cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reductions in Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2 Isoforms in the Cortex and Hippocampus in a Rat Model of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can produce lasting cognitive, emotional, and somatic difficulties that can impact quality of life for patients living with an injury. Impaired hippocampal function and synaptic alterations have been implicated in contributing to cognitive difficulties in experimental TBI models. In the synapse, neuronal communication is facilitated by the regulated release of neurotransmitters from docking presynaptic vesicles. The synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 (SV2) isoforms SV2A and SV2B play central roles in the maintenance of the readily releasable pool of vesicles and the coupling of calcium to the N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex responsible for vesicle docking. Recently, we reported the findings of TBI-induced reductions in presynaptic vesicle density and SNARE complex formation; however, the effect of TBI on SV2 is unknown. To investigate this, rats were subjected to controlled cortical impact (CCI) or sham control surgery. Abundance of SV2A and SV2B were assessed at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days post-injury by immunoblot. SV2A and SV2B were reduced in the cortex at several time points and in the hippocampus at every time point assessed. Immunohistochemical staining and quantitative intensity measurements completed at 14 days post-injury revealed reduced SV2A immunoreactivity in all hippocampal subregions and reduced SV2B immunoreactivity in the molecular layer after CCI. Reductions in SV2A abundance and immunoreactivity occurred concomitantly with motor dysfunction and spatial learning and memory impairments in the 2 weeks post-injury. These findings provide novel evidence for the effect of TBI on SV2 with implications for impaired neurotransmission neurobehavioral dysfunction after TBI.
Nipah virus Bangladesh infection elicits organ-specific innate and inflammatory responses in the marmoset model

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) has, in recent years, received more recognition as an ideal non-human primate (NHP) model for studies at high-biocontainment due to its smaller size and relative ease of handling. Here, we evaluated the susceptibility and pathogenesis of Nipah virus Bangladesh strain (NiVB) infection in marmosets. Four marmosets were infected via the intranasal and intratracheal route and monitored for disease development. All four subjects developed fatal disease between days 8 and 11 post infection, with three animals showing severe respiratory disease and one marmoset recapitulating the neurologic clinical symptoms seen in humans, as well as cardiomyopathy on gross pathology. We obtained histopathological data, quantified genome copies on >25 tissue-types, and performed RNA-seq on six different organs from all infected and control marmosets. Three out of four marmosets showed pulmonary edema and hemorrhage as well as multi-focal hemorrhagic lymphadenopathy. In all animals, syncytia were evident in endothelial cells in pulmonary vessels, cells in alveolar septum, and in splenic follicles or red pulp. To define the organ-specific innate and inflammatory responses, we performed RNA-seq on six different organs from all infected and compared to naive non-infected marmoset tissues. RNA-seq gave 17.4 million reads per sample on average, with the most highly infected tissue sample, the lung of one marmoset, containing >180,000 virus-specific reads. NiV V and W transcripts comprised ~40% of all phosphoprotein-derived transcripts with V and W being very close to each other proportionally. Principal component analysis showed that in brain stem, the marmoset exhibiting neurological symptoms displayed a unique RNA transcriptome relative even to other infected marmosets. Upregulated genes in the various tissues belonged to distinct GO pathways. Additionally, one male and female animal had detectable viral reads in their ovaries (27,120) and testes (858). Our results provide a more comprehensive understanding of NiV pathogenesis in an accessible and novel NHP model, closely reflecting clinical disease as observed in NiV patients.
Rapid, Reference-Free Human Genotype Imputation with Denoising Autoencoders

Genotype imputation is a foundational tool for population genetics. Standard statistical imputation approaches rely on the co-location of large whole-genome sequencing-based reference panels, powerful computing environments, and potentially sensitive genetic study data. This results in computational resource and privacy-risk barriers to access to cutting-edge imputation techniques. Moreover, the accuracy of current statistical approaches is known to degrade in regions of low and complex linkage disequilibrium. Artificial neural network-based imputation approaches may overcome these limitations by encoding complex genotype relationships in easily portable inference models. Here we demonstrate an autoencoder-based approach for genotype imputation, using a large, commonly-used reference panel, and spanning the entirety of human chromosome 22. Our autoencoder-based genotype imputation strategy achieved superior imputation accuracy across the allele-frequency spectrum and across genomes of diverse ancestry, while delivering at least 4-fold faster inference run time relative to standard imputation tools.
Attribute Extraction from Conjectural Queries

Conjectural search queries (is python case sensitive, is millennium stadium heated ) embody attempts by Web users to verify whether a particular property (soluble in water?, case sensitive?, heated?) does or does not apply to a particular instance (iodine, python, millennium stadium). This paper considers such queries to be a data source of attributes of open-domain classes. Conjectural attributes complement attributes encoded in human-compiled knowledge resources or automatically acquired from text by previous methods. They correspond to properties of interest to Web users, which are not necessarily stated in nominal form. Relevant properties of Chemical elements, Programming languagesand Stadiums include whether they are soluble in water, flammable or ductile; case sensitive, platform independent, or interpreted; or air conditioned, roof retractable or heated, respectively. Experimental results show that relevant, c onjectural attributes can be extracted from inherently-noisy queries, for a variety of ope n-domain classes of interest.
Making a little go a long way

In this issue of Blood , [Popat et al][1] report the results of a clinical trial designed to test the safety and feasibility of a novel strategy, enforced fucosylation, intended to improve engraftment after donor unrelated cord blood (UCB) transplantation in adults. The data show that the strategy
Dental health promotion and preventive dentistry practices of U.S. Army dentists.

In May 1997, all Army dentists assigned full-time to clinical duties (1,100) were sent a mail survey that queried how often they deliver dental health promotion and preventive dentistry services and the type and source of their patient educational materials. By August, 606 dentists had responded. Simple frequencies were generated using SPSS. Results show that tobacco, oral hygiene, and periodontal counseling and oral cancer and blood pressure screening are delivered frequently, whereas nursing caries, mouthguard, sealant, and nutrition services are delivered infrequently. Army dentists relied almost exclusively on oral presentations to deliver health promotion messages. Few used more than one source for health promotion materials. These results suggest that the delivery of dental health promotion and preventive dentistry services in the Army is suboptimal. A campaign to heighten provider awareness of the importance of delivering these services should be launched. The campaign should also teach providers how to make their health promotion efforts maximally effective through the application of proven health marketing techniques.
Computer game play as an imaginary stage for reading: implicit spatial effects of computer games embedded in hard copy books

This study compared books with embedded computer games (via pentop computers with microdot paper and audio feedback) with regular books with maps, in terms of fifth graders' comprehension and retention of spatial details from stories. One group read a story in hard copy with embedded computer games, the other group read it in regular book format with a map. Students received no reading directions, or notification of upcoming post-tests. Dependent measures included a post-test of spatial questions about the story. Some questions addressed story items in both text and games. Other questions addressed spatial items in the text, but not in games. Participants who read books with embedded games scored significantly higher on all the post-test questions, including spatial questions not addressed in games. This suggests that game play helped readers to create a mental model of the story setting, used in subsequent reading to visualise spatial propositions.
Role of Wrist Immobilization in the Work EnvironmentErgonomics and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Commercial wrist splints do not constitute an ergonomic control for stressors associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. The science of ergonomics seeks to change the environment, not the human, in an effort to fit the work requirements to the capabilities of the individual. In contrast, immobilization of the wrist seeks to change the worker while the work environment exposures remain unchanged. Given this caveat, do wrist splints play a preventive role in the work environment with respect to the control of physical stressors that are likely to cause or exacerbate carpal tunnel syndrome? In an effort to provide an answer to this question, this article will provide a short synopsis of carpal tunnel syndrome as it relates to its diagnosis, occurrence in industry, and conservative treatment; a brief review of splinting as conservative treatment and an overview of the effect of wrist immobilization on physical stressors.
Microscopic observations on agarose beads

Abstract Dehydration of agarose by means of solvent exchange, has been investigated as an alternative to freeze-drying. The effects of both methods on the structure of the gel beads, after drying and also re-swelling, have been compared by means of microscopy. The influence of the two drying procedures on the coupling capacity of cyanogen bromide-activated gels has been examined by coupling with l -cystine.
When Souls Had Wings: Pre-Mortal Existence in Western Thought

Prologue Introduction 1. Ancient Near Eastern Traditions 2. Classical Variants 3. Philo to Christian Beginnings 4. Neo-Platonism and the Church Fathers 5. Augustine and the Formation of Orthodoxy 6. Middle Ages to the Renaissance 7. Cambridge Platonists and the Miltonic Heritage 8. The Eighteenth Century and the Cartesian Aftermath 9. Philosophy and Theology 1800-1900 10. Romanticism and Transcendentalism 1800-1900 11. Pre-Existence in the Modern Age 12. Parallel Paradigms Epilogue
It really does pay to give employees a pat on the back: The dos and don’ts of effective feedback

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present tips for leaders on receiving and giving feedback. Design/methodology/approach – Various types of feedback and the difference between feedback and criticism have been described. Findings – It has been emphasized that leaders need to view feedback as a developmental tool. Its importance in achieving leadership excellence also has been stressed. Practical implications – This paper argues that feedback helps employees to recognize their blind spots, correct themselves and perform better. It also serves as an employee retention tool. People crave feedback, especially positive feedback. But the feedback givers must know the art of giving feedback so that they are respected for it. Social implications – This paper advances the view that people excel through improvement and can improve through feedback. Originality/value – This paper describes how to use feedback as a tool to develop future leaders.
Clinical review: Acid–base abnormalities in the intensive care unit – part II

Acid–base abnormalities are common in the critically ill. The traditional classification of acid–base abnormalities and a modern physico-chemical method of categorizing them will be explored. Specific disorders relating to mortality prediction in the intensive care unit are examined in detail. Lactic acidosis, base excess, and a strong ion gap are highlighted as markers for increased risk of death.
Increased Primary Production from an Exotic Invader Does Not Subsidize Native Rodents.

Invasive plants have tremendous potential to enrich native food webs by subsidizing net primary productivity. Here, we explored how a potential food subsidy, seeds produced by the aggressive invader cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), is utilized by an important guild of native consumers – granivorous small mammals – in the Great Basin Desert, USA. In a series of field experiments we examined 1) how cheatgrass invasion affects the density and biomass of seed rain at the ecosystem-level; 2) how seed resources from cheatgrass numerically affect granivorous small mammals; and 3) how the food preferences of native granivores might mediate the trophic integration of cheatgrass seeds. Relative to native productivity, cheatgrass invasion increased the density and biomass of seed rain by over 2000% (P < 0.01) and 3500% (P < 0.01), respectively. However, granivorous small mammals in native communities showed no positive response in abundance, richness, or diversity to experimental additions of cheatgrass seeds over one year. This lack of response correlated with a distinct preference for seeds from native grasses over seeds from cheatgrass. Our experiments demonstrate that increased primary productivity associated with exotic plant invasions may not necessarily subsidize consumers at higher trophic levels. In this context, cheatgrass invasion could disrupt native food webs by providing less-preferred resources that fail to enrich higher trophic levels.
Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices at Louisiana State University for X-ray lithography research

A status report on the Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices (CAMD) at Louisiana State University is presented. The centerpiece of CAMD is a 1.2 GeV electron storage ring optimized for X-ray lithography research. Currently, research is under way to design an optimized beamline for X-ray lithography. Some of the parameters of the storage ring and the requirements for the facility to house the storage ring are described. Preliminary results on the available power at the wafer plane for exposure utilizing the CAMD storage ring are presented and compared to those of two other storage rings in the US. Calculations on the photon power incident on a vertical wafer plane are presented for a beamline containing two Be windows and two grazing incidence gold reflecting mirrors. >
Different modes of crack propagation in burning solid propellants

The motivation for this research came from the lack of proper understanding of propagation and branching processes in burning solid propellants. These processes are vital in defining safe operating conditions of high energy solid propellants and interpreting important phenomena during the initial phase of deflagration- todetonation transition (DOT). Several experiments have been conducted, and propellant samples have been recovered by rapid pressurization followed by depressurization. For different pressurization rates, four major modes of crack propagation and/or branching are observed. For very low dp/dt, burning occurs without crack propagation. For dp/dt in the order of 1.4 to 15 GPa/s, an existing crack propagates along its initial direction as a single crack (propagation mode). At high pressurization rates of 30 GPa/s or higher, multiple branching in various directions is observed (branched mode); and at intermediate dp/dt, single crack propagation is accompanied by local branching (mixed mode). The amount of surface area generated by mixed or branched modes is substantially higher than that of the single crack propagation mode, and in real motors, could cause sufficiently severe burning in the damaged zone to result in rocket motor failure.
Use of insect exclusion cages in soybean creates an altered microclimate and differential crop response

Abstract Insect exclusion cages are commonly used in agricultural and ecological studies to examine plant-insect interactions in a field setting while maintaining control over insect populations. However, these insect cages can unintentionally alter the climate inside of the cage and impact plant physiology, growth and yield as well as insect populations. This can subsequently affect interpretations of experimental results obtained from caged experiments. To address this concern, we measured meteorological variables in conjunction with soybean physiology, growth, and yield over a two-year period. In a 2011 field study in southern Wisconsin, we compared photosynthetic rates, leaf area index (LAI), soil environmental conditions, and various components of yield for plants grown inside and outside of an industry standard insect cage (Lumite 32 × 32 mesh). Inside of cages, several variables were higher (P
Aerosol-Induced Large-Scale Variability in Precipitation over the Tropical Atlantic

Abstract Multiyear satellite observations are used to document a relationship between the large-scale variability in precipitation over the tropical Atlantic and aerosol traced to African sources. During boreal winter and spring there is a significant reduction in precipitation south of the Atlantic marine intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) during months when aerosol concentrations are anomalously high over a large domain of the tropical Atlantic Ocean. This reduction cannot be linearly attributed to known climate factors such as El Nino–Southern Oscillation, the North Atlantic Oscillation, and zonal and meridional modes of tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature or to meteorological factors such as water vapor. The fractional variance in precipitation related to aerosol is about 12% of the total interannual variance, which is of the same order of magnitude as that related to each of the known climate and weather factors. A backward trajectory analysis confirms the African origin of aerosols that dir...
Robust Heat Transfer Enhancement During Melting and Solidification of a PCM Using a Combined Heat Pipe-Metal Foam or Foil Configuration

Experiments are performed to analyze melting and solidification of a phase change material (PCM) enclosed in a vertical cylinder by a concentrically-located heat pipe (HP) surrounded by either aluminum foam or foils. The liquid fraction, temperature distribution, melting (solidification) rates and effectiveness are reported to quantify the improvement in performance relative to a base case, a Rod-PCM configuration. Parameters of interest include the porosity of the PCM-metal composite, the foil thickness, the number of foils and the foam pore density. The main contributor to enhanced performance is shown to be the porosity for both the HP-Foil-PCM and HP-Foam-PCM configurations. Both of these configurations improve heat transfer rates relative to either the HP-PCM or the Rod-PCM configuration. However, the HP-Foil-PCM configuration is shown to have approximately the same performance as the HP-Foam-PCM configuration with one third of the metal mass, for the range of porosities studied here (0.870 to 0.987). The HP-Foil-PCM configuration, with a porosity of 0.957 using 162 foils of thickness 0.024 mm, attained an overall rate of phase change that is about 15 times greater than that of the Rod-PCM configuration and about 10 times greater than that of the HP-PCM configuration. The greatest degree of enhancement was achieved with the HP-Foil-PCM configuration (with porosity 0.957) yielding an average effectiveness during melting (solidification) of 14.7 (8.4), which is an extraordinary improvement over the base case.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
A pilot study of dose-dense adjuvant paclitaxel without growth factor support for women with early breast carcinoma.

Purpose Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) was used in CALGB 9741 to support dose-dense sequential chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) followed by paclitaxel (P) (Citron et al. J Clin Oncol 21:1431–1439, 2003). However, myelosuppression is not known to be dose or schedule limiting for paclitaxel. We therefore conducted this trial to determine the need for routine G-CSF, using the pegylated product (pG-CSF), support during the paclitaxel component of dose-dense sequential chemotherapy in women with early stage breast carcinoma (BC). Patients and methods Eligible patients received dose-dense chemotherapy consisting of four cycles of AC followed by four cycles of P at two week intervals. pG-CSF (NeulastaTM) was administered after each of four cycles of AC but was held after P. Planned enrollment was 59 pts. Results Of the first 15 patients, nine completed therapy without delays due to neutropenia but 6 (40%) did not, leading to implementation of the pre-specified early termination rule. Overall, 85% of P doses were successfully delivered on time. The mean treatment delay for the entire group due to neutropenia was 0.75 days. There was no significant correlation between neutropenia and prior WBC, ANC, or concurrent treatment with trastuzumab. Pts with neutropenia tended to be younger (Mean age 43.5) and have a lower BSA (1.65 m2). There were no febrile episodes due to omission of pG-CSF. Conclusion When paclitaxel is administered in a dose-dense fashion without growth factor support brief treatment delays are common. Further study is needed to identify the minimal pG-CSF administration that will avoid treatment delays.
Prediction of Missouri S&T Reactor's natural convection with porous media approximation

Abstract The Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is considering a power uprate of its 200 kW research reactor (MSTR). To support this goal, preliminary CFD analysis was carried out to complement neutronics analysis on the current reactor. A three-dimensional parallel-plate model was developed using STAR-CCM+ v 8.04, and steady-state simulations for fluid flow under natural convection were performed. Cosine-shaped heat flux as a function of reactor power was applied on fuel plates. Temperature field in the hot channel were calculated at 200 kW, 100 kW, 60 kW and 20 kW power levels, and the resulting temperature profiles described the heat flow from the fuel plates into the surrounding water coolant/moderator. To model the entire reactor, porous media approximation at the core was applied to reduce the computation cost. Using CFD simulation for four power levels, the inertial resistance tensor and viscous resistance tensor were found to be 281,005 kg/m4 and 7121.6 kg/m3 respectively. Subsequently, the parallel-plate section was replaced with a porous section. The pressure drop within the channel for both cases was found to be within 10% of each other. For the investigation of the heat flow in the MSTR pool, a porous region core was defined by both resistance tensors and porosity of 0.7027. A section of MSTR with 3 fuel elements and a power density of 1.86E+6 W m−3 was modeled with one third of the reactor pool. Temperature measurements were made to validate the simulation results at 200 kW. The average temperature difference between the measured values and the simulated results was 0.29 K. The maximum difference between the simulation results and the measurements was observed to be less than 2 K at 0.9 m from the bottom of the core which is also 0.3 m above the top of the fuel. After porous media model validation, flow field in the reactor pool were generated with the new active cooling system operated at 35% pumping capacity. These results will provide a framework for power uprate safety analysis.
The scaling of relative task difficulty across spatial, brightness, and form successive discrimination reversal (SDR) problems with Capuchin monkeys

The successive reversal performances of Capuchin monkeys assigned to spatial, brightness, and form discrimination tasks were compared to determine relative level of difficulty of each task. Comparison of error, session, and initial error measures all indicated that spatial and form tasks were respectively the easiest and most difficult, with brightness intermediate.
Loss of atmosphere from Mars due to solar wind-induced sputtering

Because Mars does not have a strong intrinsic magnetic field, the atmosphere is eroded by interactions with the solar wind. Early solar-system conditions enhanced the sputtering loss. It is calculated that approximately 3 bars of carbon dioxide (CO2) have been sputtered over the last 3.5 billion years. This significant increase over the previous estimate by Luhmann et al. of approximately 0.14 bar of CO2 is the result of the development of a more complete model. The model also predicts slightly greater loss of water--approximately 80 meters instead of the approximately 50 meters predicted by Luhmann et al. Because estimates of CO2 on early Mars range from 0.5 to 5 bars, the 0.14-bar estimate is insignificant but the approximately 3-bar estimate will have a large effect on our understanding of the planet's evolution.
PhoP and OxyR transcriptional regulators contribute to Yersinia pestis virulence and survival within Galleria mellonella.

The virulence of Yersinia pestis KIM6+ was compared with multiple isolates of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Yersinia enterocolitica toward larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella. Although Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis were able to cause lethal infection in G. mellonella, these species appeared less virulent than the majority of Y. enterocolitica strains tested. Y. pestis survived primarily within hemocytes of G. mellonella, and induced a strong antibacterial peptide response that lasted for at least 3 days in surviving larvae. Immunization with dead bacteria to induce an antibacterial response led to increased survival of the larvae following infection. Mutant strains lacking the either phoP or oxyR, which were less resistant to antibacterial peptides and hydrogen peroxide respectively, were attenuated and restoration of the wild-type genes on plasmids restored virulence. Our results indicate that the Y. pseudotuberculosis-Y. pestis lineage is not as virulent toward G. mellonella as are the majority of Y. enterocolitica isolates. Further, we have shown that G. mellonella is a useful infection model for analyzing Y. pestis host-pathogen interactions, and antibacterial peptide resistance mediated by phoP and reactive oxygen defense mediated by oxyR are important for Y. pestis infection of this insect.
Treatment of proctalgia fugax with topical nitroglycerin: report of a case.

PURPOSE: We report a single case of proctalgia fugax that responded to 0.3 percent nitroglycerin ointment. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A single case of proctalgia fugax responded to topical application of 0.3 percent nitroglycerin ointment with no significant side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Nitroglycerin ointment is a newly described treatment for several painful anal conditions. We describe a single case of levator spasm or proctalgia fugax responding to topical application of nitroglycerin. This is only a single case report, and conclusive evidence awaits completion of a controlled clinical trial.
The possibility of neurotoxicity in the hippocampus in major depression: a primer on neuron death

A number of studies indicate that prolonged, major depression is associated with a selective loss of hippocampal volume that persists long after the depression has resolved. This review is prompted by two ideas. The first is that overt neuron loss may be a contributing factor to the decrease in hippocampal volume. As such, the first half of this article reviews current knowledge about how hippocampal neurons die during insults, focusing on issues related to the trafficking of glutamate and calcium, glutamate receptor subtypes, oxygen radical generation, programmed cell death, and neuronal defenses. This is meant to orient the reader toward the biology that is likely to underlie any such instances of neuron loss in major depression. The second idea is that glucocorticoids, the adrenal steroids secreted during stress, may play a contributing role to any such neuron loss. The subtypes of depression associated with the hippocampal atrophy typically involve significant hypersecretion of glucocorticoids, and the steroid has a variety of adverse effects in the hippocampus, including causing overt neuron loss. The second half of this article reviews the steps in this cascade of hippocampal neuron death that are regulated by glucocorticoids.
The Clinical and Morphologic Characteristics of Kaposi's Sarcoma of the Conjunctiva

A 77-year-old woman with known Kaposi's sarcoma of one year's duration developed nodular lesions of her right palpebral conjunctiva. Biopsy confirmed sarcomatous involvement and local resection was performed. Despite leaving residual tumor, there was complete regression of the eyelid tumor three years after the resection. Electron microscopic studies characterize this neoplasm as a proliferation of primitive endothelial cells and pericytes, the two cell lines that compose a capillary wall.
Bulgaria: Privatization, Risk and Reality

Bulgaria is one of the Eastern European countries attempting to convert from a Central Planned Economy to a free market capitalistic one. Numerous problems have arisen that have prevented this transition from being completed. These problems parallel many of those faced by other nations attempting this transition. This article investigates Bulgaria's attempt to privatise its commercial and industrial enterprises. The key problems concerning investment and risk are identified. Potential solutions are offered that may allow Bulgaria to accomplish its goal of moving towards capitalism and prosperity.
Effects of ryanodine on calcium sequestration in the rat liver

Abstract Ryanodine, a highly toxic alkaloid known to react specifically with the Ca2+ release channels in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), was employed to study Ca2+ sequestration in the liver. Ryanodine at a 200 μM concentration increased cytosolic free Ca2+ levels and phosphorylase a activity in isolated hepatocytes. These effects may involve microsomal Ca2+ sequestration, because ryanodine, in the presence of inhibitors of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, at concentrations of 1 nM, 1 μM, 50 μM and 100 μM decreased 45Ca2+ retention in permeabilized hepatocytes. This inhibition of Ca2+ retention by ryanodine was not due to inhibition of the microsomal Ca2+-ATPase. Dantrolene, a compound shown previously to inhibit ryanodine binding in the liver, also decreased 45Ca2+ retention in permeabilized hepatocytes, and activated phosphorylase a. These results show that ryanodine administration alters calcium sequestration in liver. The possibility of the existence of a ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+-release channel in liver is discussed.
Fat Absorption by Germ-Free Chicks

Abstract INTRODUCTION LITTLE information is available on the effect of intestinal flora on absorption of fat. Luckey (1963) reported that germ-free rats retained 96.8% of the fat from a synthetic diet containing 6.8% corn oil, but no data were given for the retention of fat or specific fatty acids from these diets by conventionally reared rats. Young et al. (1963) found that fatty acids were absorbed better by chicks when reared in a fumigated laboratory or when fed antibiotics than in a contaminated environment. This environmental effect on growth rate and requirement was also reported by Edwards and Boyd (1963a, b) for magnesium, phosphorus and calcium. The experiments described here were performed to compare the relative retentions of the major fatty acids of two diets by germ-free and conventionalized chicks. EXPERIMENTAL Four plastic germ-free isolators were employed with 2 cages, each containing 6 chicks, in each isolator. Operational procedures for the . . .
Medial prefrontal cortical D2 and striatolimbic D4 dopamine receptors: Common targets for typical and atypical antepsychotic drugs

Abstract 1. 1. In vitro receptor autoradiography was used to examine the long-term effects of a typical (fluphenazine), atypical (clozapine), or potential atypical antipsychotic (S[+]-N- n -propylnorapomorphine; [+]-NPA) on different dopamine (DA) receptor subtypes. 2. 2. D 1 -Like and D 3 receptor levels were not changed with any treatment in any brain region examined. 3. 3. D 2 Receptors in caudate-putamen (CPu), nucleus accumbens (NAc) and olfactory tubercle (OT) were significantly increased by long-term treatment with fluphenazine, but not with clozapine or S[+]-NPA. 4. 4. D 2 Receptor levels in medial prefrontal cortex (MPC), but not dorsolateral frontal cortex (DFC), were elevated after repeated daily administration of fluphenazine, clozapine, and S[+]-NPA. 5. 5. D 4 -Like receptors, assayed under D 4 -selective conditions, were increased by fluphenazine, clozapine and S(+)-NPA in both NAc and CPu, but by none of these treatments in OT, DFC or MPC. 6. 6. These results support a common role for medial prefrontal cortical D 2 and striatolimbic D 4 receptors in mediating the clinical actions of typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs.
Human Endometrial Epithelial Cells Cyclically Express Toll-Like Receptor 3 (TLR3) and Exhibit TLR3-Dependent Responses to dsRNA

Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) responds to dsRNA, a product of most viral life cycles, and initiates production of proinflammatory and antiviral cytokines. The role of TLR3 in human mucosal immunity of the endometrium has not been examined. The effects of TLR3 ligation in endometrial epithelium could be significant as the endometrium is a significant site for viral entry and infection. Additionally, the cytokine milieu plays an essential role in normal functions of the endometrium such as uterine cycle progression, epithelial proliferation and shedding, and embryo implantation. In this study, we demonstrated cycle dependent expression of functional TLR3 in primary endometrial epithelial tissue and expression of intracellular TLR3 in human endometrial epithelial cell lines. We established that stimulation of TLR3-positive cell lines and primary human endometrial epithelial cells with dsRNA leads to TLR3-dependent expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, interferon (IFN)-inducible protein 10, RANTES, and IFN-β. These results indicate that the cytokine profile of human endometrial epithelial cells can be modified through TLR3 stimulation. Our findings suggest that TLR3 is involved in the immune responses of endometrial epithelial cells after exposure to dsRNA and has the potential to alter the cytokine milieu and influence the outcome and consequences of infection.
The effect of dehydration on parotid salivary gland function

Dehydration is common in the elderly, and has been traditionally linked with salivary hypofunction. This study examined the effect of dehydration on parotid salivary flow rates. Twelve young and 12 older healthy subjects abstained from food and fluid intake for 24 hrs (dehydration) and then underwent i.v. rehydration proportional to the amount of weight lost. Unstimulated and stimulated parotid flow rates, weight, hematocrit and hemoglobin values were assessed at baseline and 24 hrs, and 1 hr after completion of rehydration. All subjects experienced decreases in weight and increases in hematocrit and hemoglobin during dehydration. I.v. fluids caused weight gain and decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin, demonstrating that subjects were metabolically rehydrated. During dehydration, unstimulated flow rates decreased in young (p 0.05) and older (p = 0.03) subjects. While flow rates increased with rehydration, they remained lower than baseline levels. No age or gender differences were detected for salivary data. These findings suggest that dehydration may cause decreased parotid flow rates, independent of age in healthy adults.
Co-expression of p16INK4A and Laminin 5 by Keratinocytes: A Wound-Healing Response Coupling Hypermotility with Growth Arrest that Goes Awry During Epithelial Neoplastic Progression

The replicative lifespan of human keratinocytes in culture is restricted by a telomere-unrelated induction of p16 INK4A (p16) and p14 ARF . We have found that, in vivo , p16 is expressed by epidermal and oral keratinocytes at the migrating fronts of healing wounds and at the stromal interface of severely dysplastic and early invasive lesions and that such cells also invariably display increased expression of Laminin 5 (Lam5). In culture, p16 and Lam5 are coexpressed in keratinocytes at senescence, at the edges of wounds made in confluent cultures, and when cells are plated on dishes coated with the γ2 precursor form of Lam5 (Lam5γ2pre). Lam5/p16 coexpression in all three in vitro settings is associated with directional hypermotility and growth arrest. Hypermotility and growth arrest are uncoupled in p16- and p14 ARF /p53-deficient keratinocytes and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells; such cells become hypermotile is response to Lam5γ2pre but do not growth arrest. Thus, the Lam5/p16 response is activated in normal wound healing, causing growth arrest of migratory keratinocytes that lead wound reepithelialization. This response also becomes activated at a critical stage of neoplastic progression, acting as a tumor suppressor mechanism. Rare premalignant cells that lose p16 remain motile and proliferative, thereby resulting in invasive growth as SCC.
Non-urgent use of the Emergency Department of the Bambino Gesù Hospital: a cross sectional survey of parents' motivations

Abstract The objective of the study was to identify the reasons why families choose to present to a paediatric Emergency Department (ED), in particular the Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, with non-urgent conditions, and to discern their relationship with paediatric family practice (primary care). For this, a cross-sectional survey was made of families of children and adolescents aged between 0 and 14 years who presented to the ED of the Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital during a 1-month period. Questionnaires were returned concerning 310 patients with a non-urgent triage code priority. The predominant reason for paediatric ED consultation was the perception of need for urgent care (28%), followed by verbal referral from primary care (26%). The majority of the population surveyed (70%) was self-referred. The most common clinical reason for presenting to the ED was fever (27%) or respiratory symptoms (respiratory distress 12%, cough 14%). While 95% of respondents claimed to have a primary care physician as their children's healthcare referrent, 51% also referred to private practice and hospital-based care when necessary. Furthermore, 80% had been to the ED more than once, 10% more than five times, and 9% more than 10 times; 41% had been admitted at least once. Most parents claimed to be very (37%) or moderately (52%) worried. The majority chose the Bambino Gesu Hospital because they considered that their problem would be dealt with more rapidly there (65%); others referred to the absence of paediatric emergency care in their own district (20%). Most parents considered that they had sufficient health education to deal with the most common problems presented by their children (69%). In conclusion, the majority of non-urgent presentations to the Bambino Gesu Hospital ED were self-referrals. The hospital was chosen because it was considered to be reliable and efficient in solving children's problems more quickly. Parents' anxiety and difficulties accessing primary healthcare emerged in this study, which suggests a gap in the public service that is being inadequately filled by the ED.
Transforming the Patient Care Environment with Lean Six Sigma and Realistic Evaluation

: Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a structured methodology for transforming processes, but it does not fully consider the complex social interactions that cause processes to form in hospital organizations. By combining LSS implementations with the concept of Realistic Evaluation, a methodology that promotes change by assessing and considering the individual characteristics of an organization's social environment, successful and sustainable process improvement is more likely.
Building on No Child Left Behind

A dominant strand of U.S. educational policy for the past two decades has been incorporation of information about student achievement into management and regulation of schools. Although this policy idea is often attributed simply to the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), 44 states already had some form of test-based accountability (TBA) when the NCLB came into existence in 2002. NCLB transformed TBA into a national strategy, placed a clear goal on improvements in student achievement as reflected on certain standardized tests, and established a series of actions and penalties for failure to meet annual improvement goals on those tests (including school closure in the worst cases). More than 70% of the American public favors renewal of federal accountability legislation ( 1 ), and performance on similar tests is known to relate to important economic outcomes ( 2 ). In 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court focused on the importance of outcome accountability in a major school finance decision ( 3 ). Thus, TBA has become a fixture of American education. However, it is also clear that the current version could be improved significantly.
A simple technique for obtaining variable intensity in AC plasma display panels

A technique for obtaining gray scale in ac plasma display panels is described which uses only one discharge site per resolution element, does not require extensive electronic memory and provides a continuous, broad intensity range. A maintain voltage is applied to all elements of the display panel whose magnitude is somewhat less than the lower limit of the bistable region in which ac plasma panels are normally operated. The application of a trigger voltage initiates a sequence of discharges of diminishing intensity which continues for a substantial number of cycles before dying out. The number of cycles that the discharge sequence persists depends on the magnitude and duration of the addressing trigger voltage. If the panel is operated in a refresh mode, the average brightness of the light emitted may be controlled by varying the magnitude of the trigger pulse voltage. The gray scale method may be used to address a matrix display panel with video information using line-at-a-time addressing.
Separability in directly interacting relativistic particle systems

We present a representation of the Poincar\'e group corresponding to a directly interacting system of particles valid to order $\frac{1}{{c}^{2}}$ which satisfies the condition of separability of the interaction.
Shoulder impingement in front-crawl swimming: I. A method to identify impingement.

YANAI, T., J. G. HAY, and G. F. MILLER. Shoulder impingement in front-crawl swimming: I. a method to identify impingement. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 21–29, 2000.PurposeThe impingement of subacromial structures has been proposed as a major cause of the shoulder problems experienced
Cognitive Complexity and the Perception of Subtle Racism

The present research demonstrated that cognitive complexity is related to the perception of contemporary, subtle racism. Results indicated that the perception of subtle racism was related to attributional complexity. Further, greater attributional complexity was also related to greater racial complexity, defined as the ability of individuals to overcome the normative assumption that racism is no longer a major social problem in the United States and the extent that individuals think about racism. The relationship between attributional complexity and racial complexity held even when accounting for need for cognition, perspective taking, empathy, and political ideology. Finally, we found that racial complexity mediated the effect of attributional complexity on the perception of subtle racism. Taken together, the results of these three studies contribute a general cognitive mechanism related to the perception of subtle racism; an extension of cognitive and attributional complexity; and a new construct, racia...
Phospholipids associated with human parotid gland sialoliths

Abstract Ca-acidic phospholipid-phosphate complexes (CPLX) were isolated from 6 whole and 2 pooled human parotid sialoliths containing the mineral phases hydroxyapatite, whitlockite and octacalcium phosphate (ash 78 ± 16 per cent, n = 7). Total lipids accounted for 25 per cent of the demineralized dry weight of these sialoliths. CPLX was 39 ± 18 per cent of the lipid phosphorous pool, while diphosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl choline were the principal non-complexed phospholipids. The high cholesterol:phospholipid molar ratio 1.0 ± 0.3) observed in the sialolith lipids suggests a plasma membrane origin for these lipids.
Sport and Spectacle in the Ancient World – By Donald G. Kyle

Gone are the days when scholars looked down on books about sports as frivolous or of marginal importance. Donald G. Kyle has now presented a book that not only examines the significance of sport in...
PIGMENT COMPOSITION OF PUTATIVELY ACHLOROPHYLLOUS ANGIOSPERMS

Chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment composition was determined for ten species of putatively achlorophyllous angiosperms using high-performance liquid chromatography. Four families were represented:Lennoaceae (Pholisma arenarium);Monotropaceae (Allotropa virgata, Monotropa uniflora, Pterospora andromedea, Sarcodes sanguinea); Orobanchaceae (Epifagus virginiana, Orobanche cooperi, O. uniflora);Orchidaceae (Cephalanthera austinae, Corallorhiza maculata). Chlorophylla was detected in all taxa, but chlorophyllb was only detected inCorallorhiza maculata. The relative amount of chlorophyll and chlorophyll-related pigments in these plants is greatly reduced compared to fully autotrophic angiosperms.
Immediate chest roentgenography following fiberoptic bronchoscopy

It is a common practice for some clinicians to obtain a chest roentgenogram immediately following FOB in an attempt to detect complications of the procedure, particularly pneumothorax; however, the roentgenogram adds substantially to the cost of FOB. It was our clinical impression that the diagnostic and therapeutic value of immediate chest roentgenography was minimal. Therefore, we reviewed 130 chest roentgenograms taken immediately after bronchoscopy that were obtained over 36 months. One hundred fourteen (88 percent) were unchanged from the most recent roentgenogram before bronchoscopy. Ten (8 percent) showed an increase in alveolar infiltrate due to bronchoalveolar lavage or hemorrhage. Five (4 percent) had changes presumably unrelated to the procedure. Only one patient had a pneumothorax on the roentgenogram taken immediately after bronchoscopy; however, the patient was symptomatic, and the pneumothorax was detected by fluoroscopy prior to the chest roentgenogram. Management of the patient's condition was not altered in a single case based upon findings on the chest roentgenogram. We conclude that the immediately postbronchoscopic chest roentgenogram rarely provides clinically useful information or detects a complication that is not suspected clinically; furthermore, it appears to have minimal impact, if any, on the management of a patient's condition.