cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Facilitators and barriers to post-discharge pain assessment and triage: a qualitative study of nurses' and patients' perspectives.

Background After hospital discharge, patients can experience symptoms prompting them to seek acute medical attention. Early evaluation of patients' post-discharge symptoms by healthcare providers may improve appropriate healthcare utilization and patient safety. Post-discharge follow-up phone calls, which are used for routine transitional care in U.S. hospitals, serve as an important channel for provider-patient communication about symptoms. This study aimed to assess the facilitators and barriers to evaluating and triaging pain symptoms in cardiovascular patients through follow-up phone calls after their discharge from a large healthcare system in Central Massachusetts. We also discuss strategies that may help address the identified barriers. Methods Guided by the Practical, Robust, Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM), we completed semi-structured interviews with 7 nurses and 16 patients in 2020. Selected nurses conducted (or supervised) post-discharge follow-up calls on behalf of 5 clinical teams (2 primary care; 3 cardiology). We used thematic analysis to identify themes from interviews and mapped them to the domains of the PRISM model. Results Participants described common facilitators and barriers related to the four domains of PRISM: Intervention (I), Recipients (R), Implementation and Sustainability Infrastructure (ISI), and External Environment (EE). Facilitators include: (1) patients being willing to receive provider follow-up (R); (2) nurses experienced in symptom assessment (R); (3) good care coordination within individual clinical teams (R); (4) electronic health record system and call templates to support follow-up calls (ISI); and (5) national and institutional policies to support post-discharge follow-up (EE). Barriers include: (1) limitations of conducting symptom assessment by provider-initiated follow-up calls (I); (2) difficulty connecting patients and providers in a timely manner (R); (3) suboptimal coordination for transitional care among primary care and cardiology providers (R); and (4) lack of emphasis on post-discharge follow-up call reimbursement among cardiology clinics (EE). Specific barriers for pain assessment include: (1) concerns with pain medication misuse (R); and (2) no standardized pain assessment and triage protocol (ISI). Conclusions Strategies to empower patients, facilitate timely patient-provider communication, and support care coordination regarding pain evaluation and treatment may reduce the barriers and improve processes and outcomes of pain assessment and triage.
Green cloverworm phytophagy and simulation of insect defoliation in soybeans

Green cloverworm (Plathypena scabra (F.)) leaf-consumption was measured at various temperatures. Leaf consumption by male and female larvae were significantly different, with an average 2 of 116.9 cm . A green cloverworm leaf-consumption model then was established, relating larval leaf-feeding to development. Leaf consumption of greenhouse and field leaves were also compared and found significantly different. Consumption of field leaves was only 46.1% of the consumption of greenhouse leaves.
Wireless sensor networks: tutorial presentation

This tutorial provides an overview and demonstration of a wireless sensor network. The tutorial will provide a step by step demonstration of the installation of a complete network of programmable motes with a base station and data collection points. Over-the-Air programming of motes will be discussed.
c-Fos is essential for the response of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene to depolarization or phorbol ester

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene transcription rate increases in response to numerous pharmacological and physiological stimuli. The AP1 site within the TH gene proximal promoter is thought to play an important role in mediating many of these responses; however, it is unclear which AP1 factors are required. To investigate whether c-Fos is essential for the response of the TH gene to different stimuli, c-Fos-deficient PC12 cell lines were produced utilizing an antisense RNA strategy. In these cell lines, stimulus-induced increases in c-Fos protein levels were dramatically attenuated, while c-Jun and CREB levels remained unchanged. TH gene transcription rate increased from four- to eight-fold in control cells after treatment with either 50 mm KCl or TPA. These responses were dramatically decreased in the c-Fos-deficient cell lines. In contrast, c-Fos down-regulation had little effect on the response of the TH gene to forskolin. Stimulation of TH gene promoter activity, which was observed in control cell lines treated with either 50 mm KCl or TPA was also dramatically inhibited in the c-Fos-deficient cells. These results suggest that c-Fos induction is essential for maximal stimulation of the TH gene in response to either depolarization or PKC activation in PC12 cells.
Intratumoral heterogeneity as a therapy resistance mechanism: role of melanoma subpopulations

Malignant melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer whose incidence continues to increase worldwide. Increased exposure to sun, ultraviolet radiation, and the use of tanning beds can increase the risk of melanoma. Early detection of melanomas is the key to successful treatment mainly through surgical excision of the primary tumor lesion. But in advanced stage melanomas, once the disease has spread beyond the primary site to distant organs, the tumors are difficult to treat and quickly develop resistance to most available forms of therapy. The advent of molecular and cellular techniques has led to a better characterization of tumor cells revealing the presence of heterogeneous melanoma subpopulations. The discovery of gene mutations and alterations of cell-signaling pathways in melanomas has led to the development of new targeted drugs that show dramatic response rates in patients. Single-agent therapies generally target one subpopulation of tumor cells while leaving others unharmed. The surviving subpopulations will have the ability to repopulate the original tumors that can continue to progress. Thus, a rational approach to target multiple subpopulations of tumor cells with a combination of drugs instead of single-agent therapy will be necessary for long-lasting inhibition of melanoma lesions. In this context, the recent development of immune checkpoint reagents provides an additional armor that can be used in combination with targeted drugs to expand the presence of melanoma reactive T cells in circulation to prevent tumor recurrence.
Rotational Relaxation Time of Pyridoxyl 5-Phosphate Lysozyme

The technique of fluorescence polarization was used to study the rotational mobility of pyridoxyl 5-phosphate covalently bound to the e-amino group of a lysine residue. A Perrin's plot of the polarization of fluorescence data obtained by varying the viscosity of the solution shows a downward curvature at T/η values lower than 104. Two rotational relaxation times (ρs = 0.16 nsec) and (ρh = 8.7 nsec) are needed to fit the experimental curve. Both rotational relaxation times are shorter than the value (ρh = 25 nsec) obtained for lysozyme tagged with fluorescein isothiocyanate; they do not correlate with the value expected (ρh = 20 nsec) for the equivalent hydrated sphere of 14,500 molecular weight. A comparison between the rotational relaxation times of pyridoxyl 5-phosphate lysozyme, pyridoxyl-lysine, and the pyridoxyl 5-phosphate peptide reveals that the shortest rotational relaxation time (ρs = 0.16 nsec) of lysozyme reflects the motion of the pyridoxyl 5-phosphate chromophore linked the e-amino group of lysine. The effect of tri-N-acetylglucosamine on the degree of polarization of fluorescence of lysozyme was examined over a wide range of temperatures. The results of these studies indicate that the polarized fluorescence emitted by pyridoxyl 5-phosphate is influenced by events occurring at the level of the polypeptide chain.
Web Question Answering Systems: Measuring Task Performance

This research seeks to understand the user perspective in evaluating web question answering technology. Previous research concentrated in the design and development of question answering systems but left out the user’s perspective. Web question answering technology is important because it represents a way to search for information on the web and it is argued that it can improve task performance. This research proposes to study the relationship between the use of search technology and task performance. A research model is presented and a set of experiments are designed to test the hypotheses.
Detecting Denial of Service Attacks in Tor

Tor is currently one of the more popular systems for anonymizing near real-time communications on the Internet. Recently, Borisov et al. proposed a denial of service based attack on Tor (and related systems) that significantly increases the probability of compromising the anonymity provided. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for detecting such attacks and examine the effectiveness of the obvious approach to evading such detection. We implement a simplified version of the detection algorithm and study whether the attack may be in progress on the current Tor network. Our preliminary measurements indicate that the attack was probably not implemented during the period we observed the network.
Short arrest of cervical dilatation: A risk for maternal/fetal/infant morbidity

Abstract The characteristics of short arrest of dilatation (failure to dilate in active labor for ≥1 hour, but
Legacies of détente: a three-way discussionThomas Alan Schwartz is a professor of history at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Along with Matthias Schulz, he is the editor of the forthcoming, The Strained Alliance Conflict and Cooperation in U.S.–European Relations from Nixon to Carter (Cambridge University Press, 2009) and is currently working on a biography of Henry Kissinger.

Participating in this discussion about detente with two respected friends and scholars, both of whom have authored significant books about the subject of my current research, Henry Kissinger, compels me to confess that I have been strongly influenced by their work, and that this discussion threatens to be repetitious and even dangerously in agreement! Nevertheless, having been invited by Noam Kochavi to comment upon and discuss some of the big issues in the historical assessment of detente, I will let fly with the hope that what I have to say does not seem too commonplace or predictable. If nothing else, I promise to take a position on the issues that Kochavi has encouraged us to confront.
Regression toward the mean associated with measurement error and the identification of improvement and deterioration in psychotherapy.

Several factors can cause posttherapy scores to regress (relative to pretherapy scores) toward a group mean. This article focuses on regression effects that are due to measurement error, and on methods used to evaluate pre- to posttherapy score changes that attempt to take these regression effects into account. Statistical and practical problems associated with these methods are discussed. In particu lar, a statistical problem is identified in the most recent article that advocates use of these methods. Consequences of ignoring this problem and a way of correcting it are presented. Five practical problems encountered in using a correct classical true-score theory method of identifying reliable changes (based on derivations of H. Gulliksen [1950] and F. M. Lord and M. R. Novick [1968]) are then presented. Finally, objectives of these methods are distinguished from objectives of other strategies used to evaluate changes in psychotherapy
Tectonic stressing in California modeled from GPS observations

[1] What happens in the crust as a result of geodetically observed secular motions? In this paper we find out by distorting a finite element model of California using GPS-derived displacements. A complex model was constructed using spatially varying crustal thickness, geothermal gradient, topography, and creeping faults. GPS velocity observations were interpolated and extrapolated across the model and boundary condition areas, and the model was loaded according to 5-year displacements. Results map highest differential stressing rates in a 200-km-wide band along the Pacific-North American plate boundary, coinciding with regions of greatest seismic energy release. Away from the plate boundary, GPS-derived crustal strain reduces modeled differential stress in some places, suggesting that some crustal motions are related to topographic collapse. Calculated stressing rates can be resolved onto fault planes: useful for addressing fault interactions and necessary for calculating earthquake advances or delays. As an example, I examine seismic quiescence on the Garlock fault despite a calculated minimum 0.1–0.4 MPa static stress increase from the 1857 M∼7.8 Fort Tejon earthquake. Results from finite element modeling show very low to negative secular Coulomb stress growth on the Garlock fault, suggesting that the stress state may have been too low for large earthquake triggering. Thus the Garlock fault may only be stressed by San Andreas fault slip, a loading pattern that could explain its erratic rupture history.
Beyond heart rhythms: new directions for implantable devices.

Implantable cardiac devices have become firmly entrenched as important therapeutic tools for a variety of conditions. Pacemakers are the only available treatment for symptomatic bradycardia not due to reversible causes. Large randomized studies have demonstrated a small but statistically significant reduction in atrial fibrillation associated with pacing modes that maintain atrioventricular synchrony. In contrast, pacing mode appears to have a less dramatic effect in patients with atrioventricular block. Cardiac resynchronization with specialized left ventricular leads has been shown to reduce symptoms and improve survival in patients with symptomatic heart failure, systolic dysfunction, and widened QRS complexes. The implantable cardioverter defibrillator has become the standard therapy for protecting patients against sudden cardiac death. Two recent trials, Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Trial II (MADIT II) and the Sudden Cardiac Death Heart Failure Trial (SCD-HEFT), demonstrated that the ICD is associated with a significant survival benefit for patients with reduced ejection fraction (< 0.30–0.35) particularly if heart failure symptoms are present. Finally the implantable loop recorder has become an important diagnostic tool for the patient with unexplained syncope. This brief overview summarizes the indications and follow-up of the wide array of implantable cardiac devices available to the clinical cardiologist.
Mesothelin and GPR30 staining among a spectrum of pancreatic epithelial neoplasms.

Introduction: Our study attempts to characterize mesothelin and GPR30 / estrogen receptor (ER) staining in pancreatic pathology. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for mesothelin, ...
Open reduction and internal fixation of combined angle and body/symphysis fractures of the mandible: how much fixation is enough?

Purpose To assess the internal fixation requirements for combined mandibular angle and contralateral body or symphysis fractures of the mandible. Patients and Methods Two sample groups of patients treated for combined angle and body/symphysis fractures were compared for the development of major complications, defined as a need for another surgical intervention. The groups were divided based on whether they were treated with rigid or nonrigid fixation of the body or symphysis fracture. Results Nine hundred seventy-six patients were treated in the rigid group, and 149 were treated in the nonrigid group. There was a 4.9% major complication rate in those in the rigid fixation group versus 15.4% in the nonrigid fixation group (P Conclusion The fixation requirements of patients treated with double fractures of the mandible are different than when treating isolated fractures of the mandible. Double fractures require that at least one of the fractures undergoes rigid fixation to decrease the incidence of complications.
Are Semiclassical Methods Accurate for Electronically Nonadiabatic Transitions between Weakly Coupled Potential Energy Surfaces

We have performed a systematic series of semiclassical and quantum mechanical calculations of collisions of Br* (electronicaly excited Br) with H2 in order to test four semiclassical methods agains...
Neurohormonal activation in congestive heart failure and the role of vasopressin.

Vasoactive neurohormonal systems (eg, sympathetic nervous system [SNS], renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and arginine vasopressin [AVP]) are defense mechanisms designed to preserve arterial volume and circulatory homeostasis during periods of low cardiac output. Neurohormonal systems, which are normally stimulated under conditions of acute volume depletion, are activated by the low cardiac output and arterial pressure. However, sustained and chronic activation of these systems, as occurs in congestive heart failure (CHF), can cause progressive ventricular remodeling and worsening heart failure. Vasoconstriction, water retention, and increased blood volume are results of the activation of the SNS, the renin-angiotensin pathway, and AVP secretion. These effects can accelerate progression of CHF, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. AVP regulates vascular tone and free-water reabsorption, respectively, through the vasopressin V 1a and V 2 receptor subtypes and therefore is a potential neurohormonal target in the treatment of CHF.
Alterations in Aldosterone and Angiotensin II Levels in Salt-Induced Hypertension

Several studies have demonstrated that plasma renin-angiotensin activity is reduced in rats administered a high salt diet. We evaluated changes in plasma and tissue levels of aldosterone (ALDO) and angiotensin II (A-II), as well as the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio. Male Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats were placed on either a high-salt (8% NaCl; HS) or a normal-salt (0.3% NaCl; NS) diet for 3 weeks. Prior to and weekly on the diets, systolic blood pressure was measured by tail cuff plethysmography. Levels of A-II and ALDO in plasma, heart, and kidney were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay. Reduced and oxidized gluthatione were simultaneously measured by HPLC fluorescence detection. Heart and kidney tissues were prepared for histological analysis. Systolic blood pressure in animals on a HS diet was significantly elevated above that of those on a NS diet. High salt caused a reduction in both plasma A-II and ALDO levels; while their levels in the heart and kidney were increased. Exposure to a high-salt diet led to the enlargement of both heart and kidney. The reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio in plasma, heart and kidney was lowered by exposure to a HS diet. Kidneys from animals on a high-salt diet showed fibroid necrosis associated with wrinkling and thickening of the glomerular capillary wall, while hearts were hypertrophic. Taken together, high dietary salt induces inappropriate activation of the local renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems. Tissue levels of angiotensin II and aldosterone may be more reflective of the severity of vascular maladaptations than are plasma levels, and may play a greater role in the maintenance of hypertension.
High-conducting p+-InGaAs toplayers produced by simultaneous diffusion of Zn and Cd

Simultaneous diffusion of Zn and Cd yields shallow and high doped pt_InGaAs layers. Using a closed ampoule technique an increa sing amount of CdAs2 in the Cd3As2/Zn3As2 source results in a decrea sing diffusion depth whereas a high hole concentration level can be realised. The experimental result of the simultaneous penetration of Zn and Cd atoms into the crystal can be understood on the basis of an interstitialsubstitutional diffusion mechanism.
Coronary vessel cores from 3D imagery: a topological approach

We propose a simple method for reconstructing thin, low-contrast blood vessels from three-dimensional greyscale images. Our algorithm first extracts persistent maxima of the intensity on all axis-aligned two-dimensional slices through the input volume. Those maxima tend to concentrate along one-dimensional intensity ridges, in particular along blood vessels. Persistence (which can be viewed as a measure of robustness of a local maximum with respect to perturbations of the data) allows to filter out the `unimportant' maxima due to noise or inaccuracy in the input volume. We then build a minimum forest based on the persistent maxima that uses edges of length smaller than a certain threshold. Because of the distribution of the robust maxima, the structure of this forest already reflects the structure of the blood vessels. We apply three simple geometric filters to the forest in order to improve its quality. The first filter removes short branches from the forest's trees. The second filter adds edges, longer than the edge length threshold used earlier, that join what appears (based on geometric criteria) to be pieces of the same blood vessel to the forest. Such disconnected pieces often result from non-uniformity of contrast along a blood vessel. Finally, we let the user select the tree of interest by clicking near its root (point from which blood would flow out into the tree). We compute the blood flow direction assuming that the tree is of the correct structure and cut it in places where the vessel's geometry would force the blood flow direction to change abruptly. Experiments on clinical CT scans show that our technique can be a useful tool for segmentation of thin and low contrast blood vessels. In particular, we successfully applied it to extract coronary arteries from heart CT scans. Volumetric 3D models of blood vessels can be obtained from the graph described above by adaptive thresholding.
Reactive Groups, Spacer Groups and Functional Groups in Macromolecular Design

Abstract Several aspects of modern design of macromolecular architecture are discussed: the influence and importance of functional groups which often dominate the characteristics of the macromolecular structure; the importance of the spacer groups that provide flexibility and allow the functional group to act independently from the main chain when the functional group is attached to the main chain. Examples are given for the synthesis of reactive, telechelic polymers, for polymerizability of monomers whose polymerizable group is separated from the functional group by a flexible methylene spacer, and the reactivity of functional groups separated from the main chain by a spacer group.
The framing of negotiations: Contextual versus task frames

Abstract The purpose of this paper was to examine sources of the framing bias. While previous research has focused on task-responsive (experimentally manipulated) frames, it was argued that the context of the task may also frame the decision. Citing previous empirical studies which illustrated that buyers systematically outperformed sellers in symmetrical, negotiation simulations, it was suggested that the role of a participant may influence performance, independent of the task-characteristic demands. A study was conducted using an economically symmetrical negotiation simulation. Results indicated that negotiators positively framed by task characteristics completed more transactions, independent of the presence or absence of role-relevant information. When role-relevant information was absent, negotiators negatively framed by task characteristics completed transactions of greater mean value. When role-relevant information was present, buyers completed transactions of greater mean value than sellers, while task characteristics had no effect on mean transaction value. Implications of these results and directions for continued study were discussed.
The system diopside-ureyite at 20 Kb

The join diopside (CaMgSi2O6) — ureyite (NaCrSi2O6) was studied at pressures of 1 atm, 1 kb, 5 kb, and 20 kb using gel mixtures as starting materials. All runs except those at 1 atm were made under hydrous conditions. The data show that the solubility of ureyite in diopside decreases with increasing pressure. At 20 kb the maximum ureyite content of diopside is 13 weight percent (4.6% Cr2O3) as compared to 24 weight percent at 1 atm. It is predicted that pyroxenes that have equilibrated at depths >140 km will not contain a ureyite component; rather Cr will enter diopside in the form of a CaCr(CrSi)O6 component. Pyroxenes containing this component were found as metastable phases at 20 kb.
Detectors for Liquid Chromatographic Analysis for Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Abstract A number of liquid chromatographic detectors of various types have been evaluated for both selectivity and sensitivity for the detection of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Detection limits for fixed and variable wavelength UV photometers, filter fluorimeters, and spectrofluorimeters have been determined. The utility of each of these types of detectors for use in the reversed-phase HPLC analysis of environmental extracts containing trace levels of PAH's is discussed.
Effect of shear deformation on bending of bimodular composite-material plates

Abstract In this work the effect of shear deformation on bimodular fibrous composite plates is studied. This is performed by comparing the results obtained by using the first-order and higher-order shear deformation plate theories. Owing to the dependency of the neutral surface on the displacements, even for the simplest possible set of boundary conditions, an exact solution cannot be obtained when the higher-order theory is implemented. Therefore, the mixed finite-element method is employed to approximate the solution. Numerical results are presented for simply supported plates constructed of moderately and highly bimodular materials under sinusoidally distributed transverse load.
Spatial and temporal shifts the regulation of neurogenesis in a peripheral ganglion

In the cardiac ganglion of the frog Xenopus laevis, the number of cholinergic neurons increases over several months. During this time, each neuron must insert itself into the control circuit of the functioning heart. Like all neurons, increases in cell number depend on the timing of both proliferation and differentiation of neuronal precursors. The characteristics of the cardiac ganglion provided an opportunity to test how proliferation and differentiation regulate the production of a specific population of neurons. The prolonged accumulation of cardiac neurons suggested that their site of origin shifted from the neural crest migratory pathway to the heart at later stages of development. 3H-thymidine labeling of neurons in organ culture confirmed that neuronal precursors in the heart divide over a period of at least 3 weeks of development. Quantitative analysis of individual cardiac neurons subjected to different labeling and sampling protocols provided an estimate of their cell cycle length. It also showed that the rate of neuron proliferation during normal development matched the rate of neuron accumulation. Labeling DNA and blocking its synthesis indicated that the time of cardiac neuron differentiation was variable, but the range did not change as the site of cardiac neurogenesis shifted. On the other hand, the regular proliferation of cardiac neuron precursors during the first few days of development slowed or stopped at later times. This change in regulation of neuronal precursor proliferation occurred during their change in location. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Design, retrieval, and assembly in component-based software development

Until recently, anecdotal evidence could only suggest CBSD superiority in requirements identification. Here is a set of testable hypotheses to help distinguish hype from fact.
Death and best interests

I will consider how we can assess the interests of critically ill children who will survive only while aggressive medical support is continued. If aggressive medical support is withdrawn, the child will die shortly afterwards. This is important because when the courts are asked to decide treatments, the standard is that decisions should be made in the best interests of the child. My claim is that this is not a coherent way to consider how some children in this situation should be treated. I will consider two separate aspects of this problem. First, I will argue that there is no objective best interests test and no immediate prospect that we will be able to develop one. Secondly, I will argue that best interests are not a coherent way to consider the interests of children who will die shortly after treatment is withdrawn. To reinforce this claim, I will describe an example of two children where acting in the child's best interests produces counter-intuitive conclusions.
Effects of Bankruptcy Asset Exemptions and Foreclosure Laws on Mortgage Default and Foreclosure Rates

This study analyzes whether bankruptcy asset exemptions and state foreclosure laws affect borrowers’ decisions to default on their mortgages and the lenders’ incentives to settle the default outside the foreclosure. Using a rigorously specified empirical model and accounting for endogenous loan terms, we find significant variation in the effects of both bankruptcy asset exemptions and mortgage foreclosure laws on mortgage defaults across different segments of the mortgage market. Certain provisions of foreclosure laws, such as judicial foreclosure, are associated with a higher level of mortgage defaults, and lenders operating in these states prefer to settle the defaulted loans out-of-foreclosure. We also find a statistically significant non-linear relationship between bankruptcy asset exemptions and mortgage defaults.
Blood flow to lymphatic metastases in conscious rats

Abstract The blood flow of lymphatic metastases in conscious rats was estimated with radioactively labelled microspheres 25 μm in diameter. The relative blood flow of the outer ‘grossly viable’ tissue was twice that of the predominately necrotic central region of the SMT- 2 A mammary adenocarcinoma. Tumor blood flow to both regions was independent of tumor weight and whether the malignant tissue was transplanted into either the inguinal or axillary mammary gland or had spontaneously metastasized to the axillary lymph nodes. At all tumor weights studied the blood flow of the ‘grossly viable’ tissue, on a per gram basis, was significantly greater than that of the skin, mammary gland and muscle.
Destruction of the hamster serotonergic system by 5,7-DHT: effects on circadian rhythm phase, entrainment and response to triazolam.

Abstract The role of the serotonergic system in the regulation of hamster circadian rhythms was analyzed using intraventricular injection of the selective neurotoxin, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). Sixty days after 5,7-DHT administration, immunoreactive serotonin in the forebrain, particularly the suprachiasmatic nuclei and intergeniculate leaflets, was severely depleted in 16 animals, moderately depleted in four and only slightly affected in four. 5,7-DHT produced an immediate and sustained advance of the onset of running wheel activity relative to the 24 h light-dark (LD) cycle. Activity onset occurred0.7 ± 0.07 h before lights out among, 5,7-DHT-treated animals compared with0.18 ± 0.04 h after lights out for vehicle-infused controls. This new, advanced phase angle of entrainment was maintained throughout the 60-day period of the study while the animals remained in a LD cycle, including after an 8-h phase advance of the light cycle. 5,7-DHT treatment also delayed the offset of wheelrunning in 16 of 24 animals and reduced the likelihood of a smooth pattern of reentrainment to the shifted LD cycle. The drug treatment did not affect circadian period in constant darkness, the rate of reentrainment to an 8-h phase advance or the amount of wheelrunning activity per day. In addition, 5,7-DHT treatment had no effect on the ability of triazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine, to accelerate the rate of reentrainment to an 8-h phase advance. These observations show that ascending projections of midbrain raphe serotonin neurons participate in the regulation of the circadian activity phase but are not required for triazolam-induced acceleration of reentrainment to a phase-advanced LD cycle.
Impacts of facility size and location decisions on ethanol production cost

Cellulosic ethanol has been identified as a promising alternative to fossil fuels to provide energy for the transportation sector. One of the obstacles cellulosic ethanol must overcome in order to contribute to transportation energy demand is the infrastructure required to produce and distribute the fuel. Given a nascent cellulosic ethanol industry, locating cellulosic ethanol refineries and creating the accompanying infrastructure is essentially a greenfield problem that may benefit greatly from quantitative analysis. This study models cellulosic ethanol infrastructure investment using a mixed integer program (MIP) that locates ethanol refineries and connects these refineries to the biomass supplies and ethanol demands in a way that minimizes the total cost. For the single- and multi-state regions examined in this study, larger facilities can decrease ethanol costs by $0.20-0.30 per gallon, and placing these facilities in locations that minimize feedstock and product transportation costs can decrease ethanol costs by up to $0.25 per gallon compared to uninformed placement that could result from influences such as local subsidies to encourage economic development. To best benefit society, policies should allow for incentives that encourage these low-cost production scenarios and avoid politically motivated siting of plants.
Federal open market committee structure and decisions

Abstract This paper examines the dissents of Federal Open Market Committee members regarding the domestic monetary policy directive. It shows that, on balance, governors appointed by Democratic U.S. presidents dissented significantly on the easier side, while governors appointed by Republican U.S. presidents dissented significantly on the tighter side. The pattern of dissents for the Reserve Bank presidents was like that of Republican appointees to the Board of Governors. The Bank presidents' voting did not reflect regional points of view. Furthermore, the timing of the dissents by both the governors and presidents did not seem to be associated with the onset of Congressional or presidential elections.
Comparison of epinephrine excretion after aerosol and subcutaneous administration.

Abstract Urinary excretion of epinephrine was measured in 5 subjects after subcutaneous injection of epinephrine and various doses of an aerosol delivered from a pressurized cartridge. Base-line epinephrine excretion was 10 ± 4 ng. per minute. After 480 μg of epinephrine by injection, the maximal excretion was 240 ± 55 ng. per minute; while after the recommended dose of 3 inhalations, excretion was 13 ± 4 ng. per minute, and after 15 inhalations (2,400 μg) only 20 ± 5 ng. per minute were excreted. We conclude that while aerosol epinephrine may be of value from direct contact in upper airway obstruction, it would be unwise to rely on pressurized cartridges as a first aid measure in systemic anaphylaxis. Epinephrine by subcutaneous injection remains the preferred treatment.
Protocolized approach to the management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: benefits of reducing variability in care.

Abstract Purpose Variable approaches to the care of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) by multiple providers may contribute to inconsistent care. Our institution developed a comprehensive evidence-based protocol to standardize the management of CDH infants. This report reviews patient outcomes before and after the implementation of the protocol. Methods Retrospective chart review of CDH infants managed with individualized care (preprotocol group, January 1997-December 2001, n=22) or on the protocol (Protocol group, January 2002-July 2009, n=47). Survival and other categorical variables were compared by χ 2 analysis, and continuous variables were compared using 1-sided analysis of variance analysis, with significance defined as P Results Survival to discharge was significantly greater in the Protocol group (40/47; 85%) than the preprotocol group (12/22; 52%; P = .006), although mean gestational age, mean birth weight, and expected survival were not statistically different between the 2 groups. The use of supportive therapies, including high-frequency jet ventilation, inhaled nitric oxide, and extracorporeal life support, was similar between groups as well. Conclusions Since the implementation of a management protocol for infants with CDH, survival has improved significantly compared with expected survival and preprotocol controls. Reduction in the variability of care through use of an evidence-based protocol may improve the survival of CDH infants.
Rapid and Continuous Modulation of Hippocampal Network State during Exploration of New Places

Hippocampal information processing is often described as two-state, with a place cell state during movement and a reactivation state during stillness. Relatively little is known about how the network transitions between these different patterns of activity during exploration. Here we show that hippocampal network changes quickly and continuously as animals explore and become familiar with initially novel places. We measured the relationship between moment-by-moment changes in behavior and information flow through hippocampal output area CA1 in rats. We examined local field potential (LFP) patterns, evoked potentials and ensemble spiking and found evidence suggestive of a smooth transition from strong CA3 drive of CA1 activity at low speeds to entorhinal cortical drive of CA1 activity at higher speeds. These changes occurred with changes in behavior on a timescale of less than a second, suggesting a continuous modulation of information processing in the hippocampal circuit as a function of behavioral state.
Current status of the MPEG-4 standardization effort

The Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) of the International Standardization Organization has initiated a standardization effort, known as MPEG-4, addressing generic audiovisual coding at very low bit-rates (up to 64 kbits/s) with applications in videotelephony, mobile audiovisual communications, video database retrieval, computer games, video over Internet, remote sensing, etc. This paper gives a survey of the status of MPEG-4, including its planned schedule, and initial ideas about requirements and applications. A significant part of this paper is summarizing an incomplete draft version of a `requirements document' which presents specifications of desirable features on the video, audio, and system level of the forthcoming standard. Very low bit-rate coding algorithms are not described, because no endorsement of any particular algorithm, or class of algorithms, has yet been made by MPEG-4, and several seminars held concurrently with MPEG-4 meetings have not so far provided evidence that such high performance coding schemes are achievable.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Prolonged survival after severe traumatic injury limited to the brainstem.

Abstract It has been suggested that primary traumatic lesions of the brainstem do not occur in the absence of widespread injury to other parts of the brain. We describe a patient who suffered a severe head injury that left him with paralysis of three extremities and weakness in the fourth. Intellectual function was entirely preserved. Neuropath-ological examination 39 years after the injury disclosed the presence of a cavitary lesion within the basis pontis. There was no pathological evidence of traumatic injury to any other part of the central nervous system.
From the Lesbian Ghetto to Ambient Community: The Perceived Costs and Benefits of Integration for Community

Drawing on an ethnography of queer women in Ithaca, New York, this article documents the perceived costs and benefits for a minority group's ties of changing attitudes, identities, and legislation. It reveals that despite the high proportion of queer women in Ithaca most informants report disappointment with "community." However, this disappointment does not correlate with a dearth of affective local ties; queer women detail a wealth of supportive ties to heterosexual and queer neighbors. Informants' simultaneous disappointment with "community" and rich local ties emerge from: (1) a shift from identity politics and networks to emphasis on shared cultural, social, and political tastes and activities; (2) the breadth of the queer female population; and (3) queer women's successful integration into Ithaca's social, cultural, and political spheres. From informants' perspectives these conditions weaken "real" community, which they associate with homogenous place-based networks of marginalized individuals, and promote a strong sense of ambient community: feelings of belonging and connection that arise from informal, voluntary, and affective ties—largely fashioned around shared tastes and activities and predicated on a sense of safety and acceptance—forged among heterogeneous proximate individuals. Contra the prevailing expectation that place-based ties best flourish among marginalized individuals who share a dominant identity and formal institutions, the article demonstrates that when social and cultural conditions change local ties change, too—they do not simply disappear. Social and cultural shifts alter the foundation of local ties and informants' assessment thereof.
URETEROPELVIC JUNCTION OBSTRUCTION IN AN ENDOTHORACIC KIDNEY: SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT WITH RETROGRADE BALLOON DIVULSION AND STENTING

A 68-year-old woman presented with severe right flank pain radiating to the right lower quadrant. An excretory urogram (IVP) revealed a right endothoracic kidney with grade IV hydronephrosis and pararenal extravasation (fig. 1, A). Computerized tomography showed a large right pararenal urinoma associated with right pleural effusion (fig. 1, B). A retrograde ureteropyelogram confirmed localized ureteropelvic junction obstruction. A 7F diversion stent was placed over a Glidewire* guide wire to relieve the obstruction. Based on the length of the ureter measured from this stent, we ordered a 38 cm. 7F internal stent. During the next 6 days the pararenal urinoma and pleural effision resolved. Using guide wire exchange techniques the diversion stent was removed and a 30F balloon was placed for retrograde ureteropelvic junction divulsion.' The new 38 cm. internal stent was left indwelling for 4 weeks. ARer its removal a retrograde pyelogram confirmed a patent ureteropelvic junction without extravasation. The patient remains symptom-free, and Ivp 1 year later demonstrated good form and function of the endothoracic right kidney (fig. 2).
Business and society in transformation

Although most of us have to be concerned primarily with the welfare of our own organizations, we recognize that these organizations prosper only as the society as a whole prospers. Society presently faces a set of complex problems, and neither the bureaucratic process of executive decision‐making nor the adversary process of political decision‐making seems well adapted to their resolution. What appears to be required is a process for developing new perceptions of the situation, the facts, and the action possibilities.
COOLING BY INVERSE NOTTINGHAM EFFECT WITH RESONANT TUNNELING

The Inverse Nottingham Effect (INE) cooling involves emission of electrons above the Fermi level into the vacuum. Our scheme involves the use of a Double Barrier Resonant Tunneling (DBRT) section positioned between the surface and the vacuum for a much increased emission, and to provide energy selectivity for assuring cooling, without surface structuring such as tips and ridges leading to current crowding and additional heating. Unlike resonant tunneling from contact-to-contact, where barrier heights and thicknesses are controlled by the choice of heterojunctions, the work function at the surface dictates the barrier height for tunneling into the vacuum. The calculated field emission via resonant tunneling gives at least two orders of magnitude greater than without resonance, however, without work function lowering, the large gain happens at fairly high field. The use of resonance to enhance cooling by INE results in an important byproduct, an efficient cold-cathode field emitter for vacuum electronics.
Sleep-disordered breathing is associated with asthma severity in children.

Objective To examine the relationships among obesity, sleep-disordered breathing (SDB, defined as intermittent nocturnal hypoxia and habitual snoring), and asthma severity in children. We hypothesized that obesity and SDB are associated with severe asthma at a 1- year follow-up. Study design Children aged 4-18 years were recruited sequentially from a specialty asthma clinic and underwent physiological, anthropometric, and biochemical assessment at enrollment. Asthma severity was determined after 1 year of follow-up and guideline-based treatment, using a composite measure of level of controller medication, symptom burden, and health care utilization. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine adjusted associations of SDB and obesity with asthma severity at 12-month follow-up. Results Among 108 subjects (mean age, 9.1±3.4 years; 45.4% African-American; 67.6% male), obesity and SDB were common, affecting 42.6% and 29.6% of subjects, respectively. After adjusting for obesity, race, and sex, children with SDB had a 3.62-fold increased odds of having severe asthma at follow-up (95% CI, 1.26-10.40). Obesity was not associated with asthma severity. Conclusion SDB is a modifiable risk factor for severe asthma after 1 year of specialty asthma care. Further studies are needed to determine whether treating SDB improves asthma morbidity.
Pharmacological and Genetic Characterization of Two Selective Serotonin Transporter Ligands: 2-[2-(Dimethylaminomethylphenylthio)]-5-fluoromethylphenylamine (AFM) and 3-Amino-4-[2-(dimethylaminomethyl-phenylthio)]benzonitrile (DASB)

The expression and function of the serotonin transporter (SERT) is important in the regulation of mood and emotion. Determination of SERT alterations in physiological and pathological states is essential for understanding the role of SERT in mood regulation, and in the etiology and therapy of psychiatric disorders. Two SERT ligands, AFM ([ 3 H]2-[2-(dimethylaminomethylphenylthio)]-5-fluoromethylphenylamine) and DASB ([ 3 H]3-amino-4-[2-(dimethylaminomethylphenylthio)]benzonitrile), have recently been developed for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. The aim of the present study was to determine the selectivity of these compounds for SERT. Autoradiography of AFM or DASB binding was compared in the brains of mice with genetically normal, diminished, or absent SERT. In addition, the pharmacodynamic profile of [ 3 H]AFM was examined in the mouse brain. The distribution of [ 3 H]AFM and [ 3 H]DASB binding in the normal brains was consistent with that of previously studied serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Both ligands had negligible binding in the brain of SERT knockout mice, and binding was reduced approximately 50% in heterozygote SERT mice. The K d of [ 3 H]AFM binding in the cortex and midbrain was 1.6 and 1.0 nM, respectively. Competition studies showed that [ 3 H]AFM has very low affinity for norepinephrine and dopamine transporters as well as 5-HT receptors, including 5-HT 1A , 5-HT 1B , 5-HT 2A , and 5-HT 2C receptors. In addition, fenfluramine showed a low capability to compete with [ 3 H]AFM. The present results suggest that both AFM and DASB are highly selective SERT ligands potentially suitable for use in human PET studies of SERT.