate of the electric field. The performance of this method is compared to a pairwise estimator which is designed to give the least-squares minimal error. This allows us to evaluate the number of images necessary to achieve a contrast target.
PHONON SPECTRA IN TaC AND HfC.

Phonon dispersion curves have been measured by one-phonon coherent inelastic neutron scattering in the high-symmetry directions of TaC at room temperature and at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K (superconducting transition temperature ${T}_{c}\ensuremath{\approx}10$\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K). Pronounced structure is observed in the [001] and [110] directions for the longitudinal acoustic modes and, to some extent, for the longitudinal optic modes. By contrast, HfC (${T}_{c}l1$\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K) exhibits little or no structure in these modes.
Adenosine A2A receptor contributes to ischemic brain damage in newborn piglet

Pharmacologic inactivation or genetic deletion of adenosine A2A receptors protects ischemic neurons in adult animals, but studies in neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (H-I) are inconclusive. The present study in neonatal piglets examined the hypothesis that A2A receptor signaling after reoxygenation from global H-I contributes to injury in highly vulnerable striatal neurons where A2A receptors are enriched. A2A receptor immunoreactivity was detected in striatopallidal neurons. In nonischemic piglets, direct infusion of the selective A2A receptor agonist CGS 21680 through microdialysis probes into putamen increased phosphorylation of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor NR1 subunit and Na+,K+-ATPase selectively at protein kinase A (PKA)-sensitive sites. In ischemic piglets, posttreatment with SCH 58261, a selective A2A receptor antagonist, improved early neurologic recovery and preferentially protected striatopallidal neurons. SCH 58261 selectively inhibited the ischemia-induced phosphorylation of NR1, Na+,K+-ATPase, and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein 32 KDa (DARPP32) at PKA-sensitive sites at 3 hours of recovery and improved Na+,K+-ATPase activity. SCH 58261 also suppressed ischemia-induced protein nitration and oxidation. Thus, A2A receptor activation during reoxygenation contributes to the loss of a subpopulation of neonatal putamen neurons after H-I. Its toxic signaling may be related to DARPP32-dependent phosphorylation of PKA-sensitive sites on NR1 and Na+,K+-ATPase, thereby augmenting excitotoxicity-induced oxidative stress after reoxygenation.
Neural plasticity in the dynamics of human visual word recognition

Repeated exposure to words leads to plastic changes in the nervous system throughout the lifespan, with the consequence that common words are processed more rapidly and accurately than rare words. Most behavior time measures correlate highly with the logarithm of a stimulus word's experiential frequency. Here, we demonstrate similar but earlier changes in the latency of a brain-generated evoked potential recorded over the left anterior scalp as individuals silently read sentences. We conclude that experience can speed the processing of some words by at least 50 ms within the first 335 ms of visual processing.
Ethanol effects on EEG spectra in monkeys: comparison to morphine and diazepam

The effects of oral administration of 3 doses of ethanol (0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg) and single doses of morphine (2.5 mg/kg) and diazepam (2.5 mg/kg) on spectral components of the EEG were investigated in the squirrel monkey Saimiri sciureus. Comparisons of mean spectral power in the 4 frequency bands (2-4 Hz, 4-8 Hz, 8-16 Hz, 16-32 Hz) revealed that the lowest dose of ethanol (0.75 g/kg) produced some increase in power in all 4 frequency bands with significant increases in the 8-16 Hz band. Morphine also produced some increase in power in all bands; however, significant increases were prominent in the 16-32 Hz range. Moderate doses of ethanol (1.0, 1.5 g/kg) produced dose-dependent decreases in the lower frequencies which were significant in the 2-4 Hz band. Diazepam also produced significant decreases in the lower frequencies (2-4, 4-8 Hz) but also produced significant decreases in 8-16 Hz and increases in the 16-32 Hz band. The distribution of these power changes as a function of time (power spectral band time series) was also studied. Evaluation of fluctuations in the 8-16 Hz band which is a measure of the periodic shifts in alertness demonstrated that ethanol and diazepam slowed the dominant frequency of the time series; whereas, morphine caused an increase in the frequency. This study suggests that two EEG measures, mean EEG spectral profiles and power spectral band time series analysis, can successfully discriminate the electrophysiological actions of ethanol, and that these markers may provide a means for uncovering ethanol's mechanisms of action.
MNNG-induced gastric carcinoma in ferrets infected with Helicobacter mustelae

N-Methyl-N-nitro-N'-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) is a gastric carcinogen in several animal species and has been used in a number of systems to dissect the co-carcinogenic potential of various compounds in the induction of gastric adenocarcinoma. Recent epidemiological evidence suggests that Helicobacter pylori may play a role as a co-carcinogen in the etiology of this tumor in humans and we have been interested in developing an animal model to study this possibility. A related organism, H. mustelae, naturally colonizes the ferret stomach and causes persistent chronic gastritis. The pathology elicited by H. mustelae in ferrets has many similarities with the human disease including different stages of multifocal atrophic gastritis which underlie the gastric ulcer and gastric carcinoma syndrome. There is little evidence, however, demonstrating the susceptibility of ferrets toward chemical carcinogenesis. We have consequently undertaken a study to ascertain whether 10 6-month-old female ferrets given a single oral dose of MNNG (50-100 mg/kg) would develop adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Five age-matched unmanipulated control animals were included for comparative purposes. All 15 ferrets were infected with H. mustelae. Nine of 10 ferrets dosed with MNNG developed gastric adenocarcinoma (29-55 months after dosing), while none of the five historical control ferrets examined an average of 63 months after the initiation of the study developed gastric tumors. By comparison, we have not observed gastric adenocarcinoma, nor has it been reported, in > 10 years of observation of untreated ferrets naturally infected with H. mustelae. The H. mustelae-infected ferret, with demonstrated susceptibility to a gastric carcinogen, plus the recent availability of specific pathogen-free ferrets, should now allow longitudinal studies in vivo to probe the role of Helicobacter in the development of gastric cancer.
Organ-specific change in Dolichos biflorus lectin binding by myocardial endothelial cells during in vitro cultivation

Endothelial cells of the NMRI mouse strain express a cell surface glycoprotein recognized by the lectin Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA). This study documents a marked organ-specific increase in DBA-specific lectin binding of myocardium-derived endothelial cells (MEC) of the NMRI/GSF mouse during in vitro cultivation. An up to 20-fold increase in DBA binding sites is observed in long-term culture, an increase not found in other NMRI-derived endothelial cell lines (e.g., brain, aorta). The increase appears restricted to DBA in that binding with other lectins (PNA, WGA) was unaltered. NMRI MEC cultures maintain typical endothelial cell attributes such as cobblestone morphology on confluence, expression of endothelial cell-specific surface markers, and production of angiotensin-converting enzyme. Cultures routinely become aneuploid within 4 passages, several passages before upregulation of the DBA binding site(s). Myocardial endothelial cells sorted to obtain DBAhi and DBAlo cell populations generally maintained their sorted phenotype for 3 to 4 passages. Limiting dilution cloning resulted in clones varying in DBA expression. Clones for DBAhi expression maintained their DBA affinity for at least 10 passages (> 30 doublings), whereas DBAlo clones gave rise to varying numbers of DBAhi cells within 2 to 4 passages. We hypothesize that the change in DBA affinity accompanies in vitro aging, that the change is independent of alterations in karyotype, and that the increase in DBA affinity may reflect a change in one or more other endothelial cell properties. Additional studies will be necessary to determine whether the in vitro changes are correlated with specific functional alterations and whether they accurately reflect progressive changes of MEC in vivo.
Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia: Evidence for eosinophil degranulation and release of major basic protein

A patient with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia associated with ulcerative colitis and asthma is described. Exacerbations and remissions of these disorders paralleled each other. Pleural fluid and lung tissue contained high levels of eosinophil granule major basic protein, a substance with toxic effects on cells and tissues. The results indicate that eosinophils degranulate in the lung in eosinophilic pneumonia and point to the possibility that granule constituents damage lung tissue in the course of the disease.
Inhibition of tyrosinase activity by 4‐tert‐butylcatechol and other depigmenting agents

4‐tert‐Butylcatechol (TBC) is an antioxidant widely used in industry and a potent depigmenting agent to the skin of the workers. In this study, tyrosinase was extracted from tissue‐cultured human melanoma cells and purified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. T1 and T2 tyrosinase, which migrated differently on the gels, were treated with TBC as well as other depigmenting agents and natural substrates of tyrosinase. Changes in the enzyme activity on dopa oxidation were quantified by photometric and radiometric analysis. The enzyme activity was inhibited by TBC and hydroquinone, but only at a high concentration that is toxic to tissue‐cultured melanocytes. The activity was also decreased by tyrosine, but was increased by dopa, particularly at a lower concentration. The results indicated that the reported methodology is useful for testing the effects of chemicals with depigmenting or pigmenting potential. TBC and hydroquinone are inhibitors of tyrosinase at concentrations higher than 1 × 10‐3 M. Dopa and ...
Essentials of doctoral education: Organization of program around knowledge areas

This article presents a case study describing how one nursing doctoral program faculty has identified, organized, and taught the disciplinary knowledge component of the curriculum. Three foci were chosen: health promotion and risk reduction; acute, critical, and long-term care; and systems. Faculty groups designed each focus to capitalize on current faculty re
Alkoxyl radicals from alcohols. Spectroscopic detection of intermediate alkyl and acyl hypoiodites in the Suárez and Beebe reactions

Abstract Acetyl hypoiodite and a number of alkyl hypoiodites have been characterized as intermediates in the conversion of alcohols into alkoxyl radicals under Suarez (photostimulated iodosobenzenediactetate/iodine reagent) and Beebe (photolysed acetyl hypoiodite/alcohol) conditions.
Factors predicting recurrent restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary balloon angioplasty

Abstract To identify factors that predict a second restenosis after repeat percutaneous transluminal coronary balloon angioplasty (PTCA), the records of 196 consecutive patients undergoing redilation for treatment of a first restenosis were reviewed. Repeat PTCA was successful in 181 (92%) of these patients. After a successful second PTCA, 47 patients (26%) developed a second restenosis (recurrent restenosis group, group 1) and 134 (single restenosis group, group 2) did not. The 2 patient groups were compared with respect to clinical, angiographic and procedural factors at second PTCA. Univariate correlates of a second restenosis were younger age (54 ± 10 vs 57 ± 9 years, p
Photoemission study of the interaction of Al with a GaAs (110) surface

Abstract A room-temperature reaction between Al adsorbate atoms and a GaAs (110) surface is observed by means of soft X-ray photoemission techniques. Evidence of two states of Al which are distinct from the bulk Al metal is seen at submonolayer coverages. The sequential appearance of these states suggest that both Al chemisorbed on the surface and Al replacing Ga in the surface lattice are present. The possible influence of surface lattice reconstruction and Al proximity effects on the replacement reaction is discussed. The replacement reaction is important in the context of metal contacts to GaAs (both ohmic and Schottky barriers) as well as for GaAs—AlGaAs heterojunctions.
Conceptual organization at 6 and 8 years of age: evidence from the semantic priming of object decisions.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine children’s knowledge of semantic relations. Method In Experiment 1, the 6-year-olds, 8-year-olds, and adults participated in an object decision task. Participants in the primed group made object decisions in response to primes that were related taxonomically, thematically, or perceptually to the target objects. Those in the unprimed group made decisions about the same stimuli without the benefit of primes. In Experiment 2, the children in the primed group explained the taxonomic and thematic relations between the prime–target pairs used in Experiment 1. Results In Experiment 1, the strength of semantic relations did not vary with type or age, as taxonomic priming was as strong as thematic priming and the degree of priming did not reliably differentiate the 3 age groups. Differential priming effects between taxonomic and perceptual conditions, the former hastening and the latter slowing responses, suggested that the relation binding object concepts into taxo...
Congenital Abnormalities in Cattle: Their Association with Hereditary and Environmental Factors

Summary The purpose of this paper is to indicate the frequency of congenital anomalies in cattle and to record data dealing with the influence of environmental and hereditary factors on their occurrence. Approximately 5,000 calves of the Holstein, Guernsey, and Jersey breeds were divided into normal and abnormal animals. Abnormality was defined as any anatomical defect observed by the cooperating dairymen. The abnormalities reported were divided into five major groups: general abnormalities, abnormalities of ectodermal, mesodermal, and neurectodermal derivatives and calves born dead with no other observable defect. Environmental and genetic factors were tested for an association with the number of abnormal animals reported and the type of abnormality reported, by the chi-square test of independence; 6.26% of the calves born were abnormal. A significant association of sire, with the number of abnormal animals reported, was demonstrated. A highly significant association of twins and abnormal gestation length with the number of abnormal animals was shown. Twins were highly significantly associated with type of abnormality reported, as was breed. No significant association was found between sex, number of services required for conception, breed, level of herd production or inbreeding, and the number of abnormal animals reported. No significant association could be shown between number of services required for conception or sex and type of abnormality reported.
Poisoned Painters: Organized Painters' Responses to Lead Poisoning in Early 20th-Century America

Workers often have a complex relationship with the technologies they use in the workoplace, and many influences can affect that relationship. This is well demonstrated in the story of unionized painters who, at the turn of this century, were sufferingfrom occupational lead poisoning because the paints of the day used lead as their primary pigment. At the beginning of the study period, the painters were fairly passive about the disease, having accepted it as a hazard of the job. By the middle of the 1920's, however, the painters' union was fighting aggressively to remove lead from their work environments and to make employers take some responsiblilty for work-related health care needs. No single event or person brought this change about. Instead, it was the coalescence of several influences that convinced the painters that occupational lead poisoning was something they should fight against.
Operant techniques used in stuttering therapy: A review

Abstract This article reviews research concerning the use of operant conditioning in stuttering therapy, and discusses the clinical implications of this literature. In order to be considered for this review, a report had to treat the findings of research specifically designed to use operant conditioning in the manipulation of speech disfluency. This body of experimental literature clearly indicates that operant management techniques can effectively reduce stuttering with punishment of disfluencies producing more notable results than reinforcement of fluent responses. Operant conditioning is an effective means of modifying stuttering behavior and should be more visible in terms of procedures used by speech therapists.
A note on Cohen’s weighted kappa coefficient of agreement with linear weights

Abstract Vanbelle and Albert [S. Vanbelle, A. Albert, A note on the linearly weighted kappa coefficient for ordinal scales, Statistical Methodology 6 (2008) 157–163] showed that the observed and expected proportions of agreement of a linearly weighted kappa for an r × r classification table are simply the mean values of the corresponding proportions of r − 1 unweighted kappa values for embedded 2×2 classification tables. Utilizing linear agreement weights, this note shows that the extension of linearly weighted kappa to m ≥ 2 raters and r ≥ 3 ordered categories for an r m classification table is the mean value of the corresponding proportions of r − 1 unweighted kappa values for embedded 2 m classification tables. The procedure is illustrated with m = 3 raters and r = 4 ordered categories.
A bidomain model for anisotropic cardiac muscle.

Cardiac muscle is considered to consist of an intracellular domain and an exracellular or interstitial domain. Current passes from one domain to the other through the cell membrane. Electric potentials in interstitial space are shown to be associated with current sources proportional to the spatial gradient of the cellular transmembrane action potential, φ m . Hence, given the distribution of φ m throughout the myocardium, one can calculate the surface electrocardiogram and extracorporeal magnetocardiogram. The problem is considerably complicated when anisotropy is considered. If interstitial space is approximately isotropic, however, the sources are still proportional to ∇φ m . It is shown that the effects of intracellular anisotropy on the surface electrocardiogram may be relatively small. The inverse problem is discussed briefly, with consideration of the relationship of the magnetocardiogram to the electrocardiogram. Finally, it is shown that if the heart can be considered to be bounded by a closed surface, then the value of φ m on this surface is uniquely related to the surface electrocardiogram to within a constant, provided there are no internal discontinuities. Such discontinuities, however, would be expected to occur in cases of ischemia and necrosis.
Equivocal lymphogram and lymph node aspiration: Importance in staging carcinoma of the prostate

Lymphography is often used in staging clinically localized carcinoma of the prostate, but has been criticized for lack of specificity and sensitivity. Strict criteria for metastases eliminate some false positives but increase the number of false negatives. In 50 cases, liberal criteria were used for an equivocal interpretation, and these nodal defects as well as positive defects were biopsied percutaneously with thin-needle aspiration and cytologic evaluation. Of 37 equivocal lymphograms, 18 (49%) had a positive biopsy establishing stage D disease without pelvic lymphadenectomy. The equivocal lymphogram is a important diagnostic category when it can be further evaluated by aspiration biopsy.
Laplacian Dynamics with Synthesis and Degradation

Analyzing qualitative behaviors of biochemical reactions using its associated network structure has proven useful in diverse branches of biology. As an extension of our previous work, we introduce a graph-based framework to calculate steady state solutions of biochemical reaction networks with synthesis and degradation. Our approach is based on a labeled directed graph \(G\) and the associated system of linear non-homogeneous differential equations with first-order degradation and zeroth-order synthesis. We also present a theorem which provides necessary and sufficient conditions for the dynamics to engender a unique stable steady state. Although the dynamics are linear, one can apply this framework to nonlinear systems by encoding nonlinearity into the edge labels. We answer an open question from our previous work concerning the non-positiveness of the elements in the inverse of a perturbed Laplacian matrix. Moreover, we provide a graph theoretical framework for the computation of the inverse of such a matrix. This also completes our previous framework and makes it purely graph theoretical. Lastly, we demonstrate the utility of this framework by applying it to a mathematical model of insulin secretion through ion channels in pancreatic \(\beta \)-cells.